What's Cooking

  • Organized Chaos: Clean Pantry

    Organizing the Large Kitchen Pantry

    Since I cleaned out the white pantry cabinet it is time for the large pantry to be cleaned out.  It is wonderful having a large pantry in the kitchen but when it gets all disorganized it makes it difficult to find the items that you need.  Thankfully I have a system where the different types of food go but there are times when they don’t get put away in the right place so it becomes a little crazy over time.

    Organizing the left side of the pantry

    • First Shelf (from the top) – Flour and Sugar
    • Second Shelf – Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar & Powdered Sugar
    • Third Shelf – Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Chicken, Mushrooms
    • Fourth Shelf – Tomatoes (Diced, Whole, Paste, Sauce)
    • Fifth Shelf – Pasta & Spaghetti Sauces
    • Bottom Shelf – Pasta & Spaghetti Sauces, Oatmeal, Oils

    The middle shelves hold a lot of other food items from soup, pickles, olives, salsa, tuna fish, jam, jelly, frosting, and more!  It is nice having it all organized.  Now I know exactly what items I need to pick up at the store and which ones I have plenty of in the pantry.

    Organizing the back right side of the pantry

    I didn’t get a picture of the full right back side of the pantry.  The first two shelves have boxed items from desserts to pancakes to muffins and more.

    • Third Shelf – Boxed Food Items
    • Fourth Shelf – Canned Fruit
    • Fifth Shelf – Canned Vegetables
    • Bottom Shelf – Canned Beans

    It makes me happy having a clean and organized pantry!  Let’s hope it stays somewhat organized for at least a few months (who am I kidding maybe a few weeks) with both of us and the kids going in and out of it!   Although I am thankful for a husband and kids who enjoy helping out in the kitchen.

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of April 11 – 17, 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!

    Meats and Seafood

    Ground Beef – $2.18 lb

    Boneless Pork Loin – $1.98 lb

    Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – $1.98 lb

    Boston Butt Roast – $1.69 lb

    Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs – $0.99 lb

    Matlaw’s Shrimp Ring with Sauce (10 oz) – $4.99

    Hickory Springs Sliced Bacon – $2.50

    Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage (16 oz) – $2.50

    Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage (12 oz) – $1.99
    Use $0.55/1 coupon from insert 3/25 Red Plum (Expires 5/15/12)
    $1.44 each after coupon

    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.  Here are a few of the specials they have going on with the Pick 5 for $19.99 this week (each item approximately $3.99):

    Fridge and Freezer

    Mrs. Smith’s Pies (32 oz) – $2.99
    Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 3/25 Red Plum (Expires 5/5/12)
    Use $0.75/1 coupon from insert 3/25 Smart Source (Expires 5/5/12)
    As low as $1.99 each after coupon

    Pillsbury Grand Biscuits (16 oz) – $1.00
    Use $0.30/1 coupon from insert 2/5 General Mills (Expires 4/28/12)
    Use $0.30/2 coupon from insert 2/5 General Mills (Expires 4/28/12)
    Use $0.40/3 coupon from insert 3/11 Smart Source (Expires 6/2/12)
    Use $0.40/3 coupon from insert 4/1 Smart Source (Expires 6/23/12)
    As low as $0.70 each after coupon

    Totino Pizza Rolls (15 count) – $1.00

    Blue Bonnet Spread (45 oz) – $2.49

    Buyers Best Hash Brown Patties (18 count) – $1.00

    Borders American Cheese Singles (12 oz) – $1.88

    Banquet Brown ‘n Serve Sausage, Big Bag (39 count) – $3.49

    Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt – $1.00

    Home Churned Butter Quarters (16 oz) – $1.99

    Coburn Farms Cream Cheese (8 oz) – $1.00

    Imperial Spread Quarters – $0.99

    Morning Delight Crescent Rolls (8 oz) – $1.69

    Creamy Whip Whipped Topping (8 oz) – $0.99

    Coburn Farms Sour Cream (16 oz) – $1.69

    Armour Fun Kit Lunchmakers – $1.99

    Fairgrounds Lunchmeat (16 oz) – $1.99

    Produce

    Red or Green Seedless Grapes – $1.29

    Parker’s Baking Potatoes (10 pounds) – $3.99

    Onions (3 pounds) – $2.99

    Navel Oranges (4 pounds) – $1.98

    Libby’s Mini Corn on the Cob (4 count) – $1.00

    Mini Carrots (16 oz) – $1.00

    Dole Salad Mix (12 oz) – $1.69

    Grocery

    Ritz Crackers (14 oz) – $1.99

    Maxwell House Coffee (23 oz) – $4.99
    Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 4/1 Smart Source (Expires 5/1/12)
    Use $0.60/1 coupon from insert 4/1 Smart Source (Expires 5/1/12)
    As low as $3.99 each after coupon

