The 413 Mom

DEAL ALERT: Dinnerly -- the deliciously affordable meal kit delivery service *FREE shipping on first order*

I’ve often wondered about the boxed meal delivery kits available – there are great incentives out there to give them a try…but then I think, who needs help cooking dinner? I cook dinner for my family just about every single night the old-fashioned way: buying ingredients at the grocery store, pulling a recipe out of my head and making a meal. How can a meal kit make it any different?

But then Dinnerly asked me to try out their service. And curiosity got the best of me. Because maybe there is a better way to do things.

I picked out three recipes to try from their collection:

• Grass fed beef burgers with fried pickles and tangy slaw
• Crispy chicken fingers with honey mustard and green beans
• Pork Souvalki meatballs with romaine and toasted pita salad

Maybe, like me, you're wondering how this works? Please allow me to enlighten you. Once you're registered with the subscription delivery service, you can place your order online and pick your delivery window. My Dinnerly box arrived right as expected around 5:00 p.m. on the day promised. I had already planned a meal for that night so I unpacked all of the food items and put the perishables away. One of the gel ice blocks in the box had burst and melted making a bit of a mess but all of the ingredients arrived in excellent condition. I was excited to try out the recipes the next day!

Neat things about Dinnerly:

• Recipes include six ingredients and only five steps or less for simplicity's sake
• All recipes require minimal chopping as the goal is "package to table in 30 minutes or less"
• Their recipe cards are only found online
• The cost is only $5/serving and is designed with quick weeknight cooking in mind
• With the subscription service, customers will receive a chilled box with fresh, seasonal ingredients to make three simple meals. You can skip a weekly shipment at any time -- there is no quantity requirement.

 

I eagerly tried out all of the the recipes which were delicious (we ate every bite). I found the Dinnerly recipes truly easy to follow and I appreciated that they encouraged me to use new ingredients -- I had never made lamb meatballs before. Also new to me: fried pickles. The recipes are broken down into logical steps so you feel confident that everything will indeed be ready in 30 minutes or less. While I enjoyed all of the meals, the chicken fingers were my favorite because I have the palate of a first grader and could eat chicken fingers daily. The honey mustard sauce was delish and the chicken came out perfectly crispy. 

I also appreciated the simplicity of the ingredients and recipe steps as it made it easy for the kids to help me prep dinner. Dinnerly kits would be a great introduction to cooking for kids who want to be more independent in the kitchen. I can also see Dinnerly being a great gift for the elderly who still love to cook but may have mobility issues which make it difficult to get to the store for groceries. These meal kits really are a great intergenerational fit for the whole family. 

While I’m not a person who needs inspiration to cook dinner – I do it every day – I do appreciate that the Dinnerly recipes encouraged me to try slightly different ingredients than I would chose myself. And the meals were delicious. I will try the service again when I one of those pesky cooking ruts hits and I need inspiration for something new. 

I’m grateful to have given Dinnerly a try. The only drawback for me is the waste associated with a meal delivery service. I was able to recycle about 60% of the packaging that arrived with the kit. I would estimate that I’m able to recycle about 90% of food packaging for meal items I purchase at the grocery store as I shop with minimal waste as a goal. 

Dinnerly pricing plan is as follows:

A couple box containing 3 meals that will feed two adults for $30.00, plus $8.99 shipping.
A family box containing 3 meals that will feed four adults for $60.00, plus $8.99 shipping.

Right now you can get FREE delivery on your first Dinnerly order by following the links on their Facebook or Instagram. 

Especially with the free shipping deal, the Dinnerly kits really are an affordable dinner option. I hope you enjoy the meals as much as we did. 

 

Pool Noodle Fun...outside of the pool! #creativeplay

Pool noodles provide some of the best creative play for kids for only a $1 investment. I shared some of my favorite ideas on the Better Western Mass show today for having fun with pool noodles -- outside of the pool. Check out the link for some inspiration and to make sure you don't have to hear "I'm bored!" tomorrow! 

