I gained 40 lbs...Of Chicken!

I wanted to share with everyone my recent discovery!

Most of you that know me, know that I can coupon the crud out of whatever it is I am looking for. Whether it be a food product, or just some random neat item I found online...I make sure that I do NOT ever pay full price for anything.

My most recent treasure...Chicken Breast, and a whole lot of them! Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures when I picked up my box :( I know, how un-smart of me!
However, I did snap some shots of the the size of these babies, and a few of my freezer once I had cleaned, cut, and froze them.

Before I share the pictures, I will let you in on this new found obsession of mine.

It is difficult for me to explain this company to you, except for the fact that it is SUCH a great deal and VERY good quality foods!
The welcome statement on their page sums everything up better than I could....


"Welcome to Zaycon Foods.

Our goal is simple. We help families like yours to save money on high-quality food products.

Along the way, we are transforming the traditional food purchasing experience.

With our Savings Events Across America , we invite you to come see for yourself what we are all about."


They have "events" at different times and different locations. They will do specials on beef, bacon, fruits, etc. This particular event was for their Chicken Breast. Wowzers, was it a deal that I just could not turn down-- **$1.49/lb**

Currently Publix is selling their Perdue Chicken Breast for $ 2.99/lb and Food Lion does have theirs (an "off" brand") for $1.89 per pound this week. Just as a means for comparison.

There is a catch or 2 with purchasing these products is that there is a minimum order you must place. For example, the chicken breasts came in cases of 40 lbs. This was the minimum. ( My total was $59.60)
These are not like the chicken breasts you can purchase in the store, take home and throw in the freezer.

The box comes with 4 unsealed "smaller" bags FULL of FULL Chicken Breast, this means that the 2 breast are still connected in the butterfly formation. All 4 of these "smaller" bags are then placed in a larger Sealed bag, inside the box.

Here are the stock images from Zaycon Foods...Showing the packing...

I personally washed each breast thoroughly as I was unpacking them and preparing them. You must cut, de-fat, portion,package and freeze them yourself.
I know this seems exhausting to think about doing all of those things to 40 lbs of chicken...Which, I cannot lie, it does get a little exhausting standing on your feet in the kitchen for that long period of time (* Cue one of my favorite gadgets....The NATCO Kitchen Chef Mat...Which Kohls will have on sale for Black Friday..I HIGHLY recommend one!)


Here are some shots of the chicken that I snapped while I was working...I was SOO shocked at the size of these, they were significantly larger than ANY I had ever bought from a grocery store! I apologize for the terrible quality, I snapped these with my iphone with intentions only to message them to someone, not use here.

I did go ahead and cook 4 of the breasts for dinner the other night, these suckers are "real thick and juicy" (Name that Song!). I chose the smallest of the batch I cooked and I could not even finish it!
Absolutely Delish!!

Check out Zaycon Foods HERE...Register..and Keep your eyes open for their next event! I will post an announcement here whenever there is one available so that all 2 of you that read this, will be aware!!

:)

You Say It's Your Birthday!?!

This past Sunday we celebrated our little man turning 1 year old!! Although his actually birthday is tomorrow, we enjoyed a beautiful Sunday afternoon with lots of friends and family!

We threw together a Little Red Wagon themed party, as that was Mommy and Daddy's gift for Cooper. However, when I say "we" I have to acknowledge the fact that truly if it had not been for my younger sister and her other half, and my best friend Lauren....This party would NEVER have come together!! I am so thankful for all of the endless hours and effort that they helped contribute and also for the patience they had with me while I continuously changed the invitation design countless times and they put up with my "mom-zilla" moments trying to have the perfect party for my little prince!!

Cooper had a blast visiting with all of his friends ( and ours) and spent the entire day and night (Until he FINALLY went to sleep around 10:30,Ugh!!) laughing and playing! It was such a great feeling seeing him to excited even though at any time I knew he could pass out and sleep for days!!

I must admit, that I had begun mentally planning this party months in advance. I found myself uber excited to finally throw a party "for him"! However, as I sit and scroll through the photo's I took and actually think about the fact that at this time one year ago, I had spent a full day in the hospital, only to return around midnight and then be surprised at 6 am by the words " They didn't tell you?, Well, We are going to have a baby today" (Yikes!!!)- It is an extremely bittersweet moment.
I have watched this precious premature little boy grow into a laughing, squealing, crawling,personality-filled ham! You never believe everyone when they tell just how fast the time will go, until it does.

Tomorrow, in honor of Cooper's birthday I hope to post a little about his journey and my experience through his first year, but for now I will leave you with a few snapshots of his Little Red Wagon Party!!

Enjoy!!

Back on Board..

Alright, I have to admit..I have been down this road before. Blogging..and stop..Returning...Only to stop again. Just call me the little girl who cried Blog! (Little boy who cried wolf...get it? Ok, bad comparison)

I am giving this another shot. We as a family have had lots of eventful happenings lately, and I have embarked on a "purging" process of all things in my home that I just feel are not necessary. I have begun to reinvent the decor in many rooms, move furniture, plan the conversion of our garage into a playroom/multi-purpose space ( Or as my Hubs refers to it, his "Man Cave"...Not so sure how manly it will get with Mickey Mouse, an exersaucer, and multi-colored foam flooring!!)
Needless to say, I have been trying to take advantage of the time I get to be a stay at home mom before I am unwillingly forced back into the 9-5 work force!

