Menu Plan Monday

After getting back from a long week of traveling and visiting, the fridge is bare and I need to go shopping.  The goal is to spend as little as possible to make up for all the cash we spent having a good time last week. 

Monday:  Pizza-I've been craving good pizza all week, and determined if we didn't get it while visiting, I was ordering it myself!

Tuesday:  Spaghetti with meat sauce, garlic bread, salad (have to buy salad stuff)

Wednesday:  Tuna melt, cut up veggies (have to buy veggies)

Thursday:  scalloped potatoes with leftover frozen Thanksgiving ham and broccoli (have to buy potatoes and veggie)

Friday: Crock Pot French Dips, some pantry side, salad (need roast, mushrooms, rolls, veggies)

Saturday:  Beef Tacos, pintos, Mexican rice (lettuce/tomatoes)

Sunday:  BBQ pork sandwiches and whatever

So all I really need to get is a beef roast, some sandwich buns, and a bunch of produce...not a bad pantry/freezer menu!

Menu Plan Monday

Well, I've been slacking on the menu plans and it shows in my budget.  I've been over my alloted funds in the grocery department for the last 2 months.  Now, part of that is that I never allowed more money after we had the baby, so buying expensive formula is taking its toll. But also, a lot is because I'm making random runs to the store for random things.  My organization went out the window and it has to stop!

For example, I would have been okay (just 35) over budget for October, except that this weekend, I spent 25 on batteries at CVS and 40 at Publix (for random things I wanted, not needed).

So I'm NOT going to the grocery store (or Sam's, or the drug store) until this weekend, unless our milk runs out, and this is what I'm going to make from the freezer/pantry to make that happen.


Monday:  Ravioli with red sauce, garlic bread
Tuesday: baked Italian chicken, Asian broccoli slaw, baked potato
Wednesday: left overs or something boring like a can of soup
Thursday:  Chicken, Black beans and rice
Friday: Black bean tostadas (need to buy 1 tomato and lettuce), leftover rice
Saturday: Baked potato soup (will need milk)
Sunday: Some big hunk of meat on sale this week (chicken, beef roast or pork roast)
             with mashed potatoes and gravy and a green veggie on sale. (will buy meat
             and veggie)

Cloth Diapers-IV

Paying for cloth diaper was really the last hurdle for me.  I knew that our stash of gifted diapers would run out very quickly and that I would have to start buying disposables with in a month.  Right now, we use about 8 diapers a day (at 3 months) which adds up to 240 diapers a month.  That is roughly $80 worth of disposables.

Our first 6 diapers only cost us about $30 (saved $80), because I used the last of our Target gift cards from our shower.  The next 6 cost us $75 (saved $40), because I used my stash of Amazon gift cards that I earned using swagbucks (click here to learn more/sign up---it's easy and awesome).  And the last 5 cost us $54 (saved $54), because I ordered from Zulily who had there Fuzzi Bunz diapers on sale for 1/2 off.  I spent a total of $159.00 (plus and extra $20 for the bag), which is roughly 2 months worth of disposables. 

We expect to be able to use these diapers for years with our little one, and hopefully for years with our next one!  If we have 2 kids and they each wear cloth diapers for 3 years, we would have saved about $5500!!  That is savings that I can get on board with.

Cloth Diapers-III

Laundering cloth diapers was by far the thing that made me most uneasy! I don't enjoy dealing with poo and pee (no big surprise), and I would prefer to keep my hands clean.  But I realized, that whether I was using cloth or disposable, I was going to have to deal with these things anyway.

When we first started, we only had 6 diapers in the rotation, so we were doing a small load of diapers every night.  We kept the dirty diapers in a bucket on the floor of the bathroom, and because it was emptied every night, we had no smell problems.  I disliked having to run such a small load because it felt wasteful, and if I forgot to do the laundry we were out of luck (mainly because I prefer to air dry whenever possible).  Now that we have 17 diapers, we run a load every 2-3 days.  (It would be more, but we still use disposables occasionally-mostly when I bring her to work and rely on others to help take care of her...I feel guilty asking other people to deal with cloth diapers when we're not at home.)

It's really quite simple.  Remove a dirty diaper, pull out the insert and place both in the pail/bag.  If there are any solids in the diaper, just knock them into the toilet.  I may occasionally rinse a very dirty diaper in our utility sink, but mostly I just knock out what I can and throw the rest into the bag.  Usually, I can remove the dirty insert without soiling my hands at all, but occasionally, I have to touch a pee covered piece of cloth with my thumb and forefinger...really no big deal!

We use this AWESOME dirty diaper bag, and I find it very easy to use with a front loading washer. We just keep it on the door handle and have not had any smelling issues.  I do use the "add essential oils" feature, but I'm not sure that really makes a difference one way or the other.  I just happened to have oils on hand. So far, we have not had any staining problems...but I hear that leaving them out in the sun can "bleach" out any stubborn stains.

