Tuesday's CVS Trip

This week there weren't a lot of good ECB deals this week, but there were several good deals on things that we needed, like bottled water, and tissues.  I received a $5 ECB from the Beaty Club when I scanned my card at the red machine for coupons, so I got to use that towards my purchase today as well, which was a nice surprise!  I also used a rain check for some free after ECB allergy medicine.  All in all it worked out to be a nice trip.  Here's what we ended up with...

3 bags various Hershey's Candies $3.79 ea - $0.79 ea Sale - $2/3 MC - $2 ECB's wyb 3 = 3/$5

2 boxes Pop-Secret Popcorn $3.99 ea - $1.99 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 = 2/$2

4 boxes Kleenex Tissues $1.77 ea - $0.78 ea Sale - $1/4 MC = 4/$2.96

3-24 pks Basics Bottled Water $3.99 ea - $1.55 ea Sale = 3/$7.32

1-5 ct box Mucinex Allergy Medicine $8.99 - $1.49 Sale - $5/1 MC - $2.50 MIR = FREE!

1-5 ct box CVS Allergy Medicine $4.99 - $1.30 Rain check Sale - $4 ECB's (from Rain check) = FREE + $0.31 Money-maker!

+ $0.91 Tax

- $11 ECB's used to Pay (including $5 Beauty Club Reward)

- $11 Mystery Coupons

- $4.08 CVS Gift card

Total OOP: $0.30, Earned $6 ECB's and $2.50 MIR (and I still have $10 leftover ECB's from last week)

Linked to Simply CVS!

ALDI Deals, Starting 02/26/2014

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

• Weds. 02/26 ONLY: Fresh Family Pk Chicken Breasts $1.59/lb
• Avocados $0.59 ea
• Roma Tomatoes 16 oz $0.99 ea
• Multi-Peppers 3 pk $1.99 ea
• Anjou Pears 28 oz pkg $1.19 ea
• Red Grapes 2 lb pkg $2.18 ea
• Pineapples $1.39 ea
• Benita Tortilla Triangles 13 oz $1.49 ea
• Benita Chopped Green Chilies 4 oz $0.69 ea 
• Benita Mexican Style Corn 11 oz $0.79 ea
• Benita Salsa Style Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz $0.89 ea 
• Casa Mamita Mexican Style Seasonings Assorted Varieties 1.12-1.62 oz $0.59 ea
• Casa Mamita Taco Seasoning Mix 1 oz $0.35 ea
• Casa Mamita Salsa Medium or Mild 24 oz $1.69 ea 
• Casa Mamita Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies 10 oz $0.59 ea
• Casa Mamita Assorted Pasta and Sauce Mix 4.3-4.5 oz $0.89 ea
• Casa Mamita Refried Beans 16 oz $0.79 ea
• Casa Mamita Taco Shells 4-6 oz $0.99 ea
• Tuscan Garden Pepper Assortment Jalapeno Slices or Banana Pepper Rings 16 oz $1.49 ea
• Dakota's Pride Black Beans 15.5 oz $0.59 ea 
• Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen 16" Mexican Style Deli Pizza 31.3 oz $6.49 ea
• Sweet Harvest Pitted Cherries Dark Sweet or Red Tart 15 oz $1.69 ea
• Welby 9" Ice Bag $4.99 ea
• Gardenline Seed Packets Assorted Flower, Herb, and Vegetable Seeds $0.49 ea

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

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: White Chocolate Pineapple Muffins

These tropical muffins came out of the pantry challenge in January.  It was one of those, I have this and this, ... they might taste good together.  And luckily, it does - another muffin recipe for the win!  Although next time, I'm going to try it as a loaf.  Anyway, these muffins bake up really nice, and whip together in a flash, so go make yourself some, they are pretty tasty!

