Freezer/Pantry Challenge Update #3

We're at week three of this pantry challenge, and things are going smoothly.  This week I felt a lot better than I did last week.  Tired in the afternoons, but overall I had a lot more energy.  Joe and I worked on the nursery a good bit, and we were able to get a lot accomplished.  I have an update post planned for next week.  We were able to eat a lot out of the freezers and pantry, and things are starting to look more manageable.  We also ate pretty good this week...

Sunday: Today I got a jump start on my cleaning by washing the bed linens.  I also did another load of laundry.  Joe worked in his work room on some sewing he had to do.  I tried to rest most of the afternoon since I had spent the morning making the strawberry bread and pecan pie for the week.  It was a good day, and we ate good too :)

Breakfast - Leftover Sticky Buns

Lunch - Cheese Steak Egg Rolls, Baked Onion Rings

Dinner - Crock-pot Lasagne, Garlic Bread, Steamed Vegetable
Snacks -  Pecan Pie, Strawberry Bread (*New Recipe), String Cheese, Veggies and Dip, and Tortilla Chips with Salsa

Monday: Today was cleaning day.  I did a quick pick up this morning, and then got the kitchen swept and mopped before lunch.  My Dad came to visit a little while, and then we had lunch.  After lunch Joe vacuumed the house while I cleaned the bathroom.  Once the cleaning was done, I took a nice long soak in the tub before moving onto laundry.  Joe grilled up dinner, and I threw some fries in the oven.  We spent the evening relaxing watching Netflix and clipping coupons.  A very good day!

Breakfast - Leftover Stick Buns

Lunch - Tuna Salad Sandwich for Me, Leftover Cheese Steak Egg Rolls for Joe

Dinner - Bacon Cheese Burgers, Baked French Fries

Snacks -  Pecan Pie, Strawberry Bread, String Cheese, Veggies and Dip, and Tortilla Chips with Salsa

Tuesday: Today Joe and I ran errands after I had my glucose test this morning.  The things a pregnant woman has to do - oh, you're pregnant and feel like crap, why don't we have you fast, and then drink this sugary crap that hops up your glucose, and then see how you feel?  Uh, I feel bad, duh!  Anyway, after the blood test was over, and Joe fed me, we ran to Wal-mart, CVS, and Giant to pick up a few things.  I went over on my weekly budget this week, but I am still under for the month, so I'm okay with that.  It will all work out in the end.

Breakfast -Strawberry Bread for Joe, None for me since I had to go for my glucose test today - boo!

Lunch - Wendy's - I had a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger and a FREE Jr. Frosty, thanks to the key tag, Joe had a Baconator Meal, and we shared his fries and coke

Dinner - Leftover Lasagne, Garlic Bread
Snacks -  Pecan Pie, String Cheese, Veggies and Dip, and Tortilla Chips with Salsa

Wednesday: Today I got caught up on some blog posts, which is always fun work to accomplish.  I also made garlic bread for the freezer, 4 more meals worth, and got onions diced/sliced and frozen, since we were out.  Joe continued to work on a project in his work room for most of the day.  It was a quiet day, but for being 27 weeks pregnant, I felt very accomplished :)  We also ate pretty well too...

Breakfast - Strawberry Bread for Joe, Bagel for Me

Lunch - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Chips

Dinner - Potato Soup, Homemade Foccacia Bread
Snacks -  Pecan Pie, String Cheese, Veggies and Dip, and Tortilla Chips with Salsa

Thursday: Today I did a LOT of computer work and filing, in an effort to get the desk situation a little more under control.  It helped a LOT.  The nursery is really coming together, I can't wait to post an update soon!  Joe continue to work on his projects today as well.  For dinner we went up to Gettysburg to eat a later anniversary dinner at Dobbing House; it was amazingly delicious!  We shared a meal which helped to keep our cost down, and we had some gift cards from Christmas to use.  Afterwards we stopped at the thrift store in Hanover to drop off a few things, and we perused a little while we were there.  I used some of my Christmas money to but a pair of jeans to turn into maternity pants, and two shirts, and a 'coming-home' outfit if baby Rogers is a girl.

