My girl is getting so big!

People always tell me that kids grow up too fast. In the midst of diaper changing, sleepless nights and keeping babies safe, it can seem like they don't grow up fast enough!

Weeks like this one make me realize the truth to what people say. My girlie learned to climb on furniture with no help, learned a new sign, learned the word "up" and can eat with a spoon all since this week! Unfortunately she has also taken to saying her new favorite word "no!" all the time. She also says "hot" "kitty" "mama" "dada". She also gives "raspberry kisses" and finds mommy and daddy and her own belly button. She seems so grown up!

M also helps to clean up now(like the picture above), but doesn't do a great job quite yet:) She has been completely weaned now and doesn't seem to miss it a bit. She loves to read books and play with dolls and stuffed animals. Her newest thing is to undress her baby doll with help. I can't wait for her little sister to arrive to see how she interacts with her!

Safeway NW Deals for the Week of January 28th, 2009

Good Deals (no coupon needed!)

Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef Chuck Roast BOGO

Safeway Chicken Drumsticks or Leg Quarters $0.99/lb

O Organics Salad $1.98/each

Large Hot House Tomatoes $1.68/lb

Green Grapes $0.98/lb

Lay's potato Chips $1.69

Oven Joy Breads $0.99

72 hour sale (Fri, Sat & Sun only)

12 pack pepsi, coke cans 4 for $7.99 with coupon and card
(use printables for Pepsi one-no longer available online- or mycokerewards coupons for another $1 off!)

Johnsonville Bratwurst Sausage, 19.76 oz pkg
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 01-11 S
Final Price $2.00

Imported Large Hass Avocados $0.88each

Tillamook Chunck Cheese $4.99

California Pizza Kitchen Pizza $3.99

Coupon Match-Ups

Aquafresh Toothpaste, 6.4 oz tube $1.29
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 01-04 S2
Final Price $0.54

Ball Park Beef Franks, 14-16 oz $2.50
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 01-25 RP
Final Price $2.00

Tyson Breaded Chicken Selections, 10-32 oz bag, frozen BOGO free
Use $2.25/1 coupon from 10-19 S
Final Price $1.25

Star Olive Oil, 17 oz $6.49
Use coupon for $1/1 from 11-16 S
Final Price $5.49

Kelloggs Eggo Breakfast, 9.9-16.4 oz $2.00
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 12-14 RP
Final Price $1.25

General Mills Trix Cereal, 10.7 oz $1.99
Use coupon for $1/3 from 01-04 GM
Final Price $1.66

Quaker Old Fashioned or Quick Oats Oatmeal, 42 oz canister $2.50
Use $0.60/1 coupon from 01-04 R1
Final Price $1.90

Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice, 64 oz $2.50
Use coupon for $1/2 from 01-04 R1
Final Price $2.00

Kelloggs Special K Bars, 6 ct $3.00
Use coupon for $1/2 from 01-04 R2
Final Price $2.50

Freschetta Pizza, 12.6-25.12 oz $4.50
Use coupon for $1/1 from 01-04 S1
Final Price $3.50

Red Barron Classic Pizza or Thin Crust, 14.76-22.63 oz -- Buy 1 Get 1 Free $3.15
Use $1/2 coupon from 01-11 S
Final Price$2.65

Buddig Deli Cuts Lunch Meat, 12 oz $3.50
Use $1/1 coupon from 01-18 RP
Final Price $2.50

Kelloggs Corn Flakes 18 oz $1.99
Use $1/50/2 coupon from 01-18 RP
Final Price $1.24

Campbells Chunky Soup, 18.6-19 oz $0.99
Use $0.50/4 coupon from 01-18 S
Final Price $0.82

Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage, 14-16 oz $2.50
Use $0.35/1 coupon from 01-25 RP
Final Price $2.15

Lloyds Shredded BBQ Meats, Smokies, or BBQ Meatballs, 16-18 oz $3.99
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 01-25 S
Final Price$3.24

Nabisco Ritz, 10.56-16 oz $2.50
Use $2/2 coupon from 01-25 S
Final Price $1.50

Frenchs Mustard, 14 oz $1.50
Use $0.50/1 coupon from 01-18 S
Final Price $1.00

Hillshire Farms Lit'l Smokies, 14-16 oz $2.50
Use $1/2 coupon from 01-25 RP
Final Price $2.00

