Randomness....

Do you ever find yourself in a blogger funk? I think I've been there for a while. I guess we've just had too much fun this summer and blogging has really taken a backseat.

I'm dedicating today's blog to "stuff." It's a bunch of odds and ends, things I've liked and deals to be had.

1 - The first place I'm going to send you is to the Instant Win Games on Hip2Save's blog. I'm surprised at how many Instant Win games are out right now. So if you like this kind of stuff - give it a whirl.

2 - HouseParty - Have you heard of this site? It's so fun. You go to the website, sign up, apply to host a party and when you're selected you host the party, invite friends, neighbors, family - whomever. A few weeks before, HouseParty will send you a box full of goodies, samples, handouts, giveaways and coupons. Now you just need to send the invites and have the party revolving around the items you got. Prior to your party, the website has a lot of great ideas and support to help you along the way. So, what are you waiting for? Go sign up today :)
3 - Bountiful Baskets Co-op - If you haven't tried out a co-op you ought to. Where else can you get between 30 and 40lbs of fruits and veggies for $15? Usually you get about 6 or 7 varieties of fruits and veggies. Check out these previous links for more details. Currently ordering takes place on Monday nights starting at 8:00 pm and goes through Tuesday at midnight, with pickup the following Saturday morning.

4 - SwagBucks - Okay, we all use one search engine or another. Take advantage of using Swagbucks - especially on Fridays (the odds of winning bigger swagbucks and more often happen on Fridays). When you use this search engine to find things you start accumulating points that can be turned into prizes. Sign up today and start getting points towards great prizes!

5 - For Your Kitchen - I stumbled into this cute little Kitchen store a couple of months ago. It's family owned and run and they have some great stuff there. I signed my kids up for a kids class and I recently took a breadmaking class from them as well. Plus - they are an authorized Bosch store. Let me tell you - after taking that breadmaking class, it makes me wish I had a Bosch. I will be sending my hubby there for my birthday and Christmas though ;0) If you love cooking and need a kitchen tool or want to take a cooking class check out For Your Kitchen (they have some really good classes coming up). You can also catch up to them on Facebook to hear about their latest sales and helpful kitchen tips.

So that's it for now. I'm still teaching couponing classes if you're interested in hosting one. I can teach you how to save between 40% and 60% off of every grocery shopping trip. After taking the summer off - I'm starting to book again. Contact me at callmestacy@yahoo.com or 801-589-3946 to schedule your class.

Bountiful Baskets A to B weeks and Royalty Services Group

You may not have heard, but most sites for Bountiful Baskets are switching to the B week schedule to avoid problems with the upcoming holiday (weekends). If you'd like to order it will be open today until 10:00 pm - hurry spots are filling up fast!

I go to the Syracuse Site (West Point and Syracuse are at the same Winter/Indoor location) to pick up my basket and volunteer. I just wanted to send a special thanks to Royalty Services Group for allowing us to use their warehouse for the winter months - free of charge :)

They are a certified cleaning firm. You can get your Air Ducts, Carpet, Chimneys, Construction Clean-up, Dryer Vents, Odor Control, Pressure Washing, Stone & Masonry, Tile & Grout, Upholstery, Water Extraction and Window Washing services through Royalty Services Group. You can reach them at 866-971-7801 or info@royaltyservicesgroup.com

Here are a few pictures of our site.

Lots of empty baskets - we were waiting for the truck to arrive.

Volunteers distributing yummy fruits and veggies - participants get 2 white baskets (one basket is wet and the other is dry)

Wow! That's a lot of baskets!

These are our wonderful volunteers who came to help out early on a chilly November morning. That's Bryan from Royalty Services Group in the back on the right - call him when you need help :)

This is where the line starts....participants are anxiously waiting to pick up their fruits and veggies.


Don't forget to order your basket today. There are a lot of locations available to choose from. First time baskets cost $19.50 (they will be $16.50 after the first order). You can also choose from lots of yummy extras too (pumpkin bread, a citrus pack as well as a holiday box - loaded with lots of Thanksgiving trimmings).

