Menu Planning

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    I was back to my regular schedule for the most part this week.  It was a busy week with a lot of catching up to do from the Thanksgiving Holidays.  I wasn’t able to get everything crossed off the list but made some headway.

    Here is the update on last weeks goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Have the girls read 1 book to me 5 days this week
    4. Do devotions with the girls every night (sometimes it gets late and we rush to get them into bed)
    5. Get the girls passport pictures taken

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – started the week well but flopped when it got really cold outside
    2. Go to bed by 10:30 or earlier on Monday and Thursday – did it about every other night
    3. Finish reading  The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year by Crystal Paine who has a blog called Money Saving Mom (VERY excited about the opportunity to preview this book by a blogger I have been following for years and thankful to be featured on her blog weekly with the Save A Lot Deals!)
    4. Listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (I am going through this book with my Community Group)

    Home Management Goals

    1. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    2. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    3. Dinner on the table by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday) – it was late a couple nights
    4. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    5. File the receipts and coupons for the last couple of months. – started, but not finished

    Business Goals

    1. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
    2. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    3. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    4. Review my 2011 Business Goals and start planning ones for 2012 – pulled it out but didn’t get in depth time to work on it this week

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Make at least $25 towards my Creative Cash goal this week so I can give more to others. – didn’t meet my goal this week
    4. Deliver a meal to a new Mom. was able to take meals to 2 new Moms!  What a blessing to share and meet the new little ones! 🙂

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Pay off remaining debt – made progress this week
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – on hold until debt is paid off

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Have the girls read 1 book to me 5 days this week
    4. Do devotions with the girls every night (sometimes it gets late and we rush to get them into bed)
    5. Do the 25 Day of Christmas B.L.E.S.S. activities with the girls this week

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Go to bed by 10:30 or earlier on Monday and Tuesday
    3. Finish reading The 60-Minute Money Workout by Ellie Kay
    4. Listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (I am going through this book with my Community Group)

    Home Management Goals

    1. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    2. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    3. Dinner on the table by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday)
    4. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    5. Start wrapping and send out Christmas Cards / Presents

    Business Goals

    1. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
    2. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    3. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    4. Review my 2011 Business Goals and start planning ones for 2012

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Make at least $25 towards my Creative Cash goal this week so I can give more to others.

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Pay off remaining debt
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses

    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

  • Fresh & Healthy: Fall Harvest – Community Supported Agriculture (Week 9)

    We are enjoying our Fall Harvest with our Local Farm with Community Supported Agriculture program.   We are now getting close to the end of our fall harvest only one more week left.  The Fall harvest is 10 weeks long through our farm.  We are thrilled to get the produce and fresh eggs.  Our family is doing a half share again for this harvest.

    Fall Harvest Week 9 of Fresh Goodies from our CSA!

    Fresh goodies from our Local CSA Farm!

    Items in our Basket this Week:

    • 1 large bundle Swiss Chard
    • 1 large bundle Turnips and Greens
    • 3 Beets
    • 3 Brown Potatoes
    • 2 Sweet Potatoes
    • 1/2 Dozen Fresh Eggs (not pictured, already had those put away)
    I am looking forward to eating these goodies this week!  Thanks everyone for the delicious Recipes!    To find out how you can be a part of a local CSA check out this post – Fresh & Healthy:  Community Supported Farms
  • Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    I didn’t get a post up last week with birthday celebrations and Thanksgiving taking up extra time.  I sent Jake to the store with a list of items to pick up and he came home with a few “extras” and I was told that they were for my birthday so they shouldn’t count in the normal weekly budget.  He did get everything on the list and the few extra items were delicious (shrimp, corn on the cob, etc….) .  I am back to a more regular routine this week.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Groceries from Walmart and Ingles

    Walmart Groceries:

    • $21.40 at Walmart for 2 packs Yeast, 1 gallon of milk, 1 bag Purple Grapes, 1 bag Apples, 2 bottles Ocean Spray Juice, 2 bags Bread, and 1 bag Chicken.

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $7.74 at Ingles for 2 containers Strawberries, 1 box Wholly Guacamole, 1 container Mushrooms (Everything I bought this week at Ingles was on sale, marked down, or on clearance except the strawberries because they were for a new Mom’s dinner I was delivering this week.)
    Groceries from BiLo and Walgreens

     BiLo Groceries:

    • $3.27 at BiLo for 1 gallon of milk. (Somehow my family managed to drink a whole gallon in a day this week so I had to go back and get some more!)

