Spring continues to blossom - AH-Choo!

Allergies! I hate them. It makes me feel like a prisoner in my house. I take medicine, but still get a nagging asthma like cough. I guess it is time for inhaled steroids again. I try to avoid unnecessary medication, but this is becoming needed.

I am going back to eating Zone favorable. A diet that is balanced between carbohydrates, protein, and fats. This diet can reduce inflammation in the body. It is a healthy way to eat for the whole family. I am going to start by only bringing appropriate foods in the house and go from there.

Lucky spent $15.68, saved $19.18 (55%)
Vegetables:
2 Pacific Coast selections salad kits (spring mix, and spinach) (2 for $5)
2 lbs of tomatoes (97 cents a lb)
10 avocados (47 cents each)

Baked goods:
2 Earthgrain bread

Safeway spent $43.87, saved $39.10 (47%)
Meat:
2 packs of Foster Farms lead ground turkey ($2.99 each)

Dairy:
2 Lucerne 18 ct. large eggs (buy 1, get 1 free)
3 Lucerne string of stick cheese packs (2.99 each w/ coupon)

Vegetables/fruits:
4 lbs Green seedless grapes (98 cents a lb)
1 iceberg lettuce (48 cents each)
2/ 4 lb bags of navel oranges (2 for $5)
4 lbs pink lady apples (98 cents a lb)
1 big bunch of bananas

Other:
1 Clorox bleach ($1.69 w/ coupon)
3 Clorox disinfecting wipes ($1.99 each w/ coupon)

Raleys spent $40.56, saved $27.57 (40%)
Meat:
4 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breast ($1.87 a lb)

Vegetables/fruits:
5 artichokes (77 cents each)
1 bag of rainbow crunch peeled carrots ($1.99 a bag)
3 lb of zucchini ($1.29 a lb)
Organic celery (2 heads)

Nugget spent $22.31, saved $8.85
Meat:
2 Fresh to Market free range whole chicken (99 cents a lb)
1 Harris Ranch black angus lean ground beef ($3.99 a lb)

Dairy:
4 Whole Soy Yogurt (79 cents each)

Vegetables/fruits:
4 red grapefruits (2 for $1)
4 lbs gala apples (97 cents a lb)

I spent a total of $123, and saved $95. This isn't bad. However, I know Jeff will start to feel the lack of crunchy crackers and crap then he will be back to the store.

Monday (12th)
Roasted chicken, artichokes, pineapple slices
Tuesday (13th)
Chili, and grapes
Wednesday (14th)
Grilled chicken breast, roasted carrots and zucchini, and gala apples slices
Thursday (15th)
Italian meat sauce w/ sautéed zucchini (instead of pasta), steamed vegetables, and orange slices
Friday (16th)
Turkey burgers, SteamFresh veggies, and pink lady apple slices
Saturday (17th)
Barbecue chicken on grill, vegetables, and grilled apples w/ cinnamon
Sunday (18th) shopping day
Plan for that night

April showers bring May flowers

I am looking forward to April. My mood is starting to lift as the days sunnier. I have next week off and want to deep clean each room (maybe two a day until done starting on Sunday), plant a vegetable garden, and go do something out in nature. Those plans should take care of a week easily. I MUST have some structure this break and want to feel productive.

This week's shopping is largely uninspired. I saw no amazing deals on anything. However, I am proud of this devotion to feeding my family well at a reasonable price in this age of poor eating habits. Last week when the little girls ate artichokes with relish, I saw some of the fruits of my labor.

Lucky
Meat:
1 16 oz Organic Prairie ground beef ($4.99 each)
1 Master Cut hen turkeys ($7.99 each)

Dairy:
2 dozen eggs (coupon 59 cents)
4 Philadelphia cream cheese (4 for $5)

Cans/boxes:
1 Best Foods Mayonnaise ($1.98)
10 Lindsay olives (10 for $10)

Vegetables:
A bag of onions
2 lbs Green seedless grapes ($1.97 a lb)
2 lbs Euro Fresh hothouse tomatoes ($1.97 a lb)

Beverage:
2 Dole 100% juice blends (2 for $4)


Safeway
Meat:
1 leg quarter extreme value pack ($1.59 a lb)

Cans/boxes:
2 Mt. Olive pickles ( buy 1, get I free)

Vegetables/fruits
4 lbs of strawberries (2 for $3)
2 sliced white mushrooms (2 for $4)