Nabisco Snack Crackers or Toasted Chips, 6-10 oz $1.69
Use $2/2 coupon from 01-25 S
Final Price $0.69

Nalley Chili with Beans, 15 oz can $1.00
Use $1.50/2 coupon from 01-25 S
Final Price $0.25

Nalley Pickles, 46 oz $2.50
Use $1.50/2 coupon from 01-25 S
Final Price $1.75

Pace Picante or Salsa, 24 oz $2.50
Use coupon for $0.75/2 from 01-25 S
Final Price $2.13

For more shopping deals visit BeCentsable!

My menu planning "method"

Crystal at Biblical Womanhood is sharing her menu planning ways today for Frugal Friday.

I thought I would post our menu planning "method" here too, since I didn't always menu plan, and it saves us a lot of time, money and frustration!

When Daniel and I first got married, I did a lot of choosing of our meals based on what was cheap or what sounded good. Although we ate okay, I had too many nights where I came home from work worn out and was dissatisfied with what we ended up eating.

Time went on and I started shopping different stores and got better deals. Grocery Outlet was a regular stop for me. This discount store was full of suprises, but when I got to the checkout line I was often suprised that I spent more than I thought since everything was so cheap. Even so the occasional organic mark-down and overall good prices made me think that this was the best way to go.

A year and a half ago or so I stumbled into the world of the blogosphere and then finally into the world of menu planning. Resistance was futile and after a few months I began to seriously menu plan. Since then I have primarily planned our dinners (which I always make enough for our next day's lunch as well-or try to) and spend very little time planning the rest.

Snacks and desserts come from good coupon deals (couponing is also something that I've learned this past year or so and has saved a ton of money, but not so much time!).

Breakfasts typically are homemade things like pancakes, muffins, quickbreads, scones, waffles and the like. Ensuring I have the basics of flour, baking powder/soda, vanilla, eggs, milk, butter etc. allows me the freedom to change our breakfasts quickly to suit our morning needs/wants that week.

I also check our coffee supply since that is something my husband and I both enjoy. Usually I can pick up a bag every couple months at Costco with Walgreen's sales on the cheap stuff supplementing the rest.

When choosing our weekly dinners, I use a variety of strategies:

~The first is a quick scan of the weekly grocery ads (Albertson's, Safeway and Fred Meyer are my nearby stores).
~Next I look at foods that we either have a surplus of or need to be used up. I also scan the pantry and fridge for inspiration and check out our supply of basics, such as onions, potatoes, rice, beans-looking for things that we might be running low on. That doesn't always mean they get added to the list, it just gives me an idea of what to focus my menus on.
~Finally, I glance at resources such as our dinner's list, which is primarily simple, low cost meals that we enjoy, other blogs that eat similarly to us, as well as sometimes a cookbook or two. Since I have been doing all this for awhile, it all usually takes less than 30 minutes.
~The very final step is sketching a list of 6 meals, plus pizza night (every friday!). Usually I check our calendar to see if we'll be having company or going to a friend's house for a meal and incorporate that info as well.

For meals we like to have at least 1-2 mexican food nights: enchiladas, tacos, beans and rice etc. One night is pizza of course, We try to have one-two nights of pasta, one of potatoes and I try not to do the same meat on two nights in a row. Usually one night is soup and bread, which is tasty and cheap! We often do several vegetarian nights as well. Some of our favorites are polenta with cheese and marinara sauce, baked potato bar, beans and rice and of course many soups can be vegetarian as well. We both enjoy Indian, Thai and Chinese food, so when I can find a recipe for one of those that fits in with ingredients we can get inexpensively I incorporate that as well.

Although I thought menu planning and sticking to the plan throughout the week would be a creativity-killer (I rarely stick to recipes!), it has taken a lot of stress and brain work out of the evenings. I also am able to start meals in the morning, before the afternoon rush when I am chasing a cranky toddler, finishing up last minute tasks before Daniel gets home and at my most pregnant-exhausted. We also eat a bigger variety of foods, not to mention more fruits and veggies, for less money than previously.

Here is a link to our menu plans to see what I end up with.

Did I miss any steps in there? How do you menu plan? Does it save you time/money?

