What's Cooking
Fresh & Healthy: Deep Freezer Goodies – Summer Squash, Onions, and Tomatoes
Earlier this Summer we started stocking up our freezer with Fresh Produce - Summer Squash, Onions, and Tomatoes! One of the joys of having a garden and finding fresh produce on sale is being able to freeze the in season items so you can utilize them throughout the winter. This summer I have been able to stock up on several great vegetables through growing our own family garden, participating in a local Community Supported Agriculture program and shopping the seasonal clearance items at our local grocery stores. We now have a section of our deep freezer full of fresh veggies to eat through out the Fall, Winter, and Spring.
What works for me is freezing the vegetables in quart (or snack size baggies for the onions) size bags and putting four individual bags into one gallon bag. I pull the gallon bag out of the deep freezer put it up into the refrigerator / freezer upstairs and pull out one bag as I need to use it. When I have used all four bags I pull another gallon bag of the vegetables I need out of the freezer. I have been toying with the idea of getting the fresh seal bags but since I get the bags on sale usually for a great price and they work, I am not yet convinced it is worth the cost for our family. I am already looking forward to enjoying these over the next several months! What vegetables to you always try to freeze a little bit extra of for the winter months?
Magazine: “Family Fun” Magazine
We have been receiving the “Family Fun” Magazine for awhile now and love it! The girls have enjoyed picking out a variety of crafts and fun activities from the magazines. Each issue contains information and “how-to” demonstrations on crafts, recipes, activities, parties, family friendly articles and much more. If you are looking for a great family magazine packed full of ideas for the kids check this one out.
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
We had a blast with all our guests and are now back to a more normal routine. This is the last week the before the girls go back to school so we are trying to make it a fun week for them. Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.
Groceries from Ingles and BiLo Ingles Groceries:
- $11.40 at Ingles for 3 containers of Organic Strawberries, 1 bag of sliced Apples, 1 head of Broccoflower, 1 bag of Bananas, 2 containers of Seafood Dip, and 1 bottle Lemon Juice (all the items were marked down on clearance or on sale except for the Lemon Juice which I was restocking)
BiLo Groceries:
- $5.00 at BiLo for 2 gallons of Milk (They had a Bonus Card Coupon for milk where you could by 2 gallons for $5.00 making them $2.50 each, which is a great deal around our area. I had to watch the prices because my Bonus Card Coupons didn’t work so make sure to stay on top of those coupons until they work out the kinks. I brought a reusable bag but they didn’t take it off so I was unable to get a 5 cent discount at BiLo).
There were several items (Curry, Naan, and a variety of other things) that I or my husband picked up while we had guests staying with us that I did not have a chance to get a picture of over the weekend. Based on the cash remaining in the grocery budget I believe it totaled just over $21 so I am adding that amount to total this week even though it is not itemized or part of a picture (sorry, with house guests and entertaining several days we have to make exceptions in some areas).
This week I spent $37.40 on groceries. Even though I was only a little under on my budgeted amount for the week I was able to fed between 9 to 15 people 3 meals a day for several days. I was thrilled to have my parents, grandparents, brother staying with us and a number of additional family and friends visiting throughout the week. I hope that next week is an even better week and we can come under budget for the week.
It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
Family Recipe: Never Fail Flaky Pie Crust
Many years ago my Great Aunt Naomi gave me this recipe for her “Never Fail Flaky Pie Crust”. It has been a great flaky pie crust recipe that is easy to make. I have made this pie crust multiple recipes over the years for a variety of pies. As the fall season approaches and we prepare to make delicious pies from fresh picked berries, apples and other great fruits this pie crust will come in handy.
Never Fail Flaky Pie Crust:
- 3 cups Flour
- 1 cup Shortening
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 1 Egg, well beaten
- 5 tablespoon Water
- 1 tablespoon Vinegar
Mix flour, shortening, salt with pastry blender. Combine egg, water, and vinegar then combine with flour mixture. Mold into 4 balls chill awhile then roll out for pie. Balls will keep up to 2 weeks in refrigerator for additional pies. Yields: 2 double pie crusts
If you want to just do enough for 1 complete pie crust (top and bottom) cut the recipe in half.
