Great Deals 5/11

MEIJER
Oscar Meijer Hot Dogs $1.25
$1.00/2 Mealbox Q's
MQ from 5/10 insert $1.00/2
Final cost .25 each

Meijer yogurt 10/$4.00
Get $2 OYNO
Final cost .20 each

Kraft Light Mayo $2
Mealbox Q
MQ $1.00/1
Final cost FREE

Bananas .27 lb

Softsoap $1
MQ .35 doubled
Final Cost .29

Duncan Hines Cake Mix $1
Mealbox Q $1.00/5
MQ $1.00/3

Kraft Mac and Cheese
.50 each
Catalina deal: Purchase Kraft Macaroni & Cheese between 5/8 - 5/31
Buy 4 - get $1
Buy 5 - get $1.50
Buy 6 - get $2
Final cost 6/$1.00

Eggs
.98

Chiocken
.98 lb

KROGER

Grocery Week April 27

Terrible week for couponers. My two favorite stores, Kroger, and Meijer do not have many coupon match ups this week. Meijer is featuring their own store brand. Ho Hum.

There are a couple of new interesting Catalina deals(that is the little machine that spits out coupons at the register) at Meijer.

1. Buy 6 Old El Paso seasoning mix's, shells, beans, etc, receive a coupon for $3 off chicken or beef

2. Buy 10 Keebler or Kelloggs products (5 ox or larger), get two free movie tickets

3. Buy two Wheat Thins, get a coupon for free Chrystal Light

Also look for peelies (stickers on the product of Pert for Men Shampoo. It has a Try it Free Offer

Happy Girl

I am a happy girl today. I found the following bargains

KROGER
18 Suave shampoo and conditioner
88 cents
- MC .50/2 doubled
COST .38 PER Bottle

2 Scotch Tape (on the reduced rack)
- .50 cat/$1
Final Cost FREE

MEIJER
2 KC Masterpiece Barbeque sauce sweet and tangy
.90 each
manufactures rebate on tear pad, buy 2 KC Masterpiece, and chicken or beef, get $3.00back

9 Kraft Salad Dressing
$1.58 each
- $1.50 MC
Final cost .08 each

Shopping List 4/18 - 4/25

MEIJER
most of these items came from the dented section (my favorite part of the store)

8 Barilla Piccolini Pasta .29 each/-8 .50 q doubled/$1.29 each orig cost
7 Electrasol Finish .50/- 7- $2.50 q's/$3.00 orig cost
Franks Red Hot FREE/-.50 Q doubled/$1.00 orig cost
French's mustard .25/-.50 q doubled/$1.25 orig cost
2 Mighty Dog dog food FREE/-2 .69 TIF coupon/.69 each orig cost
4 Swanson chicken broth .23 each/-.40 q doubled/.43 each orig cost
2 Frosted Mini wheats .56 each/-2 $1.00 q/$1.56 each orig cost
1 Kellogg Corn Flakes .24/-$1.00/$1.24 orig cost
2 Chunky soup .26 each/-.50q doubled/.76 orig cost
2 Chex Mix FREE/-2 .50 coupons doubled/$1.00 each orig cost
Fiber One Bars .60/-.50 q doubled/$1.60 orig cost
6 Pillsbury Frozen Dinner Rolls .12 each/-.40 q doubled/.92 clearance price
2 Purina Cat chow .69 each/- 2 3.50 q's/$4.19 orig cost
strawberries .99
cantaloupe $1.33

KROGER
10 Pillsbury brownies .50 each/- 5 .50 off 2 q doubled/ $1 orig cost
5 Quakes Rice Cakes FREE/-5 $1 q's/$1 each orig cost
Goldfish crackers FREE/- .50 q doubled
11 McCormich Grill Mates FREE/-3 .50 q's doubled/$1 each orig cost
3 Lawrey's marinade FREE/-.50 q doubled/ $1 each orig cost
seedless grapes .99 lb
fresh green beans .77 lb
7 softsoap .30 each/- 7 .35 q's doubled/$1 each orig cost
7 Suave deodorant 29 each/-.35 q doubled/ $1 original cost
deli american cheese 2.99 lb
whole chicken .88 lb
strip steak 3.99 lb
From the dented section:
4 lb generic sugar .79 (I am so excited)
5 lb kroger sugar 1.39
3 lb bag popcorn .89
huge bag (6 lb 6 oz) Pedigree Marrobone dog treats 4.19