January 25th Grocery Shopping and Substitutions

This week I tried a new recipe, and although I don't advocate changing recipes on the first try, I do it all the time!

I made Breakfast Cake from Heavenly Homemakers, but didn't want the fat or expense of a full cup of butter. I also did not have honey, which is the sole sweetener (besides fruit) in the recipe. Apples to the rescue once again!

For half the butter, I subbed applesauce, pictured two pictures below (unsweetened, although if you use sweetened you can cut back on other sweeteners in the recipe). For the honey, I used the same proportion of applejuice and a few teaspoons of splenda. It was pleasantly sweet, but not overly so. Just be prepared for the baking times to change due to different levels of moisture in the recipe (this took almost 15 minutes longer to bake).



Although I didn't get pictures of my entire grocery trip this week, I pictured a unique trip-to Costco! We don't use our membership a lot, but it was nice to be able to get two things we use a lot of: applesauce and salsa in their organic form for slightly cheaper than I have gotten them on sale for recently. I spent about $12on those (4 jars organic natural applesauce and 1 large jar organic medium salsa) and it went on a Christmas giftcard.

From my regular budget came the following from Fred Meyer, my only stop for shopping this week:

salsa (before I knew I would go to Costco)
reduced fat sour cream (my husband loves ranch dip on so many things...he blames me for this acquired taste:)
Kraft light ranch
Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
2 onions
3 lbs bananas
1 package reduced baby spinach
whole fryer chicken
2 frozen veggies: mixed and peas

$18.xx total

Next week will be a big stock up week most likely since it is the beginning of the month, but we'll have to see what the sales look like (here's to hoping for a big Safeway Savings Ralley!)

Visit Kitchen Tip Tuesday and Grocery Cart Challenge!

Cleaning and Baking Day!

Yesterday was my big baking/cleaning/laundry day. I got most of what I wanted to accomplished, minus putting the laundry away. Today's list includes putting laundry away and cleaning the bathroom. Oh and finishing organizing/clipping coupons!
My clean laundry pile before:

(after pictures still to come:)
My coupon mess before (after still to be finished:)

Yesterday I started thisbreakfast cake and we baked it this morning for breakfast (with a few substitutions)! It was good!

It took a little longer than stated to bake, but that could be because of the applesauce in place of 1/2 the butter or applejuice in place of the honey. I made yummy polenta with marinara for dinner last night and am now finishing the last rise for another loaf of sourdough bread.
Polenta, before baking...very good!

Sourdough mixture--currently rising:


The upstairs floors got their needed vacuuming along with the stairs and a quick sweep of downstairs. I am going to try to keep with Biblical Womanhood's Spring Cleaning for Normal People challenge.

Luckily, it won't be too big of a challenge to get started since we keep our possesions down to a minimum anyway (thanks in large part to my hubby and his de-packratting ways!).

Fun with Missionary Friends from Brazil

Since finding out our acceptance to Wycliffe earlier this month, we have been more and more excited about how real and more imminent the possibility of going overseas is for us. We were so happy to have the opportunity to have missionaries from one of the countries we are considering service to over for dinner (with another wonderful couple from our church) last week.

They were so encouraging and excited about their ministry and Brazil that it was infectious. M took to Jim right away and read lots of books in his lap during our evening together:) J & J asked if they could take M back with them to Brazil!



As far as our plans go, we are anxious to get on the field. Sometimes we feel like running ahead of God's plans for us because they seem so far off! The soonest we will be on the field (after the training schedule Wycliffe/JAARS has for aviation personnel) will be summer/fall of 2010. If we don't have the required support by this winter, it will be another full year until we leave. Some days we just want to pack up and go now!!

We love our church family, friends and family though, so are enjoying the time God has for us here before we go. Daniel's job, not so much, but in this economy, we are practicing being thankful for the fact that he even has a job!

Menu Plan for the Week of January 26th, 2009

No jury duty last week...yay! It was still a busy week since my punkin' was sick (so was hubby) and still are a little bit. We will be having company twice this week, plus over to friend's house once and one possible date night out (its a suprise for my early bday!)

