Walgreens:
Walgreens will have a coupon book near the ad in the store. That is where you will find the in store coupons you will see below!
Viva Paper towels 6 count 2/$12
$3/2 in-store coupons
$4.50 each after coupons (not too bad)
Coke 2 liters 4/$5
$1/4 in store coupon
$1 each!
Spend $25, get $5 RR
$5.49 6 count Bounty paper towels
-$1/1 6 count paper towels (exp 12/31)
$3.49 6 count double roll Charmin toilet paper
-$1/2 Charmin (Expires 12/31)
Options:
4 Bounty paper towels
1 Charmin roll
Total: $25.45 - $4 MC for paper towels = $22.74 after PA tax
Get $5 back!
$17.74 total
4 Charmin rolls
3 Paper towels
Total: $30.43 - $5 MC ($3 paper towels, $2 charmin) = 26.96 after tax
$5 back
$21.96
RiteAid
Coke (must buy 3) 12 pks 3/$9.99
-$2/3 +UP
Pay the 9.99 + tax and get $2 UP
$7.99 + tax for 3 12 pks
Big Red, Juicy Fruit, Doublemint, or Orbit single gum packs $1
-$1 UP!
Only pay tax!!
Covergirl Makeup B1G1 50% off
$1 UP rewards on each (limit 4)
$1/1 Covergirl Item (Exp 12/31)
Options:
4 Eyeshadows (4.99 online)
$14.97 at B1G1 50% off - $4 MC = $10.97 + tax = $11.63
Get $4 in +UPs = $7.63
2 Eyeshadows $4.99
1 Mascara $7.99 (online price)
1 Foundation $7.99 (online price)
With the 50% off = $19.47
- $ 4 MC
Total = $15.47
Get $4 UP
Total after UP = $11.47
CVS
Revlon Grow Luscious mascara or certain lip options $6.99
-$4 EB
Total: $2.99 plus the tax on $6.99
Decoration Band Aids $2.99
-$2 EB
Total: .99 plus the tax on $2.99
ThermaCare
-$4 EB on 2
-$1/1 Thermacare 2 count or larger
$6 off total
Excedrin $10 EB when you spend $20 (remember precoupon!)
-$2/1 20 count or greater
Option:
Online a 24 ct is priced at $4.79
Buy 5 = $23.95
Use the $10 MC coupons (5 of the $2/1)
Total before EB and with tax = $14.79
Get $10 EB back!!!
Total for 5 Excedrins: $4.79
Revlon Nail $4.99
-$3 EB
Total: $1.99 plus tax on the $4.99
Friday, December 16, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
For those that have been looking to get into couponing, there isn't really a better place to start than CVS! During the holidays, they are running a promotion where if you buy $30 of select products, you get your pick of a $10 gift card. When I went last week there was American Express cards, Gap, Macys, CVS (great to just reuse on your next coupon trip) and more! I have heard through the grapevine that it takes a few hours for the AmEx cards to be active so you won't be able to do separate transactions and use the cards right away.
CVS puts their ad up for the next week on the Thursday before. So you can go today to cvs.com and click on weekly ad. You then click the tab for "Upcoming Weekly Ad." This way if you don't have the coupons you need you can get them in while those sales are going.
**All the links are to purchaseable coupons at http://www.westcoastcouponclipping.com/
Deals this week:
Spend $30, get a $10 gift card:
All Salley Hansen cosmetics or Hair removers
-They are also buy one, get one 50% off! (B1G1 50%)
$4.99 Scott 6pk pick a size paper towels
* $1/1 four count or large Scott paper towel
$7.49 Scott toilet paper 12 pk
*$1/1 Scott toilet paper 8 count or large
A bunch of different fragrances from $4.99 - $19.99
$1.99 and up Hallmark Holiday boxed cards
Entertainment book (Says starting at $35 so I'm guessing it's $35)
All Rimmel Costmetics B1G1 50% (you can use a coupon for each item, even the 50% off ones)
*$1/1 Rimmel London product
Secret or Gillette Clincal strength deoderant $7.99
*$1/2 Secret deoderants
*Buy one Secret product, get $1/1 Olay bodywash (if you want to go for the Olay rebate below)
Enfamil or Nutramigen $22.99 (I don't know if that's a good price on formula but keep in mind the $10) 22.2 oz - 25.7 oz
*$5/2 Enfamil
Advil $7.99 (tablet, caplets, gel tablets 100 ct; liqui-gels 80 ct; Advil pm 32-40 ct)
*$1/1 Advil 40 count or larger
*$1/1 Advil PM 16 count or larger
Sundown Vitamins or Ester-C B1G1 50%
*$1/1 Sundown naturals
*$2/1 Sundown Fish Oil or CO Q-10
Claritin $18.99
*$4/1 Claritin 15 count or larger
Bounty Select-a-size 2 pk 3.99
*.25/1 Bounty paper towel or napkin (not great but it's something if you really want Bounty)
Honeymaid graham crackers, Ritz, Wheat thins, triscuit or nutter butter $2/5
12 pk Cokes $3/12
So you have lots of options here! You can get up to 5 gift cards a week. So if you spent $150 in these products, you would get $50 back in gift cards. Here are a few scanarios:
Also, keep in mind, you have to hit the $30 before tax but also before coupons!
1. Need for baby formula
Buy 4 Enfamil Formulas @ $22.99 each = $91.96
This qualified for 3 gift cards!
Use the $5/2 coupons = $10 off
$91.96
- $10.00 Manufacturer's coupons (MC)
$81.96 + tax = $86.87
You will get $30 in gift cards bringing your total to $56.87 for 4 things of formula.That's $14.22 each! I'm no expert on babies (for sure) but amazon and target sell this same thing for about $23 normally so I guess that's pretty good?
Only need 2 things of formula?
2 Enfamil formula @ $22.99 each = $45.98
options:
1. Get just the formula:
Use one coupon and get one giftcard ($10 off) = $33.44 (with tax figured in).
$16.72 each
2. Get paper towel, toilet paper, and a box of holiday card with it to hit $60 and get the extra card
$45.98 for formula
+ $ 4.99 paper towels
+ $7.49 toilet paper
+ $1.99 holiday cards
$60.45 - $7 MC = $53.45 + tax = $56.66
**Coupons used: $1/1 paper towels, $1/1 toilet paper, $5/2 formula
You will then get the 2 gift cards! So you will have spend after gift cards $36.66!
Scenario 2: Need for paper products:
You could do a lot of combos just depending on what you need.
Get 3 things of toilet paper and 2 packs of paper towels:
3 toilet paper @ $7.49 = $22.47
2 paper towels @ $4.99 = $9.98
$32.45
Use (3) $1/1 toilet paper and (2) $1/1 paper towels.
Total after MC = $27.45 + tax = $29.09
Then you will get $10 on a gift card!
So your total is $19.09
Scenario 3: Advil and Claritin
1 Claritin @ $18.99
2 Advils @ $7.99 = $15.98
$34.97
Use the $4/1 Claritin and (2) $1/1 Advils
$34.97 - $6 MC = $28.97 + tax = 30.70
Get the $10 gift card and your total is : $20.70
Scenario 4: Just need coke and an Advil
$12/3 canned Coke
get 6 = $24
Buy $6 in the category = Advil @ 7.99 OR pick out some makeup
with the Advil:
$24 + $7.99 = $31.99
$1/1 Advil MC
$30.99 + tax = $32.85
Get $10 back: $22.85
Makeup Deals:
There are some good makeup deals this coming week! They are in EB (Extra Bucks)
Buy any 2 Almay cosmetics get $5 EB toward your next purchase
Spend $10 (precoupon) on L'oreal lip or eye, get $3 EB
*$1/1 Eye product
Spend $14 on Covergirl face,eye, or lip, get $4 in EB
*$1/1 Covergirl product
Also keep in mind the spend $30, get $10 with the Rimmel costmetics.
I don't know the prices off hand, but this is an idea from online (original prices)
$5.99 for a liquid foundation (Perfect Foundation with SPF)
$7.49 20 Hour foundation
$5.69 pressed powder
$7.49 - $8.99 mascara
$6.99 Lip gloss or lip stick
$6.49 eye liner roll up
$3.49 eye pencil
$5.69 bronzer
Scanerio with the Rimmel Makeup:
Buy 2 Perfect Foundations @ 5.99 with B1G1 50% = $8.98
OR 2 pressed powders @ 5.69 with B1G1 50% = $8.53Buy 2 of the $7.49 mascaras with B1G1 50%= $11.23
OR 2 of the $8.99 mascaras with B1G1 50% = $13.48
Buy 1 lip glosses or sticks and 1 eye liner @ 6.99 and $6.49 with B1G1 50% = 10.23
If you get the powder and the cheaper mascara your total should be $30 even.
You then will use 6 of the MC to get $6 off! so $24 + tax = $25.44
You then would get a gift card for $10
All that for $15.44!!
You could go and just mix and match what you need! Just remember that you will get the best savings if you have a 50% larger items. That is why the above scanerio has buying doubles and then a lip gloss and eye liner that are close in price. You get the best deal this way!
Misc others:
Oral B toothbrush refills for electric toothbrushes are $19.99 with a $5 EB.
*$5/1 replacement head 3 ct
Total cost : $9.99
Blistex chapstick $.99
*$1/2 Blistex (different coupon website... My favorite one didn't have it)
*.25/1 Blistex (different coupon website too. Same as above)
Xtra laundry detergent $1.49 for 28 loads
Buy 2 L'Oreal hair care items, get $5 EB
Idea: The EverStrong / EverPure / EverSleek Line is regularly $6.99
*$1/1 EverPure/EverStrong/EverSleek Item
Buy 2 @ $6.99 = 13.98 - $2 MC = $11.98 + tax = 12.69
Get $5 back => Makes the total $7.69 for a higher quality shampoo and conditioner
Spend $30 on Gillette Shaving items, get $10 EB
There aren't great coupons for this right now. The best deal would be to stock up on shaving cream
If your store has it, there is a bottle of Fusion Ultra Sensitive Hydrogel for $2.19 (2.5oz). Use this coupon:
*$2/1 Gillette Fusion shave prep or skin care product
Buy 14 of them and your total is : $30.66
Use 14 of the $2/1 coupons : -$28.00
$ 2.66 + tax = 2.82
***** YOU SPEND $2.82 and get a $10 gift card!! And this is why we love CVS :)
Other option is to get the 7 oz of the fusion gel for $4.59 (internet pricing again)
Buy 7 @ 4.59 = $32.13
-$14.00 MC
$18.13 + tax = 19.22
You still get the $10 gift card with this and it's a total of $9.22 and you will have shaving gel for the year!
This is all I've got for now! If there are any deals that are worth it at the other drug stores I'll throw them up here later!