JUNGLE JIMS

4 4 roll pkgs of Scott bathroom tissue FREE/- 4 $1 q's
3 lbs kahns bologna (my dh lves the nasty stuff
8 oz kraft mozarella 1.00
Eartbound cranberrry and walnut salad FREE/-4 coupon
Acivia 4 pack prune flavored yogurt(??) FREE/-$1 coupon

Walgreens
3 edge shaving cream FREE with buck back coupons This is limit 1, you have to go to a few stores to get multiples

CVS edge shaving cream FREE
2 Crest pro Care toothpaste .13 each after ECB and .75 coupon
__________________

Bread Making Adventure

Some friends over at Dotti's Weight Loss Zone shared this recipe for Artisan Bread. It comes from the book Artisan Bread In Five Minutes. The cost per loaf is estimated at about 35 cents.

Master Bread Recipe
from "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day"


Ingredients:
Chapter Five?s Master Recipe
Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: the Discovery that Revolutionizes Home Baking (Thomas Dunne Books / St. Martin?s Press, Nov 2007)
The full recipe as it appears in the book provides more detail, but most home bakers will be able to get a start on five-minute a day homemade bread with this short version of the recipe.

Preparation time: 15 minutes to prepare enough dough for four loaves, to be baked over four days. Each daily loaf will average 5 minutes of active preparation time.

Makes four 1-pound loaves
3 cups lukewarm water (about 100º F)
1 1/2 tablespoons granulated yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher or other coarse salt
6 1/2 cups all-purpose white flour (no need to sift)
Cornmeal for the pizza peel

1.In a 5-quart bowl, mix the yeast, water and salt. Add all the flour, then use a wooden spoon to mix until all ingredients are uniformly moist. It is not necessary to knead or continue mixing once the ingredients are uniformly moist. This will produce a loose and very wet dough.

2.Cover with a lid (not airtight). Allow the mixture to rise at room temperature until it begins to collapse, about 2 hours, but no more than 5 hours.

3. After rising, the dough can be baked immediately, or covered (non completely airtight) and refrigerated up to 14 days. The dough will be easier to work with after at least 3 hours refrigeration.

4. On baking day, prepare a pizza peel by sprinkling it liberally with cornmeal to prevent the bread from sticking when you transfer it to the oven. Uncover the dough and sprinkle the surface with flour. Pull up and cut off a 1-pound (grapefruit-size) piece of dough (serrated knives are best). Store the remaining dough in the bowl and refrigerate for baking at another time.

5. Hold the mass of dough in your hands and add a little more flour as needed so it won't stick. Create a smooth ball of dough by gently pulling the sides down around to the bottom, rotating the ball a quarter-turn as you go. While shaping, most of the dusting flour will fall off. The bottom of the loaf may appear to be a collection of bunched ends, but it will flatten out during resting and baking. Shaping the loaf this way should take no more than 1 minute.

6.Place the dough on the pizza peel. Allow the loaf to rest for about 40 minutes. It does not need to be covered. The bread may not rise much during this time.

7. Twenty minutes before baking, place a pizza stone on the center rack of the oven. If you don't have a baking stone, use another baking sheet. Remove any upper racks. Place a broiler pan on a rack below the pizza stone or on the floor of the oven. Preheat oven to 450 F.

8. When the dough has rested for 40 minutes, dust the top liberally with flour, then use a serrated knife to slash a 1/4-inch-deep cross or tic-tac-toe pattern into the top.

9.Slide the loaf off the peel and onto the baking stone. Quickly but carefully pour 1 cup of hot water into the broiler tray and close the oven door.

10.Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the crust is nicely browned and firm to the touch. Allow the bread to cool completely, preferably on a wire cooling rack.

