Shopping Trip 2/22-2/28

Did not need much this week, infact most of this weeks shopping trip is just stock up on sales I couldn't pass up.

This week our local grocery store had turkey breasts on sale .98# but it was a limit of 1. I have been there 3 times to pick up turkey breasts (verified with them it was 1 per customer per shopping trip so I wasn't breaking any rules). I picked up a total of 3 turkey breasts, 2 of which went into the freezer for later and 1 of which is in the oven now. I spent $9.54 on the 2 I purchased earlier in the week.

Todays shopping trip:

Cost Cutter:
5# sugar $1.97
10 hamburger helper $10.00 (my kids love this)
2 gallons milk $3.98 (noticed the price of milk has gone down YEAH)
1 frozen turkey breast $4.69
1 cool whip $2.00
1 pkg bagels $2.50
2 # butter - $2.98 (store coupon 1# for $1.49 lmt 2)
margarine $1.50
1 bag chips $2.00
4 2 ltr root beer $3.08 (store sale of .77 each like to keep on hand for treat for the kids)
1 loaf bread $1.19
1 can pumkin $2.33

Total including the 2 turkeys I bought earlier in the week:
$47.96

I also got 2 dozen free eggs today. My moms chickens have started to lay again YEAH which means FREE EGGS!

My Dinner menu for the week:
Sunday- turkey, mashed potatoes/gravy, green beans, homemade rolls and pumpkin pie
Monday- mac & cheese & hotdogs for the kids (their request) I will eat a salad
Tuesday- Spaghetti, french bread and salad
Wednesday- Tacos
Thursday- Potato chowder and homemade buiscuts
Friday- chili and cornbread
Saturday- at church or at my parents house not sure where we will be on Sat night yet

To see what others have done with their grocery shopping budget or their menus check out The Grocery Cart Challenge

Happy 8th Birthday Danielle

Hard to believe my daughter is 8 today! Where does the time go? We started off the day by taking her to school (she normally rides the bus) and taking cupcakes with EXTRA sprinkles. After school we headed to Jump Around Fun Zone and then McDonalds and back home to hang out with friends. Tomorrow is her birthday party and she has chosen bowling YEAH lots of fun for the whole family.

Shopping 2/15-2/21

So no pictures this week of my shopping trip. I spent more than normal this week taking advantage of my tax return. But will give you the breakdown. I had received a coupon packet from Costco with some great savings and took advantage of several of those.

Check out the Grocery Cart Challenge to see how Gail and the others did this week!

Note, while alot of Costco was stock up, most of the rest was a splurge this week and I am not proud of myself YIKES.

COSTCO
40# cat litter $9.49
2 gallons milk $3.69
Cinnamon toast crunch plus fiber $4.49
Pace pacante sauce $4.65
Dinnon nuggets $10.59
100 ct electrasol $10.49
eggos $7.99
Brussels sprouts $4.49
Mini cukes $5.49
Beef Fajita meat $8.89 (I pkg this up and use it on salads YUM)
Sausage links $12.99
Butter $5.49
French fries $5.79
24 ct Danimals drinkable yogurt $5.39 (note- in the store a pkg of 6 of these was $4.69!! I paid 5.39 for 24 of them)
half & half $2.35
Yeast $3.89
bs chicken tenders $13.59
Folgers coffee $6.99
Granola bars $7.59
5 dozen eggs $5.99

Total spent: $142.61 (coupon savings $17.00)

Walmart

Baking Powder x 2 - $1.96
Pizza rolls $2.98
Mozzarella sticks $5.78

Total: $10.72

Cost Cutter

2# Tillamook loaf $4.99
bnls rib eye $8.88
x lean ground beef $14.08
ranch dressing mix $2.29
V day clearance candy $1.63
sour cream 2.79
buttermilk $1.99
parm cheese $3.99
sweet/sour sauce $3.39
egg rolls $3.79
crab rangoon $3.79
tater tot $3.50
onions $1.31
ice cream $5.99
tomatoes $1.28

Total: $65.16
Ok. Note to self. DO NOT shop when hungry or with pre teen girls who want "snack foods" for dinner. It kills the grocery budget! I did get a great deal on the steak and ground beef though which I will divide, food saver and freeze.