Photo by Joe Beone
New Upromise eCoupons for September 2011
Upromise has posted their new eCoupons for the month of September 2011. Remember to activate your eCoupons to get additional savings. If you have not yet signed up for Upromise you can get more information regarding on our experience or directly at the Upromise website.
This month they have 40 coupons you can activate for bonus savings. Once you activate your eCoupons all you have to do is scan your rewards card or purchase the items at the store and the cash will be added to your account. You don’t even have to carry any coupons to get the rewards!
You can go to their website for more information on the Upromise program, it’s free to join.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of August 31 – September 6, 2011
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. You do not need any coupons to get the Save A Lot Today prices. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Sugardale Shank Portion Bone In Ham – $1.29 per lb
Pork Country Style Ribs – $2.99 per lb
Fresh Split Chicken Breast – $0.99 per lb
Beef Country Style Ribs – $3.99 per lb
Sugardale Super Dogs (5 lbs) – $4.99
Ground Beef (3 lbs or 5 lbs) – $1.99 per lb
Sugardale Bone In Center Sliced Ham – $2.99 per lb
Sugardale Sliced Bacon – $1.99
Farmington Roll Pork Sausage – $1.99
Holten Quarter Pound Beef Patties (2 lbs) – $3.99
Schooner Cod, Pollock, Tilapia Fillets – $2.99
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Fast Fixin Breaded Chicken (31 to 43 oz) – $3.99
Tombstone Pizza – $2.50
Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 8/14 Smart Source (Expires 9/17/11)
Use $1.50/3 printable coupon from Nestle Family
As low as $1.50 each after couponTotino’s Pizza Roll (40 count / 19.8 oz) – $2.50
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 8/7 General Mills (Expires 10/29/11)
Use $0.40/2 printable coupon from Coupon Web
Use $0.40/2 coupon from insert 8/7 General Mills (Expires 10/29/11)
Use $0.60/3 coupon from insert 8/7 General Mills (Expires 10/29/11)
As low as $2.00 each after couponSnack-A-Tizers Pepperoni Pizza Bagels – $4.99
Peak’s Pick Orange Juice – $3.99
Morning Delight Sausage Breakfast Bowl – $1.99
Mantia’s Deep Dish Mini Pizza’s – $3.99
White Castle Cheeseburgers – $3.99
Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 8/28 Smart Source (Expires 11/26/11)
$3.49 each after couponWylwood Mixed Vegetables – $1.19
Wylwood Potato Puffs – $1.89
Produce
Red, White or Black Grapes – $0.99 per lb
Peaches, Plums or Nectarines – $0.99 per lb
Tomatoes (6 pack) – $1.99
Ginger Gold 0r Paula Red Apples (3 lbs) – $2.49
Household
Wrightware Foam Plates – $1.19
Luster Facial Tissue (160 count) – $0.99
Grocery
Malt-O-Meal Cereal (Coco Dyno Bites or Frosted Flakes) – $1.88
Use $1.00/3 printable coupon from Malt-O-Meal
$1.50 each after couponMaxwell House Wake Up Roast Coffee (11.5 oz) – $2.99
Use $1.00/1 coupon booklet from Kraft Food & Family (found at Food Lion & BiLo) Expires 12/31/11
$1.99 each after couponSo Cheezy Family Size Shells & Cheddar (24 oz) – $1.99
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Cocktail (64 oz) – $1.88
Campbell’s Chunky Soup – $1.50
Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 8/14 Smart Source (Expires 9/25/11)
Use $0.50/4 coupon from insert 8/14 Smart Source (Expires 9/25/11)
As low as $1.25 each after couponMaruchan Ramon Noodle Cups – $1.88
Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce – $0.99
Hunt’s Snack Pack Pudding Cups – $0.99
Long Grain White Rice – $1.69
Wescott Canola Cooking Spray – $1.49
Ginger Evans Deluxe Fudge Brownies – $1.49
J Higgs Potato Chips – $1.19
J Higgs Microwave Popcorn – $1.79
LeCour’s Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies – $2.39
J Higgs Oyster Crackers – $1.19
Morning Delight Buttermilk Pancake Mix – $1.59
Morning Delight Syrup – $1.49
McDaniel’s Enhance Coffee Creamer – $1.69
Morning Delight Toaster Pastriess – $1.89
Mountain Holler Avalanche Soda – $0.75
Splash Out Juice Drink Boxes (8 Pack) – $1.49
Ginger Evans Chocolate Chip Cookie Muffin Mix – $0.79
Spam (12 oz) – $2.49
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats – $2.19
Use $0.50/1 coupon from tearpad (Expires 12/31/11) (May be doubled up to $1.00 at some stores)
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 8/7 Red Plum (Expires 10/2/11)
As low as $1.19 each after couponLittle Hug Assorted Fruit Drinks (160 oz) – $2.99
Baby
Being Well Baby Tickles Diapers (Size 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6) – $5.99
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.