Grocery List March 9

I am loving this weeks ad's. Lot's of stuff on sale, that I have coupons for.
Kroger is offering a promotion right now that I've taken advangage of. If you transfer a prescription to their pharmacy, they will give you $25 in free groceries. My Rx just happens to be a generic, which they refill for $4, and give me $25 of free groceries, so what does a girl have to lose?

Entre ideas for the week using stuff on hand, and this weeks sale items

Buttermilk oven fried chicken, corn on the cob
Cornmeal crusted Tilapia, cole slaw, oven fries
Strip Steak, baked potato, spinach side sald
Stuffed shells, salad, garlic bread
Turkey burgers, minestrone soup

Kroger
cantaloupe (ad price $.99)
3lb mandarin oranges (final cost $1.99)(-$1 coupon) (ad price (2.99)
strip steaks (ad price $3.99 lb)
Honeysuckle turkey burger pattties (ad price $2.50)
Land o Lakes Light butter (final cost FREE) (-$1 coupon) (ad price $.99)
Quaker Quakes Rice Cakes (final cost FREE) (FREE customer loyalty coupon) (ad price 6 $.49)
Gortons frozen fish (final cost $1.69) (using $.80 coupon) (ad price $2.49
3 Betty Crocker Potatoes (final cost $.19 each) (using 3- $.80 coupons) (ad price $.99)
Country Crock (final cost FREE) (- $1 coupon)(ad price $.99)
2 Pepperidge Farms garlic bread (final cost $.99 each) (-$1 coupon) (ad cost $1.49)
Sargento Cheese (final cost $.49)(-$1 artisan coupon)(ad cost $1.49)
3 Colegate Toothpaste (final cost FREE)
Colegate Toothbrush (final cost FREE)(-$1 coupon) (ad cost $1)
hamburger Helper (FREE) (on scalloped potato box, buy three potatoes, get Hamburger helper free)


MEIJER
pears (ad cost $.87 lb)
2 packages bagged spinach (ad cost $1)
broccoli (ad cost $1)
cabbage (ad cost $.10 lb)
Dinty Moore beef stew (final cost FREE) (-$1 coupon)(ad cost $1)
Hunts NSA spaghetti sauce (ad cost $1)
Meijer boneless skinless chicken breast 4 lbs (ad cost 7.99)
4 Betty Crocker Brownie mix (final cost ) (- coupon) (ad cost $1)
3 Ziploc bags (final cost $.20 each) (-3 $.80 coupons) (ad cost $1)
part skim ricotta cheese not on sale, but I needed it for shells $2.69

MEIJER reduced section
baking potatoes $.25 lb
ruby gold potatoes .30 lb
Fresh Express Caesar salad kit (cost $.50)
Greenhouse cucumber (cost $.30)

JUNGLE JIMS

bananas (ad price $.25 lb)
gallon ff milk (ad price $1.99)
Barilla jumbo shells (ad price $1.79)
6 oz plain yogurt (cost $.60 yikes)
Rump Roast (cost $1.99 per lb)

Aldi
3 lbs onions $.59

Grocery List March 2

FREEBIES FOR THE WEEK....MORE OATMEAL.............




Hmmmm.....not a good grocery ad week. I don't see much that we need, nor anything that I care to stock up on, so my list will be short this week.

KROGER
1. 6 Lean Cuisine's (total cost $6.94) (I prefer to make homemade lunch's from leftovers, but these are too cheap to pass up)($1.49 each when you buy 10 participating items total cost) (using 1- $2.00 off 6 coupon)
2. Gortons fish (total cost $1.69) (using $.80 coupon)
3. Seapak Butterfly shrimp (total cost $3.99) (-$1.00 coupon)
4. 3 16 oz ff Kroger orange sherbert(will use later this month for party punch) (total cost $.49 each $1.47)
5. 1/2 gallon ff milk ($1.00)
6. 1 lb pinto beans ($2.19 YIKES, costs too much, but needed them. I WILL stock up on pinto beans at ALDI the next time I am there, so I never have to pay $2.19 again)
7. Honeysuckle Turkey (.99 lb total cost $7.22)
8. Franks Redhot sauce (FREE) (try it free coupon)
9. 1 lb deli bologna (DH loves this nasty fat laden stuff yuk...) ($4.00)




