Xbox 360 4 GB Console + $25 Amazon credit for $180 on Amazon

Regularly $199 and almost never goes on sale!

1 FREE Kid's Single-Day Admission to Busche Gardens, VA

Visit buschgardens.com/va and enter promo code BGWPAMPERS to receive one free child’s (age 3-9) single-day admission with the purchase of one regularly priced adult single-day admission ($66.99). Tickets obtained with this offer must be purchased and used by May 20, 2012 and are valid on regularly scheduled operating days only. Busch Gardens Williamsburg opens March 24, 2012. Offer valid online only using promo code.

Leap Year Deals Feb 29

In celebration of the Leap Year, these stores are offering the respective offers:


Free $10 gift card at Tanger shopping malls. Sign-up for Tanger mobile text deals by 2/29 and receive a FREE $10 Tanger gift card offer. Simply text 'TANGER' to 74700 to receive the $10 gift card offer, redeemable at Tanger Shopper Services on Leap Day, February 29 only.

Free four-counts of Chick-n Minis at Chic-Fil-A. No coupon or purchase necessary. Offer from 6:30am - 10:30am.

Free cookie at Subway

BOGO free coffee at Caribou Coffee

BOGO free lunch bagel at Einstein Bros via Facebook

Buca di beppo has a meal deal for 4 for $29 with coupon

Denny's is offering 29% off with coupon (valid until 3/3/12)

Free Act of Valor from LifeLock (via Facebook)

Like LifeLock on Facebook and get a free movie pass to see ACT OF VALOR. Each participant will receive one (1) HollywoodMovie Money Certificate reward code redeemable for one (1) movie ticket with a maximum value of $12 to see Act of Valor or any other movie at participating theaters. Click here for more information.

Free Short Stack of Pancakes at IHOP on Feb 28

In celebration of National Pancake Day, IHOP is offering a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes to all customers. In return, guests will be asked to consider making a donation to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities (their goal is $2.7 million).

Free Chips & Queso at Chili's with Entree Purchase Feb 27-29

To celebrate the leap year, Chili's is offering free chips and queso with adult entree purchase. Use the coupon above.

Breaking Bad Maki Sushi Rolls

We've recently gotten into "Breaking Bad" on Netflix. Watching the show brings back memories of our time in Albuquerque - where they put green chili in EVERYTHING. So, in ode to "Breaking Bad", and to use leftovers, I made green chili and black beans and ham sushi rolls. The flavors actually go well together! You can make it vegan by omitting the ham.

Ingredients

Green Chile (I use 505 green chile sauce since I don't know how to make it yet)
Ham/Black bean stew
Nori sheets for sushi rolls

Sushi Rice (makes 8-10 rolls, depending on how much rice you use per roll)

3c Japanese short grained sushi rice
3 1/4 c water
3 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1/3 c rice vinegar (I used distilled white vinegar as a substitute and it works well)

Method

Wash the rice in cold water until water runs clear.  Put everything in a rice cooker or pot. If using a pot, bring water to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer until cooked.
When cooked, remove from heat, fluff up the rice and allow to cool.

Moisten your hands or utensil before handling the rice to prevent sticking. Place a portion of rice on a Nori sheet. Flatten the rice evenly onto the sheet. It should cover about 1/3 of the Nori. Place your filling in the middle of the rice. I used a mix of just green chile, just the stew mix and a mix of both for the rolls.

Lift the rice end up and quickly make a tight roll. As you can see from my photo I'm not an expert at rolling! Use a sharp knife, moistened with water to cut the rolls. Again, this will prevent the rice from sticking.

Free Infant Eye Exam Through InfantSEE

 Find and InfantSEE® doctor here!

An InfantSEE® assessment between six and 12 months of age is recommended to determine if an infant is at risk for eye or vision disorders. It is a federally funded service that is FREE regardless of family income or health coverage.

Since many eye problems arise from conditions that can be identified by an eye doctor in the infant's first year of life, a parent can give an infant a great gift by seeking an InfantSEE® assessment in addition to the wellness evaluation of the eyes that is done by a pediatrician or family practice doctor.

Why worry about this?
Children cannot always help themselves. Most vision conditions are painless and present since birth so kids do not know anything is wrong. They assume that their vision is normal. Worse, vision disorders can result in serious learning problems and at times, even behavioral issues.