Frozen:
4 Birds Eye Steamfresh (coupon $1.25 limit 4)

Beverage:
2 Folger’s coffee ($5.99)


Raleys
Meat
2 Johnsonville breakfast sausage (2 for $6)
6 lbs pork spareribs ($1.99 a lb)

Dairy:
Cans/boxes:
4 boxes of Progresso broth ($2.19 each)
1 McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract

Other:
3 Dr. Bronner Soap ($7.99 each)

Vegetables/fruits:
4 Del Monte Gold pineapple ($1.57 each)
1/ 3lb bag California Cuties ($3.99 a bag)

Frozen:
2 C&W vegetables (99 cents coupons)

Nugget

Other:
2 / 8 rolls of Brawny paper towels ($5.99 each)

Vegetables/fruits:
2 Organic Girl salad mixes (2 for $5)(spinach)
10 lbs yams (47 cents a lb)

Beverages:
2 Tropicana orange juice (2 for $4)


Sunday (4th)
Breakfast for dinner (leftover ham, sausage, toast, and fruit)

Monday (5th)
Barbecued chicken leg quarters

Tuesday (6th)
Roasted turkey

Wednesday (7th)
Dinner out as a family

Thursday (8th)
Ground beef, beans, and rice

Friday (9th)
Barbecue pork spare ribs

Saturday (10th)
Shopping day

Blossoms and bunnies right around the corner

I can't believe we are one week away from Easter and Spring break. I will begin canning again during my 10 days off. What to do, what to do, with all that time off. I think the dogs and kids need some outings. I think my menu needs to be quick and easy. What I find ironic is that people complain that they don't have time to cook, but with a little planning it seems faster than eating out. It definitely is much healthier.

Rebecca and Arianna are looking forward to Easter treats. JP is not aware of the bunny, but will enjoy the festivities as well.

Lucky spent $24.78 saved $24.82 (50%)

Cans/boxes
10 cans Progresso vegetable classic soups (99 cents each)

Vegetables:
1 bag of Grimmway Farms baby carrots (69 cents coupon limit 1)
2 cantaloupes (2 for $5)
2 bunches of radishes, 1 green onion, and 1 bunch of parsley (2 for $1)
2 bags Monterey mushrooms (2 for $5)

Safeway spent $87.76 saved $95.60 (53%)Also second trip for missing items spent $9.72 saved $5 (36%)(also Jeff grabbed a 12 lb ham for 97 cents a lb for Easter)
Meat:
5 lbs Rancher’s Reserve 7 bone chuck roast ($1.67 a lb)
2 Hebrew National beef franks (buy 1 get 1 free)

Dairy:
10 Lucerne yogurt (10 for $4)
1 dozen Lucerne large eggs (99 cents limit 1)

Cans/boxes
4 boxes of Celestial seasoning teas (2 for $4)
10 cans of Chef Boyardee pasta (75 cents each)
12 Hunt’s diced tomatoes (75 cents each) (6 diced and 6 pasta sauce)
1 Safeway mustard (75 cents)

Other:
3 cleaning products ($2.99 each) pledge, 2 Kaboom bathroom cleaners

Vegetables/fruits
3 lbs of broccoli crowns (87 cents a lb)

Beverages:
5- 12 packs of pepsi (buy 2, and get 3 free)
4 Minute Maid of Florida’s Natural orange juice ($1.99 each)

Raleys spent $44.25 saved $21.97 (33%)
Meat:
6 lbs pork country style strips ($1.47 a lb)

Dairy:
4/ 18 pack Raley’s large eggs ($2.69)

Cans/boxes
1/32 oz Kraft mayonnaise ($3.49)

Vegetables/fruits:
2 Cut ‘n Clean country greens (2 for $4)

Frozen
Beverages:
10 Blue Diamond Almond Breeze ($1.68)

Nugget spent $49.23 saved $36.05 (Jeff picked up wrong cheese so we overspent by $10- Oh well...)

Meat
2 lbs of Sweet pork sausage ($3.99 a lb)
Dairy:
4 Kraft singles (2 for $4)

Vegetables/fruits:
10 lbs Washington Organic pink lady apples (97 cents a lb)
4 lbs D’Anjou pears (77 cents a lb)
6 large Russet potatoes (37 cents a lb)
10 avocados (2 for $1)

We spent $215.74, saved 183.44.

