Coupon Shopping at Target !

Well a couple of weeks ago, it was my birthday and my loving big brother gave me a 50$ gift card to Target. I was very excited because he knows that i love Target.

But knowing myself, I couldn't just go shopping immediately with my gift card without looking online what deals i can get. So I logged on Targets website and went straight to their coupon tab, under that tab i looked for apparel coupons. I was able to print 5$ off Mossimo pants, 3$ off any Mossimo apparel items, 1$ off Xhilaration apparel items and 1.50$ off Garnier Hair Dye kit.

So once i printed my coupons, I went to the nearest Target store to Shop!

I was lucky to find a pair of Floral Mossimo jeans for $22.99 , a Mossimo thin strap shirt on clearance for 4$,  a pair of Xhilaration socks on clearance for .75 cents and a box of Garnier hair dye on sale for $6.99. I also came across a hair curling iron that i wanted on sale for $ 16.50. I was defiantly thrilled to find everything that i wanted and i had little adrenaline rush for the money i was about to save. haha  :)

Targets Shopping Coupon Saving List

* $ 22.99 pants- $5 cpn = 17.99
* $ 4 shirt - $3 cpn = 1.00
* socks $.75- $1= FREE + .25 cents off the rest of the bill !
* $ 6.99 hair dye - $ 1.50 = $ 5.49
* On sale Curling Iron for $ 16.50 and original price was $ 22.00

this equals up to $ 40.73 and a $16 savings !!!

Wow ! ... What a deal !!


Thanks for Reading !

Keep up the Savings !

How to make Potato Salad !

Do you love potato salad ?
Well, I have a easy recipe for anyone to make at home. This particular recipe is my sons favorite and he's a critic of good food.

So lets start off by listing what you will need for this 30 minute process.

                                                      List:

4-5 medium Idaho potatoes
1 cup real mayonnaise
1/4 cup of unsweetened relish
4-5 eggs
1 tablespoon of dried or fresh mine parsley
A pinch of garlic salt
1/3 ounce of mustard
2 teaspoon of dried mince onion
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of dried or fresh mince garlic
1/2 of medium size green bell pepper (minced-not chopped)
1 large microwave steam bag (Ziploc brand)
1 small soup pot
1 large salad bowl
1 large spoon for mixing

Okay chef, we are going to start off by boiling 5-6 cups of water on a medium-high flame. Once the water is at a boil, your going to gently insert the eggs in. Be sure not to drop them in because they will pop open and you might poach your eggs. Your eggs should be completely done in 12-15 minutes.

While your eggs are boiling, your going to peel all your brown potatoes and cut all them in half. Than your going to put them in the steam bag. When inserting the microwavable bag in the microwave, be curtain that you follow the correct directions that is printed on the bag. Your potatoes should be done in 10-12 minutes, the cook time will depend on how large your potatoes are.


While the potatoes are steaming, your eggs should be done. So you will next drain the hot water from the pot and add cold water to cool down the boiled eggs. Once they have cooled, your going to start peeling the egg shells from all the eggs. Once this step is completed, rinse once more your eggs to be curtain they are free of skin or small pieces of shells. Before adding the eggs to the salad bowl, I usually like to cut them in half and take out the yoke. I prefer non boiled yoke in my recipe but this is a optional choice to the cook.

Once you have chosen to keep the yoke or not in your salad. Go ahead and cut the each egg into 6 pieces. When you have completed this step, your potatoes should be done. But let the microwave bag cool down, your going to next add your seasons with your eggs in the bowl. I usually use dried mine garlic, onion and parsley, but if you choose to use fresh. Be sure to wash your vegetables and mince and not chop them. With the green bell pepper, this is usually fresh and it takes 1 minute to mince cut.