Often these issues only come up in school and may be misdiagnosed as attention deficit disorder by teachers. However, teachers are trained to teach, not pick up visual disorders. This is where the American Optometric Association comes in. An eye exam is recommended for all infants, then at age 2, and age 4-5. *

* Information provided by Dr. Scott Morris, OD

Sale on double-walled drinkware at Amazon

Amazon has a sale on double walled glasses Use coupon U7VR3H2K to save extra 15% when buying one or 25% when buying any of two new arrivals. All new arrivals are denoted with a "NEW" sign on the photo.

$0.30 off/gal gas with every $100 purchase at Safeway

From now until April 30th, Safeway is offering $0.30 off per gallon of gas with every $100 purchase (usually you only get $0.10 off per $100 spent). Each offer can only be used once, you can earn up to $1 off per redemption, up to 30 gallons per redemption.

You have to make purchase with your club card. Offer says for eligible customers only. I'm not sure what that entails but I got my offer a few days ago when I made a small purchase there.

To spend help reach the $100 goal, I often buy gift cards to other stores I normally shop at such as Staples and Office Depot (especially for use at Staples when they have free after rebate deals) ; Kohl's and Amazon!

Le Creuset Stoneware 26-Ounce Cassoulet Bowl $12.50 on Amazon

Normally priced at $35, Amazon currently has the flame colored bowl for $12.50!

Free Mousepad (Single Image) From RiteAid

 RiteAid is offering their single image mousepad for free (reg $9.99) with free shipping to store. Apply promo Code FREEPAD at checkout.

Chicken/Ham with Black Beans on Rice

This is a variation of a Cuban recipe. I had a scrawny piece of fried chicken left over and didn't quite know what to do with it. I'm still on my quest to increase our bean consumption so I found this really nice Cuban recipe which includes black beans. The addition of balsamic vinegar adds a nice depth of flavor to the dish.

Ingredients

1 piece fried chicken (you can just use 2-3 pieces of chicken or ham)
1 lb cubed ham (approx)
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
2-3 c dried black beans, soaked and cooked or pressured cooked for 20min
Balsamic vinegar, salt, garlic powder to taste
Oil for frying

Method

Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Add some oil and fry the onions until soft. Add the meat and cook until no longer raw (if you're using raw meat), add cooked black beans. Season to taste. Serve over cooked long-grained rice.

Coupons for Fisher-Price Items

Coupons.com has some high value coupons available for Fisher-Price toys and baby items. Click TOYS on the side menu to find them!

Luvs Diapers as low as $0.12 each on Amazon

Amazon is running a deal on Luvs diapers. Even without Amazon Mom's 30% off deal, the price is still not bad - as low as $0.12 each for size 1 with subscribe and save. Just remember to cancel  your subscription after ordering! It will not affect your existing order.

Staples FREE after Easy Rebate Items This Week

Offers are for in-store purchases only. Staples' easy rebates require no mailing in. All you need to do is to file your rebates online.

Lots of free stuff today and tomorrow after rebate. This is a good time to either, cash out your ink rewards, bump your spending towards Premier status ($1000 spent in 1 year allows you to recycle 20 inks instead of 10 per month).

If your grocery store offers gas points you might want to consider picking gift cards from there first before heading to Staples. My local Safeway and King Soopers offers 2 pts/dollar spent on gift cards so spending $50 in gift cards nets me $0.10/gal on gas.

FREE after easy rebate, valid 2/19/12 - 2/20/12

Staples® 8.5" x 11" copy paper, 500-sheet/ream
• $5.49 - $5.49 easy rebate = FREE

Staples® photo plus 4" x 6" paper, gloss, 60/pack
• $9.99 - $9.99 easy rebate = FREE

Staedtler® Maxum ballpoint pens, extra bold, assorted colors, 8/pack
• $5.99 - $5.99 easy rebate = FREE

Kleenex® standard facial tissue, 2/pack
• $2.99 - $2.99 easy rebate = FREE

Avery® 8160 white address labels, 25 sheets
• $12.79 - $12.79 easy rebate = FREE

Other items for entire week
Panasonic® DECT 6.0 expandable cordless phone with digital answering system
• $79.99 - $10 instant savings - $30 easy rebate = $39.99

QuickBooks® Online Simple Start 2012
$9.99 - $20 instant savings - $79.99 easy rebate = FREE

Fellowes® Saturn2 laminator
$159.99 - $60 instant savings - $70 easy rebate = $29.99

Free $25 American Express Gift Card with Purchase of $25 Amex Pre-Paid Card

Get a $25 American Express Gift Card for Free when you purchase their Prepaid Card (free) and load with a minimum of $25 within 45 days of purchase (prior to April 30). Enter code AEPC25 at checkout.