    General Mills Cereal (11 to 12 oz) – $1.77
    Use $0.50/1 coupon from 2/26 Smart Source (Expires 4/21/12)
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from 3/11 Smart Source (Expires 4/21/12)
    As low as $1.27 each after coupon

    Crisco Oil (48 oz) – $2.99

    Betty Crocker Au Gratin or Scalloped Potatoes (8.5 oz) – $1.99

    Pasta Roni or Rice-A-Roni (4 to 7 oz) – $1.00

    Prego Italian Pasta Sauce (28 oz) – $1.50

    Tipton Grove Applesauce – $1.99

    Kraft Pudding Cups (4 count) – $1.00

    Toast-em Toaster Pastries (8 count) – $1.00

    Pringles Super Stacks – $1.39
    Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 3/18 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/12)
    $1.14 each after coupon

    TGI Fridays Potato Skins Snack Chips – $1.00

    King’s Hawaiian Dinner Rolls (12 count) – $2.49
    Use $2.00/1 printable coupon from King’s Hawaiian
    $0.49 each after coupon

    Welch’s Chillers Juice Drinks (64 oz) – $1.99

    Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – $0.49

    Potatoes on the Side, Instant Mash Potatoes – $1.49

    So Cheezy Shells & Cheddar or Deluxe Mac & Cheese – $1.59

    Stuffing on the Side Stuffing Mix – $0.89

    Betty Crocker Suddenly Pasta Salad – $1.00
    Use $0.50/2 printable coupon from Betty Crocker
    $0.75 each after coupon

    Libby’s Pineapple (28 oz) – $0.99

    Kaskey’s Cream of Mushroom Soup – $0.69

    Wylwood Crispy Onions (8 oz) – $2.19

    O’Day’s Mac & Cheese – $0.50

    Portside Chunk Light Tuna – $0.69

    Portmann’s Mayonnaise – $2.49

    Ginger Evans Cake Mixes – $1.39

    Ginger Evans Powdered Sugar or Light Brown Sugar – $1.79

    Crystal Drinking Water (24 Count) – $2.99

    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.

  • Organized Chaos: Re-Organized Pantry

    Kitchen Pantry

    I had some motivation to clean out our white kitchen pantry recently…..we had company coming!  It was time to clean out some of the stuff that was getting close to expiration and re-organize the items that go together.   Plus I wanted to find out what we really had so I could re-stock with items we need before company arrived. I forgot to take a “before” picture but here is the “after” picture:

    • First Shelf – Instant Strawberry & Chocolate Milk, Power Bars, Magic Straws, Raisins and Nuts
    • Second Shelf – Hot Pasta Sides, Cold Pasta Sides, and Regular Pasta Noodles
    • Third Shelf – Lasagna Noodles, Potatoes & Potato Mixes, Rice & Rice Mixes
    • Fourth Shelf – Fruit Chews, Chips, Crackers, and Rice Cakes

    It always makes me happy opening cupboards and seeing them organized.  Somehow the pantry areas have a way of getting messy quickly when everyone is busy cooking (including me, ha!).  One of the best parts about re-organizing is it gives me an opportunity to put the items that are expiring the soonest in front to make sure I use those first.  Next step after getting the cabinets in order is to make a list of items I need at the store!

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    I have taken a few weeks off from posting the menu with all the traveling.   It was wonderful traveling around the world (India, Charleston, and a few places in between) but thankful to be back home again.  We have some family coming into town for a visit so I will do my best to stay up to date but my regular menu may not be back on track for a few weeks once life “returns to normal”.    This week the menu is based on what I already have in the freezer / pantry that needs to be eaten so it does not necessarily follow the “meat” for the day.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef Entree): Lasagna, French Bread
    • Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree)Green Bean Tator Tot Casserole, Fresh Fruit Salad
    • Wednesday (Chicken Entree):  Chicken Noodle Soup, Bread
    • Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree)Enchiladas, Steamed 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 entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork 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

  • Family Recipe: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

    Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

    We recently had some extra bananas that needed to be used up.  For a change of pace I decided to do a Chocolate Chip Banana Bread which was a big hit with the family.  The base recipe is our family recipe – Nancy’s Banana Bread with just a few chocolate chips for an added touch.   This recipe is easy to put together and tasty too.

    Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:

    • 2 cups Flour
    • 1 tablespoon Water
    • 1/2 cup shortening
    • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 1 cup Chocolate Chips
    • 3 Bananas, mashed

    Mix all the ingredients together.  Place in greased and floured bread pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

    You can use either miniature or regular chocolate chips, feel free to use either more or less depending on your family’s preference.

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    Love notes for the kids at school

    One of the best parts about sending the kids to school with a lunch is you can include some special goodies or notes for them as a surprise.  After using the sandwich containers a few times I discovered something really neat…..they are perfect for “love” notes.  If you have smooth sandwich containers that you send to school with your kids or to work with your husband grab a dry erase marker and write a quick note for them.  I will often write a little note for them and erase it before putting it in the dishwasher at the end of the day.  I keep the marker on the refrigerator so I can get it easily while I am packing lunches for the family.  This takes only a couple minutes and means a lot to your family.  A short and sweet note can be the extra boost of love and encouragement they need throughout the day.

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of April 4 – 10, 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!

    Meats and Seafood

    Ground Beef – $2.18 lb

    Boneless Pork Loin – $1.98 lb

    Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – $1.98 lb

    Boston Butt Roast – $1.69 lb

    Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs – $0.99 lb

    Matlaw’s Shrimp Ring with Sauce (10 oz) – $4.99

    Hickory Springs Sliced Bacon – $2.50

    Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage (16 oz) – $2.50

    Chicken Leg Quarters (10 pound bag) – $6.89

    Bone-In Shank Portion Ham – $1.29 lb

    Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage (12 oz) – $1.99
    Use $0.55/1 coupon from insert 3/25 Red Plum (Expires 5/15/12)
    $1.44 each after coupon

    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.  Here are a few of the specials they have going on with the Pick 5 for $19.99 this week (each item approximately $3.99):

    Fridge and Freezer

    Mrs. Smith’s Pies (32 oz) – $2.99
    Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 3/25 Red Plum (Expires 5/5/12)
    Use $0.75/1 coupon from insert 3/25 Smart Source (Expires 5/5/12)
    As low as $1.99 each after coupon

    Pillsbury Grand Biscuits (16 oz) – $1.00
    Use $0.30/1 coupon from insert 2/5 General Mills (Expires 4/28/12)
    Use $0.30/2 coupon from insert 2/5 General Mills (Expires 4/28/12)
    Use $0.40/3 coupon from insert 3/11 Smart Source (Expires 6/2/12)
    Use $0.40/3 coupon from insert 4/1 Smart Source (Expires 6/23/12)
    As low as $0.70 each after coupon

    Totino Pizza Rolls (15 count) – $1.00

    Blue Bonnet Spread (45 oz) – $2.49

    Buyers Best Hash Brown Patties (18 count) – $1.00

    Borders American Cheese Singles (12 oz) – $1.88

    Banquet Brown ‘n Serve Sausage, Big Bag (39 count) – $3.49

    Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt – $1.00

    Home Churned Butter Quarters (16 oz) – $1.99

    Coburn Farms Cream Cheese (8 oz) – $1.00

    Imperial Spread Quarters – $0.99

    Morning Delight Crescent Rolls (8 oz) – $1.69

    Creamy Whip Whipped Topping (8 oz) – $0.99

    Coburn Farms Sour Cream (16 oz) – $1.69

    Armour Fun Kit Lunchmakers – $1.99

    Produce

    Baking Potatoes (10 pounds) – $3.99

    Onions (3 pounds) – $2.99

    Navel Oranges (4 pounds) – $1.98

    Libby’s Mini Corn on the Cob (4 count) – $1.00

    Red Delicious Apples (5 pounds) – $2.99

    Fresh Celery – $1.00

    Mini Carrots (16 oz) – $1.00

    Sweet Potatoes – $0.49 lb

    Grocery

    Domino Granulated Sugar (4 pounds) – $1.98
    Use $0.40/1 coupon from insert 3/18 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/12)
    Use $0.75/2 coupon from insert 3/18 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/12)
    As low as $1.58 each after coupon