Breakfast - Strawberry Bread for Joe, Bagel for Me

Lunch - Leftover Potato Soup and Foccacia Bread

Dinner - Dinner at Dobbin - We used a gift card and some Christmas money to pay for dinner.  We shared the scallops, with each of us having french onion soup and salad to start.  I paired my portion with a baked sweet potato, and Joe had a baked white potato with sour cream and chives - yummy!  We also indulged in a piece of double chocolate pecan pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert.  It was good, but very rich for me, and Joe said he liked my pecan pie better - smart man ;)
Snacks -  Pecan Pie, String Cheese, Veggies and Dip, and Tortilla Chips with Salsa

Friday: Today we went to Joe's grandfather's house.  We did some work for him, like handling his cell phone issue with Verizon, paying some bills, and bringing up some kindling.  We had my dad follow us down with his truck so we could bring the baby's chest of drawers back, and we could load the suburban we took down for the flea market in two weeks.  It was a full day, but it ended with dinner at Chili's which Pap treated us to, so that was okay with the tired pregnant lady :)

Breakfast - Zone Perfect bar for Joe, Bagel for Me

Lunch - Soft Pretzels from the Amish Market

Dinner - Pap treated us to Chili's again.  It was so yummy, Joe and I got a 2 for $20 deal.  He got ribs, french fries, and apples, and I got the chicken fajitas.  But we both shared with each other, so yummy!  We also definitely ate our share of chips and salsa! 
Snacks -  Pecan Pie, String Cheese, Veggies and Dip, and Tortilla Chips with Salsa

Saturday: We awoke to snow on the ground, so Joe had to go out and clear a path to get to the Dollar Store for my newspapers - such a great husband!  I spent the day working on computer work and filing from last year.  I also steam cleaned another section of the nursery so we can hopefully get the chest of drawers in place tomorrow, and I can start washing baby clothes!  Joe worked on several projects today. including finish-feeding the baby's chest of drawers.  It's a family heirloom, which is wonderful, but it needed some serious TLC.  Our meals were fairly simple today, but tasty none the less.

Breakfast - Zone Perfect Bar for Joe, Bagel for Me

Lunch - Cheese Quesadillas with Chips and Salsa

Dinner - Pregnancy craving for a Pizza Hut salad, Joe got a $10 pizza too, but at least there was a deal going on ;)

Snacks - Pecan Pie, String Cheese, Veggies and Dip, and Tortilla Chips with Salsa

How is your pantry challenge going?  

Are you using up the tid-bits and getting things back in order too?

Weekly Spending Report: 01/12-18/2013

This week I went over budget, but we are still doing okay for the month.  We were out of freezer garlic bread and snack foods, so I'm okay with the amount I spent this week.  I was able to get those things, plus a few good deals, and I continued to stock up on diapers.  There are two weeks left in the pantry challenge, and our budget, but I think we can squeak by with only having to purchase few things.  Here's what I picked up this week...

• Sunday's Shopper's Trip: $12.37 oop

• Tuesday's Wal-mart Trip (no picture, 2 boxes of Generic Sudafed, 1 Hand Soap Refill): Zero oop (used gift card to pay)
• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $13.78 oop, Earned $10.79 ECB's
• Tuesday's Giant Trip: $20.34 oop 
• Thursday's Thrift Store Trip (I bought a coming home outfit for the baby if it's a girl, a pair of jeans for myself that I'm going to cut up for maternity pants, and two looser shirts for my growing belly, total was $20.97) : Zero oop from budget, used Christmas Money
• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (just 2 newspapers): $2.12 oop

Total OOP: $48.61 - $10.79 Earned Rewards = Net OOP: $37.82
Total Remaining for January: $56.08

Linked to Couponaholic!

Tuesday's Giant Trip

Tuesday Joe and I also stopped into Giant to pick up some of the deals.  I'm over budget for this week, but we are still doing good for the month, so I'm okay with that.  We were in need of some snack food, because sweet breads only cut it so much, some times you just need some ice cream and potato chips, especially when you are pregnant ;)  I was also able to get some more garlic bread in the freezer.  Here's what we ended up with...

2 pkgs Turkey Hill Ice Cream $3.50 ea - $1 ea Sale = 2/$5

1 jar Minced Garlic $1.99

1 bottle Giant Brand Safflower Oil $4.99 - Ouch, but supposedly better than canola.

1 Giant Brand Cling Wrap $1.59

2 bottles Powerade Zero $1.19 ea - $0.31 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled x 2 = 2 FREE + $0.24 Money-maker!

2 Zone Perfect Bars $1.39 ea - $0.39 ea Sale - $1.25/1 MC x 2 = 2 FREE + $0.50 Money-maker!

1 Snyder's Tortilla Chips + 2 Cape Cod Potato Chips (the 40% Reduced Fat Ones are so good!) 1 @ $3.49 - $0.50 Sale, and 2 @ $3.79 ea - $0.80 ea Sale - $3 off Instantly wyb 3 = 3/$5.97

1 Loaf Bakery Italian Bread $2.49 - $1/1 Reduced Bakery Coupon = $1.49

+ $0.15 Tax

- $0.10 Reusable Bag Credit

Total OOP: $34.44 - $14.10 Savings/Coupons = $20.34 oop!  Savings of 41%!

