Freebies in the Mail

Who doesn't love free  stuff?  I know I do, but I never ever rarely took advantage of all of the awesome free products available for those who are willing to spend a couple of minutes a day searching and applying for them.

A while back I was not aware of all the freebies that companies give out in order to promote their different brands.  I have set out on a mission to apply online for as many freebies as I can (of,course I only apply for the ones that I know I will use).

Most of the freebies I have signed up for have been thanks to the many wonderful mommy bloggers out there who spend time searching for these freebies.  If not, you can always look for freebies by checking out the web pages of the companies that make your favorite products.  Browse around the page to see what they have to offer.  Samples are not always available but, chances are that the company might be offering a discount coupon that you can print from the web site.

Here are some of the freebies I've received in the last two weeks:

Mini art supply kit with crayons, coloring pencils and pastel colors.

 

I got three (3) health bars from Atkins, which are good if you are on the go.

 My husband loves Fiber One cereal.  I have never tried Hamburger Helper before, but look forward to preparing it.  I got these products from Que Rica Vida (the site is in Spanish)

Don't let these freebies go to waste, make sure you get yours!

What freebies have you gotten your hands on?

                                                Let's do some blog hopping!

Wednesday Hops

Korean Pancakes

My mother is visiting us for a while and of course one of the first things we had to do was get our hands on some yummy Korean food. I love Korean food, mostly because it is in my blood. I am half Korean on my mother's side.
Last Thursday we went to H-Mart (giant Korean Supermarket). It's approximately two (2) hours from where I live, but it is well worth the while to make the long drive. Needless to say that we ended up spending an outrageous amount of money-veggies, noodles, spices, mixes, treats, beverages, chop sticks, pillows, take home side dishes, kimchi, seaweed, etc. Actually, my mother paid for everything, but she was more than happy to do so.

One of the things we bought was Korean pancake mix.  When I used to live back in the Caribbean, my mom would often make these from scratch and they tasted so good.  So, when I saw the dry mix I zoomed it in the cart.

On Sunday, I decided to prepare the pancakes.  I was a bit nervous because I had never, ever prepared anything remotely Korean.

Basically, this Korean pancake mix is just flour and light spices.  One batch is made up of  1 cup of the flour mix with 3/4 cup of water but,  this can vary

After preparing the mix I cut up some mushrooms, orange peppers, and white onions.  Afterward,  I added the veggies to the mix, but it was to much veggies for the mix so I prepared more of the mix.

In order to add some more flavor to the mix, I chopped up some kimchi and threw it in the mix.

This is how the prepared mix should look...creamy.

I heated up a pan and then added a light touch of olive oil,; just enough to lightly coat the pan.  Then, I spooned the mix into the batch.

The pancakes will start to crisp and get a golden and light brownish color.

After the pancakes were done cooking on one side, I flipped them over.

According to my mother, there is no right time or way to eat this or any other Korean side dish.  This can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner with as many side dishes as you wish.

We ate the pancakes with spicy noodles and seasoned yellow radish.

Have you ever tried Korean pancakes or any other kind of Korean dish?

Now to some blog hopping! 

Free Coupons in your Mail

I have never really been into clipping coupons until I started reading about it through all of the ingenious women whose blogs I follow. I have read on how so many of them have drastically cut down on their grocery bills through the science that is couponing. Of course, who wouldn't want to save money here and there.I know I do!

Last week, I was going through the archives of The Frugal Free Gal to found out how she had started on her couponing journey.  I stumbled across a post on how she had received free coupons directly from the companies simply by e-mailing them through their contact pages.

I thought, why not do it.  I e-mailed McCormick and The Skinny Cow last week and received letters along with some coupons yesterday (Saturday).  When contacting the companies I made sure to tell me how much I enjoyed some specific products of theirs-which I do.  Prior to sending the coupons, The Skinny Cow company, contacted me via e-mail to let me know that they would be sending out some coupons.  McCormick didn't write back, but they did deliver.