    Ritz Crackers (14 oz) – $1.98

    Maxwell House Coffee (23 oz) – $4.98
    Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 4/1 Smart Source (Expires 5/1/12)
    Use $0.60/1 coupon from insert 4/1 Smart Source (Expires 5/1/12)
    As low as $3.98 each after coupon

    Crisco Oil (48 oz) – $2.99

    Betty Crocker Au Gratin or Scalloped Potatoes (8.5 oz) – $1.99

    Pasta Roni or Rice-A-Roni (4 to 7 oz) – $1.00

    Prego Italian Pasta Sauce (28 oz) – $1.50

    Tipton Grove Applesauce – $1.99

    Kraft Pudding Cups (4 count) – $1.00

    Toast-em Toaster Pastries (8 count) – $1.00

    Pringles Super Stacks – $1.39
    Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 3/18 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/12)
    $1.14 each after coupon

    TGI Fridays Potato Skins Snack Chips – $1.00

    King’s Hawaiian Dinner Rolls (12 count) – $2.49
    Use $2.00/1 printable coupon from King’s Hawaiian
    $0.49 each after coupon

    Welch’s Chillers Juice Drinks (64 oz) – $1.99

    Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – $0.49

    Potatoes on the Side, Instant Mash Potatoes – $1.49

    So Cheezy Shells & Cheddar or Deluxe Mac & Cheese – $1.59

    Stuffing on the Side Stuffing Mix – $0.89

    Betty Crocker Suddenly Pasta Salad – $1.00
    Use $0.50/2 printable coupon from Betty Crocker
    $0.75 each after coupon

    Libby’s Pineapple (28 oz) – $0.99

    Kaskey’s Cream of Mushroom Soup – $0.69

    Wylwood Crispy Onions – $2.19

    O’Day’s Mac & Cheese – $0.50

    Portside Chunk Light Tuna – $0.69

    Portmann’s Mayonnaise – $2.49

    Ginger Evans Cake Mixes – $1.39

    Ginger Evans Powdered Sugar or Light Brown Sugar – $1.79

    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.

  • Fresh & Healthy: School Lunchbox Meals

    School lunch goodies

    The girls enjoy a variety of fruits, vegetables and other goodies in their school lunches.  Along with the mix of character bags and containers their lunches usually have something different in it everyday.  I have found that the tube yogurts are very nice for the girls lunches because they are easy to use (no spoon is needed, especially since somehow they manage to lose those on the way to school).

    • Roast Beef and Cheese Sandwich
    • Fresh Green Grapes
    • Fresh Cherry Tomatoes
    • Fresh Apple Peel Confetti Crisps
    • Homemade Banana Bread
    • Yogurt Tube
    • Cars Marshmallows
    • Cherry & Lemon Jello
    • Pink Lemonade

    Fresh fruits and vegetables for lunch

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of March 28 – April 3, 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!

    Meats and Seafood

    Fresh Whole Roasting Chicken – $0.99 lb

    Beef Bottom Round Roast – $2.99 lb

    Corned Beef – $3.29 lb

    Bone-In Shank Portion Ham – $1.29 lb

    Boneless Beef Chuck Roast – $2.99 lb

    Family Pack Cube Steak – $3.49 lb

    Family Pack Stew Meat – $2.99 lb

    Schooner Imitation Crab Meat or Salad Shrimp (4 to 8 oz) -$1.00

    Boston Butt Roast – $1.69 lb

    Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs – $0.99 lb

    Chicken Leg Quarters (10 pounds) – $6.89

    Schooner’s Salmon Filets (12 oz) – $3.99

    Schooner’s Cod Filets (12 oz) – $2.99

    Cooked Cocktail Shrimp (40 to 60 count) – $4.99

    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.  Here are a few of the specials they have going on with the Pick 5 for $19.99 this week (each item approximately $3.99):

    Fridge and Freezer

    Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits (6 count) – $0.50
    Use $0.35/3 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/31/12)
    $0.38 each after coupon

