Since I got a good response to including my recipes with our meal plan for last week, I decided to try it again this week. I actually made a Google calendar for the next 3 weeks. It was much easier than I would have thought. I must have been creative today! I posted a link on the left. I will continue to post the recipes for the week on Mondays, except for the obvious things like Spaghetti or Tacos. Please click on the poll at the left and let us know how you do your menu plan.
Monday- Soft Tacos, Mexican Rice, Re-fried Beans
Tuesday- Spaghetti Pie, Salad, Garlic Bread
Spaghetti Pie
6 oz. spaghetti
2 tbsp butter
1/3 c. parmesan
1 egg
1 pd. ground beef
1 can or jar of spaghetti sauce
1 c. cottage or ricotta cheese
1/2 c shredded mozzarella
Directions: Brown the ground beef, drain, and add spaghetti sauce. While the ground beef is browning, cook the spaghetti according to package directions and drain. Add butter, parmesan, and egg to the hot spaghetti. Place the spaghetti mixtur in the bottow of a greased pie plate. Spread the ricotta over the spaghetti. SPread the meat saude over the ricotta. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Spread the mozzarella over the pie and bake until melted. Let stand 5 minutes, cut into wedges, and serve.
Wednesday- Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken, Rice, Green Beans, Rolls
This is a family favorite. I could make this once a week and even the kids wouldn't complain.
Lemon Garlic Chicken
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp season salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 chicken boneless skinless chicken breast
1/4 c water
3 Tbsp lemon juice
2 garlic cloves minced
1 tsp chicken bouillon
Combine oregano, salt, pepper and rub into chicken. Place water, lemon, garlic and bouillon in crockpot. Place chicken on top and cook 4-5 hours on high.
Thursday- Homemade Pizza, Salad
I think this week I may try BBQ chicken pizza with colby jack cheese. Instead of pizza sauce I will use BBQ sauce.
Friday- Leftovers
I know I had that rant about how we don't eat leftovers, blah, blah, blah, but this past Friday night we had a smorgasboard of leftovers and it was kind of fun. Like a mini buffet. Plus it got my refrigerator cleaned out. Too reduce waste, I think we will start doing this once a week. Hubby gets home so late on Friday and Saturday nights that it's hard to plan dinner.
Saturday- Sesame Chicken with Broccoli
Use your free dressing, thanks to ALL YOU, to make this dish. It is SOOO good and easy!
Speedy Chicken Stir-Fry
8 oz. angel hair pasta (capellini), uncooked
2 cups small broccoli florets
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup KRAFT Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 tsp. each: ground ginger, garlic powder, crushed red pepper
1/3 cup chopped PLANTERS Dry Roasted Peanuts
COOK pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 3 min. of the pasta cooking time.
MEANWHILE, spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 6 to 8 min. or until cooked through, stirring occasionally. Stir in dressing, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and crushed red pepper; cook 1 min., stirring occasionally.
DRAIN pasta mixture; place in large bowl. Add chicken mixture; mix lightly. Spoon evenly into four serving bowls; sprinkle with the peanuts.
Sunday- Grilled Pork Steaks, Twice Baked Potatoes, Roasted Veggies, Rolls
Feel free to copy and paste any recipes your family might enjoy. If you put anything on your own blog, please post a link back to mine. Thanks and enjoy!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
CVS Deals 8/17-8/23
Here is how I will do the deals this week. Normally I probably wouldn't buy much of this stuff but I do need most of it. We have no back up body wash and I am out of mascara, bleach, and Wet Jet pads. I have to take baby wipes, clorox wipes, and bandaids for "school supplies" next week so I am taking advantage of my CVS gift card that I got for a transferred prescription. I am starting with $0 ecb this week.
Transaction 1
Schick Quatro 7.99
Playskool Baby Wipes 2.50
- 2/10 CVS q
- 4 Schick
- 1 Playskool
Total oop 3.50
get 5 eb
Transaction 2
Bandaid/ Neosporin deal 10.00
I don't know prices on the things I need so hopefully I won't have to spend much more than $10.
- 2/10
- 1 Neosporin
- 5 ecb
total oop 2.00
get 5 ecb
Transaction 3
Revlon mascara 7.99
Maybelline mascara 4.99
- 2/10
- 1 Revlon
- 1 Maybelline
- 5 ecb
total oop 4.00
get 5, 2 ecb
Transaction 4
Maybelline 4.99
Bleach 1.50
Suave 3/$5
- 2/10
- 1 Maybelline
- 2 Suave
- 5 ecb
total oop 1.50
get 2 ecb
Transaction 5
Wet Jet Pads $?
