Saturday, December 4, 2010

Tumblr

Hey guys! I'm changing my blog to tumblr so just go to imperfectpurrfection.tumblr.com from now on! Thanks!

Adopt!

I think it's very important to get the message out about adopting animals. There are soooooo many animals in shelters and foster homes that really need homes and someone to love them. I have five dogs and four cats and have had many other animals in my lifetime. All of my animals are from rescues because I believe it's very important to support them. There are too many homeless animals to fit in the shelters, which is why there is a euthanasia list. If more people went to the shelters and pounds when they thought about getting an animal, it could cut back on animals needlessly dying. Here is a list of some of my favorite animal rescue organizations and also ways to find animals that need adopting.


petfinder.com is an excellent place to go to find animals all over the country. They have a lot of different shelters that list their animals on there and they have an easy search that lets you find things easily. You can look for dogs, cats, rabbits, small furry things like rats and gerbils and mice, horses, birds, reptiles and amphibians, pigs, and barnyard animals. That is quite the selection and there are a lot of options in each category. If you click on an animal and not much is listed about them, you should definitely email or call the rescue to find out more information. A lot of the time there are so many animals that the people who run the rescues don't have time to put up a detailed biography of each one. 


adoptapet.com has a lot of animals as well and allows you to search for them. They also have some really good information about adoption.


A really good idea is to just search on google for what you are looking for and where you are. For example, if  you are looking for a Pomeranian in Georgia just type in "Pomeranian rescue in Georgia" and see what comes up. If you look hard enough you will most likely find what you are looking for.


I'm not saying this is as good as going to a rescue site, but craigslist also has animals that really need homes. A lot of people post on there basically giving their pets away because they are unable to keep them anymore. It's very sad and you could definitely help save an animals life because most likely the people are going to have to take them to the pound. A lot of these animals cost very little money and desperately need homes. Also, people who find stray animals will post them on craiglist as well. 


Always look at your cities humane society and pound because these are the animals that are in the most critical need. They are in danger of being euthanized unless you or a rescue organization can save them. The one downside is that often times not much information is known about the animals, but if you are willing to be patient, I'm sure they will adjust to their new lives with you. My family has adopted many dogs and cats from the humane society and pound and they have all turned out to be wonderful.


Something that keeps people away from adopting is the age of the animals. They want a brand new puppy or kitten so they go to a breeder. One thing you may not know is that a lot of animal rescues and even pounds and humane societies have very young animals. Often times they will find a stray animal that is pregnant and when they have their babies, they will be available to adopt as well. Also, consider giving a home to an older pet. A lot of the older animals have been through a lot in their lives and would appreciate a final home where they can be loved until the end of their days. Older animals need love just as much as little ones do.


Another thing to look into is adoption fairs. I don't know if all cities do this, but some hold fairs where a bunch of rescue organizations get together and bring some of their animals and people can walk around and look. This is a good idea if you're very open to what you're looking for and want to be able to interact with the pets and talk to the rescues in person. 


If you do not need an animal right now or cannot get one, donating to rescues or sponsoring a rescue animal is also very helpful. Lots of rescues are non profits and need donations to keep themselves up and running. Even a little amount of money would help. You can also sponsor animals where you can help pay for some of the things they will need, especially if they are very ill. 


Another thing you can do to help out is volunteer. Many organizations are staffed by many volunteers who work for free. They help out with every part of the organization. You can go to organizations' websites or call them to see if they're looking for volunteers, because a lot of them are.


Lastly, I would like to talk about special needs animals. There are many animals that are adoptable that are very ill or have things that require a little extra effort on your part. Some of them are missing limbs, eyes, or have a disease where they need extra attention and care. These animals are just as special as the ones with no problems and need a home just as bad. They will still love you and be a great addition to your family. Don't let their special needs keep you from considering them.


Remember, adopting is great, but make sure you will be able to take care of your animal before you adopt it because you don't want it to have to go right back to the rescue. Consider if your other pets would want another animal around or if you have small children who might not know how to take care of it. Also, think about the cost of it. If something were to happen to it, would you have the money to pay? Or would you have to put it to sleep. Make sure you think of some bad scenarios and think of ways you would be able to take care of the animal.


Thank you very much for considering rescuing! 