I received four (4) discount coupons from McCormick.

I received two(2) $0.50 discount coupons from The Skinny Cow valid for any of their products.

Needless to say, I'm little by little becoming addicted to the idea of saving money through the calculated use of coupons.

Have you ever written to companies asking for discount coupons?  How was the experience?  What companies did you write to?

Upcoming Reviews and Possible Giveaway Ops

I'm excited to announce that I have some upcoming review projects! In addition, if everything goes well I will hosting some giveaways for all of the wonderful people who follow my blog!

Exciting News:

• I have just been accepted as a member of the Carmex Blog Squad!  I have used some of their products in the past and they have never let me down.  I am over the roof ecstatic about having been given this wonderful opportunity.  My reviews for the products will begin approximately in mid October.
• I just received my very first review package.  The package consisted of several super cool skincare products from L'BRI: Pure n' Natural.  These products are natural aloe vera based, which immediately caught my eye.  I am going to stop and desist from using my current skincare products in order to immediately submerge my skin to the L'BRI: Pure n' Natural products. But, just from having read the company's product literature, something tells me the products are going to be fantastic.

Current Giveaway:

• 250 Die Cut Business Cards!  The entries are very low for this giveaway! So make sure to click here so you can have a chance at getting these cool and modern business cards.  I've added the option of getting 3 free entries if you write a post about my giveaway.  Make sure to link it back to the page and let me know about it.

Upcoming Reviews:

• L'BRI: Pure n' Natural
• Boogie Wipes
• Carmex 
• ROHTO® Cooling Eye Drops
• New Certain Dri Solid Antiperspirant 

Plan your Meals

Lately, I've found myself wanting to eat a little bit healthier, but in order to get a jump start on things I need to organize my ideas on paper.

I don't know how many times I have read that ones of the things you can do to aid yourself in the road to lose weight, get fit, and lead a healthier life is to plan your meals ahead of time.

Last week I picked up a weekly meal organizer over at Target.  I had already eyed it on a previous visit, but decided not to get it at that particular moment. When I saw it once again last week I knew I had to get it.  It cost me between $8.00 -$9.00 (I cleared out my wallet yesterday and threw out the receipt because I knew I was not going to return anything).

Weekly Menu Planner Organizer Wipe Off Set.  The Wipe-Off Board is divided in 3 columns: lunch, dinner, notes &it has 7 rows for each day of the week.  The best thing is that it has a magnet so you can set it on your fridge.  I love that I don't have to waste as much paper in doing a chart for our weekly meals. The board is very sturdy and does not slide around the fridge as you write on it, although it is easier if you just lay it flat on a table surface.

Sample lunch plans and menu that came written on the plastic that was on top off the planning board.

The set also includes a shopping list note pad.  It could also be used as a to-do list.  I love making lists, so this note pad has come in extremely handy.

It comes with a black erase off marker so you can write down your weekly menu.  The next week you just take your marker and use the integrated cap sponge eraser to clean off the board.  You can also use a soft tissue and erase the board clean.


Planning your meals ahead of time gives you an idea of what items you really need to pick up at the supermarket as opposed to just grabbing whatever you feel like in the moment. Writing down your meals or what you have planned to do for lunch &  dinner also helps you visualize how much you are eating and how nutritious or not your food is.  I've also found that writing down the menu of the week can make others look forward to eating your food-sort of like at a restaurant.


What are your thoughts on planning meals ahead of time?


And now to some BLOG HOPPING!!!

Get in on the blog hops and find some new and interesting blogs and possibly some wonderful people who might enjoy your blog!
:-D

 

Dove Hair Care: Free Sample

I happened to be surfing the web today and decided to stop by the  Dove webpage. 

They are sending out samples for 2 different Hair Care products.  I think you can only sign up for one.  I just signed up and I should be receiving my free sample in several weeks.


If you are interested in a free sample click here

Sunday Blog Hopping!