Breakfasts: Biscuits, Amish Baked Oatmeal X 2, leftover smorgasboard (muffins, pancakes and bread from previous week), toast and jam/pb

Lunches: Leftovers

Snacks: homemade sourdough bread with jam/butter, yogurt (from the great Albertson's sale!) apples, granola bars, cold cereal and milk

Dinners:

M: Baked Polenta with Marinara (thanks for the recipe link Grocery Cart Challenge!)

Tue: Leftover Rainbow Bean Soup from Freezer over brown rice with mixed veggies

Wed: Bacon and Spinach Quiche and Fried Brown Rice (w/lots of veggies)

Th: Chicken Noodle Soup and Biscuits

F: Homemade Pizza with Cheese and Pineapple..or maybe out? Daniel said to keep tonight open for a surprise! ;)

Sat: Pizza or Ham and Potatoes with Company depending on the previous night's plans:)

Sun: Hard Shell Tacos with Brown Rice, Corn, Salsa and Green Peas on the Side

Orgjunkie has hundreds more menu plans!

Catching the Reading Bug from Daddy

Bread and Soup Meal

Having a sick baby and some unanticipating things happening this week has made my meal plan change rather drastically this week. I had several nights where using my crockpot was a lifesaver, so I needed to change the meal plan to reflect that.

Last night I made soup and bread instead of what I had planned, and it was great! I did about 10 minutes of "dumping" into the crockpot to make a southwest soup (chicken broth, 2 cans of progresso soup from the great sales, home-cooked beans bought in bulk and some frozen corn. It was hot and ready when we arrived home! We topped it with salsa, a little sour cream and crushed chips from the Walgreen's sales this week:)

On the side I served homemade sourdough bread. It didn't rise as much as it was supposed to (could've been that I've neglected my started or something:) but Daniel and I both loved it! Give this recipe a try if you're interested in frugal bread, and have the time to plan ahead (it takes a day or two with rise time). The bread was largely make-ahead, so it fit in with my busy day meal needs nicely.

You can make a soup and bread meal even more cheaply (and quickly!) if you keep a container in the freezer all week and put leftover bits of meat/protein, grains and veggies and then cook those in a crockpot on low with some broth all day. A simple biscuit recipe or cornbread recipe makes the bread cheap and quick. For a family of 4, this meal costs around $2-3 dollars.

And best of all, my little bread snatcher (who is not feeling well this week). She must've enjoyed the sourdough too since she grabbed a couple pieces off the table on her tippy-toes this morning:)




Visit Biblical Womanhood for great frugal tips and grocery cart challenge for recipe ideas!

Safeway NW Deals for the week of January 21st, 2009

Good Deals (no coupon needed!)

Fresh Express Shreds or Garden Salads, 8-12 oz bag $1.00

Pork Shoulder Ribs $1.29/lb

Tillapia Fillets $3.99/lb

Apples (Selected Varieties) $1/lb

48 hour sale (Sat & Sun only)

Betty Crocker Helper Meals 5.2 to 8.4-oz. 99¢

Bananas $0.39/lb

Safeway Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Frozen. 1.69 lb

Chef Boyardee, 14.5 - 15 oz can $0.77
Use $0.35/3 coupon from 01-04 S1
Final Price $0.60

Hunts Canned Tomatoes, 14.5 oz can $0.77
Use $0.40/2 coupon from 01-18 S
Final Price $0.57

Coupon Match-Ups

Progresso Traditional or Rich & Hearty Soup, 18.5-19 oz can BOGO $1.15
Use $0.50/2 coupon from 01-04 GM
Final Price $0.90

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, 8-10 ct - Buy 2 Get 3 Free $1.79
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 01-04 R1
Final Price $1.29

Rosarita Refried Beans, 16-oz $1.00
Use $0.50/3 coupon from 01-18 S
Final PRice $0.83

Jimmy Dean Fully Cooked Selections, 9.6 oz - Buy 1 Get 1 Free $2.00
Use $1.00/1 coupon from 01-18 RP
Final PRice $1.00

Kelloggs Fruit Loops, 12.2 oz $2.00
Use $1.50/2 coupon from 01-18 RP
Final PRice $1.25 74%

Kelloggs Rice Krispies, 12 oz $2.00
Use $1.50/2 coupon from 01-18 RP
Final Price $1.25

Lysol Wipes, 28-35 ct - Buy 1 Get 1 Free $1.50
Use $1.00/1 coupon from 01-04 S2
Final Price $0.50