Make more time for the serious Bizness of Summer Fun with Biz Liquid

What is your favorite messy summer fun? Mine is mud runs. Yes, I actually pay good money to run through mud pits, carry weighted sack bags and climb ridiculous cargo nets. I think obstacle runs are some of the most fun you can have as an adult. I love the camaraderie. The competition. The laughs. 

The only part I don't love? The disgusting laundry afterward. You all know I'm too committed to being green to throw away my clothes and sneakers afterwards. Which means I return home to the drudgery of soaking muddy workout clothes and sneakers and then attempting to get the stains out in the wash. I don't enjoy all that extra work. 

One product I've discovered that really helps makes the job easier is Biz Liquid. I love this stuff because it is NOT bleach -- it is safe for colors, and although you can use it as a pre-treatment -- you can also just add it to a load of laundry as easily as adding detergent. No extra steps. Just dump in the liquid along with your regular detergent and get back to running. 

No more laundry woes! I can return from a race, rinse my muddy clothes off with the garden hose and toss them right in the washing machine with my usual detergent and a capful of Biz Liquid. Much easier than climbing a 20 foot cargo net! I can spend less time doing laundry and more time getting back to the Bizness of Racing! You can find out more about Biz here. 

Biz Stain & Odor Eliminator is proven to beat Oxi Clean on tough stains like grass, sweat and grape juice. The product also comes with a money back guarantee which you can download here, so you have nothing to lose.  

It's budget friendly too -- 50 ounces will cost you around $5.00. And you can even save $1.00 by downloading this coupon here. 

What are you waiting for? Summer is a short season. Make the most of it with Biz -- it helps you spend less time doing laundry and helps you have more time for summer fun. 

Summer Bucket Lists 2018

Happy First Day of Summer!

I've compiled all 10 of our Summer To Do Lists on one easy to find page on The413Mom.com.

I hope you'll use it often to help plan the best summer ever with your family! Hope to see you at the playground/spray park/library/hiking trail/park/craft program. That's where we'll be. #bestsummerever 

Deal Alert: Save Big at the Pump with Big Y Express Gas

I think we can all agree that gas prices have risen to EEK! levels. One easy way to save at the pump -- utilize the Big Y Express gas station Silver Card offers. Here's how it works: 

1) Just show your Big Y Silver Savings Card at the cashier to automatically save 5 cents per gallon.

2) Use a Big Y gold coin to save 20 cents per gallon (present the coin to the station attendant).

3) Spend $50 on Big Y groceries in one transaction, save 15 cents per gallon.

4) Spend $100 on Big Y groceries in one transaction, save 20 cents per gallon.

5) Spend $200 on Big Y groceries in one transaction, save 25 cents per gallon. 

The grocery purchase offers will load directly to your savings card. If you don't have a Silver Savings card you can request one here.

It's important to note -- you cannot stack offers. The max you can save on a gallon of gas is 25 cents. You can either use the standard five cents off with the Silver Savings Card, OR the 20 cents with a gold coin OR the amounts you can save through grocery purchase offers. Other considerations:

*Only one offer may be redeemed per gas purchase. 

*Grocery purchase offers expire after seven days from grocery purchase.

*Gas savings are capped at 20 gallons per offer. 

If you shop regularly at Big Y, it's easy to accrue savings at the pump. And even if you're not a regular Big Y customer, you can still save at least five cents per gallon just by showing your card. 

You can find Big Y Express gas stations here:

471 Cooley St., Springfield, MA 

320 Housatonic Street, Lee, MA, Exit 2 Off of the Mass Turnpike

202 West Street, Pittsfield, MA

467 Newton St., South Hadley, MA 01075

73 Russell Street, Hadley, MA

Big Y Express Car Wash, 73 Russell Street, Hadley, MA

711 Bliss Road, Longmeadow, MA

1993 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA

 

You can read all about the program here. See you at the pump! 