    Walgreens Groceries:

    • $0.18 at Walgreens for 2 boxes of Brown Sugar after coupons.

    This week I spent $32.59 on groceries.  Even though I was only a little under on my budgeted amount for the week I was able to stock up on some items and to recover a little bit from last weeks birthday and Thanksgiving celebrations.  This week I had the privilege of taking meals to two new Moms and meet their little ones, what a blessing children are in our lives!  I hope that next week is better week and we can come under budget!

    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.

  • Life Can Be Sweet – S’mores Brownies

    Our family loves brownies!  The nice thing about making brownies you can add in all kinds of goodies and it still tastes awesome.  You can also add items on top of the brownies after they are baked or use them as a base to sundaes!  As you may already know not all my brownies turn out perfect like my Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies I made for our church Community Group, but for the most part they turn out delicious.

    I had some extra items on hand so we added them to the brownies.  I cooked the brownies to almost done added some marshmallows, chocolate and butterscotch chips finished cookies then drizzled chocolate syrup over the top.  The results delicious brownies to share with family and friends! 🙂

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of November 30 – December 6, 2011

    The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience.  You can start stocking up on some great deals for upcoming Holiday cooking.  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 Bone In Hank Potion Ham – $1.19 per lb

    Chicken Leg Quarters – $0.49 per lb

    Beef Eye of Round Roast – $3.99 per lb

    Cooked Cocktail Shrimp (41 to 50 count) – $4.99

    Hickory Springs Sliced Bacon (12 oz) – $1.99

    Farmington Pork Sausage, Hot or Mild (16 oz) – $1.99

    Fairgrounds Sliced Lunchmeats, Assorted Varieties (16 oz) – $2.99

    Fairgrounds Jumbo Hot Dogs (16 oz) – $0.99

    Portside Fish Fillets, Tilapia, Perch or Flounder (16 oz) – $3.99

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

    Portside Imitation Crabmeat (16 oz) – $1.99

    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

    Coburn Farms Cream Cheese – $1.00

    Land O’ Lakes Spreadable Butter (8 oz) – $1.99
    Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
    Use $0.30/1 coupon from insert 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
    As low as $1.49 each after coupon

    Banquet Family Size Entrees (26 to 28 oz) – $2.00

    Tropicana Orange Juice (59 oz) – $2.99

    Chef Antonio Rising Crust Pizza, Pepperoni or Cheese – $3.49

    Eggo Waffles (10 count) – $1.79

     World’s Fair Vanilla Ice Cream (56 oz) – $2.79

    Mrs. Smith’s Pies, Pumpkin, Apple or Cherry – $2.99
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from pamphlet Target booklet (Expires 12/30/11)
    $2.49 each after coupon

    Gold Leaf Deep Dish Pie Shells – $2.33

    Coburn Farms Sour Cream (16 oz) – $1.59

    Morning Delight Crescent Rolls – $1.69

    Save A Lot Today Orange Juice (59 oz) – $1.99

    Curly’s Pulled Pork or Beef (18 oz) – $3.99

    Produce

    California Navel Oranges (4 lbs) – $2.99

    Mixed Bag of Fruit (4 lbs) – $2.99

    Idaho Potatoes (10 lbs) – $2.99

    Tomatoes (6 pack) – $1.99

    Red Grapefruit (3 lbs) – $1.50

    Sunburst Tangerines (3 lbs) – $1.50

    Household

    Tide Powder Laundry Detergent (20 oz) – $3.99
    Use $1.00/1 coupon from Ebony magazine (Expires 12/31/11)
    Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 10/23 Red Plum (Expires 11/30/11)
    Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 11/27 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 12/31/11)
    As low as $2.99 each after coupon

     Wrightware Foam Plates (40 count) – $1.39

    Poly Steel Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil (37.5 sq ft) – $1.99

    Wrightware Napkins (250 count) – $1.69

    Chenard Plastic Cutlery, Knife, Fork, Spoon Assortment (48 count) – $1.69

    Max Force Alkaline Batteries, Assorted Varieties – $1.99

    Grocery

    Folgers Classic Roast Ground Coffee (22.6 oz) – $6.99
    Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 11/6 Red Plum (Expires 12/3/11)
    $5.99 each after coupon

