What's Cooking
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of August 22 – 28, 2012
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meat and Seafood
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – $1.69 lb
Ground Beef – $1.99 lb
Assorted Pork Chops – $1.69 lb
Boston Butt Roast – $1.69 lb
Grilling Steaks, Ribeye, T-Bone, NY Strip – $6.99 lb
Chicken Drums or Thighs – $0.99 lb
Fairgrounds Hotdogs (12 oz) – $0.79
Hickory Springs Bacon (12 oz) – $1.99
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more.
Fridge and Freezer
Eggs (dozen) – $0.99
World’s Fair Ice Cream (56 oz) – $1.99
Mantia’s Pizza – $1.99
Produce
Cucumbers – $0.29 each
Green Peppers – $0.39 each
Head Lettuce – $0.79 each
Cabbage – $0.25 lb
Medium Vine Ripened Tomatoes – $0.69 lb
Yellow Onions – $0.99 each
Potatoes (8 pounds) – $2.29
Assorted Apples – $0.99 lb
Whole Seedless Watermelon – $3.99
Grocery
Ginger Evans Flour (5 pounds) – $1.69
Ginger Evans Granulated Sugar (4 pounds) – $1.99
Duke’s Mayonnaise (32 oz) – $2.99
Save-A-Lot Soft Drinks (12 pack) – $1.99
O’Days Mac & Cheese – $0.39
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends. For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
It has been a really busy summer packed full of a lot of adventures and great memories; it’s hard to believe that the girls are going back to school this week…..so sad! As we adjust to a new school year I want to make sure I have the menu planned since our days will be very busy. The kids are sad to say goodbye to summer but excited to see their friends and go back to school. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Beef Bow Tie Pasta Bake, Fresh Garden Salad
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Brina & Karlie’s Night to Cook Dinner – Pizza
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Golden Chicken Curry, Roasted Garlic & Chili Jasmine Rice
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Loaded Scallop Potato Casserole, Fresh Vegetables
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Recipe: Green Spinach Smoothie
Green Spinach Smoothie
I made this Green Spinach Smoothie recently for breakfast and it was delicious! My husband happen to see it on the table in passing and asked “what are you drinking”!? It may look a little funky but it is actually quite tasty. The girls think its great and it gives them an extra boost in vegetables and protein! With the egg, peanut butter, milk and spinach combination its not only delicious it’s a healthy smoothie too.
Green Spinach Smoothie:
- 1 hard boiled Egg
- 1 cup Vanilla Yogurt
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 2 cups fresh Spinach
- 1 Banana (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter (optional)
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. You can freeze the banana for added coolness! I added Peanut Butter to the list because I tried it the other day with a tablespoon of peanut butter in it which tasted awesome!
Great way to start your day!
With the summer temperatures still high this is a great smoothie to help cool you off. Although I had the Green Spinach Smoothie for breakfast it would make a wonderful lunch or snack too!
Creative Kids: Edible Wildflower
Edible Flower
The first time we made this large “edible flower” was at the girls birthday party. It was a lot of fun to put together and was a big hit. The flower is not only delicious and healthy it adds to the overall decorations for the party. It is a great appetizer for any family or friend get together. The flower is about two feet long and covers most of our large cutting board. You can substitute items to make any shape, color, size or variety you want, here is what I used:
- 1 (8 oz) block Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Celery Stick
- 6 Snow Peas
- Handful Grapes
Slice the cheese into triangles (leaving an open space in the center, see picture below) and place in a layered circle on the cutting board or serving dish. Wash all the vegetables and fruit. Trim the ends off the celery and tuck under the cheese petals. Add the snow peas for leaves and place a handful of grapes in the center of the flower.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
It was great to have some time back home last week catching up with the pets, housework, appointments, and more! The girls had fun playing with the animals and hanging out at home. While waiting at the doctors offices the girls and I read a bunch of books together too. This is the girls last week at home before going back to school so are spending some time having fun and creating memories this week.
Last week’s goals:at
Family Goals
Read regularly to the girls and have them read to meParticipate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the KidsPlan out the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading minutes) Grand Prize for CompletionSpend time with extended family
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week – didn’t get it all in this week
- Pick out my next book to read
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week – didn’t get it done
Work on My Summer Organizational SchedulePack for upcoming tripPay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork on projects with the family business
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – temporarily on hold
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled – working on it
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – temporarily on hold with the car
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
- Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
- Spend time with family before the kids go back to school
- Get the girls items packed for school
- Go to the pool / beach
- Doctor Appointments complete before school starts
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
- Prep for my Fall Organizational Schedule
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Kids in the Kitchen: Fruit Cars
Apple Cars
The kids loved these fruit treats. It was a fun snack and craft to do at the girls birthday party too. At their party we set out a bowl of apples, oranges, grapefruits, and grapes so the kids could put together their own cars. The cars we’re a lot of fun and you could even drive them (so cute with their wobbly wheels).
