Can you believe how fast this month (January) has gone?? You have a week from today to get your menu and shopping list in order for February. I had some free time today, so I decided to get a jump start and get mine done :) Dont forget to plan something fun for Valentine's Day! We usually make heart-shaped pizzas, so that's what we'll do. I just cut a big heart out of paper, roll out my pizza dough, place the paper heart on top and cut around it.
I'm also trying a few new recipes this month from a website my cousin, Jill referred me to www.thesisterscafe.com
Favorite Egg Salad Sandwich (although I plan to omit the celery and add some cajun seasoning to my mayonnaise, add avacado and bacon and serve on sourdough bread, this inspired by the "Hell's Kitchen" sandwich at Heidi's Deli.. yumm :))
Rumbi Island Easy Mango Chicken and Rice
Salmon with Feta and Capers
Ok, so here's the rest of the line-up. We are planning a trip so several days are missing...Happy planning!!
Ham Bone Soup
Turkey Burgers (served on sandwich thins)
Fish Tacos with homemade Pico De Gallo
Breakfast
Thai Curry Noodles
Meatball sandwiches
Sweet Pork salads (pork tenderloin w/ one jar green Herdez Salsa and 1 C brown sugar in the crock pot)
Chicken Bacon Bites
Broccoli Potato soup (only use about 1/2 C onions)
Sausage Rice Casserole
Dijon Chicken
Hot Dogs and Jalapeno poppers
Stuffed pasta shells (recipe right on the box!)
Honey Lime Enchiladas w/ Cilantro Lime Rice
Hawaiian Haystacks
Lemon Rosemary Pork and Barley and Asparagus
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Spicy chicken sandwiches
Rice soup
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Mid-month reprise
Here's what I came home with for about $215 for my mid-month shopping...
Dairy:
String cheese
6 yogurt
1 gal milk
2 sour cream
3 snack packs
Canned:
10 Chef Boyardee (whole wheat, of course ;))
5 diced tomatoes
6 beans
4 soups
2 pasta sauce
Produce:
broccoli
peaches
apples
grapes
bananas
red yams
3 lb strawberries
Refridgerated:
8 lunchables
2 canned biscuits
Snacks:
4 Chex Mix
2 Cheetos
4 Goldfish crackers
3 boxes other crackers
4 boxes Fruit snacks
4 boxes Granola bars
Breakfast:
5 boxes cereal
Meat:
1 large pork tenderloin (will make 6 meals!)
4 pkgs bacon
(tonight I will be picking up 20 lbs of chicken breasts from Zaycon for 1.67/lb, so this will put me a little over budget, but it will probably last 2 or 3 months)
Other:
Baby wash
Leave in Conditioner
3 boxes Fem. Prod's
Batteries
Corn starch
3 pudding mixes
Olive oil
3 salad dressings
2 boxes food storage bags
3 sets food storage containers
2 Apple juice
In total I probably only used about 15 coupons. My point? Shop the sales, pay attention and you'll be in great shape even if you don't coupon (but I do suggest couponing too ;))
Dairy:
String cheese
6 yogurt
1 gal milk
2 sour cream
3 snack packs
Canned:
10 Chef Boyardee (whole wheat, of course ;))
5 diced tomatoes
6 beans
4 soups
2 pasta sauce
Produce:
broccoli
peaches
apples
grapes
bananas
red yams
3 lb strawberries
Refridgerated:
8 lunchables
2 canned biscuits
Snacks:
4 Chex Mix
2 Cheetos
4 Goldfish crackers
3 boxes other crackers
4 boxes Fruit snacks
4 boxes Granola bars
Breakfast:
5 boxes cereal
Meat:
1 large pork tenderloin (will make 6 meals!)
4 pkgs bacon
(tonight I will be picking up 20 lbs of chicken breasts from Zaycon for 1.67/lb, so this will put me a little over budget, but it will probably last 2 or 3 months)
Other:
Baby wash
Leave in Conditioner
3 boxes Fem. Prod's
Batteries
Corn starch
3 pudding mixes
Olive oil
3 salad dressings
2 boxes food storage bags
3 sets food storage containers
2 Apple juice
In total I probably only used about 15 coupons. My point? Shop the sales, pay attention and you'll be in great shape even if you don't coupon (but I do suggest couponing too ;))
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
It's mid-month!
I know I mentioned that I shop again mid-month, so I didn't want to leave everyone hanging without a post. For those of you in AZ I wanted to share my very favorite website for coupon and sale match-ups www.thecentsableshoppin.com. She will list deals from all the big grocery stores and right there will be a link for a printable coupon (if there is one available) or if there was one from a past newspaper. You can even click the items to create a shopping list.
