Week #4 Grocery Shopping-$30 Challenge

The meat for this week I already bought during Week 3 here.  So this week the budget leftover after the meat purchase is $20.  There were some good sales this week and alot of them to use coupons with, which I love.
It seriously bums me out to check out at the grocery store and not use any coupons.  It always seems like I bought a little of nothing and spent my whole budget.
It took me 2 hours yesterday to throw out expired coupons, print the ones I needed, clip all my new ones, make my list, and matchup my coupons to my list.  It is mornings like those that make me want to quit couponing, then of course I take a look at our grocery budget and I quickly realize that I can't quit.  I was super excited about this weeks trip because Kroger was having a great buy 10 get $5 off sale with many items I had coupons to match.  I always get my best coupon information from freetastesgood.com.  She is in the Ohio area so most of the time our sales match up really nicely.  There are exceptions though.  It seems at least once a month I plan for this great deal I have read about online, so sure that it's going to work, I make my list based off of this great deal and then it doesn't work.  Last week it was the bologna I thought I was going to get  a $2 catalina when I bought it, but the catalina didn't print and the store manager couldn't find anywhere on the website that there was supposed to be a catalina printing.  Needless to say, that week my trip didn't turn out as planned.

This week was one in the same.  I saw a great deal and catalina printout that was supposd to be for Bayer Aspirin.  They were $2.19 each, you buy 2, use a $4.00 off of 2 coupon and pay $0.38 for both, then get a $3 catalina printout.  It was a moneymaker!!  I was super excited and had planned on buying 4 and getting 2) $3.00 catalinas paying for my milk purchase.  However they did not have the smaller bottles of Aspirin and it was not a moneymaker with what they had in stock.  So no deal.  I was bummed.  All the other items were on the buy 10 get $5 off so if I eliminated 1, I would lose all the sale prices on everything else in my cart.  It was a lose lose so I ended up going $2.63 over budget.  I told my husband how aggravated that made me and he just laughed and said "Lisa, it's $2.  It's not a big deal."  Regardless I worked really hard to keep myself within budget and then to go over, it's like my work was for nothing.

Ok enough rambling and complaining, here's what I got this week:

 

4 containers of KoolAid drink mix $0.99 used 2) $1.00/2 coupons and paid $0.49 each

4 containers countrytime lemonade mix $0.99 used 2) $1.00/2 coupons and paid $0.49 each

1 Reynolds wrap foil 75sq ft $3.29 use $0.75 coupon that doubled to $1.00 and paid $1.79

7 containers Reynolds cupcake liners $0.99 used $1.00/1 coupon and they were all free

3 boxes Reynolds mini cupcake liners $1.09 used $1.00/1 coupon and they were $0.09 each

2 bags frozen green gant steamers$ 0.99 each

2 boxes multigrain cheerios $1.99 each used 1) $0.75 coupon that doubled to $1.50 making one of them $0.49 and  got a catalina printout or $2

2 boxes Trix cereal $1.99 used 2) $0.60/1 coupon and paid $0.80 each

1 box Hershey's Cookies and Cream cereal $1.99 used $0.75 coupon and paid $0.49

2 boxes Oatmeal Crisp $1.99 each used $0.75/1 coupon and paid $0.49 each



6- 1/2 gallons of milk on managers special for $1.00 each
1/2 gallon Turkey hill lemonade $0.75
Welch's Juice cocktail $2.09 used $0.75 coupon that doubled to $1.50 and paid $0.59
Flour $1.42
Coffeemate Creamer 32oz 2.49 used $0.55 coupon that doubled to $1.10 and paid $1.39
Jennie-O Turkey Franks $1.99 used $0.55 coupon that doubled to $1.10 and paid $0.89
Beechnut baby cereal $1.58 used $0.75 coupn that doubled to $1.50 and paid $0.08 (we don't have an infant in the house anymore but I have multiple family members with who just had babies that can get good use out of this and we all know how expensive babies are and every little bit helps when you're a new parent)

Total Spent- $22.63 ( I did 2 transactions using the $2 catalina from the cheerios to pay for 2) 1/2 gallons of milk, making them free.