Clorox wipes $? (I think these are in a 2 pack with ecb on the label.)
- 2/10
- 2 ecb
- 2 ecb
total oop ? (I will update tomorrow.)
Before my final transaction I will spend 11.00 oop and get back 19 ecb plus get the stuff I need! I so heart CVS!
*If you want coupon matchups check out www.afullcup.com 's coupon database. They have an AWESOME search engine for any and all coupons. You just type in the item you are looking for a coupon for and it will tell you when and where to find it. It is free to join and they have great forums as well.
Transaction 1
Schick Quatro 7.99
Playskool Baby Wipes 2.50
- 2/10 CVS q
- 4 Schick
- 1 Playskool
Total oop 3.50
get 5 eb
Transaction 2
Bandaid/ Neosporin deal 10.00
I don't know prices on the things I need so hopefully I won't have to spend much more than $10.
- 2/10
- 1 Neosporin
- 5 ecb
total oop 2.00
get 5 ecb
Transaction 3
Revlon mascara 7.99
Maybelline mascara 4.99
- 2/10
- 1 Revlon
- 1 Maybelline
- 5 ecb
total oop 4.00
get 5, 2 ecb
Transaction 4
Maybelline 4.99
Bleach 1.50
Suave 3/$5
- 2/10
- 1 Maybelline
- 2 Suave
- 5 ecb
total oop 1.50
get 2 ecb
Transaction 5
Wet Jet Pads $?
Clorox wipes $? (I think these are in a 2 pack with ecb on the label.)
- 2/10
- 2 ecb
- 2 ecb
total oop ? (I will update tomorrow.)
Before my final transaction I will spend 11.00 oop and get back 19 ecb plus get the stuff I need! I so heart CVS!
*If you want coupon matchups check out www.afullcup.com 's coupon database. They have an AWESOME search engine for any and all coupons. You just type in the item you are looking for a coupon for and it will tell you when and where to find it. It is free to join and they have great forums as well.
Farmers Market
Peyton and I hit our local farmers market yesterday. I have to say I enjoy the idea of walking around and buying home grown fruits and veggies but people are definitely proud of their work. And, no, nothing was organic. I got to thinking as I was wondering around in the warm, breezy morning, aren't the fruits and veggies at the grocery store home grown SOMEWHERE? There aren't any cucumber molds that I don't know about is there? I did pick up a few things; blueberries, squash, zucchini, fresh corn, and cucumbers. I spent around $15 and I can chop up the squash and zucchini for side dishes. However, I think I will plant my own garden next spring and enjoy the morning in my PJ's.
* OMG! We had some of the fresh corn tonight with our BBQ sandwiches and baked beans. It was the most amazing corn I have ever eaten. It was so sweet and crisp. My step-dad joined us for dinner and he asked me what I put on the corn to make it so sweet. Uh, just butter, salt and pepper. Peyton ate an entire gigantic ear! I paid about .62 an ear but it is SOOO worth it! I can't wait to try the squash and zucchini!
* OMG! We had some of the fresh corn tonight with our BBQ sandwiches and baked beans. It was the most amazing corn I have ever eaten. It was so sweet and crisp. My step-dad joined us for dinner and he asked me what I put on the corn to make it so sweet. Uh, just butter, salt and pepper. Peyton ate an entire gigantic ear! I paid about .62 an ear but it is SOOO worth it! I can't wait to try the squash and zucchini!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Free Chick-Fil-A- September 1st
I L-O-V-E Chick-Fil-A. Unfortunately, it is really expensive fast food, and hubby doesn't like it. (I think he may be a communist because he doesn't like cobbler either.) With our food budget being sliced almost in half, there is no going out this month. FREE Chick-Fil-a! Bonus: You don't have to dress like a cow!
Free three-count order of Chick-n-Strips while supplies last, eligible participants should visit participating Chick-fil-A locations from 10:30 AM until close on Sept. 1, 2008 wearing at least one visible article of clothing that contains any football team logo or collegiate logo and mention this Promotion.
ELIGIBILITY: Offer available only to legal U.S. residents of AL, AR AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NM, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, and WY. Limit one per person.
Go Sooners!