Just so you know, you do have to be careful cleaning the diapers.  If you use too much soap, they will start to repel liquids, which is NOT what you want in a diaper!  Use half of the recommended amount of soap, don't bleach, and don't use fabric softener.  Click here to visit the Charlie Banana website and read more about cleaning these diapers.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: leftover tiropete casserole, spinach salad
Tuesday: buffalo stuffed chicken, roasted potatoes, tomatoes
Wednesday: leftovers

Thursday: grilled pizza (using fresh pesto and roasted veggies)
Friday: beef stew, yeast rolls, cut up veggies
Saturday: BBQ from our church festival
Sunday: Tortellini with fresh pesto, bruscetta

Cloth Diapers-II

I began my cloth diapering journey by watching 'Frugal and Simple' tutorial videos. I stumbled upon her videos by accident and was instantly hooked on the idea.

After watching her effortlessly whip through a diaper change, I was ready to give it a try. I ended up first purchasing the 6-pack of Charlie Banana one-sized diapers.

I knew I was not interested in having to purchase multiple sizes, and I also knew I wanted to buy them from Target (because I had gift certificates). That is ultimatly how I landed on the Charlie Banana brand!

It has turned out to be SO SIMPLE! I didn't find the snaps at all confusing, and fitting my baby's little chubby legs was quick and easy. We have had a few minor leaks, but it didn't take long to iron out the details of fitting her. Each diaper has a way to adjust the leg hole elastic, so a snug fit is achievable.

Although we started out with only the 6-pack, we quickly graduated to a stash of 17 reusable diapers and a fabulous hang on the door cloth diaper laundry bag.  Stay tuned for more on our cloth diapering expirience!

Saved 50% at Publix

I had a pretty good/yet very random trip to Publix this week.  A lot of things were on sale, but I didn't use a lot of coupons.  Keeping this in mind, I am happy with my 50% savings.

I bought:
1 Natures Own English muffins (BOGO)
1 Publix WW bread
1 get well card
1 bag apple chips
3 Hunts chocolate pudding (used $.50/2 man Q and $1/2 Publix Q)
3 GG frozen veggies (used $.60/3 Q)
2 Pam sprays ( used 2 $.50/1 man Qs and 2 $1/1 Px Q)
2 Ragu pizza sauces (BOGO)
2 Ragu spaghetti sauces
1 Mueller lasagna noodles (used free wyb 2 Ragu Q)
4 Gulden mustard's (used 2 $1/2 Px Q)
4 8 O Clock coffees (used $2/2)

Spent $34.89 (saved $35.17)

Cloth Diapers-I

I always thought that I would be a cloth diapering person.  Even before I met my husband, and even before I was sure I wanted to HAVE children, I knew that the wastefulness of diapers was not my thing. 

But once I was pregnant, I wasn't so sure about it.  We got a brand new puppy one month before I got pregnant, and I spent months cleaning up messes, preventing messes, following her around waiting for messes... I was overwhelmed!  So I said no to cloth diapering and we loaded up on the disposable variety.  The less contact I had with poo the better!

Now I should be honest, thanks to the generosity of friends and family we haven't spent a dime on disposable diapers.  The baby is 3 months old and I've bought (maybe) two containers of wipes (only because they were super cheap).

But I see the end of our stash in sight, and I see the amount of plastic diapers filling up our plastic diaper pail bags.  So I was ready to try cloth diapering. 

Stay tuned to learn about my (very successful) cloth diapering experiences!

I saved big at Toys R Us this week!

I made a pretty significant effort at getting some Christmas shopping done this week.

I went to Toys R Us with my coupons in hand and did great!

I bought:

1 Strawberry Shortcake berry cruiser (on sale and $5 off Hasbro Q)
1 Strawberry Shortcake story in a box set
1 Elefun Ball Popper (on sale and $5 off Hasbro Q)
1 Girl Talk Game
1 Spider Ma web slinger (on sale and $5 off Hasbro Q)
1 Pictureka Disney board game (on clearance)
1 Pink Hair extension (I needed this to get my total above $75, after Qs)
-used the in ad spend $75 and get a $10 gift card

-so although my total was $76.86, I walked out with and extra $10.

So I spent $76.86, saved $33.25, and earned $10.  This is a savings of 36%!

Italian Lentil Soup

I'm sharing this recipe for Italian Lentil Soup with you because it is wonderful (and cheap), and it also utilizes frozen spinach...an ingredient that I am highlighting this week.  When I made this soup last week, I added 1/2 of a smoked sausage rope and sauteed it along with the veggies.  I sort of wish that I hadn't done this, because it took over the taste, but I knew that the sausage would help to make it a hit with my husband, and it had been sitting in the back of the fridge and needed to be used.  (He joked that even though I had wanted to leave out the sausage, he thought I should leave out the lentils!)

