SURVIVAL MODE Aldi Haul & Easy Meal Ideas

[@genawalter401]

I love that you show your real life and don't try to look perfect all of the time. Thank you so much for your videos. So many great tips!

[@Jen-Chapin]

I love those blue glasses!!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks, friend!

[@amandawilliams5219]

When you shop at Aldi and come to boxes that have different flavors (like the moo tubes) make sure to check the back of the box and even the box behind it. At the end of the night, an employee spends a few hours condensing all the cases in the whole store. The less desirable flavors and closer to expiration products are put in the front of the others. Don't be afraid to pull the whole case out and check the ones behind it for the flavors you want!

[@tiffanyhauxhurst3806]

I love the charcuterie board dinner idea. Sometimes you just don’t want to eat/cook a full meal. We have fend for yourself nights. That’s usually when the kids have a bowl of cereal or a canned soup for dinner lol. Sometimes you just need a night off!

[@Swimdown24]

Thanks for showing your house on a regular day and for letting us know that normal is normal❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

It sure is!

[@paulahillier1390]

School starts for us here in Canada the first Tuesday after Labour day. Let the games begin!😊

[@AddictedAnimeLuv]

I don't normally comment but I hope you know that despite whatever kind of chaos you're experiencing, you help bring me a lot of calmness and peace with your videos 🙂💙

[@rajimac]

My five children re grown up now and they went to a boarding school for secondary school. But before that school lunches were a nightmare. I longed for the holidays so I could stop making them. I don’t miss that time of my life.

[@wandacalderon9638]

I think that what I love the best about your channel is the real life style.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you! I appreciate that. "Realistic" is one of my core values. :)

[@SamanthaSteele-y9p]

Thank you for always giving great content and for being so relatable/realistic. ❤ -Another mom of two

[@zuzanna4380]

Thank you so much for your honesty. It means a lot and I believe it encourages not only me but the rest of your audience as well, to give ourselves grace like you said, and to be more patient, understanding, but also resilient through this time.

[@MrsAlmaTrumble]

Now, when I see the Suddenly salad I have to sing it. Lol. Thanks, Mindy.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Haha! Glad I've started a trend! I'm the same way, I can't help but sing it every time I see it.

[@SauerPatchGardening]

Isn't that also the song from Little shop of horrors...when he sings suddenly Seymore? Or am I remembering that wrong? because I hear both..😂

[@Jessxlen]

Same. Everytime!

[@michelleadams8309]

Watching you while working & that vision of you collapsing on the bed made me laugh & spit my coffee! 😂 I feel this way right now. 😅 Happy fall Mindy! 🍎🍏 📖

[@bethanyg153]

I like those lime yogurts with a scoop of cottage cheese. Gives me the feel of jello salad. I have to have 90 grams of protein a day (double what most women need) so this is a nice punch of protein.

[@Amanda-nc5sy]

I love your dinner ideas! They are so simple but delicious! And kid friendly! Thank you!!

[@Puppeteer149]

I love your videos. I know how crazy things can be. Not only are my kids going back to school but i go back to work also. I am a lunch lady at our high school so cooking all day there and then coming home to cook for my family can be crazy some days. So thank you so much for these tips of videos❤❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you for your work! It's important. When I was growing up, our cafeterias made almost everything from scratch, and I know those ladies worked hard very early in the morning to make us homemade food for lunch!

[@BarefootFarm]

You always come up with the best ideas Mindy! I love the breakfast taco shortcut! I’m gonna have to add that to my back pocket 😁

[@SeeMindyMom]

They w ere delicious, and so easy. Thanks for the kind words!

[@krisheathman9053]

My papa’s famous last words were this: It’s not a sale unless you need it. How true are those words and they sound suspiciously similar to what you were saying here❣️ I loved my papa so much and miss him like crazy. In fact, I’m a registered nurse, and have spent my career working in End of Life and Hospice care, in his honor. He always told me that I was, “Papa’s little nurse.” ❤ Thank you for this wise insight and always being real. Love your channel.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Ah, what a sweet story! Thank you for sharing it with me!

[@krisheathman9053]

@@SeeMindyMom Thank you for creating the content that took me back to my Papa ❤️

[@bethanyg153]

Doozy for sure! I’m prepping and teaching 3 new middle school science classes, and sporting my first virus of the season. Plus my kids are all new to this school this year. Loving it, just tired (and I’m part time) 😂

[@SeeMindyMom]

Oh man, I remember how tired I was that 1st week of the school year as a teacher. The only thing that was comparable were those last weeks in May!

