Score at Bloom, Giant Eagle, and Giant Food $33.25 OOP

I tried to cram in my rounds today and I think I did rather well I must say. The kids were supposed to get out for Spring Break today, but the school district decided to take away part of their break to make up for snow days. Suprisingly, I was a little bummed, although I am not sure why. Three more days with the kids at school is a bonus. Anyways, back to the shopping trips.
Here is a breakdown of the trips:

Bloom
4 Popcorn - Bogo
10 Lipton Tea Bags - .50 each after coupons and instant $3 off
4 Butter - $1 each after coupons and instant $3 off
2 Soda - free using tearpad coupon wyb 2 popcorn

Giant Food - using 4 Dollar Double Coupons from the ad
Ham 1.28 lb - $11
Asparagus
Strawberries
2 Oscar Mayer Bacon - Bogo
Eggs - free wyb 2 bacon
2 Arnold Bread - .50 each after dollar doubles
Trop40 - .50 after dollar doubles

Giant Eagle
6 Splenda .50 each after coupons and catalina (buy 3 get $5 OYNO)
2 Reeces PB Cups - Free after .55/1 coupons
12 Quaker Oatmeal - Free with Raincheck and coupons
2 GE Vinegar
3 Jello - .67 each - used tearpad 1.25/3
GE Milk 2.50



 

Menu Plan Monday 3/29 – 4/4

Can you believe April is almost here? It seems like it was only yesterday when we quietly rang in the 2010 New Year by going to sleep like a couple of old fogies. I think you know you are getting old when you "want" to go to bed instead of hanging out with friends. I think the phrase "you're maturing," is just the worlds way of being polite. Maybe its our way of making ourselves feel better, so we don't have to admit to ourselves the truth. Enough babbling from me for today. It is bedtime. :)

To see more great recipes check out orgjunkie.com.

Monday – Roast Chicken, Zucchini Squash and Potatoes (rub with olive oil, rosemary, thyme, sage, salt and pepper.

Tuesday – Slow Cooker Corned Beef Rueben Sandwiches (OMG! This was amazing! It's a keeper!!! I did it in the crock-pot for 4 hours, covered it in foil, refrigerated overnight, then sliced thin on a madilin slicer. HEAVEN!)

Wednesday – Spinach Lasagna (use precooked meat mix)

Thursday – Beef Stroganoff (use precooked meat mix, knoor pasta noodles); or Easy Beef Stroganoff

Friday – Venison Roast, Scalloped Potatoes

Saturday - Chicken Sausage Gumbo, Rice

Easter Sunday – Spiral Sliced Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Glazed Carrots, Rolls

Giant Eagle *Deal Alert* Splenda* Reynold's Wrap Foil* 3/25 - 3/31

Heads up on a few deals I found at Giant Eagle this week (3/25 - 3/31). 

Deals are based on DC ads, with stores doubling up to .99. Check your local store to verify their coupon policy.

Splenda 3 for $10 - includes granulated, with fiber and original packets

Use (3) .55/1 coupons from 01-03 RP insert or 02/28 SS

Cost after coupons; $6.70

Receive $5 OYNO catalina

Final Cost; $1.70, or .57 each

Canned Pineapple $1 each

Use (1) $1/3 coupon 03/21 SS or .50/2 coupon 03/21 SS

Final Cost; varies, .50 or .67 each


Land O Lakes Butter $2.50
Use .50/1 03/14 SS, or $1/1 03/14 SS
Final Cost; $1.50

Reynold's Wrap Foil $2.99

Use .75/1 03/21 SS

Final Cost; $1.49

Safeway - 3/24 - 3/30 *Deal Alert* Free Cake Mix*

Here are just a few highlights I wanted to note for this weeks ad.

There are 2 e-coupon's on Cellfire for .75/1 Betty Crocker Cake Mix (just add your club card number and the coupon amount will come off during checkout)

*Note: When I did this transaction, I encountered a few problems. The prices did not adjust, so I had to go to customer service for a refund. First I was told the cake mixes were not inluded in the mix and match promo, but after showing the clerk, she agreed to refund the difference. The signs for the cake mix and the other buy 4 mix and match products are identical.

Betty Crocker cake mix is on sale for .67 -must buy 4 or more of the mix and match products to get this price.
Scenario:
2 Cake Mixes @ .67 each
~ use (2) .75/1 e-coupon with clubcard
3 Hormel Chili @ .75 each
~ use Dinty Moore, Spam, Hormel Chili, Mary Kitchen Hash, Hormel Chunk Meats or Hormel Bacon Bits and Pieces, Any - 03-07-10 SS $1.50/3
Final Cost; .75 or .19 each

Fresh Express Salads $1

Zucchini $1lb

Giant Eagle - Super Fresh - Quaker, Aunt Jemima and Sundown Vitamins

Giant Eagle (Deal ends tonight)

If you are in need of some Vitamins, this is a good deal. Print 2 coupons here for $3/2 Sundown Vitamins.

