Thursday, January 31, 2008

Welcome 1-30-08 through 2-5-08

Welcome!! I know there are some new folks checking us out so make sure you go back and look at previous weeks to get an idea if what I am sharing on this blog. I am basically condensing the sales and deals I find each week, matching coupons from recent weeks' inserts and coordinating meals out of the sales and deals. This blog is meant to help you make sense of what is on sale, how to match your coupons and make meals for you family in hopes of getting your grocery bill down and loosening up your money. I have been doing this for myself so about 10 years and have been tracking my "numbers" for 9.5 years and know that couponing does pay for the work you put into it. My grocery budget for a family of five is 150.00 a month and I am usually under that. I do eat meat and name brands almost 100% of the time. I hardly ever step foot in Walmart and as you will see I love Harris Teeter.

I hope everyone is having a good week. I am struggling this week with sick kids and what comes with sick kids: mommy sleep deprivation, irritable kids and cabin fever. Those oreos that were such a good deal 2 weeks ago are not such a great deal when they are projectile puked almost in your face at midnight on a school night. I have to laugh because they did not get me but almost got me. Anyways, I did get to do a walk through at my favorite Harris Teeter to find the unadvertised deals. I did not get to walk through Lowes or Food Lion so I know I am missing some deals. If you find them, email me and I will update accordingly. Hopefully over the weekend I can get out and shop and spot them but in the meantime-- if you see a deal let me know and I will pass it along.

update 2-3-08: I got the crud, have a fever and am near collaspe exhaustion and am not doing Lowes this week.

Keep in mind that if you have not sent in your rebates, some are expiring this and need to be postmarked by certain dates. Don't miss out on getting money back. I have before and it was because my desk was so cluttered and disorganized and I was so mad at myself. Anyways, make copies and send them out.

If you have any questions, email me justgenna@triad.rr.com
Genna

Meals 1-30-08 through 2-5-08

I apologize in advance for this week's menu ideas. I am having a sleep deprived, sick kids, many doctor trips kind of week. I am putting out my comfort food recipes. They do match the sales and coupons but they are not glamorous (like anything I put on here is) and they are EASY, FAST, and CHEAP. I also am making a ham in the crock pot and plan to get some rotisserie chickens with my coupon/rebate deal that I put on here last week.

Meatball Subs
Brushetta 'n Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Taco Bake
Taco Casserole
Baked Turkey, Cheddar and Bacon Sandwich
Banana Bread French Toast
Mini Oreo Cupcakes


Meatball Subs:
1.5 to 2 lbs ground turkey or beef
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (I like Italian)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 jar spaghetti sauce
french bread or sub rolls
mozzarella cheese
Get out your crock pot. Spread a thin layer of the spaghetti sauce on the bottom on crock pot. In a separate bowl, mix together the meat, breadcrumbs and eggs. Mix well. I use a soup spoon and scoop out enough meat to make 2 inch balls. I roll the meat into a tight ball- make sure you roll them long enough so that they will stay together when they are cooking. Place them into the crock pot. Once you have the first layer, I spread a thin layer of the sauce over them so that they will not stick to the second layer of meatballs I am going to put in. Repeat. Once you have the last layer of the meatballs in the crock pot, pour the remaining sauce over the meatballs. Cover and cook on low setting for 5-6 hours. I then slice open my french bread, put several meatballs and sauce and sprinkle some mozzarella on top and broil until the cheese is melted. (Sometimes I cut the meatballs in half when I am low on WW points). I rarely serve anything with these because they are FILLING! Warning: if you use ground beef instead of ground turkey, there will be alot of grease so I have to use a soup ladel and drain out the grease before I stir it in the crock pot for the first time. I do not have this problem with the turkey.

Brushetta 'n Cheese Stuffed Chicken:
1 can (14.4) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (I use dry unless it is cheap)
1 pkg (6 oz) stuffing mix for chicken
8 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/3 cup Roasted Red Pepper Italian dressing (I use flat Italian!)
Preheat to 350. To prepare stuffing, combine tomatoes and their liquid, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, basil and dry stuffing mix, stirring until just moistened. Put 2 chicken breast halves in a large freezer weight ziploc bag. Pound the chicken with the side of a heavy can, rolling pin or meat mallet until chicken is 1/4-inch thick. Repeat process in the same bag with remaining chicken, 2 at a time. Place pounded chicken breast, smooth side down, on a cutting board. Spread with 1/8 of the stuffing mixture. Roll the chicken breast, starting at the narrow end, as tightly as possible around stuffing moxture. Place in 13 x 9 inch baking dish with seam sides down, as this allows the chicken to hold together nicely. (I have had to use toothpicks in cris cross patterns before when my chicken breasts were smaller). Pour dressing evenly over chicken and bake for 40 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup of cheese and bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and chicken is cooked through (170). This is great with salad and green beans.