Free Tomato Seeds for Label GMOs Initiative (CA only)

In bid to help push the Label GMO initiative in CA forward, Baker Creek Seeds is sponsoring non-GMO San Marzano Tomato seeds to be distributed free all over the state of California. Anyone living in California who would like to help the cause may request the seed packets to hand out at farmers' markets, garden events, health events, church or school meetings, or any other gathering. To participate, simply email jeregettle@gmail.com with your address and indicated how many packets you would like for distribution.

The initiative will go on Nov's ballot in CA. If it passes, companies will probably be forced to label GMOs nationwide. It's not political for us, the little people. Countries from China to Indonesia the whole of the EU require labeling. We to have the right to know what's in our food.

Free pretzel at Auntie Anne's on 3/3/12

On Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Auntie Anne’s is offering every guest who visits their counters a free Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel – no strings attached!

Free Peppercorn Shrimp at Panda Express on 2/22/12

Panda Express is offering a free serving of Peppercorn Shrimp on 2/22/12 with coupon. No purchase necessary.

Verizon Customers: $25 for $50 at Barnes and Noble Offer

Verizon customers can get a $50 e-gift card for $25 at http://perks.verizon.com/ Limited 3 cards per order.

Kitchen Tip: Whipping Cream with Immersion Blender

I think pulling out my stand mixer (or even a hand mixer) then having to wash all the parts is a real drag for just whipping cream. So, I decided to try whipping it with an immersion blender. IT WORKS!

Just pour your cream into a tall container, place blender right to the bottom and turn on. Slowly lift the blender a little so that all levels of the cream gets whipped. You should get whipped cream in minutes!

Uzbek Palov

Someone gave me this recipe and it's very good. It's prepared in one pot which I like and reminds me of fried rice. It requires A LOT of oil but the end result doesn't taste oily. Just buttery and delicious! Lamb is traditional but I used venison.

Ingredients

1 lb venison or beef or lamb (traditional), cubed
5 carrots, peeled and julienned
1 c dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
3.5 c long grained rice, washed until water runs clear
1 large onion, peeled and sliced thin
1 c butter
8 c boiling water
Salt & cumin to taste
1 clove of garlic, outer skin peeled

Method

Melt the butter in a dutch oven over medium heat. When hot, add the meat. The meat should sizzle and brown. Add onions and cook until caramelized. Add carrots and chickpeas. Cook until softened. Add rice and boiling water and allow to boil. Lower the garlic head in the middle of the pot. Lower the heat, cover and allow the dish to simmer on low heat until the rice is cooked. Season to taste.

Remove the garlic head and mix the ingredients in the pot before serving.

Help Push for GMO Labeling*

Some Background on GMO’s

The Institute for Responsible Technology provides the following information on foods containing GMOs: “GM foods were made possible by a technology developed in the 1970s whereby genes from one species are forced into the DNA of other species. Genes produce proteins, which in turn can generate characteristics or traits. The promised traits associated with GMOs have been sky high—vegetables growing in the desert, Vitamin-fortified grains, and highly productive crops feeding the starving millions. None of these are available. In fact, the only two traits that are found in nearly all commercialized GM plants are herbicide tolerance and/or pesticide production.”

What has also been found in many studies done over the years are adverse health effects in animals, and this past summer, in pregnant women and their fetuses. Animal studies have shown a five-fold increase in infant mortality, says Smith, as well as smaller babies and sterile babies. This is information that has been available for awhile, yet more recently in humans, a study conducted in Canada revealed that BT toxin, the insecticide produced from Monsanto BT Mon810 corn (which is genetically modified to resist corn borers by producing its own insecticide) was found in 93 percent of the pregnant women tested and 80 percent of their unborn fetuses, according to Smith. This nullifies the claim by regulators that BT toxin was destroyed in the digestive process, he adds.
Those doing the study proposed that the BT toxin, the protein, may have come from milk and meat from animals fed the corn. However, another theory with a more direct correlation, which Smith feels carries more weight, comes from the only human feeding study ever published, which shows that genes inserted into soybeans to make the soy Roundup-ready transferred into the DNA of bacteria living inside of our intestines and probably continued to function.