Trader Joes
raw sugar $2.99
romaine hearts $1.99
Basil $2.49
Broccoli $1.99
shaved parm cheese $4.79 (duh forgot I picked it up at the grocery store last night)
hummus $3.99 (must learn to make this myself)
flat bread $1.99
Brie $3.83 (can't go to TJ's without buying it)

Total: $24.06

I must go to the bread store this week and get bread and bagels, will spend around $10.

Playing Catch Up

Well I got sick on Friday the 6th with the crud going around which has turned into a Sinus infection. Oh yeah. So I did not post last week spent all my "spare" time trying to rest and fight this off.

But am glad to say that thru being sick and having planned menu's ahead, I was able to stick to my menu! My mom came up to visit on the 13th and she bought Teryaki for dinner YUM. The kids still had burgers and fries (cooked at home). Then the boys went to hang out with the grandparents for the weekend. The girls and I got alot done including picking up our new to us computer! My friend Debbbie and her husband own a pawn shop. She sold me a computer for $150 so thankful for that as mine was on its very last leg. I got my income tax return on Friday and while 99% of it is going to bills, I did use some to stock up at Costco and get a few things we needed. Treated the girls to lunch at Bostons yesterday (kids eat 1/2 price on Sundays!). Today drove up and picked up the boys, visited with my dad and my sister in law for a while.

Now back home, with all the kids :). Tonight I am going to my small group for church. WHEW even for a 3 day weekend I have been on the go but feel like I have accomplished alot.

This weeks menu:

Breakfast choices:
eggs/toast/sausage
eggos
cold cereal

Lunch:
3 older kids will eat at school. I am focusing on salads and leftovers this week. YDS will eat his normal chicken and french fries.

Dinner:
Monday- Creamy Italian chicken, rice and veggies
Tuesday- Spaghetti, homemade french rolls, salad
Wednesday- Burrito casserole
Thursday- Tomato basil soup, grilled cheese sandwiches
Friday- My youngest daughters birthday we will go out to celebrate
Saturday- Pizza at church

Check out this Giveaway!

Looking for ways to save on feminine hygene products (yes we all hate them and we all hate buying them). Check out the giveaway at The Grocery Cart Challenge for the Diva Cup!

Shopping Trip week of 2/8-2/14

I did not need much this week but there were a few stock up items I couldn't pass up and I had the $ to purchase them.

I went to Albertsons on Friday to get the 2 whole chickens I needed for today because they had them on sale. Total for the 2 chickens - $9.43

Cost Cutter:

Stock up Items:
6 suave shampoo/conditioner = $5.94 - $4 coupons = $1.94 or .32 each!
5 Campbells clam chowder- $5
4 Ragu- $3.46 (.86 each)

For the week:
Hamburger buns $1.29
2 loaves bread $1.98
2.38# bananas $1.40
parsley $.99
Rosemary $2.99
2 yogurt $1.80
2 gallons milk $3.98
OJ $1.67 (for recipe later this week)
half & half $2.79
OJ $3.00 (for the sickies in our house today)
Not in picture is a dozen donuts I picked up for the family for breakfast $5.99

credit for bringing my own bags $.15

Total spent: $38.63

I did not go to the bread store as I though I would last week so that was $10 saved from last week.

My total spent this week between the two stores: $48.06

Check out what Gale and others have done this week at the Grocery Cart Challenge

Sunday Supper

I am making this meal twice today. This morning I made it for a family at church who very sadly lost their daughter almost 2 weeks ago. I will make the same dinner again tonight for our family.

Roasted Chicken with Rosemary
1/2 c butter
4T. minced fresh rosemary or 2 T. dried crushed rosemary
2 T. chopped fresh parsley
3 garlic cloves minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 roasting chicken (5-6#)
9 small red potatoes halved
6 med carrots halved lengthwise and cut into 2" pieces
2 medium onions quartered

1. In a small roasting pan melt butter and stir in seasonings. Place chicken on a rack in roasting pan.
2. Spoon half of butter mixture over chicken. Place potatoes, carrots and onion around chicken. Drizzle remaining butter mixture over vegetables.
3. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours basting every 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 30-60 minutes longer or until meat thermometer reads 180 and vegetables are tender baste occasionally.
4. Cover with foil and let stand 10-15 minutes before carving.