    Crisco Vegetable or Canola Oil (48 oz) – $2.99
    Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 11/6 Red Plum (Expires 1/31/12)
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 11/6 Red Plum (Expires 1/31/12)
    $2.49 each after coupon

    Cap ‘N Crunch Cereal, Assorted Varieties (12 to 14 oz) – $1.99

    Kraft Deluxe or Velveeta Dinners (9 to 14 oz) – $1.79
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from tearpad found in some stores (Expires 11/30/11)
    $1.29 each after coupon

    Ritz Crackers, Assorted Varieties (14 to 15 oz) – $2.50

    Prego Pasta Sauce, Assorted Varieties (24 oz) – $1.50
    Use $0.75/2 coupon from 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
    Use $0.50/2 coupon from 10/16 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
    As low as $1.13 each after coupon

    Pregresso Traditional Soups, Assorted Varieties – $1.50

    Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Assorted Varieties – $2.49

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

    On the Border Tortilla Chips (12 oz) – $2.00

     Grissom’s Brown ‘n Serve Rolls ( 12 count) – $1.19

    Monet Entertainment Crackers (8 oz) – $1.69

    Lofthouse Snickerdoodle Cookies – $2.79

    Cafe Valley Fudge Bundt Cake – $3.39

    Portmann’s Mayonnaise – $2.49

    J Higgs Saltines – $1.19

    Wylwood Chili Beans – $0.75

    Hargis House Beef Stew (24 oz) – $2.39

    Hargis House Sloppy Joe Sauce (15.5 oz)  – $0.99

    Mantia’s Alfredo Sauce (15 oz) – $1.99

    Crisp Cranberry Lemon Lime Soda (2 liter) – $0.79

    Coburn Farms Evaporated Milk (15 oz) – $0.79

    Ginger Evans Cake Mix – $1.35

    Ginger Evans Ready to Spread Frosting – $1.49

    Ginger Evans Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (12 oz) – $2.29

    Morning Gem’s Frosted Flakes Cereal (17 oz) – $2.29

    Morning Delight Complete Buttermilk Pancake Mix (32 oz) – $1.89

    Morning Delight Country Style or Buttery Syrup (24 oz) – $1.89

    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

    Last week was an enjoyable Thanksgiving Holiday.  Our schedule was a little different from regular but we all had fun spending some extra time together.  We are back to our regular schedules this week plus a few extra events on top of it including Parent Teachers Conferences, delivering meals to new Moms and more great activities.  Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef Entree)Green Bean Tator Tot Casserole, Salad
    • Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree):  Ham Pizza, Fresh Fruit
    • Wednesday (Chicken Entree):  Chicken Noodle Soup, Fresh Vegetables
    • Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree):  Vegetarian Chili, Cornbread
    • 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

  • Intentional Living: Weekly Goals

    Our family had a blast spending some time together for Thanksgiving last week.  I was beginning to wonder what kind of week it would be when we started the week tired and with a little one throwing up.  Thankfully we didn’t have any big travel plans and have gotten past that little spurt of sickness now everyone seems to be on the mend.    Over the Thanksgiving week together we laughed, snuggled, read books, worked on projects, ate delicious food, went shopping, put up the Christmas tree, and just had fun relaxing as well as doing stuff around the house.    I am thankful for a wonderful family and an opportunity to spend some extra time together.

    Here is the update on last weeks goals:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Have the girls read 1 book to me 5 days this week – didn’t make do it 5 days
    4. Do devotions with the girls every night (sometimes it gets late and we rush to get them into bed) – not quite every night
    5. Spend extra time with my family over the Thanksgiving Holiday

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – the first half of the week went well
    2. Go to bed by 10:30 or earlier on Monday and Tuesday

    Home Management Goals

    1. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    2. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    3. Dinner on the table by 5:30 PM (Monday through Wednesday)
    4. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    5. Put up the Christmas Tree

    Business Goals

    1. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk – my desk was buried by the end of the weekend, time with the family took priority
    2. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4ahem….this one didn’t happen with birthday and Holidays, my sweet husband did a trip for me which brought it up as well. 
    2. Pay off remaining debt – working on it
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – on hold until the debt is paid off

    Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

    Family Goals

    1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
    2. Read a book to the girls everyday
    3. Have the girls read 1 book to me 5 days this week
    4. Do devotions with the girls every night (sometimes it gets late and we rush to get them into bed)
    5. Get the girls passport pictures taken

    Personal Goals

    1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
    2. Go to bed by 10:30 or earlier on Monday and Tuesday
    3. Finish reading  The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: Slash Your Spending, Pay Down Your Debt, Streamline Your Life, and Save Thousands a Year by Crystal Paine who has a blog called Money Saving Mom (VERY excited about the opportunity to preview this book by a blogger I have been following for years and thankful to be featured on her blog weekly with the Save A Lot Deals!)
    4. Listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (I am going through this book with my Community Group)

    Home Management Goals

    1. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
    2. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
    3. Dinner on the table by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday)
    4. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
    5. File the receipts and coupons for the last couple of months.

    Business Goals

    1. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
    2. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
    3. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
    4. Review my 2011 Business Goals and start planning ones for 2012

    Ministry Goals

    1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
    2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
    3. Make at least $25 towards my Creative Cash goal this week so I can give more to others.
    4. Deliver a meal to a new Mom.

    Financial Goals

    1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
    2. Pay off remaining debt
    3. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses

    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

  • Family Recipe: Spinach & Chicken Casserole

    I came up with this recipe several years ago when I was trying to use up some items we had on hand and it has been a family favorite since that day.  My husband mentioned this recipe in passing conversation with someone this past weekend which made me think that it was time to make it again.  So it is on our Menu for this week!  It is easy to put together too!

    Spinach & Chicken Casserole

    • 1 lb Chicken Breasts
    • 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
    • 1 can Spinach (drained)
    • 1 can Mushrooms or Fresh Mushrooms
    • 1 cup Provolone Cheese (you can use Swiss or Mozzarella)

    Spread the chicken breasts out in a baking dish so they are touching but not overlapping.  Mix the can of mushroom soup and spinach together and spread over the chicken breasts.  Put the mushrooms on top of the spinach and mushroom mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.  Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the casserole and bake for another 10 minutes.

    Layer of chicken, spinach, and mushrooms

  • Family Recipes: Quick Breakfast Smoothie

    A few months ago Jake got me a new blender….ahem…..after I wore out the second Kitchen Aid blender in our 11 years of marriage.  I LOVE smoothies, even on cold days.  Some days I don’t have time to sit down a long breakfast and I like being able to whip up a delicious breakfast drink that I can sip on as I am working.

    The girls are hooked on smoothies too.  Anytime I have the blender out their first question is “Are you making us a smoothie?”  Meaning can you make me a smoothie first, ha!  🙂  Just ask Jake if they are already fed, playing in another room, or otherwise uninterested in what I am doing they are immediately by my side when the blender turns on!  We have many smoothie variations but I wanted to share a healthy breakfast one that I enjoy (and yes it contains food I normally don’t get excited about eating in it).

    Quick Breakfast Smoothie:

    • 3 Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
    • 1o Grapes (fresh or frozen)
    • 8 oz Milk
    • 1/2 cup Ice
    • 1 hard boiled Egg
    • 3 tablespoons Strawberry or Vanilla Yogurt (optional)

    Put all the ingredients in the blender and mix together.  You have a healthy mix of protein, fruit, and dairy for your morning breakfast.

    We keep frozen strawberries and grapes (as well as other fruit) in the freezer and a batch of hard boiled eggs in the fridge so this smoothie takes a minute to put together and is ready.  I was hesitant to add the egg at first but you really cannot taste it in the smoothie and it adds a boost of protein.  Sometimes I will add a pack of Chocolate Carnation Instant Breakfast for the girls for an extra boost.  You can in a variety of other fruits that you have on hand or enjoy for your smoothie as well.