Tuesday's CVS Trip

Tuesday Joe and I stopped into CVS to pick up the diaper deal.  We're still stockpiling for the baby!  Here's what we ended up with...

2 pkgs Pampers Swaddlers Size 2 Diapers $11.99 ea - $3 ea Sale - $1.50/1 MC x 2 +

1 pkg Pampers Baby Dry Size 3 Diapers $11.99 - $3 Sale - $1.50/1 MC +

1 Desitin $5.49 - $2.49 Sale - $1/1 MC - $10 ECB's wyb $30 = 3 Diapers + Desitin/$14.47

1 Butterfinger Candy Bar $1.19 - $0.40 Sale - $0.79 ECB = FREE!

+ $1.52 Tax

- $13 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $13.78, Earned $10.79 ECB's

Linked to Simply CVS!

ALDI Deals, Starting 01/15/2014

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

• Weds. 01/15 ONLY: Hormel Fresh Always Tender Pork Butt Roast $1.49/lb
• Weds. 01/15 ONLY: Fit and Active Fresh Turkey Tenderloins Cracked Peppercorn or Rotisserie 30 oz $5.99 ea
• Organic Grape Tomatoes 10 oz $2.49 ea
• Simply Nature Organic Spring Mix or Baby Spinach 5 oz $2.49 ea
• Carrots 2 lb $0.59 ea
• Mushrooms 8 oz $0.69 ea
• Red Potatoes 5 lb $1.39 ea
• Pineapple $1.39 ea
• Grapefruit $0.39 ea
• Bananas $0.44/lb
• Sweet Harvest Peach Slices in 100% Juice 15 oz $0.89 ea
• Season's Choice Sweet Peas or Super Sweet Corn 16 oz $0.95 ea
• Stonemill Essentials Steak Seasoning or Meat Tenderizer 6-7.25 oz $0.99 ea
• Stonemill Essentials Natural Spice Grinders or Sea Salt Grinder 2.1-3.15 oz $1.49 ea
• Stonemill Essentials Ground Black Pepper 4 oz $1.99 ea
• Little Salad Bar 100 Calorie Guacamole Snack Pack, Spicy or Original 12 oz $2.99 ea
• Happy Farms Spreadable Cheese Wedges Garlic and Herb or Jalapeno 4 oz $1.29 ea
• Fit and Active No Salt Petite Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz $0.59 ea
• Easy Home Step Bin, Toilet Brush, or Plunger Oil Rubbed Bronze or Satin Nickle $8.99 ea
• Easy Home Choose-your-own Bath Assortment Oil Rubbed Bronze or Satin Nickle $3.99 ea
• Easy Home 5 Function 2 Shower Head Kit $19.99 ea
• Easy Home Curved Shower Rod Assortment Oil Rubbed Bronze or Satin Nickle Extends 42-72" $19.99 ea
• Huntington Home 17x24" Memory Foam Bath Mat $6.99 ea
• Huntington Home Shower Curtain Liner 70x72" Heavy Duty Almond, White, Clear, or Frosted $5.99 ea
• Welby Ear and Forehead Thermometer $16.99 ea

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

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Crock-pot Pizza Casserole

 Last Monday I tried a new crock-pot recipe.  I did a little tweaking to use what I already had during this pantry challenge, but it still turned out pretty good.  I think maybe 4 hours cook time would be plenty, as some of the bottom noodles were a little mushy.  Here's how it went down...

1 16 oz box of Spiral Pasta, not cooked, but rinsed

1/2 lb Cooked and Drained Beef (recipe called for 1 lb, but I never use that much meat for Joe and I)

1/2 Diced Onion, cooked with Beef (recipe called for 1 whole onion)

1 Diced Green Bell Pepper

Sprinkle of Garlic Powder (recipe called for minced garlic, but I didn't have any)

1/2 Sliced Pepperoni (recipe called for 1 cup, I didn't even use a full 1/2 c and I thought it had plenty)

32 oz Pasta Sauce

1 c Water

1 c Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

1.) Spray Crock Pot with Cooking Spray, I used Olive Oil.

2.) Place rinsed Pasta in Crock Pot and top with beef/onions, bell pepper, pepperoni.  Sprinkle Garlic Powder over all and stir.

3.) Pour Pasta Sauce and Water over all, do NOT stir.

