Menu Plan Monday: 03/03/2014

This week we are expecting more snow here in MD.  I just hope all the snow gets out of mother nature's system before the end of March so I don't have to worry about getting to the hospital in it if Baby Rogers decides to come early.  I did my baking yesterday, and I'm cleaning the house today, yeah!  But hopefully tomorrow the snow will be cleared enough we can run our errands for the week, and maybe make a stop at Goodwill!  I'm still looking for a dresser for the baby's room.  I kept the menu rather simple this week, and probably will for the rest of the month, as I am going to try and join in on Ann Marie's 40 bags in 40 days challenge, and Crystal's 4 weeks to a more organized home challenge.  You know, because I'm 8 months pregnant and obviously crazy.  But what better way to get the house in tip-top shape for baby?  I think it will work out okay.  Anyway, onto the menu plan...

Breakfasts: Oatmeal for Me, Strawberry Bread for Joe

Lunches: Leftovers, Sandwiches, Soup

Dinners:

Sunday - Taco Soup (new recipe)

Monday - Crock-pot Lasagna, Garlic Bread

Tuesday - Leftovers

Wednesday - Onion Gravy Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes

Thursday - Working at Joe's Grandfather's house,. so we'll probably eat at Chili's with him

Friday - Homemade Pizza #1

Saturday - Homemade Pizza #2 (made with the leftover dough)

Extras: Butterscotch Chip Cookies

For more AWESOME menu plans, visit Org Junkie!

Review: Tone Petal Soft Body Wash

 

Nothing feels as good as a nice, long, warm shower when you are 8 months pregnant and it's snowing outside, again.  However, that shower can be made even better with a nice body wash.  Every girl likes to smell pretty, and Tone's Petal Soft Body Wash smells.  It is a floral smell, so if you are more into citrus, try their Fruit Peel body wash instead.  The scent is strong in the bottle, but after your shower, it only leaves a light scent on your skin, just enough to smell and feel pretty, but not knock your significant other out.  It also lathers really nicely, which I feel is very important in regards to body wash.  It also rinses nicely without leaving a residue feeling on your skin.  The pink peony and rose oil with vitamin E leave your skin feeling smooth and soft, always a nice bonus.
So, if you are in the market for some nice body wash, give Tone's Petal Soft Body Wash a try!

I am a BzzAgent, and received this body wash to try, however, all opinions expressed are my own.

February Goals Update

Another good month with lots of progress made.  Some of my goals won't get crossed off until December, but that's okay, I really want to work on perfecting those.  Here's how February went down...

Household:

1. Prepare a Nursery!  (this will probably have several update posts along the way) - Joe and I made a LOT of progress in the nursery in January, and the beginning of February, and then that nesting energy went right out the window.  We are still on the search for a dresser, which was the next step in the room.  I think I'm going to have to skip over that for now and move onto the last corner of the room, and hopefully a dresser will come to be before Baby Rogers does.  I'm hoping to share a progress post with all of you this week.
2. Do a Deep-Spring, and Deep-Fall Clean in March and November.  As well as keep up with my weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly cleaning chores. - Not there yet.

Family:

1. Give birth to baby Rogers, and be the best mom I can be! - Not there yet.
2. Try every day to be a loving wife.  Some days this is harder than others. :) - I continued to bake sweet treats every week to keep the hubby happy, and it worked.  I also planned several meals based on his requests, which really seemed to perk him up.  He has been amazing with me throughout this pregnancy, and I really am trying to be just as amazing back.  I think I'm making progress, but it can be hard some days when your hormones are all whacked out, and your hurting and uncomfortable.  But I think he can see that I really am making an effort, and that's what really matters to him :)
3. Take a trip to Maine in June with the hubby, and the baby. - Not there yet.
4. Get together with family at least once a month.  (probably for dinner) - We got together with my family on the 16th for dinner to celebrate the two birthdays for the month.  My niece planned and cooked the whole meal, as well as 1 of the cakes (I brought the other).  She is turning into such an amazing young woman, and quite the planner.

Blogging:

1. Have 2 Freezer/Pantry Challenges (January and July), post updates on the blog, and defrost the chest freezer - One down, one to go!
2. Post my Menu Plan, Aldi Deals, and Weekly Spending Report every week, along with at least 1 other post per week.  This may be an update, a reveal, a recipe, a shopping trip, or a frugal find. - I did really good with this one.  I did my regular posts every week, plus I posted a Tempt Your Tummy Tuesday recipe post every week, and posted several shopping trips throughout the month. 
3. Plan and execute a 31 days post for October. - Not there yet.

Health:

1. Lose at least 20 lbs (I did accomplish losing 20 lbs in 2013 as well, so it seems doable) - Not even starting this until after the baby is born in April
2. Drink plenty of water, eat healthy, and do exercise of some kind everyday. - I drank plenty of water, ate a LOT of veggies, and fruit, and did my hip physical therapy exercises everyday.

Financial:

1. Do at least 6 Flea Markets throughout the year, and list at least monthly on Amazon. - We did our first flea market of the year on the 1st, and did okay.  I also did quite a large listing of items on Amazon, which we have already sold quite a few of, next up, CD's.
2. Earn Swagbucks everyday by completing the daily poll, toolbar log-in, and NOSO offers daily. - did this every day, plus started using the SBTV, and the offers on the homepage to earn additional Swagbucks.  I earned 4 - $5 Amazon Gift Cards.
3. Set a monthly budget, and coupon and deal shop as needed to stay within our budget. - I did a great job this month, and I blogged about it here. It was nice to only have 4 weeks, and $200.  We worked on eating from the pantry on some things so that I could stock-up on others.  I also cashed in our coin jar at the end of the month, so that added about $45 to the grocery envelope.  That will enable us to do even more stocking up in March before the baby comes.
4. Pay off my credit card by June, and start putting extra onto Joe's credit card every month.  We won't have his paid off this year, but we'll be on the right track to have it paid off within the next year or two.  :) - Still working on this.