CVS puts their ad up for the next week on the Thursday before. So you can go today to cvs.com and click on weekly ad. You then click the tab for "Upcoming Weekly Ad." This way if you don't have the coupons you need you can get them in while those sales are going.
**All the links are to purchaseable coupons at http://www.westcoastcouponclipping.com/
Deals this week:
Spend $30, get a $10 gift card:
All Salley Hansen cosmetics or Hair removers
-They are also buy one, get one 50% off! (B1G1 50%)
$4.99 Scott 6pk pick a size paper towels
* $1/1 four count or large Scott paper towel
$7.49 Scott toilet paper 12 pk
*$1/1 Scott toilet paper 8 count or large
A bunch of different fragrances from $4.99 - $19.99
$1.99 and up Hallmark Holiday boxed cards
Entertainment book (Says starting at $35 so I'm guessing it's $35)
All Rimmel Costmetics B1G1 50% (you can use a coupon for each item, even the 50% off ones)
*$1/1 Rimmel London product
Secret or Gillette Clincal strength deoderant $7.99
*$1/2 Secret deoderants
*Buy one Secret product, get $1/1 Olay bodywash (if you want to go for the Olay rebate below)
Enfamil or Nutramigen $22.99 (I don't know if that's a good price on formula but keep in mind the $10) 22.2 oz - 25.7 oz
*$5/2 Enfamil
Advil $7.99 (tablet, caplets, gel tablets 100 ct; liqui-gels 80 ct; Advil pm 32-40 ct)
*$1/1 Advil 40 count or larger
*$1/1 Advil PM 16 count or larger
Sundown Vitamins or Ester-C B1G1 50%
*$1/1 Sundown naturals
*$2/1 Sundown Fish Oil or CO Q-10
Claritin $18.99
*$4/1 Claritin 15 count or larger
Bounty Select-a-size 2 pk 3.99
*.25/1 Bounty paper towel or napkin (not great but it's something if you really want Bounty)
Honeymaid graham crackers, Ritz, Wheat thins, triscuit or nutter butter $2/5
12 pk Cokes $3/12
So you have lots of options here! You can get up to 5 gift cards a week. So if you spent $150 in these products, you would get $50 back in gift cards. Here are a few scanarios:
Also, keep in mind, you have to hit the $30 before tax but also before coupons!
1. Need for baby formula
Buy 4 Enfamil Formulas @ $22.99 each = $91.96
This qualified for 3 gift cards!
Use the $5/2 coupons = $10 off
$91.96
- $10.00 Manufacturer's coupons (MC)
$81.96 + tax = $86.87
You will get $30 in gift cards bringing your total to $56.87 for 4 things of formula.That's $14.22 each! I'm no expert on babies (for sure) but amazon and target sell this same thing for about $23 normally so I guess that's pretty good?
Only need 2 things of formula?
2 Enfamil formula @ $22.99 each = $45.98
options:
1. Get just the formula:
Use one coupon and get one giftcard ($10 off) = $33.44 (with tax figured in).
$16.72 each
2. Get paper towel, toilet paper, and a box of holiday card with it to hit $60 and get the extra card
$45.98 for formula
+ $ 4.99 paper towels
+ $7.49 toilet paper
+ $1.99 holiday cards
$60.45 - $7 MC = $53.45 + tax = $56.66
**Coupons used: $1/1 paper towels, $1/1 toilet paper, $5/2 formula
You will then get the 2 gift cards! So you will have spend after gift cards $36.66!
Scenario 2: Need for paper products:
You could do a lot of combos just depending on what you need.
Get 3 things of toilet paper and 2 packs of paper towels:
3 toilet paper @ $7.49 = $22.47
2 paper towels @ $4.99 = $9.98
$32.45
Use (3) $1/1 toilet paper and (2) $1/1 paper towels.
Total after MC = $27.45 + tax = $29.09
Then you will get $10 on a gift card!
So your total is $19.09
Scenario 3: Advil and Claritin
1 Claritin @ $18.99
2 Advils @ $7.99 = $15.98
$34.97
Use the $4/1 Claritin and (2) $1/1 Advils
$34.97 - $6 MC = $28.97 + tax = 30.70
Get the $10 gift card and your total is : $20.70
Scenario 4: Just need coke and an Advil
$12/3 canned Coke
get 6 = $24
Buy $6 in the category = Advil @ 7.99 OR pick out some makeup
with the Advil:
$24 + $7.99 = $31.99
$1/1 Advil MC
$30.99 + tax = $32.85
Get $10 back: $22.85
Makeup Deals:
There are some good makeup deals this coming week! They are in EB (Extra Bucks)
Buy any 2 Almay cosmetics get $5 EB toward your next purchase
Spend $10 (precoupon) on L'oreal lip or eye, get $3 EB
*$1/1 Eye product
Spend $14 on Covergirl face,eye, or lip, get $4 in EB
*$1/1 Covergirl product
Also keep in mind the spend $30, get $10 with the Rimmel costmetics.
I don't know the prices off hand, but this is an idea from online (original prices)
$5.99 for a liquid foundation (Perfect Foundation with SPF)
$7.49 20 Hour foundation
$5.69 pressed powder
$7.49 - $8.99 mascara
$6.99 Lip gloss or lip stick
$6.49 eye liner roll up
$3.49 eye pencil
$5.69 bronzer
Scanerio with the Rimmel Makeup:
Buy 2 Perfect Foundations @ 5.99 with B1G1 50% = $8.98
OR 2 pressed powders @ 5.69 with B1G1 50% = $8.53Buy 2 of the $7.49 mascaras with B1G1 50%= $11.23
OR 2 of the $8.99 mascaras with B1G1 50% = $13.48
Buy 1 lip glosses or sticks and 1 eye liner @ 6.99 and $6.49 with B1G1 50% = 10.23
If you get the powder and the cheaper mascara your total should be $30 even.
You then will use 6 of the MC to get $6 off! so $24 + tax = $25.44
You then would get a gift card for $10
All that for $15.44!!
You could go and just mix and match what you need! Just remember that you will get the best savings if you have a 50% larger items. That is why the above scanerio has buying doubles and then a lip gloss and eye liner that are close in price. You get the best deal this way!
Misc others:
Oral B toothbrush refills for electric toothbrushes are $19.99 with a $5 EB.
*$5/1 replacement head 3 ct
Total cost : $9.99
Blistex chapstick $.99
*$1/2 Blistex (different coupon website... My favorite one didn't have it)
*.25/1 Blistex (different coupon website too. Same as above)
Xtra laundry detergent $1.49 for 28 loads
Buy 2 L'Oreal hair care items, get $5 EB
Idea: The EverStrong / EverPure / EverSleek Line is regularly $6.99
*$1/1 EverPure/EverStrong/EverSleek Item
Buy 2 @ $6.99 = 13.98 - $2 MC = $11.98 + tax = 12.69
Get $5 back => Makes the total $7.69 for a higher quality shampoo and conditioner
Spend $30 on Gillette Shaving items, get $10 EB
There aren't great coupons for this right now. The best deal would be to stock up on shaving cream
If your store has it, there is a bottle of Fusion Ultra Sensitive Hydrogel for $2.19 (2.5oz). Use this coupon:
*$2/1 Gillette Fusion shave prep or skin care product
Buy 14 of them and your total is : $30.66
Use 14 of the $2/1 coupons : -$28.00
$ 2.66 + tax = 2.82
***** YOU SPEND $2.82 and get a $10 gift card!! And this is why we love CVS :)
Other option is to get the 7 oz of the fusion gel for $4.59 (internet pricing again)
Buy 7 @ 4.59 = $32.13
-$14.00 MC
$18.13 + tax = 19.22
You still get the $10 gift card with this and it's a total of $9.22 and you will have shaving gel for the year!
This is all I've got for now! If there are any deals that are worth it at the other drug stores I'll throw them up here later!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Items from Rite Aid and coupons required:
4 single packs of Trident Gum @ 2/$2 (will print a $1 UP. Limit 2 UP rewards)
-.50 off 3 packs Rite Aid video coupon
-$2/3 Single packs Trident
*.50 money maker
1 Mitchum Advanced Control Women's Deodorant @ 3.99 (will print $2 UP on 1. Limit 2)
- $2/1 Rite Aid video coupon
-$1/1 Women's Deoderant 48 hour protection
You ring it up all at once. The gums (select any trident) will be $1 each. Get 4 = $4. The deodorant will be $3.99 before coupons.
Total before coupons = $7.99
Total coupon value = $5.50
-$2/1 Mitchum RA coupon
-$1/1 Mitchum womens MC
-$2/3 Trident single packs MC
-.50/3 Trident single packs RA coupon
Total after coupons: 2.49 + tax = 2.60
Get $4 back in UP rewards!!! You make $1.40 and get gum and deodorant!
Items from Walgreens with coupon detail:
Transaction 1:
1. Carmex chapstick (vanilla or lime twist) @ 1.50
- prints $1.50 RR so FREE! (there is a limit of only one)
2. Crayola crayons @ $1 (24 pk)
- prints $1 RR so FREE! (there is a limit of only one)
- This rang up at $1.50 because apparently the power outage did something to the registers. Just make sure you watch the price and they will fix it.
Transaction 2:
1. 4 things of Planter's Peanut Butter @ 2/$3
-.75/1 Planter's MC
2. 2 filler items
- 9 cent folders
- 30 cent notebooks
* You need this if you want to use your register rewards. Since they are now considered MC, you can only have on per item. Since you will hopefully have a MC for each of the peanut butters, you have to have another item to use the MC.
*I need a medicine and got it and also got another things of Crayons for $1 because I'm sure my church probably could use them!
Transaction 1:
Crayons $1
Carmex $1.50
Total = $2.50 + tax = 3.17 Get $2.50 RR
Transaction 2:
4 peanut butters @ $1.50 each
-(4) .75 coupons
2 Filler items (say you did the 9 cent folders) = .18
Total before coupons = 6.18
Total after coupons = 3.18
Plus tax = 3.37
Minus the RR from Transaction 1 = .87!
Total OOP for Walgreens: $4.04
Total OOP for Rite Aid: $2.60
Total OOP: $6.64
You still have $4 to Rite Aid in UP!
Grand Total: $2.64!!!
4 single packs of Trident Gum @ 2/$2 (will print a $1 UP. Limit 2 UP rewards)
-.50 off 3 packs Rite Aid video coupon
-$2/3 Single packs Trident
*.50 money maker
1 Mitchum Advanced Control Women's Deodorant @ 3.99 (will print $2 UP on 1. Limit 2)
- $2/1 Rite Aid video coupon
-$1/1 Women's Deoderant 48 hour protection
You ring it up all at once. The gums (select any trident) will be $1 each. Get 4 = $4. The deodorant will be $3.99 before coupons.