4.) Top with Cheese.  Cover and Cook on Low 5-6 Hours (I'm going to check it after 4 next time though, because some of the noodles were mushy on the bottom, and crunchy on top.)  Do NOT lift lid.

5.) Serve hot topped with shredded Parmesan cheese.  Refrigerate any leftovers. I served ours with salad and garlic bread.  Enjoy!

* This fed Joe and I 2 helpings each at dinner, and then lunch leftover for Joe for the next 2 days, my guess is that it would probably feed 4 people.*

Linked to Homemade Mondays!

Menu Plan Monday: 01/13/2014

This week Joe and I have big plans for the nursery.  We got the desk area steam cleaned over the weekend and the new-to-us desk moved in.  I need to get the computer set up as well as get the desk drawers organized this week.  Also we are going to steam clean where the chest of drawers is going to go, and hopefully get that brought up from Joe's grandfather's house.  It's the same one that Joe used as a child, which I think is really nice.  Once it's moved in and cleaned up a bit, it's time to wash and fold baby things - YEAH!  We are also going to do some work at Pap's house when we go down to get the chest of drawers.  Lastly, the pantry challenge is in full swing around here.  Things are getting used up, which makes me very happy, and I'm getting to try some new recipes as well.  Here's what's on the menu this week...

Breakfasts: Special K Cereal/Bars for Me, Strawberry Bread (*New Recipe) for Joe

Lunches: Leftovers, Grilled Cheese or Sausage Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Crock-pot Lasagne, Garlic Bread, Steamed Broccoli

Monday - Grilled Bacon Cheese Burgers, Baked French Fries

Tuesday - Potato Soup, Homemade Foccacia Bread

Wednesday - We will be at Pap's, so we'll probably end up at Chili's with him.

Thursday  - Belated Anniversary Dinner at Dobbin in Gettysburg - We have a gift card to use!

Friday - Homemade Pizza, Veggies with Dip

Saturday - Smothered Pork Chops (*New Recipe), Mashed Potatoes, and a Steamed Vegetable

Extras: Pecan Pie

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 01/05-11/2013

This week I had $40 to spend during this Freezer/Pantry Challenge.  It was hard, because there were a LOT of great deals, but I kept it together!  Here's what I ended up with...  (142.15 remaining)

• Tuesday's BJ's Trip (no picture, just Raw Sugar): $3.49 oop
• Tuesday's Target Trip (no picture, 5 boxes Annie's Mac and Cheese): Zero oop, used gift card
• Tuesday's CVS Trip (no picture, 6-12 pks Coke/Coke Zero, 3-24 pks H2O, 2-3 Musketeer Bars, used coupons and $10 ECB's): $2.63 oop, Earned $13 ECB's ($10 Coke Deal, $3 Fall spending)
• Tuesday's ALDI Trip: $10.73 oop
• Tuesday's Giant Trip: $13.43 oop
• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $7.18 oop

Total OOP: $37.46 - $13 Earned Rewards = Net OOP: $24.46

Total Cash Remaining for January: $104.69

Linked to Couponaholic!

Freezer/Pantry Challenge Update #2

This week we were able to get a LOT used up out of the pantry, and the freezers.  I also baked up some Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, and some White Chocolate Chip Cookies for snacks.  We did eat out twice, but only paid for one, since Joe's grandfather treated us to dinner one night.  Overall, things are starting to dwindle slightly, which means we are using up what we have, and that makes me happy!

Sunday: Today Joe and I worked hard on getting things moved around, and disassembled to make room for baby things in the nursery!  I also baked Banana Bread and Chocolate Chip Cookies, and did some tidying and laundry.

Breakfasts: Bagel for Me, Pop-Tarts for Joe

Lunch: Leftover French Bread made into Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Pickles

Dinner: Chicken Fajitas (from a Homemade dinner kit), Mexican Rice, and Salad

Snacks: Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Tortilla Chips and Salsa, String Cheese, and Pudding Cups

Monday: Today was cleaning day.  I took care of the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry, and Joe cleaned the litter boxes and vacuumed the house.  I dusted over the weekend, and did some tidying, so we were able to get our weekly chores done in a breeze.  In the afternoon we worked some more on moving things around in the nursery, and clipping and filing coupons.  Overall, a very accomplished day.

Breakfasts: Bagel for Me, Pop-Tarts for Joe

Lunch: Leftover Fajitas and Mexican Rice for Joe, Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla with Salsa and Sour Cream, and a Salad for me

Dinner: Crock-pot Pizza Casserole (*New Recipe*), Salad, Garlic Bread

Snacks: Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Tortilla Chips and Salsa, String Cheese, and Pudding Cups

Tuesday:  Today was errand running day at the Rogers' house!  I'll be posting my shopping trips over the next few days.  It amazes me how far I can stretch $40 when I have to.

