Tempt our Tummy Tuesday: Strawberry Bread

Last week I tried out a new recipe, kind of a concoction of sorts.  It worked out beautifully, and is definitely a keeper, so I thought I would share it with the rest of the blog-world.  It makes two nice large loaves, and is super simple to whip together and throw in the oven.  Here's how it goes down...

3 c Flour (I use unbleached)

1 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Salt

2 tsp Cinnamon

2 tsp Vanilla

2 c Suagr

4 beaten Eggs

2 1/2 c Sliced Strawberries (I used frozen, and nuked them until they were mostly thawed, and then drained most of the juice off before adding them to the batter.)

1 c Oil (I had to use a mixture of Canola and Light Olive Oil, because that is all I had, and it worked out great)

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Mix all the ingredients up, adding the strawberries last.  I used my kitchen aid mixer, but you can do it by hand as well.

2.) Pour the batter into 2 large greased loaf pans.

3.) Bake about 50-60 minutes depending on your oven.  You want the middle done, so I just used a toothpick to test it along the way, until I was happy with the results.

I kept one loaf down and the other I froze.  I bake them up on Sunday, and as of Thursday, the 1 loaf was gone!  Enjoy!

Linked to One Project at a Time, Homemade Mondays, and Thrifty Thursday!

Menu Plan Monday: 01/20/2014

This week Joe and I are going to be plugging away in the nursery.  I have a LOT of presents to get unpacked, washed, and tucked away in the dresser drawers.  Then we can get the mattress in the crib, and let that start to air out.  I might even start a little painting this week, so we'll see.  I am planning on doing a progress post sometime this week as well.  On the food front, we are week 4 into the pantry challenge, and you can definitely see a dent in our food stores.  We might not be able to eat enough to defrost the freezer this month though, so we'll probably have to continue the challenge into February.  I want the chest freezer defrosted and mostly empty by the end of February so I can start freezer cooking and stocking in March for after the baby comes in April. I kept the menu rather simple, here's what's cooking...

Breakfasts: Special K Cereal and Bars, Homemade Blueberry Muffins

Lunches: Leftovers, Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Pancakes with Chipped Beef Gravy

Monday - Leftover Gravy and Pancakes

Tuesday - Baked Fish Sticks and French Fries

Wednesday - Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice, and Salad

Thursday - Working at Joe's Grandfather's house, so probably Chili's with him :)

Friday - Homemade Pizza, Veggies and Dip

Saturday - Shake and Bake Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf, and a Steamed Vegetable

Extras: Lemon Pie Bars

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

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!