All of this being said, I extend (yet another) apology for all of the 1 person(s) that actually make an attempt to follow this lack of blog I have created. I am making it my goal to update you on a regular basis of the many happenings here in the Heydt Household...Believe me when I tell you this however...Pretty soon...Things will only be getting slightly more interesting!!! ;)

Since I have left the blogosphere for most of the summer...Here a few of my favorite shots this summer to sum it up...



Cooper made his first trip to the Beach..and what better place than Disney's Hilton Head Resort--
(Compliments of my wonderful Aunt Linda....Thanks Aunt Ninny!!)

He LOVED walking strolling the boardwalk listening to music and seeing all of the Yachts!!

*Yes, my mother DID get him within 5 feet of an alligator...Apparently grandparents believe they really can do whatever they want...Hmmm....

Cooper's first sand adventure...

Alright, maybe you are sensing a theme hear...But, we did spend a good bit of time in Hilton Head this summer. During our second trip, we visited Harbor Town and also made a stop at Hunting Island on our way home....

This little man just LOVED everything about the beach!!!

Harbor Town...I love you...( One day, I will have yacht able enough to park there...and possibly a condo to go along with it..and...Ok, I digress..Excuse my dream moment

Hunting Island State Park....A Must See!!

Alright, had to throw this in just for the shear awesomeness that it is...Anyone else see what I see?!

B1G1 Free Arbys Jamocha Oreo Shake!!

Ummm, Delicious!!!
Take this coupon to Arby’s for a FREE Jamocha Oreo Shake when you purchase another Jamocha Oreo Shake.

Funny...I think so...

SO, back on track with my 30 day photo challenge...That is obviously not going to be completed in 30 consecutive days...Imagine That :)

A Photo That Makes You Laugh...

*A little background information*
While celebrating my bachelorette party in Helen,GA (with some of the greatest girls ever btw) Shelley and I decided to be sneaky and snatch Kelley's camera while we were all out...
So of course, what do we do...take stupid pictures...Duh!

About 24-48 after we returned from our fabulous weekend...This is what Kelley so graciously posted on facebook....






Whenever I see this, I cant help but giggle...sometimes laugh out loud! Thanks to some of the greatest girls I have ever known, that weekend was spectacular!

For some more hilarious excerts from the weekend..Check out my facebook page and watch the *awesome* dancing videos from the weekend! Yikes!!!

Now THAT is a Sewing Box!

Real quick post tonite as I am attempting to get all of Cooper's things together and get to bed early (and by early, I am hoping 11:00!) as I will venture back into the work force tomorrow...Although, only for a few hours and it's just for the day. However, Im not sure whether I should be happy or sad about it...I guess it will help give me taste of "working mom" status...We shall see, but I digress..

I wanted to share something with all of you that I found tonite and I think it is absolutely the COOLEST contraption...EVER!

See this box....Well this is a MAGICAL box...



Say the Magic Words....and...



VIOLA!!!



HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!!!





I am speechless! Don't get me wrong...I am still an IKEA addict...But, *WOW* this is FABULOUS!!!!

Now, the price tag on this nifty guy doesn't seem to be in my budget anytime in the near future, but trust me...It is DEFINITELY going on my "Wish List"!

Check out The Original ScrapBox to see all of the other mind blowing products that they offer!
All of these are for sure a seamstress,scrapbooker, or crafty girls dream!!

Swagger

I was recently killing time, ok maybe I should have been doing something constructive while Coop slept, but hey...I needed a "mommy break" for a short bit.
Anyhow, I wanted to share with everyone an awesome new way to earn *FREE STUFF*!




Get rewarded for searching the web with SWAGBUCKS
Earn FREE swagbucks for searching the web and redeem them for Amazon gift cards, Paypal cash and so much MORE!


I have always been really skeptical of the many online schemes, and I am always looking for something legit...This is!!

Swagbucks has been featured on many TV shows....Here is clip featured on a Kansas City news channel recently.

To Check out more information from the site and sign up...Use My Referral Link and go get some free stuff!!!

Most Treasured Item

Really, this is a no brainer...
Today's photo(s) of my most treasure item...My family!

Trading Places..

So, my photo challenge may not be following a daily basis like I would like it to, but atleast Im consistent, right?

Todays challenge--
Someone you would like to trade places with for a day

This particular one did not require much thought from me, at all..I have always known for a while that I would like to trade places with these people and think about it often. :)
I would love to be able to sleep all day, have all my meals prepared for me, and be massaged all day long!

Cohen


Bruiser


What a terrible life they have, huh?!

Photo Day #5

I have slacked a little on the photo challenge, but at least I havent given up completely...Right?
Todays photo is "A Picture of your favorite Memory"

I chose to share a photo of my late granddad with you today. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of him (literally) and I think that ANY and ALL memories I have of him are my favorites.
For those of you that do not know me on a personal level, I grew up across the street from my grandparents for nearly 16 years, then only lived about 5 minutes away after that.
The picture below is a great one to sum up the kind of person that my granddad was. A respectable man, full of personality and cheer always!
This particular one was taken on his birthday...Which ironically he shares with my younger sister and my cousins son. Now, we get to celebrate Cooper's birthday one day before now too!!