Vegetarian Options at California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen is one of my favorite pizza places. They are very veggie friendly and I love them for it! These are some of my favorite dishes from them. Also, this is a link to their locations http://cpk.com/locations/
This is also a cool link that shows all their veggie options http://cpk.com/menu/pdfs/vegetarian.pdf

Tuscan White Bean Minestrone- This is new and I haven't had it yet, but it sounds delicious! It has cannellini beans, tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, onion, celery, and parmesan cheese. It has croutons on top too. I will let you know when I try it.

These are all things I have personally had. They have many other items as well!

Roasted Artichoke and Spinach Pizza- If you like spinach and artichoke dip you will love this! It's basically the dip put on top of pizza crust. It has artichoke hearts, spinach, garlic, fontina, mozarella, and parmesan on top with a spinach artichoke sauce. It's soooooo delicious!


White Corn Guacamole and Chips-This is the best non traditional guacamole I have ever had. It's actually probably the most flavorful out of any guacamole I've had. It has avocado, white corn, black beans, jicama, green onions, red bell pepper, cilantro, and serrano peppers. It's served with blue and white corn tortilla chips. The guacamole isn't all blended together into one mushy goo, it has individual pieces of corn and bean and pepper in it. I'm not a fan of red bell pepper, so that's the only part I do not enjoy, but otherwise it is delicious.

Spinach Artichoke Dip- From my Olive Garden post, you will know how much I love this kind of dip, and CPK's is no exception! It's an absolutely delicious blend of cheese, artichoke, and spinach. It's served with tortilla chips, but I would prefer it served with bread. Spinach artichoke dip seems to heavy to be served with tortilla chips, and bread absorbs it better in my opinion.

Pear and Gorgonzola Pizza- This is amazing! I always never wanted to try it because it sounded so strange, but when I got up the nerve to, I was pleasantly surprised! Whoever created this is a genius because all the flavors blend together fantastically! It has caramelized pears, gorgonzola, fontina, mozarella, caramelized onions, and topped hazelnuts. It's topped with field greens with gorgonzola ranch dressing. So it's like a pizza and salad in one! One thing to be aware of is CPK's ranch dressings have fish in them, so if you don't want that, just ask for it without the dressing. It's still delicious!

Vegetarian with Japanese Eggplant- Another delicious option! It has mozarella, broccoli, eggplant, corn, red onion, mushrooms, and sun dried tomatoes with tomato sauce. I'm not a broccoli fan, but the rest is delicious! It has a nice fresh flavor and lots of good veggies, making it a healthy choice.

White Pizza- Some people aren't a fan or tomatoes or tomato sauce and this is an excellent option for them. It has mozarella, fontina, ricotta, parmesan, and pecorino romano with spinach and garlic. It's like a very fancy cheese crisp, and it is delicious! The blend of cheeses work very well together and the spinach helps you overcome cheese overload.

Wild Mushroom- If you like mushrooms you will looooove this pizza! I do, and it has so many different mushroom flavors that blend perfectly. It has cremini, shiitake, portobello, and white mushrooms with fontina and mozarella cheese. The sauce is a wild mushroom pesto. The mushrooms are moist and tender and taste fabulous with the pesto. This is also a good one to take home because it reheats very well.

Tostada- If you're friends dragged you to CPK and you really wanted Mexican food, you're in luck! The tostada pizza is a perfect blend of mexican and pizza. It has black beans, cheddar, monterey jack, on it and it is topped with shredded lettuce, tortilla strips, and herb ranch dressing. Again, their ranches contain fish, so be  aware. Also, if you want to take this home I recommend eating all the salad first because it does not do well overnight in the fridge. This is kind of like a flattened taco salad and it is delicious!

Five Cheese and Fresh Tomato- This is a really good choice for a simple, yet yummy pizza. It has sliced tomatoes, basil, fresh mozarella, monterey jack, gouda, mozarella, and pecorino romano. There is no tomato sauce for those of you that don't like it. I like the added touch of the fresh mozarella because it livens up the texture of the other grated cheeses.

Those are just my favorites, but I'm sure there are many, many more delicious options!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Top 5 reasons to be a vegetarian

1. It makes you more creative. It isn't easy living in a meat dominated society, so in order to thrive you need to be able to come up with some pretty creative meal options. 


2. It makes you a better reader. Most people skim menus, but vegetarians have to get down and dirty with them. We need to read absolutely everything to make sure we aren't getting meat snuck into our meals. We also are amazing at reading ingredient lists.


3. It gives you training as a detective. Having to question your waiter about all the ingredients in each dish gives you excellent experience in case you ever want to take up a career as a detective or investigative reporter. 