Total before coupons = $7.99
Total coupon value = $5.50
-$2/1 Mitchum RA coupon
-$1/1 Mitchum womens MC
-$2/3 Trident single packs MC
-.50/3 Trident single packs RA coupon
Total after coupons: 2.49 + tax = 2.60
Get $4 back in UP rewards!!! You make $1.40 and get gum and deodorant!
Items from Walgreens with coupon detail:
Transaction 1:
1. Carmex chapstick (vanilla or lime twist) @ 1.50
- prints $1.50 RR so FREE! (there is a limit of only one)
2. Crayola crayons @ $1 (24 pk)
- prints $1 RR so FREE! (there is a limit of only one)
- This rang up at $1.50 because apparently the power outage did something to the registers. Just make sure you watch the price and they will fix it.
Transaction 2:
1. 4 things of Planter's Peanut Butter @ 2/$3
-.75/1 Planter's MC
2. 2 filler items
- 9 cent folders
- 30 cent notebooks
* You need this if you want to use your register rewards. Since they are now considered MC, you can only have on per item. Since you will hopefully have a MC for each of the peanut butters, you have to have another item to use the MC.
*I need a medicine and got it and also got another things of Crayons for $1 because I'm sure my church probably could use them!
Transaction 1:
Crayons $1
Carmex $1.50
Total = $2.50 + tax = 3.17 Get $2.50 RR
Transaction 2:
4 peanut butters @ $1.50 each
-(4) .75 coupons
2 Filler items (say you did the 9 cent folders) = .18
Total before coupons = 6.18
Total after coupons = 3.18
Plus tax = 3.37
Minus the RR from Transaction 1 = .87!
Total OOP for Walgreens: $4.04
Total OOP for Rite Aid: $2.60
Total OOP: $6.64
You still have $4 to Rite Aid in UP!
Grand Total: $2.64!!!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
So for those of you that haven't done the CVS thing yet, you should! I never pay more than a quarter for toothpaste or get paid for it! Body was never more than $1 and it's the good kind! CVS is a combination of manufacturer's coupons (MC), CVS coupons, and EB (Extracare bucks). EBs are like giftcards that expire and you get them for buying certain things.
For example, spend $10 on ? and get $3 EB. So you will pay the $10 and on your receipt. Next time you go to the store, you just hand them that part of the receipt and it comes off your order.
The awesome part about EB is that the total you have to spend is BEFORE coupons!!!!! So, in the example, you have to spend $10. Well if you have $4 in coupons, you are only spending $3 total after the $4 MC and $3 EB. Things become free most of the time when you have a MC, CVS coupon, and EB. However, sometimes they just have great deals!
Note: Never just trust the CVS ad for what coupons to use. CVS lists coupons that will be in that week's paper. There is almost always a better deal! This coming week is proof of that!!
OK. This week it's not going to be about EB. It is going to be about $10 gas card. Throughout the summer, CVS has done a deal where if you spend $30 (pre coupon) on certain items, you get a $10 gas card. It's to BP or Shell, I think. So not the cheapest gas, but it's still $10!!
CVS puts their next weeks ad up on their site on Thursday of the week before. This allows time to kinda plan it out and order coupons if needed!
**Also, a Proctor and Gamble coupon book comes out this week. But I have started ordering my coupons instead of spending money on the paper plus coupons and having extra coupons I'll never use.
Precoupon Pricing on Gas Eligible Items:
Tide Laundry Detergent (19-32 loads including the HE type) @ 5.94
Charmin Basic (12 ct), Ulta Strong/Soft (9 cnt) @ 5.44
Dawn dish detergent (My favorite with the hand renewal!!) @ .99
Covergirl Makeup B1G1 50% off. Prices vary but here is the range from online:
~mascara = 5.99-7.99
~eyeshadow = 5.49
~foundation = 5.99 - 15.99
~eyeliner = 8.99
Aussie/Herbal Essence Shampoo, Conditioner, or Treatment @ 2/5.97
Pringles @ 4/$6
Coupons available:
This weeks P&G:
$1.50/2 Tide
.50/1 Tide
$2.50/2 Covergirl products
$1/1 Covergirl product
$1/4 Pringles
.25/1 Puff's
.25/1 Dawn detergent
Already out there:
$1/1 Bounty 6 ct
$1/2 Charmin products
$1 Aussie/Herbal Essence
Cost of items with coupons: (keep in mind you haven't got the $10 gas card yet)
Tide quantity 2 = 10.38
quantity 1 = 5.44
Dawn detergent = .74
Charmin Basic quantity 2 = 9.88
quantity 1 = 5.19 (.25 coupon in this weeks paper)
Bounty Basic quantity 1 = 4.84
Covergirl: going to vary a lot. I will put up scenarios (see below)
Aussie/Herbal Essence = 2/3.97 (if 2 coupons)
Pringles = 4/$5
option 1: Tide Galore
Buy 5 Tides @ 5.94
tide total precoupon = 29.70
So, add a filler to get the $10:
Dawn detergent @ .99
Total precoupon = 30.69
Coupons:
(2) 1.50/2 Tides
(1) .50/1 Tide
(1) .25/1 Dawn
Coupon Total: 3.75
Total after coupons: 26.94
Total with PA tax: 28.56
Get $10 back in gas --> 18.56 for 5 Tides and 1 Dawn. 3.71 each for Tide! Not bad, because Tide is expensive but makes a difference (at least we think so)
option 2: household supplies
2 Charmins @ 5.44 = 10.88
1 Bounty @ 5.84
2 Tide @ 5.94 = 11.88
2 Dawn detergents (filler) @ .99
Total precoupon: $30.58
Coupons:
(1) $1.50/2 Tide
(1) $1/2 Charmin
(1) $1/1 Bounty
(2) .25/1 Dawn
Total coupons = 4.75
Total after coupons = 25.83
With PA tax = 27.38
Get $10 back!!
option 3: Make up
(2) Covergirl mascara @ 5.99 & 2.99 = 8.98
(5) Eyeshadows @ (3) $5.49 & (2) 2.74 = 16.46
Total precoupon = 30.93
Coupons:
(3) $2.50/2 Covergirl products
(1) $1/1 Covergirl product
Coupon total: $8.50
Total after coupons = 22.43
After PA tax: 23.77
get $10 back!!!!
Other deals: (not in on the gas thing)
Skippy peanut butter 3/$5 (most of the time they are out. Probably will have to raincheck this one. See below)
Poptarts 3/$5
Duracell batteries (AAA or AA (4 pk), 1 9-Volt) 2.99/pk
~$1/1 MC for Coppertop
So the end result:
For example, spend $10 on ? and get $3 EB. So you will pay the $10 and on your receipt. Next time you go to the store, you just hand them that part of the receipt and it comes off your order.
The awesome part about EB is that the total you have to spend is BEFORE coupons!!!!! So, in the example, you have to spend $10. Well if you have $4 in coupons, you are only spending $3 total after the $4 MC and $3 EB. Things become free most of the time when you have a MC, CVS coupon, and EB. However, sometimes they just have great deals!
Note: Never just trust the CVS ad for what coupons to use. CVS lists coupons that will be in that week's paper. There is almost always a better deal! This coming week is proof of that!!
OK. This week it's not going to be about EB. It is going to be about $10 gas card. Throughout the summer, CVS has done a deal where if you spend $30 (pre coupon) on certain items, you get a $10 gas card. It's to BP or Shell, I think. So not the cheapest gas, but it's still $10!!
CVS puts their next weeks ad up on their site on Thursday of the week before. This allows time to kinda plan it out and order coupons if needed!
**Also, a Proctor and Gamble coupon book comes out this week. But I have started ordering my coupons instead of spending money on the paper plus coupons and having extra coupons I'll never use.
Precoupon Pricing on Gas Eligible Items:
Tide Laundry Detergent (19-32 loads including the HE type) @ 5.94
Charmin Basic (12 ct), Ulta Strong/Soft (9 cnt) @ 5.44
Dawn dish detergent (My favorite with the hand renewal!!) @ .99
Covergirl Makeup B1G1 50% off. Prices vary but here is the range from online:
~mascara = 5.99-7.99
~eyeshadow = 5.49
~foundation = 5.99 - 15.99
~eyeliner = 8.99
Aussie/Herbal Essence Shampoo, Conditioner, or Treatment @ 2/5.97
Pringles @ 4/$6
Coupons available:
This weeks P&G:
$1.50/2 Tide
.50/1 Tide
$2.50/2 Covergirl products
$1/1 Covergirl product
$1/4 Pringles
.25/1 Puff's
.25/1 Dawn detergent
Already out there:
$1/1 Bounty 6 ct
$1/2 Charmin products
$1 Aussie/Herbal Essence
Cost of items with coupons: (keep in mind you haven't got the $10 gas card yet)
Tide quantity 2 = 10.38
quantity 1 = 5.44
Dawn detergent = .74
Charmin Basic quantity 2 = 9.88
quantity 1 = 5.19 (.25 coupon in this weeks paper)
Bounty Basic quantity 1 = 4.84
Covergirl: going to vary a lot. I will put up scenarios (see below)
Aussie/Herbal Essence = 2/3.97 (if 2 coupons)
Pringles = 4/$5
option 1: Tide Galore
Buy 5 Tides @ 5.94
tide total precoupon = 29.70
So, add a filler to get the $10:
Dawn detergent @ .99
Total precoupon = 30.69
Coupons:
(2) 1.50/2 Tides
(1) .50/1 Tide
(1) .25/1 Dawn
Coupon Total: 3.75
Total after coupons: 26.94
Total with PA tax: 28.56
Get $10 back in gas --> 18.56 for 5 Tides and 1 Dawn. 3.71 each for Tide! Not bad, because Tide is expensive but makes a difference (at least we think so)
option 2: household supplies
2 Charmins @ 5.44 = 10.88
1 Bounty @ 5.84
2 Tide @ 5.94 = 11.88
2 Dawn detergents (filler) @ .99
Total precoupon: $30.58
Coupons:
(1) $1.50/2 Tide
(1) $1/2 Charmin
(1) $1/1 Bounty
(2) .25/1 Dawn
Total coupons = 4.75
Total after coupons = 25.83
With PA tax = 27.38
Get $10 back!!
option 3: Make up
(2) Covergirl mascara @ 5.99 & 2.99 = 8.98
(5) Eyeshadows @ (3) $5.49 & (2) 2.74 = 16.46
Total precoupon = 30.93
Coupons:
(3) $2.50/2 Covergirl products
(1) $1/1 Covergirl product
Coupon total: $8.50
Total after coupons = 22.43
After PA tax: 23.77
get $10 back!!!!