This made a HUGE pot, and I froze a lot in individual serving sizes to bring for lunch.  The soup holds up very well to freezing, and I recommend it as a hearty on the go meal to grab!

Light and Cheesy Manicotti

This recipe is fairly simple and definitely a delicious way to get some veggies in your diet!



1 package of sliced mushrooms
2 cloves of garlic

3 egg whites
15 oz light ricotta (or cottage cheese, blended)
splash of sherry (optional)
1 10 oz package of frozen spinach, defrosted and drained
1/2 t Italian seasoning
1 C mozzarella cheese
1/3 C Parmesan cheese

1 package of manicotti shells (cooked, cooled, drained)
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Saute mushrooms and garlic with a little cooking spray about 5 minutes, when it's about cooked, splash the sherry in the pan and let the liquid cook out.
• Beat the egg whites lightly and add the mushroom mix, the spinach, ricotta, Italian seasoning, and half of the cheese.
• Spoon this mixture into the manicotti shells.  It helps to cool them first, but if not, just run under a little cold water and brace yourself for some warm/red hands!
• Place into a 9x13 pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Cover with the sauce and cook for 45 minutes.  At the last five minutes, cover with remaining cheese.

Serve with a salad and some garlic bread!!!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Cheesy Manicotti, Homemade bread, salad
Tuesday: chicken burritos with black bean salsa
Wednesday: leftovers
Thursday: Falafel sandwhich &greek salad
Friday: blue cheese stuffed chicken breasts,  roasted potatoes, another veggie
Saturday: Go out for dinner
Sunday: Tortalinni with fresh pesto, bruscetta

Eat More Spinach!

I think most of us can agree that the more veggies in your diet the better.  Last year,  the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the results of a national study on fruit and vegetable consumption, which found that only 26% of American adults eat vegetables three or more times a day (not including french fries).  I try REALLY hard to get my 5 servings of fruits/veggies a day, but I often fall short.  So this week, I'm going to feature one recipe a day that used frozen spinach.  (And no, I don't count french fries as a vegetable either.)

Frozen spinach is a cheap way of adding a nutritional punch to your meals.  I purchased a 10 oz package of frozen spinach at Publix today for $1.09, and have been able to get it for free on occasion with the right sale/coupon match up.

Frozen spinach also has a way of sort of disappearing into whatever meal you add it to, so you may be able to get your kids to eat spinach without even really knowing it.

A Real Power Food:

This food is very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamin C, Thiamin, Vitamin B6 and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper, Manganese and Selenium. But do watch out because it can tend to be higher in sodium.

So come back everyday this week to learn a new way to include this super veggie in your dinner plans!

Shrimp and grits

I have discovered grits in the last few years.  I grew up "up north" and never even knew what grits were.  When I moved south as an adult, it reminded me of cream of wheat and looked bland and tasteless.  Thanks to my favorite show "Top Chef", I was encouraged to order the shrimp and grits on a menu. 

Thank goodness I did, because they are delicious.  So I finally made my own last week, and it was incredible. I had dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes, start to finish.  Incredible.

I had bought a bag of grits at the store months ago, and accidentally bought quick grits.  I know some of you purists would say that it doesn't count, but I don't know any better and it was nice that they cooked in 5 minutes.

I followed the directions on the grits bag, half milk/half broth and add a handful of grated cheese when it's cooked. 

The shrimp was easy, I cooked 6 pieces of bacon, then I removed and crumpled the bacon.  Into the grease in the pan I added a minced garlic clove and about 1/4 diced onion.  This cooked for a few minutes, then I threw in 3/4 lb jumbo shrimp (de-shelled/tail on).   After the shrimp cooked a few minutes and was almost done, I added about 1/8 C lemon juice and cooked that down a minute.  When the shrimp is done, add the bacon bits back into the pan and remove from heat.  You could hit this with some fresh herbs if you have any (parsley, chives...).

Serve the shrimp over the cheesy grits and I guarantee you'll love it!

Menu Plan Monday

I really stuck to it last week, yay for me!  The only thing I didn't make was the flank steak because 2 of the 3 ingredients were unavailable at my grocery store.  I'll keep a look out, but until then, I guess I won't be able to try that fabulous recipe!  Instead, I got to have sushi for the first time in forever.  My husband is so sweet, he knew how much I craved it when I was pregnant and couldn't have any, so on Friday, he let me order for both of us.  It was delicious.

But here's what I'm planning on cooking this week.  Today is the first day of school, so I'll try to have something good ready for hubby when he gets home.