2 c Flour (I use unbleached)

1/2 c Sugar (I use Raw)

1 tbsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

3/4 c Milk

1 Egg

1 tsp Vanilla

1 c Pineapple Chunks (about 1/2 a medium can)

1/2 c White Chocolate Chips

1.) Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.

2.) Mix together the dry ingredients and set aside.  

3.) Mix together the egg, milk, vanilla, and pineapple.  Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring until well blended.  Stir in the chocolate chips last.

4.) Scoop batter into greased muffin cups until they are 1/2-3/4 full.

5.) Bake for 15 minutes, or until done.  As you can see in the picture, mine didn't get really golden brown, but they were done in the middle, and no one likes a dried out muffin :)  Store leftovers in an airtight container.  Makes about 20-24 muffins depending on how full you fill the muffin cups.

Linked to One Project at a Time, the Super Saturday Link Party, Homemade Mondays, the Homestead Barn Hop, and Thrifty Thursday!

Menu Plan Monday: 02/24/2014

This week I am hoping the energy burst and nice weather I had on Sunday will continue through the week.  Both really put me on the mood for Spring cleaning.  However, temperatures are suppose to drop again by Wednesday.  Here's to hoping maybe we'll get lucky?  There isn't really a lot on the agena this week, other than my doctor's appointment on Tuesday, which I'll run my errands that day as well.  Joe also has some errrands to run with his grandfather on Friday, like an oil change and a butchering pick-up.  So, I'm hoping to list some more on Amazon, price some records for sale, and continue to chip away at things in the nursery this week.  This is the last week on the month, next week brings a full grocery envelope, but this week, we're making do with what we have for the most part.  Here's what's on the menu...

Breakfasts: Cream of Wheat or Oatmeal for Me, Pumpkin Struesel Bread for Joe (*new recipe)

Lunches: Leftovers, Quesadillas, or Sandwiches

Dinners:

Sunday - Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice

Monday - Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Garlic Bread

Tuesday - Ham and Cheese Omelets, Toast

Wednesday - Onion Gravy Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes

Thursday - Working at Joe's Grandfather's, so he'll probably treat us to Chili's for dinner

Friday - Butchering pick-up, Leftover Buffet

Saturday - Homemade Pizza

Extras: Chocolate Chip PB Oatmeal Cookies (*new recipe)

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 02/16-22/2014

This week I did something I almost never do, I went and did a second trip at CVS, and while I was there I did something I have only done twice in the six years I've been couponing, I returned an item when an ECB deal didn't work out.  So, note to self, keep it to one shopping trip a week when your preggo and don't get too stressed out over deals.  Luckily the young lady who helped me was wonderful, probably irratated, but wonderful.  Only one more week left this month, thank God, I'm ready for a full grocery envelope again!  Here's how this week went down...

• Sunday's ALDI Trip (no picture, just 2 spreadable cheese wedges, organic milk, eggs, mushrooms, crackers, and 2-3 lb bags yellow onions): $11.34 oop
• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $9.60 oop, Earned $16 ECB's
• Tuesday's Giant Trip: $18.09 oop
• Tuesday's Staples Trip (no picture, just 1 ream Staples multipurpose paper): Zero oop, used Christmas $, Earned $3.50 Easy Rebate
• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (no picture, 2 newspapers, and 1 pkg reusable containers to take food to family in): $3.18 oop
• Saturday's CVS Trip (no picture, 1 Eucerin Lotion, 1 Nivea Chapstick, 2-100 ct CVS Probiotics): $2.69 oop - $2.69 Cash Refund (since Nivea ECB did not print) = Zero OOP, Earned $10 ECB's from Eucerin deal, and $4.08 CVS Gift Card for the rest of the refund
• Earned $20.30 from Amazon  
• Earned $5 Amazon GC from Swagbucks

Total OOP: $42.21
Total Earned: $58.88
Total Remaining for February: $40.11

Linked to Couponaholic! 