From the dented/about to expire section:
Kroger spaghetti ($.39)
Ronzoni Smart Taste elbow pasta ($.69)
Kroger whole wheat flour ($1.49)
Quaker oatmeal (FREE) (used $1 coupon)
Quaker instant oatmeal (FREE) (used $1 coupon)
3 packages Hillshire Farms smoked sausage (.99 each $2.97 total) (- 3 $.70 coupons)
2 Hillshire Farms Deli Selects Smoked Ham (total cost 2 for $.99) (-$1.00 coupon)
Electrasol dishwasher detergent (total cost $1.09) (- $.50 coupon)
zilploc bags (total cost $.79) (- $.80 coupon)
Fresh Express Salad Mix (one FREE, one $.98 cents) (using $1.00 coupon)
Quaker mini rice cakes (FREE) (using FREE customer loyalty coupon that I fished from the checkout garbage...it was on top LOL)
Quaker oatmeal packets (FREE) (using $1.00 coupon)
Kroger giant taco shells ($.89)
Jiffy corn muffin mix (cost $.19)
Glory black beans (cost $.59)
14 oz Minute Rice (total cost .39) (used $1.00 coupon)
Corazonas Heart Healthy Tortilla Chips (total cost $.49 (used $1.00 coupon)
5 Wick Fowlers chili mix kits ($.39 each total cost $1.95)
3 box's Pringles Sticks 2 points per serving, and really good ($.59 each total cost $1.77) (used 3 $1 coupons




MEIJER EDIT decided to not "do" Meijer this week

GABRIEL BROTHERS (closeout store)

Big box Wheat Thins (cost $.50)
2 box's Graham cracker crumbs for pie crusts ($.50 each total cost $1.00)

Feb 23 Shopping List

FREEBIES FOR THE WEEK (forgot to include the oatmeal and avocado in the picture) SEE NOTE BELOW REGARDING THE PILLSBURY PROMOTION



My shopping lists may look unconventional to some of you. I make my list according to what is on sale, buying multiple quantities of some items each week. It all works out in the end, and my pantry and freezer are overflowing. I try to stick to no more than $75 per week, but aim for $50 per week.

My hubby and I are empty nesters, so I do not have a large family to shop for. I love the challenge of seeing how many groceries I can get each week for as few $$ as possible.

Now, on to this weeks sales!

MEIJER (all coupons up to $.50 are doubled to $1.00)
4 bags Dole Salad (final cost .50 per bag $2.00) (using 2 $1.00 coupon)
Aunt Millie's Bread (final cost $.30) (using $.70 coupon
4 Betty Crocker AuGratin Potatoes (final cost $.80) (using 4 $.80 coupons)
4 Freshlike frozen veggies (final cost $.50 per bag $2.00) (using 2 $1.00 coupons)
Bounty paper towels (final cost $.50) (using $.50 coupons)
Western Style Ribs $.99 per pound (final cost $3.50)
4 lbs frozen boneless chicken breast $7.99
strawberries $1.49
avocado (free with in store buy 10 $1 items, get 1 free)
2 pkgs Bluegrass Deliciously Lean Metts 1.99 each ($3.98 total)
2 Land o Lakes Buttery Spread ($.25 each $.50 total) (using 2 $1.00 coupons)
2 Breakstones cottage cheese 4 packs ($1 each $2.00 total (using 2 $1.00 coupons)
UNPLANNED MEIJER PURCHASES REDUCED/DENTED RACK: NONE THIS WEEK