Taco Bake:
1 lb ground beef (I like turkey)
1 pkg Soft Taco Dinner
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Preheat to 350. Cook meat with taco seasoning mix following package directions. Spray 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Line dish with 3 of the tortillas (they will slightly overlap and it is ok); sprinkle with 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese. Spoon half of the seasoned meat over cheese; repeat all layers. Top with remaining 4 tortills, taco sauce and shredded cheese. I serve with corn and the taquitos that were on sale this past week at Lowes.

Taco Casserole:
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup (8 oz botle) Thick taco sauce
3/4 cup water
1 can (4oz) diced green chiles
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 pkg (12) white or yellow taco shells, broken, divided
2 cups (8 oz) shredded mild cheddar cheese, divided
Garnish options: chopped tomatoes, sliced green onions, sour cream
Preheat to 375. Grease 11 x 7-inch baking dish. Cook beef and onion until beef is browned, drain. Stir in taco sauce, water, chiles and seasoning mix. Cook over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Layer half of broken shells on bottom of prepared baking dish. Cover with half of meat mixture; sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted. I plan to serve with salad.

Baked Turkey, Cheddar and Bacon Sandwich:
2 cups Bisquick mix
1 cup milk
1 egg
4 oz thinly sliced turkey breast
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (6 oz)
5 slices cooked bacon
Preheat to 400. Spray square baking dish, 8 x 8-inch with cooking spray. Stir Bisquick mix, milk and egg until blended. Spread half of the batter in baking dish. Top with turkey, 1 cup of the cheese and the bacon. Spread the remaining batter over bacon. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until golden brown and center is set. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake about 3 minutes or unitl cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. This is great with any soup you have.

Banana Bread French Toast:
1 1/3 cup mashed bananas (@ 2 lg)
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup milk
3 tbsp veg oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
2 2/3 cups Bisquick
optional: 1/2 cup nuts or choc chips
Preheat to 350. Grease a 9 x 5-inch bread pan. Stir bananas, sugar, milk, oil, vanilla and eggs together. stir in Bisquick and optional nuts. Pour into pan. Bake 50-60 minutes.
I let my bread get alittle dried out before making this recipe. You can make in the beginning of the week and let sit out for a day and then make into french toast. I cut about 1 inch slices and quick dip (soak too long and it will be a mush mess- I literally mean a quick dip to make sure it is absorbed and then out!) in an egg/touch of milk batter and then fry in a nonstick pan until golden. Add a little syrup and it is great. I have also wanted to add chocolate chips to the banana bread batter and then cook it and then make french toast out of that but was worried I might be on sugar overload with that. If anyone tries that email me and let me know if it is good. :)

Mini Oreo Surprise Cupcakes:
1 pkg (2 layer size) chocolate cake mix
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 egg
2 tbsp sugar
48 mini oreo bite size cookies
1 1/2 cups thawed cool whip
Preheat to 350. Prepare cake batter in large mixing bowl as directed on package; set aside. Whisk cream cheese, egg and sugar in small mixing bowl until well blended. Scoop cake batter, using 1/4 cup dry measuring cup, into each of 24 paper or foil-lined medium muffin cups, filing each cup about half full. Spoon 1/2 tbsp of cream cheese mixture ove batter in each muffin cup. Top with 1 cookie. Cover evenly with remaining cake batter. Bake 19 to 22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Top cupcakes with whipped topping and remaining cookies just before serving.

Harris Teeter Deals 1-30-08 through 2-5-08

** Remember that Teeter doubles up to .99 face value, takes 2 internet printable, will honor competitor's coupons (except at Adams Farm) and you can find some coupons on www.afullcup.com

