Try a New Food Every Day for Year

Call me a cliche, but I really enjoy setting goals and resolutions at the beginning of each new year. We can always make ourselves better right?! This year, I wanted to involve my kids so Lucy and Megan each set a personal goal and we made a few family ones.

One of our big goals is to try a new food everyday for a year. After enjoying lots of holiday goodies (with a minor downfall being Lucy nearly gagging from eating a kiwi, (she claimed "the seeds were choking her"), and Max announcing "don't like it" the second the plate is placed in front of him, I have decidely come to terms that the kids are in a bit of a rut with trying new foods. With them not in charge of the grocery shopping and me being their parent, I find a teensy itsy bitsy part of the blame resting with me.

Enter this year's New Year's Resolution: Try A New Food Every Day for a Year!

I was excited about this and immediately set to rallying the kids, which admitedly responded a little dubious. I told them they were lucky, as my first thought was for it to be 365 new fruits or vegetables, but now to think of the array of foods they can try! That didn't seem to sway them and the dubious looks continued. Next came my promises of needing their help to pick out the foods and how I needed them to rate each food (smiley face, straight face, frown face) so I would have a good record of what they really liked (wink wink). Slowly the kids began to come around.

To avoid the, "I've never had brownie double fudge ice cream before" or "I wonder what green gum balls taste like?", I had to set a few ground rules.

1. The foods must be as close to their natural state as possible. This eliminates a lot of the overy processed and enriched foods, but leaves room to try things like hummus, sushi or quinoa.

2. This applies to foods that the kids haven't tried. I will eat along with them, but since I am more of an adventurous eater, I didn't know how I would come up with 365 completely new foods (I am sure I could, but that wasn't really my point).

3. Each new food comes with a minimum of 3 bites. I already know from experience that the first bite and anticipation (or fear) of trying something new has already clouded their judgment. 3 bites will give them enough to know what they really think.

We will be beginning January 1st and I plan to post the food selections and reactions. Now...I think I had better be doing some grocery planning and shopping...

The Future Face of Internet Solver...before the Internet was even invented

ok...we need to lose the Hawaiian shirt, but you can catch the drift.

Check out the young Dave Weis here.

Walgreens: 5x7 Photo Book for $1.99 shipped-- October 2, 2009!

You have 30 days from now to make your book, just log in so you can get the deal by midnight tonight.

click this link and follow the instructions, you can get a Photo Book for $1.99 shipped.

Christmas gift for someone?!

Got Halloween Spirit ? Got Milk? Halloween Tour is Coming to Des Moines!

The Got Milk? Halloween Tour is coming to Des Moines to host a fun Halloween-themed family event.

When: Wednesday, October 7 from 12-2 pm
Where: Science Center of Iowa
Why: Just check out these fun activities below!

• Taste and learn how to make fun Halloween-themed recipes
• Participate in Halloween Activities
• Answer trivia questions to win fun prizes
• Sample delicious chocolate milk from local milk processors
• Get the famous “milk mustache” photo taken for you to keep
• Interact with fun educational museum exhibits

The Got Milk tour was here for the Iowa State Fair and my kids still have their milk mustache snapshots hanging up. Should be another good time!

Win Free Internet and Telephone Service for a Year

Do you have a favorite Non-profit organization or business that you are involved in and care about that could use some technology assistance? Help them win free internet, telephone service and computer support for an entire year! No strings attached and no obligations. Internet Solver just wants to help these type of organizations operate more effectively and easily. Think of churches, animals, kids...We want to help someone that is already helping others!

Last 5 days to enter Internet Solver's Extreme Technology Makeover! Internet Solver was featured in the Des Moines Register today. Check it out here!

Cold Stone Creamery: Free 3oz Ice Cream on Thursday, September 24, 2009

Stop by your local Cold Stone tomorrow between 5-8 and make a donation for the Make A Wish Foundation to get your ice cream. More details here.

I just remember blogging about this. Has it really been a year?

Quiznos: Buy one sub and a drink, get a free sub

Print a coupon here for a free sub when you purchase another sub and a fountain drink at Quiznos. This coupon expires October 12, 2009.

Win Free Internet for a Year with Internet Solver's Extreme Technology Makeover

Is your technology getting in the way of you working on your business? Here is a chance to win free Internet, telephone service and computer support for your office for an entire year!

Internet Solver is accepting entries through September for our Extreme Technology Makeover. Enter here and two businesses will be selected (one non profit) to receive $10-20,000 of free products and service. No obligation necessary. We want everyone to experience the ease and great service of Internet Solver products. Internet Solver is your technology partner!

Click here to read more about Internet Solver's Extreme Technology Makeover in the news.

NAMI Walks for the Mind of America

I wanted to post about an upcoming event that is very important to our family. It is NAMI Walks for the Mind of America, a walkathon that is being held in Des Moines at Water Works Park on October 3, 2009. NAMI stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness. It is the nation’s largest mental health organization and is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.

My family decided to form a walking team and participate in NAMI Walks this year for several reasons. My sister, Becky, passed away last November at the age of 34. She faced struggles for many years from living with a mental illness. My family and I also wanted to support other individuals and families who face similar struggles.

By getting involved in NAMI Walks we hope to honor Becky. She worked hard to understand and overcome the illness that changed her life so completely. From our own experience we know that NAMI provides help when people need it the most. All proceeds from NAMI Walks are used to fund NAMI’s very worthwhile programs.

We are excited about building awareness for this topic that is often times taboo to discuss. I know that my sister would be proud. You can find more information on my fundraising page here.

Panda Express: Buy 1 Get 1 Meal Free

Ok, I don't think they should really classify themselves as gourmet chinese, but it will do in a pinch. Through September 30, 2009, you can use this coupon here to get a free Single-Serving Entree at Panda Express when you purchase any 2-Entree Plate.