After all the seasons are in the bowl. Take your potatoes out the bag and cut them into pieces that you would prefer in size. (Some people like their potato salad in thick chunks lol I'm one of them !) Cutting each half into 4-6 pieces is my preferred method in making my salad. :)

After all your potatoes are cut, add them to the salad bowl. Your going to next add your mayonnaise, relish and mustard. Next, your going to use your large spoon and bring everything into a mix and you want to swipe your spoon along the edges and turn into the center of the bowl. Chopping through the bowl with your spoon may lead to mash potatoes lol

The last 2 items to add is your garlic salt and black pepper. This is by your own taste palate if you want to go heavy on the black pepper, I usually like allot in my potato salad :) ….. lol

If you have chosen to go by my recommendations, good choice !!

After you have mixed your potato salad, it should be ready to eat now !!! Whether its warm or cold, its delicious !


Thanks for reading and cooking with chef Mama!

Do you Live in Whittier ?

Do you live in the city of Whittier?

Well if you do or live by a near by city, uptown Whittier shopping strip is where to be.

This particular shopping strip is filled with mom & pop shops that are owned my Whittier residences. Stores such as woman's clothing, shoes, bars, restaurants, comic book stores, skate shops and tattoo shops. This is the spot that gives Whittier the name of a friendly welcoming town.

I personally have grown up here for the majority of my life. And since I have come of age to live on my own. And experienced living in numerous cities, uptown Whittier is the far best home for me.

Uptown Whittier has a theater that has been around for many moons. This is defiantly a historic building. And this theater offers awesome deals to great movies that are open, such as the ones in newer and larger movie theaters.

I recently saw Prometheus and I tell you what, I thought it was fantastic. And what was even better was this theater offers great deals on movie tickets.

On Tuesday ! They offer 5$ dollar tickets all day ! What a deal from the matinée price tickets or night tickets.

And don't forget ! You get discounts on college student I. D's, as well as military discounts.  

But wait ! It doesn't stop there. You can visit dinepal.com for a membership deal. You can purchase a bundle of your choice movie tickets. Of buy on get one free (BOGO)  movie tickets, with the complimentary free popcorn of no purchase necessary ticket too.

Doesn't this sound awesome !   

And you can also visit Whittier's uptown theaters website too for more info at http://www.whittiervillagecinemas.com/




Thanks for reading !

An Update on Mama's Fitness !

Its been awhile since Ive blogged. And boy does it feel good ! I have been busy with myself being a mom, trying out the world of Usana. Even went to a Dr. Oz event, in which case he spoke about the benefits of health. He mentioned somethings in everyday life that I agree. But being a personal fan myself, I agree with most suggestion in every day health.

It was definitely a good experience in a new chapter in my life. At the event i was able to see and hear speak from the founder and CEO of Usana. Got some great pictures. So yea, it was a good experience.

But one thing I still see around me is the importance of fitness. I promote health, I promote vitamins and in some cases. Protein shakes and bars, depending on your fitness goals. But i cant stress the importance of movement of the body. I cant go for more than 2 days with out working out. Maybe it sounds odd, but i feel stiff in my joints and my mood feels altered in a negative way.

But back to my fitness. I undoubtedly have GRRR ! moments when it comes to my body. I am back again battling my jeans. Oh , how i loath that feeling of self pity over a piece of fabric.

But i also learned how to take my mind out of that horrible mind set and reevaluate my food habits and physical movements. I can say with all honesty, that i was over consuming candy, ice cream and chips. I broke my own rule by bringing a bag of candy in my house and i found myself munching on snicker bites through out the day.

 I have to admit ! I love FOOD !

But I think I love my vanity more. As i get older, it is a challenge to keep up with the image i once had of myself as a teen. I'm a mother and getting older, this is a hard fact to come to grips with. I also came to grips with the fact, I have a habit of being consistent and once i break for a day or two. This break can last a week or two, or even in worse cases a month. I'm starting to recognize these awful habits and I want to change myself.

 So once again, i am back to trying to loose a 1-2 inches again from the waist. To fit my jeans. Ugg!  But I also think at this time in my life,  i dislike where i live because i do not have the spacey home i once had and i don't move about my home like i once did. I look forward to moving to my next home this year because i want to make this my home fore the next couple of years. I have been moving every year for 5 years and its getting kinda old.

