Cha Ching Dallas

I am playing catch up today because this has been a very busy week including a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge for a quick family vacation. We had a blast and I am so glad we were able to use a coupon to save money on our stay. Needless to say I have some catching up to do.

For Menu Monday (June 29) :

I found some yummy recipes from 5$ Dinners.
With this summer heat it is sometimes hard to sit down to a warm dinner. This is a great recipe for a dinner that is good warm or cold.

Balsamic Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
3 cups rotini pasta noodles
1 package chicken tenderloins
1 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing, divided
2 carrots
1 green pepper
1/2 zucchini
Fresh basil
Fresh parsley
Salt/Pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. In medium saucepan, cook pasta noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Add to serving bowl with 1/2 cup of balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
2. Place chicken tenderloins (dice them first if you like…I didn’t, because I find it easier to cut cooked chicken than raw chicken) into medium skillet with other 1/2 cup of balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Saute for 4-5 minutes each side, or until tenderloins are no longer pink in the middle.
3. Meanwhile, peel and chop carrot. Core, seed and dice green pepper. Dice 1/2 of a large zucchini. Chop fresh basil and parsley.
4. Once chicken has cooked through, toss veggies with chopped fresh basil and parsley into the skillet with the chicken. Add 1/2 - 3/4 cups of water.
5. Cover and let steam for 4-5 minutes, or until zucchinis become translucent. Once steamed, take “sharp” metal spatula or knife and cut the chicken tenderloins into bite size pieces.
6. Once cooked, toss chicken and veggies with pasta and dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Optional: Add a few shakes of Parmesan cheese to each serving. Serve warm or refrigerate at least 2 hours and serve chilled.
7. Serve Balsamic Chicken Pasta Salad.

July 4th Smoothie
Ingredients:
1 banana
1 cup of milk, rice milk or yogurt
6 large strawberries
About 1 cup blueberries
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (optional)
2 Tbsp favorite sweetener, like honey, agave syrup or sugar
Enough water to cover all the fruit (about 3-4 cups)

Directions:
1. Add all ingredients and blend until smooth.
2. Drink and Enjoy!

Thank You 5$Dinners!

*Always check here for coupons (new month so new coupons!) as well as the dallas coupon bank before heading to the store.

Tell About it Tuesday (June 30):

Tuesday we went to The Great Wolf Lodge. I highly recommend going there for a fun family vacation but with the warning that you need to come prepared to play not to rest. We had a blast and really enjoyed our stay. We also enjoyed driving around Historical Grapevine, TX. If you plan on going to The Great Wolf be sure to stop by the dallas coupon bank for a 20% off discount first. Also I would not recommend buying a "Pup Pass." The pass is for a stuffed animal, T-shirt, 2 free drinks and souvenir cups, and 20 game tokens. Really you can get more for your money without purchasing the pass. Next time we go we will also plan on bringing more food from home to save money especially with a refrigerator and microwave in every room.

If you have a blog or any tips that you would like to tell us about please leave a comment or email me. Thanks!

Win It Wednesday (July 1):

Huge Coupon Giveaway –Enter 3 Times a day on Cha Ching Queen (Ends July 6)

Mr. Linky list of blog giveaways for this week:
Deal Seeking Mom here
Money Saving Mom here

Susan from cravingthesavings.com is giving away four tickets to the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus' opening night in Dallas (July 29).

Thrifty Thursday (July 2-Today):

Welcome to Thrifty Thursday!
Rachel from Cha Ching Queen and I will post new and/or recap money saving tips since the last week. We will discuss everyday ways you can save money.If you have a blog and you post money saving tips and would like to be featured in "Thrifty Thursday" send your info by email (can be found in about page) or leave a comment below.

Thrifty tip for this week:

Are you a Deal Shark?
Here’s a great article about Deal Sharks (the best online shoppers). The key is to use malls and physical stores to look at a product and make sure it is what you want, but then buy the product online. Research is also important. Use comparison sites and find out how to layer (combine coupon codes, rebates, discounts).
Here are few sites for info on layers Ben's Bargains, Deals of America, My Bargain Buddy and SlickDeals
Always be on the lookout for a good deal even if you don’t need the item right away. One shopping seizes the deals and then stores them for later use as gifts.Even if you don’t do much online shopping there are some sites that will compare product prices at stores in your area. One example is shoplocal. Subscribe to mailing lists. Yes, you’ll get lots of junk, but you could also get some great coupons. That is how I got a 30% off coupon for Old Navy/Gap/Banana Republic. If you just can’t seem to find a good deal, ask for help. There are lots of sites with forums where people post questions or requests for coupon codes. A couple include fatwallet.com and slickdeals.net
Thank you Rachel!

Tomorrow Family Fridays (July 3):

Happy 4th of July Weekend! God Bless America!

Welcome back to Family Friday!
Rachel from Cha Ching Queen and I will post family fun activities and ideas for the upcoming week/weekend. We will share ways you can save money while enjoying family time together.If you have a blog and you post Family Fun money saving tips or if you have any fun family ideas and would like to be featured in "Family Friday" send your info by email (can be found in about page) or leave a comment below.

Local 4th of July Event Websites:
Addison Kaboom Town
Arlington 4th of July Parade
Frisco Freedom Fest
Grapevine 4th of July on the Lake
Lewisville Red, White & Lewisville
Liberty By The Lake Celebration
Plano Independence Day Parade
Richardson 4th Of July Celebration

Ft Worth Activities
DFW July 4th events
The most complete list in town. Find your fireworks here.
www.PegasusNews.com
Star Spangled 4th
Jul 4, 10 a.m.-midnight. Enjoy a crafts, live music and entertainment, art, car and motorcycle show, parade, and fireworks at the Firewheel Town Center in Garland. Free.
Dallas Booms! at Fair Park
Jul 4, 4 p.m.-10 p.m. Live music, free museum admission after 4 p.m., and food will be available at Fair Park. And fireworks will go off after dark, too, of course. Please leave the coolers at home, but bring lawn chairs or a picnic blanket. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome.

July 4th Crafts & Recipes
Quick & Easy July 4th Recipes & American Flag Crafts Ideas!
Family.go.com

The Ballpark In Arlington

Have a safe and fun 4th of July weekend!