4. It gives you a chance to debate without joining a debate team. When you tell some people you are a vegetarian, they seem to want to pull out the podiums and have a rapid fire debate on why you chose to be one. 


5. You can be fat and confuse people. When someone sees a fat vegetarian, they ask, "How can eating vegetables make you fat?"

Vegetarian Options at Olive Garden

Olive Garden has always been one of my favorite Italian restaurants because it's convenient and yummy. It's not super affordable, but it's not outrageous. They offer coupons sometimes and they have deals, so it's usually a good price. These are some of my favorite veggie dishes to eat there.


Salad and Breadsticks- These come free with any entree and they are delicious. The salad is a mixed lettuce salad with olives, pepperoncinis, red onion, carrot shreds, tomato, and croutons. It's very crisp and refreshing. It comes with an Italian dressing on top that I like to ask for on the side to control the calories. Sometimes it seems like they put a little too much on the salad. The croutons are delicious and very crunchy. The breadsticks are hot and delicious. They're soft and coated with a butter, salt, and garlic mixture. Be careful not to eat too many or you won't be hungry for the entree! The salad and breadsticks can also be an excellent compliment to a soup if you're looking for a light lunch or dinner.


Minestrone Soup- Minestrone has always been my favorite kind of soup and Olive Garden's is great. It's a tomato broth with noodles, an assortment of veggies, and mixed beans. It isn't too thick and the veggies and pasta aren't mushy. The beans are a delicious touch that adds protein making this an excellent light option for a meal.


Bruschetta- This is a delicious appetizer. You get crunchy pieces of Ciabatta bread that are toasted and you can top them with a mixture of chopped up fresh tomatoes, basil and olive oil. It's a delicious option and goes great with soup.


Caprese Flatbread- I love flatbread and the topping on this is delicious. It's a piece of flatbread topped with mozarella, tomatoes, basil, and a garlic spread. It's similar to the bruschetta if you are craving a tomato and bread appetizer.


Hot Artichoke Spinach Dip- I am a spinach and artichoke dip fiend at any restaurant. It's probably my favorite appetizer. Olive Garden's is delicious. It's a blend of artichokes, spinach and cream cheese. It's creamy and gooey and hot and served with bread. I prefer it this way versus served with tortilla chips like some restaurants. The spinach isn't too overpowering either.


Lasgana Fritta- This could actually be a good snack or a very light meal if you aren't feeling like a whole entree. They are little parmesan breaded lasagna noodle pieces that are fried and topped with parmesan cheese and tomato sauce. They are served on top of alfredo sauce. It's a little saucy for me, but if you have some breadsticks, they are delicious to dip into the alfredo. 


Smoked Mozarella Fonduta- If you are looking for a yummy dip that does not contain artichokes or spinach, this is your guy. It's a blend of mozarella, provologne, romano, and parmesan served with bread. Needless to say, you really need to like cheese to enjoy this.


Create your own pizza- This is an excellent option for vegetarians because you can choose whatever you want to go on it. The veggie options are bell peppers, onions, black olives, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Their crust is a very nice texture and their tomato sauce is very good.


Five Cheese Zita al Forno- I love Ziti and this is very delicious. Ziti is just a cylindrical shaped noodle that is very good in heavier sauces. This ziti is covered in marinara sauce and cheeses and baked to ooey gooey perfection.


Fettucini Alfredo- This actually isn't my favorite alfredo I have ever had, but it's still very good. I just find it too greasy sometimes. It has a garlicy parmesan cream sauce that is very nice. Beware that if you take it home as leftovers, it probably won't heat up so well because it tends to get clumpy.


Eggplant Parmigiana- If you want a lot of food, go for this! You get two pieces of breaded eggplant topped with mozarella and tomato sauce and parmesan cheese AND a side of spaghetti with marinara. I don't know about you, but I find eggplant filling as it is. Topped with all that cheese it is verrrry filling. But it is also very delicious. And a healthier alternative to meat.


Capellini Pomodoro- This is nice if you're just looking for something very simple and low calorie. Capellini are thin little noodles and these are topped with chopped tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil. Also an excellent option for vegans. If you aren't vegan, you can add parmesan cheese for more protein.


Ravioli di Portabello- Mushroom lovers have to try this! It's ravioli stuffed with portabello mushrooms and served in a creamy smoked cheese and sun dried tomato sauce. It is fantastic!