“If the same transfer were to occur from corn by eating, for example, corn chips or tortillas,” says Smith, “then it may turn our intestinal floor into living pesticide factories where our own gut bacteria produces the BT toxin on a continuous basis.”

The labeling of foods containing GMOs (genetically modified organisms) is a wish of 93 percent of Americans who believe they have a right to know if the food they are purchasing contains GMOs. GMO labeling is also a top concern for organic farmers and food producers across the nation, and getting GMOs out of our food supply is a passionate cause lead by non-GMO advocates throughout the world.
“The best effort today for regulation (of GMOs) is the California Ballot Initiative, which bypasses the corporate driven politics and legislators, giving consumers the direct ability to require mandatory labeling of GMOs,” says Jeffrey Smith, America’s most prominent non-GMO advocate, GMO expert, and author of The Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating.
At the national level, there is the opportunity to support the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (H.R. 3553) introduced by Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich by writing to your state representative. The act is currently sitting in two committees—the House of Agriculture committee and the House of Energy and Commerce committee.

What You Can Do As a Consumer
The top three things we as consumers can do in the push to stop the use of GMOs in our foods is to learn more about them, avoid them, and get involved in helping others become aware of them, says Smith.
A great way to get involved in California is to volunteer to gather signatures on petitions to get the California Label GMOs Initiative on this November’s ballot. Volunteers are needed to gather petition signatures now through April. (Visit www.labelgmos.org to see how you can help.)

At the national level, visit http://www.opencongress.org/people/representatives to find contact information for your local congressman or congresswoman to urge their support of the Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act (H.R. 3553). The passing of this bill would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Federal Meat Inspection Act, and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to require that food that contains a genetically engineered material or that is produced with a genetically engineered material, be labeled accordingly.

Jeffrey Smith also urges concerned consumers to visit www.responsibletechnology.org (the Website for The Institute for Responsible Technology of which Smith is executive director) and sign up for a free Spilling the Beans newsletter and join The Tipping Point Network, which provides the opportunity to connect with others, locally or nationally, interested in doing outreach for the cause.
“The FDA does not actually approve any GMOs,” says Smith. “In 1992, their policy claimed that they were not aware of any information showing that GMOs were substantially different, and therefore, they said no testing was necessary, no labeling was necessary. In fact, companies like Monsanto, who told us that PCBs, Agent Orange, and DDT were safe, can make the full determination that their own GMOs are safe and put them on the market without telling consumers or the FDA.
“The policy turned out to be a lie,” stresses Smith. “In fact, the overwhelming consensus among the FDA’s own scientists was that GMOs were not only different but inherently dangerous and could lead to toxins, allergies, diseases and nutritional problems.”

These same FDA scientists have been urging their superiors to do something about this, but have been ignored, partly, according to Smith, because higher ups in the administration are former Monsanto employees. These scientists’ findings have even been validated by the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, adds Smith, with the outcome being a recommendation to doctors that they should prescribe non-GMO diets to every patient.

The bottom line, Smith stresses, is that we should not trust the powers that be to safeguard us from the ill effects of GMOs.

Non-GMO Project Verification in Action
In October, Northern California dairyman Albert Straus participated and spoke before hundreds of attendants from throughout the world at the Right2Know Rally in Washington D.C., spreading the word on the importance of labeling genetically modified foods on behalf of the national Just Label It: We Have a Right to Know campaign, which his dairy sponsors.

As an organic farmer, Straus favors a “proactive versus a reactive” stance in the push to get foods containing GMOs labeled, and he has been very proactive in preserving the “organic integrity” of his certified organic dairy farm on the coast of West Marin, raising his dairy herd without antibiotics, hormones or pesticides. To ensure that the feed he gives his cows and the ingredients he uses in his products are GMO-free, Straus and his suppliers test all the ingredients in their products, including the feeds for his dairy cows and the seeds he uses to grow his forage crops.

“We have a verification system,” explains Straus, who began testing for GMOs in 2006. “We use a PCR (Protein Chain Reaction) test to test for GMOs in our products.” In April 2010, Straus Family Creamery became the first creamery to achieve Non-GMO Project Verification for all its products. (Albert Straus also offers information on the running of his certified organic farm and on his GMO testing process to interested organic farmers. He can be reached at family@strausmilk.com.)
Albert and other organic farmers are disheartened by the USDA’s full deregulation of genetically modified alfalfa last January, which allows unrestricted planting of Roundup Ready crop. Alfalfa is an essential feed for his dairy cows, and the potential contamination of organic alfalfa from genetically modified alfalfa poses a significant threat to his company and the organic dairy industry. The organic alfalfa growing industry needs to start testing and verifying its crops are GMO-free, he adds.