[@vvviiiiiicccc]

Def interested in that frozen video!

[@WeberIMayRoam]

Those hashbrown sticks are the BEST! They bake up super crispy, and they're like french-fry shaped tater tots. I was so stoked to see them in my store, I bought 3 bags, lol! Just for me!

[@mrskimmieg]

Great video, Mindy! I admire and appreciate your transparency in sharing “real life” with your viewers. BTW…the breakfast taco hack-GENIUS!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Oh thank you!

[@ericarandall2692]

I remember those days! My kids were in three schools for a few years as well, it’s exhausting. Now I only have one left in school and she drives herself. It’s very strange. Cheers to getting through the first week!

[@SeeMindyMom]

I know we'll be in that season before we know it. it goes by fast!

[@alwaysgrateful6337]

Haha, I'm so with you in what I did NOT buy. 😆 Have a great and relaxing extended weekend 🎉

[@jimmiepatrum]

Girlfriend, you hit the ball out of the park with this video! I love every single one of your meal ideas. I'll be heading to Aldi for the rotisserie chicken and dip. It may not make it onto the bread - I may just eat it by itself. Have a wonderful Labor Day. Diane

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks so much! I eat that chicken mixture on salads, or pasta or rice, too!

[@PairEyewear]

LOVE the Blue Clear Otis on you! 💙

[@SeeMindyMom]

I’ve received a ton of compliments on those!

[@jessguzman7676]

You’re super awesome 👏 you did it again ! Love these videos

[@cynthiajudkins2250]

Love your quick and easy meals ❤

[@jenniferbrooks--planj5459]

Thanks for the coupon code for the glasses. I need some new glasses but need to get my eyes checked.

[@melann7380]

I can relate, the first week was rough! My son goes to a charter school 40 minutes each way (50 min one way with heavy traffic, which seems to be almost every day now) so it has been an adjustment with all this driving. I appreciate this video, and really wish we had an Aldi here. I am all about easy meals these days! The easier the better for me. I also work full time on top of this and do all the cooking so I just don't feel like cooking elaborate meals lately

[@SeeMindyMom]

I hear you! I’m sure you’re doing a great job. I feel like these first few weeks of school are just demanding. Once mid-September rolls around, it settles down (even traffic patterns…I’ve noticed it’s harder to get around in the first few weeks school is in session!)

[@joannasanchez5516]

I love the simplicity of your meals. The sandwich with rotisserie and a pre made dip! Amazing! Stealing recipe😂

[@SeeMindyMom]

Glad I could give an idea!

[@bridgetmarden3345]

Love ❤ how real you are 😊 God bless y'all 🎉

[@MN_Cozy]

Thanks for being so real! Love your channel!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks so much!!

[@valmalukas356]

I can totally relate to the back to school craziness. I’m a full time educator and have one son. We just both went back to school and it’s chaos. It took a week to clean the bathroom, meals have been whatever you can find, and pizza on Fridays with leftovers. I did make a Doritos crust chicken tenders and my 6 year old and the adults loved it. I appreciate all the helpful shortcut meals! I made various flavors of your 4 ingredient yogurt pie this summer, including for a party, and it’s an absolute new favorite dessert! I’ve been finding the Aldi’s in PA by me, aren’t that much of a bargain anymore, and I can get better sales at the local grocery stores or even Walmart is cheaper on many items. I go mainly for produce, it’s still usually the best price. I agree with the bananas there, I rarely buy them because they do not look nice at all.

[@SeeMindyMom]

I totally understand! I taught HS music for 11 years and those first couple weeks back were just crazy! Hang in there!

[@valmalukas356]

I’m in my 15th year as a school psychologist. It’s been rough in education the last few years for sure!

[@akmoore2831]

My family loves the hash brown sticks.

[@rachellenale]

I always appreciate how real you are❤ thank you for the delicious meal ideas! Also, I make cinnamon rolls in the air fryer and they’re amazing! I have a Cosori. I do not preheat for this. 310 degrees F for 5 minutes. Flip. Then 320 degrees F for 5 more minutes. Enjoy!

[@annethompson2212]

great video and love the blue glasses 😊

[@deepthinker-k4m]

You can still get a pretty good deal on some stuff at all day, but they have gone up quite a bit. I understand inflation, but on some things they are starting to cost almost as much as name brand. It’s very rare to find somewhere cheaper than Walmart.

[@CarolgTX]

Hi Mindy! I am right there with you on the stress! As you said, we are not alone, and neither are you! Hang in there. The routine will fall into place🌞. I have a shirt made with the same fabric as yours, but it is styled a little differently. It is quite comfy. ❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

If it's the black floral one, I got that at Maurice's and it's my new favorite!