Other deals: (not in on the gas thing)
Skippy peanut butter 3/$5 (most of the time they are out. Probably will have to raincheck this one. See below)
Poptarts 3/$5
Duracell batteries (AAA or AA (4 pk), 1 9-Volt) 2.99/pk
~$1/1 MC for Coppertop
So the end result:
- mix and match how you want and according to what you need!
- try to get your precoupon (and pretax) total as close to $30 as possible
- Order the coupons! Awesome coupon clipping site
- Enjoy the savings!!!!
Most CVS trips leave you with some EB, but since this one doesn't have any it's a little different. However, order your coupons (it takes about 3 business days for them to come in) and then head into the store to get some deals!!
NOTE: If they don't have what you want in stock, just as for a raincheck at the register and they can do that. That also includes the $10 gas card. Don't just buy something you aren't prepared for unless you thought it out before hand. That can cost more. If you get a rain check, you go back within 30 days and get the item at the same price!
GOOD LUCK!
Monday, August 15, 2011
So, after moving 1000 miles, one thing is for sure. Groceries cost more. Well, that or we are just eating more... :-/ Either way the amount we spend has almost doubled. So I am trying to do something about it. I have been a pretty passive "couponer" until the summer before we got married. Yes, Katie Popwell it is your fault! :) Also, if you are thinking you don't have any of the coupons, keep reading! There is a solution for that!
I don't typically go to Acme because it's not as close, but this is something worth going for. When you leave the store you will have:
6 Hamburger Helper meals (or chicken or tuna. Take your pick)
4 Totinos pizza rolls
8 Progresso soups (you can expect a recipe using soups in the near future)
1 Betty Crocker cake mix
1 Better Crocker cake frosting
You can mix it up by looking at the ACME ad if you don't want some of it.
THE BREAKDOWN:
Acme has a thing going that when you buy 10 of the items listed (General Mills, so if you need cereal check it out for that) you get a $5 Catalina. If you aren't familiar with catalinas, they are coupons that are good toward your next purchase. So in the case, you would have $5 to ACME next time you go (we are going to use it on the next transaction).
You also get 25 box tops. Which doesn't sound that exciting. However, I have recently learned that people PAY for these on ebay... Weird. I know. One box top = .10 plus a little. Last week, I got 60 box tops from Giant and actually got $8 for them! :-O I was floored! But it's $8 back in the budget.
ITEMIZED:
This will take two transactions. This is where it can get tricky!
Transaction 1:
option 1: You already have the $1/5 hamburger helpers coupon
6 Hamburger helpers @ $1 each
(2 options)
-$1/5 manufacturer coupon (MC)
- .75/3 Skillet Hamburger helper meals
4 Totinos items @ $1 each
-.40/2 Pizza Rolls
Option 2:
$1/5 hamburger helpers or (2) .75/3 hamburger helpers
-The .75/3 gets doubled to $1.50!!! So use 2 and get $3 off!
.40/2 Pizza rolls (The pizza rolls are the better deal!)
-This gets doubled! ACME will double up to .99 cents and doesn't have limits as far as I can tell! If you get the pizza rolls, you will use two of the coupon taking $1.60 off. With the party pizzas, you will get $1.20 off.
Total before coupons: $10
With Pizza Rolls and higher value HH coupon:
Total OOP: $5.40
GET: $5 Catalina and certificate for 25 boxtops (worth $2.50!)
- You essentially get $7.50 back! You have already made $2 and gotten some food!
Transaction 2:
8 Progresso soups @ $1 each! Pick wisely :)
-$1/4 MC (use 2)
1 Betty Crocker cake mix @ 1.50
1 Betty Crocker frosting @ 1.66 (or 1.67 not sure how it rings up)
-.75 off when you buy a cake mix and a frosting! This DOUBLES to $1.50!!
Total before coupons: 11.16 (or 11.17)
After coupons: 7.66
Use the $5 Catalina from the last transaction: 2.66
GET: $5 to ACME and 25 more box tops!
***Time to get coupons: Thankfully, my coupons came in today! So I will go do the deal tonight after work. I ordered them Monday around noon and gave my full 9 digit zip code. They arrived on Thursday! So about 3 days is what we can expect! They are shipping all the way from Washington state.
I don't typically go to Acme because it's not as close, but this is something worth going for. When you leave the store you will have:
6 Hamburger Helper meals (or chicken or tuna. Take your pick)
4 Totinos pizza rolls
8 Progresso soups (you can expect a recipe using soups in the near future)
1 Betty Crocker cake mix
1 Better Crocker cake frosting
You can mix it up by looking at the ACME ad if you don't want some of it.
THE BREAKDOWN:
Acme has a thing going that when you buy 10 of the items listed (General Mills, so if you need cereal check it out for that) you get a $5 Catalina. If you aren't familiar with catalinas, they are coupons that are good toward your next purchase. So in the case, you would have $5 to ACME next time you go (we are going to use it on the next transaction).
You also get 25 box tops. Which doesn't sound that exciting. However, I have recently learned that people PAY for these on ebay... Weird. I know. One box top = .10 plus a little. Last week, I got 60 box tops from Giant and actually got $8 for them! :-O I was floored! But it's $8 back in the budget.
ITEMIZED:
This will take two transactions. This is where it can get tricky!
Transaction 1:
option 1: You already have the $1/5 hamburger helpers coupon
6 Hamburger helpers @ $1 each
(2 options)
-$1/5 manufacturer coupon (MC)
- .75/3 Skillet Hamburger helper meals
4 Totinos items @ $1 each
-.40/2 Pizza Rolls
Option 2:
$1/5 hamburger helpers or (2) .75/3 hamburger helpers
-The .75/3 gets doubled to $1.50!!! So use 2 and get $3 off!
.40/2 Pizza rolls (The pizza rolls are the better deal!)
-This gets doubled! ACME will double up to .99 cents and doesn't have limits as far as I can tell! If you get the pizza rolls, you will use two of the coupon taking $1.60 off. With the party pizzas, you will get $1.20 off.
Total before coupons: $10
With Pizza Rolls and higher value HH coupon:
Total OOP: $5.40
GET: $5 Catalina and certificate for 25 boxtops (worth $2.50!)
- You essentially get $7.50 back! You have already made $2 and gotten some food!
Transaction 2:
8 Progresso soups @ $1 each! Pick wisely :)
-$1/4 MC (use 2)
1 Betty Crocker cake mix @ 1.50
1 Betty Crocker frosting @ 1.66 (or 1.67 not sure how it rings up)
-.75 off when you buy a cake mix and a frosting! This DOUBLES to $1.50!!
Total before coupons: 11.16 (or 11.17)
After coupons: 7.66
Use the $5 Catalina from the last transaction: 2.66
GET: $5 to ACME and 25 more box tops!
TOTAL OOP for the day: $8.06 with $5 left to ACME and 50 box tops (should sell for about $6!)
You potentially make almost $3 just to buy this food! Sounds like a good deal to me! :))
COUPONS AND THE LACK THEREOF:
So, most people aren't just going to have these coupons. They have all been in your Sunday papers and the mailed out inserts though! The solution, is one: I might have extra. And two, I have discovered an awesome site! For those of you with kids in diapers, this will be nice as well.
westcoastcouponclipping.com
This site has all the coupons currently out there and you can order them. It will probably take 2-3 days for them to get here though and this sale ends the 18th (Thursday). So it's a little tight. However, if you enter your full 9 digit zipcode they will get here fasted. I ordered mine today at 3 pm and they are already marked shipped.
If you order $4 in coupons (which is actually kinda hard to do!), the shipping is free! I think orders placed before noon are shipped out the same day! But check with me if you are interested. Hopefully mine will come in and I will have plenty extra!
You can search the site in the mid-top right by brand or whatever! It's a pretty great site! Especially when you want to buy multiples when they go on sale, but don't need all the coupons the Sunday paper provides! This is definitely the cheaper way to do it!
I definitely have one extra in the betty crocker (and believe me, I don't need it). Maybe two depending on if they will take the expired one. By the way, lesson learned. Don't throw away expired coupons! They rarely check!
I will also have 2 extra of the progresso soup coupons if mine come in in time!
I have two of the $1/5 coupons for the Hamburger Helper that people can have. After I get this HH, I won't be buying it for a LONG time! (too much of it...)
I also will have 2 of the party pizza coupons if they get here in time!
Hope this helps! And happy shopping! I will keep y'all updated on when my coupons come in and how many it looks like I have.
***Time to get coupons: Thankfully, my coupons came in today! So I will go do the deal tonight after work. I ordered them Monday around noon and gave my full 9 digit zip code. They arrived on Thursday! So about 3 days is what we can expect! They are shipping all the way from Washington state.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Well, it has been a while. Sorry! We are now officially Northerners! We are loving the place in PA and enjoying the exploration!
This recipe is great! It takes about 25 minutes start to finish and is a new favorite! :))
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups Italian dressing
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 tsp pepper
4 boneless pork chops
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Mix the dressing, soy sauce, and pepper in a bowl. Stir it really well to get it to mix.
2. Place the pork chops in a skillet on medium heat. Pour the liquid mixture over it.
3. Just let it cook for 25 minutes flipping the pork occasionally. I let it bubble for the majority of the time!
You're done! So simple and great! I served it over rice and with green beans and corn! :))
This recipe is great! It takes about 25 minutes start to finish and is a new favorite! :))
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups Italian dressing
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 tsp pepper
4 boneless pork chops
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Mix the dressing, soy sauce, and pepper in a bowl. Stir it really well to get it to mix.
2. Place the pork chops in a skillet on medium heat. Pour the liquid mixture over it.
3. Just let it cook for 25 minutes flipping the pork occasionally. I let it bubble for the majority of the time!
You're done! So simple and great! I served it over rice and with green beans and corn! :))
Thursday, March 31, 2011
So today recipe is EASY!! And good! It was something I found online that worked out well! It's also cheap to make! You do have to have soy sauce but you don't use that much. Definitely less than $2 a person if you shop the sales!!! :)
Money Savers
Pork Chops are cheap! :) I got the ones that are thin without the bone in them. If you prefer others, I am sure you could use them.
Kraft dressing is B1G1 at Publix this week! So you can get the italian dressing there!
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups italian dressing
1/4 cup soy sauce (I just light soy sauce. But you can use whatever)
1/2 tsp pepper
4 pork chops
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine in a bowl, the first three ingredients. (I just combined them in the skillet to save a dish)
2. Place the pork in a skillet. Try to use a skillet not much bigger than will fit the pork chops. They will be better covered this way.
3. Pour the mixture over the meat.
4. Let cook for 25 minutes on medium or until done as desired!
*I did it for 25 minutes. Started out on medium. Our stove gets a little hotter than normal. I ended up turning it down to a medium low once it was hot.