Free $10 gift card at Jordan Creek Town Center

If your local mall is managed by GGP (and the one nearest me is!), you can get a free $10 gift card! Just go here and enter your zipcode to see if there's a mall near you which is participating.

When you enter your email address, you'll receive a confirmation by email which you can print and redeem at your mall on specified dates in order to get a completely free $10 gift card.

Sara Says will be on a blogging break for a short while. I will continue to post updates here. Thank you for your loyal readership. I will be back soon!

Starbucks: Free drink on your birthday

Starbucks has a new promotion they are running for those who have a Rewards Card (a gift card)a free drink of your choice from Starbucks on your birthday.

To sign up to receive a free drink on your birthday, you just need to go here and add your mailing address and date of birth to your Rewards Card member profile and opt in to receive mail from Starbucks.

Chai tea anyone?!

Ruby Tuesday: One Free Entree with Purchase

Sign up here for the Ruby Tuesday email newsletter and you'll get a free Buy One Entree, Get One Entree Free coupon by email within 24 hours.

Walgreens: Fun and Free 8x10 Collage--Good only Today (8/26/09)

No time to scrapbook and need to something with summer or vacation photos? That is what I did!

Good only today: Wednesday, August 26, 2009, you can order a free 8x10 photo collage at Walgreens. Just go here and create your collage and then use coupon code FUNDAY at checkout and your order should be entirely free.

Enjoy Free Entree on Dave's Day at Famous Dave's on August 30, 2009

Do you have a David, Dave, or Davy in your life? Celebrate Dave's Day at Famous Dave's!


Click here to read more about this. Thanks to the Dave in my life for alerting me of this...I am sure he wouldn't miss it for anything.

Chick-fil-A: Two free Chicken offers

sign up here for a free Original Chicken Sandwich from Chick-fil-A. This offer is only available to the first 250,000 and they send it by snail mail.

If you want the easier approach...

On Labor Day head to your local Chick-fil-A wearing a sports team logo from10 a.m. to close and you’ll also receive a FREE Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich! We did this last year and it was kind of fun!

2 Easy Steps to Look More Professional in Your Business

Everyone Can Do This! It's that easy!

A few days ago I mentioned how I had begun working for Internet Solver in doing some sales and customer relations. Click here to read about how I got involved. I recently gave a small presentation to a Women's Networking Event (Women of Worth). A lot of these are new start-up business, but some are pretty established. It was a lot of fun and women can learn so much from one another. I thought it would be fun to post part of my presentation here. I know there are a lot of women out there with wonderful business ideas and could benefit.

Internet Solver can help you…

Look More Professional in Your Business in Two Easy Steps

Step 1: Get a real e-mail account

Don’t let your customers send e-mails to something containing the words “yahoo” or “hotmail”attached to it. Whose business are you advertising anyway, theirs or yours?

Internet Solver can set you up with a personalized and professional e-mail domain. This can be done with business or personal e-mail accounts.

Example: sweis@internetsolver.com

sara@sjdjweis.com

Step 2: Get a real telephone number

A lot of new businesses use their cell phone as their business line. It may seem smart and cost effective at the time, but you will regret it. What if you add staff? Go on vacation? Want to switch cell phone companies?

A real phone number will get you:

• Free advertising: Your business will be published in all phone directories (online and the book) for free. Google searches will have your business come up more often because your phone number is published so many places.

• When you call someone, your company name will show up in their caller ID instead of a random “Des Moines” or “Unknown.”

• Internet Solver can reprogram your phone number so it can ring at your office, your house, or cell phone.

Internet Solver will help you with both steps toward looking more professional!

Sara Weis

Internet Solver, Inc.

11308 Aurora Avenue

Urbandale, IA 50322

Office: 515-224-9229

Fax: 515-224-0829

sweis@internetsolver.com

www.internetsolver.com

Marie Claire: FREE 3-Year Magazine Subscriptio

this FREE 3-year Marie Claire magazine subscription will go pretty fast. Sign up now to get yours!

A New Season of Life

The days are getting shorter, crickets are chirping earlier and there is always a morning layer of fog over a favorite lake I run by. Fall is coming. There are also other notable signs. My girls are both in school all day, after school activities have begun and I will resume teaching part time after Labor Day. Our lives will again settle into a routine. Life will continue clipping along.

I always enjoy the start of new seasons. There is a new freshness and feel of opportunity. Similar to our four yearly seasons, I also believe there are seasons in our lives. There are times to try new things and embark on different adventures and other times we need to sit back and take it all in. For example, I would really love to learn how to garden, take a women's self-defense class, write a book, travel the world... We can't do it all-all the time.

This Fall, I will begin working part time for Internet Solver. There have been little seeds planted in my mind the last few months and signs seem to be pointing for me to be involved in our family business. I am excited to enter the business world. Most jobs I have had revolved around kids and teaching. Even though I have a desire to have grown-up lunch plans and coffee meetings, the truth is I love talking to others and learning from them. I have a greater understanding of what Dave is doing with the company and I know I can hit a different target market and add something of value to the business. I love sharing what I have learned with others and look forward to embarking on this new season in my life.

Build a Bus at Lowe's Saturday, August 22, 2009

I really do love these Build and Grow sessions that Lowe's offers. We can't get to them as often as we like because of other Saturday morning commitments (whatever happened to watching cartoons all morning like we did as kids?).

But, check out this fun Bus! Did I mention its free?

Click here to sign up for this or the really cool drum you can make on Saturday, September 12th.

Kid's Day at the Weis' Part 2

click here to read part 1 on Kid's Day

What a day! To celebrate Kids Day and the close of summer, I left the kids choose the meals and activities throughout the day. Waffles in the morning (Megan), macaroni for lunch (Max) and french toast and sausage for supper (leave it to Lucy to come up with that for Supper).

Immediately in the morning Lucy and Megan wanted to disappear to their Harry Potter Hogwarts school down the basement. I had to come up with something for two year old Max to do because he just wanted to pester his sisters (too! too!) and tear the school down.