(From Chick-Fil-A's website)
Friday, August 15, 2008
Freebie Friday
If you haven't bought the ALL YOU magazine yet, go and buy it! Most stores have their KoolAid packets for around .10 each. In the All You magazine there are coupons for FREE Wheat Thins, dressing, hot dogs, crystal light, and kraft singles, when you buy 3 kraft products. KoolAid is made by Kraft so you can get all that stuff for 1.50, plus the price of the magazine (1.77 here)! WooHoo! My kids don't drink KoolAid but I read on another post that you can use the lemonade flavor to disinfect your dishwasher. I guess that isn't technically FREE but it's pretty close. The magazine is loaded with other great coupons as well, and some great recipes.
Free Purina One dog (or cat, I think) food. Since we got our puppy on Mother's Day I have bought 1 bag of dog food. Everything else I have gotten for free by signing up for coupons! Call this number Call 1-866-894-BARK (2275). It takes about 2-3 minutes...FULLY automated
Do a survey for $74 in P&G coupons. http://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/en_US/jsp/EDS_Page.jsp?pageID=UMLP&brand=eds_brandsampler
This is pretty painless but takes a few minutes.
FREE IAMS Dog or Cat Food coupon http://www.startsampling.com/sm/100323/captureAddress.iphtml?item=100323&source=
If you do any coupon trading this would be a good one to have if you don't have pets.
With our drastically reduced grocery budget this month, these coupons will help out
a lot!
I'm not sure why but blogger is not letting me post links to any other sites unless I put it on the right side of the page. Until I figure this out, you can cut and paste the link to your toolbar. If anyone knows how to fix this problem please let me know! I am not very techie!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Use it up!
In my quest to reduce our grocery budget, I have realized how much I waste. Since I have started making a weekly meal plan we never eat leftovers. Seriously, never. Nope, not even for lunch. I wish we did. I grew up in a house where we lived on leftovers. I learned to cook big. I have been trying to scale back or at least incorporate leftovers into another meal during the week.
Yesterday I bought a 5-lb. bag of potatoes. I don't think I have ever finished using a bag of potatoes, except at Thanksgiving or Christmas. I read a post on another blog (I'm sorry I don't remember which one!) about freezing twice baked potatoes. I love twice baked potatoes, but they are kind of a pain to make. Well, yesterday I took the bigger potatoes out of the bag and made once baked potatoes. And then I froze them, individually. They will be twice baked once they are baked again. Hubby asked me how to warm them up. I suddenly realized I don't know how to warm them up. I guess I will thaw them in the microwave and them bake them like normal. If any of you freeze twice bakes please tell me the best way to warm them.
EDITED TO ADD: I researched and you can do all the steps except baking a second time if you want to freeze them. When you want to thaw them you just put them in the microwave for 10 min. and then a 350 oven for 15-20 min. Don't forget the cheese on top! Here's the recipe I use from allrecipes.com.
ULTIMATE TWICE BAKED POTATOES
INGREDIENTS
* 4 large baking potatoes
* 8 slices bacon
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1/2 cup milk
* 4 tablespoons butter
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
* 8 green onions, sliced, divided
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
4. When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; save skins. To the potato flesh add sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.
5. Bake for another 15 minutes.
Yesterday I bought a 5-lb. bag of potatoes. I don't think I have ever finished using a bag of potatoes, except at Thanksgiving or Christmas. I read a post on another blog (I'm sorry I don't remember which one!) about freezing twice baked potatoes. I love twice baked potatoes, but they are kind of a pain to make. Well, yesterday I took the bigger potatoes out of the bag and made once baked potatoes. And then I froze them, individually. They will be twice baked once they are baked again. Hubby asked me how to warm them up. I suddenly realized I don't know how to warm them up. I guess I will thaw them in the microwave and them bake them like normal. If any of you freeze twice bakes please tell me the best way to warm them.
EDITED TO ADD: I researched and you can do all the steps except baking a second time if you want to freeze them. When you want to thaw them you just put them in the microwave for 10 min. and then a 350 oven for 15-20 min. Don't forget the cheese on top! Here's the recipe I use from allrecipes.com.
ULTIMATE TWICE BAKED POTATOES
INGREDIENTS
* 4 large baking potatoes
* 8 slices bacon
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1/2 cup milk
* 4 tablespoons butter
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
* 8 green onions, sliced, divided
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1 hour.
3. Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
4. When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl; save skins. To the potato flesh add sour cream, milk, butter, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 the green onions. Mix with a hand mixer until well blended and creamy. Spoon the mixture into the potato skins. Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon.