Monday: Cuban black bean tostadas, Mexican rice
Tuesday:Dijon chicken pasta salad, fried okra, fresh tomatoes
Wednesday: I work late so leftovers or something boring like PB&J
Thursday: Chicken chili, popovers
Friday: hummus, pita chips, olive tapinade, Greek salad
Saturday: go out
Sunday: TBA-let's wait and see what's on sale this week.

Bi Lo Trip

Well, my percentage may not be as good as it was at Publix (even though I did buy fresh shrimp there), but this tally will show you more of what we actually eat!  I feel like I did a good trip...but Bi-Lo...I was disappointed that you didn't even have many of the items I was looking for (flank steak, asiago cheese, red curry sauce, stuffing mushrooms, coffee syrup, bologna, everything bagels).  I felt like I was at the Food Lion for a moment!

Hershey's Caramel syrup (instead of real coffee flavored syrup)
Pringles Sour Cream and Chives
Arnolds Bread
Water Chestnuts
2 Dawn dish soap (free with 2 $.50/1)
La Looks Gel (man $1/1)
2 International Coffee Creamer (2 $.5/1)
cheese slices
turkey lunchmeat
bacon
bag of apples
mushrooms

As you can see, I didn't use very many coupons, but got out pretty cheap.

Total Spent: $24.33
Total Saved: $14.07
Total Percentage Saved: 37%

Publix Trip

I did pretty good at Publix this week.  It would have been a lot better,  but they were out of or I couldn't find a few key items.  I would have had a way better percentage if I had got 2 free soft scrubs (which I really need), and had been able to use my free Qs from joining the Px baby club (free coco butter lotion, hand sanitizer, and alcohol). Oh well, here's what I did get...

2 Cheez Itz colby (2 man .70/1)
1 Beech Nut rice cereal (free baby club Q)
2 Beech Nut mini meals (Px BOGO Q, man $1/3)
1 Ronzoni garden pasta (man $.5/1)
1 Quaker Oatmeal (BOGO)
1 Pita Bread (BOGO)
1 Lysol Kitchen Cleaner (man $1/1)
2 Cutter Bug Spray (Px $2/2, 2 man $1.5/1)
2 Advils (Px $5/2, 2 man $2/1)
2 Cascadian Edamame (Px $2/2, 2 man $.5/1)
1 Benedryl Itch Cream (Px $.75/1, man $2/1)
3/4 lb jumbo shrimp ($6.20)

Total Spent: $24.46
Total Saved: $40.47
Percentage Saved: 62%

Making Eggrolls is Easy!

I'm writing here today to encourage you to try making your own eggrolls.  I used to be intimidated by anything I had to deep fry until I met my husband, whose Mexican roots quickly had me frying tortillas!

I whipped up a batch of these eggrolls on Friday and "fried to order" until today (4 days later) when I cooked up the last two.  I imagine you could cook them all at once, but I prefer freshly fried.  If your filling has been sitting around, you may want to drain some of the liquid out of it.  You don't want liquid in the filling or it makes the eggroll soggy.

Vegetable Filling

• 1.5 C shredded zucchini
• 1.5 C shredded carrots
• .5 C finely diced mushrooms
• 1 C finely diced onions
• .5 C shredded cabbage
• .5 C chopped peanuts
• 3 T soy sauce
• .5 t sugar
• eggroll wrappers (sold in produce section)

Mix everything but the wrappers and let sit at least a few minutes and up to 4-5 days.
I have substituted many of the veggies in this recipe, depending on what I have in the fridge.  As long as you stick to the ration of veggies to other ingredients, it doesn't really matter.  Try adding peppers, sprouts, baby corn, or meat/shrimp.  You could also sustitute or leave out the nuts, I happen to like them with peanuts!

While your oil is heating (I use a small pan and fill about 1 inch with oil), assemble the rolls.  Start by laying a wrapper with a corner facing you and place a few spoonfulls of the filling on it.

Then fold that corner up and the sides in so it looks like a purse.

Then, trying to get out as much air as possible, roll up the rest of the way.

Fry in hot oil about 1-2 minutes per side. The time may differ depending on the heat of your oil. You know the oil is ready when you put a little something in it (I use a carrot from the filling) and it bubbles gently. If it's not hot enough, it may end up greasy and if it's too hot, it may burn. Don't be afraid to expiriment, it's not rocket science!!


Don't forget to flip them!

And serve with a side of sweet and sour sauce. I use the kind out of the jar, but you can make your own, too.

Menu Plan Monday

Well, last week I  "sort of" stuck to my meal plan.  I was able to feed our family for a week with minimal grocery shopping trips though.  I bought mainly veggies and spent around $20...not bad! 