Dannon Yogurt Cups, 6 oz (cpn shown is for Light'n Fit variety) $0.60
Use $0.60/7 coupon from 01-04 S2
Final Price $0.51

Healthy Choice Steamers, 9.5-12.5 oz $2.50
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 01-04 S1
Final Price $2.00

Healthy Ones Lunch Meat, 5 oz $2.00
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 01-04 S1
Final Price $1.25

Francisco Bread, Muffins, Rolls & Donuts, $2.50
Use $1.00/1 coupon from 01-04 S1
Final Price $1.50

For more shopping deals visit BeCentsable!

23 week pregnancy update!

Not too much new with my pregnant self, just finally got a belly shot of sorts so I thought I would share as per requested:)I guess I'm just about 5 1/2 -6 months pregnant if you like to think of it in terms of months. It seems like time has gone really fast, but I remember how it was with M--the last 2 months draaaaag by.


Lots of tiredness is my only complaint, but I have the wonderful priviledge of staying home with my girlie so most days I don't have to leave the house except to go on a walk. Those days I have the car and run around it seems like I get nothing done and am so exhausted by the end. I don't think I will ever be cut out to be a working mama or even a super-volunteer mama. Once a weekday Bible study and grocery shopping is plenty for me:)

Here are my 2 favorite people in the world, being their cute selves:

Tired tired...

I have a loooong to do list and feel like this:


But I think if I start writing down what I need to do, it will help. My girl is sick again (why oh why did she get my lame immune system?) and we didn't sleep much last night. But we've had a pretty productive morning so far, at least I got our enchiladas made for dinner and a blog post done! Ooo and I am showered and dressed...that counts for something right? I will post the enchilada pic later when the camera batteries are recharged! Here's my to-do list for today to motivate me to get it done!

1. clean up kitchen. (I really should post a picture of that...it is so embarassing! and it was clean just last night!) (done)

2. run er...walk errands (library and one other secret stop;) (done)

3. laundry..one load plus put away clean laundry mountain. (mostly done, but more to do today!)

4. sweep downtstairs (done)

5. reply to craigslist emails and post at least 2 more items (1st half done)

6. work on newsletter! (oops...back on today's list:)

That should keep me busy for awhile:)

Weekly Shopping Trip (Albertson's, Walgreen's & Fred Meyer)

This was a "recovery" week for me, in that I was making up for last week's large spend on great deals at Albertson's. This was also a more typical week in that I was largely buying things we were out of or needed for the menu, rather than just bargains. Luckily Albies and FM had some great loss leaders and sales so I was able to spend right about at $22 for everything pictured below.

My favorite deals included the muir glen tomoates which were on sale for $0.89/can and I had a $1 off coupon for each of them! The Fresh Express Salad Kits were $1 (raincheck from last week) and I had one $0.55/1 coupon, so two salads for $1.45 total.
Other than those I got:

2 3lb bags of apples
2lbs carrots
2 onions
5lbs ground beef
4 boxes oatmeal
1 large container oatmeal
light sourcream
margarine
bananas
parmesean cheese (no sale or coupon...just needed for a recipe for company)

Total: about $22

I also stopped at Walgreen's for the fabulous RR deals they had to get some goodies and more staples. This doesn't come out of my grocery budget at this point, but probably should:) I got 6 cans of ragu, 2 skippy PB, 4 cases pepsi product, 3 chips, 1 dip, and 1 box of hair color for $26 and received a $10 RR after the two transactions (I got another, but I used it for the pepsi/tostitos deal). I may go back to "roll" my register reward if I have time this week:) The SoyJoy bars that M is fascinated with in this pic were free...on sale for BOGO plus I had a BOGO free coupon!

Final stop was Rite Aid for the amazing Huggies deal. God has blessed our preparation for baby girl #2 due in May and after all the rebates come in I will have spent around $5 for 2 packs of diapers and 2 wipes! The shaving cream were on clearance for $.92 and Daniel needed them.


Visit the Grocery Cart Challenge for more weekly shopping trips!

Quick Takes and 1 year anniversary!