Cheese Ravioli- A great basic ravioli stuffed with cheese that can be served with marinara or meat sauce.


I hope these suggestions were helpful!

Top 8 mascaras under eight dollars

I'm all about saving money, and these mascaras are cheap and have worked nicely for me. I have the tiniest shortest straitest eyelashes that are extremely hard to work with, so if you have nicer eyelashes than me you'll probably have even better results with these.
FYI these are based on Target prices. If you buy them somewhere else they may be more than eight dollars.

1. Maybelline Volum Express Colossal- I am using this right now and I am a pretty big fan. It doesn't flake on me and actually adds volume to my tiny little lashes. It also comes in waterproof, but I haven't tried that. The brush is a nice size, not too big and not too small. If you already have pretty long lashes, this could add an excellent volume boost.

2. L'oreal Voluminous Mascara- This one is a favorite of many people and I can see why. It adds a nice little boost to the lashes without being too dramatic. It never flaked on me and I have used both the waterproof and non waterproof. The wand is easy to work with and doesn't get too clumpy.

3. L'oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes- You have to be pretty skilled at using mascara to make this work, but if you are, this is an excellent option. It is double sided with the one side being the white mascara you put on first and the other side being the black. My absolute favorite part of this mascara is that it doesn't flake or smudge, but all you need is water to take it off. It comes off in these cool little tubes so you don't look like you have raccoon eyes. If you aren't careful covering up the white mascara with the black, you can look a little funky. Make sure none of the white is showing at all.

4. Maybelline Lash Stiletto- I really like the brush on this one. It's curved and is very easy to maneuver. It also doesn't flake and actually does add some length to my short lashes. I use the waterproof variety.

5. Maybelline Define-A-Lash- I love the brush on this one because it is so tiny and easy to get all the little lashes normal brushes miss. It doesn't do much for volume or length, but if you like the separated lash look, this one is good for that.

6. Maybelline Full  N Soft- This mascara is awesome because it doesn't leave your lashes feeling weird. They don't get stiff or crunchy at all. It keeps them soft just like it says. I found it a tiny bit flaky sometimes, but nothing too horrible. The brush is very large, but not too big to be annoying. It adds a nice natural look to lashes. It would be great if you already had a lot of lashes to begin with.

7. Maybelline Lash Discovery- Another really good option if you like little brushes that can get every lash. It doesn't clump or flake and really helps you get lash definition.

8. Covergirl Volume Exact- This is a really good everyday mascara. It gives a natural look to the lashes and the wand is very easy to work with.

My other true love

Of course my first true love is my boyfriend. But, there is a close second. Ok, not that close, but it still makes me very happy. Ross. Yes, the store. I have been in love with Ross for a very long time and I don't see any reason why we would break up. Their deals are amazing and you can just about find anything you want in that store. Here is a link to find out if a store is near you in case there is one hiding that you didn't know about http://locator5000.info/search.aspx
 It surprises me sometimes when I hear people say that they don't want to shop there because they would seem to "poor". A. Who cares if people think you're poor? You either are or you aren't. If you are, then ok. If you aren't, then you know that and that should be all that matters. You're being smart by saving money and that's all that should matter. 
Ross is where things go when they are discontinued, their packaging changes, or someone just ordered too much of something and can't sell it all. Nothing is used and there are lots of familiar brand names there. 
I am going to take you on a guided tour through Ross to highlight some of my favorite stuff and make sure anyone who doesn't go to Ross knows that they're missing out.