KROGER(all coupons up to $.50 doubled to $1.00)
2 Star Kist tuna pouches ($1 each, total cost $2.00)
1 starkist tuna pouch (FREE) (with buy 2 get 1 free coupon)
3 AquaFresh toothpaste ($.25 each $.75 total) (2 $3 coupons)
12 cans Pillsbury (cost FREE) (with 6 $1.00 coupons and Pillsbury promo)
Private Selection ground chuck 1 lb ($2.69)
Tennessee Pride sausage gravy pouch (FREE) (free with ($1.00 coupon)
Weight Watchers Ice Cream ($.99) (using $1.00 coupon)
2 Colegate toothbrush's (cost FREE) (using 2 $1 coupons)
UNPLANNED KROGER PURCHASES REDUCED/DENTED RACK: NONE THIS WEEK

Kroger Pillsbury Promotion:
Buy any Pillsbury refrigerated crescents, cookies, sweet rolls, grands, dinner rolls, loaves, breadsticks, or pizza crust between 2/23 and 3/22
Buy (3) & get $1.50
Buy (4) get $2.00
Buy (5) get $3.00
...coupon/cash off your next grocery order

JUNGLE JIMS large international market, fruits and veggies galore!
fresh pineapple $1.99
Danjou pears $.79 lb ($1.58)
fresh lemon $.25 each
cantaloupe $.88
6 vine ripe tomatos from the reduced rack ($.49 total)
2 4 packs of Scott toilet tissue (FREE) (using $2 $1.00 coupons)
Quaker old fashioned oatmeal (FREE) (using $1.00 off coupon)
glad bags quart size (FREE) (using try it free coupon)
UNPLANNED JUNGLE JIMS PURCHASES:
2 125 ct packages styrofoam plates (total cost $1.99) (we use a ton of these in the summer at the lake)

Shopping List Feb 16

FREEBIES THIS WEEK!


Meijer
5 pkgs Angel Soft (final cost $5.00)
5 packages Stove Top Stuffing (final cost $4.00)(coupon for 1 FREE)
4 lbs bone in chicken breast (final cost $4.00)
chuck roast (final cost (3.28)
Helluva Good Dip (final cost FREE) (with $1.00 coupon)
2 pkgs 150 ct sandwich bags (total cost $2.00)
4 assorted bell peppers reduced rack (total cost $.61)
grape tomatos reduced rack(total cost $.31)
Quaker rice cakes (total cost FREE) ($1.00 coupon)
Quaker TortillaZ (total cost FREE)($1.00 coupon)
Tropicana Valencia Orange Juice reduced rack(total cost $1.00)
Marzetti Refrigerated Dressing (total cost for 2-$2.30) ($1.00 coupon)
5 Green Giant boxed frozen veggies (total cost $3.00)(2-$1.00 coupons)
pint fresh blackberries (total cost $1.25)
Lysol Pourable disinfectant (total cost $1.00) ($1.00 coupon)
Lyson antibacterial kitchen cleaner (total cost $1.00) ($1.00 coupon)
Tide (total cost $5) ($1.00 coupon)
2 Totinos Pizza Rolls (total cost $1.20)
fresh mushrooms (FREE) store promo, buy 10 $1 items, get 1 free
organic baby carrots (FREE)store promo, buy 10 $1 items, get 1 free
2 Purina Wholesome canned dog food (FREE) (with 2 Try it free coupons)

Kroger
cantaloupe $1.49
3 lbs mandarin oranges (total cost $2.67 ($1.00 Little Cuties coupon)
Trix cereal ($.04) will give to grandsons, it was on the dented/reduced rack and I had a $.75 coupon
Multi Grain Cheerios (.04) same as above
Hellmans Light Mayo (total cost $1.99 ($1.00 coupon)
Fresh Express Salad Mix (cost $1.00) ($1.00 coupon)
center cut pork chops $1.79 per pound (total cost $4.00)

Menu ideas for this week using sale items:

Buttermilk Fried chicken
Miss Piggies Spa Pork chops
Beef Stew
Chicken Salad sandwiches
Beef and Pepper Stir Fry over brown rice
Chicken and dressing

Balsamic Chicken Thigh's

Ingredients
2 lbs skinless chicken thighs
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped shallot
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
cooking spray

Directions
1. Spray large frying pan, preheat.
2. Rinse and pat dry thighs.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Brown well on all sides.
5. Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook for approximately 25 minutes,or'til thighs are done depending on size.
6. Add shallots,cook for 2-3 minutes,until they soften.
7. Stir in balsamic vinegar, cook for about 1 more minute,turn chicken to coat thoroughly.
8. Spoon sauce over thighs to serve.