I know some of the ingredients should weird! But, I think italian dressing might be good on all meats! Another easy meal is to marinate chicken in italian dressing overnight and then grill it (outside or inside using a grill pan).
ENJOY! :)
Money Savers
Pork Chops are cheap! :) I got the ones that are thin without the bone in them. If you prefer others, I am sure you could use them.
Kraft dressing is B1G1 at Publix this week! So you can get the italian dressing there!
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups italian dressing
1/4 cup soy sauce (I just light soy sauce. But you can use whatever)
1/2 tsp pepper
4 pork chops
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine in a bowl, the first three ingredients. (I just combined them in the skillet to save a dish)
2. Place the pork in a skillet. Try to use a skillet not much bigger than will fit the pork chops. They will be better covered this way.
3. Pour the mixture over the meat.
4. Let cook for 25 minutes on medium or until done as desired!
*I did it for 25 minutes. Started out on medium. Our stove gets a little hotter than normal. I ended up turning it down to a medium low once it was hot.
I know some of the ingredients should weird! But, I think italian dressing might be good on all meats! Another easy meal is to marinate chicken in italian dressing overnight and then grill it (outside or inside using a grill pan).
ENJOY! :)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
So these are delicious!!! And different! Don't be fooled by the name. I don't know why they call them pizza cookies. They are more fruit topped deliciousness! :)
Sorry it has been so long! In the last two weeks, we have been in D.C. to see dear friends. We have been in Philadelphia area for five interviews in two days and then back to D.C. for a few more days. We then travelled to Nashville to enjoy time with our families and for me to take part in some wedding festivities for Aimee! Since then, I have accepted a job at Quest Diagnostics as an "Associate Programming Analyst" (sounds official!) and Walt was accepted to Westminster Theological Seminary! We have put a deposit down on an apartment (I know you typically think a deposit is for a house or something, but with as much as rent is up there it may as well be!) and are excited to be moving May 16th and 17th!! (it's a 16 hour drive from Philly to Tuscaloosa).
This recipe came from Kara (Aimee's older sister) who had seen it used at another shower! It looks so good on display! It's from tablespoon.com.
Money Savers:
Strawberries are on a great sale at Publix this week! Even if you aren't making the cookies, you might want to get some!
Options:
The recipe calls for just slice and bake cookies. I am not a big slice and bake person so I just used the favorite sugar cookie recipe instead. This does take more time! But I think it is worth it! The slice and bake can be a little overly sugary for this recipe (but that might not be a bad thing).
INGREDIENTS:
sugar cookies obtained somehow (says for about 20 cookies)
1 pkg of cream cheese softened (8 oz)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbs frozen limeade concentrate (thawed)
*not sure what you wanna do with the rest afterward... I plan to eventually just look into making a small amount instead
fruit for toppings! (the site has strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, and raspberries)
*I omitted the kiwi because my mom is allergic and I didn't want to risk it! I haven't ever really had it.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Bake the cookies like normal
2. Cool COMPLETELY!!! Trust me, you don't want the icing to run off the cookies. They can be just barely warm to the touch.
3. Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and limeade in a medium bowl. Beat until smooth.
4. Spread each cookie with 1 tbs cream cheese mixture on each cookie.
* I didn't measure this out. Just spread it on the cookie according to what looks good!
5. Top with fruit as desired!
Since it was a bridal shower, we used a heart shaped cookie cutter for the sugar cookies. Thankfully, I was at home (like my parents) when I made these and my little sister and mom helped out tremendously! Bug added the cute pattern to the sides of the cookies that adds some texture!
Happy Wedding Season! :)
Sorry it has been so long! In the last two weeks, we have been in D.C. to see dear friends. We have been in Philadelphia area for five interviews in two days and then back to D.C. for a few more days. We then travelled to Nashville to enjoy time with our families and for me to take part in some wedding festivities for Aimee! Since then, I have accepted a job at Quest Diagnostics as an "Associate Programming Analyst" (sounds official!) and Walt was accepted to Westminster Theological Seminary! We have put a deposit down on an apartment (I know you typically think a deposit is for a house or something, but with as much as rent is up there it may as well be!) and are excited to be moving May 16th and 17th!! (it's a 16 hour drive from Philly to Tuscaloosa).
This recipe came from Kara (Aimee's older sister) who had seen it used at another shower! It looks so good on display! It's from tablespoon.com.
Money Savers:
Strawberries are on a great sale at Publix this week! Even if you aren't making the cookies, you might want to get some!
Options:
The recipe calls for just slice and bake cookies. I am not a big slice and bake person so I just used the favorite sugar cookie recipe instead. This does take more time! But I think it is worth it! The slice and bake can be a little overly sugary for this recipe (but that might not be a bad thing).
INGREDIENTS:
sugar cookies obtained somehow (says for about 20 cookies)
1 pkg of cream cheese softened (8 oz)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbs frozen limeade concentrate (thawed)
*not sure what you wanna do with the rest afterward... I plan to eventually just look into making a small amount instead
fruit for toppings! (the site has strawberries, kiwi, blueberries, and raspberries)
*I omitted the kiwi because my mom is allergic and I didn't want to risk it! I haven't ever really had it.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Bake the cookies like normal
2. Cool COMPLETELY!!! Trust me, you don't want the icing to run off the cookies. They can be just barely warm to the touch.
3. Combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, and limeade in a medium bowl. Beat until smooth.
4. Spread each cookie with 1 tbs cream cheese mixture on each cookie.
* I didn't measure this out. Just spread it on the cookie according to what looks good!
5. Top with fruit as desired!
Happy Wedding Season! :)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
I tried something new. I think it paid off. There were a few things that needed to be tweaked depending on how you make it! This week has been a little crazy with my school work so the recipes have either been easy and quick or something I have made a lot! (Tonight I am getting around to making the pretzel chicken. Just waiting on the timer to go off in about 9 minutes!) Last night, we made the Greek Penne and Chicken. I love feta cheese!!!! So here it is!
Money Savers!
So this week is a little low on the savers!
However, find out how to get 3 bags of veggies, sargento cheese, and coffee creamer for approximately $.80 total at Publix this week! If you wanna know how go to http://www.polkadotpantry.com/?affid=464&affref=other
INGREDIENTS:
**Use what you want! We didn't do the tomatoes or the artichoke hearts. However, I think that those two ingredients are supposed to add some moisture to the entree! So if you leave it out you might wanna add a little olive oil at the end (not much at all!!! For the whole recipe maybe like 1 1/2 tbs)
Money Savers!
So this week is a little low on the savers!
However, find out how to get 3 bags of veggies, sargento cheese, and coffee creamer for approximately $.80 total at Publix this week! If you wanna know how go to http://www.polkadotpantry.com/?affid=464&affref=other
INGREDIENTS:
**Use what you want! We didn't do the tomatoes or the artichoke hearts. However, I think that those two ingredients are supposed to add some moisture to the entree! So if you leave it out you might wanna add a little olive oil at the end (not much at all!!! For the whole recipe maybe like 1 1/2 tbs)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Hope you enjoy it!!! ps... it makes a ton!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
This is another favorite in the Boling household! It's easy and so good!
Money Savers:
Frozen Chicken at Winn Dixie BOBO for $5.50!
Just for fun: Penny item at Publix today is Publix tortilla chips! Spend $10 pre-coupon and get them for 1 penny!
Also!!! Date night! $9 for two movie tickets through Fandango! Check it out! It's only good for a day!
https://livingsocial.com/deals/28498?ref=conf-jp&rpi=6775207
Pretzel Chicken
INGREDIENTS:
2 large chicken breasts
2 eggs
2 cups finely crushed pretzels
1/3 cup Italian dressing
3 tbs lemon juice
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
3 tbs olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Add olive oil to medium state over medium heat.
3. Slice chicken breasts in half to make skinny (or use 4 slim chicken breasts).
4. Crush pretzels in a bag. (I use my mini chopper. They need to be finely crushed so that it doesn't burn).
5. Add the parmesan to the pretzels and shake to mix.
6. Whisk two eggs in a shallow bowl. Add the lemon juice and italian dressing.
7. Coat chicken in egg mixture and then put in bag and shake to coat.
8. Add chicken to skillet and cook for 3 minutes on each side.
9. Place the chicken in a foil lined baking dish and cook for 20-30 minutes.
***I serve this with noodles and spaghetti sauce!!!! LOVE it!
Money Savers:
Frozen Chicken at Winn Dixie BOBO for $5.50!
Just for fun: Penny item at Publix today is Publix tortilla chips! Spend $10 pre-coupon and get them for 1 penny!
Also!!! Date night! $9 for two movie tickets through Fandango! Check it out! It's only good for a day!
https://livingsocial.com/deals/28498?ref=conf-jp&rpi=6775207
Pretzel Chicken
INGREDIENTS:
2 large chicken breasts
2 eggs
2 cups finely crushed pretzels
1/3 cup Italian dressing
3 tbs lemon juice
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
3 tbs olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
2. Add olive oil to medium state over medium heat.
3. Slice chicken breasts in half to make skinny (or use 4 slim chicken breasts).
4. Crush pretzels in a bag. (I use my mini chopper. They need to be finely crushed so that it doesn't burn).
5. Add the parmesan to the pretzels and shake to mix.
6. Whisk two eggs in a shallow bowl. Add the lemon juice and italian dressing.
7. Coat chicken in egg mixture and then put in bag and shake to coat.
8. Add chicken to skillet and cook for 3 minutes on each side.
9. Place the chicken in a foil lined baking dish and cook for 20-30 minutes.
***I serve this with noodles and spaghetti sauce!!!! LOVE it!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
So though this may be simple, there are many ways to make macaroni and cheese. I have a harder more old-fashioned, like my grandmother makes recipe for mac and cheese too that I will put up sometime later! This is for a quick side!
Money Savers:
So... since it is Tuesday night, anything that I put up from Publix will be over in about an hour when the close and the sales change for this next Publix week. So... it is probably about time for them to run the sale again for Kraft cheese 2/$4 and that is a great deal! Other than that, get the noodles on sale :)
INGREDIENTS:
about 1/4 a cup milk
1 package of shredded cheese (4 cups)
A package of elbow noodles
2 tbs butter
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Cook the noodles as instuctioned on the box. Drain.
2. Melt the butter in the same pot as you cooked the noodles on a low heat setting.
3. Return the noodles to the pan. (keep on low/medium setting)
4. Add the cheese and about half the milk.
5. Stir until cheese melts.
**You kinda have to judge how cheesy you like it! You could see the pulled melted cheese in what I made tonight. But do it how you like. If you like it really creamy, add a little more milk.
REMEMBER: a little milk goes a long way!!! You don't need that much! If you add too much, you just end up with cheesy noodle soup!