I'm 22 and I shop in the junior's department because I prefer their styles and I fit into their clothes better because I'm pretty tiny. Ross has an awesome junior's section. They have jeans, t-shirts, jackets, skirts, shorts, pants, pretty much anything you can think of. They are amazing deals and their styles are really cute. I would say 88% of my clothes come from that department. 
I don't shop in either of these departments, but they also have women's and misses. 
Their shoe section is awesome. They have all kinds of shoes, from boots to athletic to sandals to heels. I've gotten some super cute knee high boots and also some great ballet flats and sandals from there. Again, they are all very reasonably priced. 
Moving along, there is the men's section. Obviously, not one that I shop in, but my mom has gotten some very nice dress shirts and pants from that section for my dad. You would never know she didn't get them from a department store. 
Then there is the athletic wear section. This has a lot of Nike and Adidas brand things. They have sports bras, pants, shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, anything sports related. I've gotten some excellent sports bras from this department.
I don't have a child, but there is a lot of clothes for toddlers and children of all ages. It's an excellent place to shop if you're looking for great deals for kid's clothes. I've bought baby clothes for someone else there and they are absolutely adorable. 
At the end of our clothes tour, there is lingerie and sleepwear. They have a very large selection of bras and panties and even a few lingerie type pieces. They also have robes, pajama sets, and pajama seperates, as well as nightgowns. I've scored awesome bra deals there on ones that would have cost me a whole lot more if I had gone somewhere else.
Next, we will move on to the home section. Here you can find dish sets, individual glassware, utensils, and a whole lot more. There is pretty much any kind of kitchen utensil you could think of and a lot of other kitchen related things. They also have some food items like cookies, crackers, and bottled condiments. Nothing refrigerated. They also have rugs and paintings and other kinds of home decorations.
Then there is the section with the pillows, sheets, and bedding. There are really nice comforter sets and very cheap pillows.
Moving on to the accessories section. I have gotten a lot of very nice purses from here. They have large purses, totes, clutches, medium sized bags, just about everything. They also have luggage and backpacks. They have very cheap sunglasses and scarves and belts. They also have wallets. They have hair accessories also.
They have a case with high end jewelry in it as well that you can look at it if you want to spend a little more.
There is the beauty section that has makeup, haircare, and general beauty accessories. I've gotten some very nice makeup products from there. In the haircare section, they have high end brands like CHI and TIGI. They also have hair brushes.
In the hair appliances, they have flat irons, curlers, curling irons, and blow dryers for great prices. They also have some other miscellaneous items like mirrors and manicure essentials.
There is a section with movies and music that is really nice. They have great exercise dvds for really good prices.
Again, I don't have kids, but they have a very nice toy section.
This concludes our tour. I'm sure I left out something, but that just shows how much great stuff they have! If you've never been in there, please check it out. If you have been in there, what are some of your favorite deals you have gotten?

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Trader Joe's!

This is by far one of my favorite stores. Here's a link to all of the store locations http://www.traderjoes.com/pdf/locations/all-llocations.pdf


They are so vegetarian friendly and they have many healthy eating options. Also, if you are on a specific diet (gluten-free, low sodium, etc.) a lot of the stores label which items fit your diet. In case you are unfamiliar with Trader Joe's, they are like a grocery store, not a restaurant. Unfortunately, they don't have a way to order their products online, so you either need to live by one or take a road trip! Their prices are extremely reasonable, so don't be intimidated. Their products don't contain the preservatives and strange ingredients that other commercially available stuff does. I want to share some of my favorite items from them to encourage you guys to check it out.


Maple Leaf Cookies- These are a fairly new addition and absolutely delicious! It's a sandwich type cookie with two maple flavored, maple leaf shaped cookies encompassing a creamy middle of maple flavored filling. They are fairly large and hit the spot perfectly if you're looking for something sweet. Just be careful because they are fairly high in calories.


12 Grain Mini Snack Crackers- These are a super delicious, healthier alternative to Ritz crackers. They are slightly smaller and they have all kinds of yummy grains and it also is a really good source of fiber. Although they have all the grains, they don't taste strange and there isn't an overwhelming grainy flavor to them and there aren't a ton of seeds to get stuck in your teeth. They are great with cheese or as a side with soup.


French Truffles- These are the best truffles I have ever had. They absolutely melt in your mouth and satisfy any chocolate craving.


Garlic and Cheese Breadsticks- These are a great side to pasta. They come in a bag in the bakery section and are much healthier than the ones you can buy in the freezer section of a grocery store. They aren't at all greasy and taste great. They have herbs in them and cheese melted on top, but not too much cheese. Although they have garlic in their name, I never really pick up an overwhelming garlic flavor. They definitely won't leave you with garlic breath.


Vegetable Broth- They have a really nice veggie broth in a carton that can be used in cooking or alone. It has a very mild flavor and compliments dishes nicely. They also have chicken and a few other meat flavored ones.


Various Granolas- I can't remember the specific names of all of their granolas, but I've had quite a few and they are all delicious. They make a great breakfast, but be careful because granola has more calories than cereal. You can also add granola to yogurt if you're craving a sweet and crunchy snack.


