Sausage and Sauerkraut

I love easy throw together meals and smoked sausage and kraut is 1 of my favorites.  2 of my grandparents are southern and therefore I partly grew up on southern cooking and let me tell you, I don't know if there is any better.  My Mamaw used to make sausage and kraut on a regular basis, always with some good ol' mashed potatoes, so cooking it now is like a trip down memory lane.

 

All I do is put a jar of partially drained Vlasic kraut in a pan or pot, add some sliced smoked sausage or Lil' Smokies and let simmer for about 20 minutes.  Whip up some mashed potatoes and you are set. 

That's what Rachel Ray and I call a 30 minute meal.

 

 

 

Start Couponing and Start Saving

Couponing is one of the main ways I keep my grocery budget at a mere $30 a week.  I have been serious about it for the last year and have gotten pretty good, if I do say so myself.  I have yet to figure out how to get $500 worth of groceries for free but I also don't know what I would do with all those groceries anyways, so I thought I'd share just a few things I've learned.

Every couponer has their own way of doing things.  If there's one thing I have learned it's you have to do what makes sense to you.  I started out with a little accordian folder.  That got old really fast and I quickly switched to a binder with baseball card holders inside.

 

This was the only thing that made sense for me. I've seen other's use shoe boxes, accordian files, and even suitcases. Do what works for you.

 

I don't carry my binder with me, into every store, every day.  Cuz that would be crazy.  Instead I carrry a little 4x6 photo album that I use as a small coupon organizer.  I have slots labeled with the names of the stores, with the coupons I need for each store in those slots.

I also use envelopes if I need to do more than 1 transaction.  This keeps me more organized in the store.  I have my list with what I'm purchasing in each transaction and put those coupons in the envelope.

 

Then those envelopes go in the store's slot.

For easy quick access.

 

When I've taught a couple family members how to start couponing one of the questions I got was "how do I make my lists?"  Well here is how I start:

1st I visit my favorite coupon websites for their store match-ups.  While looking at those sites I make a list for the store(s) I plan on shopping at, the items at the lowest prices, and the coupons needed (to make sure I have them).

Here is what it looks like:

After I have my list of the best deals and their prices after coupons, I start figuring out what I'm actually going to buy with my whopping $30.

I have a few websites I check regularly for coupon match-ups, here are my favorites:

freetastesgood.com - this site is by Joni from Extreme Couponing and she lives in Toledo, Ohio so most of the deals and prices she lists are relevant for my area as well which is why her site is the one I check most frequently.  This is the one I use to make my weekly shopping lists.

krazycouponlady.com- this site is by Joannie from Extreme Couponing but she lives in California so some of the stores she lists and deals aren't good where I live.  She does have great deals for magazines.  I've gotten Rachel Ray and Taste of Home for under $4 a year the last couple years.

livingonacoupon.com-this site is by Jessica from Extreme Couponing and she lives in Idaho.  Once again many of the stores and deals aren't relevant to my area but she does post coupons and other deals the other sites don't have.

These sites are how I create my shopping list.  I generally write down all the best deals and then go through to pick what I need and what will work within my budget for that week.  I have had to pass up some great deals because of my small budget and what I need for that week, but we have never done without any necessities.

I get the Sunday paper delivered to my house every week, but unless it is full of loads of amazing coupons I don't normally buy any more than the 1.  Instead I go to coupon clipping websites and purchase multiples of the coupons I need.  This also gives me the opportunity to get regional coupons that I didn't get in my paper.

thecouponclippers.com based in Florida, and I've had great success with them.  They do have a minimum purchase of $3.96 which can be annoying when you only want a handful of coupons.

klip2save.com based in Tennessee.  I love them because I get the coupons the quickest and they have no minimum purchase, which is fantastic.  I can order 5 coupons or 50 and it's ok.

weclipusave.com based in Tennessee.  They have their coupons up the Wednesday before they actually get in your paper.  Haven't a clue how they do this but they do.  They also sell the whole coupon insert.  I've never needed to purchase the whole thing but it's nice to know I could if I wanted.

Couponing is kind of like a learned art form.  It's quite a bit of information to take in but go to the websites and start perusing through them.  Print a couple coupons, take them to the store, and save some money.   It takes practice and like anything else, the more you do it, the better you will get.  Then you too can make your $30 budget work.  I promise once you start saving you won't be able to stop, it's seriously addicting!

Cherry Cupcakes

My Mom's birthday was this week and she requested cherry cupcakes.  I've never made them before so I was a little hesitant.  I have has some bad experiences with attempting recipes I've never made before and them turning out really badly.  I got the recipe from the girls of Georgetown Cupcake.  Their book has a few recipes and this one is Cherry Blossom.

 

The only alterations to their recipes I make is to decrease the sugar content, so the tops of the cupcakes are not sticky.  I also added about 1/2 a vial of cherry Lorann's flavoring.  When I tasted the batter before adding the flavoring I couldn't get any cherry flavor unless I bit into a cherry.  I decided that wasn't good enough and I didn't want to search for flavors in a cake.  Adding the Lorann put it over the top yummy!