We made play-doh together which was actually really fun. He was scared of it at first and wouldn't touch it, but warmed up to the "snakes" and "balls" pretty fast. Click here for the best play-doh recipe ever passed down by my mom.

Lucy and Megan (aka Harry and Hermione) wandered upstairs and wanted to have a potions class. I had found an easy recipe for homemade ice cream made from a zip-loc bag. It turned out perfectly because they had to add ingredients, mix and shake and they were amazed as the contents changed form. The ice cream turned out kind of salty, but we added some chocolate syrup and that didn't slow them down from inhaling it.

Get the homemade ice cream recipe here.

In the afternoon they chose going swimming and extra reading time from The Prisoner of Azkaban. Even Max will listen to the book for awhile while muttering, "Potter, Potter." It was actually a very enjoyable day and something we will do again winter and spring Break.

Now the kids can return to school. ;-)

The Best Homemade Play-Doh Recipe

1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 c. water
1 T salad oil
few drops of food coloring

Mix dry ingredients. Add water, stir until thoroughly mixed. Add oil, heat in pan. Stir constantly on medium heat. It will thicken. Remove from pan and knead.

Click here to read more.

Easy Homemade Ice Cream Recipe

Zip- Loc Bag Ice Cream

1 small zip loc bag
1 gallon-size zip-type plastic bag
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoon salt (regular table salt that pours will work)

PROCEDURE:
Fill the large bag half full of ice. Add the salt. Seal the bag. Put milk, vanilla, & sugar into the small bag. Seal it. Place the small bag inside the large one & seal again carefully. Shake until mixture is ice cream, about 5 minutes. Wipe off top of small bag. Then open carefully & enjoy!

click here to read about about our adventure in making it.

McDonald's: $1 = 12 free items: After School Snack Coupon Book

Many McDonald's locations are currently offering $1 After School Snack coupon booklets which contain coupons for 12 free snacks:

3 free Baked Pies
3 free Apple Juices or Milk Jugs
3 free small cones
3 free Apple Dippers or Small Fries

These coupons do not expire until December 31st.

McDonalds is going to be on our weekly circuit for awhile now anyway. I never advocate going there (except during Mocha Free Mondays!), but their Happy Meal Toys are now American Girl items and we love American Girl at our house.

We will actually be dining there today for lunch to celebrate last day of summer and to pick up our Kirstin, the Pioneer book. While we are there I am definitely grabbing one of these Snack Coupon books! Wouldn't that be fun for for after school outing?!

IHOP: Kids Eat Free Nightly with Adult Entree Purchase

I've never ever been to an IHOP, but do love pancakes. Maybe now we will try.

Through September 13, 2009, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., you can get a free Kid's Meal with each Adult Entree purchase at IHOP. Valid for children 12 and under. More details here.

Kid's Day at the Weis' Part 1

"Every day is kids day," I remember my parents responding when I asked them why we didn't have a Mother's Day or Father's Day like them. Maybe they were right, but with school starting in a few days, I was having a little guilt.

It has been a busy summer.

We have had an amazingly amount of fun and gotten to do lots of special things that I know they will remember. Honestly though, my kids just love to play. Megan and Lucy are incredibly creative with their play and get along (for the most part) really well. All summer they never really asked to go anywhere; the zoo, library, movies, swimming, parks, ice cream shops, the fair, Adventureland...

As soon as we get home from somewhere, downstairs they rush to their Hogwarts school in the basement or grab their American Girl Dolls and create apartments for them in their closets.

They will soon be in that structured setting of school and won't have the uninterrupted hours of creative play. The remaining hours will be filled with ballet, piano, soccer, spelling words, supper and early bedtimes.

They needed a full uninterrupted day to just play, get messy and go with what their mood strikes. Stay tuned for what Megan and Lucy chose, my ponderings on if its possible for a two year old to independently play (mine doesn't) why the house is in disarray and how I only went semi-bonkers from being home all day....

click here for part 2.

Fun and Free Pie at Baker's Square

Baker's Square is the place to be the next two days!

Tomorrow , you can stop by any Baker's Square location from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. where your kids can make a child-sized apple or cherry pie for free.

Then, on Wednesday you can stop by Baker's Square again to get a free piece of pie with any purchase.

Read more here.

Free Bowling and set a World Record!

I haven't been bowling forever, but since I heard about National Bowling Week August 29th-September 5th, it kind of made me want to give it a try again.

Read more about setting the World Record and You can bowl a free game on September 5th by downloading a coupon from here. Sounds like some good family fun heading our way!

Almost Free Veggie Tales DVD

If your kids love VeggieTales you might want to go ahead and sign up for the Big Idea newsletter. Doing so will entitle you to one VeggieTales DVD for just the cost of shipping—$2.99!

Hurry! Free dessert at Mimi's Cafe. Ends Aug. 19th, 2009

We life Mimi's variety and reasonably priced meals. Here is another excuse to go. Spend $10 and this coupon at any Mimi's Cafe to get a free dessert.

Free Meal at Boston's Market and Teacher Appreciation

Go here for a coupon for a free meal when you purchase another at Boston Market.

Also-gotta love our teachers! Through September Boston Market is offering all teachers and school staff a free meal with any meal purchase on weekends and 20% off all meals and catering during the week. Present valid school identification. Read more details here.

The Weis Cafe and Daughter Date Night

Lucy, Megan and I had tickets for High School Musical 2 at the Des Moines Playhouse a few nights ago. Being girls (and are beginning to take an increasing amount of time to go somewhere...meaning there have been several instances where the family is waiting in the car for Megan who is still finishing up getting ready) they had planned to get get all dressed up. I on the other hand, was thinking, ohhhh....night off from cooking, where should we eat?