Even though not getting the great deal I had planned is frustrating I'm really satisfied with my loot I brought home.  The lessoned learned here is to not base your list and total out of pocket spent on a catalina or deal you haven't seen for yourself in the store.

Toothbrush & Toothpaste Travel Holder

I've seen this on various other websites and had it logged in the back of my mind that I needed to make one for trips to Tennessee.  I didn't get to at Christmas but thought I should take the time to make one before our next trip.

I took a bathroom hand towel and folded the towel up about 8 1/2 inches and sewed around the 3 sides.  Do not sew the top or your will have to get out your seam ripper.  I added ribbon just for a more decorative touch before I folded the bottom up 8 1/2 inches but this isn't necessary.

space out your pockets to fit your toothpaste and toothbrushes, sewing a straight line from the bottom fold to the opening.  I ended up having enough room for 2 tubes of toothpaste (Grant's and ours), 3 toothbrushes, and an extra pocket for floss or anything else you may need.

 

I cut 2 strips of ribbon and folded one end under about 1/4 inch and sewed one onto the front and one on the opposite side of the towel.

 

 

To add another decorative touch I added another strip of ribbon to the outside top of the towel so when it's folded over you can see it.

 

 

Now put your toothbrushes and toothpastes inside, fold the top flap over, and roll it up.  Wrap the ribbon ties around and tie in a bow.

 

 

Throw it in your suitcase or travel bag and now you won't have to worry about water or toothpaste residue getting on anything else in your bags.  And bonus, if you do get yucky stuff on it you can just throw it in your washer.  Easy peasy!

 

 

 

Peanut and Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

I brought granola bars to the Relay for Life event this year and they would have been perfect except I forgot to get them out of the camper for everyone, so no one knew they were even there.  Oh well more for me I guess.

 

I used my favorite granola bar recipe I found here, and used mini 3/4 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup peanuts, and 1/4 cup coconut.  The coconut I threw in on a whim and they were delicious but I think I'll add more peanuts next time and just omit the coconut.  I think I could use this granola bar recipe and make various kinds every week and eat one every day and never get tired of them.  They are so yummy!

Breakfast Pizza

I love Pioneer Woman's cook books & have been wanting to try her breakfast pizza recipe for awhile now.  So the other morning I decided to give it a go.  I have been using a Garlic pizza crust recipe for a couple years now and its good but I thought I would try her recipe and see if there was a difference.  So I combined the yeast and warm water letting it sit for about 10 minutes.

 

 

Here is where I changed the recipe up a little.  She only had to add salt, I decided to add garlic salt and italian seasoning.  I didn't measure, just threw some in the bowl.

 

Mixed it with the paddle attachment.

 

 

Spread it out on a baking sheet and used a fork to make holes all over the crust so it doesn't bubble up.

 

To make sure it was crispy I went ahead and put it in the oven for about 5 minutes.

The "pizza sauce" is actually salsa, I didn't have any regular jarred salsa so I whipped up my own.  Pioneer Woman has a recipe for that as well, using canned tomatoes.  I, of course, didn't have all the ingredients she called for so I used her recipe as a base.  I'll have that recipe in a future post.

 

 When I decided to make this pizza I had visions of the fantastically gorgeous photos I would have to share, then I kind of burned the sausage and no such luck with the photos.

I used breafast sausage but overcooked it on the stove, which made it burn in the oven and next time I probably will just leave the eggs off.  My husband wasn't crazy about them (probably because they ended up being a little over cooked) and I liked the pizza without them.

You could definately make this a veggie breakfast pizza as well and it would be just as delish.

 

I will be making this again, but without the burned toppings.  I was surpised with how good this tasted and  I actually don't know why I had any doubts about the flavor, being as how I haven't had one Pioneer Woman recipe I've tried not be good.