Military Families: FREE Admission to Blue Star Museums through Labor Day

Attention Military Families: beginning on Memorial Day you can receive free admission to a host of museums, nature centers and cultural venues for FREE. This promotion runs through Labor Day (September 3) and all you need to do is show a valid, active proof of service to receive free entry for yourself and up to five members of your family. (In fact, the ID holder does not even need to be present. See eligibility rules here.) 

There are more than 2000 museums included in the program, and free admission is offered in all 50 states. A few of the local hot spots includes:

• Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
• The EcoTarium
• The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
• Historic Deerfield
• Lutz Children's Museum
• Mark Twain House
• Mass Audubon locations (including Drumlin Farm)
• Norman Rockwell Museum
• Old Newgate Prison
• Old Sturbridge Village
• Phelps-Hathaway House and Gardens
• Smith College Museum of Art
• Springfield Musuems
• The USS Constitution Museum 
• Wistariahurst

The list of participating venues is updated throughout the summer. You can find a list of all participating venues here. Just a small way to thank you and your families for you service. And a great way to provide some unplugged fun this summer. Enjoy!

Road Trip Worthy: Garden's Dream Corn Maze (Enfield, CT)

If you want to bring the family to a corn maze this autumn; but your wallet is frightened by the idea -- you've got to drive to the corn maze at Garden's Dream Farm in Enfield, CT.

This is a no-frills corn maze located on a beautiful nursery just over the MA/CT line. And, get this -- it only costs $5/person to visit and kids 5 and under are FREE! You can't ask for a better deal.

When you arrive at the farm at 355 Taylor Road in Enfield, follow the gravel driveway to the parking lot and look for the wooden shed decorated with scarecrows -- this is where you can buy your maze admission tickets and receive your stamp card. There are 12 stamps to collect as you navigate the maze. Once you've paid the entry fee, head to the back of the farm to the cornfield and try your luck.

This is not a huge maze (6 acres) but it took us about an hour to complete. The paths are not as wide or clear as some other corn mazes so I wouldn't recommend a stroller. Also, I would skip this attraction if anyone in your party has mobility or low vision issues. If you have little ones bring a carrier. Bring some water -- I swear every year I forget how hot it can get inside a corn maze on an October afternoon. There are restrooms on site and a cheater exit at the halfway point if someone needs to make a quick getaway back to the restroom while you're trying to solve the maze. 

There are small decorations to look for throughout the maze -- garden gnomes, bunny and turtle statues, and a few Halloween decorations scattered about. But nothing scary. This corn maze is safe for all ages. Once you find all twelve stamps you'll reach the grand finale: you get to meet Big Foot himself! Or rather, a wildly decorated Saskwatch statue that makes the hunt worth it. The maze is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I highly recommend Garden's Dream if you're looking to enjoy this traditional autumn activity but in a simpler way. There are no other attractions on site besides the beautiful pumpkins, gourds, plants and mums to peruse so it's a quick in and out. It makes for a fun and cheap afternoon out with the family. 

I hope you enjoy meeting Big Foot as much as we did! #getoutdoors #supportyourfarmers

 

Tackle a Chore: Krud Kutter! In LOVE!

With both girls in school now, I'm finally catching up with some...ahem...long (long, long) neglected projects. Like my kitchen floor. My filthy, disgusting, kitchen floor. (I do disinfect it...I just haven't gotten into any of those little texture holes in a long time. Like maybe three years). 

I was going to buy this Krud Kutter stuff the other day at Rocky's Ace Hardware, but the price tag was $8.99. I had that "it's probably not worth the price," thought. So I passed. 

Then I found it at Big Y on sale for $2.99. And...ready for this? I had a $2 off coupon (FYI: the coupon is still available and expires October 8). So I got this stuff for $.99. And it's totally taking ALL the grime off my kitchen floor. I was in the process of collecting quotes to have the floor professional steam cleaned because no matter what I tried I couldn't get it looking clean. And instead of spending $99 on a professional floor cleaning I'm spending $.99! 

WHOOP! WHOOP! Just had to share this super score. (Also, if you Ibotta, there is a $1.75 rebate through October 22, 2017 so you could even potentially make money on this deal). 