Money Savers:
So... since it is Tuesday night, anything that I put up from Publix will be over in about an hour when the close and the sales change for this next Publix week. So... it is probably about time for them to run the sale again for Kraft cheese 2/$4 and that is a great deal! Other than that, get the noodles on sale :)
INGREDIENTS:
about 1/4 a cup milk
1 package of shredded cheese (4 cups)
A package of elbow noodles
2 tbs butter
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Cook the noodles as instuctioned on the box. Drain.
2. Melt the butter in the same pot as you cooked the noodles on a low heat setting.
3. Return the noodles to the pan. (keep on low/medium setting)
4. Add the cheese and about half the milk.
5. Stir until cheese melts.
**You kinda have to judge how cheesy you like it! You could see the pulled melted cheese in what I made tonight. But do it how you like. If you like it really creamy, add a little more milk.
REMEMBER: a little milk goes a long way!!! You don't need that much! If you add too much, you just end up with cheesy noodle soup!
Fiesta Salad
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 bunch green spring onions, chopped
1 chopped green bell pepper
1 chopped red bell pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
lime juice (about two or three limes)
chopped cilantro (handful)!
Option: Add a little bit of watercress if desired for a little more healthy eating!
This sounds delicious and Linda noted it goes great with anything grilled! I can't wait to try it!
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained
1 bunch green spring onions, chopped
1 chopped green bell pepper
1 chopped red bell pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
lime juice (about two or three limes)
chopped cilantro (handful)!
Option: Add a little bit of watercress if desired for a little more healthy eating!
This sounds delicious and Linda noted it goes great with anything grilled! I can't wait to try it!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
So I have slacked this week... We ordered dominos last night. I feel like I cooked a good bit this week but some of it was recipes that are already up here. Oh, and my mother-in-laws chili recipe which I don't think will be posted here. Some recipes stay in the family :) If you come visit sometime, I'll make the chili. It does make for some great leftover chili-cheese dogs.
Thursday night, we made oven fried chicken tenders. Walt has been wanting some kind of fried chicken and this is the recipe that we decided to go with (of course, it is from my cookbook I got for Christmas). To go along with it, I had homemade french fries. This was a little bit of an experiment because I had never done them before and decided to just go for it without any kind of recipe (they turned out well and were really easy).
Money Savers:
Get the Crushed Cornflakes when they go BOGO at Publix! Also, you can use a Kellogg's manufacturer's coupon from the paper. Cereal coupons come all the time for different values.
The same goes for the butter! BOGO on Land of the Lakes was last week. When this comes around use the manufacturer's coupon too and stack up!
For clean up afterward, check out how you can get free dish washing soap from polkadotpantry.com. This site is $5.99 a month but you save a ton!! They give you the free, better than free, and ridiculously cheap items at stores in your area (target, walmart, walgreens, publix, kroger, riteaid, etc). You don't have to get the paper to get the deal. You can get coupons online or buy them in bulk! Check it out!
INGREDIENTS for the Oven Fried Chicken Tenders:
1 egg, beaten
3 tbs milk
1 1/4 cups crushed cornflakes or other rich round cracker (approximately 35)
**I used Ritz crackers and they worked really well. Make sure you get plenty of the crackers crushed. I think I will try it next time with the cornflakes for a little crunchier chicken. Very good with Ritz.
1 tsp crushed, dried thyme
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 tbs butter (melted)
3 chicken breasts cut in strips ** I got about 3 strips out of each chicken breast. Just depends on how big you want the strips to be.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine the beaten egg and milk in a bowl.
2. Combine the cornflakes, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika in a separate bowl. Stir in the melted butter.
3. Dip the chicken in the milk mixture and then coat with the flake mixture.
4. Place on cookie sheet in a single layer.
5. Bake, uncovered at 400 F for 10-12 minutes or until done.
**Do not turn tenders while baking!
INGREDIENTS for Homemade French Fries:
approximately 4 medium potatoes, peeled
cooking oil **I used canola oil. And you only need enough cover the bottom of the skillet about 1/4 inch thick.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Cut the potatoes into rectangular shapes. (approx 4-5 inches long and 1/4-1/3 inch thick)
**Best way I have found to do this is to make a large rectangle out of each potato by cutting a little straight off each long side. You can still cut what you took off to make it kinda rectangular and cook well.
2. Heat the oil on the stove in a medium skillet for about 5 minutes or until looks hot. You have to get to know your stove a little, but for mine it worked best somewhere between medium and medium-high.
**You want it hot enough to brown the outside but cool enough to do it slowly so the inside is cooked through.
3. Place a handful of potatoes in the oil, carefully. Allow them to cook about 3-4 minutes. Then flip each potato to the other side. Allow that side to cook 3-4 minutes as well.
**From here out, you have to kinda eye it. They should reach a golden brown. If you like them crunchy, let them sit a little longer. If you like them softer, turn the heat down some more and let them just cook longer!
4. Take off the skillet and put on a paper towel or something to absorb the extra grease. You can eat them as is, OR throw some seasoned salt on top! That's what we did :)
Enjoy!
ps. This is a pretty quick meal. You can have it ready in a little over 20 minutes.
Also, I got a tip to be careful with the salt! You might wanna measure it out to make sure it's not too much! :)
Thursday night, we made oven fried chicken tenders. Walt has been wanting some kind of fried chicken and this is the recipe that we decided to go with (of course, it is from my cookbook I got for Christmas). To go along with it, I had homemade french fries. This was a little bit of an experiment because I had never done them before and decided to just go for it without any kind of recipe (they turned out well and were really easy).
Money Savers:
Get the Crushed Cornflakes when they go BOGO at Publix! Also, you can use a Kellogg's manufacturer's coupon from the paper. Cereal coupons come all the time for different values.
The same goes for the butter! BOGO on Land of the Lakes was last week. When this comes around use the manufacturer's coupon too and stack up!
For clean up afterward, check out how you can get free dish washing soap from polkadotpantry.com. This site is $5.99 a month but you save a ton!! They give you the free, better than free, and ridiculously cheap items at stores in your area (target, walmart, walgreens, publix, kroger, riteaid, etc). You don't have to get the paper to get the deal. You can get coupons online or buy them in bulk! Check it out!
INGREDIENTS for the Oven Fried Chicken Tenders:
1 egg, beaten
3 tbs milk
1 1/4 cups crushed cornflakes or other rich round cracker (approximately 35)
**I used Ritz crackers and they worked really well. Make sure you get plenty of the crackers crushed. I think I will try it next time with the cornflakes for a little crunchier chicken. Very good with Ritz.
1 tsp crushed, dried thyme
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 tbs butter (melted)
3 chicken breasts cut in strips ** I got about 3 strips out of each chicken breast. Just depends on how big you want the strips to be.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine the beaten egg and milk in a bowl.
2. Combine the cornflakes, salt, pepper, thyme, and paprika in a separate bowl. Stir in the melted butter.
3. Dip the chicken in the milk mixture and then coat with the flake mixture.
4. Place on cookie sheet in a single layer.
5. Bake, uncovered at 400 F for 10-12 minutes or until done.
**Do not turn tenders while baking!
INGREDIENTS for Homemade French Fries:
approximately 4 medium potatoes, peeled
cooking oil **I used canola oil. And you only need enough cover the bottom of the skillet about 1/4 inch thick.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Cut the potatoes into rectangular shapes. (approx 4-5 inches long and 1/4-1/3 inch thick)
**Best way I have found to do this is to make a large rectangle out of each potato by cutting a little straight off each long side. You can still cut what you took off to make it kinda rectangular and cook well.
2. Heat the oil on the stove in a medium skillet for about 5 minutes or until looks hot. You have to get to know your stove a little, but for mine it worked best somewhere between medium and medium-high.
**You want it hot enough to brown the outside but cool enough to do it slowly so the inside is cooked through.
3. Place a handful of potatoes in the oil, carefully. Allow them to cook about 3-4 minutes. Then flip each potato to the other side. Allow that side to cook 3-4 minutes as well.
**From here out, you have to kinda eye it. They should reach a golden brown. If you like them crunchy, let them sit a little longer. If you like them softer, turn the heat down some more and let them just cook longer!
4. Take off the skillet and put on a paper towel or something to absorb the extra grease. You can eat them as is, OR throw some seasoned salt on top! That's what we did :)
Enjoy!
ps. This is a pretty quick meal. You can have it ready in a little over 20 minutes.
Also, I got a tip to be careful with the salt! You might wanna measure it out to make sure it's not too much! :)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tonight we are doing a recipe that gets reserved for special occasions. Cancel the reservations! By far, this is the best recipe we make! It's called "Feta Cheese and Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breasts."
Money Savers:
Idaho Potatoes $2.99/ 5 lbs (save $1)
Green Giant canned green beans as low as $.40 a can!!! And it can be lower if you buy some different things in bulk!!! Check out polkadotpantry.com for details and more great deals through:
http://www.polkadotpantry.com/?affid=464&affref=other
INGREDIENTS:
8 tbs olive oil
2 tsp lemon juice
4 cloves crushed garlic
1 tbs dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
crumbled feta (one container)
4 slices of bacon, fried and drained
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Combine the oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.
3. Place chicken in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and pour oil mixture over chicken.
4. Stuff each chicken breast with feta and one slice of bacon. Secure open sides with toothpicks.
**There are two ways to do this. I typically use thin chicken and fold it in half. If you have thicker chicken and skill, you can cut slits in the actual chicken. I tend to be able to get more feta and bacon in every bite with it folded!
5. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes.
I am making mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls to go with this tonight! (hence the money saver potatoes and green beans) Have a great Valentine's Day! :-*
Money Savers:
Idaho Potatoes $2.99/ 5 lbs (save $1)
Green Giant canned green beans as low as $.40 a can!!! And it can be lower if you buy some different things in bulk!!! Check out polkadotpantry.com for details and more great deals through:
http://www.polkadotpantry.com/?affid=464&affref=other
INGREDIENTS:
8 tbs olive oil
2 tsp lemon juice
4 cloves crushed garlic
1 tbs dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
crumbled feta (one container)
4 slices of bacon, fried and drained
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Combine the oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.
3. Place chicken in a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and pour oil mixture over chicken.
4. Stuff each chicken breast with feta and one slice of bacon. Secure open sides with toothpicks.
**There are two ways to do this. I typically use thin chicken and fold it in half. If you have thicker chicken and skill, you can cut slits in the actual chicken. I tend to be able to get more feta and bacon in every bite with it folded!
5. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes.