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
We are back from traveling this week and super excited about having guests. Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.
Groceries from Ingles, BiLo, and Walmart Ingles Groceries:
- $15.80 at Ingles for 1 loaf Laura Lynn Bread, 1 container Yogurt, 1 bag of Banana’s, 2 bags fresh Spinach, 2 bags Fresh Coleslaw, 1 container fresh Lettuce, 1 package Ground Hamburger, 1 head Cauliflower, 1 container fresh Strawberries, 1 container fresh Beans, and 1 bag Shredded Lettuce (all the items were marked down on clearance for $0.50 to $0.99 or on sale plus I used a couple coupons from the yogurt boxes)
BiLo Groceries:
- $4.48 at BiLo for 1 gallon of Milk and 1 box of PopTarts. (I brought a reusable bag today so I was able to get a 5 cent discount at BiLo).
Walmart Groceries:
- $21.11 at Walmart for 1 container Vanilla Ice Cream, 1 bag of Hashbrowns, 1 bag English Muffins, 1 bag Mozzarella String Cheese, 1 bag Cheese Twist Sticks, 1 container Sour Cream, 2 containers Whipped Topping, 1 bag Bagels, Oscar Mayer Chicken Combo, Oscar Mayer Combos, 1 box Butter, and 1 bag Potatoes (the Oscar Mayer Combos were free with coupon).
This week I spent $41.39 on groceries. Even though I was over on my budgeted amount for the week I was able to stock up on several items on clearance plus I had a little extra left over from last week. I am excited to have my parents, grandparents, and brother visiting this week. I hope that next week is an even better week and we can come under budget for the week.
It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
Family Recipe: Scotch Shortbread
Jake’s Grandma makes awesome Shortbread cookies. These are a staple in our household especially around the Holidays, however, they are perfect any time of the year. My husband REALLY enjoys these cookies so they are fun to make at our house as a special treat for him.
Scotch Shortbread:
- 1 1/2 cup Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 2/3 cup Butter
- 1/2 cup Confectioners’ Sugar
Sift flour, measure, add salt and sift again. Cream butter, gradually add confections’ sugar and continue to beat until light. Combine the dry ingredients and creamed mixture until blended thoroughly. Pat the dough into an ungreased 9 inch pie plate. Flute the edges with fingers, prick the surface all over with fork. Or use an 8×8 inch pan and mark into square or oblongs before baking. Bake in a moderate oven 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool before removing from pan. You can also do a variety of shapes with cookie cutters as well.
Photo by Angela Anderson Cobb
Delicious Butterfly – White Chocolate Raspberry Pretzels
White Chocolate Raspberry Butterfly Pretzel As a special treat a this summer the girls picked out these White Chocolate Raspberry flavored Pretzels to share when they were on sale. They were delicious! As they were snacking on the goodies the Brina pulled out this one, the butterfly. They were super excited that there was a butterfly in their container of goodies. The butterfly came complete with “beautiful wings”. They told me that they next time with make chocolate pretzels they were going to make a lot of butterflies! Even a butterfly pretzel can be a true source of enjoyment for the kids. It is the little blessings that come in small packages that bring smiles.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of August 24 – 30, 2011
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. You do not need any coupons to get the Save A Lot Today prices. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Chicken & Thighs (5 lbs) – $3.95
Sugardale Bratwurst (Smoked, Stadium, or Cheddar) 14 oz – $1.99
Holten Extra Value Beef Patties (24 oz) – $1.99
Schooner Salad Shrimp or Imitation Crab – $1.00
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).