Yogurt- They have a lot of really yummy yogurt flavors and also carry greek, soy, and goat's milk varieties. I like that they don't have gelatin and are veggie friendly. I have had the greek yogurt and I definitely prefer the whole fat variety to the lesser fat varieties. I just prefer the texture and creaminess of the whole fat, but it does carry more calories. I have never built up the courage to try the soy or goat's milk kinds, but I'm sure some people would enjoy them.


Tortellini with Mixed Cheese Filling- These are in the pasta aisle and come dry. You just pop them in a pot of boiling water, making them very easy to prepare. They have a great taste and go great with all kinds of sauces on top. They also have a dry ravioli in the same place as the tortellini that is very tasty as well.


Sparkling Flavored Mineral Water- I really like these because they add a hint of flavor with no sweetness. They come in lemon and lime and I believe a few other flavors.


All of the above are Trader Joe's brand. They have a few other things that I like, but I don't have them on hand so I don't know their exact names.


Jalapeno Cheese snacks- These are like cheetos only healthier. They have a similar taste and I love the spicy touch to them. If you've ever had the jalapeno cheetos, they do taste quite similar.


Frozen snacks- They have a variety of snacks and appetizers in their frozen case that I enjoy. I've had their goyzas and pot stickers and they are both delicious.


Mexican food- They have enchiladas, tamales, and burritos in their frozen case that are really good and easy to prepare.


They also carry Hansen's soda which has always been a favorite of mine because it is way better for you than the regular brands.


For dessert they have various ice creams and I believe they also have soy ice cream as well. They have pies and cookies and various frozen treats. I really like their cheesecake bites assortment.


If you have pets they have some great things for them too. They have all kinds of treats and bones and food.


They also have some beauty items like shaving cream, lotions, cleansers, shampoos, and conditioners. They have a really nice tea tree oil as well. These aren't all their brand, but they are still good quality.


They carry dishwasher detergent and laundry soap and I've used both and they are both really good. I've also used their cleaner they carry and it's good as well.


Their vitamin selection is impressive. Pretty much anything you need will be there. My family has used their brand of vitamins for a long time and they have never let us down.


I'm not a big drinker, but they have a huge selection of wine and other alcohols. They are always happy to help you pick something out and seem to know what types go with certain foods.


I think one of my favorite things about Trader Joe's is the shopping experience. Their stores are always clean and the atmosphere is great. The music is funky and fun and their employees are superb. They are super friendly and always offering to help. They also have a little test kitchen where they cook some of their things for you to try out.


Overall it's an amazing store and I highly encourage you to check it out if you get the chance.

Money saving sites

I'll admit that I'm pretty lazy sometimes when it comes to looking for deals. I like to just be able to go to a website and have them all laid out in front of me. These are some of my favorites, but I know there are a lot more. Feel free to suggest any!


bargainist.com- This is a great website for deals on just about everything. They aren't really big on coupons or freebies, but they offer a lot of store and restaurant deals. They also have tips on saving money and smart shopping.


afullcup.com- This is an AWESOME site if you are really into comparison shopping. They have a coupon forum where you can search for any coupon you can think of. They also have lists for popular stores (Target, Walmart, Walgreens, etc.) that list all the deals of the week. They specifically say which coupons you will need as well. They also have forums where people post all the deals they have found and also discuss possible deal scenarios. It's a really awesome website for saving money.


thefreebieblogger.com- This lists free things you can get everyday. A lot of them are samples, but hey they're free, so I'm not complaining. I've gotten a few full size free things there too so it's worth a look.


luvabargain.com- Another really good site that lists savings from all over.


moneysavingmom.com- Similar to luvabargain.com. You can also follow her on twitter for a live feed of deals.


I usually post deals from these sites on my twitter, so make sure to follow me!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

My favorite vegetarian places

This isn't so much about saving money, but I though it would be helpful to list some of my favorite options for veggies at various restaurants. I know how hard it can be to find food sometimes. Also, if you've just started being a vegetarian, this can be really helpful because I know it can be overwhelming. These are just places I go to fairly often and enjoy.
Let's do fast food first because that's the hardest
Taco Bell- I love the 7 layer burrito, bean and cheese burrito, nachos, and I have a secret you may not know. You can pretty much substitute beans for any meat in any of their items. I LOVE the chalupas with beans instead of meat. It's amazingly delicious. Pretty much anything here can be customized to be veggie, so it's awesome.
Disclaimer- I cannot guarantee that all of these options are 100% vegetarian. Some could include animal by-products. Also, I am only telling you about the things I have personally had at these restaurants. There might be other veggie items but I have not had them.