Tuesday's Giant Trip

This week there wasn't really much that we needed at Giant, so I decided to restock the fridge with onion rings and french fries.  It's nice to have them on hand for when I don't feel like cooking.  That way I can have Joe grill hotdogs or hamburgers, and I can just throw some rings or fries in the oven, and we are in business.  We were also out of butter and flour, so they were the only needs I picked up this week.  Here's how it went down...

6 bags Alexia French Fries, Potato Puffs, Onion Rings $4.29 ea - $1.29 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 5 and $1.50/1 MC = 6/$11.50 + Earned $0.40/gallon for up to 30 gallons of gas!

2 tubs Land O Lakes Butter Spread with Olive Oil $2.19 ea - $0.19 ea Sale = 2/$4

1-5 lb bag Giant Unbleached Flour $2.69

- $0.10 Reusable Bag Credit

Total OOP: $32.81 - $14.72 Savings/Coupons = $18.09, Savings of 45%!!!

Tuesday's CVS Trip

The CVS deals this week were pretty scarce, but I did manage to roll my ECB's.  I am planning to go back Saturday and finish the Eucerin and Nivea deals.  Here's what I ended up with this week...

2 Colgate Total TP $3.79 ea - $0.79 ea Sale - $1/1 MC x 2 - $3 ECB wyb 2 = 2/$1

1 Cultrelle Probiotic $24.99 - $14.99 Sale - $2/1 MC - $10 ECB's = FREE + $2 Money-maker!

1 pkg CVS Size 1 Diapers $9.29 - $1.30 Sale - $3 ECB's = $4.99

1 Slim Jim $1

+ $0.61 Tax

- $4/$20 CVS Coupon 

- $8 ECB's used to Pay

Total OOP: $9.60, Earned $16 ECB's for next time!

Linked to Simply CVS!

ALDI Deals, Starting 02/19/2014

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

• Weds. 02/19 ONLY: Tyson Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs $1.49/lb
• Weds. 02/19 ONLY: Cattlemen's Ranch Fresh USDA Choice Beef Pot Roast Kit 2.75 lbs $7.99 ea
• Green Bell Peppers 2 pk $0.99 ea
• Mushrooms 8 oz $0.69 ea
• Roma Tomatoes 16 oz $1.39 ea
• Romaine 2 lb bag $0.59 ea
• Carrots 3 pk $1.19 ea
• Yellow Onion 3 lb bag $0.79 ea
• Carlini Extra Light Olive Oil 17 oz $2.99 ea
• Pure Olive Oil 16.9 oz $2.59 ea
• Priano Lasagne Sheets 9 oz $0.99 ea
• Priano Filled Italian Pasta Mushroom, Cheese, or Spinach and Cheese 8.8 oz $1.49 ea
• Priano Assorted Tortellini Spinach Ricotta, Mushroom, or 4 Cheese 8 oz $1.29 ea
• Priano Vodka Pasta Sauce 23.5 oz $1.79 ea
• Priano Arrabiata or Primivera Pasta Sauce 24 oz $1.49 ea
• Priano Alfredo Sauce Roasted Garlic, Light Creamy, or Sun-dried Tomato 15 oz $1.69 ea
• Priano Italian Style Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz $0.59 ea
• Priano Shredded Parmesan Cheese 5 oz $1.99 ea
• Simply Nature Yogurt Squeezies Assorted Varieties 4-3.5 oz pouches $3.69 ea
• Friendly Farms All Natural Rice Pudding 22 oz $1.99 ea
• Specially Selected Parmigiano Reggiano 7.05 oz $4.99 ea
• Belmont Gelato Tiramisu, Triple Chocolate, or Mixed Berries 30 oz $3.99 ea
• Kellogg's Pop-Tarts Cookies and Cream, Frosted Blueberry, or Unfrosted Strawberry 21.1-22 oz $2.79
• Kitchen Living Stainless Steel Colander 5 Qt Red or Brushed $3.99 ea
• Kitchen Living Stainless Steel Rotary Cheese Grater $6.99 ea
• Kitchen Living 11" Cook, Fry, and Serve Pan $16.99 ea
• 10" Tropical Plant $9.99 ea

