GlassesUSA Coupon Codes

One super-cool dorky dork!

When I first found out I needed to wear glasses, all I could think of was that I was going to be a nerd just like you-know-who. I’m already super duper dorky. Glasses would be just the thing to push me over the edge. "There are so many styles of glasses," Sexy Nerd insisted. "Think of shopping for glasses like shopping for clothes!"

Whatever, Sexy Nerd. Though I'll admit there were one or two frames that caught my eye.

If you’re thrifty like me, you hate having to spend a bunch of money on something that you wouldn’t even need if your vision were perfect. Well guess what? Your eyesight isn’t perfect and you and I are just going to have to accept it! Really, I knew my eyes weren’t quite seeing 20/20, but I never dreamed that wearing eyeglasses would make such a remarkable difference. When driving, I can see each of the little leaves on all the trees (and, better yet, I can actually read the names on the street signs before passing them!)

When you go so many years without seeing properly, then learn what you’ve been missing, a great pair of prescription eyeglasses is worth its weight in gold. As a LambAround reader though, I know you’re hoping to get your next pair a bit cheaper than that. I have just the thing for you!

GlassesUSA.com has provided me with a coupon for all my snazzy readers. Just enter Blog10 and you’ll receive 10% off any order. They are also having a wonderful sale right now which will save you a whopping 50% (!!!) off any pair of prescription eyeglass frames with coupon code Fall50.

I’m going to use the coupons to order a pair of prescription sunglasses (you’ll see why as soon as I post my San Francisco photos – sooo squinty!) And, despite what my smart alec coworkers say, I’m not going to order bifocal glasses. I’m 27 and I’ve only just recently accepted that I need glasses at all. Yes, things are a little (lot!) fuzzy up close, but let’s handle one identity crisis at a time.

This is a sponsored post for GlassesUSA. Although I was compensated for my time, all opinions expressed here are my own. Additional information on GlassesUSA can be found on their Facebook page at facebook.com/glassesusa.

My Salad Has a Secret

You know the crazy Wallow fire burning in Arizona? We're getting the smoke and even some of the ash here in Albuquerque. Sexy Nerd and I have been stuck inside every night for the past week and have been advised not to run our swamp cooler or open our windows. It is HOT! To compensate, we're being extra lazy lately. Ahh, what could be more relaxing than kicking back with a big glass of iced tea, a cool salad, and a magazine? It certainly beats cleaning this messy tabletop any day!

But, did you know that the tasty salad you're looking at has a SECRET? Are you intrigued?

That big, crunchy, delicious crouton in the corner? It's not a crouton!

Photos like this aren't going to make me any friends at Tastespotting

It's actually fried tofu!

Now, if you're anything like Sexy Nerd, you're thinking that this new information is just about the most revolting thing you've ever heard. As you can see from the photos, even Kitchen Pig wouldn't endorse this one. But hear me out! Tofu takes on the flavor of whatever you add to it so, yes, if you just throw a bunch of plain, boring tofu into oil it's going to be icky. If you cover it in some thick, scrumptious hoisin sauce, (or sauce of your choosing) it makes for a tasty snack (and/or crouton impostor!) And after trying it, even my stubborn, carnivorous Sexy Nerd said this recipe is a keeper.

Easy, DELICIOUS Fried Tofu (Great as an appetizer or in a salad)

• 1 package firm tofu (drained and cut into bite-size pieces)
• Bowl with mixture of 1/4 C cornstarch and 1/4 C bread crumbs (preferably panko)
• Bowl with thick sauce of choice (I use hoisin sauce)
• Oil for frying

1. Heat the oil in a large pan
2. Toss a handful of tofu pieces into the sauce, making sure each piece is well coated
3. Move the sauce-covered tofu into the cornstarch/crumb mixture, again thoroughly coating each piece
4. Carefully put the breaded tofu into the hot oil to fry, removing each piece onto a paper towel after a few minutes

*Fair warning - these will be HOT! I have the burned tongue to prove it. Although this did make me appreciate my big glass of iced tea even more, I still wouldn't recommend it!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars (That Actually Taste Like Cookies!)

Confession: I want to eat chocolate chip cookies ALL THE TIME. There's really no wrong time for a cookie, though society would have you believe otherwise. Ummm, what exactly is the problem with a bowl of oatmeal, cup of coffee, and a side of chocolate chip cookies?

Unfortunately, chocolate chip cookies are time consuming and, frankly, kind of a pain to make, especially when you just want to eat the cookies right this instant. So, you try to save time and effort by baking a batch of cookie bars, but they often end up tasting more like cake or brownies. Cookie bars don't really taste like cookies, do they?

Until now!

Quick & Easy (I Promise!) Ingredients & Instructions

1 Box of White Cake Mix (I used Pillsbury Funfetti - a relief after you saw that neon photo above, right?)
1 Egg
1/3 C Vegetable Oil
1/3 C Whole Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1+ C Chocolate Chips

Preheat the oven to 350F. By hand, mix all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips until just combined. I've made this recipe many times and have found that it's best to work out any lumps in the cake mix before adding the other ingredients and that a stiff spatula works better than anything else for stirring. Not overly mixing is the secret to making these taste like actual cookies. If you mix this to the consistency of cake batter, you're going to end up with Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake. Not that cake is bad, but you're going for cookies! Now, add in the chocolate chips. Press the "cookie dough" into a greased 9x13 pan, spreading out the mixture evenly, which will result in a fairly thin layer. The back of a spoon works well for this. Bake on the center rack for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown slightly.

The perfect Nascar-watching snack? Let's see if they pass the Sexy Nerd approval test:

Cautiously taking a bite and wondering why on earth I used Funfetti 

So far so good?

The recipe is a success!

Some Sexy Nerd mind reading: I agreed to be in your silly cookie bars post for one photo. Now get out of here!

Trader Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce - 2nd Chance

Yesterday's meal of Trader Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce was a big, fat, LEMONY failure. I set out to jazz up the leftovers, but half expected the entire thing to end up in the trash.

Blech! Cold leftovers!

Add a couple handfuls of spinach.

*Nifty Tip* Storing rinsed spinach inside a Tupperware or glass container with a paper towel on the top and a paper towel on the bottom keeps it edible and slime-free for a long time.

Add a few splashes of coconut milk

Another "by the way" moment: I love our can opener! Not only does it leave a smooth edge around the lid so that your cooking isn't interrupted by running off to find a first aid kit, it also creates a great way to re-seal the can if you don't use the entire contents.

Ta da! With the added spinach and coconut milk, as well as some homemade "french fries", this was actually a pretty tasty meal. So, if you're going to buy Trader Joe's Masala Simmer Sauce, disregard the directions on the bottle. Unless you really love lemon, I suppose.