Burger King- I give these guys a standing ovation for offering a veggie burger. They are the only fast food place I have been to that does. It's pretty good and comes with just the basic veggies and condiments, but you can customize it. Besides that there is the general snack side items that are vegetarian and side salad.


McDonalds- Not too much here. Snack side items and side salad.


Wendys- They have a baked potato with sour cream and chives on top. I don't recommend the butter that comes with it because it tasted strange to me, but it might have just been a bad batch. They also have side snack items and side salad.


Sonic- They have a grilled cheese kids meal that I like that's just grilled cheese, tater tots or french fries or onion rings, and a drink. It's pretty small so you might need more side items to fill you up. I've tried to customize the salads to come without chicken and some people will let you and some won't.


Chipotle- This is a very yummy mexican place that lets you build your own burritos, tacos, and salads so you can choose whether or not you want meat in them. Make sure to get pinto beans because the refried beans are not vegetarian.


Baja Fresh- This is a great mexican place with good burritos and nachos. They also have an amazing salsa bar.


Jack in the Box- They have more than Wendys or McDonalds, so I try to support them. They have a grilled cheese and they also serve breakfast all day and have yummy french toast sticks if you don't mind eating breakfast at other times of the day. I also love their seasoned french fries. They also have a side salad and a good fruit salad.


Subway- I love their veggie delight sandwich because there are so many options. You have a lot of bread, cheese, and veggie options and you can even get it toasted if you want.


These next ones are more casual dining places. My boyfriend and I call them "sit down" because you sit down and get served.


Red Robin- I love the fact that you can replace hamburger patties with veggie or boca patties for any of their burgers. They have a lot of different kinds and they're very good. They also have salads that can be customized and a really good quesadilla you can get without chicken.


Olive Garden- The soup and breadsticks are delicious. They have numerous pastas that are vegetarian. I love the fettucini alfredo and they have two others, but they are basically just tomato sauce and pasta, and I could easily make that at home. They also have a minestrone soup that is very good and an eggplant parmesan that is a lot of food for your money. Their mushroom ravioli is also delicious if you really like the taste of mushrooms.


Ajo Al's- If you happen to live in Arizona, this place is great. They have really good chips and salsa and very tasty fajitas. They also have a yummy cheese crisp that is huge so you could share it with someone else. They have a good taco salad and good enchiladas.


Chili's- I used to like their quesadilla salad until the quesadilla part kept mysteriously disappearing. Idk if it was because I would get it without meat, but each time it came there would be no quesadilla. But that might have just been a coincidence. They also have a veggie burger.


Paradise Bakery- I really want to support them because they try to offer healthy stuff, but they don't have much for veggies that will fill you up. They have a few pasta salads, but they lack protein and they have a sandwich, but it has these roasted peppers on it that freak me out. They have a gooey texture I'm just not too fond of. But, I am a very big fan of their cookies.


Cheesecake Factory- I love their quesadilla that is in the appetizer section. I also really like their spinach and artichoke dip as an appetizer. Their grilled portabella on a bun is good and so is their ziti. They have a grilled cheese, but you have to realllly like cheese to enjoy it because it is like slabs of cheese with a side of bread.


California Pizza Kitchen- I love that they point out that at least one of their soups are always vegetarian. Their pear and gorgonzola pizza is delicious, but it is an acquired taste. Their mushroom pizza is good if you really like the taste of mushrooms. They also have a southwestern style pizza that is super yummy if you aren't feeling the traditional style pizza.


I'm sure there are many more so make sure you check back to see if this list has been updated. Also, feel free to share your own. Again, I live in Arizona, so these are specific to my location. Also, if anything I listed is in fact not vegetarian, I would love for you to tell me so I can be aware.

Happy Birthday!

I just recently found out how awesome it is that people are willing to give you a ton of free stuff on your birthday. And by people, I mainly mean companies. You can sign up on just about anyone's website and they will offer you something for free on your birthday or throughout your whole birthday month. I just had a birthday and trust me I got more deals than I could even use. Alas, it's December 1st so therefore my coupons aren't valid anymore. But I thought I could at least help you guys out. I'm going to compile a list of places that I know of that will give you free stuff for your bday. Check back occasionally because I will try to update if I find anything new.

BTW these are just the ones that I got, so I'm sure there are tons of others. Also, some locations may not participate.

