Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Layered Taco Dip

In honor of 4th of July, and all of the picnics people will be having to celebrate our independence day, I thought I would share a super easy dip recipe with you all.  I've been making this dip for over a decade, and it is always what I am requested to bring to family get-togethers, well, and cookies :)  Here's the low-down...

1. Layer 1 can Refried Beans into your dish.

(You can use a pie plate, a Tupperware, or a baking pan, they all work just fine)

2. Top beans with a layer of Sour Cream.

3. Top Sour Cream with a layer of Salsa.

(I like ALDI's, but I've used homemade as well.)

4. Top salsa with a layer of shredded lettuce.

5. Top Lettuce with shredded cheese (I use the Mexican blend, but cheddar is tasty too.)  I wait and add some diced onions to the top, and only on 1 half, that way people can see where they are if they don't like them.

And, it's that easy!  Serve with some tortilla chips, and you are good to go!

Linked to Make Your Own Monday, and Homemade Mondays!

Menu Plan Monday: 07/01/2013

This week will again be jam-packed, but being busy is good.  Joe and are going to my sister's to pick up a few things she doesn't want before she moves the end of the month.  Tuesday, we are going down to Joe's grandfather's house to work.  Thursday is 4th of July, and I work Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this week.  It's gonna be a little crazy, but we'll make it work.  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Waffles, Fruit

Lunches: Leftovers, Sandwiches, and/or Salads

Dinners: (all served with veggies or salad)

Sunday - Taco Salads

Monday - Pasta with Meat Sauce, and Garlic Bread

Tuesday - Working at Pap's, probably Applebee's or Chili's with him

Wednesday - Potato Soup, with Homemade Bread

Thursday - Something from the Event at the museum

Friday - Homemade Pizza

Saturday - Grilled Hamburgers, with Baked Potato Wedges

Extras: White Chocolate Chip Cookies

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

June Yard Sale/Flea Market Finds

The second Saturday in June Joe and I stopped at our favorite monthly church flea market, and I picked up some great deals.  The baskets were perfect for my utensil drawer, and the hall closet we just made-over (post coming soon).
Large Rectangle Basket $1
Large Round Basket $1
3 Small Rectangle Baskets $1 ea = $3
1 box Crystal Light Mix $1
Total: $6

The 22nd Joe and I sat up at a flea market, and didn't really do very well, but I did score some deals while we were there.
5 boxes Crystal Light $1 ea = $5
1 bag Snyder's Pretzels $1.50
1 Cookie Flipper $0.50
1 Pregnancy Book (for future reference): $1.50 (was $2)
Total: $8.50

Weekly Spending Report: 06/23-29/2013

This week I didn't do a whole lot of shopping.  I had a major head cold for some reason, but I did get a LOT of painting done in the house this week.  Almost all the doors, windows, and closets have gotten a fresh coat of white paint.  However, I emptied my gallon, so I have to go buy another before I can finish.  I only have two rooms left, which is 5 windows, 1 closet, and a little trim - WAHOO!  Everything looks so nice and fresh.  Here's how the shopping went this week...

• Monday's Giant Trip (Hot Cocoa and Milk): $5.73 oop
• Tuesday's BJ's Trip (Crystal Light and Salt Ham, used 1 Coupon): $7.73 oop
• Tuesday's Dollar Tree Trip (2 boxes DayQuil, 2 bags Chex Mix): $4 oop
• Wednesday's ALDI Trip (Lettuce, Bell Pepper, Cucumber, 2 bags BBQ Kettle Chips - So Yummy!, 2 boxes Fruit and Grain Bars for Joe, 1 loaf White Bread): $12.18 oop
• Saturday's Shopper's Trip (2 Newspapers): $3.99 oop

Total OOP: $33.63!

Linked to Couponaholic! 

Frugal Finds Friday: Mending Clothes

When money is tight, it is especially important that you make the most of what you have.  This concept can easily be applied to clothes - use it up and wear it out.  Many of the clothing items I have purchased over the years, including Wal-mart and thrift store items, can be worn for many years, if mended properly.  More often than not buttons fall off, and hems drop before the rest of the item is worn out.  So, I spent Thursday sewing buttons onto a pair of capris, and a pair of shorts.  I fixed the hem in one shirt, and sewed a 'tack' stitch back into the sleeve of another.  I whip-stitched a tear in an apron, and a loose spot on the back of my husband's favorite tie.  By taking an hour one afternoon, and doing a little mending, I saved 6 items from probably ending up in the trash because they were no longer wearable.  I also saved myself money since I didn't need to replace these items.  So take a little time one day and mend those items you've been meaning to, after all, it's the frugal thing to do!  :)

Linked to Thrifty Thursday, Works for Me Wednesday, and Natural Living Link-up!

ALDI Deals, Starting 06/26/2013!

Here are some of the great deals at ALDI this week...