[@CarolgTX]

@@SeeMindyMom exactly!!!

[@Silverstar257]

Keep it up Mama!

[@kayburris8464]

I love shopping at Aldi. All looked yummy

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks!

[@jerrieanderson2245]

Life, it’s real! Love the shortcut for breakfast tacos! That would work for breakfast for dinner as well. Love a good snack supper. Thank you for everything!

[@SeeMindyMom]

That's true, breakfast for dinner is a winner around here as well!

[@taniayoungson5614]

I just can't get enough of you!! 😊

[@SeeMindyMom]

Ah, you're so sweet! Thank you!

[@mimijulene6307]

I love that you said “eleventy billion”! I use eleventy quite often and everyone always laughs at me! Especially my family. 😂

[@GlamourNNail]

Ah! You're a fellow Pair Eyewear wearer! Ive had mine for over two years. And the sun toppers were what got me too. I love them too!

[@SeeMindyMom]

That’s what sold me. I will admit, I was that person who wore large sunglasses over my prescription glasses while I drove my car. 😂. Glad I don’t have to do that anymore.

[@PairEyewear]

Thank you for being part of the Pair family! 💙

[@MrsSmithsMeatPies]

I grew up a choir kid (sang 4th grade all the way through college) and I LOVE whenever you sing the "Suddenly Salad" 🤣 It always brightens my day

[@laurapaschall106]

We think the seasoned fries from Aldi are a solid choice. I’m going to look for the hash brown sticks next time I’m there!

[@SeeMindyMom]

They were both so good!

[@juliemariariley3212]

Thank you Mindy! I love these suggestions- especially now! I don’t have kids going back to school but I have elderly parents and animals that need a lot of attention right now! I’m a part time cashier at a local store (just to keep me from becoming totally feral)! Lot’s of changes at work and I really let my housework and meal prep go by the wayside 😊 I appreciate your encouragement and your willingness to share your ideas and thoughts with us! I hope you have a wonderful weekend and definitely enjoy the cooler weather! 🌻

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm glad I can provide something useful. :)

[@bu2ful119]

The comment about how you always have it together..... not to take anything away from you but you have the luxury of editing. Most of us don't have that. 😉 You are an awesome homemaker and mother.

[@SeeMindyMom]

So true! That’s kinda the point I was trying to make. I hate the idea that I might be putting an unrealistic image out there. We all put our best foot forward with our work, and YT is my work. :)

[@amyshort5625]

Back to school is tomorrow for us, I am 30 weeks pregnant with baby #3 and work full time and I’m already exhausted 🥱 trying to plan ahead to save myself some stress with the morning routine this week.

[@carlarasnic1981]

We just tried the hash brown sticks and they were so yummy!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Right?!? They were so good!

[@davidnorvell6066]

From Sharon, love these ideas. Also like your shirt. Love the colors.

[@SeeMindyMom]

thank you!

[@jaclynrivera3802]

The three pepper blend is an Aldi find, so stock up while you can!

[@weirdgalstudios]

My daughter LOVES the cotton candy mootubes. Im grateful because i dont shop at walmart often and thats really the only grocery store near me that has a comparable price. We also have the strawberry and blueberry packs fairly often however.

[@dancingwithdad]

Agreed, we don't buy banana at Aldi. We buy tons of other stuff, but generally go to Walmart for bananas.

[@JazMa5504]

I’ve tried seasoned fries, family likes them, I do them in toaster oven. Thanks for awesome video😊

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks for watching!

[@catherineo1402]

Hi Mindy! My 5year old just started Kindergarten this week, and i have a 3 month old, easy dinners are what i live for now. I did your corn dog muffins for my son, he loved them! ❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

Oh I’m so glad! I used to make those all the time when my kids were little. They even remarked on it this week how they enjoyed having them again. Sort of nostalgic.

[@thelemicgal]

tzadiki sauce and shredded chicken also makes a great sandwich.

[@0808LoveBug]

Remember, fed is fed. I think we set ourselves up for unattainable expectations sometimes. So cheese quesadillas and leftovers filled bellies.

[@betterlivingonabudget]

Love the new blue frames on you!! I'll have to tell my daughters about Pair, the snap-on features is so cool! I bought a bag of the peppers/onions last week (8/24), It was on the Aldi ad. They only stock it every few months, which is too bad because it's a big bag and the perfect mix of peppers/onions.

[@SeeMindyMom]

You’re right. Some other kinds I’ve used are mostly onions. This was a good mix!