I just realized this blog is 1 year old! 450 posts later, I still enjoy writing my silliness just as much:)

This is a busy week for me! I am on call for jury duty all week, trying to get a broken tooth repaired, doing some preliminary Wycliffe prep (including trying desperately to finish a long overdue newsletter!), and weaning my daughter.

Here are some pictures that are overdue in posting, the first few I will entitle "Kitty Love" or Non-mutual Micco love (the cat's name) and the last pic is of the snow blast we got a few weeks ago.

Menu Plan for the week of January 19th, 2009

I am on call for jury duty this week, so it may be interesting. But I will be cooking all week, so it will be nice to at least know what we're eating ahead of time so I can be prepared!

Breakfasts: French Toast, Amish Baked Oatmeal X 2, 1/2 whole wheat pancakes X 2, biscuits and yogurt X 1

Lunches: Leftovers

Snacks: yogurt (from the great Albertson's sale!) apples, granola, granola bars

Dinners:

M: Bean Burgers and Home Fries (soaking those beans right now!) and bagged salad mix

Tue: Turkey Tetrazini

Wed: Beef Enchiladas and Spinach with fiesta salad (from bag I got for cheap!)

Th: Fried Rice loaded with veggies

F: Homemade Pizza with bacon and spinach toppings

Sat: Italian Beans and Pasta or Pakistani Kima (depending on mood...these have both been on the menu for previous weeks but haven't made them)

Sun: Egg Salad Sammies and soup from a can (Sundays are busy busy!)

Orgjunkie has hundreds more menu plans!

Pictures from Gregory's

This post is dedicated to my parents, who are headed to Israel with a group from their church this Monday. They are understandably nervous about the political situation over there right now. Unfortunately, I am not very tactful and told my mom the following when she expressed concern about the trip and told me where their will and safety deposit box keys were hidden.

"Make sure you leave the junk under the house and in the garage to Jon (my brother)" and the really sensitive one (although serious...I always find myself doing this on plane rides!) "make sure to re-examine your salvation before you go!" Its good advice, but maybe not super-sensitive when talking to someone who is nervous about their safety.:)

Anyway, they sent us these cute pics from Christmas:


Punker-nootie and my fun bro

M torturing their cat (stalking it, really)

Grampa and Punker stalking the cat together

Half Homemade Baking Mix

During recent amazing Alberston's sales I picked up several containers of something I don't typically purchase: Bisquick. We prefer the taste of whole grains over white flour now, so Bisquick doesn't usually make it into my shopping cart.

On said Albertson's trip I needed a few more items with good coupons to do another transaction and make my "catalinas" roll further, so I picked up a few boxes. Well--now what to do with them? Besides giving a box away to my parents, I don't want them to go bad before I figure out something to do with them.

What to do? Make a half Bisquick, half homemade whole wheat baking mix! I did this with good success with a pancake mix already. A good recipe to use can be found here: The Master Mix.

The important part is to follow the directions for various baked goods found on the back of the Bisquick box.

For more of Frugal Friday, visit Biblical Womanhood.

Park with friends and Preggo update: wk 22

Here we are this weekend with our friends from church and their adorable kiddos. Marj has the most awesome whole wheat bread recipe and she grinds her own wheat! How cool is that? Anyway, here a the few pics we got---it was freezing cold outside so we didn't stay at the park for long.





My smart and lovely friend Denaye posted her 22 week pregnancy update today, and since our babies share the same due date (how fun is that!?) I thought I would share mine too. Oh but first, I broke a back tooth practically in half today. I didn't even notice until later...so yuck...I must've swallowed it!

Okay...on to preggo update! I will take belly shots at some point, but I look quite pregnant. Christmas didn't help any, and I gained about 6 pounds more than I should have over the holidays! Its back on the health(ier) band wagon again though. I am tired all the time, but feeling good for the most part. I guess baby girl is close to one pound now. I feel kicking all the time and saw a kick on the outside this past Sunday! If it weren't for the lack of sleep thing I am dreading, I would say the baby should come right now. Oh and we still don't have a place for baby to sleep, so we should resolve that before she comes:)

That's all I can think of for now.

Safeway NW Deals for January 14th-20th, 2009

The big news is the back page of the Safeway ad--where you can find a coupon for a Starbuck's FREE tall tea beverage of choice! I tried the apple flavor tea something or other yesterday and it was really good. I have one more coupon and I am definitely going to use it! The coupons expire Jan 20th, so don't wait too long!

