Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Coupons and Coffee



Seems like the posts are coming later each morning. I went for my 3 mile walk again this morning. It was HOT and humid! But it felt good to be out and exercising. Think I may start stashing my coupon savings away for a bike!


Hubby left about an hour ago with the oldest to get teeth pulled and start the process of getting braces. She was so nervous and I don't blame her.  So keep her in your prayers for nerves and the pain afterwards.


Here is today's round up. Thanks to Hip2Save, Money Saving Mom, Confessions of a Homeschooler, Jessica's Coupons


**Don't forget it's the last day of the month! Print those coupons before they reset tomorrow!
Coupons
$1/1 Earthbound Farms-take survey to print coupon
$1/1 Scotch Brand Scissors
$.50/1 Old Orchard juice
$.75/3 Gerber Little Graduates meals
$1/3 Beech Nut baby food
$2/16 Beech Nut baby food
$2/2 Tazo Tea
$.55/1 GUM Go betweens soft picks


Freebies
Puppy preschool printable pack
FREE Ba'Noodle Buddy Buddy
Eucerin Sample-Facebook
AT&T Cellphone users-  text YES to 11113020  to possible earn 1,000 free rollover minutes. They did a promotion similar to this back in February.
Alphabet Coloring Pages
Rachel Ray Dog Food Sample
Home and Life Management files


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Crockpot Creole Daube

I LOVE to cook! Cooking in any form is one of my favorite past times. I am always trying out new recipes I find online or in cookbooks(you should see my collection) or come up with on my own. Testing them on my family and unsuspecting guests! (I know, how nice of me right!?)  There have been major flops and failures like the instant oatmeal muffins a few weeks ago (yuck!).  Then there are the ones that you hit out of the park that go on to the regular rotation of meals. Creole Daube is one of those recipes. 

I've heard of Daube before. According to Deep South Dish daube was a staple in the Point Cadet area here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast but has waned in popularity over the last generation or so. I did a little research on Daube, a French term, with the recipe (or something similar) being brought to this area by French settlers in the 1700's when Mississippi was part of the Louisiana Territory.

I also enjoy trying out foods that are indigenous to the area. I have a dislike of chain restaurants(thanks to the hubby), where no matter what city I'm in the dishes from restaurants like Applebee's will always taste the same. Over the last 10 years it was the hubby's influence that changed my opinion of chain restaurants and encouraged me to look locally for the mom & pop places that will serve food you can find no where else.


So with all that said, when I found the recipe on Deep South Dish I had to try it! Now, I'm not one to follow recipes exactly as written. Isn't that considered a mark of a true chef? I sure hope so! Otherwise I'm just screwing these recipes up. Below you will find MY recipe for Crockpot Creole Daube. If you would like to see the recipe it's based on check out Deep South Dish.




Creole Daube
-will feed a family of 6 easily! We ate half and I froze the rest.

1- small/medium roast (a cheap cut is fine)
1 large onions, chunked
1 large green bell pepper, cut into stripes
2 T. minced garlic
1 large can whole tomatoes (I used San Marzano style), chop up as you pull them out.
1 small can of tomato sauce
1 pinch of sugar1 cup water

2 beef bullion cubes
Splash of Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste1/2 teaspoon Tony Cachere's 

You ready for the really difficult directions? I'm not sure you can handle this....................

Put EVERYTHING in the crockpot at the same time and cook on low for 6 hours or until the roast is falling apart. Pull out the roast and shred up. Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles, garlic bread and maybe a salad. 

Printable version

Tasty Tuesday: Lemon Garlic Chicken and Sticky Coconut Chicken

We are a house of chicken eaters, so I love trying new flavors and ways to cook up chicken. I saw this recipe a few weeks ago on Money Saving Mom and knew I had to try it. While checking out the recipe I found another recipe that looked yummy, Sticky Coconut Chicken.


My plan was to grill about 6 chicken breasts in the lemon/garlic marinade, but decided I would divide it between the two and same some for later.


Lemon Garlic Chicken- from Mel's Kitchen






Juice of 1 lemon, approximately 3 tablespoons
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic, about 2 medium cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound chicken breasts 
Combine all marinade ingredients. Place chicken in a ziploc bag and pour marinade over chicken. Seal bag and place in fridge overnight. Grill (or cook in frying pan). Serve with sides of your choice or cut into bite sized pieces and add to desired recipe (I’ll be sharing a few with you soon). Note: If you cut your chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces and then marinate it, you can get away with only letting it marinate for 5 or 6 hours instead of overnight.
Serving with roasted parmesan red potatoes and green beans.