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of November 23 – 29, 2011

    The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience.  You can start stocking up on some great deals for upcoming Holiday cooking.  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 Bone In Hank Potion Ham – $1.19 per lb

    Chuck Wagon or Old Farm Bacon (16 oz) – $1.78

    Farmington Pork Sausage (16 oz) – $1.99

    Fresh Whole Chicken – $0.79 per lb

    Portside Cooked Shrimp (60 to 70 count) – $3.99

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

    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

    Home Churned Butter Quarters (16 oz) – $1.99

    Buyers Best Shoestring French Fries (12 oz) – $0.79

    Imperial Spread (45 oz) – $2.50

    Coburn Farms Cream Cheese – $1.00

    Cool Whip (8 oz) – $1.00

    Totino’s Pizza (9 to 10 oz) – $1.00
    Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 9/11 General Mills (Expires 12/3/11)
    Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 10/2 General Mills (Expires 12/24/11)
    Use $1.00/4 coupon from pamphlet Kroger’s My Magazine Giving Hope a Hand (Expires 12/4/11)
    Use $0.60/3 coupon from insert 10/2 General Mills (Expires 12/24/11)
    As low as $0.75 each after coupon

    Resers Salads (16 oz) – $1.00
    Use $1.00/1 printable coupon from Coupon Web
    Use $0.75/1 coupon found on a tearpad in some stores (Expires 12/30/11)
    As low as FREE each after coupon

    Mrs Smith’s Pumpkin, Apple or Cherry Pies (27 oz) – $2.99
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from pamphlet Target booklet (Expires 12/30/11)
    $2.49 each after coupon

    Coburn Farms Aerosol Whipped Cream  – $1.79

    Ginger Evans Ready to Bake Chocolate Chips or Sugar Cookies – $2.29

    Take and Bake Cheese Pizza (33 oz) – $5.49

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

    Wylwood Broccoli Normandy (16 oz) – $1.29

    Morning Delight Buttermilk Biscuits – $0.59

    Wylwood Shredded Hashbrowns (24 oz) – $2.39

    Produce

    Celery – $0.79

    Sweet Potatoes – $0.49 per lb

    Idaho Potato (5 pounds) – $1.89

    Mini Carrots (1 pound) – $1.00

    Household

    Poly Steel Heavy Duty Aluminum (32 sF) – $1.79

    Starware Food Storage (assorted variety) – $1.49

    Wrightware Napkins (250 count) – $1.69

    Ajax Dish Liquid (16 oz) – $0.99

    Luster Facial Tissues (85 count) – $0.79

    Grocery

    Stuffing on the Side – $0.89

    Coburn Farms Evaporated Milk – $0.79

    Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – $0.45

    Kool-Aid Jammers (10 count) – $1.88

    Harvest Select Grape or Cranberry Cocktails (64 oz) – $1.69

    Musselman’s Apple Sauce (46 to 48 oz) – $2.50

    Velveta Cheesy Potatoes – $1.79

    T.G.I. Friday Snacks (5 oz) – $1.00

    Progresso Bread Crumbs (15 oz) – $1.00
    Use $0.50/1 coupon from insert 11/13 General Mills (Expires 1/5/12)
    $0.50 each after coupon

    Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate (6 count) – $1.00
    Use $1.00/3 coupon from insert 11/13 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
    Use $0.50/2 coupon from insert 11/13 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/11)
    As low as $0.66 each after coupon

    Kaskey’s Chicken Broth (14 oz) – $0.69

    Ginger Evans Cake Mix – $1.35

    Ginger Evans Ready to Spread Frosting – $1.49

    Ginger Evans Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix – $0.89

    Tipton Grove Cranberry Sauce – $0.99

    Crisp Cranberry Lemon Lime or Save A Lot Exclusive Soda (2 liter) – $0.79

    Grissom’s Brown and Serve Rolls (12 count) – $1.19

    Theodoro Dollar Rolls (12 oz) – $1.99

    Mantia’s Elbow Macaroni (16 oz) – $0.99

    Rapid Rice on the Side Instant White Rice (28 oz) – $2.79

    Kaskey’s Onion Soup Mix (2 pack) – $0.89

    Westcott Cooking Spray (6 oz) – $1.69

    Ginger Evans Big or Mini Marshmallows (10 oz) – $0.99

    Libby’s Pineapple (20 oz) – $0.99
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 8/28 Red Plum (Expires 12/30/11)
    Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 11/13 Red Plum (Expires 3/31/12)
    $0.49 each after coupon

    Portmann’s Seafood Cocktail Sauce (12 oz) – $1.29

    Kurtz Worcestershire Sauce (10 oz) – $0.99

    Nature’s Grain Cinnamon Raisin Swirl (16 oz) – $2.49

    Bakery

    Bakery Fresh Pumpkin Pies – $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.