“Consumers need to be aware,” he stresses. “They need to get information and educated about the effects of GMOs on the environment and our food supply.” Straus also urges consumers to share their GMO knowledge with others and to get involved in GMO labeling initiatives both locally and federally.

“Sustainability, family farms, organic, non-GMO are the future,” says Straus, “and GMOs cannot be in our food system.” Currently, he adds, “70 to 80 percent of our food is contaminated with GMOs. We’re just the guinea pigs.”

*reproduced with permission from Baker Creek

15 lbs of Rotation Dog Food for $5.99 shipped or 45 lbs for $9.99

Rotations pet food is offering FREE dog food. You just pay shipping. You can get 15 lbs for $5.99 shipped or 45 lbs for $9.99 shipped. Just use code TAILS at checkout

FREE Yogurt at Yogurtland on Feb 6 (4-7pm)

Yogurtland is offering FREE yogurt + toppings today, Feb 6 from 4-7pm at participating locations.

Bean and Ham Bone Stew

It's a frozen tundra here and this hearty stew is cheap and easy way to warm up an fill up. It requires a bit of pre-planning if you're using dried beans but it is so easy to make.

Ingredients

1 ham bone
1 lb dried lima beans, soaked over night
8c water (approx)
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg, oregano to taste
1 c heavy cream (optional)

Method

In a dutch oven or heavy stock pot, bring water to a boil. Add ham bone and navy beans and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover for a few hours. Add seasonings to taste. You may need to add more water if it boils off. I added heavy cream before serving but it is optional. Tastes even better overnight. This stew should work well in a slow cooker as well.

Our Free Books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library are here!

Sometime ago, we signed up for FREE books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and they're HERE! Both kids get their own age-appropriate books. Each child gets 1 free book a month until they reach age 5.
To start with, both girls each got the classic, "The Little Engine That Could"

This is a great way to add to your kid's library and all for FREE! The program is available in the US, Canada and the UK! Books are provided by Dolly Parton's Library but shipping is funded by a local charity. Ours was funded by the local Rotary Club.

If your area doesn't have the program, you can apply using the top button on the Imagination Library site.

Homemade Nori Crackers

This modified recipe is very easy and versatile.You can keep the recipe plain by omitting the nori and pepper mix, or you can add your own - think garlic powder, dried oregano etc to change the flavor! Baking a thicker dough makes more of a flat bread result, thinner dough makes a crisp cracker.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 c all purpose flour
• 1/4 c flax meal
• 1 tsp salt
• 3-4 tablespoons butter; more as needed
• 1/2 c water; add more as needed
• 5-6 sheets (or to taste) roasted Roasted & Salted Nori (optional)
• 1 tsp S&B Assorted Chili Pepper (optional) 

Method 

 

Preheat the oven to 400F 

In a food processor, add all dry the ingredients and pulse until well mixed. For the Nori, just add in the whole sheets. It will break up in the processor. Add the butter and water until a non-sticky dough forms. If it doesn't stick, add more water. If it's too sticky, add more flour.

 

Roll the dough out into thin sheet onto a floured cookie sheet. You may choose to use a pasta roller for an even thickness. Cut into shapes if you wish, or you can just break up the cracker free-hand after its baked. 

Bake for 11-15 min, until slightly browned. Allow to cool and break into pieces (if not already cut into shape).

Get a FREE Energy Kit (NC, SC & OH residents only) + FREE light bulbs (DUKE customers only)

Residents of NC, SC or OH can request a FREE energy kit sponsored by Duke Energy. PLUS every qualified sign-up will be entered into a drawing for a $5000 cash prize!

If you're not a current Duke Energy customer, enter 000000.

If you are a Duke Energy customer, you can also sign up for FREE CFLs!

Kit includes

• Energy Star Approved Compact Florescent Bulb
• Low Flow Shower head
• Energy Efficiency Limelight Style Night Light
• Kitchen Faucet Aerator with swivel and flip valve
• Bathroom Faucet Aerator
• Waster Flow Meter Bad
• Combination Pack of Switch/Outlet Gasket Insulators
• Teflon tape for installing shower head/aerator
• Hot Water Gauge Card
• Duke Energy Energy Savers Booklet
• Instruction Sheet
• Glow Ring Toy