Here's to the Greatest Man I have ever known!

Scrabble Wall Art

Wow! I completely LOVE this! What a cute idea!!
I ran across this on a blog that I follow




How Cute?! I think this is definitely going to be added to my "to do" list!
Check out all of the other amazingly cool and cute things that she has to share!!

Make sure to "Like" Remodelaholic on Facebook also!!

Blog Makeover

I am bound and determined to get better at this blogging thing! With the new little one it has been difficult but I will do it..gosh darnit!
Instead of trying to post daily updates on things that have been going on, I am just going to post as I feel. If I find things I like and want to share, If I have an interesting story or experience to share, etc...


Obvisouly I have changed the name and look to my blog. I have recently found a new guilty pleasure of the Real Housewive series on Bravo ( Why, I do not know!)
As much as I love the shows (specifically OC and Beverly Hills) I seem to find myself resenting them! I do not have a nanny or 2 or 3, I dont drive a Bentley, and I absolutely do NOT have on FULL Makeup at all hours of the day and night!
Is there really anything "Real" about these housewives??


So, my mission is to share the things that a "real, genuine" housewife does and experiences!
Will you join me?!

Clark Berry Groupon

On Groupon today you can get an amazing deal from Clark Berry Photography located in the Old Mill in Lexington!
This is an outstanding package offer!!

Check out Groupon HERE to get this amazing deal!

Photo Challenge Day #4---Something that you wish you could forget.

This particular one poses an issue for me...I find that there are plenty of things that I wish I could have done differently, but nothing that I seem to want to forget. I believe that I am a product of my experiences,beliefs,actions and reactions. I absolutely do not agree with everything I have said,done or believed but I do feel that at this point in my life there was a reason for my stupidity or ignorance. I have tried my best to accept my defeats and downfalls and own up to my own actions.
I firmly believe that everything happends for a reason and without experiences speed bumps in our life we would not become who we are. I attempt to live my life without regret and if I dwell on things I would like to forget, then I feel I would never be able to fully learn from them.

Team CoCo

Todays photo challenge is a photo of the cast from your favorite show...Well, I have a good many shows that I like to follow..But I think that my favorite shows (yes, there is a tie) would have to be Glee and Conan!
Imagine my luck, when I found pic of Finn ON Conans show!! Yay!! Talk about 2 birds with one stone!!
Yay!!!

Photo Challenge Day #2

A picture of a person you used to be close with....





Honestly, this friendship goes so far back it would be difficult to try and put it into perspective. In addition, this friendship has also endure countless hardships and rollercoaster rides....It is truly one that I have always held near and dear to my heart...But unfortunately...We have drifted apart it seems.

Im Back!!

Wow, So I noticed that I had blogged since October...Yikes!!
Obviously...A lot has been going on...Mainly, Cooper making his big debut (a whole month early)! But I will get more on that later. Since I am so far behind, I am going to start back with something that is short and sweet and that wont take me too long to complete! A 30 Day Photo Challenge! As I find time (which is very sparingly) I will update everyone on Cooper's decision to come early, the up's and downs's we have had with him being a preemie, and of course all of the milestones that we have and continue to reach being new parents!!

But for now, since I am sure he will be waking up from his nap VERY shortly I will leave with the Photo Challenge for day #1.

Photo Challenge Day 1--A Photo of Yourself with 15 Facts!

PS--While pregnant and since then, I have been refusing to pose for pictures...However, my mom snapped this one of me on Christmas at my Grandmothers!



1. I love organization, but honestly, have a really hard time sticking to it
2. I have an addiction to bags (Purses, Tote Bags, Beach Bags,etc..)
3. I love being a mother, more than I thought I would.
4. I still have not finished my degree...SHAME on me...I know! It is not something I am proud of.
5. I met my husband for the first time driving down hwy 378 on the way home from Myrtle Beach. (Yikes,kinda scary right! I'll tell the whole story later)
6. I am terrified of the dark and windows without curtains at night!
7. Despite my fears, I love watching "Mystery" shows..NCIS,Law and Order,Dateline specials etc..
8. I prefer carpet to hardwoods
9. I have owned a sewing machine for almost 2 years, and have just started to learn how to use it.
10. I thoroughly enjoy eating a Wendys Chocolate Frosty and dipping their french fries into it! Yumm!!
11. I prefer to be outside rather than inside..(Complete opposite of my husband)
12.I find myself imaging I have a champagne life budget, when in reality it seems I barely have a beer life budget!
13. Speaking of alcohol...I RARELY drink..The occasional glass of wine is nice.
14. I believe that my husband truly is my soul mate.
15. I believe my son is the cutest being on the planet! :)


Yay! I have done it! Finally completed another blog!! Whew, and just in time as Coop is stirring!

Tomorrow's Photo Challenge-- Someone you used to be close with...Hmmmm, who should I choose??