Good deals:

Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef London Broil $1.99/lb

Safeway Skinless Boneless chicken breast or Thighs $1.99/lb

Pork Shoulder Blade Roast $1.39

Large Hass Avocados $1 each

Fresh Blackberries or Blueberries 5 to 6 oz. 2/$3

Ragu BOGO free

Gatorade $0.88

10 lb bag navel oranges $3.99 each!

48 hour sale (Saturday and Sunday)

Tyson Hot & Spicy Cooked Chicken Wings $2.99/lb

Whole Gold Pineapples $1.99/lb

Digiorno Original Pizza $3.99

Signature Cafe Roasted Turkey Breast (2lb) $6.99

Playoffs Pepsi & Dorito/Lays deal:

Buy any 3 pepsi 12 packs or 6 pack bottles & 2 Lays or Doritos for $9.99! Not a bad deal.

Coupon Deals

Barilla Pasta, 12-16 oz $1.00
Use coupon for $1.00/2 from 01-04 S1
Final Price $0.50

Dannon Activia, 4/4 oz cups $2.50
Use coupon for $1.00/1 from 01-11 S
Final Price $1.50

Pillsbury Ready To Bake Valentine Cookies, 11-16 oz $3.00
Use coupon for $1.00/2 12-14 S
Final Price $2.50

Dole Fruit Bowls, 4/4 oz cups $2.50
Use $0.75/2 coupon from 01-11 S
Final Price $2.13

Healthy Ones Lunch Meat, 8 oz tub $3.50
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 01-04 S1
Final Price $2.75

Progresso Vegetable Classics Soup, 18.5-19 oz $1.50
Use $0.50/2 coupon from 01-04 GM
Final Price $1.25

Pure Protein Bars, ea $1.00
Use $1.50/3 coupon from 01-04 R1
Final Price $0.50

Quaker Life Cereal, 15 oz $1.88
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 01-04 R1
Final Price $1.38

Windex , 26 oz - Buy 1 Get 1 Free $1.90
Use $0.40/1 coupon from 01-11 S
Final Price $1.50

Hostess Multi Packs, assorted varieties $2.50
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 01-11 RP
Final Price $1.75

Scrubbing Bubbles, 22 oz - Buy 1 Get 1 Free $1.90
Use $0.75/1 coupon from 01-11 S
Final Price $1.15

Silk Soy Milk, 64 oz $3.49
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 01-11 S
Final Price $2.99

Slim Fast Optima Shakes, 6/11 oz cans or 8/11 oz cans $5.49
Use $1.25/1 coupon from 01-04 R1
Final Price $4.24

Johnsonville Smoked Sausage, 14-16 oz $3.50
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 01-11 S
Final Price $3.00

Nestle Ready To Bake Valentine Cookies, 11-16 oz $3.00
Use $1.50/2 coupon from 11-02 RP
Final Price $2.25

This is part of the Grocery Gathering at Becentsable!

Free Bottle of Suave today only!

If you don't already have tons of free shampoo/conditioner from Walgreen's etc. deals, today there is a great opportunity to get a freebie!

Today, only get a free bottle of Suave when you go here.

Enjoy!

Doing dishes and acrobatics

For more Wordless Wednesdays, visit 5 minutes for mom.

Granola-y Peanut Butter Trail Mix

We always have LOTS of cereal on hand, but not always lots of oats. Daniel and the girlie are big fans of snacky type stuff, like granola so I am motivated to be creative in that area. Yesterday I realized it had been awhile since I made granola and I knew our oat supply was low.

I wish I could give you a recipe, but its always experiment-central in my kitchen, so no recipe was used. But here's what I did, basically:

Replaced 2/3 of the oats with crushed Special K and Raisin Bran. Used apple juice in place of 2/3 of the sugar/honey and used peanut butter in place of most of the oil. I added flax seeds as well. Oh, and I also wanted to go for more of the clumped-together effect that specialty granolas have, so I increased the "liquids" (apple juice and peanut butter/oil melted, basically) a bit. After baking at 250 for 20 minutes and 200 for 15 more, it was good. Not overly sweet, but mildly crunchy and a healthy alternative to store-bought granola!


For more kitchen tips, visit Tammy!