So, what I usually do is make a list from each store, gather all my coupons and head to WalMart. At WalMart I'll compare everything on my list to the prices there. If it really is a good deal (because sometimes regular price at WalMart is cheaper and that takes away the urgency to buy certain things), I will price match it. There is one catch; if I have a coupon for said item, I take into consideration the extra savings I would get after doubling at the other store. So basically, I usually only use high value coupons at WalMart. What usually ends up happening (because I really dont like to store hop) is I will price match Bashas, Safeway and Albertsons at WalMart and then make a Frys run as well. Fry's usually has the best/most deals and all coupons are worth $1 :)
Just a reminder, what I'm usually buying mid-month is toiletries, cereal, snacks, baking and other shelf staples that are on sale as well as meats that are on sale. Yes, I have an extra freezer, and yes I have extra shelf storage (but NOTHING like those crazies on TV). I think both are essential to saving money. For example, today I was able to buy a large pork tenderloin for $18 (reg around $50) and cut it into 6 roasts. You do the math. It's sooo important to buy on sale!
Here's a few things on my list for this week...
Safeway:
Mott's Apple Juice 64 oz. $1.88 ea
Precious String Cheese 13.3-16 oz $3.99
Milk $1.57 gal. (Lim 2)
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks 4.5 -8 oz. $0.99 ea. wyb 4
Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.77 with in-ad coupon (Lim 4)
Post Honey Bunches of Oats 14.5 oz or Fruity Pebbles 11 oz
General Mills Cereal 8.9 oz Cheerios, 12.3 oz Frosted Crunch or 10.7 oz Trix $1.88 with in-ad coupon (Lim 4)
So, what I usually do is make a list from each store, gather all my coupons and head to WalMart. At WalMart I'll compare everything on my list to the prices there. If it really is a good deal (because sometimes regular price at WalMart is cheaper and that takes away the urgency to buy certain things), I will price match it. There is one catch; if I have a coupon for said item, I take into consideration the extra savings I would get after doubling at the other store. So basically, I usually only use high value coupons at WalMart. What usually ends up happening (because I really dont like to store hop) is I will price match Bashas, Safeway and Albertsons at WalMart and then make a Frys run as well. Fry's usually has the best/most deals and all coupons are worth $1 :)
Just a reminder, what I'm usually buying mid-month is toiletries, cereal, snacks, baking and other shelf staples that are on sale as well as meats that are on sale. Yes, I have an extra freezer, and yes I have extra shelf storage (but NOTHING like those crazies on TV). I think both are essential to saving money. For example, today I was able to buy a large pork tenderloin for $18 (reg around $50) and cut it into 6 roasts. You do the math. It's sooo important to buy on sale!
Here's a few things on my list for this week...
Safeway:
Mott's Apple Juice 64 oz. $1.88 ea
Precious String Cheese 13.3-16 oz $3.99
Milk $1.57 gal. (Lim 2)
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks 4.5 -8 oz. $0.99 ea. wyb 4
Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.77 with in-ad coupon (Lim 4)
Post Honey Bunches of Oats 14.5 oz or Fruity Pebbles 11 oz
General Mills Cereal 8.9 oz Cheerios, 12.3 oz Frosted Crunch or 10.7 oz Trix $1.88 with in-ad coupon (Lim 4)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Chocolate Cake Waffles
Sorry, no pic for this post (yet) but try to imagine moist chocolate cake, from scratch, that's made in about 10 minutes! Yummmm :)
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 C sugar
3 Tbs. cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 Tbs oil
1 Tbs white vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 C cold water
2/3 C semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Preheat your waffle iron on LOW. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and then make 3 wells for the vinegar, vanilla and oil. Then, slowly pour the water over all of it and mix until thoroughly combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Spray your preheated (on low) waffle iron with cooking spray between each serving. Pour by 3/4 cup and use the indicator, just like you would for waffles. Turn directly onto a plate...
You can do this by turning your waffle iron (be careful not to burn yourself!) upside down and flip right onto a plate. Since these are nice and moist they will break apart if you try to use a fork!
Top with ice cream, whipped cream or even icing. Makes 4 Belgian-size cakes.
As you will notice, this is a dairy-free and eggless recipe (until you add ice cream, of course). You might even be able to sub the flour for a gluten-free type.
We love these waffles for a quick and fairly mess-free dessert!
1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 C sugar
3 Tbs. cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 Tbs oil
1 Tbs white vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 C cold water
2/3 C semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Preheat your waffle iron on LOW. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and then make 3 wells for the vinegar, vanilla and oil. Then, slowly pour the water over all of it and mix until thoroughly combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Spray your preheated (on low) waffle iron with cooking spray between each serving. Pour by 3/4 cup and use the indicator, just like you would for waffles. Turn directly onto a plate...