5. Bake for another 15 minutes.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Menu Plan Monday
I am only including dinners this week for Menu Plan Monday. Our breakfasts and lunches are usually grab and go and don't change much from week to week, so I will spare you the boring details. I will, however, include recipes, for the non- obvious items, like Spaghetti. Feel free to copy and paste any you like to your own word document.
Monday- Chicken and Broccoli Casserole, Salad, Garlic Bread
Recipe:
Broccoli and Chicken Casserole
4 oz. dried med. egg noodles
2 c. chopped cooked chicken
1 10 oz package chopped broccoli, thawed
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. Swiss cheese, shredded
1 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp. pepper
Paprika
1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain well.
2. In a 2-qt. casserole stir together noodles, chicken, and broccoli.
3. In a medium mixing bowl stir together soup, milk, cheese, basil, and pepper. Stir into noodle mixture.
4. Bake, covered, in a 350 oven for 40-45 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with paprika.
This recipe also freezes well, so make a double batch!
Tuesday- Crockpot Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls
Recipe:
Crockpot Chicken
3-4 frozen chicken breasts
Paprika
No salt chicken seasoning, like Mrs. Dash
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 can Campbell's Turkey gravy, or the like
Sprikle seasonings over chicken breasts. Add soy sauce and gravy.
Cook in crockpot for 4 hours on high, or 7-8 hours on low.
Wednesday- Chicken Enchiladas, mexican rice, black beans
Recipe: (from Lisa, gypsygirl, on Here Comes The Stork)
Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
4 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into pieces
16oz sour cream
16oz shredded cheese, divided in half
1 can cream of chicken soup
10" flour tortillas
Warm soup and sour cream on stove. Keep a little bit aside to top enchiladas before baking. Add chicken to mixture, add 1/2 cheese to mix. Spoon into flour tortillas and roll up into enchiladas, place in baking dish. Cover with rest of sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.
Thursday- Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread
Friday- Sandwiches (hubby works late)
Saturday- BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob
Recipe:
BBQ Pork Sandwiches
4 lb. Pork Roast, or tenderloin
1 can Beef broth
1 small bottle of BBQ sauce. I use Sweet Baby Ray's.
Put roast in crockpot and cover with beef broth. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Reove roast and trasfer to a 11x13 casserole dish. With two forks, shred the meat. Cover with BBQ sauce and cook for 30 minutes in a 350 oven. Serve on hamburger buns.
Sunday- grilled burgers, leftover baked beans, and salad
Monday- Chicken and Broccoli Casserole, Salad, Garlic Bread
Recipe:
Broccoli and Chicken Casserole
4 oz. dried med. egg noodles
2 c. chopped cooked chicken
1 10 oz package chopped broccoli, thawed
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. Swiss cheese, shredded
1 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp. pepper
Paprika
1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain well.
2. In a 2-qt. casserole stir together noodles, chicken, and broccoli.
3. In a medium mixing bowl stir together soup, milk, cheese, basil, and pepper. Stir into noodle mixture.
4. Bake, covered, in a 350 oven for 40-45 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with paprika.
This recipe also freezes well, so make a double batch!
Tuesday- Crockpot Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Rolls
Recipe:
Crockpot Chicken
3-4 frozen chicken breasts
Paprika
No salt chicken seasoning, like Mrs. Dash
1 tsp. soy sauce
1 can Campbell's Turkey gravy, or the like
Sprikle seasonings over chicken breasts. Add soy sauce and gravy.
Cook in crockpot for 4 hours on high, or 7-8 hours on low.
Wednesday- Chicken Enchiladas, mexican rice, black beans
Recipe: (from Lisa, gypsygirl, on Here Comes The Stork)
Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
4 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into pieces
16oz sour cream
16oz shredded cheese, divided in half
1 can cream of chicken soup
10" flour tortillas
Warm soup and sour cream on stove. Keep a little bit aside to top enchiladas before baking. Add chicken to mixture, add 1/2 cheese to mix. Spoon into flour tortillas and roll up into enchiladas, place in baking dish. Cover with rest of sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.
Thursday- Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread
Friday- Sandwiches (hubby works late)
Saturday- BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob
Recipe:
BBQ Pork Sandwiches
4 lb. Pork Roast, or tenderloin
1 can Beef broth
1 small bottle of BBQ sauce. I use Sweet Baby Ray's.
Put roast in crockpot and cover with beef broth. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Reove roast and trasfer to a 11x13 casserole dish. With two forks, shred the meat. Cover with BBQ sauce and cook for 30 minutes in a 350 oven. Serve on hamburger buns.
Sunday- grilled burgers, leftover baked beans, and salad
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