Hobby-Related:

1. Catch up my scrapbook.  I'm only about 8 years behind, but I think once I get rolling on it, I should be able to push through and get it done by the end of the year. ;) I also want to start one for the baby, and work on it monthly. - Haven't started this one yet, and probably won't until we get the nursery finished, first thing's first.
2. Try something new at least twice a month and blog about it.  I have a LOT of new recipes and crafts I want to try, and this is the year! - February I tried lots of new recipes, and blogged about them here, here, here, and here.

 Linked to Money Saving Mom!

February Budget Update

This month our budget went back up to $200, which feels like a million after doing a pantry challenge.  And the month only had 4 weeks which made it nice too.  We continued to work on eating certain things down from our freezers and pantries, and that enabled me to restock/stock up on other things.  We also earned some money from the flea market we did on the first, I did a large listing on Amazon, and I worked really hard every week to earn those Swag Buck gift cards.  Here's how we ended up this month...

Week #1: $65.53 OOP, Earned $5 Target GC, $13 ECB's, $6.75 from Amazon, and $5 Amazon GC from Swagbucks

Week #2: $52.15 OOP, Earned $18 ECB's, $6 MIR, and $5 Amazon GC from Swagbucks

Week #3: $42.21 OOP, Earned $26 ECB's, $3.50 Staples Rebate, $5 Amazon GC from Swagbucks, $4.08 CVS Gift Card, and $20.30 from Amazon

Week #4: $34.69 OOP (does not include Sat. March 1st), Earned $11 ECB's, $2.50 MIR, $5 Amazon GC from Swagbucks, $43.74 Cash (from coin jar), and $24.46 from Amazon

Grand Total OOP for February: $194.58
Total Earned: $204.33 (Includes cash added to grocery envelope from coin jar)
Total Remaining (and added to March's Budget): $49.16

Weekly Spending Report: 02/23-03/01/2014

This week Joe and I changed in our coin jar to add some extra cash into the grocery envelope.  Now I just need a sale on ground beef.  I did do a little stocking for the freezer this week.  After the baby's born Joe will need to do some fending for himself, so Mama Celeste Pizzas and fish sticks it is.  They aren't the healthiest menu items, but still healthier and cheaper than take-out.  CVS didn't have many ECB deals this week, but I still managed to roll my ECB's and get some needed sale items, like bottled water and tissues.  Anyway, here's how the week went down... 

• Tuesday's Walgreen's Trip (no picture, just 1 dozen Eggs): $1.29 oop
• Tuesday's Petco Trip (no picture, just 2 cans Cat Food, used 2 coupons): $1.06 oop
• Tuesday's CVS Trip: $0.30 oop, Earned $11 ECB's and $2.50 MIR
• Tuesday's Giant Trip: $30.74 oop
• Wednesday's Baugher's Trip (no picture, just Bananas): $1.30 oop
• Earned $43.74 from cashing in coins, and added it to the grocery envelope
• Earned $24.46 from Amazon 
• Earned $5 Amazon GC from Swagbucks

Total OOP: $34.69
Total Earned: $86.70
Total Remaining: $49.16 (includes money from change jar)
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March:

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip (no picture, just 2 newspapers): $2.12 oop
• Saturday's ALDI Trip: $17.44 oop 

Total OOP: $19.56
Total Earned: Zero
Total Remaining: $229.60

Linked to Couponaholic!

Tuesday's Gaint Trip - Stocking the Freezer for Post-delivery

This week Joe and I cashed in our coin jar.  I added this money to the grocery envelope, in hopes of a ground beef sale, which there wasn't one.  Maybe next week, but I was able to stock up the freezer with some quick meals that Joe won't mind making for himself after the baby comes.  Mama Celeste pizzas and fish sticks/patties aren't the most healthiest options out there, but they are cheaper and healthier than most take-out.  I also picked up a few other deals while we were there, including PB Captain Crunch cereal, my latest pregnancy craving, but I suppose that could be worse too, at least I'm not craving brownie sundaes or something totally fattening like that.  Anyway, here's our deals...

20 Mama Celeste Pizzas $1.25 ea - $0.25 ea Sale - $10 off instantly when you spend $20 = 20/$10!

2 boxes Mrs Paul's Fish Sticks/Patties $5.99 ea - BOGO Free Sale $5.99 - $1/1 MC = 2/$4.99

2 boxes Eggo Waffles $2.79 ea - $1.29 ea Sale - $0.75/1 MC doubled to $1.50 x 2 = 2 FREE!

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

2 pkgs Giant Butter Sticks $3.89 ea - $1.89 ea Sale = 2/$4

4 boxes PB Captain Crunch Cereal $3.39 ea - $0.89 ea Sale - $0.75/2 MC doubled to $1.50 x 2 = 4/$7

5 pouches Texas Toast Croutons $1.59 ea - $0.34 ea Sale - $0.50/1 MC doubled to $1 x 4 and $0.75/1 MC doubled to $1.50 = 5/$0.75

Total OOP: $76.23 - $45.49 Savings/Coupons = $30.74, Savings of 57%!!!

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!