Enter Dad. He invented the Weis Cafe. Have you heard of it? Its a new restaurant nestled in our formal dining room, with a table that is rarely cleared off enough for eating. We hadn't used our new dishes yet (a ten year anniversary gift from my mom) and Dave was excited to prepare a meal for us. He even went as far to make up these adorable menus.



It was perfect. We got dolled up, actually left the house, walked down the driveway and entered the Weis Cafe. Dave seated us and handed us our menus. Lucy and Megan loved this. It was much more meaningful and fun than any restaurant I could have taken them too. They insisted on calling Dave "Waiter-O" and Max was proclaimed as "the entertainment" as he acted like you would expect at a restaurant...running around, grabbing things off the table, demanding "waavvvvver."

After dessert of ice cream and caramel, we were off to the show; which produced one Sharpay and one Kelsie wannabes.

Toys "R" Us:Birthday Freebie

If you have a youngin' at your house, you'll want to sign them up for the Toys R' Us Birthday Club. They'll get a card with a free $3-$5 gift card on their birthday along with some other fun freebies in-store when you register here.

Got Milk? Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to mlkrogulski, matt and Kim!

They are the proud winners of the Got Milk? Giveaway!

Thanks for entering and stay tuned for the next one. Giveaways are great!

Schwan's: $10 of Free Food

Yesterday I received my herb and garlic marinated pork chops delivered right to my front door. Now I know this deal is legit!

I grew up with Schwan's Food (ice cream sandwiches, push up pops, frozen pizza and chicken tenders were our favorites). Schwan's is still around and has really stepped it up.

Go here and place an order for a any item $10 or less. There is free delivery too! Let me tell you....after thumbing through the catalog, lets just say that I will be branching out from the frozen pizzas....there are a lot of tasty looking options in there. Wow!

Congratulations to Internet Solver and My Husband!

Saturday, August 08, 2009

Best of Technology BY BUSINESS RECORD STAFF

Best Telecommunications Equipment Dealer

Internet Solver Inc.

Internet Solver Inc. focuses on keeping technology simple and streamlined so its customers can have the best experience.

Internet Solver President Dave Weis said his company can provide all the telecommunications technology that a small to medium-sized business needs to operate.

"It makes it very simple for the customers, because they only have a single company that they need to deal with," Weis said. "They know that there are not going to be any conflicts between the different providers, no finger pointing. If there is a problem, we fix it."

This was the basis of Weis' business plan when he started Internet Solver in his basement in 2002. When his wife suggested the company move after it reached three employees, Weis moved the business to 42nd Street before settling on Internet Solver's current location at 11308 Aurora Ave. in Urbandale last year.


read the rest of the Business Record article here and to see the other 2009 Best of Winners

Got Milk? Giveaway ends August 10th: 3 Winners

Click here to enter the Got Milk? Giveaway of tote bag, t-shirts and more. Giveaway ends August 10th. Good luck!

Grab the Kids and Camera: The Iowa State Fair is Just Around the Corner

We love the fair at our house and usually make a full day out of if when we go. Click here to see our favorite activities from years past, but this year will include some new things on our agenda.

-Pet a newborn calf, chick, colt and maybe even see a live birth at the Knapp Animal Learning Center.

-The Heritage Village has a country school with daily lessons and activities. Lucy and Megan are still very interested in the whole one room schoolhouse concept.

-Hy-Vee Fun Forest: Includes little trails to explore, play equipment and even some fountains to run through and cool off.

-While in the Fun Forerst we are going to stop by the Got Milk? headquarters where the kids can practice making their milk mustaches and getting photos taken. The Got Milk? area also has loads of of other free things they are giving away and were so kind to give our family complimentary tickets to the fair. We love our milk products here! Click here to read more about it.

-This year we will be paying a bit more attention to all of the food and craft competitions and ribbons. We were all set to enter some this year (I have such fun memories of being involved in 4-H and showing off my workmanship to a judge to receive my ribbon).

Note to self for next year: Entries have to be placed by July 1st. July 1st? Who is thinking about the fair then?

Next year we will be!

Weis Family Survives First Camping Trip: Part 4

Click here for part 1.

After a night of smores, campfire songs and mysterious back jabbing rocks under our tent, it was finally morning. All the kids and Daddy slept until 8 and I enjoyed the peaceful nature of birds chirping and desperately wishing I had a cup of coffee (didn't know how I was going to do that one over hot coals).

We feasted on our brown bears for breakfast and I settled for Diet Mountain Dew for my morning caffeine fix. I don't know if it was that intense sugar rush or the fact that I really wanted to get to my home shower, but I was ready to get this day going. Creek walking was next on our agenda. We had packed water shoes, old clothes and clear cups for the kids to try to catch fish. Yes, there were actual small fish swimming in that clear water....the girls really wanted to catch a "pet" but they were awfully fast.

Hours later, we were back home and left with fun memories and mountains and mountains of laundry for mom to do...

August Birthday =Free Chocolate Lava Cake from Dominos

Have a birthday in August? Lucky you!

Domino's: Free Chocolate Lava Cake for all August birthdays!

Here are the details:

From August 3 - August 31, anyone with an August birthday can stop by their local Domino's to receive one FREE Lava Crunch Cake on their birthday! Minors without driver's license need to be accompanied by an adult. Read more here.

Weis Family Survives First Camping Trip: Part 3

Click here for part 1.

What kind of mother am I? Do you see that drop off?

The Ledges is known for its awesome hiking trails. I just love it when trails go off on all different tangents and you have a fun little butterfly feeling in your stomach like you just might get lost.

Lucy and Megan are like their mom in that they love to hike and explore. They are like their Dad in that they like to go off roads (this picture was not taken by following the well marked path. After setting up camp we wanted to try out some trails. The girls alternated between playing , Little House on the Prairie, Pocahontas and Harry Potter (and the forbidden forest) as we traversed along. Max was a good sport and took turns riding on his parent's shoulders, only crying as he spotted his sisters and mother crawling across the log. At least one of us had some sense...

click here for part 4

Weis Family Survives First Camping Trip; + Easy Campfire Recipies Part 2

Click here for part 1

I chose Ledges State Park for this maiden camping expedition for several reasons. It is a beautiful and unique place in Iowa with tons of hiking trails, clear streams for creek walking that circle the park (and actually run over the road) and it was far enough away that the notion of crawling into our warm comfy beds would not even be an option.