Today is the last day of the sale, so make sure to pick them up today. I have seen some vitamins for about $3, so they would be almost free if you use the $3/2 coupon.

Super Fresh (deal is good through Thursday)
Has a deal on Quaker oatmeal, Aunt Jemima Syrup, and other items for $1.11 each when you purchase 7 items. This is a great deal when mixed with coupons.

Scenario:
Buy 3 Quaker Instant Oatmeal
~ use 3 Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Any box - 02-07-10 RP $1/1
Buy 2 Quaker Instant Oatmeal True Delights
~ use 2 Quaker True Delights Instant Oatmeal, any - 02-14-10 RP $1/1 or .75/1
Buy 2 Aunt Jemima Syrups
~use 1 Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix Or Syrup, Any 24 Oz. + - 01-03-10 RP $1/2


Final Price; $1.77 or .25 each!!

Bacon Potato Lentil Corn Chowder

I came up with this recipe one night when I had a few slices of bacon, half a red bell pepper, some carrots and potatoes that were going bad. So, I dove in and figured "why not? What do I have to loose?". I have made this twice now and it is a definite keeper. The kids and the husband loved this soup or chowder, whichever you wish to call it. It is basically a cross between bacon potato soup and corn chowder with lentils as an added protein bonus. If your kids do not like beans, they will not even notice the lentils. I used to be a bean hater myself, but I find myself loving them more and more. Lentils, if not overcooked, are a good starter bean for you non bean eaters. :)

4 -5  Slices of Bacon

1 Onion, diced

1/2 Red Bell Pepper, diced

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

2 Carrots, halved and sliced

5 Medium Potatoes, unpeeled and cubed

4 Cups Chicken Stock*

1 tsp salt

1/8 - 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

1/8 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1/4 tsp thyme

1 bay leaf

1/2 Cup Lentils, rinsed

3 Cups Milk

8 - 10 oz Frozen Corn 

In a large soup pot, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside. Remove all but 2 Tablespoons of bacon grease. Add in onions; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and sweat for 10 minutes on medium to medium high heat.  Add in red bell pepper and cook 5 minutes more; add garlic and cook 1 minute longer.  Stir in broth, potatoes, carrots, lentils, thyme, bay leaf,  pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a low simmer and allow to cook gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the milk and frozen corn during the last 5 minutes. Serve with bacon and a little fresh Parmesan cheese grated on top. Delish!

To Make Ahead

Soup can be made ahead. Just cook for 20 minutes; allow to cool and store. When you reheat it should be just right. :) I have not tried to freeze this yet. 

Tips

*Chicken Stock - Boil chicken bones or pieces, scraps from onions, carrots, celery in a large stock pot with enough water to cover the chicken. Store vegetable scraps (tops of celery, dark onion layers, ends of carrots) in a plastic storage bag in the freezer, so when you are ready to make stock all you have to do is dump the bag into the pot with the chicken. You will get really great, rich stock from using the outside of the onions.

This recipe is linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday @ Blessed With Grace

Menu Plan Monday 3/22 - 3/28 ~ Welcoming Spring

Spring has arrived and brought with it beautiful weather in my neck of the woods. This weekend was absolutely georgeous. Our neighborhood is swarming with kids and families playing outside, going for walks, bikerides and of coarse more runners. I am so happy to be able to start running outside versus in my stuffy bedroom on the treadmill. The sunshine has been in dyre need; I think I was starting to blind people with my paleness. This weekend we had a picknic at the park sprawled out on a large blanket. It was divine. Sometimes I wonder if maybe a harsh winter could be a good thing; it makes you appreciate warmer days so much more.  Read on to see this weeks menu plan at our home. As usual we may deviate from this, but I will attempt to stay on track. The meals I choose to make are based on ingredients we have on hand or can pick up cheaply. Our freezer is still busting at the seams, so I am still eating from the pantry/fridge as much as possible. For more great menu ideas, check out orgjunkie.com.

Monday ~ Crock-Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches (Pork roast, bbq sauce, garlic, onions, salt, pepper, liquid smoke, pinch red pepper flakes. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve on hamburger buns with bbq sauce), Asian Cabbage Peanut Salad (shredded cabbage, asian dressing, salt, pepper, and peanuts)

Tuesday ~ Potato Bacon Lentil Chowder

Wednesday ~ Crock-Pot Corned beef Reuben Sandwiches on Rye Bread, German Potato Salad

Thursday ~ Grilled Chicken Alfredo Pasta (omit peas, add roasted red bell pepper) and salad

Friday ~ Chicken Noodle Soup

Saturday ~ Asparagus Soup  

Sunday ~ Pesto Pasta with spring veggies, salad

Menu Plan Monday 3/08 - 3/14 ~ Better Late Than Never

I found this graphic on what I think is a German or Dutch blog? Neither of which I can understand, but I can understand the graphic and sadly, I can relate. I am sure if you have double x chromosomes you can relate too. My husband has been away all week, so I have been trying to keep everything in check on the home front. Of coarse, my pre-teen daughter has been giving me even more attitude since Daddy is gone, so that has me taking lots of deep breaths. As for a meal plan, I scribbled one down on Monday, but the notes never quite made it to my blog. So, as they say, "Better late than never," right? Here goes....

