Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Sunday's Giant Trip

We were able to pick up some great deals at Giant.  I love being able to get organic and all-natural products with coupons; it enables us to eat well and stay within our monthly budget!  Here's what we ended up with...

1 bag Cascadian Farms Frozen Organic Blueberries $3.59 - $0.30 Sale - $0.85/1 MC doubled to $1.70 = $1.89
1 bag Cascadian Farms Frozen Organic Corn $2.29 - $0.85/1 MC doubled to $1.70 = $0.59
6 cups Yoplait Yogurt $0.75 ea - $0.25 ea Sale - $0.60/3 MC doubled to $1.20 x 2 = 6/$0.60
1 Newman's Own Frozen Pizzas $6.69 - $1.69 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$8
2 jars Muir Glen Salsa marked down to $1.99 ea -$0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$1.98
2 pkgs Pampers Wipes $2.55 ea - $0.55 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$2
+ $0.18
- $0.15 Reusable Bag Credit
Total OOP: $32.84 - $18.23 Savings/Coupons = $14.79!  Savings of 56%!!!

Sunday's CVS Trip

Since the weatherman was calling for snow early this week, Joe and I decided to go out Sunday and run our errands.  I'm glad we did, since we woke up to 4 inches of snow yesterday morning.  CVS was stop #1.  I had a $3/$15 coupon to use as well as some ECB's to roll, I could have kept my out of pocket lower by doing multiple transactions, but my preggo self just didn't feel like it this week.  Here's what we ended up with...

2 bags Mars Miniature Mix Candies $4.49 ea - $1.49 ea Sale - $1/2 CVS Coupon - $1/2 MC - $2 ECB wyb 2 = 2/$2
2-4 pks Travel Colgate Toothpaste $3.29 ea - $3 ECB x 2 = 2/$0.58
1 Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste $3.99 - $0.99 Sale - $2.25/1 CVS Coupon - $1/1 MC = Free + $0.25 Money-maker!
2 Curel Itch Defense Lotions $8.49 ea - $1/1 MC x 2 - $5 ECB's wyb 2 = 2/$9.98 ($4.99 ea)
+ $1.48 Tax
- $3/$15 CVS Coupon
- $12 ECB's used to Pay
Total OOP: $11.79, Earned $13 ECB's for next time!

Linked to Simply CVS!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Onion Gravy Pork Chops

This wasn't the prettiest recipe to photograph, but it was super tasty, especially served with a side of mashed potatoes.  Onion gravy pork chops is a perfect recipe for a pantry challenge (like the one I did last month).  It's easy to make, takes only a couple of inexpensive ingredients, and they taste delicious.  I plan to try this recipe with hamburger patties, and maybe chicken breasts as well.  Here's how you can make your own...

Pork Chops (I used ones that I de-boned and trimmed myself, about 1/4-1/2" thick
Salt and Pepper
Cayenne Pepper
1/4 c Flour
2 Tbsp Butter (I have used olive oil, but butter gives it a richer flavor)
2 c Chicken Broth
2 Yellow Onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves Minced Garlic (I used the jar minced, about 1 tsp)
Worcestershire Sauce

1.) Mix Flour, Salt, Pepper, and Cayenne.  Trim your pork chops and roll them in the flour to coat, shake off the excess.
2.) Melt butter over medium high heat and brown your pork chops about 3 minutes per side, remove to a plate.
3.) Add onions to skillet and saute until softened.  Add your garlic to the skillet and cook a minute longer.
4.) Push the onions to the outside edge, add the pork chops back into the middle of the skillet, along with the chicken broth.  Add a couple splashes of Worcestershire sauce on top.  
5.) Cover and cook until pork chops are done, this will depend on the thickness of your chops.  Mine took about 20 minutes.  Once they are cooked through, make a water/flour thickener for your broth.  Whisk it in and let it all cook another few minutes uncovered until the gravy has thickened.  
Serve with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, and a steamed vegetable, and you have a delicious, cheap, and easy dinner!  Refrigerate any leftovers.  Enjoy!

Linked to One Project at a Time, the Homestead Barn Hop, and Homemade Mondays!