I am a planner by nature and I couldn't wait to get our meals planned. With a borrowed camp out book, my daughters and I scoured it trying to decide what to make. We knew we wanted to include all the food groups in our meals and had already vetoed hot dogs and burgers which we grill all the time at home. We were somewhat limitless as we were trying to do this trip very low budget and I did not want to purchase a bunch of camping cooking supplies so I knew that everything would be made with hot coals.

Here is what we came up with:

Dinner:

Foil Packets:
2 1/2 lbs ground beef (we used a cheap minute steak from our deep freeze)
Any Vegetable of your choice sliced thin (carrots, onions, potatoes)

Make sure your vegetables are sliced thin. I had cut up our summer squash, red and green peppers and onions before we left. Place meat on square of foil (I put Pam on the foil before) and spread vegetables over the meat. Wrap in foil making a secure seal and cook in coals for seven minutes to each side.

You could put all of this together, but I let Megan and Lucy make a foil packet for each of us so they could be in charge of deciding which and how many veggies they wanted in theirs.

We also took the label off a baked bean can, used the old fashioned can opener to open it and set that on the coals to cook. That can only took seven minutes before the beans were boiling. Everyone was so impressed by that can of beans!

Dessert
Cinnamon Sugar Baked Apples (similar to Apple Crisp)

4 Apples
cinnamon/sugar mixture
butter

We baked these in foil packets as well and put them on the coals as we were eating dinner. They were warm and delicious to eat by the time dinner was done.

Place sliced apples on foil. Sprinkle the cinnamon/sugar mixture over and add a dollop of butter. Wrap securely and bake for 20-25 minutes, turning often over coals.

Breakfast
Brown Bears

10 bread slices
3/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

Trim crust from bread. Cut into 2" squares. Place bread on cooking stick; dip into melted butter and them cinnamon sugar mixture. Toast over hot coals until crisp

Fruit Kebab
Alternate on skewer;
sliced bananas
chunk pineapple
marshmallows
strawberries

Heat over coals until marshmallows are golden brown.
Other fruits to try: peaches, plums, maraschino cherries

click here for part 3

Restaurant Week is Back in Des Moines 2009

What: Restaurant Week in Des Moines

When: August 21st-30th, 2009

Why: Gives the savvy diners like you and me a chance to try new places and menu items. Look out New York City!

Cost: Your pick! Lunch (for 2) or three course dinner (just one) for $25.00

Where: Your choice of 42 restaurants including my picks of Django, the downtown and delicious and "feel like you've been somewhere" French restaurant, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse (love the seafood skewers!), and Irina's, who I feel got the shaft big time as they had to wait a year for the liquor license to be restored because of the previous occupants.

What to skip? Sbrocco because I went there last week for restaurant week and they barely knew themselves that it was going on and Shane's Rib's Shack (although tasty-how could you eat $25 worth of BBQ at a fast food place).

Sara Says was one of the few sites to report on the 2008 Des Moines Restaurant Week. I feel like it may have been a better deal then (20.08 prix fixe meals since it was 2008), but I still think its creative and love how the restaurants are somewhat banding together to get us out of our homes and eating beans and frozen pizza in this slow economy.

Got Milk? Milk Mustache Tour is Coming to Des Moines Plus 3 Giveaways

You know you've seen them. Full page magazine ad. Beautiful celebrity. Huge glistening white toothed smile and... a milk mustache strategically placed above their upper lip.

Now your kids can get their own souvenir milk mustache photos and be just like over 250 celebrities that have posed for the Got Milk? ads. Bring them on down to the Iowa State Fair August 15-17 for this free event. In addition to downing a glass of ice cold white goodness, there will also be smoothies and chair massages given out.

This free, fun-filled events will be held at the Iowa State Fair in the Fun Forest from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m Sounds like a good time to me!

The peeps over in Chicago that are part of the Got Milk? campaign are so excited about visiting Des Moines and our great Iowa State Fair that they want to have a fun giveaway with gift packages that include t-shirts and tote bags to 3 lucky readers from Sara Says.

Go ahead. Leave a comment below about your favorite milk product and three winners will be randomly chosen by August 10.

Weis Family Survives First Camping Trip: Part 1

What do you get when you cross three children seven and under (two of whom are scared of bugs and the third that wants to eat them), a wife that loves her bed and hot shower, zilch camping supplies, a husband who is afraid of starving to death and the great outdoors?

An over packed mini-van and a memorable camping trip that won't soon be forgotten is what we got.

Camping know-how is not in my blood. We didn't do this as a family growing up and my main experience stems from being a camp counselor at Camp Hantesa for a summer. I have vivid memories of being in charge of ten eight years olds, hungry for supper and having to make a complete meal over the fire each week (no hot dogs allowed). We were given three matches (newspaper and lighter fluid were also forbidden). If we couldn't get our fire going, it was PB&J for all that night. I made the same macaroni and cheese dinner over that fire each week. Hey-it was different kids each week. Did I mention that I also purchased a lighter that I secretly kept in my pocket for these Wednesday night camp outs? I really did not want to let these kids down and not have a camp out experience!

Enter ten years later: I don't want to let my kids down and not have a camp out experience!

click here for part 2

Blog Birthday Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everyone for all of the birthday wishes! Congratulations to Sarah on being the winner of the Target giftcard.

Stay tuned for another giveaway next week from the people over at the Got Milk campaign. There will be three winners for this!

Happy Blog Birthday Giveaway!