Honey Pecan Chicken

Serves 4
8 points Per Serving

Ingredients
1/3 +2 tsp bread crumbs
4 Thinly sliced chicken cutlets
2 tbsp flour
1 egg lightly beaten
2 tbsp canola oil
3/4 oz. chopped pecans
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. minced fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1/8 tsp. grated orange peel
1/8 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper

Preparation

1. Cover chicken in flour
2. Dip in beaten egg
3. Coat both sides wit the bread crumbs.
4. Saute the chicken in oil, turning once, 3-4 minutes per side. (Or Until the chicken is cooked).
5. Remove chicken to serving platter and keep warm.
6. In same skillet saute the pecans until lightly toasted (1-2 minutes)
7. In small bowl combine remaining ingredients, stirring to dissolve cornstarch
8. Add liquid to pecans in the skillet and stirring constantly, bring to a boil.
9. Simmer 4-5 minutes until mixture thickens.
Pour over chicken and serve immediately.

Diet Coke Sloppy Joes

Serves 6
3 Points Per Serving

Ingredients

1 lb 96% lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped finely
1 cup diet coke
2/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dried mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons flour

Preparation

1. Brown ground beef and onion
2. Drain, and rinse ground beef with hot water to de-fat
3. Return ground beef/onion to the pan
4. Add remaining ingredients
5. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes

Rachel Ray's You Won't Be Single For Long Pasta

This sure isn't a Weight Watcher's Recipe, but it does sound yummy. This would make a nice romantic dinner for Valentines Day.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, once around the pan in a slow stream
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
1 cup vodka
1 cup chicken stock
1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces)
Coarse salt and pepper
16 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate
1/2 cup heavy cream
20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn
Crusty bread, for passing

Preparation
Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add oil, butter, garlic, and shallots. Gently saute shallots for 3 to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness. Add vodka to the pan, 3 turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup. Reduce vodka by half, this will take 2 or 3 minutes. Add chicken stock, tomatoes. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it). While pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.
Stir cream into sauce. When sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat. Drain pasta. Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves. Pass pasta with crusty bread.

Grocery List for Feb 9-13

With the economy in shambles, we all need a way to reduce our grocery costs. By spending an hour or so a week clipping coupons, and printing online coupons, it is possible to cut our grocery totals by approximately 40%.

Typically, I go to 4 different stores. I realize that many of you don't have the time to do this. It does take time, organizational skills, and a strong desire to save money, but it can be done.

Kroger and Meijer both offer double coupons, and armed with the sales ad, and my stash of coupons, it becomes a game to see how much stuff I can get for free.You will notice that I buy large quantities of things when they are on sale to stock my pantry. My goal is to never have to buy an item, when it is not on sale.

Buy the Sunday newspaper. If there are a lot of coupons in the issue, you may want to buy three or four of the papers. Ask your mother, sisters, neighors, to save their unused coupons for you. The more coupons, the more your savings. FYI, our Krogers here in Ohio sells the Sunday paper for $.99, verses $1.50 elsewhere

My favorite online coupon site is www.coupons.com. Two other great sites are http://www.couponsurfer.com/ http://www.shortcuts.com/

Some items that you will see on my shopping lists, such as Oreos, and sugary cereals, are not items that my hubby and I will consume. If the item is free, I go ahead and buy it for my grandkids. I know that I will find someone that can use any FREE product that I can get!

Don't waste anything! Food is way to expensive to waste. Buy some small containers, such as Rubbermaid Take-alongs. Using leftovers, freeze individual portion controlled entre's, or soups for weekday lunch's.