Fridge and Freezer
Oscar Mayer Lunchables (9.7 to 10.8 oz) – $1.99
Use $1.00/2 peelie coupon (Expires 9/30/11)
$1.49 each after couponReser’s Macaroni or Potato Salad – $1.00
Use $1.00/1 printable coupon from Coupon Web – No longer available (thanks David)!
Free after each couponMr P’s Pepperoni or Supreme Pizza (6.5 oz) – $0.69
Party Treat Vanilla Sandwiches (4 count) – $1.00
Dannon NutriDay Yogurt (4 Count – 16 oz) – $1.00
Coburn Farms Yogurt (6 oz) – $0.39
Creamy Whip Whipped Topping – $0.95
Coburn Farms Sour Cream (16 oz) – $1.49
Save A Lot Today Pizza Rolls (15 count) – $0.99
Produce
Peaches, Plums or Nectarines – $0.79 per lb
Bartlett Pears – $0.79 per lb
Roma Tomatoes – $0.79 per lb
Jumbo Sweet Onions – $0.79 per lb
Mini Carrots (1 lb bag) – $1.00
Household
Save A Lot Today Bath Tissue (4 rolls) – $0.89
Save A Lot Today Laundry Detergent (45.4 oz) – $1.99
Grocery
JJ’s Snack Pies (Apple / Cherry) 4 oz – $0.33
Bugles (6 to 7.5 oz) – $1.00
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 7/10 Smart Source (Expires 9/3/11)
Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 7/10 Smart Source (Expires 9/3/11)
$0.50 each after couponMini Moon Pies (7.2 oz) – $1.00
Betty Crocker Bon Appetite (2.3 to 2.8 oz) – $1.00
Gatorade (Orange, Lemon Lime, or Fruit Punch) 32 oz – $1.00
Sundia Fruit Cups (8 oz) – $1.00
Nesquik Chocolate or Strawberry Milk (16 oz) – $1.00
Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 6/5 Red Plum (Expires 8/28/11)
$0.50 each after couponDuncan Hines Cupcakes, Brownies or Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix – $1.00
Use B2G1 coupon from insert 6/5 Smart Source (Expires 9/5/11)
$0.66 after each couponSave A Lot Brand Soda (2 liter) – $0.75
Lecour’s Cream Between Sandwich Cookies – $1.69
Shelby Grove Fruit Cups (4 count) – $1.79
J Higgs Corn or BBQ Corn Chips (10 to 12 oz) – $1.35
Mantia’s Pasta Sauce (24 oz) – $1.23
Mantia’s Spaghetti Noodles (16 oz) – $0.99
Del Pino’s Canned Pasta with Meat – $0.73
Senora Verde Taco Shells – $0.99
Senora Verde Mild Taco Sauce (16 oz) – $1.99
Marcum’s Taco Seasoning – $0.39
Senora Verde Refried Beans – $0.79
Kool Aid Bursts (6 pack) – $0.99
Island Orchard 100% Juice Mini Drink Boxes – $0.99
Arizona Iced Tea with Lemon Flavor – $0.79
Mrs. Freshley’s Swiss Rolls or Honey Buns – $1.00
Austin Crackers – $1.19
Crispeez Rice Cakes – $1.25
Gourmet Select Onion Rings (5 oz) – $0.95
Bumble Bee Tuna Salad Kits – $1.29
Ravello Microwave Mac & Cheese Cups – $0.75
Save A Lot Today Toaster Pastries – $0.99
Save A Lot Today Assorted Sandwich Creme Cookies – $1.19
Save A Lot Today Apple Juice Cocktail – $1.29
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.