Win a $20 gift card to Target! Giveaway ends August 1st, 2009.
Click here for more info.

Mother/Daughter Book Club: Starting in the Fall!

I can picture it all in my mind now. Sitting in the living room in a cozy circle, the girls drinking hot cocoa while the moms sip on tea or coffee, nodding along intellectually while discussing the great literary classics of our past. ;-)

As you can tell I am so excited about starting this Mother Daughter Book Club and for several reasons:

1. My absolute favorite thing to do with my children is to read with them.
The books I choose at night to read aloud are often the ones I enjoyed as a kid; the old forgotten classics. These books will be a perfect springboard for discussions.

2. I am always looking for different ways and ideas to spend time with my kids. With school around the corner and Megan and Lucy being gone all day this will be something that will help connect us at night and give us something to look forward to. This will probably be better quality time spent then running them to ballet, gymnastics or soccer; which admit it, doesn't really count as time spent together anyway.

3. Book classics can easily be overlooked in our busy day and age. Reading from quality literature will not only help our children be more well rounded, smarter, but it will be fun for us moms to revisit those quality books.

Each month a mother/daughter will pick the book and host at their house. We will discuss the book, draw connections between the book and real life. Lessons will be learned, points emphasized and we will all be brighter because of it.

Of course, treats will be served and I am thinking it would be fun to connect the food with the snacks. Chocolate fondue spread for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, anyone?

The club will be open to anyone ages five and up and am excited to think about the different perspectives the kids will have and how much they are all going to learn from one another.


Each month will highlight a different book.

Possible Book Ideas:

Charlotte’s Web
James and the Giant Peach
The Secret Garden
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Little House on the Prairie
Ramona, The Pest
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
Wind in the Willows
Heidi
Pippi Longstocking
How to Eat Fried Worms
Stuart Little
Sarah Plain and Tall

These books are merely a springboard and we would be open to any book that is chosen. Each Mother/Daughter can choose the book together when it is their turn to host for the month. Possibly meeting Sundays from 3-4:30. Please let me know if you are interested or have any other ideas! This is going to be fun!

Its National Cheesecake Day! Get your half-price cheesecake!

Got a Cheesecake Factory near you? Grab a slice for half price today only (July 30th, 2009). Now the tricky part is figuring out which kind...

First Triathlon Ponderings, Musings and a Peanut Butter Sandwich

part 5 of a series. Click here to begin.

This was great! I ran up the blue carpet of the swim exit, and heard several people shout and call my name. As I headed into the massive transition area I made my way over to my bike. Immediately I wondered what all these people were doing just standing there by their bikes. Didn’t they know they were in a race? Did they call it all off? Why was I analyzing this so much, but I was seriously the only person that seemed to be in a hurry. Then it occurred to me. They were doing this as a team and waiting for their swimmer to get out of the water. Enough with the thinking. Get on that bike.

I seriously had the best bike spot in the world. Right next to the bike repair tent and second from the end. It was easy to spot the tent, therefore easy to find my bike. I had heard horror stories of people coming out of the water, being disoriented and unable to find their bike in the sea of thousands. Not me! I ran straight to it, saying a silent thank you for no wetsuit to remove, fastened my helmet, slid on my bike shoes (no socks!), heaved my bike from its resting pole and began jogging with it toward the bike exit. The bike would be the longest leg of the race, but it was also where I knew my family would be waiting to cheer me on. Swinging my leg over the bike, a quick shoe clip in and I was off to find them.

First Triathlon Ponderings, Musings and a Peanut Butter Sandwich

Part 4 of a series. Click here to start.

Swim waves started every four minutes. At 6:16, my group and I made way into the water. I splashed some on my arms, legs and face to get myself used to the temperature. Thank goodness it was warm. I absolutely hate to be cold. With the swim, I had been told it was all about position. You don’t want to be in the middle of the pack as it’s hard to stretch yourself out to swim. You don’t want to be too close to the front and be trampled and swam over. Being in the back could also have complications. In other words—there really was no perfect position to be in to start the swim. There really wasn’t much time to second guess it anyway. My wave had begun.

It was crowded in the water, but not terrible. Once I rounded the first buoy, I had gotten my rhythm down and the crowd had spread out. “I’m doing Hy-Vee, I’m doing Hy-Vee…chanted around and around in my head. It was a beautiful morning for a swim. It felt good. I was having fun.

Before I knew it, I had cornered that omniscient orange buoy that had looked so far away moments earlier when I was standing on the beach. I was in the final stretch. I could hear the loud speaker before I could see the beach and knew I had to be getting close. The sun was blinding in that direction and it really was difficult to see anything. Bam. Felt sand with my hand and I got up and ran the rest of the way through the water. Quick watch check. 31 minutes?! I couldn’t believe it. That was the fastest mile I had ever swum in a lake.

click here to continue

First Triathlon Ponderings, Musings and a Peanut Butter Sandwich: part 3

this post is part of small series. Click here to begin.

I had gotten separated from my group and that was ok. I needed little a quiet and reflection and was really taking the entire experience in. I headed over to the giant football field transition area where my bike was in place. Once again the atmosphere had shifted. Upbeat music played over the speakers. Announcements were being made. People were everywhere; getting bike tires topped off, setting up their transition area, standing in line at the porta potty-basically doing anything to keep your mind off what was really going to be happening very soon.

Time flew. Before I knew it, the transition area was closed. We were not allowed back in. Did I have my goggles? Swim cap? Time to eat that peanut butter sandwich! We had to be down on the beach at 5:30 and because of the wave start, my age group was scheduled to go until 6:20. I had time, but I didn’t. Suddenly it was all coming so fast. I wanted it over with, but I didn’t want it to start.

The national anthem played. The sun was peeking over the edge of Blue Heron Lake. The horn blared. It had started. There was no turning back.

click here to continue.