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

Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday: Orange Chicken

Chinese is one of our favorite types of take-out, but when you start learning about what's in the food you eat, you begin to realize that most Chinese take-out has bad things in it, like MSG.  So I decided to try and create our absolute favorite at home.  I had great luck with egg rolls, so why not orange chicken too?!  This recipe has a long ingredient list, but it is all things that we keep in the house on a regular basis, so I was cool with that.  This recipe is perfect for 2 with a little bit leftover, so if you are feeding a crowd, you'll need to double or triple accordingly.  This recipe comes together very quickly, and is super tasty! 

Sauce*:

1/2 c OJ

12 tbsp Brown Sugar

4 tbsp Sugar

4 tbsp Soy Sauce (which is about 8 take-out packets)

6 tbsp White Vinegar

1 tsp Onion Powder

1/2 tsp Worchestershire Sauce

2 tsp Ginger Powder

4 tbsp Water

2 tbsp Cornstarch

Chicken:

2-3 Chicken Breasts, cut into small chunks

1-2 Eggs, beaten

Salt and Pepper

Paprika, a couple shakes

1 c Flour

Olive Oil

Cooked Rice (We used Jasmine)

1.) Mix together the water and cornstarch and set aside.  Combine the remaining sauce ingredients in a sauce pan, and heat over medium high heat until it reaches a gentle boil.

2.) While the sauce is cooking, mix together, eggs, salt and pepper, and paprika in a shallow bowl.  Place the flour in another shallow bowl.  Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Dredge chicken pieces in egg, then flour, and then fry in oil until crispy brown.  Remove the done chicken pieces to a towel-lined plate to drain.

3.) When sauce is boiling, add the water/cornstarch mixture slowly, while stirring.  Boil this mixture to your desired consistency, and then remove from heat.  Watch it carefully, because it takes no time at all to thicken.

4.) Serve chicken and sauce over rice.  Refrigerate any leftovers.

*You can add red pepper flakes to the sauce as well if you like things a little spicy.  We added about 1/8 tsp, and it was just right for us.  You can also sprinkle them on top of your personal serving, if you are the only heat-lover in your household. 

Linked to One Project at a Time, the Super Saturday Link Party, Homemade Mondays, the Homestead Barn Hop. and Thrifty Thursday!

Menu Plan Monday: 02/17/2014

This week we got to have dinner with family to celebrate two birthdays, and I didn't even have to cook it!  I just brought a cake!  Then we have the usual cleaning, running of errands, trip to Joe's grandfather's house, working in the nursery, and hopefully NOT getting trapped in by snow.  I LOVE snow, don't get me wrong, but the quantity is getting a little large here in the mid-Atlantic.  We're starting to run out of places to shove it.  I planned a simple menu this week so I will have plenty of time to list stuff on amazon, and work in the nursery, only one more corner to go!  Here's what's on the menu for this week...

Breakfasts: Oatmeal for Me, Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread for Joe (*new recipe)

Lunches: Grilled Cheese or PB and J Sandwiches, Leftovers

Dinners:

Sunday - Birthday dinner, my niece made Chicken Ring and BBQ Sandwiches, plus a few other things, and I brought one of the two cakes we had.  Very yummy!

Monday - Baked Fish Sticks and French Fries

Tuesday - Homemade Waffles and Creamed Chipped Beef Gravy

Wednesday - Mushroom Mozzarella Chicken (*new recipe), Rice Pilaf, Steamed Vegetable

Thursday - Working at Joe's grandfather's house, so he'll probably take us to Chili's as usual.

Friday - Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Sweet Corn

Saturday - Homemade Pizza

Extras: Pudding Cookies (*new recipe)

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!