Monday

 Miso Soup and Egg Drop Soup

Tuesday

 Grilled Cheese, leftover Miso Soup, and leftover Egg Drop soup

Wednesday

Black Beans, Cilantro Rice, homemade corn tortillas, sour cream and cheese

Thursday

 Potato Bacon Soup (threw this together with odds and ends)

Friday

 Frozen Pizza

Saturday

 Baked Penne

Sunday

leftovers

Giant Eagle: A Few Deals 3/11 – 3/17 * Free Frosting

My store doubles up to .99; so a $.75 coupon is worth $1.50

 

Betty Crocker Frosting $1

~ use .50/1 printable from here and here

~ use .50/1; 02-07 SS

Final Cost; FREE

 

Gatorade $1

~use .50/1 or $1/2 Gatorade G2, Any - 01-10-10 RP

Final Cost; FREE - .50

Trident Gum $1

~ use $.75/1 Trident layers gum any single pack - 02-07-10 SS

Final Cost; FREE

Giant Eagle Butter $1.68

Corned Beef $2.99lb

Cabbage .33 lb

 

Kelloggs Pop-tarts, Special K Bars, FiberPlus Bars, Nutri-Grain Bars $2.50

Get $2 OFF instantly WYB Four

~ use $1/3 Kellogg's Pop-Tarts, 8 ct Only, Any Flavor, Mix or Match - 02-07-10 RP

~ use $1/2 Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars, 8 ct +, Any Flavor, Mix or Match - 02-07-10 RP

~ use $.75/1 Kellogg's Fiber Plus Chewy Bars, any 5 ct. or larger package - 01-31-10 RP

~ use $.75/1 Kellogg's Fiber Plus Antioxidants Chewy Bars - 01-30-10 RP

~ use $.75/1 Kellogg's Special K Fruit Crisps, Any Flavor 10 Ct. Or Larger - 02-21-10 RP

~ use $.75/1 Kellogg's Special K Fruit Crisps, 10ct +, Any Flavor - 02-28-10 RP

 

Scenario

Buy 4 Fiber Plus Bars @ $2.50

~use 4 * $.75/1 coupons

Get $2 off instantly

Final Cost; $2; or .50 per box

 

Scenario

Buy 2 Fiber Plus Bars @ 2.50

Buy 2 Special K fruit crisps (if included) @ $2.50

Use 1 * 1/2 Special K and 2 * .75/1 fiber plus

Get $2 off instantly

Final Cost; $4; or $1 per box

 

 

 

 

 

Easy and Elegant; Baked Penne with Bechamel Sauce

1 box pasta (penne, ziti)

1 jar spagetti sauce (or 2 cups premade sauce)
1 lb ground beef, browned (or use frozen master meat mix)
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped

Bechamel Sauce
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour

2 Cups Milk

1 tsp garlic powder or prepared garlic
1 1/2 - 2 cups italian blend cheese
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Brown ground beef with onions and garlic. In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta 1 minute less than directed on package; drain pasta. Mix drained pasta with ground beef mixture, and jar of spagetti sauce. Spread evenly into a greased 9*13 casserolle dish.

In a medium pot, melt butter; Add flour and whisk for 3-4 minutes on low to medium heat. Add milk, garlic, salt and pepper. Simmer on medium until mixture thickens up (about 10 minutes). Add 1 cup of cheese. Pour sauce over the top of the pasta. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 - 1 cups cheese. Broil 3-5 minutes; or until golden and bubbly.

Pistachio Struesal Cake using Yellow Cake Mix

I was in the mood for something sweet - what's new, right? - and I stumbled accross this recipe on RecipeZaar for Pistacio Nut Bundt Cake. It has a slight green tint to it, so it is perfect for St Patricks Day or Christmas events. The final result was delicious as well as nice to look at. It was very simple. Your friends will think you slaved in the kitchen for hours :)

Pistacio Struesal Cake (Using Yellow Cake Mix)

1 pkg yellow cake mix

2 pkg pistacio pudding mix

1 Cup Sour Cream

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil, canola oil or smart balance oil

4 eggs

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350*. Spray tube pan or bundt pan with cooking spray (I prefer Baker's Joy).

In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding, sour cream, eggs, oil, and water until combined.

In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon.

Place about 3/4 of the cake batter into the pan.

Sprinkle brown sugar mix evenly over the batter.

Dollop remaining 1/4 of batter on top of brown sugar mixture.

Using a butter knife, lightly cut through the batter in a side to side motion (this is swirling the brown sugar) - dont over do it.

Tap pan on the counter a few times to get the batter to even out.

Bake for 1 hour.

Cool for 10 minutes; invert onto cake platter or serving dish.

Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

(printable version below)