Orange Car
Cute little fruit cars made by the kids. All it takes is some fruit and toothpicks (broken in half for the wheels). If you have smaller kids you may want to help them put them together and take out the toothpicks for them before they eat their fruit car.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Our family was able to spend some time with extended family over the last couple weeks. It was nice catching up with many people and creating new memories. Now that we are back home everyone is trying to get back on the regular schedule. Before long the kids will be back in school so we want to make sure we are prepared for that as well as enjoy our last few weeks of summer break together. I am hoping to get caught up on a few goals this week.
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
Read regularly to the girls and have them read to meParticipate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the KidsPlan out the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading minutes) Grand Prize for CompletionSpend time with extended family– spent time in both Kansas and Colorado over the last 3 weeks
Personal Goals
Spend extra time catching up and making memories with my extended family
Home Management Goals
Check in with the person coming by and check on the house / pets while we are away
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork on projects with the family business
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – temporarily on hold
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled – working on it
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – temporarily on hold until we get a new vehicle
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
- Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
- Plan out the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading minutes) Grand Prize for Completion
- Spend time with extended family
Personal Goals
- Exercise at least 5 days this week
- Pick out my next book to read
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu & Schedule planned out for the week
- Work on My Summer Organizational Schedule
- Pack for upcoming trip
- Pay all upcoming bills
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work on projects with the family business
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
Recipe: Fresh Blueberry Muffins
Fresh Blueberries
A couple weeks ago the girls and I went over to a friends house to pick blueberries. I was really impressed with how dedicated the girls were to picking the blueberries with me. They had a blast picking the blueberries, washing them and of course helping us eat them. The kids loved eating the fresh blueberries and helped me make homemade blueberry muffins, blueberry smoothies, and more goodies with the fresh blueberries.
When we picked the blueberries we used a beach bucket to store them in while we are picking because it had a handle. When we got home we rinsed the blueberries, and laid them out on racks to dry out (see picture below) before bagging and putting them in the freezer.
Fresh blueberries drying out after being rinsed
You don’t want to store fresh blueberries in an tight container all today, especially if you are leaving it on the kitchen counter for awhile because they will go bad. The blueberries, much like some people, need a little bit a space between them and the next one to breath.
Homemade Blueberries Muffins (made with the fresh blueberries we picked together)
I am so thankful for a sweet friend who let us come over and pick blueberries. The blueberries have been a huge hit in our house and it was great having a chance to pick and catch up at the same time. Blueberries are very healthy for you and this is the time of year to get stock up on some either picking them yourselves or getting them on sale at the store.
Fresh Blueberry Muffin Recipe:
- 1 cup fresh Milk
- 1/2 cup Oil
- 1 Egg
- 2 cups Flour
- 2/3 cup Sugar
- 3 teaspoons Baking Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Fresh Blueberries
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 12 muffin cup pan. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together and create a well in the center. Put milk, oil and egg in bowl and blend well. Add the moist items to the flour mixture and stir until moistened. Fold in the fresh blueberries and spoon into muffin cups. Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven butter the tops of the muffins and sprinkle with sugar in the raw crystals.
Kids in the Kitchen: Easy Parmesan Chicken
The girls have started making dinner for the family once a week. It has been fun coming up with easy and fun recipes for them to put together. My husband actually came up with this idea after the girls suggested they make chicken nuggets for dinner one night. This is a super easy recipe to put together and the only thing you really need to help the kids with is taking the hot pan out of the oven. It is really neat to see them get excited about cooking dinner!
Easy Parmesan Chicken:
- 20 to 25 Chicken Nuggets
- 8 slices Provolone Cheese
- Small can or bottle Pasta Marinara Sauce
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 pyrex dish. Line the bottom of the pyrex with one layer of chicken nuggets. Place the slices of cheese over the chicken nuggets. Spread the pasta sauce over the cheese slices and bake uncovered in the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
The girls are excited about getting to go to Grandpa and Grandma’s VBS program. We are all looking forward to spending some time with family this week at the family reunion.
Last week’s goals:
Family Goals
Read regularly to the girls and have them read to meParticipate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the KidsGet to the Final Goal Mark (2000 minutes) on the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading minutes)Spend time with extended family- Narrow down what type of vehicle we want to get – still working on it
Personal Goals
Spend extra time helping and making memories with my extended family
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day- Work on My Summer Organizational Schedule – didn’t get much done with all the travel last week
Pack for upcoming family reunionPay all upcoming billsClean house prior to traveling
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog postsKeep up with the day to day items that need my attentionWork on projects with the family business
Ministry Goals
Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses – will work on it more once the car is purchased
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled – still saving for a new vehicle
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – on hold temporarily until we purchase a new car
My goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Attend Family Reunion
- Read regularly to the girls and have them read to me
- Participate in at least 2 fun Summer Activities with the Kids
- Plan out the Girls “Swim Into Reading” Summer Reading Goal (total 2,000 Reading minutes) Grand Prize for Completion
- Spend time with extended family
- Narrow down what type of vehicle we want to get
Personal Goals
- Spend extra time helping and making memories with my extended family
Home Management Goals
- Put mail on hold for when we are away
- Line up someone to come by and check on the house / pets while we are away
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Work on projects with the family business
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 6 months worth of living expenses
- Car Fund – save money for another vehicle to replace the one that was totaled
- College Fund – put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