Each week I will share my grocery lists, savings strategies, and coupon knowledge on my blog.
____________________________________________________________________
MENU IDEAS for the week using sale items, and addtional items from my pantry:

Cabbage Casserole
Manwich on bun, corn, unfried fries
Beef veggie soup, ungrilled cheese (2 slices reduced fat bread, toasted, with a slice of fat free american
Roast beef, packaged low fat gravy, mashed potato's made with skim milk, no butter, green beans
Hard shell tacos with ff sour cream, 2% cheddar, fat free refried beans
Cuban fried rice (recipe on blog)
Omelettes with oven fried potatos, and fruit cup
Cornmeal Crusted tilapia (recipe on blog) with cole slaw and broccoli
Chili
____________________________________________________________________

FEB 9-16 SHOPPING LIST

ALDI
Red grapes (cost 1.48) .74 cents per pound sold in 2 lb containers
2 cans chili beans (cost for 2 cans $1.10) .55 per can
canola oil (cost 2.29)
large head of cabbage (cost .95)
8 roma tomatos (cost $1.49)
gallon of bleach (cost $1.29)
1 pound baby carrots (cost $1.15)
2 lbs bacon (cost for 2 lbs $2.00) $1.00 per pound (exp date was 2-23)
2 dozen eggs large (cost for 2 doz $1.38) .69 per dozen
salad mix (cost $.99)
had fresh pineapple and strawberries on my list, but they were out of them
____________________________________________________________________
KROGER
2 lbs Round Roast (cost for 2 lbs $4.68) will use this for 2 meals, soup, and roast and gravy
Blueberries (cost $1.28) per 16 oz
Strawberries $1.50
Oreo's (cost free) with customer loyalty coupon will give these to grandsons
Oscar Meyer lunch meat (cost free) with customer loyalty coupon
5 lbs Ground Chuck (cost for 5 lb $8.95) $1.79 per pound will buy 5 pounds for future use
Kroger 2% Cheddar Cheese (cost $1.15) with $.45 customer loyalty coupon
2 cans Manwich Sauce (cost for 2 cans $.40) with $1.00 coupon
8 cans Rotel Tomatos (cost for 8 cans $2.96) $.37 per can
Fresh Pears (cost $.88 lb)
3 box Cheerio's cereal (cost for 3 -$2.01) 3 $1.00 off coupons
3 cans Del Monte 50% less salt veggies (cost $.87) 3 - $.60 off coupons

Unplanned purchases from Krogers dented/damaged/about to expire section
Puffs tissues (cost $.59) with $.50 coupon
gallon storage bags (cost $.69)
120 dryer sheets (cost $1.50)
quart freezer storage bags $.69)
active lifestyle water mix ins (cost $.44) with $.65 customer loyalty coupon
Kroger sandwich buns (cost $.24) with $.25 customer loyalty coupon... perfect for the Manwich!
Taco shells $.69

NOTE Kroger has their store brand oatmeal packets on sale this week for $.99. I have too much oatmeal on hand now, so I won't buy it this week, but this is a great deal!
____________________________________________________________________
MEIJER
6 cans Betty Crocker Icing (cost free) with double coupons
Chex mix 4 bags (cost free) free with double coupons
Lysol (cost .44) $2.44 - $2.00 coupon
2 cans Purina One Natural Dog Food (cost free) with coupons
Wishbone Italian Dressing (cost .25) $1.25 - .$1.00 coupon
4 cans Progresso Soup (cost for 4 cans $3.00) 4 cans $1.25 per can - $1.00 x 2 coupons
Farm Fresh Cheese Sticks (cost .54) $1.54 - $1.00 coupon
Heart Smart Bisquick (cost .88) $1.88 - $1.00 coupon
_____________________________________________________________________
JUNGLE JIMS
1 lb Fresh Tilapia (cost $5.49) Perch was on sale, but it didn't look good
bunch broccoli ( cost .59)
gallon fat free milk (cost $1.99)
2 Sabra Hummus (cost for 2 containers $1.00) with 2 $1.50 coupons)
2 Jiff peanut butter (cost for 2 jars $1.78) with 2- $1.00 coupon
2 lbs butter (cost for 2 lbs $3.38) $1.69 per lb (I bake/sell cookies in the spring/summer at the flea market)
4 bags Birdseye frozen veggies (cost $2.00) with 2 $1.00 coupons)

Unplanned Purchases at Jungle Jim's:
1/2 lb Boarshead smoked chicken (cost $3.00)
sugar free strawberry glaze (cost $.99)

Robin's Cuban Fried Rice

This is another recipe given to me by Robin M, from Dotti's Weight Loss Zone. It is simply delicious!