I'm going to try the same sort of thing this week.  We have a lot of food in the freezer and pantry, so it shouldn't be too hard. 

Monday: Zucchini Pancakes, grilled chicken, cottage cheese, broccoli slaw
              (The chicken is from the freezer, cottage cheese (with chives) and slaw are
               leftover, so only the zucchini needs attention!

Tuesday: Pork chops with mushroom soup, mashed potatoes, broccoli
               The pork is from the freezer, I've got potatoes, broccoli and soup, so this
               meal is "free"

Wednesday: I'll work this evening so we'll graze or do leftovers

Thursday: shrimp and cheese grits, salad
               I'll need the shrimp and bacon and salad fixings

Friday: fake rumaki, stuffed mushrooms, homemade crustini with cheese spread
           Marinate chicken pieces and wrap with a water chestnut in bacon, secure with a
           toothpick.  Cover with BBQ sauce and flip occasionally in 350 degree oven,    
           about an hour. For this meal, I'll need water chestnuts & mushrooms
          
Saturday: Italian Flank Steak Pinwheels, whatever sides we have lying around!    
              This will be a new recipe for me.  I'll need to buy the steak, asiago cheese,  
              and spinach, so I may bump this recipe if I can't get a good deal on at least  
              one of these ingredients!

Sunday: go out or leftovers



To buy:  1 lb flank steak
              6 oz asiago
              fresh spinach
              1/2 lb shrimp
              bacon
              can of water chestnuts, whole
              large stuffing mushrooms
              salad stuff
              *milk, bread, cheese slices, lunch meat, fruit,
              *I'll also have to replenish the chicken breasts in the freezer if there's a deal

BBQ Chicken Recipe

I made a delicious oven BBQ chicken platter yesterday for a party I was hosting.  It was cheap, easy, and everyone loved it.  I should have taken pics but I was too busy, but I'll share the recipe with you anyway!

I decided on making this particular entree because I got WONDERFUL looking chicken thighs on sale at Sam's Club for $.99 a lb.  Each thigh (with bone) is about 1/2 lb.

Chicken Thighs (with bone and skin)
BBQ sauce

-Preheat oven to 325 degrees
-Place skin side up on a cookie sheet lined with foil
- Brush generously with BBQ sauce
-Cook for 20 mins
-Pull out of oven, flip, and cover the other side generously with sauce
-Cook for 20 mins
-Pull out of oven, flip, and cover with more sauce
-Cook for 20 mins or until chicken is done and juices run clear                                                                                                       

Menu Plan Monday

Well, it has been quite a week.  We had a ton of people at the house which means we had a ton of food.  I'm now hoping to have a week where we eat good (so we're not tempted to go out) and we don't spend much money (to make up for the ridiculous amount of money I spent on food last month).  I shouldn't have to go to the grocery store for much, except maybe the best deals!

Monday: Taco Salad,  southwest egg rolls
Tuesday: Chicken salad sandwich,  chips, veggies cut up
Wednesday: Potluck at work, I'm bringing potato salad
Thursday: Bruschetta (home made bread), grilled chicken kabobs
Friday: egg rolls, stir fry, rice
Saturday:  Pasta, garlic bread, salad
Sunday: leftovers


All I should really need to buy is whatever produce I need.  Right now, I've got tons of tomatoes and other salad stuff, but it won't last the week.  I'll probably have to hit the produce stand before I make egg rolls and stir fry on Friday.

Pasta and stir fry are two great ways to use a lot of produce.  You can use whatever you like/have lying around, and it tastes great.

Make your own dishwashing detergent

I have read posts about making your own soap for awhile, and I was curious but sceptical!  I wanted to do it to save money, but I was afraid it wouldn't work right. I was unsure of how to find the unfamiliar ingredient: Borax.



As it turns out, Borax is in the soap aisle, right by the laundry soap.  Mine was in a cardboard box (the size of a cereal box) on the top shelf and cost a little under $5.00.  The other ingredients (baking soda and lemon kool aid packets) were easy to find for CHEAP.

This couldn't have been easier to make, and after the initial cost of the Borax, I've made 2 batches and have enough left to make at least 2 more.  The soda is cheap and the lemonade packets are $.15 at my store.

This is the recipe I used.  1 Cup borax, 1 C baking soda, 4 packets of unsweetened lemonade.  I store it in a big Zip Loc bag under the sink.  I haven't had any problems with residue or specks left on my dishes, but if you check out the link, it does have some suggestions if you have these kinds of problems.  I think it has to do with what kind of water you have.

So go ahead and give it a try!

Publix Baby Trip-saved 64%

I have spent an arm and a leg at the grocery store this week, and although I tried to meal plan for company with the sales in mind, a lot of what I bought was without coupons.  So this little trip to Publix with all my baby coupons made the hit that my grocery budget took feel a little less painful!