Crockpot Beef Stew

Because I was going to be gone all day yesterday I decided to make beef stew in the crockpot.  I've made Pioneer Woman's recipe on the stove before so I figured all I would have to do is throw all the ingredients in the crockpot and turn it on.

Beef Stew

6 cups water

6t beef boullion (you could also use 6c beef stock)

leftover beef roast (it's already cooked so that step is done, you could buy stew meat but it tends to be super expensive so use some leftovers and save yourself some money)

4 potatoes-peeled and chunked up

4 carrots- unpeeled and sliced

1 medium onion-chopped

2 garlic cloves minced

salt and pepper to taste

1 bay leaf

3 dashes worcestershire sauce

*Pioneer Woman's recipe called for paprika & a couple other ingredients I didn't have so I just omitted them.

 

Put all these ingredients in the crockpot, turn it on high for about 5 hours.  I decided I wanted a little thicker stew so I took a ladle full of the stew liquid, put it in a bowl and wisked in about 2T flour.  Then I poured it back into the crockpot and let it cook for another 20-30 minutes to give it time to thicken. 

 

This stew was delicious and there is more than enough for a couple leftover meals.

Pulled Pork BBQ & a Snack To-Go

Last night was leftover night.  I know it seems kind of strange to have leftover night on a Monday but I had some pulled pork BBQ left from Friday so I pulled a bag of Steamfresh Honey Roasted Corn from the freezer and canned pineapple and dinner was made.

 

I love pulled pork BBQ for a couple reasons. 1-because all it takes is a crockpot and some BBQ sauce. 2-leftovers are just as good as the first time around.

I actually still had too much leftover, about enough for 2 servings, so I froze it for a lunch on another day.

 

If your wanting a way to make a jar of store bought BBQ sauce taste a little more homemade, add some minced dried onion (about 1T), about 1 1/2T brown sugar, and a squirt or 2 of honey, to any bottle of sauce and let it simmer on the stove for about 15 minutes.  I use this trick all the time and it works like a charm.

 

Since I got season passes to the zoo we are headed there again this week.  I like making special little snacks to take so we are not tempted to grab the super pricey ones while we are there.  One of my favorite muffin recipes I found at Small Fry & Co for Brown Sugar Muffins.  I like making them into mini muffins and I've made them with blueberries and mini chocolate chips and they are scrumptious.

 

This batch I made 1/2 regular and 1/2 with mini chips.

 

Mmmm! don't you just want to eat the batter.

 

Are they cute or what?

I got 24 regular and about 20 mini chip ones out of one recipe.  Who needs Little Debbie and Hostess right?

 

And Bonus: these muffins freeze really well too so if you can't eat them all before they start going bad, throw them in a freezer bag and pull them out as you need them.  Just nuk them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds and you have fresh warm muffins.  I like to keep some of these in the freezerto give Grant something different for breakfast.

 

I swear he would eat a dozen of these if I would let him.

 

 

Grocery Shopping Week 1 of the Challenge

It took me a little extra time this week to work every thing in I needed to get this week and still stay on budget. 
Here was the haul I brought home on my first trip (yes, there were 2 seperate trips needed due to a cranky 2 year old boy and a cranky 27 year old mom).

 

Meijer:  Spent $11.77

Had the best price on meat this week. Pork Loin 1.79/lb mine cost $7.98

Pure silk shave gel $1.59 coupon $0.70 doubled to $1.40= $0.19each (I bought 4)

3 Musketeer bar $0.50 coupon $50/2 doubled to $1.00=2 bars for free

1/2 gallons Meijer brand orange juice $1.50 each coupon 1.50/2= $0.75each (I bought 2)

Propel Zero water (not pictured) $1.09, I had a store coupon for 1 Free

Pampers Wipes 72count $1.99 coupon $0.50/1 double to $1.00=$0.99

Total $11.77 with tax and after coupons

 

Giant Eagle: Spent $9.87

I did 2 transactions for this store to take advantage of a Catalina that printed off at the register.

Transaction#1

Milk $2.00/gal (I bought 3)

Grapes $0.99/lb mine were $1.60

International Delight Coffee Creamer $1.67 coupon $0.55/1 doubled to $1.10/1 =$0.57(bought 1)

Colgate toothpaste $1.00 coupon for $1.00/1=free

New York Garlic Bread loaf $1.50 coupon $0.75/1 doubled to $1.50=free

Activia yogurt $2 coupon $1.00/1=$1.00 (I bought 1)

Dole Pineapple 8oz cans $0.89each coupon $0.75/2 doubled to $1.50 I used 2 coupons making the 4 I bought =$0.56 *buying these 4 canned pineapple printed a Catalina coupon with my receipt for $0.50 to use toward my next purchase

Transaction #2

International Delight coffee Creamer $1.67 coupon $0.55/1 double to $1.10 = $0.57

I used my Catalina from the 1st transaction of $0.50

Total for this transaction $0.07

Total $9.80 with tax and after coupons

 

Walmart: Spent $0.09

Almay makeup remover pads 15count $1.14 coupon $4.00/1 (I bought 2)

**my walmart allows me to use overage from my coupons to apply it to the other items I buy.  Most stores do not allow this.

flour $1.82

Sugar 4lbs (not pictured above) $2.26

Sauerkraut $1.58

$8.09 after tax and before coupons

I paid $0.09

 

 

Trip #2

 

Kroger: Total Spent $5.88

Kroger had a Catalina printing this week for participating General Mills products, when you bought 5 items you got a $5 Catalina for your next order.