How to order Bountiful Baskets (co-op)

Bountiful Baskets is a rather new Co-op in the Utah area. So far there are sites between Brigham City and Bountiful and it seems to be growing every delivery date.

Deliveries are every 2 weeks right now. So this upcoming weekend (9/5) is a delivery date and then every 2 weeks from there.

Ordering is open the Tuesday prior to the delivery date. Usually there is a small window for ordering (Tuesday morning to Wednesday about 10 am). (If you're reading this today 9/1, today is the day you would order. I like to order early on Tuesdays because that usually secures a basket for me. If you order on Wednesday, there's a chance you may not get the site you want. There are a limited number of baskets at each site).

What do you get when you order?
You get a basket filled with 1/2 fruits and 1/2 veggies. There are also opportunities to purchase additional items such as a variety of breads, specialty fruit/veggie packs (Mexican, Italian, Island packs) and sometimes you can order cases of things, like cherries, apples, peaches etc... All of the extras mentioned above are additional purchases above the cost of your original fruit/veggie pack (you will see the prices as you order). If you go to the right hand side of my blog and scroll down towards the labels - look for Bountiful Baskets to see pictures of what I've received in the past.

How do I order?
1 - Click on this link to take you to the Bountiful Baskets online site.
2 - Scroll down to the middle of the page and click on Utah Bountiful Baskets
3 - Select the date (usually there is only one date to choose from - the date of delivery)
4 - Select your site (the drop down box will indicate sites and times - make a note)
5 - Proceed through the order (remember first time orders will have a one time additional charge of $3.00). You must answer yes or no to each option to complete your order.
6 - Click Add to Cart.
7 - Scroll back up to the top and click Submit
8 - This will take you to a summary of your order (ALWAYS CHECK THIS OVER TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING WHAT YOU EXPECT AND TO MAKE SURE THE LOCATION AND TIME ARE ALSO WHAT YOU'VE CHOSEN!!!)
9- Proceed through the checkout and print your summary to bring with you as proof of purchase.

What is expected of me?
Co-op's are purely volunteer run. Please plan to arrive an hour early to help set up baskets, distribute the produce between the baskets, break down boxes, haul them off and then distribute the produce to those who ordered.

What do I need to bring?
1 - Bring your own box, bag, laundry basket or something to take your produce with you. You'll want something sturdy and durable. The baskets used at the site are re-used each time and you can't take them with you.

2 - Know the weather: hats, gloves, drinking water, rain slicker, coats and jackets will be handy while working.

Everything that's brought in needs to be taken away. Volunteers/Participants need to haul all the cardboard boxes away after distribution. Many local schools have recycle bins that will take this kind of stuff. The schools love it and really benefit when we can help.

You have between 20 and 30 minutes after pick up time to arrive and get your basket. If you do not show, that produce will be donated to the local fire department.

If you're interested in getting a site started in your area, let me know and I can put you in touch with the person who can arrange that (callmestacy@yahoo.com).

Bountiful Baskets (fruit/veggie co-op) is getting bigger!

If you've never tried a co-op before they are really great! I just started in March of this year and have been very happy with all the produce I've been able to get for $15.00. I always walk away with between 30 and 40lbs of fruits and veggies! Quite a deal for $15.00, if you ask me.

Here is a list of sites that have now opened up:

Bountiful: 75 East 200 North - University of Utah Extension south lot-11:00 am

Brigham City: Honeyville Grain Store -9:30 am

Brigham City: Main/South - Mountain View Elementary -9:00 am

Clearfield: Vine/East Kiwanis Park - 9:30 am

Kaysville: N Main St/E 100 N- Behind library/city offices - 10:00 am

Ogden: Monroe Blvd/2nd St - Bonneville Park - 7:00 am

Pleasant View: 520 W Elberta - Barker Park - 8:30 am

Roy: 4200 S/1900 W - George Wahlen North Park - 7:00 am

South Ogden: Adams Ave Pkwy/S 500 E - Weber School Dist office - 7:00 am

West Haven: 4385 South 3900 West - 7:00 am

West Point: 300 N/3500 W - West Point Park - 8:00 am

If this sounds like something you'd like to do - NOW is the time to order. Here's a few quick steps to ordering.