[@JeanBenton-zj2bj]

The dollar tree carries peppers and onion blend for $1.25 and they're good quality.

[@betterlivingonabudget]

@@JeanBenton-zj2bj - DT does have a surprisingly good bag of peppers/onions, but it's a lot smaller, and heavy on the onions compared to the bag we can 'sometimes' get at Aldi for $1.99 (in my area), but it's a great back-up option!

[@Thepaintedtiger]

We've done ok with bananas from there, the trick is to grab some that are still under the paper, just turning yellow.....they'll be ready in a couple days. If you need for today, grab a couple that only have a bit of green left. They definitely are riper than they look, usually. However, we generally have pretty good luck with produce at ours, we shop on Wednesdays and they likely stock about then. We grabbed a couple of the Asian inspired skillet meals lately. The chicken one was ok and made enough with rice, the Beef Lo Mein was overly salty, and tiny amount of meat included was that weird texture, and there wasn't really enough even for 2 people. Not worth the money, although they were very easy to cook up. (But not much less effort than my Instantpot recipe for Orange Chicken, so we'll stick with that. I find it helpful to pre-dice meat and freeze it when I can get good amounts on sale.)

[@CookingwithCatLover0330]

Great video! I love your ideas.

[@terrilepell8961]

I think you are doing a great job Mindy! Thank you for all the great ideas

[@SeeMindyMom]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@reapersphantomofhell]

You DO have it together. I come home after a day at work and I’m like a deer in headlights figuring out dinner. That’s why I refer to your videos to save me.

[@SeeMindyMom]

I appreciate that! Thanks!

[@sheridan469]

I love your glasses! Where did you get them? I saw you have a sunglasses attachment too?

[@sabrinamendez6223]

Hey Mindy... quick question : when you do charcuterie board for dinner or whenever really , what do you do with the leftovers???

[@cathyfeigert5660]

Loved the video Mindy!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you, Cathy! Good to hear from you! :)

[@sherrydaugherty6144]

Mindy and family have a great day have fun thanks from Oklahoma

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you so much, Sherry! Have a great weekend!

[@staceyrogers6125]

I love the two ingredient sandwich idea! I make a yummy homemade ranch so I'm going to make some of that and add it to some chicken that I already slow cooked for a dinner next week. It's going to be hot here next week (hot for what we're used to in the mountains at least lol) and I wanted some low temperature meal ideas. Thank you for some great inspiration as always!

[@SeeMindyMom]

My pleasure!

[@Krisarooooo]

Thanks for showing that you don't always have it together too...sometimes i get overwhelmed thinking of what everyone is going to eat that by the time im done i don't want to eat anything 😂😂 we go back to school next week...all half days... at least we slowly get back into the swing of things!❤

[@SeeMindyMom]

I hear you! This time of year is fun, but it comes with some stress, too, I think!

[@pattywilliams788]

Love your easy and delicious shortcuts, Mindy. Those hash brown sticks look really tasty and now I want hamburgers, lol. Thanks for always bringing the cool ideas!

[@SeeMindyMom]

I need to pick up another bag of those hashbrown sticks. They were soooo good! :)

[@deepthinker-k4m]

The season fries are amazing, and I can’t believe they have hashbrowns sticks. Never heard of those.

[@SeeMindyMom]

This was my first time trying both, and they were both GOOD! Those season fries in the air fryer were fantastic!

[@FortNite-jz1wj]

I got the hashbrown sticks too!!!

[@SeeMindyMom]

I made them in the air fryer and they were so good!

[@heatherlw13]

I have been wondering about those glasses, I love that you can snap on the sunglasses part!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Me, too! I get asked about them all the time, even when I'm out and about. When I walked into McAllisters Deli the other day to meet my husband before a school meeting, a man sitting there told me it was batman or something when I walked in and just took off my suntoppers. haha!

[@leighpage2591]

We call the first week - Hell week! Literally exhausted!

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

The pizzas look delicious, but the heat of the oven would ruin them for me also! Thank you for the video! Have a brilliant weekend!

[@mandy3486]

We just did the salad kit with tortillas last night. Big hit in my house. Thank yoj!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Love those. I need to make those again soon. Maybe this weekend (FOOTBALL STARTS! YAY!)

[@kristenmcmunn8342]

Same! With the bananas at Aldi.

[@michelebridges7299]

Love your honesty!!!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thanks!

[@amandagabaldon7111]

❤❤love your channel!!!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you so much!!