I bought

• 1 package of eggroll wrappers ($2.29 not on sale)
• 1 Miracle Whip ($2.45 on sale)
• 2 Beechnut Mini Meals (used Px BOGO Q and 2 $1/1 Qs)
• 2 Earthsbest organic cookies (used 2 Px $1/1 Q)
• 2 Gerber Lil Entrees (used 2 Px $1/1 and 2 man $1/1)
• 2 Gerber Puffs (used 2 Px $1/1)

Total before sales/coupons:  $25.72
Total after:  $9.69

Publix Trip-saved 76%

I had a small but great trip to Publix today.  They had stacks of the Big Baby Bargains flyer (I got 2) and the 1 page baby Q's flyer (I got 2), but they were out of the Publix hot dogs for a penny (bummer) so I got Popsicles instead. 

Here's what else I got...

1 Fresh Express Salad Kit- used $.75 off Q
2 Men's Speedstick Deodorant- used 2 $.50 off Q
1 large bag Doritos
2 Bailey's Creamer-used 2 $1 off Q
1 Smart Balance Milk- used $1.50 off Q
2 Bic Mechanical Pencils- used 1 $1/2 Q
1 Freezer Popsicles-penny item

Total Saved: $24.20
Total Spent: $7.78

Pork Chops and Pineapple Salsa

This has become one of our favorite meals this summer.  It is EASY and delicious.

Start with some nice pork chops, salt and pepper them and throw them on the grill.  About halfway through is the perfect time to put any other veggies on the grill to serve as a side, we like asparagus with this meal.



Pineapple Salsa:
1/2 of a fresh pineapple, diced into very small squares
1/8 of an onion, diced small (more or less depending on your tastes)
1/3 jalapeno (more or less depending on your tastes)
3 T fresh parsley, diced
a splash of olive oil
a few splashes of vinegar (rice wine is my fave)
1/2 t poppy seeds
salt

This salsa is really best if it's made ahead of time, even 24 hours in advance.  It's also really easy to adjust the recipe to your tastes or to what you have in the pantry.  I use parley instead of cilantro because my husband prefers it AND I have wonderful parsley growing in my garden right now.  The poppy seeds could be eliminated or replaced with another herb/seed you have in the house...you are only limited by your imagination!

I usually serve this with lemony cous-cous.  I follow the directions on the container of cous-cous as far as ratio of water to grains.  When it is finished, I add a few teaspoons of chopped parsley, salt, and lemon zest (from 1/2 to 1 whole lemon).

Delicious!

Company Menu Plan

We're having some major company this week, and with a newborn in the house and 9 mouths to feed, I feel like organization is the key.

Dinners:
Saturday: Chicken brats, potato salad, chips, watermelon
Sunday: Meatball subs, cottage cheese, leftover potato salad, cut up cucumber/tomato
Monday: Grilled Pork Chops, pineapple salsa, lemony cous-cous, grilled asparagus
Tuesday: Low Country Boil, homemade bread, veggies and dip
Wednesday: BBQ Brisket, devilled eggs, rolls, Cole slaw

Thursday: we'll go out to eat at least once for dinner

Breakfasts: I won't go out every day for breakfast, but we'll cook 3 "big" ones.
Sausage Breakfast Casserole, Quiche (already made and frozen), BLTs, muffins (in the freezer), cereal, fruit, yogurt,

Lunches: I'll get a big tub of chicken salad from Sam's, taco salad and southwest eggrolls, tomato/cheese on an English muffin,

Desserts: Sliced apples and the worlds greatest apple dip
                Key Lime Cake (my recipe is very similar to this one and delicious)
                Cookies: I made apricot shortbread, cowboy cookies, and butter royales
                             (they're already in the freezer!)

Menu Planning Monday

Well, last weeks' menu was only about 60% accurate, so I'll try again this week.  It may take me a few weeks to get back in the swing of following a menu.   We're expecting company for a week starting Saturday, so I'll leave the company menu plan for another day.  We'll have 7 adults and 3 little ones in the house, so I'll need to be organized and creative!

Monday: BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, cucumber salad
Tuesday: Taco Salad
Wednesday: Grilled Italian chicken, pasta-roni, veggie
Thursday: Cheese, crackers, pepperoni, fruit
Friday: Buffalo Chicken Wraps, fruit or a veggie

Our first few outings with the baby

Well, baby is 2 1/2 weeks old and since I was such a homebody when I was pregnant, I've felt pretty cooped up in the house since I've had her.  I've made quite a few quick trips out without her, but we've brought her a few places too!

Friday we went to Longhorn for lunch with her.  I was a little nervous that she'd start screaming and ruin everyone else's lunch, but she was an angel.  It helped that we fed her right before we left, so she snoozed in the booth next to me the whole time. 