**CHANGES I MADE** I used small white potatoes (left whole) and baby carrots. I stuffed part of the onion and some fresh rosemary inside of the chicken as well.

I am sending this uncooked so the family can just put it in the oven and enjoy.

Rosemary Focaccia Bread

1/4 oz. pkg yeast
3/4 cup warm water
3 c flour
1 tsp salt
6 T. olive oil
3 sprigs fresh rosemary
1/2 c parmesan cheese
2/3 c mozzarella cheese

Mix yeast with 1/2 cup water and let set for 10 minutes. Combine flour, salt and yeast mixture with remaining water in bowl. Mix thoroughly. Allow to rise 1 1/2 hours or until double in bulk.

Roll out dough on pizza stone or in baking pan. Push finger tips into dough to make indents across dough. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with coarse salt, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese and rosemary.

Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.

**NOTE**
I had to add a little more water to get the dough to combine.

I am sending the bread already cooked.

YUMMM Waffles

Weekday mornings can be hectic so on the weekends I like to fix a nice breakfast to enjoy with the kids. One of our favorites is Waffles. This recipe came from Allrecipes.com

This recipe can be doubled or trippled to make extra waffles to put in the freezer to enjoy on weekday mornings as well!

INGREDIENTS
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
Preheat waffle iron. Beat eggs in large bowl with hand beater until fluffy. Beat in flour, milk, vegetable oil, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla, just until smooth.
Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mix onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown. Serve hot.

Garlic Lime Chicken

Check out Grocery Cart Challenge for more great recipe ideas!

This recipe comes from the Taste of Home Cookbook

1/2 c lime juice
1/4 c cider vinegar
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp dried oregano
1 T. dried coriander
2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
8 bone in chicken breast halves
1/4 c vegetable oil

In a large ziplock bag combine everything except chicken and oil and mix well. Add chicken, turn to coat and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Discard marinade. IN a skillet brown chicken in oil. Transfer to a baking pan and bake uncovered at 375 for 30-35 minutes.

** my "changes"**
I used boneless skinless chicken tenders and Pam cooking spray instead of the oil. I did brown the chicken and then put in the oven for about 20 minutes. You could even skip the step of browning the chicken and just put it straight in the oven.

Pantry Storage in a Small Space

I have had several people ask me where I store our "pantry" stock up items. For those of you that know me in real life, you know we live in an aparmtent. Now apartments are not known for having alot of storage space so it can be a challenge. In our apartment we have a hall closet with sliding doors. It had shelves in it when we moved in. I am assuming this would be a linen closet but well, we do not need a linen closet so that is my pantry. I also have a small chest freezer that sits between my kitchen and dining room area.

I try to keep the shelves of my pantry organized. I do have one small shelf system for holding can storage that I picked up at Costco but for me, it wasn't worth the $. I have 2 large drawers (individual drawers) on the floor that hold small or lose things such as packets of instant oatmeal, bags of dried beans etc. I also keep a box on the floor in the pantry that holds any cleaning items that I have extra of. I do not keep alot of food in my kitchen cupboards due to lack of space.

February Big Shopping Trip

I decided to try things different this month. Last month I did shopping week by week based on my menu. This month, I did one big grocery shop today (Feb 1st) based on my menu for the month. Then each week I will only fill in with whats needed (milk, fresh fruits/veggies etc). Each weeks spending should be VERY low. I made the trip to Winco today (hope they open one closer soon!) but it was well worth the trip. Not to mention I got to have lunch with my mom and my best friend today and then the 3 of us went shopping together!

Above is about 1/2 of the stuff on the table, the rest is in the bags on the floor. Yes, I bought ALOT. Most of what I bought was pantry stock up/filler. Having a full pantry gives me peace of mind incase things get really tight $ wise or the weather gets bad like it did over the winter.