I want to focus right now on my son, he is getting into childcare. My big boy is getting so big and i must break away for the best. So i can work more, for extra mula for us. Im working towards our new home, I also want to focus on my health as well my son's, my education- school starts next month  and my blog. I let my attention drift to things that are no so important and i need to crack a whip on myself.

So this past week, I am getting things done. No more excuses !

As far as my food, I got rid of my candy and sweet breads. I have more fruits and veggies in the fridge. I need to cook more for myself. I recently fast my self for almost 2 days and got my bloated stomach down. And I started eating better and working out again. I feel much better about myself compare to a week ago but not yet thrilled. But this is a start.

Here are some recent pictures of myself. ...

Thanks for reading !

Shopping at Walmart with Coupons !

Hey there fellow coupon shoppers !

Every once awhile I make a trip to Walmart for some of the bargains that are available to me. And 2 weeks ago, i made a small purchase with a couple of coupons. And I thought i would share my money saving adventure with you all.

Now, sometimes i buy Sally Hansen wax kits for those days i touch up on my eyes brows and I cant forget to mention my love for Nivea lotions. I have such sensitive skin and Nivea does the job for me when it comes to hydrating my body.

And on my Free Coupon tab , both coupons for each item where being advertise for this weeks deals at Walmart. Sally Hansen coupon is at a bargain of 2 dollars off rather than the usual 1 dollar and Nivea was a 1.50 off, rather that the 50 cents off. I had to to take a bite out of this deal lol.


So once i drove to Walmart, I saw both items on sale which was even a better deal for me. Sally wax kit is usually 4.50 and it was on sale for 4 bucks and Nivea is usually 4 bucks a bottle and it was on sale for 3.50. How awesome is that !

So with the purchase of the wax kit for 4 $ with the 2 dollar off coupon, it came out to 2 bucks. And for the Nivea lotion at 3.50,  it came out to 2 bucks. Original full price amount would of been 8 dollars and I spent 4 bucks. A 50 % savings on both items.

Now that's a deal my friends. And this week there is new coupons for maybelline make-up and frucise shampoos. Don't miss out on these price cutter deals. You gotta be crazy not to save money ! lol

Thanks for reading !

Tasty Snacks under 100 calories !

Hey You !
Ship Shape Mama is going to help introduce 100 calorie snacks to curb your sweet tooth that helps you stay on your diet. Now, you can enjoy your sweet cravings with out the guilt of thinking its too many calories. Here's a list of foods I have tried out through times I was watching my food in-take.

A list of 100 calorie & under tasty snacks !


*  100 cal. wheat bread

*  100 cal. cappuccino drink packs

*  100 cal. cottage cheese w/ fruit snack pack

*  Quaker oatmeal 80-90 cal. chewy bars
    ( original, chocolate chip and peanut butter )

*  Nesquik Chocolate Milk 100 cal. drink

*  Quaker Oatmeal packs original or brown sugar/ 100 cal. per pack 


*  100 cal. Twinkies snack packs

*  90 cal. mini Coke Cola soda cans
     (other flavors available )

* 1 Mini can Sprite 70 cal. and C affine Free

*  100 cal. mini Ice Cream Drum sticks

*  1 chocolate or vanilla mini ice cream cups 100 cal.

*  1 low cal. chocolate  Fudgesicle   40 cal.


*  10 cal. Crystal Light lemonade powder packs on the go !
     ( other flavors available )

*  100 cal. Pretzels snack mini bags on the go !

*  100 cal Nabisco Oreo cookie packs 

*  100 cal Nabisco chocolate chip cookie packs

*  100 cal Cheese-itz snack packs

*  100 cal teddy grams cookie packs  

*   1 Kraft cheese string cheese 40-60 cal.

*   0 cal. Mustard !

*  3 thin slices of thin cut ham 60 cal. with 1 slice
    bread 50 cal. with 0 cal. mustard !