Harris Teeter dog/burger buns .89
EZ Peel Shrimp 21-30 count 4.99 but sold in 2 lbs for 9.98
1 lb strawberries 4.99 BOGO= 2.49
Red Baron Pizza 5.89 BOGO (2.95)- 1.00/2= 2.45 ea, get 2
*****These were on sale cheaper at Lowes for 5.49 BOGO
Sister Schuberts frozen rolls 3.99 BOGO (2.00)- .50/1= 1.00
Foster Nuggets 9.99 BOGO= 5.00
Totinos pizza bites 10/10- .40/1= .20
Harris Teeter sliced cheese 2.99 BOGO= 1.50
Breakstone Sour Cream 3/4- .55/1= .23
Deans dips 2/3- .55/1= .40
Heluva dips 1.99 BOGO (1.00)-.50/1= FREE
Egglands eggs lg 2.99- .50/1 or .35/1= 1.99 or 2.29
***this is not great egg $ but I did not have time to go to Sams
International Delight liq creamer Toffee flavor 3/5= 1.66
***Marshmallow flavor 2.29 BOGO= 1.15
Land O Lakes butter 1.99 BOGO= 1.00
Hebrew National Hotdogs 5.29 BOGO=2.65
Healthy Ones lunchmeat 2/3- 1.00/1 or .55/1= .50 or .40
Armour hotdogs
***beef 2/4- .50/1 IP (internet printable)= 1.00
***meat 2/3- .50/1 IP = .50
Bob Evans deli sides 2/5 (2.50)- .35/1= 1.80
Kraft BBQ sauce 1.39 BOGO= .70
Texas Pete .79- hangtag on bottle= FREE see #3
Texas Toast crutons .94- .40/1= .14
Pace Salsa 4/6 (1.50)- .75/1 Target coupon= .75
Old El Paso taco shells 2/2- .55/2 peelie on box= get2, .45 ea
Old El Paso dinners 2/4- .55/2= get 2, 1.45 ea
Old El Paso seasoning .79- .55/2 peelie from box= get 2, .24 ea
Old El Paso refried beans 1.00- .55/2= get 2, .45 ea
Barilla manicotti shells 1.24
***get for next week's recipe of Mexican Manicotti
Muellers whole grain pastas 3/3- 1.00/2= get 2, .66 ea
McCormick dry seasoning packets .99 BOGO- .25/2= get 2, .25 ea
Progresso bread crumbs 2/3= 1.50 good for meatball recipe
Chex Mix 2.59 BOGO (1.30)- .50/1= .30 ea
Orville Redenbacher Popcorn 2.59 BOGO- 1.00/2 = .80
Lays Chips 3.49 BOGO= 1.75
Quaker Quick Grits .69 ** were 1.19
Kelloggs cereal (select flavors) 3.79-3.89 BOGO= 1.90 or 1.95
Kashi granola bars 2.99- 2.00/1 IP= .99
Kashi crackers 2.69- 2.00/1 IP= .69
Kashi cookies 2.69- 2.00/1 IP= .69
***I got these IP from www.coupons.com
Ritz crackers 3.79 BOGO (1.90)- .55/2= 1.35, get 2
Chips Ahoy 3.79 BOGO= 1.90
Scotties tissues 10/10- .50/3= get 3, .66 ea

Deals:

#1: Register your Harris Teeter online at www.HarrisTeeter.com and you will receive e-vic specials. These specials change weekly, are limited to one per card and come off your receipt automatically when you purchase the indicated item(s). Sometimes these specials are great and you can get free or really cheap stuff. Sometimes they are not worth anything. This week there are several:
Receive 1.50 off Harris Teeter Brand Cereal
Receive 1.50 off Harris Teeter Brand Instant Oatmeal
Receive 1.50 off Harris Teeter Your Home Brand Alum Foil 50ft or larger
Receive 1.50 off 16 oz Harris Teeter Organic Salsa
I got a box of their Rice Crispies for .87!

#2: Michelob rebate: Spend 15.00 in fresh/frozen seafood and get 10.00 back. Free or cheap shrimp with the sale. You really only have to buy one bag because the regular price is over 25.99 but is on sale for 9.99- make sure when you send in your receipt that you circle the regular price. The beer companies, in my experience, do not care what you paid after sales and coupons and only seem to care about the regular price of the item in regards to hitting or meeting that rebate minimum. I found this rebate at several Food Lions on the beer displays.

#3: There are specially marked bottles of Texas Pete hot sauces that have a hangtag on the neck of the bottle. This is not a mail in rebate but a coupon to get that bottle free right then. I noticed them the first time last week but they were still there this week. This is a good deal. I got the garlic one and it tastes very similar to the Franks Hot Sauce.

#4: Check out the bakery prices on breads. They are always marking down their french bread and rolls. This would be good if you are planning on making the meatball subs. I got 2 loaves of french breat for .99, 1 loaf of multigrain french bread for .49, a package of 4 large sub rolls for .69. They were super fresh.

#5: Several weeks ago I posted about the coupon at Food Lion that was for free soda when you bought 2 boxes of Orville Popcorn- this is the week to use it.

Lowes Foods Deals 1-30-08 through 2-5-08

I am not able to do Lowes this week due to sick kids and now am sick myself.

Food Lion Deals 1-30-08 through 2-5-08

Ground Chuck 1.89 lb -1.00 if you get 10.00 worth
Lays Chips 3.49 BOGO = 1.74 ea
GM Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal 3.26 BOGO- 1.00/2= 1.13 ea, get 2
Breyers Ice Cream 5.29 BOGO= 2.65 (FL coupon expired)
Cool Whip 1.00

Deals:

#1: There is a coupon for 1.00 off 10.00 in butcher brand beef. The coupon is found in the Taste NFL Recipe Book and is on the back inside page. I found it on the Pepsi Display in the middle of the freezer food isle. The display is also in some center isles near chip displays.

#2: Watch out for the butcher marking down meats. I was right behind him this week around 9:30 ish and got half price 80/20 ground beef for 1.15 and 1.30 a lb and then used my 1.00 off 10.00 coupon. I bought the family packs he was marking down and came home and separated in one pound sections and saran wrapped and then put in ziploc frezer bags and threw into the deep freezer.