Sticky Coconut Chicken-original recipe from Mel's Kitchen. I changed my version just slightly based on what I had on hand.
3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup canned coconut milk
1 Tbsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1/2 tsp. roasted red chili paste

Mix all ingredients together and marinate chicken for at least 1 hour or longer. Grill on barbecue.
Glaze:
3/4 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
pinch roasted red chili paste
While the chicken is grilling, bring above ingredients to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until mixture is reduced and thickened, about 8-10 minutes. Be patient because it takes a little while. But once it starts getting really thick, immediately take it off the heat! Glaze both sides of chicken the last few minutes of grilling and serve chicken over rice.
Serving with stir fry noodles and veggies. 

Coupons and Coffee



Mornin! I'm dragging this morning for some reason and just can't seem to get motivated. Maybe a shower and actually get out of my pj's will do the trick!


Don't forget it's the end of the month. New coupons will reset on sites like coupons.com, smartsource.com and redplum.com. So make sure to print any of them you want NOW before they are gone!


Here is today's round up. Thanks to Money Saving Mom, Hip2Save, Deal Seeking Mom, 


Coupons
BOGO Smoothie King Lean Smoothie
$1/2 any Apple & Eve 64oz. Bottle and/or 8-pack juice boxes (fill out form)
$2/1 Cetaphil Product (excludes cleansing bar and travel size) – “like” on Facebook
$0.55/1 Fruitables 8-pack juice boxes or 64oz. bottle (fill out form)
$1/1 Cinnabon Cream of Wheat (“like” on Facebook)
$0.50/1  Murray’s Chicken Products


All You Magazine - FREE 1 yr. subscription!
FREE Chick Fil A Breakfast- still PLENTY of openings locally!
$5 Movie Credit @ Amazon- must have a twitter account

Monday, August 29, 2011

Menu Monday

Here is this week's menu. Believe it or not I finished this on Saturday AND went shopping for my needs list! That's what happens when you don't have a coupon class to teach!

Monday
Breakfast- donuts (we were out EARLY this morning and I thought I would give them a treat!)
Lunch- grilled cheese, fruit snacks, milk
Dinner- Lemon Garlic Grilled chicken, breadsticks, broccoli, fruit

Tuesday
Breakfast-cereal

Lunch- pb&j, bananas
Dinner- Meatballs & gravy over rice, green beans, breadsticks, fruit salad

Wednesday
Breakfast-toast & fruit
Lunch- ham & cheese roll ups
Dinner- Grilled Mardi Gras Pizza

Thursday
Breakfast- Smoothies
Lunch- mini pizzas
Dinner- Spaghetti, garlic bread, salad

Friday
Breakfast-muffins and fruit
Lunch- cheese quesadilla
Dinner-Hoppin' John, garlic bread

Saturday
Breakfast- cereal
Lunch- ham sandwich
Dinner-USM Tailgating party (we'll be bringing drinks, and something else yet to be determined)

Sunday
Breakfast- cereal or muffins
Lunch- any leftovers from the week
Dinner- Eating Out- My sister, Paula is competing  (one of only 7 chosen) in the Texaco Country Music Showdown in Biloxi!


Coupons and Coffee



Mornin! Getting this up a little later than normal today. I went for almost a 3 milk walk early this morning and then had to take my sister to work. We stopped and got a special treat, which the kids are enjoying right this minute..Krispy Kreme!!


**National Consumer Panel is accepting new members again! Hurry! Rumor has it they're paying $30 for new members!**


Here is today's round up! Thanks to Hip2Save, Money Saving Mom, Jessica's Coupons, Raining Hot Coupons!


Coupons
$1/1 Coffeemate Bliss-Facebook
BOGO Metromint water
$1/1 Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder
$1/1 Johnson& Johnson baby soap
$1/1 Skintimate Shaving Cream


Freebies
Chick Fil A Breakfast- 1 request per email *site is down right now but I'm sure it will be back up shortly
Poise Hourglass sample kit
We're Going on a bear hunt preschool pack
Target Beauty Bag-samples and usually coupons

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Another Week of Deals: Drug Stores, Target and Kroger


Didn't have time to get this up this morning, so here it is now! Some great deals to grab! If you see a great deal let me know so I can list it for everyone else!