* 1 boiled or scrambled egg 40-60 cal.
    with 1 toast bread 50 cal. !

*  100 cal. Pop corn packs ! with low sodium !

*  90 cal. Caprice Juice packs

* 50 cal. per serving Gatorade

* 50-100 cal. per a corn tortilla with 1 slice cheese 50 cal.
   ( quesadilla )

*  Tortilla wrap !
1 corn or flour tortilla 50 cal. with 1 thin slice ham 20 cal and 1 slice cheese 50 cal. ( 0 cal. mustard )

* 50 cal. & under 1 raw with skin Apple

* 70 cal. 1 Banana

*  1 navel Orange 50 cal.

*  1 serving of red or green Grapes 35 cal.

*  1 peach 30 cal.

* 1 serving of watermelon 35 cal.

*  1 serving of Pineapple 30 cal.

*  1 pear 75 cal.

*  1 small mango 100 cal.

*  1 serving of Raisins 45 cal.

*  1 Nectarine 70 cal.

* 1 serving of Black Berries 65 cal.

* 1 Kiwi 50 cal.

* 1 Lemon 20 cal.

* 1 cup of Strawberries 50 cal.

* 1 medium Tomato 20 cal.

*  1 cup of diced Celery 20 cal.

*  1 Romain leaf 2 cal.

*  1 Ice Berg lettuce leaf 2 cal.

* 1 cup of chopped Broccoli 30 cal. with 1 slice cheese 50-60 cal.

*  1 cup of sliced Bell peppers 20 cal. with a 1 scrabbled egg 40-60 cal

*  1 cup of  Yo-plait Yogurt 100 cal & under !

 *  1 cup of Chocolate or Tapioca snack pack pudding 90 cal.

*  1 serving of Real Reddi Whip Cream 20 cal.






 

There are many more Food Items out there to help you stay on track!

Hopefully I could give you a head start on what you can eat while watching your diet !



Thanks for reading !

How to make Chilaquiles !

One of my favorite recipes that I admit is high in carbs for me but yet so delicious is my Chilaquiles. The recipe is so simple but just a little time consuming when frying your own tortilla chips. But everything done right with a dash of love on the side is all worth it, especially when you have a toddler like mine who loves mommy's cooking.

So, lets start what you will need for this fantastic recipe !

Ingredients:
1 frying pot ( soup pot in preferred)
1 wooded utensil for lifting fried chips
1 large bowl to set your chips to cool after frying
1 stack of corn tortillas (about 2 inches in height when stacked)
1 can of pure tomato sauce or if you prefer a hint of spice (El pato sauce)
1-2 large egg

1 small bowl for your sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt (or if no salt wanted) 1/2 teaspoon of freeze dried mince garlic (fresh garlic optional)
2 teaspoon of freeze dried mince onion ( fresh onion optional)
1-2 cup of vegetable oil
1 tablespoon of sour cream
1/6 of a slice of quesco fresco cheese

Okay ! Lets start with grabbing your soup pot and placing your oil inside. Your going to place your pot on the stove to heat on low (low/medium). Once this is done, your going to grab your stack of tortillas and cut them all in half, then your going to cut each half's into 3 pieces. All together you should have 6 sliced stacks of tortillas.

Next, your going to start frying pieces of tortillas in your fried oil. Your pot of oil should have heated enough to fry. If not, turn up the heat so you don't place your tortillas in oil that will make them soggy. When your chips look golden brown, your going to scoop them out with your wooden utensil and place them in your large bowl to collect and cool off. I usually place a paper towel inside my bowl to soak up any excess oil that falls into the bowl.

Once you have completed frying all your tortillas and  then have a large bowl of chips to cook with. Your going empty your pot of oil into a safe container. You will no longer need oil any more.

After you drain your pot of oil and wipe it off with a napkin, your going to place it back on the stove.

Next, your going to grab your small bowl and open up your can of tomato sauce and pour into the bowl. Then this is when you add your mince garlic and onions into your bowl of sauce. Once this is done, your going to next crack open your large egg into the bowl of sauce.