Fastest Summer on Record

Come on, you know you feel that way too. Where did time go? Where did time go? I am hanging onto summer for as long as I can. School supply ads are brushed aside as I read the Sunday paper. For the first time the annual back to school shopping trip will be taken after school starts. There is too much I want to do with my kids. We still need to hit Adventureland, an Iowa Cubs game, Living History Farms, camping, picnics, leisure afternoons at the pool. The list goes on. Lucy and Megan are each planning a just mommy/daughter outing for August. I refuse to give up summer yet.

First Triathlon Ponderings, Musings and a Peanut Butter Sandwich

this is the second post of a small series. Please click here for the first.

I left the quiet and stillness of my house, knowing upon my return that it would all be over. I would be done. I pulled into the parking lot of the gym to meet up with my training buddies. I saw once again the value of doing something like this with others. Triathlons can be a very personal and solo sport, but it is a heck of a lot more fun to go through this with others. Music was blaring from someone’s car; the mood was light and festive. People were taking pictures, thumping each other on the back. This was it. It was really happening.

We arrived at Raccoon River Park and the mood shifted. It was quiet. Even as hundreds of people were parking and filing in, I couldn’t get over the stillness. It was dark, but huge football lights had been brought in to light the way. I stood in line to check in and get my body marked with age and race number. I stood in another line to get my timing chip securely fastened around my ankle.

I had the oddest sensation that this is what a concentration camp might have felt like. Glaring lights blaring down on half dressed people. Numbers written all over our arms and legs with security ankle bracelets in place. It was so quiet.

click here to continue.

Happy Birthday to Sara Says! Win a $20 gift card to Target!

My blog turns one in August! Although I am not one to get sentimental about the turning of age of inanimate objects, I do want to recognize my blog’s birthday. I have loved writing it and it has served its purpose as a springboard in capturing ideas, thoughts, and happenings.

I enjoy expressing myself and ideas in this way and want to thank my readers for all of the inspiring comments and times you have said, "its just like I am sitting across the table from you and having a conversation." That is more of a compliment then you would think.

In honor of the big birthday, Sara Says would like to do a giveaway: a twenty dollar gift card to one of my favorite stores; Target!

Just leave a comment below about something you have done this year to save money with your family. A winner will randomly be picked on -August 1st (the official Birthday). The winner will be posted on this site. Thanks for reading.

First Triathlon Ponderings, Musings and a Peanut Butter Sandwich

“You never forget your first triathlon.” “Enjoy it”. “You never quite get that feeling back." Those were some of the words spoken to me leading up to the week of my first Olympic Triathlon.

Reflection needs to be taken on my Hy-Vee Triathlon experience. I don’t ever want to forget the vast range of feelings, so I am putting my experience down. Embedded in my memory forever.

Triathlons come with an early start. A 6 AM start. Meaning a 3:30 wake-up call. That was nothing. I had been getting up before the sun for six months anyway for training.

I had spent the night on the couch not wanting to keep Dave up with all of the tossing, turnings and restless sleep that accompanies a lot of athletes before a race. After the alarm went off, I took a shower. Yes, a shower. I knew I was getting into a dirty lake in a few hours, but there was something about it just waking me up and officially starting my day. Next I had my usual morning bowl of oatmeal and protein powder and checked and rechecked the gear bag (there is so much stuff you need (swim cap, goggles, biking shoes, helmet, running shoes, black tape for the gu's, race belt number, and a peanut butter sandwich…).

I had so worried about getting hungry as I had no idea how long this race was going to take me. What if it was days? I had packed that sandwich and planned on eating it a half hour before the race began. Some people get nervous jitters and can’t eat before a race. I was already excited about eating that peanut butter sandwich.I truly do love them and eat one every day.

Not to say I wasn’t nervous. I was, but really had a sense of peace about it all that early morning. I knew I was properly trained. I had done all I physically could do. The only thing that really made me nervous were the unknowns, the technical part that I had control over. What if my chain came off my bike? What if I got a flat tire? I would be devastated knowing I had trained so hard and couldn’t finish the race because I never learned how to fix a flat. What if my goggles got kicked off in the swim? What if people swam over me, grabbed my ankles and pulled me under. Enough. It was time to go.

this is the first post of a small series. Read here for part 2. Thanks for reading.

T.G.I. Friday's: $5 off Each Entree

One of my hubby's favorite places! Coupon wording is a bit different, but looks like everyone you take to Fridays can receive $5 off their entree.

Go here for the coupon for $5 off entrees at T.G.I. Friday's.
Good through August 31, 2009.

Forget about jazz...bring on the Sno Cones!

Here is an excerpt that was in the Des Moines Register on Thursday;

W.D.M. Jazz in July concert turns life into a picnic

....The Weis family had some snacks, too, but the real treat was after the concert when they rode their bikes to Tropical Sno for treats.

Sisters Megan, 7, and Lucy Weis, 5, both agreed snow cones were going to be the highlight of the evening.

"I like snow cones and riding with Daddy on tag-a-long," Lucy said.

Read rest of article here.

Incredible Pizza Co. is in Des Moines!

Go Karts. Bumper Cars. Mini Golf. 100's of interactive and video games. All inside?! Des Moines needed a family friendly place like this. Incredible Pizza Co. opened a few weeks ago in Urbandale and has gotten rave reviews for the cleanliness, friendliness, and huge buffet. This place is definitely on our summer to-do list. Can't wait!

Click here for coupons and more info.

Arby's: Free Food Wednesdays

Need a reason to love Wednesdays? My husband will think he's a king. check out the various deals here they are running every Wednesday through the end of August.

And don't forget to get your free Roastburger with any soft drink purchase. They've extended this deal through July 17, 2009.

Baskin Robbins: Free ice cream ages 13-25

If you are between the ages of 13 - 25 (darn!) and have done something to volunteer this Summer, you can print this coupon here and take it to a local Baskin Robbins store for a free regular-sized soft serve cone. Offer ends July 17th.