• Wednesday 06/26 ONLY: Fresh 73% Lean Ground Beef Chub 5 lb $8.99 ea
• Wednesday 06/26 ONLY: Fresh Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.79/lb
• Organic Bananas 2 lb bundle $1.38 ea
• Organic Romaine 18 oz 3 pk $2.19 ea
• Sweet Corn 4 pk $1.59 ea
• Cherries $2.99/lb
• Watermelon $3.99 ea
• Strawberries $1.29/lb
• Blueberries $1.29/pint
• Cantaloupe $1.49 ea
• Kirkwood Frozen Chicken Breasts 48 oz $5.99 ea
• L'oven Fresh White Hotdog Buns 12 oz $0.89 ea
• L'oven Fresh NY Style Cheese Cake 40 oz $8.99 ea
• Tuscan Garden Dressing Bacon Ranch, or Raspberry Vinaigrette 16 oz $1.29 ea 
• Clancy's Bug Dippers or Chili Cheese Corn Chips 9.25 oz $1.19 ea
• Kitchen Living Pineapple Slicer $2.99 ea
• Kitchen Living 8 pc Nesting Bowl Set (1 strainer, 1 colander, 2 mixing bowls, and 4 measuring cups) $9.99 ea
• Kitchen Living 3 pc Colored Knife Set (Paring, Tomato, and Santuko) $9.99 ea
• Kitchen Living Watermelon Knife (11" blade) $4.99 ea
• Kitchen Living Iced Serving Bowl 6.5 Qt $16.99 ea
• Reeva Pomegranate or Berry Ultra Liquid Dish Soap 24 oz $1.89 ea

For more information about shopping at ALDI, visit their Homepage!

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Baked Nachos

Going along with last week's taco salad, I thought I would share my version of nachos.  The unhealthy to my healthy if you will.  Anyway, they are just as simple as the taco salad, and they take a lot of the same ingredients.  These nachos are another one of my husband's favorite meals.  We eat them about once a month, and definitely on Super Bowl Sunday!  Here's how it goes down...

Ingredients:

• Taco Beef/Chicken
• Shredded Cheese (I like mild cheddar)
• Salsa
• Sour Cream
• Tortilla Chips and Doritos 
• Jalapenos and Sliced Black Olives
• Beans (if you desire, I like to add extra pintos to my half, re-fried would be okay too)

1. Add a layer or Tortilla/Doritos Chips to your baking dish (I mix the two together).
2. Top with a layer of meat (and beans if using).
3. Top with a layer of cheese.
4. Repeat all three layers.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes depending on your oven.
6. Add your favorite toppings (I like just salsa and Sour Cream on mine, Joe likes jalapenos and olives on his as well, and you can't go wrong with a little guacamole).  Dig in, and try to be good and share with others. :)

Linked to Homemade Mondays, One Project at a Time, and the Inspiration Exchange!

Menu Plan Monday: 06/24/2013!

This week Joe and I are going to his grandfather's house to unload after Saturday's sale.  Joe is going away for two days this week, so I plan to paint all the doors/trim/windows in the apartment while he is gone.  It should be a good week.  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Cold Cereal, Waffles, Eggs and Toast

Lunches: Leftovers, Salads, and/or Sandwiches

Dinners: (all served with veggies or salad)

Sunday - Homemade Pizza

Monday -Fruited Chicken Salad Sandwiches, with Chips, and Pickles

Tuesday - Dinner with Joe's Grandfather, probably at Applebee's

Wednesday - Chicken Fajitas, and Mexican Rice

Thursday - Frozen Diet Meal for me

Friday - Dinner with my sister:Homemade Pizza

Saturday - Pasta with Meat Sauce, and Garlic Bread

Extras: Brownies

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 06/16-22/2013

This week was not a pay week, but we were out of cat food.  So I was glad that I had a little stashed away because I stocked back up at Target, and got an awesome deal!  I also rolled my ECB's at CVS, and picked up a few coupon deals at the grocery store.  Overall, a pretty simple week; I like those!

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $8.06 oop, Earned $4 ECB's
• Sunday's Target Trip: $44.83 oop, Earned $10 Target Gift Cards ($5 x 2)
• Thursday's ALDI Trip (loaf of bread and bag of shredded mozzarella cheese): $4.19 oop
• Thursday's Giant Trip (5 Meal bars, used 1 coupons): $4.36 oop
• Thursday's Dollar Tree Trip: $8 oop (used 2 coupons for the pepperoni)

• Saturday's Shopper's Trip (2 newspapers): $3.99 oop
• Saturday's Flea Market Finds (Post coming soon): $8.50

Total OOP: $81.93 - $14 Earned Rewards/Gift Cards = Net OOP: $67.93!!!!!

Linked to Couponaholic! 

February's Freezer Cooking Results

Freezer Cooking Results

 Cooked Pinto Beans: 5-1c pkgs + enough for the Nachos and Taco Meat

 Homemade Chili's-style Salsa

 Homemade Chip Cookie Dough: 4 batches, White Chocolate, Butterscotch Chip, and 2 Milk Chocolate Chip

Taco Meat: 5-1c pkgs + Nachos and a little leftover

Cooked Beef 1/2 lb pkg x 2, Cooked Beef with Onions 1/2 lb pkg x 2

 4 - 1/2 batches Pizza Dough (each 1/2 batch makes Joe and I each a personal pizza)

Homemade Bone Broth x 2