Sunday (28th)
Italian pot roast, pasta, and country greens

Monday (29th)
Beans and rice (with pieces of leftover roast)

Tuesday (30th)
Roasted pork strips (save 2 strips for Thurs), vegetables, and cinnamon apple fries

Wednesday (31st)
Baked potatoes w/broccoli and cheese on top, sautéed mushrooms

Thursday (1st)
Pork fried rice w/ vegetables and pears (put greens in the rice)

Friday (2nd)
Barbecue sausages and hot dogs, macaroni salad

Saturday (3rd)
Shopping day

Spring has sprung

As the sun burns brighter in the sky, I find my energy and attitude improving. It is amazing how the sun brings life in so many ways. This week Rebecca gets her first dental appliance that will lead to braces (an expander). I don't know how this will impact my dramatic little gal. I hope not too bad.

I focused again on simplicity of meals as I want to get outside to plan my garden. I want to plant tomatoes, peppers, and squash. Wish me luck.

Lucky spent $13.66 saved $7.27 (35%)
Dairy
2 Sunnyside Farms large eggs (2 for $5)

Vegetables:
20 lbs of bananas (47 cents a lb)(I freeze bananas for fruit and veggie smoothies)

Safeway spent $49.24, saved $60.92 (56%)
Meat
1 pack of Foster Farms split chicken breast (99 cents a lb) (at least 4 pounds)

Dairy
4 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits (99 cents each with coupon)

Other
2 Safeway SELECT French bread (99 cents w/coupon)

Vegetables/fruits
4 lbs asparagus (86 cents a lb)
10 large hass avocados (2 for $1)
2 – 4 lb bags of navel oranges

Beverages
4 – 12 packs of pepsi products ($2.49 each)

Raleys spent $44.30, saved $23.18 (34%)
Meat
4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs ($1.99 a lb)

Dairy
10 Yoplait yogurt (10 for $5)

Cans/boxes
Blue Diamond almond breeze ($1.68 each)

Vegetables/fruits
6 lbs red pears (97 cents a lb)

Nugget spent $41.34. saved $36.38 (47%)
Meat
2 packs of Smart Chicken ground chicken ($2.99 each)

Cans/boxes
4 Nature Valley Roasted nut clusters (2 for $4)
2 California olive ranch extra virgin olive oil ($4.99)
2 Pacific Foods Organic broths (2 for $6) (both chicken broth)

Vegetables/fruits
4 large artichokes (97 cents each)
2 organic girl salad mixes (2 for $5)

Beverages
4 Dole orange juices (2 for $4)

We spent a total of $184.12 (total savings $132.71)(132.71/316.83=42% savings)

Spring time simple
Monday (22nd)
Left over chicken breasts into soup w/garlic bread, and bananas

Tuesday (23rd)
Chili w/ ground chicken w/ salad and fresh pears

Wednesday (24th)
Grilled marinated chicken thighs, asparagus, and rice

Thursday (25th)
Italian style chicken breasts in the crockpot, artichokes, and fresh pears

Friday (26th)
Spaghetti dinner (ground chicken), salad, and sliced oranges

Saturday (27th)
Grocery shopping day

Leprechauns and rainbows

Spring has sprung (or is threatening to anyway). This week I can look forward to trapping a real, life leprechaun with my class. Yes! We will set a trap and have that pot of gold. Our principal will be so happy with all the state budget cuts!

However, on the home front, my energy and joy of cooking is failing me right now. However, like the tides, this shift in energy is a common occurrence in my life. I do enjoy feeding these little people well. They do deserve to be cared for properly. My love for them knows no bounds, except for after a long day at work. (Just kidding!) I do want dinner time to be a pleasure as well. This week I want to focus on dinner music to improve the ambience. (lol)

Lucky spent $18.53 saved $9.50 (34%)

Cans/boxes:
4 cans of Chef Boyardee (4 for $5)

Vegetables:
8 lbs of navel oranges (4 lbs for $1)
2 Fresh Express spinach (2 for $3)

Safeway spent $51.43 saved $53.92 (51%)

Meat
5 lbs Safeway corned beef brisket ($1.59 a lb)

Dairy:
2 – 18 count of Lucerne large eggs (buy I, get 1 free)

Cans/boxes:
5 boxes of cereal ($2 and $1.50 if you buy 5 boxes saved $5)(1 honey nut cheerios and 4 boxes of Lucky Charms)
10 cans of Progresso Vegetable Classics (10 for $10)
10 cans Bush’s beans (10 for $10)