Target- Thanks Totally Target!
**Beauty Bag & Freebies here. Usually includes coupons!
FREE $10 Gift Card wyb HP multipack or Photo Value-Pack Ink (varying prices around $30)


Kroger-Thanks I Heart Kroger!


Walgreens-Thanks Wild For Wags!
Nabisco Crackers 6-16 oz. 2/$5
-$1/1 Ritz Munchables
-$.75/1 coupon  8/7 SS 
-$1/2 Nabisco Crackers Walgreens September Book



CVS-Thanks Hip2Save!
Milk $3.19 Gallon
Oral-B superfloss 50 ct, ultrafloss, satin floss 55 yards, or satin tape 27 yards $1.99 = $1 Ecb (limit 2)
-$.75/1 coupon 7/31 P&G 
Get back $1 Ecb

Sobe lifewater 20 oz Buy 1 get 1 Free $1.59
-B2G1 coupon here (no longer available check your binders)

(Buy 6 only pay for 2 so you are getting 4 free!)

Skippy peanut butter 15-16.3 oz 3/$5-$.75/1 coupon  7/31 RP 


Premium Multipack Gum $2.99
-$1/1 coupon 7/31 SSGet a $1 +Up Reward (limit 2)
Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power or Manual Razor $9.99
-$4/1 coupon 7/31 PG 
Get a $4 +Up Reward (limit 2)

Saturday, August 27, 2011

How Much Did I Save Today? CVS, Winn Dixie and Rouses


It's rare that I do not have a coupon class to teach on a Saturday. This week it just so happened we had a Marriage Conference at church all weekend. I took advantage of this rare day off to do some of my shopping. I had my 2 yr. old in tow and she was GREAT! Saying hello to everyone that passed by. I think I spent more time talking to strangers commenting on how cute she was, than I spent looking for deals.

First stop, CVS. Usually the next week's sale is in the computer on Saturday afternoons but apparently they were running behind or lying to keep from selling stuff today. No big deal, I go to church in the same parking lot so I'll just swing in tomorrow morning.

We are starting intense potty training next week and I think I'll need bribes, so the Skittles are for Allyson and the Starbursts are going into care packages that the kids in our church home group will be putting together tomorrow.

2-Dole Fruit Bowls $1.67 ea.
-$1/2 (not sure where I got it!)
1-Starburst and Skittles $3 ea
-(2)$1/1 Skittles, Starburst or Life Savers
-BOGO CVS coupon from coupon machine
Total OOP: $2.05

Now on to Winn Dixie. Remember to hand over your coupons first BEFORE your rewards card. I ran into a great deal on organic chicken andouille sausage and couldn't pass it up! We've had it before and thought it was pretty good, plus andouille was on my list! The WD coupons listed were on the products I bought today.


1-WD Pina Colada Creme Cake $5.99
-$3/1 WD coupon
1-Dole Salad kit $2.50
-$1.25/1 Dole Salad kit tear pad
2-Hormel Naturals lunch meat $3.99 BOGO
-$.50/1 peelie
2-Armour Meatballs $9.98 *Meal Deal*
+FREE Cole's Garlic Bread
+FREE Prego pasta sauce
+FREE Ronzoni Spaghetti
1- Turkey Bacon $2.50
4- Prairie Grove Farms chicken andouille sausage $5.99 BOGO
-(4) $2/1 WD coupons
1-Dannon Oikos Greek yogurt $1.25
-FREE coupon from last week on Facebook
2-WD Cream Cheese $1.25
1-WD 18 ct. large eggs $1.99
2-WD long grain rice $2.19 BOGO
2-Welch's Essential Juice $3.29 (not pictured)
-$2/2 hang tag (found today at WD)
Total OOP: $38.29


Last stop, Rouses. They had ground chuck for $1.89 lb and 3lb bags of onions for $1.99. Both really good prices, plus a few others deals I wanted to take advantage of before the end of the sale. We are not coke drinkers (for those outside of the South, we don't drink pop or soda). I always found it funny how down here when some one asks "what do you want to drink?" your response is "a coke" and the follow up question  is "what kind?". My experience living up north was everyone called "cokes" soda or pop. I tend to still use soda from time to time. Anyone, point of the story is, we have our church home group meeting tomorrow and we'll be tailgating next Saturday, so I thought since it was a good deal I'd grab some cokes....errr sprite!