You can do this by turning your waffle iron (be careful not to burn yourself!) upside down and flip right onto a plate. Since these are nice and moist they will break apart if you try to use a fork!
Top with ice cream, whipped cream or even icing. Makes 4 Belgian-size cakes.
As you will notice, this is a dairy-free and eggless recipe (until you add ice cream, of course). You might even be able to sub the flour for a gluten-free type.
We love these waffles for a quick and fairly mess-free dessert!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Squeegee and a dust pan
As I grabbed a ceramic bowl for my son's ravioli this afternoon I had the thought to just get a paper plate. But I had already grabbed the bowl, so bowl it was. 5 minutes later, bowl and ravioli came crashing off the counter. Trying to look at the bright side of things, and not kick myself for not grabbing that paper plate, I used it as an opportunity to share one of my very favorite tricks! Anytime I have a mess like this I go straight to my shower and grab my squeegee. Then, it's straight to the pantry for the dustpan. 
Taadaa! Shards of ceramic bowl and all! I hope this comes in handy for you someday! You'll save lots of paper towels :)
Pesto Chicken Wraps
This recipe is from my neighbor, Jessica. It is so simple and quickly became one of our fav's! Here's what you'll need
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 C pesto
Wet mozzerella cheese
Spinach or green leaf lettuce
Red bell pepper
Flavored tortillas (we use the green Mission ones)
Marinade your chicken in about 3/4 C pesto for about an hour.
Roast your peppers in the oven by cutting in half length-wise, removing seeds, stem and membrane, and spraying with cooking oil. Place skin side up on a greased dish and broil until skins are nice and charred. Allow to cool long enough to where they won't melt a baggie, then place in the baggie to "sweat". Peel/remove skins when cool enough to handle. Slice into strips lengthwise.
You can either pan fry your chicken breasts or grill them. Cut into strips after cooking...I tried baking this last time and don't recommend it because they turned out very dry :(
Assemble your wraps with a little additional pesto (optional), chicken, peppers, mozz cheese and spinach or lettuce. My kids even like a drizzle of ranch dressing. YUM!
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 C pesto
Wet mozzerella cheese
Spinach or green leaf lettuce
Red bell pepper
Flavored tortillas (we use the green Mission ones)
Marinade your chicken in about 3/4 C pesto for about an hour.
Roast your peppers in the oven by cutting in half length-wise, removing seeds, stem and membrane, and spraying with cooking oil. Place skin side up on a greased dish and broil until skins are nice and charred. Allow to cool long enough to where they won't melt a baggie, then place in the baggie to "sweat". Peel/remove skins when cool enough to handle. Slice into strips lengthwise.
You can either pan fry your chicken breasts or grill them. Cut into strips after cooking...I tried baking this last time and don't recommend it because they turned out very dry :(
Monday, January 2, 2012
Swedish Meatballs
This dish is a childhood favorite of mine. I have adapted it from my mom's recipe to make it a little easier and a little healthier. I hope you like it.
For the meatballs:
1 pkg Jenni-O ground turkey
1/3 C Instant rice (uncooked)..I have also used reg. cooked rice when instant rice wasn't on hand
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp salt
1/4 C. dry onion flakes
Mix well in a bowl. Drop by cookie scoop on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 6 min, turn, cook an additional 6 min. Makes about 20 meatballs.
For the sauce:
1 C water
2 tsp beef bouillon granules
1 tsp Worchestershire sauce
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (I use Campbells Healthy Request)
1 C. light sour cream
Mix in a microwave save bowl and nuke it for about a minute to 90 seconds and stir until smooth.
Place your browned meatballs in a casserole dish and pour sauce over top. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. OR you can even throw them in the crockpot and cook on low for several hours.
Serve over cooked egg noodles.
For the meatballs:
1 pkg Jenni-O ground turkey
1/3 C Instant rice (uncooked)..I have also used reg. cooked rice when instant rice wasn't on hand
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp salt
1/4 C. dry onion flakes
Mix well in a bowl. Drop by cookie scoop on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 6 min, turn, cook an additional 6 min. Makes about 20 meatballs.
For the sauce:
1 C water
2 tsp beef bouillon granules
1 tsp Worchestershire sauce
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (I use Campbells Healthy Request)
1 C. light sour cream
Mix in a microwave save bowl and nuke it for about a minute to 90 seconds and stir until smooth.
Place your browned meatballs in a casserole dish and pour sauce over top. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. OR you can even throw them in the crockpot and cook on low for several hours.
Serve over cooked egg noodles.
My family only eats half a recipe at one meal, so I split half for cooking and half for the freezer. Just skip the baking part before freezing.
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