Then today, we took her to church for the first time.  She was an instant hit with everyone (of course-who doesn't love a tiny newborn) and I was relieved that she was quiet and well behaved.  I see years and years of Sunday morning church attendance in store for her, so I might as well break her in early!!

Dinner for a Family of 4 for $50 this week at Bi-Lo

In the past, I've always done this segment at Publix, but I've decided to try Bi-Lo this week.  Because I think Publix has pretty expensive meats, I always had to have a meal of spaghetti or hot dogs or something, and I wanted a chance to be a little more creative.  So let me know what you think!

Monday: Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, deviled eggs ($11.24)
Tuesday: Flounder, Roasted Potatoes, Veggie ($6.17)
Wednesday:  Mexican Chicken, black beans, tomatoes and rice (8.87)
Thursday: Jambalaya and french bread ($3.84)
Friday: Fritata, toast, fruit cup ($5.73)
Saturday: BLTs, buttered noodles, corn on the cob ($9.98)
Sunday:  How about having leftovers or eating out of the pantry one day and buying dessert instead-Ice cream sundaes! ($4.07)

Total: $49.83
Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, deviled eggs

• 1 Smithfield Ham Steaks, ($1.99)
• 1 bag potatoes (estimated $4) (use about 6 med-lg potatoes)
• 1 onion (estimated $.75)
• 1 can cream of mush soup (estimated $1)
• shredded cheese (estimated $2.50) (use half)
• Southern Home Large White Eggs, grade A, $1

For devilled eggs: Use 4 hard boiled eggs and a little of the onion minced, I'm assuming you have a little mayo and mustard to finish this dish. I love to top with smoked paprika!


For potatoes: Peel and thinly slice the potatoes, roughly chop half an onion, dice the ham steak. Mix the chopped ingredients with the soup and half a bag of the cheese. Put in a greased casserole dish and bake covered about 1 1/2 hours on 350 degrees. 


Flounder, Roasted Potatoes, Veggie

• Frozen Flounder, BOGO ($4.49) (pan roast with olive oil and your fave spices)
• Roasted Potatoes (left from Monday)
• Buy 2 Pictsweet Frozen Vegetables, ($1.68 after Q)                                             Use -$1/2 Pictsweet vegetables, Bi-Lo Gold Star Meats booklet,                     save one for later in the week

Mexican Chicken, black beans, tomatoes and rice

• 1 SH Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts BOGO ($5.49) (use 2 breasts)
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes any variety (estimated $1.59)
• 1 can black beans (estimated $1)
• 1 small bag of rice (estimated $.79)

This recipe is a staple in our house, quick/cheap/healthy.  I usually use brown rice flavored with tomato sauce, cumin, bullion and garlic, but it is great with plain white rice as well.  Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.  In a med pan, mix the beans (drained a little but not all the way), tomatoes (undrained) and the chicken.  Cook on low-med about 20 minutes while your rice is cooking separately. Serve the chicken mixture over rice. 

This mixture is great by itself, or garnished with cheese/sour cream/avocados.  It also makes a good burrito filling (just stuff in a flour tortilla and cover with a canned sauce) or  a good taquito filling (roll in a corn tortilla and fry).



Jambalaya

• 1 package of Johnsonville Chicken Sausage Links, BOGO (0.99)                          -use $1 off Johnsonville Smoked Chicken sausage, SS 6/19
• leftover flounder, 1 chicken breast, rice, picksweet veggies, onion
• 
  1 Southern Home Canned Tomatoes, BOGO (86¢)
• 1 loaf french bread ($1.99)

Heat a little olive oil in a big pot and saute the sausage until it browns.  Add 1 1/2 C rice and saute.  Add tomatoes, a little chopped onion, the frozen veggies, and the chicken breast chopped into bite-sized chunks.  Add 1 cans worth of water, salt, pepper and some cayenne or chili flakes if you like heat.  Cover and let simmer about 25 minutes.  Stir (add a little more liquid if necessary) and add the rest of the defrosted flounder cut into chunks.  Cover and let cook on low another 4-6 minutes just to cook the fish. 


