Groceries Without Leaving Your Car! (And Limited Time Discount Code.)

2015: It's been quite a year!  I realize it's been 10 months since I last wrote on this blog.  Since then we went on an Alaskan cruise with my husband's family, visited my family in Wisconsin for a few weeks, my husband got a promotion that came with much more work and responsibility, we potty-trained our twin boys (daytime, not nighttime yet), the boys started their second year at a Mandarin-English preschool, and we celebrated their 4th birthday.

So, just like all of you, we've been busy!  And busy parents could use some help when it comes to obtaining groceries.  Disclaimer:  I have NOT been paid to write this; all opinions are my own. Just seemed too good not to share!   That said, let's talk about how Walmart will do your aisle-walking for you, bring the groceries out to your car, put them in your trunk, and all you have to do is sit there!  And pay.  You do have to pay.  (See below for info on a limited time discount code.)  I just found out about this service from friends in my MOPS group.  Here's how you do it:

• Go to the Walmart Grocery website, and register.
• If it's available in your area, you pick the store where you'd like to get the food, and pick the date and time (a two hour window) for pickup.   
• Shop online for your items.  
• Pay with a credit or debit card online.  
• Check your email for a confirmation, and a map of where by the store you'll need to park.
• The store will call you when the order is assembled.  You can pick it up then, or wait until the time slot you chose (they are just finished early sometimes.)
• Call the store 10 minutes before you'll arrive, and then you'll need to call again once you park in the designated pickup spots.  
• Sign for your groceries through the window of your driver's seat. 
• Open the trunk.  They load.  
• You go home!

I tried it for the first time today, with my kids in the backseat.  They got to listen to Christmas music and look at library books, and I got to have my trunk loaded with groceries.  I made the order the night before, while watching TV with my husband, something I was going to be sitting on the couch for, anyway!  

We don't always shop at Walmart, since they don't have everything I want, but I will say for some basics it was great.  They have also expanded their organic offerings, which you can read about in this article.  For organic dairy and packaged items, it's pretty good, though I will say I'd like to see them offer more organic produce.  The pickings for fruit and vegetables is slim.  But since Walmart is so affordable, I got the whole trunk, most of which were organic items, for just $66.  Partly that's because of a code my friend shared with me to get $20 off.  

Here are details about the code:  Expires January 15, 2016.  The code is GIFTED20 and they will take $20 off an order over $80!  

Do you know of any other stores that offer similar services?  Share in the comments below!  

What Do Your Kids Eat For Breakfast?

Recently, I was fascinated by this New York Times article depicting breakfasts children eat around the world.  Inspired by the article, I started taking photos of what my twin three-year-old sons eat for breakfast.  I don't do anything fancy, and rely heavily on frozen foods to simplify the morning routine (though I try to use healthy, organic options as much as possible).  I usually only make pancakes or French toast from scratch if we have nowhere to be in a hurry.  My pattern for the meal tends to be: 1.) Grain-based item, 2.) Fruit, and 3.) Protein.  This isn't based on any extensive nutritional research, just the mode we've fallen into that satisfies the boys and keeps them full until morning snack. 

While I've photographed a few of their meals in their entirety, I often serve the fruit first, to make sure they eat it, with promises of the next "course," or item, if they finish ;)  

Blueberries, cheddar cheese, Earth's Best French Toast Sticks sprinkled with cinnamon. 

Apple slices and a cha siu bao (a Cantonese barbecued-pork-filled steamed bun).

Strawberries, Applegate Naturals Chicken and Maple sausage, and Trader Joe's Organic Silver Dollar Pancakes.

Pear slices, Applegate Natural's Turkey and Sage sausage, and Earth's Best Organic Mini Waffles with strawberry jam.

When the boys wake up I give them juice as well.  Usually it's organic apple juice, just a few ounces, that I pour into sippy cups along with 1 teaspoon of elderberry syrup and topped up with water.  We eat breakfast about an hour after they wake up, so then they usually have milk with the meal.

A few other things we tend to have at breakfast that didn't get photographed:

• Trader Joe's Multi-Grain Toaster Waffles
• De Wafelbakkers Sweet Potato Cinnamon Whole Grain Spelt Pancakes (Freezer section of some grocery stores.)
• Raspberries
• Bananas
• Applesauce
• Cherry tomatoes
• Any other flavor of Applegate Naturals breakfast sausages and patties (Freezer section of some grocery stores, including Target.)
• Any other type of cheese
• Yogurt

They love bacon but we rarely have it, and sadly, they don't seem to like eggs :(  

What do your kids eat for breakfast?  I'd love to hear your ideas!