After placed all your ingredients into your bowl of tomato sauce. Your going to use a fork or whisk to scrabble it all together.

Now! your going to than turn on your stove onto medium/ high. Place your pot on the heated stove, pour all your chips into the pot. Even all your chips out!

Next, your going to pour your bowl of sauce into the pot and let it stand for about 2 minutes. After 2 minutes have past. Your going to use your wooden utensil to mix your chips and sauce all together. Don't dive into the pot and crack your chips. You want to start swiping the the edges and turn it over easy to the center of the pot. Your going to continuously do this through out the whole cooking session.

Your Chilaquiles should take about 20-25 minutes to complete.

Be sure to properly check that your chips have mixed well with the sauce and the yoke inside the pot is getting cooked all the way through.

I usually like to cook my Chilaquiles until some of my chips are crisp at the end but some others like it soft. So cook until you see what texture you prefer your food to be.

Once your done cooking, your going to serve your self a bowl or plate of Chilaquiles. Then next, add your slice of quesco fresco cheese and crumble it up on the surface of your food. Add your dash of sour cream on top.

And Waw La ! Your all done and ready to eat!

Thanks for reading !
Bon Apatite !

Check you Mail Box for Free Restaurant Coupons ! & Save !

Hey there ! Hungry Customer !

You know its important for Ship Shape Mama to eat healthy but everyone deserves a day off on a weekend. And a burger sounds mighty tasty, especially when you have a buy one get one free coupon. (B.O.G.O.F)


Do you ever check your mail box and find free coupons to local restaurants? For example Burger King and Carls Jr. You can save your self money every time you purchase a combo meal by receiving another burger for free or side item for free !!


Don't waste your money on full priced items of food with your free coupon can pay for ! Just take a few seconds to glance at what you might like. You don't even need scissors these days, they come pre-cut !

You can find great deals like:


*1$ off combos

* Buy 1 get 1 free burgers or combos

* Free sundae ice cream with any purchase

* Free small drink and fries with a purchase of a 6 dollar burger

* Free coffee with any breakfast purchase

* Free order of tacos with any purchase

* 2 Carl's Jr. burgers for 3 $

* Free breakfast sandwich with a purchase of any breakfast combo




There are many restaurants that mail free coupon books without online registration.  So stop throwing out coupons that are close to being real money that can get you free food. lol


And if you have a big family, think how much money you can save with B1G1 free coupons?


You could save up to 50 % off your receipt !




Thanks For Reading !

SOME Questions about What Exactly is Yoga ?

So what is exactly is Yoga ?    Some people ask some obvious to odd questions about it..so I will answer some now.   ;-)     I will try to keep it short and simple .



1. What is Yoga ?
        Its is the physical and mental health of ones body.

2. Where did Yoga come from ?
       Yoga came from India and it has been around for over 5, 000 years.

3. What is the most important thing to do while practicing Yoga?
      Practicing Breathing techniques while staying focus is very important.

4. What is Ujjayi breathing ?
         It is (vigorous) breathing practiced through your stomach rather from your chest with concentration and focus.

5. What are asanas ?
      It is poses that are used in yoga.

6. Where does your posture start from?
      Posture starts from the top and it is important to be mindful of ones body when practicing yoga to prevent injury or aches.

7. What are the 3 main parts to protect while practicing Yoga ?
      The lower back, neck and knees are most important to protect.

8.Whats the main action of my spine while doing Yoga ?
    Keeping the spine, muscles, tissues and bone straight at all times when the pose calls for the spine to be straightened.

9. What are proper and improper alignments?
     Hunching your back is a improper alignment than keeping it straight.

10. Why do people say Namaste and what does it mean?
     Namaste means from the soul of great honor and respect to the teacher to student and student to teacher. We say it to have a great and peaceful day.

11. What do you do after a back bend?
        You do a forward bend to loosen the tension in you back.


These are some examples of yoga positions (asanas) for beginners to start off with. ;-)

Thanks for reading !