    Blue Bonnet Spread Quarters (16 oz) – $0.69

    Murry’s Popcorn Chicken or Chicken Sticks (7 oz) – $1.00

    TJ Farms Sweet Potato Fries (12 oz) – $1.00

    Bird’s Eye Sweet Kernel Corn or Mixed Vegetables (10 oz) – $1.00

    Farm Fresh Refrigerated Hash Browns (14 oz) – $1.00

    Murry’s French Toast, Original or Cinnamon (7 oz) – $1.00

    Mantia’s Pepperoni French Bread Pizza (11.3 oz) – $1.99

    World’s Fair Ice Cream, Chocolate, Vanilla, or Neapolitan (56 oz) – $2.79

    Save A Lot Today Orange Juice – $1.99

    Michelina’s Pizza Rolls (30 count) – $1.99

    Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat Sauce (57 oz) – $9.99
    Use $2.00/1 coupon from insert 1/29 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/12)
    Use $0.75/1 printable coupon from Nestle Family
    As low as $7.99 each after coupon

    Take & Bake Pizza, Pepperoni or Supreme (33 to 36 oz) – $5.99

    Take & Bake Cheese Pizza (33 oz) -$5.49

    Produce

    Green Cabbage – $0.33 lb

    Vine Ripe Tomatoes – $0.99 lb

    Klondike Gold or RosePotatoes (5 lb) – $3.00

    Carrots (2 lbs) – $1.29

    Parker’s Baking Potatoes (10 lbs) – $3.99

    Onions (3 lbs) – $1.29

    Household

    Wrightware Napkins (250 count) – $1.69

    Save A Lot Today Liquid Detergent (45.4 oz) – $1.99

    Save A Lot Today Cleaners, Assorted Varieties (32 oz) – $0.99

    Gib Ultra Dish Liquid (24 oz) – $1.99

    Dove Moisturizing Soap (2 pack) – $3.49

    Grocery

    Maxwell House Wake Up Roast Coffee (11.5 oz) – $1.99

    Hi-C Drink Boxes (10 count) – $1.99

    Quaker Chewey Granola Bars, Assorted Varieties (6.72 oz) – $2.00

    Libby’s Vegetables, Assorted Varieties – $0.69
    Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 11/13 Red Plum (Expires 3/31/12)
    $0.44 each after coupon

    Potatoes on the Side Flavored Mashed Potatoes, Assorted Varieties (7 oz) – $1.00

    Bugles, Assorted Flavors (4.1 oz) – $1.00

    Portside Chunk Light Tuna (5 oz) – $0.69

    Del Pino’s Pasta with Meat (14 to 15 oz) – $0.79

    Mantia’s Pizza Sauce (14 oz) – $0.99

    Mantia’s Pizza Crust (6.5 oz) – $0.49

    Ginger Evans Deluxe Brownies (19.8 oz) – $1.69

    Ginger Evans Cookie Mix, Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter (17.5 oz) – $1.99

    Ginger Evans Angel Food Cake Mix (16 oz) – $2.19

    Ginger Evans Instant Pudding, Chocolate or Vanilla (3.4 oz) – $0.50

    J Higgs Buttery Round Crackers (16 oz) – $1.99

    So Cheezy Stream’in Cheese (8 oz) – $2.59

    Morning Gems Corn Flakes (18 oz) – $1.79

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Puffs Cereal (13 oz) – $2.29

    Ginger Evans Graham Ready Crust (6 oz) – $1.49

    Save A Lot Today Sandwich Creams, Assorted Varieties (12 oz) – $1.19

    Country Treats Glazed Yeast Raised Donuts (19 oz) – $3.19

    Save A Lot Today Toaster Pastries (11 oz) – $0.99

    Pet

    Trooper Dog Food (17.6 pounds) – $7.49

    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.

  • Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals

    School Lunch Box Meal

    The girls have a lot of fun helping put together their lunches for school.  Often they will pick out their favorite drink, containers, baggies and other goodies.  They enjoy eating homemade applesauce, jello, and more items that we make together.  The best part about making the fruits, cookies, and other food from scratch at home is you know exactly what goes into it.  You can make it with whole wheat, no sugar as well as adding other healthy ingredients.  Each meal the girls get a protein, fruit, vegetable, diary, drink and snack.  Everyday is a little different to add more variety to their lunches.

    Lunch Box Meal:

    • Peanut Butter & Homemade Strawberry Jam Sandwich
    • Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce
    • Peach or Vanilla Yogurt
    • Lemon or Raspberry Jello
    • Broccoli, Cabbage, & Carrots “Straws” (Broccoli Coleslaw Mix that the girls have renamed broccoli straws)
    • Chocolate Milk
    • BBQ Chips
    • Mint Solo Granola Bar
    • Homemade Cookies

    The rainbow sandwich container, candy corn baggie and princess baggie add a little more excitement to the lunch.