      
Fritata/omelet/egg scramble (your preference)

• 1 Smithfield Ham Steaks, BOGO ($1.99)
• leftover eggs & cheese
• leftover french bread toasted/buttered
• 1 Ripe Mango (99¢)
• 2 New Zealand Green Kiwi (50¢)
• 1/2 lb Dole Bananas ($.25)
• any fresh veggies you like to add ($2)

Saturday: BLTs, corn on the cob, buttered noodles

• Fresh Baked Kaiser or French Sandwich Rolls, BOGO ($1.49)
• Carolina Pride Sliced Bacon, ($1.99)
  Use -.50/1 Carolina Pride bacon, SS 6/19
• 2 Pasta Roni, buttered noodle or your choice ($2)
• lettuce ($1.50)
• Tomato ($1.50)
• Birds Eye Corn on the Cob, ($1.50)

Ice Cream Sundaes:

• Pet Ice Cream BOGO ($2.49)
  Use $1/2 Pet dairy frozen novelties, SS 5/15
• Smucker’s Magic Shell,  ($.08) Buy 2
  Use 2 .55/1 Smucker’s toppings, RP 5/15
• Whipped Cream (estimated $1.50)

Publix trip

Yay!  Publix has eight o'clock coffee BOGO this week.  Last time it was on sale, I only bought 4 because I was broke and we were VERY close to running out.  So, although I didn't really need anything, I went there for the coffee (and a few other things). 


I bought:
9 bags of coffee (BOGO) used 3 $2/2 and 3 $1/1 Q's, paid $2.49 a bag
1 bag Santitas corn chips $2
3 Pop tarts (BOGO), used $2/3 Q, paid $4 for 3
3 frosted mini wheat's (BOGO) used $2.25/3, paid $1.07 a box
3 Crayola crayons $.33 a box
1 Publix bran flakes, penny item

I spent $31.01
I saved $57.98 (about 66%)

Saved 60% at Bi-Lo!

I made a quick run to Bi-Lo this morning to get some of the Chicken Sausage on sale and felt like I hit on a few good deals!



I bought:

2 Ocean Spray water flavoring (BOGO) $3.29 for both
2 Southern Home water flavoring $3.00 for 2
1 loaf of 100% WW bread (BOGO) $1.39
1 Lysol wipes (BOGO), used a $1/1 Q, paid $.49
2 Bounty paper towels (BOGO), used 2 $.25/1, paid $.75 for 2
2 dozen eggs $1 each
3 Johnsonville chicken sausage (BOGO), used 3 $.50 off Qs, paid $3 for 3

Total spent:  $13.48
Total saved $20.74!

Walgreens Trip: saved 66%!

Now, this was just a small trip to Wags inspired by the fact that my niece and nephew are coming to visit soon.  I have pictures framed on the wall of the oldest (5 yr old) but none of the youngest (3 yr old) because I haven't touched the arrangement since I nailed it to the wall before she was born.  I didn't want her to not be up there, so I ordered 4 pictures to be picked up in store.

While I was there, I decided to get a few other things!

Transaction #1
Pictures:  2.16
Hyland's Teething Gel:  was $4.99, used a $1 Q, got back $5 in WAGS rewards


Total:  $6.59

Transaction #2
2 Packages of Walgreens D Batteries: BOGO $5.29
1 Huggies wipes:  was $2.49, used $1 WAGS Q and a $.75 man Q
used the $5 WAGS reward

Total:  $1.50

I spent a total of $8.09 for $23.62 worth of goodies!

My stocked freezer

I mentioned yesterday that before I had the baby, I stocked the freezer with some ready made or easy to prepare meals. As a couponer/cheap individual, what I made was dictated by what I could get cheap (of course).



I thought you all might be interested in what's in MY freezer.

• Buffalo Chicken Wraps
• Pesto Chicken Wraps
• Crab Meat Hors d'oeuvres (this recipe is similar to what I make, but I use more butter/no mayo and the cheese spread HAS to be a jar of Old English Cheese Spread, found by the cheese whiz)
• Artichoke Bread
• Taco Meat
• Greek Marinated Chicken Breasts (Olive Oil, Garlic clove, lemon juice, sea salt, thyme)
• Italian dressing Marinated Chicken Breasts
• Chicken Enchiladas
• Pinto Beans
• Meat Sauce (home made sauce)
• boxed frozen veggies, pasta, pirogis, pizzas

Menu Planning Monday

It's been forever since I blogged.  I found out I was pregnant and somehow instantly lost interest in everything but that.  Now my sweet baby is 2 weeks old, and I'd like to start back in with my blogging.  So today, I'm starting off with something easy...a weekly menu plan.

Before I had the baby, I stocked the freezer with lots of easy meals.  So this whole week menu is a no shopping trip needed menu (except some produce and chips for Thursday and whatever happens on Sunday).  It seems like we've made a ton of trips to the store this month already, and the grocery budget will be strapped if I don't get control of it!

Monday: Tostatas & Mexican rice
Tuesday: Italian marinated chicken on the grill, potatoes, cucumber salad
Wednesday: tuna melts, butternut squash soup
Thursday: Chicken Enchiladas, homemade salsa, guacamole
Friday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, garlic bread
Saturday: leftovers or go out
Sunday: a big hunk of meat (whatever's on sale) with mashed potatoes and gravy and a fresh veggie side