Swim, Bike, Run...and Yoga?!

I love yoga. I love it, love it, love it! Yes, I was apprehensive seven months ago when I first started. Weird visions of meditating (ohmmmmm), standing on my head and snacking on granola afterward kept filtering through my mind. I only gave it a try after I was so sore from my new triathlon training and thought that forcing myself to stretch for an hour under the watchful eye of a buddha-like teacher might be a good cure.

The rest is history. I absolutely go weekly, twice a week if I can. I truly believe that it has kept me from suffering any major strains and tears on my muscles. While it wouldn't put Shawn Johnson to shame, my flexibility and balance that I have gained has been amazing.

Now I find out that I may be on to something. According to this newly released article from Triathlete magazine, yoga should be a new mandatory sport. That is, if you don't mind a lot of deep breathing and a few zen like poses.

Long John Silver's: Free Baja Fish Taco on Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Fish tacos were all the rage when when we were out in San Diego in May. While I doubt if Long John Silver's can hold a candle to a fresh fish taco from the coast, here is your chance to find out! Tomorrow (Tuesday, July 14, 2009) is Free Baja Fish Taco Day at Long John Silver's. Dine-in, carry-out, or drive-thru customers can get a free Baja Fish Taco until 2:30 p.m. More details here.

Free Potty Training Kit from Pampers

Can we send the two year old to Pampers headquarters to train? Potty training is actually what is next on the horizon for the Weis household. I've heard boys are more difficult and since Pampers probably won't take Max for a week maybe this kit will help...

Go here to request your free Potty Training Kit from Pampers which includes a free sample of Pampers Easy-Ups, coupons, stickers, incentives, and more.

The Return of Oregon Trail

Do you remember this old Apple computer game? Traveling back to the 1800's and pioneering your way across the unknown territory between Missouri and Oregon. The game involves naming others who will be traveling with you, buying supplies, packing up the covered wagon and heading out on uncharted territory.

Beware of crossing rivers, thieving Indians, cholera, and food rations running low. I was obsessed with this game when I was in elementary school and have so many fun memories of playing it hour after hour with my friend Lynn. We had it down to a science and would everything in our power to get ourselves to the Promised Land. Taking the bare minimum of supplies, giving small food rations and not stopping to look around were a few of our tactics. Come to think of it, that was very similar to how my family traveled when we were growing up. Get from point A to B as quickly as possible so we could get to our destination and begin our vacation.

I couldn't wait to introduce this game to my daughters this summer. Megan and Lucy are already very interested in pioneer life, Little House on the Prairie and "old fashioned times." I found a free version online, gathered them near the computer and was deeply impressed that they didn't balk at the simplistic graphics-after all this game is old and computer games have come a long way since then.

They loved it. They hooted with laughter when it showed up that we had gotten lost, Daddy had a broken leg and Max was experiencing "exhaustion." Then they became concerned when we lost a wagon wheel in the river, our food was running out, and no one could seem to master the arrow keys and space bar to hunt for food.

Did we make it to Oregon? Not this time. I will unveil all of my little tricks as time goes on, but for now--seeing Lucy and Megan enjoy the same game and experience their own little innocent addiction that I had 25 years ago, gives me great pleasure. Sharing ideas and memories of things things that I enjoyed as a kid is one of my favorite aspects of parenting.

7-Eleven: Free Slurpee Day on July 11, 2009

How long has it been since I have had a slurpee? ummm...I am pretty positive it would be dated back to the braces and permed hair days of junior high. But tomorrow on (7-11...get it??!!) 7 Elevens are giving out free slurpees. What a fun idea!

More details here.

Aye! Build a Treasure Chest

closeAuthor: Goob Name:
Email: heyitsfree@gmail.com
Site: http://heyitsfree.net
About: See Authors Posts (2This Saturday is the next free Lowes Build & Grow clinic where your child can build a free treasure chest.

We have done these in the past and there really is constructing involved. (Flashbacks to the gingerbread house with Me, all 3 children, 6 pgs of instructions and lots and lots of little nails). We perserved and the kids were tickled to keep the aprons, safety goggles and have really cute houses which they still use as banks.

Treasure chest looks fun for the older kids. Leave the two year olds with someone else!

Easy Homemade Pretzels

sidenote:
(ahhhh....peace! The rain is pattering down. Megan is at camp, Max asleep and Lucy is playing with a friend. Sure laundry needs to be done, stacks of papers could be be sorted and I know there are garage sale preparations that are beckoning. That stuff will wait. I want to write).

This easy homemade pretzel recipie has only four ingredients, but tons of possibilities. The kids have done these several times with playdates and the variations for them keep growing.

1 pkg. yeast
1 1/2 c. warm water
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
4 c. flour

Mix yeast and warm water. Add salt and sugar. Add flour and knead until smooth. Make into desired shapes. The kids have a ball making the letters to their names. Lucy did a volcano and a t-rex head the other day.
Spray cookie sheet with Pam. Brush dough with beaten egg, sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake at 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

For a healthier option use whole wheat flour and spread or did with peanut butter (carbs + protein=perfect snack). For a not-as-healthy-but-still-very-tasty option would be to add cinnamon and sugar (you were right on, Shannon!). This dough has a good flavor to it and I am seeing mini pizzas in our future...

Free Food at Chick-fil-A (Friday, June 10, 2009)

Here's the catch: In honor of the annual Cow Appreciation Day, Chick-Fil-A is giving away combo meals to people dressed like a cow. If you wear a cow accessory you'll receive a free entree item. See more details here if ya don't believe me. Fun, but I think I will just hold out for my mocha. ;-)

McDonald's: Free Iced Mocha or Hot Mocha on Mondays

ohhhhh.....so excited about this!



McDonalds has announced that they are giving away a free Iced Mocha (7 oz.) or Hot Mocha (8 oz.) every Monday from July 13, 2009 through August 3, 2009 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m at participating locations.

see more details here