Are you Hooked on Tuesday?

  Today on the 30th of January I decided to take advantage of 3 deals.  Now for you I can at least maybe promise 2.  I went out for dinner and dining out is an expense but, if you do it right it doesn't have to break the bank (nor should it).  Welcome to my experience at Bonefish grill.

  I received several birthday treat's via local places and although you don't necessarily get to use all of them; some you definitely take advantage of right out the gate.

  I have enjoyed using a reward here and there throughout the month.  Some treats expire on your birthday, start on your birthday or others are available till the end of the month. Bonefish Grill gives you the month to use your freebie.

  Bonefish Grill offers you their delicious specialty Bang Bang Shrimp or a dessert for your birthday.  If you have ever been to this restaurant you know if your going to eat the birthday reward your going to also enjoy dinner.  There's no way I'm showing up for just that and not a delicious dinner too!

So deal number one!  I hope for your sake today was not the last day because if it is..... I am sorry!

  Hooked on Tuesday was today. I strategically planned to save money and dine out.  The deal gets you a 3 course meal starting at 15.9.  This includes a salad, entree and dessert!

Behold your options:

a house salad
a Caesar salad

Second course for us:


Cod Piccata


Chicken Teriyaki bowl

Final and most important course:
Keylime pie


Jamaican Coconut pie

  Second deal is to sign up for their loyalty program.  On the 4th visit you receive 50% off! Today I did not strike that deal but next trip I will.  Dinners on me! Who wants to come?  Their dining program also includes Carrabba's, Outback and Flamingos. So if you visit any of these places it counts every visit.

 Lastly, your third deal is sign up for that email!  You will get nothing but money saving offers. You will get the special menu notices, as well as a heads up on daily or weekly specials, and a birthday freebie!

  Now what are you waiting for?  Even if you don't have a Bonefish Grill near you, perhaps you have one of the other places instead.  I would start taking advantage of the deals they have to offer.  Even if you only go out a few times a year I'm sure it's at least right around 4 times. That's 50% off!

  I hope I have peeked your appetite.  I had a great dinner and even though it's not quite the last day of the month.  It's close enough to say goodbye birthday month it's been real.

 Disclosure...... I received nothing from Bonefish Grill for this post.  I had a great time and I am just sharing my honest opinion.

5 benefits to a Snow Day

  With the weather being so crazy this week I feel like my whole month is off.  How can a few days of roads closed down throw off my life? My life isn't really thrown off I just have to adjust things, make minor adjustments and accommodate differently.  There are some benefits to closed roads though during a snowfall.

1.  Saved money.
I can't leave my house because the roads are not clear and the stores are not open anyways.

Well now that you mention it there is always delivery. Pizza and Chinese anyone?

2.  Focused playtime.
This playtime with the kids is different because it's not planned.  Somehow when there's no school kids are bored but, in the summer they run a muck.  So the kids are constantly asking to be played with.

I have colored more, had my makeup applied by the children, done nails and more.  I didn't know bored could last so long.  I know they are enjoying themselves and appreciating it.

3.  Snow pictures.

  Its not that snow is rare in Virginia.  If it was, it isn't any more because while I have lived here it has snowed every year.  Each year it snows more than the previous year.  

The roads are in desperate need of some sand, salt and a plow.  I am a secondary road so the roads will get clean when they get clean unless the sun gets to them first. The problem is they try to thaw during the day then refreeze overnight.

4.  Fitness is flexible.

  While I can take a break from working out due to the lack of ability to get to the gym (if they are even open).  I get to walk the neighborhood for fresh cold air.  I do not run in the winter when it's too cold but, if your trapped in a house for too long a nice brisk stroll is a welcoming activity.   

  This is reason number I don't even know of why I need a Fitbit.  I hadn't been using the map I run app on my walks because I thought they would be short and sweet but usually my phone logs the steps/miles/distance.  As you can see I got credit for yesterday but not for today.  So I can't count on it that's for sure.

5.  I notice more colors.

  There are so many beautiful colors.  The different hues in the sky.  The shine of the ice.  Everything has a different beauty to it in the winter.

This was a stroll I took at sunset.  When I walk I look everywhere. Up, down in front of me and behind me.  You never know what is happening behind you if you don't look.  Of course I have to look down because of all the ice but, still you never know what you'll see.

Did you gain anything from a snowday?  How many days off did you get with the latest storm?  What did you do to pass the time?

5 Tips of how to meal plan

1.  Make a plan of how many meals you want to make.  I organize all my dinners.  Lunches are usually the same routine of sandwiches.  Breakfast varies from cereal, oatmeal to hot meals.  For dinner will there be the same weekly theme.

Monday: meatless
Tuesday: tacos
Wednesday: spaghetti
Thursday: breakfast
Friday: Take out, pizza or leftovers
Saturday: leftovers
Sunday: Sunday Dinner

Skip even labeling the days if that's too stressful and just organize 5 days of meals.

  2.  Stick with what you know.  You don't need to look up recipes.  Make hotdogs and a couple sides, pancakes or soup and sandwiches.

3.  Before you go shopping look in your fridge and pantry.  You don't need to clean it out but utilize what's in there.  How long has that can of ______ been in there?  Confession:  I have some old Hamburger Helpers in mine.

4. Grocery shop with a dollar limit.  Set the limit to $xxx for the month.  This amount is strictly for food only, not pet products or household.

5.  Don't wait for the day before the week begins.  You feel stressed out.  Whenever an idea pops into your head write it down for the following week.  1 day down and keep building on it.

  I find it easy to build around the main item.  I will say chicken is once a week, meatless once a week, salmon one day and soup.  I might not even assign a specific day for the meals.  With this concept then you can focus on a recipe or meal around the chicken.  For example bbq chicken or baked chicken. Soup would be cheeseburger or potato.

  I hope some of these tips alleviate some of the presumed stress when it comes to meal planning.

  I skipped this week but I'm not stressing as we will be ok and once and awhile it's nice to take a break.

#nablopomo