Vegetables/fruits:
2 - !lb sweet strawberries (2 for $3)

Beverages:
6 – 64 oz. Mott’s apple juice (99 cents each)

Raleys spent $22.25 saved $20.35 (47%)
Meat
6 lbs of split chicken breasts (99 cents a lb)

Cans/boxes:
2 boxes Good Earth tea (2 for $5) (1 chia and 1 flavored green tea)

Vegetables/fruits
1 green cabbage (19 cents a lb)
4 lbs organic Bartlett pears ($1.29 a lb)
Vegetables/fruits

Nugget spent $26.43 saved $12.94
Meat:
2 whole chickens (99 cents a lb)

Vegetables/fruits:
6 Gold Variety whole pineapples (2 for $4)

Beverages:
2 Dole juice blends ($1.99 each)

We spent a total of $121.13 and saved $96.21. (217.34 spent/$96.21=44% saved)

Monday (15th)
Barbecued chicken, steamed veggies, and fruit

Tuesday (16th)
Seasoned beans and rice, and steamed vegetables

Wednesday (17th)
Corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes

Thursday (18th)
Roasted chicken, steamed veggies, and pasta salad

Friday (19th)
Egg salad sandwiches, carrot sticks, and fruit salad

Saturday (20th)
Shopping day

March creeps in slowly

I did not shop for a week. We lived on extra food, and take out. I broke my own rule about eating out. I blame report cards. They are bane of my life three times a year. lol

I am supposed to be trying two new recipes for dinner a week right now. However, I am not motivated this week. However, I do want to my asparagus tomorrow. I stink at making asparagus, so maybe I should find a recipe for that.

Lucky spent $69.06 saved $59.38 (47%)

Meat:
16 oz pack of Royale sliced bacon ($2.99)
1 Foster Farms whole chicken (99 cents a lb)
1 whole turkey breast ($1.99 a lb)
2 /25 oz. deli st. Louis style BBQ ribs ($5.99 w/ coupon)

Dairy:
Pillsbury Grands (4 for $5)

Vegetables:
12 avocados (buy 1, get 2 free)
1 lb of red onions (69 cents a lb)
2 big bunches of bananas
5 lbs of asparagus (77 cents a lb)

Baked goods:
4 loaves Sunnyside farms bread (cracked wheat)
2 Alfaro’s sourdough rounds ($2.99 each)
2/ 6 ct. hoagie or Kaiser rolls ($1.99 each one each)


Safeway spent $102.31 saved $64.72 (39%)
Meat:
4 lbs Safeway boneless skinless chicken breast ($1.49 a lb)
2 Jennie-O turkey lean ground turkey (2 for $7)
2 New York style breakfast sausage links

Dairy:
10 Yoplait yogurts (10 for $5)
2 Precious string cheese ($1.99 each)
Kraft parmesan cheese ($3.99)

Cans/boxes:
4 boxes of Nabisco snack crackers ($1.99 each)

Other:
2 Safeway SELECT pudding ring cakes ($2.99 each)
4 Comet cleansers (89 cents w/ coupon)

Vegetables/fruits
5 lbs peaches or nectarines (99 cents a lb)
2/ 1 lb O Organics mini peeled carrots (2 for $4)
2 Eating Right salad kits (2 for $6)
1 O Organics baby spinach ($3.99 each)

Frozen:
6 Birds Eye steamfresh frozen vegetables ($1.99 each)
8 Eating Right frozen meals ($1.50 w/ coupon)

Beverages:
2/ 24 packs of pepsi ($4.99 each)

Raleys spent 74.98 saved $37.93 (34%)

Dairy:
2/ 18 pack Raley’s eggs ($1.99 each)

Cans/boxes:
8 cans of Full Circle organic refried beans ($1.29 each)
4 Raley’s pasta sauces (2 for $3) MAKE sure they have NO MILK!
Other:
24 big rolls of Charmin ultra bath tissue ($10.99)
12 rolls of Bounty paper towels ($10.99)
Vegetables/fruits:
10 lbs navel oranges (37 cents a lb)
5 lbs of pears (88 cents a lb)
1 bag of organic potatoes

Frozen
Beverages:
2 89 oz Tropicana orange juice ($3.99)