Weekend Music & Blog Hopping

This is a really beautiful song!


What do you think?


                  Let's go out and find some fabulous blogs!

Quick Breakfast Ideas

Yummy breakfast for two!

oatmeal with raspberries (my son's breakfast)

raspberries, grapes, brie cheese, 1 hard boiled egg, 1/2 English muffin

What do you like to have for breakfast when you are short on time?

I Love Scarves

                                                                                                                                                         Polyvore.com

Scarves not only are a great Fall accessory, but they also keep you cozy in the ever changing dropping temperatures.
  
What's your favorite Fall accessory?

Calling all Animal Lovers

Every year more than four million dogs end up in shelters and breed rescue organizations. Personally, I find this to be very sad. Thankfully, Pedigree has taken the initiative to start up The Pedigree Adoption Drive. This group promotes the adoption and rescue of animals without a home.


HOW CAN WE HELP:

Th Pedigree Adoption Drive has agreed to donate a bowl of food to different shelters for every person that becomes a "fan" or "likes" The Pedigree Adoption Drive on Facebook.  I've already become a fan.  If you love animals, you should as well.

 Pedigree will also donate a 20 pound bag of food, to shelters across the USA, for each blog post that mentions The Pedigree Adoption Drive.  Pedigree's search engines will detect these key words (The Pedigree adoption Drive) and that's how the food will get donated.

I believe, you have until September 19th, to do either one, or both, of these things.  Let's help out some little friends in need!

Sunday Blog Hops

Sale at Old Navy

Old Navy is having a great sale today!  Leggings for  women on sale for $6 and for girls and toddlers $4.

 I love leggings, so I'll definitively be going today in the hopes of scoring some cute leggings.

 

Don't forget to check out my first givaway for 250 Die Cut Business Cards!

Die Cut Business Card Giveaway (closed)

If you're looking to spice up your business, attract more people to your blog, have a professional way of introducing yourself to others or simply impressing your friends and family over the holidays?  The answer is easy...go visit UPrinting.com 

UPrinting.com specializes in everything for your modern day, stylish printing needs.  They offer business cards, calendars, flyers, postcards and many other other products that you should definitely check out on their site.

If your tired of your plain,old, boring business cards then this is your lucky day!  UPrinting .com is offering to give one of my readers 250 Die Cut Business Cards.  These cards are very modern and cool looking and come in various options for you to choose from: rounded corners, leaf, rounded one corner and half circle side. 

Giveaway Prize:

• 250 Die Cut Business Cards for One (1) Winner  

•  2 x 3.5”, 2 x 2” (square card) or 1.75 x 3.5” (slim card) 

• Die cutting options available: Rounded Corners, Leaf, Rounded One-Corner, Half-Circle Side, Circle 

• Paper Type: 14pt Cardstock Gloss, Matte, or High Gloss; 13pt Cardstock Uncoated        

• Color: 4Color Front, Blank Back; 4Color Front, Black Back; 4Color Both Sides         

• Limited to US residents only  18 years old and above

How to enter the giveaway: (You will have until midnight (EDT) Friday, October 1st, 2010 to leave one (1) comment per entry/ make sure to leave your e-mail address)

Mandatory Entry:

• Check out UPrinting.com and let me know in a comment what other product caught your attention.

Bonus Entries:

• Make sure to follow (public) Always Around Boys on Google Friend Connect.
•  Follow UPrinting.com on Facebook 
• Write a post about my giveaway. (3 entries)

You can get a total of 6 entries!

GOOD LUCK!

Disclamer: I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post.   I will be receiving 250 Die Cut Business Cards from UPrinting.com for hosting this giveaway.  This contest is open to US residents 18 and older.  The winner will be selected by using Random.org.  I will announce the winner on Saturday,October 2nd 2010.  The winner's information will be sent to UPrinting.com and they will contact the winner for full delivery of prize.  Always Around Boys is not responsible for delivering the prize to the winner.