But the important thing is: it actually works. Look at all the nasty it took right out of the divots on the floor! I used it at full strength right out of the sprayer (it can also be diluted), let it sit for a few minutes and then wiped with a rag. So easy. And cheap. Also, Krud Kutter is non toxic and comes with the Safer Choice seal and doesn't have a strong odor. Win, win, win. I'm psyched, you guys, can you tell? I hope it helps you conquer one of those long nagging jobs around your house too. #tackleachore #loveyourhome

 

Gotta Visit: The Bread Basket Bakery & Shoppe (Russell)

Next time you're headed out to Route 23, you've got to stop in at The Bread Basket Bakery & Shoppe -- a general store in Russell offering so much more than the usual convenience store experience. From fresh baked bread, overflowing deli sandwiches, and unique assortment of locally grown and produced items this shop is worth the drive from just about anywhere. 

The bakery is a-ma-zing: donuts, cookies, bread, pastries, pie. All homemade! The deli menu is equally impressive with huge sandwiches and salads, breakfast sandwiches, soups, milkshakes, and more. Whether you want to grab a quick bite to eat or enjoy some of the homemade bread, bulk baking supplies (sprinkles in every color!), locally produced honey, home canned and jarred specialties, penny candy or grocery items -- you can find it here. 

The best part -- there is a small playscape on the back of the property along with some picnic tables so the kids can play while you enjoy your breakfast or lunch. The Bread Basket is the perfect destination for a lazy weekend: great food, great folks, fun for the kids. 

The shoppe also stocks a fun mix of gift items: inspirational signs, greeting cards, small toys, organic beauty items and homeopathic treatments. Shopping here gives you the nostalgic feeling of an old country store. You can find really meaningful gifts, many which are locally produced. The prices are very reasonable. 

 

The Bread Basket is located just up the road from another of my favorite local businesses: Cream of The Crop Farm. You can make a nice afternoon of it to visit both locations at once. 

Plan to visit The Bread Basket Wednesday through Saturday as the shop is closed Sunday through Tuesday. The store is located at 815 Blandford Road in Russell and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can't miss it -- just look for the rainbow display of Adirondack chairs lining the property. No kidding -- you can get heirloom-quality outdoor furniture here in any hue you can think of. So many fun things to see here. You've got to check it out yourself. 

#shoplocal #eatlocal #livelocal

Memorial Day Weekend Discounts for Military Families!

• The Blue Star Museums program will start up once again on Memorial Day and run through Labor Day. This National Endowment for the Arts program grants FREE admission to all active duty personnel (including National Guard and Reserves) and their families to over 2,000 museums nationwide. All you have to do is show your current proof of service ID and the active duty member and up to five family members are admitted for FREE. The best part is that the family members can include parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and of course spouse and children. It's important to note that the active duty service member does not have to be present in order for the family to be granted free admission. Some of the local venues include the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Springfield Museums, EcoTarium, the Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries and so many more! You can find out more about the program here. 
• Canobie Lake Park (Salem, NH): Active US Military, veterans and dependents (with ID) granted $10 admission May 27-29. Everyone age 12 and over must have their own ID. 
• Connecticut Science Center (Hartford, CT): FREE admission  to all active, reserve, and retired military, fire, police, state troopers, and EMS personnel (with ID). Accompanying family members admitted for half price. May 27-28. 
• The Dinosaur Place (Montville, CT): FREE admission to all members of the military with a military ID or proof of service. Guests of military members receive 10% off their admission. May 27-29. 
• Edaville Family Theme Park (Carver, MA): FREE admission to all military members, immediate family members receive 50% off full priced admission with a valid ID at the gate only. May 27-29. 
• Interskate 91 (Springfield): FREE admission for military families (with ID), May 29, 1-5 p.m.
• Mystic Aquarium (Mystic, CT): FREE admission for active and retired military personnel May 27-29 (with ID). Discounted rates for family members with ID.