Nugget spent $24.47 saved $27.18
Meat
Dairy

Cans/boxes:
5 boxes of Barilla pasta (99 cents each)
(2 spaghetti and 3 other types)
2 Mezzetta Napa Valley Bistro pasta sauce ($2.99 each)
Vegetables/fruits:
2 pureheart watermelons (2 for $4)
2 Tuscan cantaloupes (2 for$4)
2 large bunches of broccoli (77 cents each)
2 organic sugar plum tomatoes ( 2 for $4)

Total spent: $270.82
Total saved: $189.21

Saturday (6th)
St. Louis style BBQ ribs, potato salad, creamed spinach, and sliced pears
(put whole chicken in crock to make into chicken salad for next week’s lunches)

Sunday (7th)
Spaghetti dinner w/ salad, fresh asparagus, hot sour dough bread
Pudding ring cakes for dessert

Monday (8th)
Barbecued chicken breasts, steamfresh veggies, and orange slices

Tuesday (9th)
Pizza night (either Raley’s take and bakes or Papa Murphy’s)

Wednesday (10th)
Breakfast for dinner: Homemade muffins (w/ pureed fruits and veggies), sausages, bacon, eggs, and fruit salad

Thursday (11th)
Soft chicken and veggie tacos, refried beans, and rice

Friday (12th)
Crockpot turkey breast, sourdough bread dressing, steamfresh vegetables

Saturday (13th)
Shopping day again

Post Valentine Furlough Days and February Funks

We have been eating junk and out! I will pull this crew back together! I always do. :) I can't afford health and wealth wise to eat junk.

The theme is, once again, doable cooking! I know I will only make what is easy during a hectic week. Next week will be hectic as I will be house sitting for my mother, caring for two more springer spaniels, and back to work.

Lucky spent $45.90, saved $33.19 (42%)
Meat:
5 lbs country style pork spareribs ($1.29 a lb)

Cans/boxes:
10 cans of S&W tomatoes (10 for $10)

Vegetables:
15 lbs bananas (47 cents)
3/ 4 count bags of avocados ($2.49 each)
2 Monterey mushrooms (2 for $4)

Beverages:
4 Dole juice blends (2 for $5)

Safeway spent $74.47, saved $83.06 (53%)

Meat
10 lbs Foster Farms split chicken breasts (99 cents a lb)(3 meals)
2 Foster Farms lean ground turkey (buy one, one free)
4 John Morrell smoked sausage (99 cents each)

Dairy:
2 Lucerne butter ($1.99 each)(coupon)
2 / 24 slice Kraft singles ($1.49 each)(coupon)

Cans/boxes
10 cans of Campbell’s Select Harvest (10 for $10)

Vegetables/fruits
2 lbs of red peppers(99 cents a lb)
1 lb of zucchini (99 cents a lb)
3 lb yellow onions (99 cents for 3 lbs)

Frozen:
Aquastar medium cooked shrimp ($5.99 each)
1 bag frozen okra for gumbo

Beverages:
4/ 12 packs of pepsi ($2.99 each if you buy 4)

Raleys

Meat
1 lb bay scallops ($5.99 a lb)

Dairy:
Raley’s large eggs (dozen) ($1.19 each)

Other:
6 double rolls Quilted Northern Ultra Plush ($3.99)

Vegetables/fruits
2 bunches of organic celery

Nugget spent $50.77, saved $39.23 (43.5%)

Cans/boxes
4 Kitchen basic soup stocks (boxes of broth) ($2.99 each) (2 chicken, 2 seafood)
2/ 5 lb bags of Hinode rice ($1.99 each)

Vegetables/fruits
2 Organic Earthbound Farms spinach ($3.97 each)
4 lbs organic gala apples ($1.17 a lb)

Frozen:
10 Birds Eye Steam Fresh vegetables (99 cents each)

Beverages:
4 Welch’s grape juice ($2.99 each)

Thursday (18th)
Roasted chicken breast (roast extra for soup)

Friday (19th)
Barbecued spare ribs

Saturday (20th)movie and laundry
Turkey patties w/ sauce and rice, steamed vegetables

Sunday(21st)
Shrimp gumbo

Monday (22nd)
Take out night

Tuesday (23rd)
Chicken noodle soup

Wednesday (24th)
Vegetarian chili

Thursday (25th)
Barbecue chicken

Friday (26th)
Spaghetti w/ meat sauce (ground turkey)

Saturday (27th)
Shopping day