1-Yellow Onions 3 lb. bag $1.99
1-Country Crock $2.50
-$.50/1 printable (no longer available check your binders)
2-Cheez It's $1.99 ea.
*Planned to use $1/2 printable here but, just  word of warning it would not scan nor would the computer take it manually. I WILL be sending an email to snackpicks/sunshine/keebler
2- Sprite 12 pks $3 ea. (not pictured)
-(2)$1.50/1 Sprite wyb one Cheez Its Happy New School Year booklet
2-Torpicana Orange Juice $2.77
-(2)$1/1 printables (no longer available check your binders)
1-Gordo Mild Jalapeno Dip $4.97 (for our church meeting tomorrow night)
2-Pillsbury crescent rolls $2.12
-$.40/2 GM 8/7
1-Thin Pork chops $4.84
2- Ground Chuck $9.30
Total OOP: $40.78

Friday, August 26, 2011

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Coupons and Coffee



Mornin! Running a little late this morning. I had my friend Teri over this morning for coffee and some commissary shopping talk. It was nice to sit and visit before a full day of homeschooling and blogging began. 


Here is today's round up. Thanks to Hip2Save, Money Saving Mom


Coupons
$.55/1 Sara Lee Iron Kids bread
$.75/1 Chex Muddy Buddies
$.50/1 Starkist Tuna pouch
$1.50/1 Auquafresh training toothpaste


Freebies
Tena sample
FREE Redbox code for TODAY ONLY!-Facebook
Olay ProX samples
Escada Perfume sample
When I Grow Up I Want To Be Unit Studies- use code FBWANNABE to get for FREE!



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Another Week of Deals: Grocery Stores


Here is this week's grocery store ad match ups. Like always I list the best deals I see, but you can click on the name of the store to see the full match up. Happy Shopping!

**Here are the links. I'll finish listing My Best Deals after lunch**

Rouses
Whole Chicken $.69 lb
Ground Chuck $1.89 lb
Cheez It Crackers $1.99
-$1.50 wyb cheez it and Sprite 12 pk Happy New School year booklet
-$.70/1 Cheez It Colby flavor printable (no longer available check your binders)
Wholly Guacamole Salsa $2
-$1.50/1 printable (for new registers only)
-$1.50/1 Facebook printable no everyone is able to view this for some reason

Winn Dixie- Thanks Winn Dixie on A Dime
WD Large 18 ct. eggs $1.99

Publix-Thanks I Heart Publix!

Coupons and Coffee



Mornin'! It's humpday! Half to the weekend! We ave a marriage conference at church to attend on Friday and Saturday (which is free to the public so if you are interested let me know!) and then our community group meets on Sunday evening. It's going to be very excited, thankful worship this weekend at Mosaic. Our Pastor and his wife are adopting a baby boy born on Monday and will be home with him by then. 


So ya'll know I love my soapboxes, so here's another one for you! I really HATE sites that say get ______ free but then require you to download a tool bar, etc. I've not been on the shop at home website until today and I won't be back either! Don't make me download something I don't want that's not how I roll :)


Here is today's round up! Thanks to Katy Couponers, Hip2Save, Money Saving Mom, and Living Rich With Coupons


Coupons
$1/2 Kraft Cheese with a Touch of Philly-Facebook said it printed but nothing came out :(
$2/1 Bic Mark It pens- Facebook
$1/1 Batter Blaster Pancake mix- This is a PDF coupon from the manufacturer website.
$1/1 Dentek Floss Pick
$1/1 Crunchmaster Crackers - Gluten Free!
$.50/1 Breyer's Blast Ice Cream
$2/1 Benefiber product
$3/1 Benefiber Sticks
$1/1.50 Newman's Own One Skillet Meal


Freebies
Chick-Fil-A 4 Breakfast- reserve your FREE breakfast online on Monday, Aug. 29th
RV Cooking Cookbook (Gooseberry Patch Classics)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

How Much Did I Save Today? CVS and Target



Ran out this morning to take Molly to her first orthodontist appointment and had no choice but to go get diapers...and darn it just realized I forgot to grab butter again!..........anyway I figured why not go on to Target since I had to go to d'Iberville to retrieve my binder from hubby's car anyway. So, mid-day south Mississippi with two kids and a car with no a/c, we headed to some shopping!  I normally try NOT to do running in the daytime, the car with no a/c is our back up car for "emergencies" like running out of diapers or 9 am dental appointments.


