H-E-BUDDY

I was at HEB and saw that they have a H-E-Buddy Summer Reading Program. I've heard of it but haven't seen the info. in stores before. They are located by the ball/sticker machine where the H-E-Buddy forms are for their kids rewards. The form states if you read 10 books, write them down, have an adult/parent mark them off, and send in the form (by Oct 1st) you'll get "cool prizes". On the form it does have a place to choice shirt sizes but it doesn't state what other "cool stuff" you'll receive.
Here is an online copy of the form in stores.

And WOW! I didn't know they had so many cool kids club reward opportunities. Like Healthy Buddy Kids, Max's Birthday Club (for your pet), and of course the H-E-Buddy Birthday Club.

Aunt Barbara’s Sweet and Sour Pork Serve 5 to 7

2 lbs uncooked pork to dredge pork 4 T. cornstarch

2 cups water

4 T. soy sauce

Combine for sweet and sour sauce

4 T. cornstarch (add last)

1 cup water

1/3 cup vinegar (apple cider vinegar)*

¼ cup soy sauce

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup green pepper (shredded) (can omit)

¾ cup carrots (roll cut) (Oblique cut some, like triangle)

¾ cup onions (shredded)

¾ cup chunk pineapple

2 T. oil for stir-frying

Oil for deep fat frying (390 degrees)

Preparation

Cut uncooked pork into 2” X 2” pieces. Put into heavy sauce pan with 2 cups cold water, bring to boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Take from pan and let cool.

Drain pineapple. Shred green pepper and onion. Roll cut carrots.

Combine sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, cornstarch and water in sauce pan. Cook over low heat until thickened.

Heat pan. Add oil. Add carrots: stir-fry 1 minute, remove to sweet and sour sauce. Heat oil to 390 degrees for deep fat frying.

Dredge cool pork in mixture of 4 T. cornstarch and 4 T. soy sauce. (leave 10-15 minutes improves flavor, add all pork at once, stir) Deep fry until pork is a deep rich brown. Then add to sweet and sour sauce. Heat all ingredients through, do not boil. Serve at once.

(Put rice on big platter then pour sweet and sour over)

*For milder sweet and sour sauce, substitute juice from chunks of pineapple

(Boil and deep fry meat in morning. Do cutting also. Then before serving make sauce, add fried meat, onion. Then stir fry carrots and green pepper.)

Slow Cooked Pork

This is easy and budget friendly. Pork loin is very affordable (I have gotten it for $1/lb) and everything else you should have on hand with your spices. We like to use HEB's fresh tortillas with steamed broccoli on the side.

I got this from Rachelle's blog here. She also posted some other kid friendly dinners that her kids help her make in the same post, so you might want to check it out.

2 lb pork loin roast (I like the kind from Costco that comes individually wrapped in a 4-pack)
1 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. rosemary
1/2 T. minced onion
¾ t. salt
1 t. oregano
1/2 t. marjoram
1/2 t. celery seed
1/4 t. red pepper

Mix all the seasonings together. Sprinkle over meat and gently rub in. Cook meat in crock pot (with just a little broth/water to cover the bottom) on LOW for 8-9 hours, or until meat pulls apart easily. Shred and stuff in pita pocket, tortilla, or on the new Orowheat Sandwich Thins.

Plastic Jungle

http://www.plasticjungle.com

You can buy gift cards at up to 20% off the face value and shipping is free. Some that interested me were Bath and Body Works, Fandango, Budget Car Rental, and Barnes and Noble.
Pair this with a deal or coupon and you can get an even better deal!

Children's Place stores are having an awesome sale.

Yesterday I got baby shoes, shirt, jeans, and hat for a total of $12!!

Also check at your Target for good toy clearance prices. Ours had Toy Story toys on clearance for really cheap. They also had some caterpillar game for less than $5.

Vocalpoint has a chance to try a three pack of Ultra-thin Pampers Cruisers, which I am crossing my fingers come with some great coupons too. If you are not a member, sign up! It's free! You get lots of samples and high value coupons.