North Family Walks for NAMI

At the Weis household we are welcoming the weekend of boycotting all soccer/ softball games and will instead be exercising for a much different and much more important cause.

Its a 3 mile walk in memory of my sister, Becky, and to help raise awareness for mental illness. We jumped in with this last year and you can read about our fundraising efforts here.

This year The North's & Weis' took a different approach to fundraising and partnered with Pizza Ranch in Jefferson. The kids bussed tables, refilled drinks and washed dishes while raising almost $700 in one night. I was so proud of my kids, but knew that they didn't need compensation or recognition. They were happy just helping out and that they accomplished.

Here's to a beautiful walk tomorrow and the promises of the future!

Worst Foods in America

This kind of stuff always intrigues me. What could they be? Is it something that I or my kids regularly eat? You know you have to look because how would you ever know?!

Whew...I knew there was a good reason we don't eat out that often. wow!

Mimi’s Cafe: Buy One Breakfast, Get One Free

Once upon a time, I signed up for Mimi's Cafe e-mail club. I probably get a "deal" e-mailed to me every day; which is a little much. I don't know if their business is hurting, but thisdeal is pretty good and their breakfasts are super yummy so I feel better about passing it on.

I also love how its good all day tomorrow, September 21, 2010. Print your coupon here for a free breakfast at Mimi’s Cafe when you purchase another breakfast.

Free Ice Cream at Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone Creamery will be holding their annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social on September 30, 2010 from 5 to 8 p.m. Each person will receive a free 3-oz. cup of Kate’s Creation ice cream.

$1.50 Cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory

Click on the “Like” button on the The Cheesecake Factory Facebook Page and then go to the “Fan Exclusive” tab and you’ll be able to print a coupon to get a piece of cheesecake for only $1.50 on Thursday, July 29, 2010. I went last year (it being packed last year wasn't the hardest part...it was the decision on what kind to get!)

2010 Des Moines Restaurant Week

Good News! Restaurant Week is back for the 3rd straight year in Des Moines. Sara Says has followed this great idea closely for the past two years here and here. Here are the details...

Restaurant Week 2010

When: Augusts 20-29, 2010

Why: August is notoriously slow for restaurants and this helps boost their biz

Where: Your choice of restaurants is increasing every day so check by frequently to see what might wet your whistle.

I love how this year's list includes so many downtown restaurants. Des Moinesians (pardon the new word) don't you remember not too long ago when there was nothing to be found downtown to eat after 5? We have come a long way!

I know our choices will definitely include locally owned places and this list includes a lot of great ones. We love supporting local businesses and their dreams.

(Free) Real Fruit Smoothies at McDonalds!

Word on the street st that in the Sunday edition of USA Weekend and Parade magazine, there’s a coupon for a free 12-oz. Smoothie or Frappe from McDonald’s.

If you don't find the coupon of you just love them so much, print off a coupon here for $1 off any Frappe or Real Fruit Smoothie at McDonald’s. This coupon is good through August 15, 2010.

A Bribe of Mimi's Muffins!

I have stooped so low! Today is the first day of summer break for the kids and I am all about being a good mom and letting my kids sail right into summer fun...after yoga. I am competing in the Hy-Vee Triathlon again this year and the event is on Sunday.

We have a completely full next few days with softball games, Dave's birthday and getting the everyone ready for the Kid's Triathlon and myself.

I have to get to yoga class. I love it. It relaxes and stretches me and is truly the favorite workout out of everything else I do. 8 AM this morning is the only class at the gym I can get to this week for it. In a short bit I will be waking up my now 3rd grader, first grader and soon to preschooler (earlier then they ever got up for school mind you), but so they can go to the kids gym while I get my yoga in.

Fear not, after that I already promised them a surprise mystery trip to kick off summer. I'll tell you though, we are heading to Mimi's Cafe for a breakfast and four free muffins.

Have you had Mimi's Muffins yet? They are absolutely melt in your mouth delish! I especially like the chocolate chip ones.I think they will forgive me for the early wake up call on the first day of summer.

Tip for a Food Rut: Leave the House!

We have been doing pretty well with our 2010 new food challenge. Our meal times have been a lot more pleasant and I haven't missed the, "what is this? or "how many bites?" questions. Instead the girls are complimenting their cooks more often and the unfamiliar foods aren't sitting on their plates resembling a lone island long after the meal has commenced.

Over spring break, I decided it would be fun to try something new; go out to eat as a family. That may sound silly to some of you, but we very rarely go out to eat with just our family. Not even McDonalds. Its just something we don't do.

I can see it happening more often as the kids get older, but for 8 years we have had someone in a booster chair and when you have someone in a booster chair that pretty much equals you will be entertaining that child while waiting for the food and during the meal (as they will be done so much sooner then everyone else. It will also certainly involve one parent leaving the table early with the youngster so the other one can pay and finish up the other children.

How do you then treat a family out for dinner that doesn't involve tokens, plastic silverware and blinking lights? Solution: Teppanyaki-style dining! Aka: they cook the food right in front of you. Ohana Steakhouse! Stay tuned for our adventure!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Free Meal at T.G.I Fridays

Offer good with the purchase of one entree. Click here for the coupon. Expires March 1st.

Free Denny's Breakfast on February 3, 2009

Need a reason to go out for breakfast? From 6 AM-2 PM, Denny's is giving out free Grand Slam Breakfasts. Why? I have no idea, but everyone should start their day with breakfast anyway so why not at Denny's?

Tuesday is my teaching day and I am thinking this could be fun for Daddy and the kids before he runs them off to school and the babysitter's...I am sure it won't be much persuasion ...sausage....bacon....
........................................................

Editor Update: Ok...maybe it will take some persuasion after all to drive to Davenport. After a quick restaurant locator there are evidently no Denny's in the area. I thought every city had one?!

For those of you out of town. Enjoy!