1 - Click on this link to get you to Bountiful Baskets website to order

2 - Just below LOG IN you will see the Arizona and Utah sites. Choose Arizona or Utah.

3 - A screen will pop up asking you questions. You must pick from the drop down box. It won't let you out until you've selected an answer to each item.

4 - Click on Add to Cart

5 - Scroll back up the page and click on the Checkout button (upper left)

6 - Fill in your shipping info (it will always be for pick up - I'm not sure why they ask for a shipping address)

7 - Click Next and agree to the conditions on the next screen.

8 - Look at the summary of your order to make sure it is correct, add your Mastercard/Visa # and Submit.

9- Print a copy of your order summary and make sure to bring it with you on Saturday.

If you are a first timer, know that you will pay an additional $3.00 for the baskets. Make sure to bring your own basket to bring your fruits and veggies home in though. The baskets you are paying for stay at the site to be used each time.

You can read through some of my old posts regarding Bountiful Baskets by scrolling down the screen (look to the right) and click on Bountiful Baskets. I've taken pictures of some of my past pick ups.

This co-op is every 2 weeks. This next Saturday (7/25) is a pickup date. The ordering always occurs the Tuesday prior to the pick up (making today the order day 7/21).

I signed up for the West Point site - make sure you try to arrive an hour early to help out! Maybe I'll see you there!

A hearty basket this week

I'm a few days late in posting what I got from my co-op, Bountiful Baskets. I was truly impressed with the quantity this time. I got there early to help distribute and we had so much stuff that it took us until about 7:20 am before we were ready for everyone to start picking up their baskets. They usually start picking them up at 7:00 am.

Anyway here's what we got this week.

16 bananas

8 oranges

3 yellow squash

2 broccoli

1 celery

2 bags of carrots

12 apricots

1 head of romaine lettuce

2 small cantaloupes

7 apples

8 cucumbers

9 plums

I think this basket easily weighed between 35 and 40 lbs. It was quite heavy. I also bought the following:

1, 16lb box of cherries

5 loaves of Honey Wheat bread

So far the cherries have been hit and miss. They are either just right or kinda squishy and some are bland. I guess that's what you get from the store too. I think I'm going to freeze a bunch of them. The bread has been wonderful though. I just can't say enough good things about the bread. I'm really glad I bought some.

If you'd like to know more about the Bountiful Baskets co-op, click on this link and it will take you to an earlier post I wrote with more details.

Look what Mother Nature brought this week.

As you know, I've kinda gotten into this fun Co-op thing. I think I'm addicted. I truly love the idea that I have almost all the things in my fridge to make a salad now. Before doing this, I never had all the ingredients.

I also love the element of surprise. I love not knowing what I'm getting each time. It challenges me to try and incoporate new fruits and veggies into what we're eating. My family has also enjoyed trying things I would not normally buy at the store.

I decided to get the bread this time (can't wait to try it)

5 loaves 9 grain bread

6 tomatos

6 mangos (yep - those funny shaped things are mangos)

1 honeydew melon

9 bananas

8 oranges

2 red peppers

7 red potatoes

10 pears

2 bunch's of broccoli (I got an extra for helping this morning)

1 spaghetti squash

3 cucumbers

1 head romaine lettuce

I joined Bountiful Baskets co-op. They deliver every 2 weeks. There are currently 5 delivery sites with several more coming (Provo/Orem and another one in West Valley). If you'd like to see one in your neck of the woods and are willing to manage a site, contact Bountiful Baskets to see about getting a site set up.

Kraft online printable coupons, Jennie-O and Bountiful Baskets

Here are a couple of great offers to take advantage of.

The first one is from Kraft. Click on this link to take you to the page where you can print up to $50 worth of Kraft coupons. There are a limited number available, so I would take advantage of this soon. Remember you can print these twice. Once you've selected them and printed them the first time, hit the back button and refresh your page and they should print a second time.