I am making mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls to go with this tonight! (hence the money saver potatoes and green beans) Have a great Valentine's Day! :-*
Sunday, February 13, 2011
I wasn't sure I was going to get a blog up this weekend between Star Wars watching, Catan playing, and Young couples dinner with church. However just before the deadline, I thought I would put something up. One of my favorite parts of the weekend is getting to make pancakes or waffles on Saturday morning! So I thought I would share the buttermilk pancake recipe. They are delicious!!!
Money Savers:
So... it's basic again and kinda hard to get good deals on! But, there is a coupon in walgreen's ad for $2.29 for a 4 lb bag of domino sugar! That's a pretty good price!
INGREDIENTS:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbs sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 baking soda
1/4 salt
1 egg (slightly beaten)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk (if you want regular, just use regular milk and omit the baking soda. Increase the baking powder to 1 tsp)
3 tbs cooking oil (I just used vegetable oil)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and soda, and salt.
2. In another bowl, slightly beat the egg. Add the buttermilk and oil.
3. Add the egg mixture all at once to the flour mixture. Stir together until just moistened (batter should be slightly lumpy). If desired you can stir in a fruit! (The less you can stir the fluffier the pancakes!)
4. Pour about 1/4 a cup batter onto a hot, lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet. Spread the batter if necessary (I did. It made thick pancakes anyway! This helped keep them from being too thick.)
5. Cook over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Turn to second side when pancakes have bubbly surfaces and edges are slightly dry. Serve warm
**Mine didn't really bubbly because they were thick! So make sure that you watch it closely!
I hope you enjoy the pancake as much as I do on the weekends! :)
Money Savers:
So... it's basic again and kinda hard to get good deals on! But, there is a coupon in walgreen's ad for $2.29 for a 4 lb bag of domino sugar! That's a pretty good price!
INGREDIENTS:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbs sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 baking soda
1/4 salt
1 egg (slightly beaten)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk (if you want regular, just use regular milk and omit the baking soda. Increase the baking powder to 1 tsp)
3 tbs cooking oil (I just used vegetable oil)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder and soda, and salt.
2. In another bowl, slightly beat the egg. Add the buttermilk and oil.
3. Add the egg mixture all at once to the flour mixture. Stir together until just moistened (batter should be slightly lumpy). If desired you can stir in a fruit! (The less you can stir the fluffier the pancakes!)
4. Pour about 1/4 a cup batter onto a hot, lightly greased griddle or heavy skillet. Spread the batter if necessary (I did. It made thick pancakes anyway! This helped keep them from being too thick.)
5. Cook over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Turn to second side when pancakes have bubbly surfaces and edges are slightly dry. Serve warm
**Mine didn't really bubbly because they were thick! So make sure that you watch it closely!
I hope you enjoy the pancake as much as I do on the weekends! :)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
I know it has been a few days. It is looking like the optimistic idea of putting up a recipe everyday may not happen. We will shoot for about every other day instead! (Remember, if you have a great recipe send it to me!!! Facebook or email!) Yesterday for dinner, I made medallions of pork with apples. It is another recipe from the cookbook Walt got for me. It also happens to be in the 20-minute section so it was a quick dinner!
Money Savers:
There is always some kinda of apple on sale at Publix. You will see what I say about the apples in this recipe but I think a sweet apple will work best!
INGREDIENTS:
1-lb pork tenderloin (I bought mine already cut because it was the better price and more convenient!)
2 cloves garlic, minced (I used my garlic press)
2 tbs olive oil or butter (I used the butter :) For healthly recipes, go with the olive oil)
20-ounce can sliced apples, drained
**soo... about the apples. I got just regular apples in water. No sugar added or anything. I think this was the part of the recipe that was lacking. I would either do fresh apples and let there be a little bit of a crunch to them. You also could get canned apples with sugar. I added sugar to the recipe when I put in the apples (probably like 1/4-1/2 cup).
2 tsp snipped fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed (I used the dried from my spice rack)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut the pork crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. In a 12 inch skillet cook the garlic in hot oil over medium-high heat for 15 seconds. (I cooked it longer than that. Probably a minute or two.) Carefully place pork in the hot oil. Cook for 2 minutes on each side or until browned and no longer pink in the center. (Mine took a lot longer than that... probably like 4-6 minutes on each side).
2. Add apples and thyme to skillet. Cook covered for 1 minutes or until apples are heated through. (I cooked it a good bit longer than this too. I guess you could say that mine wasn't really 20 minutes).
Good luck! Let me know if you try it and if you did anything differently! It was good enough to give it a shot, but I definitely think I will do the fresh apples next time and maybe add a little sugar :)
Money Savers:
There is always some kinda of apple on sale at Publix. You will see what I say about the apples in this recipe but I think a sweet apple will work best!
INGREDIENTS:
1-lb pork tenderloin (I bought mine already cut because it was the better price and more convenient!)
2 cloves garlic, minced (I used my garlic press)
2 tbs olive oil or butter (I used the butter :) For healthly recipes, go with the olive oil)
20-ounce can sliced apples, drained
**soo... about the apples. I got just regular apples in water. No sugar added or anything. I think this was the part of the recipe that was lacking. I would either do fresh apples and let there be a little bit of a crunch to them. You also could get canned apples with sugar. I added sugar to the recipe when I put in the apples (probably like 1/4-1/2 cup).
2 tsp snipped fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp dried thyme, crushed (I used the dried from my spice rack)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut the pork crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. In a 12 inch skillet cook the garlic in hot oil over medium-high heat for 15 seconds. (I cooked it longer than that. Probably a minute or two.) Carefully place pork in the hot oil. Cook for 2 minutes on each side or until browned and no longer pink in the center. (Mine took a lot longer than that... probably like 4-6 minutes on each side).
2. Add apples and thyme to skillet. Cook covered for 1 minutes or until apples are heated through. (I cooked it a good bit longer than this too. I guess you could say that mine wasn't really 20 minutes).
Good luck! Let me know if you try it and if you did anything differently! It was good enough to give it a shot, but I definitely think I will do the fresh apples next time and maybe add a little sugar :)
Monday, February 7, 2011
So... I didn't get a post up this morning. But to my defense, I am a little sick. Thankfully, I am starting to feel better. However, I did still manage to get dinner in the crock pot (and thank goodness it was a crock pot recipe today!). I didn't want to post it before we tried it in case it wasn't good! This is another recipe from the cookbook that Walt got me for Christmas :). SUPER EASY! I had a hard time finding some of the ingredients so I just improvised and I think it worked out!
Money Savers:
It calls for cooking oil. I used vegetable oil but if you want you could use olive oil. $3 at Publix! (BOGO)
The meat!--I don't think it was necessarily on sale but it wasn't expensive! If my memory serves me right, it was about $4 for the pound!
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb boneless beef round steak (about 3/4 to 1 inch thick)
salt
black pepper
1 tbs cooking oil
14.5 oz can Italian-style stewed tomatoes (undrained)
3 tbs Italian-style tomato paste (you can get a really small can)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
16 oz package of frozen pepper stir-fry vegetables (yellow, green, and red sweet peppers with onion)
**if you can't find Italian-style stewed tomatoes and tomato paste you can use 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, crushed.
I was unable to find it. I actually used Mexican-style stewed tomatoes because I had them already and just regular tomato paste. I didn't use Italian seasoning either. So if you don't have it, don't sweat it!
**can't find the stir-fly veggies?
Me either! And I looked... I found frozen green bell peppers and used just them. Looking back, I think I will spend the little bit of extra money and just buy a fresh green and a fresh red pepper. The frozen bell pepper was diced a little small for what I would have liked. It will pair really well with the peppers!
**I added sugar... I know that might sound a little strange. I didn't add a lot but because I didn't have the sweetness from the yellow or sweet red pepper, I thought that I would add in a little of my own. It was probably just a little more than a tsp. I don't know if it made a big difference, but it tasted good!
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Trim fat from meat. Cut the meat into four pieces and sprinkle them lightly with salt and pepper. In a large skillet brown the meat on both sides in hot oil. Transfer to 3 1/2 - 4 qrt slow cooker (aka crock pot).
**Make sure you go with the 1 tbs oil... I just poured some in there and did WAY too much! It made quite a mess and you should have seen me this morning at 6 am dancing around the hot oil... Word to the wise.
**I cooked in on the stove on about medium to medium high. My stove gets a little hotter than most (I think?) so somewhere in that range. You might wanna start at medium and see how quickly it browns it!
2. In a bowl, stir together undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour this mix over the meat in the crock pot. Top with the frozen veggies!
3. Now, you can sit back and relax! :) If you have time to let it cook 10-12 hours, set it on low. Otherwise you can set it on high for 5-6 hours! The longer the better in my book! It will be more tender!
The review:
It was definitely good! Like I said, I think I will get the fresh bell peppers next time and maybe add them in half way so they don't get too soggy. I like a little crunch! The meat was so tender it will fall apart when you try to get it out of the crock pot! We aren't big tomato people, so we didn't eat the stewed tomatoes but they were great flavoring!
I served it on top of rice and it was GREAT! I also made green beans. In attempts to be healthy, we don't eat a lot of bread. However, some dinner rolls would be perfect!
Money Savers:
It calls for cooking oil. I used vegetable oil but if you want you could use olive oil. $3 at Publix! (BOGO)
The meat!--I don't think it was necessarily on sale but it wasn't expensive! If my memory serves me right, it was about $4 for the pound!
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb boneless beef round steak (about 3/4 to 1 inch thick)
salt
black pepper
1 tbs cooking oil
14.5 oz can Italian-style stewed tomatoes (undrained)
3 tbs Italian-style tomato paste (you can get a really small can)
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
16 oz package of frozen pepper stir-fry vegetables (yellow, green, and red sweet peppers with onion)
**if you can't find Italian-style stewed tomatoes and tomato paste you can use 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, crushed.
I was unable to find it. I actually used Mexican-style stewed tomatoes because I had them already and just regular tomato paste. I didn't use Italian seasoning either. So if you don't have it, don't sweat it!
**can't find the stir-fly veggies?
Me either! And I looked... I found frozen green bell peppers and used just them. Looking back, I think I will spend the little bit of extra money and just buy a fresh green and a fresh red pepper. The frozen bell pepper was diced a little small for what I would have liked. It will pair really well with the peppers!
**I added sugar... I know that might sound a little strange. I didn't add a lot but because I didn't have the sweetness from the yellow or sweet red pepper, I thought that I would add in a little of my own. It was probably just a little more than a tsp. I don't know if it made a big difference, but it tasted good!
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Trim fat from meat. Cut the meat into four pieces and sprinkle them lightly with salt and pepper. In a large skillet brown the meat on both sides in hot oil. Transfer to 3 1/2 - 4 qrt slow cooker (aka crock pot).
**Make sure you go with the 1 tbs oil... I just poured some in there and did WAY too much! It made quite a mess and you should have seen me this morning at 6 am dancing around the hot oil... Word to the wise.