Ingredients:

fresh pineapple (about 1.2 of a large pineapple, cut into tidbits, or one 20 oz can of no sugar added pineapple, including the juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 pouch instant rice prepared (brown rice works well)
12 oz cooked ham, coarsely chopped (canadian bacon works well, for lower points)
1 cup chopped or sliced sweet peppers
2 jalapeno peppers, sliced
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

Preparation
1.Heat olive oil in skillet, add remaining ingredients
2. Heat till peppers all ingredients are heated through, stirring often.

1 Point Minestrone Soup

Serves 6
1 Point Per Serving

Ingredients
3 tbsp chopped garlic
1 cup chopped onion
¾ diced celery
2 cups non-fat chicken broth
1 12-oz can Spicy V-8
1 ½ cups shredded carrots
1 14.5-oz can Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes w/ Onion, Basil & Oregano
½ cup frozen baby peas
1 cup Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 ½ tsp Italian Seasoning
½ tsp red pepper flakes
1/3 cup Ditalini or any small pasta
1 ½ cups finely shredded fresh spinach

Preparation:
1. In a large French oven misted with olive oil, sauté onion, celery and garlic over medium heat until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
2. Add in the chicken broth and V-8. Then add the carrots and tomatoes. Cook for about 10 minutes.
3. Then add the peas and beans to the pot and season with the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
4. Allow to cook another 10 minutes at a simmer over medium-low heat.
5. Add in the Ditalini and cook for another 7 minutes – may need to add up to ½ cup water if soup is looking thick.
6. Finally, add the fresh spinach in and allow to cook 3-4 minutes.
7. Take pot off of the stove and allow to cool 5 minutes if serving immediately or at least 30 minutes if storing in individual cups in the freezer.

0 Point Soup

4 Servings
0 points per serving

Ingredients
2/3 cup sliced carro
t1/2 cup diced onion
2 cloves garlic
3 cups fat free broth (beef, chicken or vegetable)
1 1/2 cups green cabbage leaf -- diced
1/2 cup green beans
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried basi
l1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/2 cup zucchini -- diced

Preparation

1. In a large saucepan, sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saute the carrot, onion, and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and salt; bring to a boil.
3. Lower heat and simmer covered, about 15 minutes or until beans are tender.
4. Stir in zucchini and heat 3-4 minutes.
5. Serve hot.

Pineapple Smoothie

Serves 2
2 Points Per Serving

Ingredients:
1 cup cubed pineapple -- fresh or canned
1/4 cup pineapple-orange juice -- from frozen concentrate
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt, nonfat
1/4 cup water
2 ice cubes

Instructions:
1. In a blender, combine all ingredients, blend until smooth and frothy
.2. Pour into glasses.

Bootcamp Chili

Serves 20
2 points Per 1 cup serving

Ingredients:
6 15 oz cans of Chili Beans in Sauce
2 28 oz cans Crushed Tomatoes
1 lb lean ground beef
2 onions, chopped
chili powder to taste
salt, pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Brown the beef and drain well.
2. Combine with all the other ingredients and simmer uncovered until the onions are tender, stirring frequently.
3. the longer this cooks the better it is

Snicker Bar

2 Servings
2 points Per Serving

Ingredients:
1 package Diet Swiss Miss Cocoa
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 banana
1/4 cup Grape Nuts cereal

Instructions:
1. Put all ingredients in a mixer.
2. After mixing up, then divide into 2 servings by putting half of the mixture on one piece of aluminum foil then folding edges to keep fresh.
3. Do the same thing with the other bar.
4. Now put both in freezer and have for a snack anytime