To see my ispiration for this challenge and what others are doing check out the Grocery Cart Challenge

WINCO

3 salsbury steak $6.78
Chicken nuggets $3.78
2 veg oil $4.86
2 french fry $2.16
1 tater tot $1.98
3 turkey franks $2.85
3 sausage links $8.07
4 bacon $7.12
3 bags doritos $4.95
2 Dry onion soup mix $2.48 (-.75 coupon)
1 Olive oil $3.48
1 jar chopped garlic $1.88
1.49 # bulk pinto beans $1.07
2 lunch meat $4.56
3 cream cheese $2.94
1 ball mozarella cheese $2.78
1 pkg pork sirloin $4.40
2 butter $3.96
4 poptarts $7.12 (-$2 in coupons)
2 pasta $2.46
1 blue cheese dressing $2.48
1 ranch dressing $1.50
2 vanilla $2.96
1 bag tortilla chips $1.78
1 lg pkg flour tortillas $2.98
1 black pepper $1.30
2 boxes chicken in a biscuit crackers $3.30
4 cheesy rice a roni $3.68
2 best food mayo $6.96 (- 1.20 in coupons)
1 sour cream $1.78
.74# celery .65
4 koolaid .80 (to use for making playdough)
1 pkg italian dresing mix $1.14
4 evaporated milk $3.52
2 bags dutch potatoes (small fresh potatoes) $3.56
3 Jiff peanut butter $8.76
2 alfredo sauce $3.96
2 pizza sauce $2.54
6 chicken broth $2.40
1 3pk romaine hearts $1.98
1 sliced american cheese $1.78
2 cream corn $1.10
3 pea/carrot mix $2.64
3 heads garlic $1.44
3.99# jonagold apples $3.51
4 petite diced tomatoes $3.92
3 peas $1.95
2 stewed tomatoes $1.24
0.61 # fresh tomatoes $1.51
1 family pack burritos $2.48
2 # baby carrots $1.98
3 lg pkg spaghetti noodles $5.34
4 limes $1.52
10# potatoes $2.98
5 tomato sauce $2.00
11 tuna fish $8.58
10 refried beans $8.80
6 green beans $3.30
6 Nally Chili $5.88
4 ketchup $3.92
1 case top ramen $3.98
2 gallons milk $3.96
2 boxes capri sun juice pouches $3.94

I also checked out the bulk spice section. I was in need of dill, thyme, cinnamon, cumin, coriander and basil. I was able to get enough bulk spices to refill each of those bottles for $1.68 TOTAL. This was a huge savings over buying new bottles!

Grocery Total: $214.17!!

Cost Cutter:
They have a new meat deal 5 pkg for $19.95 (purchased seperately would be $27)
3 pkg ground beef
2 pkg boneless skinless chicken tenders
3.01# bananas $1.77
1 bag salad $1.00
2 shredded cheddar cheese $5.34
1 hamburger buns $1.29

Total: $29.35 - $10 in gift cert received last week = $19.35 OOP

I do need to make a trip to the bread outlet this week for bagles and bread that will be about $10.

Total spent (including bread store) $243.52. My goal for the month is $300. This leaves me $56.48 for the weekly "needs".

February Menu

Wow is it really February already? Where did January go? I made up my menu last week and then planned out my very large grocery shopping trip that I did today (will post that next). Below is the menu for the month.

Breakfast for the kids during the week is normally cold cereal (their choice), homemade muffins or bagles. On the weekends I will make a big breakfast with bacon or sausage, eggs and waffles or pancakes. The 3 older kids eat hot lunch at school. The 2 oldest are .40 per day, however, my oldest daughter has started volunteering in the school lunch room wiping tables and she gets free lunch for that (her idea and she loves it). My youngest daughter gets free lunch (program thru the primary school). My Youngest and I eat lunch at home.

Dinner Menu: (This is in order by days of the month)
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggies
Quesadillas
Spaghetti, homemade french bread and salad
Garlic lime chicken, rice, veggies
Mozzarella tuna melts and chicken soup
Salsbury steak, mashed potatoes and veggies
Pizza at church
Roasted chicken w/ rosemary and roasted veggies/potatoes
Tacos
Spaghetti, homemade french bread, salad
Carmelized pork slices, rice and veggies
Corn chowder and homemade biscuits
Hamburgers and french fries
Pizza at church
Creamy Italian Chicken
Kids choice
Spaghetti, homemade french bread and salad
Burrito casserole
Tomato basil soup and grilled cheese
Danielles birthday we will go out to dinner
Pizza at church
Mac & cheese & hotdogs (kids insisted this was on here somewhere)
Spaghetti, homemade french bread and salad
Tacos
Potato chowder and homemade biscuits
Chili and cornbread
Pizza at church

You may notice alot of "repeats" of the kids fav's. We eat dinner at church every Saturday between church services.