**I cooked in on the stove on about medium to medium high. My stove gets a little hotter than most (I think?) so somewhere in that range. You might wanna start at medium and see how quickly it browns it!
2. In a bowl, stir together undrained tomatoes, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour this mix over the meat in the crock pot. Top with the frozen veggies!
3. Now, you can sit back and relax! :) If you have time to let it cook 10-12 hours, set it on low. Otherwise you can set it on high for 5-6 hours! The longer the better in my book! It will be more tender!
The review:
It was definitely good! Like I said, I think I will get the fresh bell peppers next time and maybe add them in half way so they don't get too soggy. I like a little crunch! The meat was so tender it will fall apart when you try to get it out of the crock pot! We aren't big tomato people, so we didn't eat the stewed tomatoes but they were great flavoring!
I served it on top of rice and it was GREAT! I also made green beans. In attempts to be healthy, we don't eat a lot of bread. However, some dinner rolls would be perfect!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
So as most people know the Superbowl comes on tonight! I must say I think I am going to be pulling for the Steelers. I won't be hosting tonight but there are a couple really easy recipes that you can do for side dishes!
ONE: Picante and Cream Cheese Dip (aka Cheese dip but a little different then you are probably used to)
Though I say picante, you can use any salsa. We just like that picante is smooth with less chunks. Don't go think and chunky (at least not your first time :-P).
This should serve about... five to ten people. So you might wanna consider doubling it if you are having a larger party.
Money Savers:
Pace salsa- There is a coupon in the paper last week for Picante sauce. I think 50/2 cents off! You may have this if you clip coupons. Also, Publix still has the BOGO sale on their Pace salsa making it $1.40 for one and $1.39 for the second. The 50 cent coupon will be doubled at Publix so you can get two for $1.79! Remember, at publix you could get just one, but you wouldn't be able to use the coupon.
Cream cheese- Publix also has a sale going on the Philadelphia cream cheese! It's on sale 4/$5. You can go here: http://print.coupons.com/Couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=14552&nid=20&zid=bg78 to print off a coupon for .50/2 (which double at publix is a dollar!). This makes the cream cheese 4/$4!
Total price: $1 for cream cheese + .90 for salsa = $1.90!
INGREDIENTS: one package of cream cheese and one jar of salsa.
This is an EASY recipe! All you do is put the salsa and cream cheese in a blender and mix them together!!! Depending on your blender you might want to cut the cream cheese into about eight pieces. It will take less time for it to blend that way!
TWO: This is a little more advanced, but if you are tight on time (which is likely for today) you can just buy the pizza crust! (or if you don't wanna try this yet!)
Homemade Thin Crust Pizza!!!! This is definitely a favorite of ours!
Money Savers:
Publix has BOGO olive oil today! I always make sure to get this when it happens! I am going to purchase mine in a few hours! :) It will be $3.50 for olive oil. You can use other cooking oils if you want in this, but being an italian dish (technically) I like to use the olive oil.
Kraft cheese: Publix has 2/$4 cheese (block or shredded). At the end of last month, there was a coupon in Smart Source for $1/2. So if you have the coupon, it's $1.50 for a block or bag of cheese! Not bad!!!
INGREDIENTS for the dough:
*** this is another great time to use that KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook!
2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
1 pkg dry yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup warm water (120-130 degrees F)
2 tbs cooking oil or olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine 1 1/4 cups flour, yeast and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the warm water and oil. Beat with electric mixer for 30 seconds, scraping the bowl. Then beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon stir in the rest of the flour (f you don't have a wooden spoon, that's fine! Just use a spatula or plastic spoon if you have it). **Here you will be using the attachment that looks more triangular (not the whisk or bread hook).
2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead in the remaining flour to make it moderately stiff, smooth and elastic. **You can also change the attachment on your mixer to the dough hook and on a medium to high speed let it knead about 7-8 minutes or until consistency is reached!
3. Divide the dough in half. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. (sometimes I have found it takes long than this. You want to get the dough to expand to about twice the size. It is going to be important that the water was at the right temperature in the beginning. You can also preheat your over to 200 degrees F before you are making this and turn it off and when it is just luke warm, stick the dough in the oven).
OPTION:
Whole wheat dough: use 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour just as the recipe states. When stirring in as much as you can later in the recipe, 1 1/4 cups to 1 3/4 cups flour use whole wheat flour. Knead in whole wheat flour until stiff dough that is smooth and elastic.
INGREDIENTS for homemade pizza:
homemade pizza dough or dough bought from the store (such as Pillsbury pizza dough)
**if bought, you will need two.
pizza sauce of your choice (about 24 to 32 oz)
Cheese (we often use Kraft triple cheese but it's your choice!)
toppings!
1. Get two cookies sheets. Grease them (we use crisco and a paper towel to do the trick) and spread the dough on the sheets. Spreading the dough is a little difficult. You will want to start either in the middle or in one corner and patiently spread the dough out. Try to avoid making holes in the dough. But if it happens just close them up. This could take a little while.
2. If you made the homemade dough, cook it at 425 F for about 10 minutes or until light brown. If you purchase the dough from the store, follow the instructions on the package.
3. Remove the dough from the oven and place sauce, cheese and toppings on top! Cook until hot and bubbly (about 10 minutes!).
This is delicious pizza!!! And pretty inexpensive (definitely compared to delivery from somewhere!)
THREE: Mustard and Grape Jelly Smokies (SUPER easy)
***So, we haven't made this but I am taking my husband word for it as he has had them before and says though it sounds disgusting, it is delicious!
INGREDIENTS:
6 ounces grape jelly
6 ounces mustard
1 pound little smokies
INSTRUCTIONS:
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Stir all ingredients together as jelly melts. Simmer for an hour. Serve hot!!!
This is so easy and something you can just throw in an hour before people get there!
Have a great Superbowl Sunday! :)
Coming up this week: Crockpot Pepper Steak and Medallions of Pork with Apples (a 20 minute meal)
ONE: Picante and Cream Cheese Dip (aka Cheese dip but a little different then you are probably used to)
Though I say picante, you can use any salsa. We just like that picante is smooth with less chunks. Don't go think and chunky (at least not your first time :-P).
This should serve about... five to ten people. So you might wanna consider doubling it if you are having a larger party.
Money Savers:
Pace salsa- There is a coupon in the paper last week for Picante sauce. I think 50/2 cents off! You may have this if you clip coupons. Also, Publix still has the BOGO sale on their Pace salsa making it $1.40 for one and $1.39 for the second. The 50 cent coupon will be doubled at Publix so you can get two for $1.79! Remember, at publix you could get just one, but you wouldn't be able to use the coupon.
Cream cheese- Publix also has a sale going on the Philadelphia cream cheese! It's on sale 4/$5. You can go here: http://print.coupons.com/Couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=14552&nid=20&zid=bg78 to print off a coupon for .50/2 (which double at publix is a dollar!). This makes the cream cheese 4/$4!
Total price: $1 for cream cheese + .90 for salsa = $1.90!
INGREDIENTS: one package of cream cheese and one jar of salsa.
This is an EASY recipe! All you do is put the salsa and cream cheese in a blender and mix them together!!! Depending on your blender you might want to cut the cream cheese into about eight pieces. It will take less time for it to blend that way!
TWO: This is a little more advanced, but if you are tight on time (which is likely for today) you can just buy the pizza crust! (or if you don't wanna try this yet!)
Homemade Thin Crust Pizza!!!! This is definitely a favorite of ours!
Money Savers:
Publix has BOGO olive oil today! I always make sure to get this when it happens! I am going to purchase mine in a few hours! :) It will be $3.50 for olive oil. You can use other cooking oils if you want in this, but being an italian dish (technically) I like to use the olive oil.
Kraft cheese: Publix has 2/$4 cheese (block or shredded). At the end of last month, there was a coupon in Smart Source for $1/2. So if you have the coupon, it's $1.50 for a block or bag of cheese! Not bad!!!
INGREDIENTS for the dough:
*** this is another great time to use that KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook!
2 1/2 to 3 cups all-purpose flour
1 pkg dry yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup warm water (120-130 degrees F)
2 tbs cooking oil or olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine 1 1/4 cups flour, yeast and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the warm water and oil. Beat with electric mixer for 30 seconds, scraping the bowl. Then beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon stir in the rest of the flour (f you don't have a wooden spoon, that's fine! Just use a spatula or plastic spoon if you have it). **Here you will be using the attachment that looks more triangular (not the whisk or bread hook).
2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead in the remaining flour to make it moderately stiff, smooth and elastic. **You can also change the attachment on your mixer to the dough hook and on a medium to high speed let it knead about 7-8 minutes or until consistency is reached!
3. Divide the dough in half. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. (sometimes I have found it takes long than this. You want to get the dough to expand to about twice the size. It is going to be important that the water was at the right temperature in the beginning. You can also preheat your over to 200 degrees F before you are making this and turn it off and when it is just luke warm, stick the dough in the oven).
OPTION:
Whole wheat dough: use 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour just as the recipe states. When stirring in as much as you can later in the recipe, 1 1/4 cups to 1 3/4 cups flour use whole wheat flour. Knead in whole wheat flour until stiff dough that is smooth and elastic.
INGREDIENTS for homemade pizza:
homemade pizza dough or dough bought from the store (such as Pillsbury pizza dough)
**if bought, you will need two.
pizza sauce of your choice (about 24 to 32 oz)
Cheese (we often use Kraft triple cheese but it's your choice!)
toppings!
1. Get two cookies sheets. Grease them (we use crisco and a paper towel to do the trick) and spread the dough on the sheets. Spreading the dough is a little difficult. You will want to start either in the middle or in one corner and patiently spread the dough out. Try to avoid making holes in the dough. But if it happens just close them up. This could take a little while.
2. If you made the homemade dough, cook it at 425 F for about 10 minutes or until light brown. If you purchase the dough from the store, follow the instructions on the package.
3. Remove the dough from the oven and place sauce, cheese and toppings on top! Cook until hot and bubbly (about 10 minutes!).
This is delicious pizza!!! And pretty inexpensive (definitely compared to delivery from somewhere!)
THREE: Mustard and Grape Jelly Smokies (SUPER easy)
***So, we haven't made this but I am taking my husband word for it as he has had them before and says though it sounds disgusting, it is delicious!
INGREDIENTS:
6 ounces grape jelly
6 ounces mustard
1 pound little smokies
INSTRUCTIONS:
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Stir all ingredients together as jelly melts. Simmer for an hour. Serve hot!!!
This is so easy and something you can just throw in an hour before people get there!
Have a great Superbowl Sunday! :)
Coming up this week: Crockpot Pepper Steak and Medallions of Pork with Apples (a 20 minute meal)