Pizza Buns

When I was a kid my mom used to make these with leftover hamburger or hot dog buns.  It as simple as can be, just top the inside of the bun with your pizza sauce, cheese, and any pizza toppings you want.  Bake them on a baking sheet @ 350 until the cheese melts (about 10 minutes), and your lunch or dinner is done.

                               

What I love about these is everyone can put their own toppings on, so they are perfectly portioned personal pizzas.  My son loved them as much as I did as a kid.

To make your own pizza sauce:
1-8oz can tomato sauce
1t oregano
1t basil or 2 basil leaves
1/2 t garlic salt
1t minced dried onion
1t olive oil

simmer on the stove for about 10 minutes and top your pizza crust with your yummy sauce.

Breakfast Burritos

The Relay for Life was this past weekend and since we stay all night and have multiple team members coming and going, we need plenty of snacks and food to keep our energy up for the 18 hour walk.  I decided to take breakfast on and chose breakfast burritos.  I love them and the freeze fantastic so I knew if I had leftovers it wouldn't be a problem to take back leftovers.  The only issue I had was trying to find a way to keep them warm without an oven, microwave, or anything else really.  So what was my solution....Crockpot, and it worked great.  We put the Crockpot on high just until they were warmed through then lowered it to the KEEP WARM setting and they stayed nice and warm for everyone throughout the morning.

Here's how I make mine:

Eggs $1.29

Shredded cheese $3.29 for a 4cup bag

Tator Tots (did you know you can buy these at the Dollar Tree!) $1.00

Tortilla Shells $1.00

Meat of choice: ham, sausage, bacon

 

My mom had a hog butchered last year so she supplied me with the meat.  It wasn't seasoned so I used Bobby Flays recipe as a base.  I didn't have the fresh herbs or onion powder so I improvised.  I used 1 1/2t dried sage, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1T minced dried onion.

 

The ingredients in the burritos can vary depending on what kind of flavors you want.  I've added green and red peppers along with onion in some and that's delicious too.  Cook your meat and drain it if necessary, set aside.  Scramble your eggs, set aside.  If using tator tots bake them in the oven as directions say.

 

Now set up an assembly line of your ingredients and assemble your burritos.

Roll em up and wrap them in foil.  Put them in the crockpot on the keep warm setting and you have one great on the go meal.

I used about 6 or 7 eggs (I lost count) and cooked a full pound of sausage but only used about half.  This amount made about 14 burritos.

 

To freeze these, after rolling them up wrap them in plastic wrap then foil.  Place them in a freezer bag.  When you're ready to eat one, remove the foil and microwave them for about 2 minutes, and enjoy your on the go breakfast.

 

 

Menu Plan Week 3 -$30 Grocery Challenge

This week is going to be an easy one when it comes to meals for a few reasons.  1-We just finished the Relay for Life and I'm still not fully recovered, meaning the lower half of my body still aches, ALOT. 2- Our family reunion is this coming weekend and I'm planning on making a Maxwell shirt for Grant to wear.  3- The 4th of July is next week and I enlisted my sewing skills to make yet another Maxwell shirt (4th of July themed of course) to wear to the fireworks.  So I'm not over exerting myself on meals this week, so the preparation will be short, the cleanup will be quick, and I will have no excuse to not finish my projects.

Now on to the meal plan for the week:
1. Tuna Helper- I love Tuna Helper and I've made it from scratch quite a few times but I love to have the boxed mix on hand for quick meals when I'm busy or just feeling lazy.
2. Hot dogs and Kraft Homestyle mac & cheese
3. Pizza Buns- these simple little pizzas take me back to my childhood and daycare days, and Grant loves them.
4. Grilled Ham and Cheese sandwiches with potato wedges
5. Leftovers
6. Breakfast
7. Veggie stir fry with brown rice

One day I'm acutally going to get this meal plan up on Sunday like I keep planning on doing.  Until then......