Breakfasts: Bagel for Me, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Banana Bread for Joe

Lunch: Out at Ruby Tuesday's while we ran errands :)  We used a coupon towards our Salad Bar Combos, I had Broccoli and Cheese Soup with the Salad Bar, and Joe had the Ruby Mini's with the Salad Bar, with tip, $20!  On the way home we shared a Jamocha shake from Arby's even if was only 10 degrees outside. 

Dinner: Leftover Casserole, Homemade Foccacia Bread, and Salad

Snacks: White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Tortilla Chips and Salsa, String Cheese, and Pudding Cups

Wednesday: Today I worked in the office/nursery.  I got the old desk cleaned out so that Joe can move it tomorrow.  We also organized all of our misc electrical bits and wires into one small bin, and trashed quite a lot of junk we don't need anymore.  Joe also worked on some projects in his work room while I did some housework, dishes, laundry, etc.
Breakfasts: Special K Cereal for Me, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Banana Bread for Joe
Lunch: Leftover Foccacia Bread dough made into Pizza, Veggies and Dip for Me, Joe had more leftover casserole and Leftover Foccacia Bread

Dinner: McDonald's - pregnancy craving, what can I say ;)
Snacks: White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Tortilla Chips and Salsa, String Cheese, and Pudding Cups

Thursday: Today Joe and I worked in the nursery some more.  We moved a desk and vacuumed where it had been to get ready to steam clean that part of the carpet this weekend.  Things are moving right along.  I'm hoping to get the new desk moved in and organized over the weekend as well.
Breakfasts: Smart Ones Bacon Egg and Cheese English Muffin Sandwich for Me, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Banana Bread for Joe
Lunch: Leftover Pot Roast from the Freezer for Joe, Salad and a Spaghetti Lean Cuisine Meal for Me
Dinner: Crock-pot Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy, Jasmine Rice, and Steamed Broccoli

Snacks: White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Tortilla Chips and Salsa, String Cheese, and Pudding Cups

Friday: Today we went to Joe's grandfather's house to work on some projects there, pay his bills, get his groceries, etc.  We stopped on the way down at the Amish Market for soft pretzels, my favorite!  And before we left to come home, Pap treated us to Chili's for dinner - yummy!
Breakfasts: Waffles with Syrup and Butter for Me, PBJ Waffle for Joe
Lunch: Amish Market Soft Pretzels
Dinner: Chili's - Joe and I shared a Soft Pretzel Sticks Appetizer, and a Full Rack of Ribs with French Fries and Apples - Yummy!
Snacks: White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Tortilla Chips and Salsa, String Cheese, and Pudding Cups

Saturday: Today Joe and I went to the Dollar Store to pick up a couple things, including my newspapers.  Then we steamed cleaned the desk area in the nursery and I got caught up on laundry as well.  Overall a very productive day, until I had a morning sickness relapse in the afternoon which sent me to bed :(  I ended up scraping our dinner plans and just got some take-out pizza, which we did use a coupon for, and my loving husband so graciously went to go pick up in the rain and wind -- gotta love him!
Breakfasts: Sticky Buns from the Amish Market (Pap treated since we picked him up Apple Dumplings)
Lunch: Leftover Pork Chops with Gravy and Rice for Joe, Tuna Salad Sandwich for Me with Tortilla Chips
Dinner: Paradisio Pizza
Snacks: White Chocolate Chip Cookies, Tortilla Chips and Salsa, String Cheese, and Pudding Cups

Tuesday's Giant Trip

Tuesday Joe and I also stopped into Giant to pick up some deals, and important things like veggie dip and ice cream.  The ice cream has 1/2 the fat, and it is actually really good and creamy.  Here's what we ended up with...

2 cartons Edy's Double Churned Ice Cream $5.49 ea - BOGO Free Sale = 2/$5.49

1 Marzetti Ranch Veggie Dip $3.99 - $1/1 MC = $2.99

2 cartons Nature's Promise Organic Chicken Broth on clearance for $0.62 ea = 2/$1.24

2 pkgs Pampers Wipes $2.55 ea - $0.55 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 2 = 2/$2

3 pkgs Friskies Party Mix Cat Treats $1.65 ea - $0.15 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 3 = 3/$1.50

+ $0.36 Tax

- $0.15 Reusable Bag Credit

Total OOP: $26.47 - $13.04 Sales/Coupons = $13.43