I tell you all of this to let you know, you CAN shop with kids in tow and get good deals!


**No pictures! Sorry! I can't find my camera cable...wonder where Allyson hauled it off to?**


Here is what I grabbed at Target:


Transaction #1:
2-Pedigree 20 lb. dog food $12.99
-$2/1 manufacturer coupon from Publix 
-$1/1 printable manufacturer coupon
Total OOP:$22.98
Get $5 GC wyb 2 select Pedigree products


Transaction #2:
2-Huggies Slip On Diapers $19.49**These had NO tag saying they were included, but are pictured in the ad.
-(2) $2/1 Target Coupons printable here
-(2)$3/1 Huggies Little Movers/ Slip Ons SS 8/14
Total OOP:$28.98
Get $5 GC wyb 2 select Huggies diapers
** $.24 per diaper after coupons and GC which is cheaper than lowest price available on Amazon right now**


Transaction #3
1-Clif Kid Zbar $3.14
2-Kraft Cheese slices $2.99
-$1/2 Target coupon (no longer available check your binders)
1-Pepperidge Farm Whole Wheat All Natural bread $3.19
-FREE wyb two select sandwich fixings (kraft cheese slices) * This is not the bread advertised, Target in d'Iberville does not carry the type in the ad.
4- Nabisco cookie Snack Sacks 2/$3
-B3G1 Free Target coupon (no longer available check your binders)
1-Lipton Tea family size bags $2.29
-$.40/1 RP 7/31
1-Paper Mate pens $1.02
-$1/1 Paper Mate writing utensil Target Q (reset!)
1-Scotch Magic Tape $1
-$.50/1 Scotch magic tape Target Q (reset!)
-(2) $5 GC from first two transactions
Total OOP: $5.03


When I ran into CVS I picked up an extra child, my nephew Tyler.


Here is what I grabbed at CVS:


Transaction #1:
1-Schick Razor refills $8.49
-$3/1 Schick Razor refills (from emailing complaint to company)
Total OOP: $5.49
Get back $5 ECB


Transaction #2:
1-Revlon Lipstick $6.99
-$1/1 SS 8/14
-$5 Schick ECB
Total OOP: $.99
Get back $5 ECB


Transaction #3
1-Colgate Optic White toothpaste $2.99
1-Colgate Optic White toothbrush $2.99
-$5 Revlon ECB
Total OOP: $.98
Get back two $2 ECB (prints as one $4 ECB since I purchased together)


Transaction #4:
1- Huggies Slip On Diapers $11.49
-$3 CVS Coupon Machine coupon
-$3/1 Huggies Slip Ons SS 8/14
-$4 Colgate ECB
Total OOP: $1.49

Tasty Tuesday: Crescent City Pot Roast



So, I'm a southern girl and as any good southern girl knows one of two things must be cooked for Sunday dinner: pot roast or fried chicken. I haven't fried chicken in close to 10 years. Oh not because I don't like it, but because it doesn't like me (and it would offend my friend Ricardo the Rooster who lives in Downtown Ocean Springs). However, the one thing I have cooked many, many times over the past several years is the Pot Roast from Robert St. John's cookbook, Deep South Staples or how to survive in a southern kitchen without a can of cream of chicken soup. Just typing this my mouth is watering. So glad I'm making this for dinner tonight!

Pot Roast
2 1/2-3 lb beef shoulder roast
1 T Kosher salt
2 tsp. black pepper
1 T. steak seasoning (I use Montreal steak seasoning)
1/4 c. Bacon grease or canola oil
1/2 c. flour
2 cups onion, diced, plus 1 large onion cut into wedges
1/4 tsp. thyme
3 c. beef broth, hot
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
3 carrots, peeled and cut into quarters
2 large Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Season the beef with kosher salt, pepper, and steak seasoning. In a large heavy-duty skillet, heat the bacon grease over high heat. Brown roast on all sides and place in a roasting pan. Lower heat on the skillet and add olive oil and flour to make a peanut butter-colored roux. Add diced onions and thyme and continue to cook for 4-5 minutes. Add hot beef broth, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, and stir until smooth. Pour liquid into roasting pan with the pot roast. Cook 2 hours. Remove foil and add carrots. Return to oven and cook uncovered for another hour. Remove, add potatoes, and cook for 1 more hour.

Serves 8