The second offer is by Jennie-O. If your a Biggest Loser fan - the finale is tonight and Jennie-O has been a big sponsor of the show. They will be offering a $5 coupon on their website tonight when the show airs. There are only $25,000 available. Click on this link to take you to their site. Thanks PYP for the info....

Lastly, if you're interested in signing up for a fruit/veggie basket from Bountiful Baskets Co-op, the ordering starts today, and pickup is 5/16/09 (every 2 weeks). Slots go quickly so run - don't walk. If you'd like more information about this co-op, click on this link for additional details. (Update - I've always ordered on Tuesday's. I tried at about 10:00 am this morning and was unable to register. I will keep you posted as to when I can get in. I've sent the website a note requesting information.)

(2nd update - I was finally able to get in (about 1:00 pm) and it looks like they have a few more pick up sites available. There is still Brigham City, Clearfield, Roy and now they've added a site in Pleasant View and one in West Point. )

My newest pick of fresh fruits and veggies (Co-op)

I have to admit, this is so fun to do. I wasn't sure I would "love" all this fresh produce, but let me tell ya - I do. I love knowing that I have this stuff around to make side dishes or to add to the main dish that I'm preparing for dinner on any given night. It used to be "work" for me to try and come up with a healthy side dish and now it's so easy. I would never go to the grocery store and just buy all the stuff I got today. But now that I have it, it makes cooking for my family a lot more fun.

So here's a picture of what I got today.

7 pink lady apples

8 plums

3 red onions

9 tomatoes on a vine

1 container of blackberries

1 cantaloupe

1 mini watermelon

1 bunch of bananas (7 total)

1 head Romaine lettuce

2 bunches of spinach

2 heads broccoflower

1 bunch of green grapes (above the lettuce and spinach)

11 carrots

(My extras for showing up early to help were 1 extra broccoflower, several extra carrots and an 1 extra bunch of spinach)

I was very pleased with my last pickup, I can't wait to dig into my new produce. I remembered my gloves this time, I also picked up a sturdy basket to carry all my yummy stuff and I arrived a little earlier this time to add some additional help. Again, I benefitted for arriving early with a couple of extras in my basket.

Okay - now for the really exciting news. Bountiful Baskets will be adding a few new sites. One for sure is Syracuse, UT and the other I think was Orem/Provo area. I was not given the exact dates on these new sites opening, but will keep my blog updated as I get information. Remember, if you want a site to open in your area, you need to be willing to volunteer and have a decent number of people who would be interested. Bountiful Baskets is listening - contact them and let them know you want to see this in your area.

Bountiful Baskets Co-op taking orders for 5/2/09

I believe today was the first day you could get in and order your fruit/veggie basket. It's a little confusing to navigate their website so follow this link for more help. I just ordered mine about 2:00 pm on Tuesday and there were 67 slots left. I'm sure these will go fast. Here's the website link. Maybe I'll see you there on Saturday morning.....bright and early

Utah Co-op resources

I thought it would be nice to link up a few other co-op resources available in Utah. I mentioned in my previous post that I had wanted to try one of these but had never done one and I think it was because I didn't feel like I knew a lot about them and they weren't convenient for me. Even though there is not a co-op location for all of Utah, there are still quite a few pick up locations.

I'm definately no expert at co-op's, but the last post seemed to generate a lot of interest. So I thought I would post some resources for Utah co-op's.

Utah Co-op
1899 S Redwood Rd, A4
Salt Lake City, Utah
http://www.utahcoop.org/

Crossroads Co-op
*has many different food pick up locations (Ogden to Provo)
http://www.crossroads-u-c.org/cfc/index.html

Bountiful Baskets Food Co-op
*follow the directions in the previous post
http://02b8ce3.netsolstores.com/

If you don't see a convenient location - it's definately worth contacting the website to see what you can do about getting one where you live. I know the people from Bountiful Baskets (the one I tried) said that they are opening up new locations depending on the demand.