 

Transaction #1

Tuna Helper $1.50 coupon $0.80/4 doubled to $1.60=$1.10 each (Ibought 4)

Chex mix $2.00 coupon $0.50/1 doubled to $1.00=$1.00

Crest toothpaste $1.00 coupon $0.50 doubled to $1.00= Free



 Total $5.40 & got a $5.00 Catalina off my next order

 

Transaction #2

Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie mix $1.50 coupon $0.75/2 doubled to $1.50=$0.25each

Suddenly Salad $1.99 coupon $0.50/2 doubled to $1.00=$2.98

Green Giant Veggie chips $2.00 coupon $0.50/1 doubled to $1.00=$1.00

Total $5.48 used the $5.00 Catalina from transaction #1, paid $0.48 and received another $5 Catalina for my next purchase

 

Trip #3

 

 

 

Kroger:

I used the $5 catalina from the 2nd transaction and bought the following:

eggs $1.79

potatoes $1.98

Beef Boullion cubes $1.79

Tortilla chips $1.00

Bread $0.80

I used the discount my sister gets for being a Kroger employer which takes 10% off any Kroger products you buy.  My total came to $6.63

I used my $5 catalina and paid $1.63

 



 This week was not a usual week for me as far as making multiple trips and doing multiple transactions at each store.  Normally I go to, at most 2 different stores, and try not to do more than 1 transaction.  This week was exhausting and I definately had to work for my savings, but I'm glad I stayed on budget.  Next week will be easier and less work hopefully.

 

Total spent for the week: $29.24

 

 

 

Meal Plan week #1 of the Grocery Challenge

Here's how I do my meal plans.  I do not assign a meal to a specific day because as all Mom's know thing's happen and I may not have the time to make that particular meal or the day might come and whatever I had planned just doesn't sound good anymore.  So instead I make a list of 7 meals I know I have all the ingredients to make and keep that list on my fridge.  I used to write it on my grocery list and of course after I went grocery shopping the list hit the trash and so did my meal plan.  If it's not written down where I can see and find it, I will inevitably forget it.

1. Beef Stew- 3 weeks ago I made a beef roast and froze the leftover meat to use for this meal.
2. Sloppy Joes & potato wedges- 2 weeks ago I bought 4lbs of ground beef 2 store in my freezer and pull out as needed weekly
3. Sauerkraut with Smoked sausage (stored in my freezer after buying it with coupons for $0.57each) & mashed potatoes
4.  Breakfast-I love breakfast for dinner & I never write down exactly what I'm going to make because it all depends on what tickles my fancy that evening.  It can be as simple as pancakes or as fancy (ok not really fancy) as casserole or quiche
5.  Baked Chicken with Kraft Fresh Take breading & steamed broccoli & pineapple chunks
6.  Spaghetti with garlic bread
7.  Leftovers

I always have at least 1 day reserved for leftovers, 1 day reserved for breakfast for dinner, and 1 day without any meat (this saves my freezer stock of meat and makes it last a little longer)

So meal #1 for the week is Sloppy Joes.
I love sloppy joes and I saw a Pioneer Woman recipe for them from scratch, instead of good ol' Manwich, and my oh my they were scrumptious.  Of course in true Lisa fashion I didn't have all the ingredients her recipe called for so I somewhat created my own.

 

Sloppy Joes

1lb Ground Beef

1/2 onion chopped

1/2 green pepper chopped

1/2 red pepper chopped

1 1/2t chili powder

6 dashes worcestershire sauce (don't know if that's how you spell it but you know what I'm talking about)

1c ketchup

3T mustard

1 1/2T brown sugar

salt and pepper to taste

 

brown the ground beef, drain.  Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes.  I like mine a little chunky, if you want yours a little less just make sure you dice your peppers and onions really fine.  Use whatever peppers you have on hand.  I buy mine in the clearance section at my grocery store, bring them home and freeze them.  That way I always have bell peppers available and they aren't added to my weekly grocery list at their most expensive price.

 

Potato Wedges

Potatoes (as many as you need)

salt/pepper to taste

1 pkg onion soup mix

olive oil

 

wash and cut your potatoes into wedges.  Put them in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil.  season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle onion soup mix over top.  Now mix it all together,  Spread the potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 400 until soft (about 30 minutes).

 

You can use any seasonings you want.  I've used Mrs. Dash, good ol' salt and pepper, garlic & italian seasoning, etc.

 

What's great about these potato wedges is you can make extras and freeze them after they cool from baking.  Just put them in a freezer bag and on a night you want a quick side dish pull them out, put them on a baking sheet at bake at 400 for about 20 minutes or until heated through.

 

Quick and Easy, my favorite kind of meal