E.L.F.- Eyes Lips Face is an awesome cosmetics company with really cheap, good makeup. They are also sold in Target. A lot of their stuff is only a dollar, but there are some more expensive items. If you sign up for their email you will receive a deal for a free 27 piece palette with a $10 order. I've never used it, but I do like quite a few of their items, so I bet this one is good quality too.

Sephora- I'm sure most of you know that this is a beauty company. They are a little pricey for my tastes, but I have bought a few splurge items from them. They carry most of the higher end brands. If you sign up for their email you will receive a free Sephora collection beautiful eyes kit. It comes with lash plumper volumizing mascara, nano eyeliner in silver green, and colorful mono eyeshadow in aspen summit. I like that you don't have to buy anything, but I've never used any of these products, so I can't say how good they are. They are all Sephora brand and I've never used their line. Also, it's possible that your offer could include different colors because I'm sure they change periodically.

Dairy Queen- I love ice cream! But I'm not the hugest fan of this deal. If you sign up with them you will get a coupon for a free blizzard with the purchase of a 16oz blizzard. So you need to bring someone with you and you also need to be able to eat a lot of ice cream. If you can do both those things then have at it!

Benefit Cosmetics- This is a cosmetics company that I have never purchased from, so I don't know the quality of their products. If you sign up with them you can get a free creaseless cream mini in r.s.v.p. with any order. 

IHOP- If you sign up with them you can get a free rooty tooty fresh and fruity when you bring in the coupon. I did this, and since I wasn't really feeling the rooty tooty, I noticed that at the bottom of the coupon it says it can also be something that equals the price of the rooty tooty or is lower. So this is a pretty good deal for a free breakfast, if you ask me.

AMC- This is a movie theater, and if you happen to have one in your town you're in luck! Sign up with them and receive a coupon for a free large soft drink. Since we all know that the movies can drain your wallet, this is a helpful money saver.

Old Navy- This isn't the best deal, but if you sign up with them you can get a coupon for 10 dollars off a fifty dollar purchase. I'm not saying it's a bad deal, you just need to want to spend 40 dollars which might be too much for some people.

Baskin Robbins- Yay ice cream again! You can get a free scoop of ice cream or a swirl with the purchase of a scoop of ice cream or a swirl. This isn't a lot of ice cream, so it should be doable if you want to stop by after dinner or lunch.

Auntie Anne's- This is a pretzel shop and they are in a lot of malls. They are pretty tasty and if you sign up with them you can get a BOGO pretzel coupon. This is a good deal and something fun to share with a fellow shopping buddy.

Island's Restaurants- This is a burger restaurant that also serves other American style foods. They have super good fries as well. You can get a free desert coupon and I've had the kona pie and it's super good.

Applebee's- Another American restaurant. Since I'm a veggie, there is pretty much nothing for me to eat here, but you can get a coupon for a free appetizer, so that would be good to share with someone.

Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes- This is a salad bar that also has fresh baked goods and soups and pasta. I love this place because it has lots for veggies to eat and also many healthy food choices. You can get a coupon for a BOGO meal which is an awesome value. Make sure to try their mac n cheese, it's awesome!

Qdoba- This is a mexican restaurant that lets you build your own burritos and tacos. You can get a BOGO meal coupon. It's not very close to my house, but I have been there before and it's pretty yummy.

Red Robin- I love this place because they give you the ability to replace any hamburger patty with a veggie or boca burger on any of their burgers. That is ultra veggie friendly and I applaud them. Sign up and you can get a free burger for your birthday.

Mimi's Cafe- A nice place to go for soup, salads, sandwhiches, and pasta. They also serve breakfast. You can get a coupon for 10 dollars off your purchase of 20 or more. That's half off, so it's pretty awesome. 

Rubio's- I call Rubio's the fancier Taco Bell. They have awesome salsa and burritos. Also, I love their chicken  chopped salad without the chicken. Try it with chips and salsa sprinkled on top. Delicious! You can get a coupon for a free meal there.

Pick-Up-Stix- A good asian food place with lots of veggie items. You can substitute tofu for any meat, and this tofu actually has flavor. You can get a coupon for free cream cheese wontons. These are amazing. If you like fried things and cream cheese, these are for you!

Whew, that's all that I received, but I'm sure there are many more! I'll be on the lookout for any I can find. Also, all of the ones above are places that are in my city. Some of them may not apply to you depending on where you live. And again, please don't get mad at me if they don't have these offers when you sign up. I'm sure they change them. Feel free to post any you know of!