[@amaya1561]

Thanks for the video! I have found I like the aldi brand of english muffins over the Thomas brand, hands down. They're easier to slice, they're slightly larger, and the top and bottom are virtually the same size whereas Thomas brand are always smaller on the top side. Also I'm sad for you that the Bananas at aldi are often kinda rough! Definitely could be my aldi and I'm probably lucky but I've always had good experiences with the bananas at my local aldi. Crazy how things can differ! I am in eastern KS so not super far from you!

[@donnablake3907]

Love your content Mindy! I’m glad I’m not the only one that hasn’t had success with Aldi’s bananas. I also love the idea of doing a snack supper. I think I’m gonna try it. 👍🏽The only thing is I have teenagers so there’s rarely ever any snacks or leftovers!😂

[@SeeMindyMom]

I totally get it! My son is only 9, but he can eat like a teenager!

[@jlt1160]

Another great video! Thanks Mindy and may the Lord continue to bless you and your family.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you I really appreciate that!

[@angelthrasher476]

Thank you for your videos. Have you noticed in your local Walmart good clearance prices on basics? Today I got three packages of rice for 60 cents, $1.48 and $1.18 respectively. Just wondering if you are seeing the same in Tulsa area.

[@dandelion9196]

Just occurred to me to take some pictures of my pantry, fridge and freezer contents before I go to the market to help with those ‘do I have it’ moments

[@Gardeningchristine]

The seasoned fries are awesome. Haven’t tried the hash brown sticks but I bet the kids would love them.

[@SeeMindyMom]

The fries were so good, the hashbrowns were delicious!

[@thisnthatcormak]

I have been shopping at much more at Aldi. I've found a few things I didn't notice on my own from watching your videos. I do want a pair of those glasses but I've always had just the thin wire frames and I look terrible in larger frames!

[@KayeMac693]

The STL Cardinals have been real stinkers this year too. Don't worry, we feel your pain lol.

[@charylliss3741]

I always buy overripe discounted bananas. I bring them home, eat a couple then slice, tray and freeze the rest.

[@SeeMindyMom]

Great tip!

[@RevDanXP]

Love the glasses!

[@SeeMindyMom]

You're the best!

[@dianecuthbertson2686]

You said tzatziki perfect the first time 😊, I never used to be able to pronounce it properly either but I can now.

[@lindahitchcock5935]

Its so hard to predict what we have to do. Just go slow. You always do a great job!!!

[@SeeMindyMom]

Thank you, I really appreciate that.

[@maryraybon2305]

Mindy, this was a great video. For an easy breakfast get cinnamon rolls and cook in your air fryer. Most have directions for that. No heating up the house with your oven. :)

[@SeeMindyMom]

Great tip! Thank you!

[@maryraybon2305]

@SeeMindyMom you are very welcome. I make my can biscuits and cinnamon rolls in mine. Took a couple times to perfect it but it works great. Also I have an aie fryer oven it is awesome too, I use it alot :)

[@DaniElle-di4ho]

The Aldi’s uncrustables are actually cheaper by the sandwich than Walmart’s. I did the math😀

[@cambriaperez2865]

I'm catching up on KZbin videos while catching up on housework. We made it through school and kids brought home strep throat to share with the whole family. As the wk progressed another one bit the dust. (Another one bites the dust 🎶 .. band kid here) So by WK 2 we were all on antibiotics. All clear now. Now to catch up on the house lol

[@SeeMindyMom]

Oh man, I've been in that boat before! Hang in there!

[@BirdNerd-p7e]

I caved last week and bought the fall coffee variety pack like that at Aldi 🤦🏼‍♀️😂 BUT they’re not that great…all of the flavors taste the same, bland. So bummed. Love the idea of a low-key weekend! Love your glasses!

[@SeeMindyMom]

I have found that the best tasting coffee is fresh ground. I have almost used up my k-cups, then I'm gonna visit sprouts or whole foods and splurge on some fresh coffee I can grind in the store.

[@dianeeyestone2040]

I buy Aldi bananas on a regular basis. Never have had a problem.😊

[@SeeMindyMom]

They just always seem too green or too bruised at my Aldi.

[@marzeezee]

Our Aldi always had bananas that were grass green! We never bought them there.

[@thefrankperspective4247]

I stand by my prior comment that a full Suddenly Salad parody would have taken up several days of college (and I believe we’re the same age if I heard that year correctly, so you can’t tell me you wouldn’t have done the EXACT same thing lol).

[@jmljasmine]

Good to know the pizza is good. I'm going to give it a try and see if my picky pizza eater likes it

[@SeeMindyMom]

Sometimes we add a little extra cheese to ours. I think as take and bake pizzas go, they're pretty good!