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

Post Groundhog predictions and Super Bowl Dreams

That silly groundhog says 6 more weeks of winter, as if we have 4 seasons. We have 2 seasons, hot than Hades or cooler with bouts of extreme wetness. Therefore, I don't care about that silly hog.

As for Super Bowl dreams, I am looking forward to the game this Sunday with the hopes of the Saints winning. Being from the Gulf Coast (Gulfport, Miss.), I just want to see the deep south rise again after the damage of Katrina. I don't really want to wish the Colts ill, and I know many are rooting for them too. Let's all just see where the trophy lands.

This week the menu is inspired by EASE. I should have done a southern inspired menu to honor the Big Easy, but no this menu is inspired for the lazy cook, ME. Some weeks I love to cook some weeks and other weeks, not so much. This is one of those weeks. Maybe next week I could have the theme of food and love in honor of Valentine's Day. I will be off the week following Valentine (furlough days). It might be fun to do some yummy cooking, and some canning.

Lucky spent $14 saved $23.11 (62%)
Vegetables:
12 Avocados (3 for 99 cents)
4 lbs Roma tomatoes (67 cents a lb)
4 lbs of navel oranges (69 cents a lb)
8 lbs of bananas

Safeway spent $71.28 saved $68.61 (48%)
Meat
4 Johnsonville sausages (2 italian, 2 bratwurtz) ($2.99 each w/ coupon)
4 lbs Eating Right boneless skinless chicken breast ($1.97 a lb)

Dairy
1 brick Lucerne cream cheese (99 cents w/coupon)
10 Lucerne yogurt (10 for $4)

Cans/boxes
3 Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce (99 cents)

Other:
Safeway SELECT Artisan garlic bread (99 cents w/c)
1 Francisco sandwich rolls ($1.88 w/coupon)
5 10 packs of Mission soft taco flour tortillas (99 cents each w/ coupon)

Household:
2/12 packs of Northern bath tissue and 2/ 6 packs of Big Brawny paper towels ($5.99 w/ coupon)

Raleys spent $100.62 saved $61.36 (38%)

Meat
1 Raley’s half spiral sliced ham ($1.97 a lb)

Dairy:
Organic milk

Cans/boxes:
4 boxes Nabisco Crackers ($1.88 a box)

Vegetables/fruits
2 bags full circle organic apples ($2.99 each)
10 limes (5 for $1)
Full circle organic 3 ct. romaine hearts ($2.79)
2 bags Organic potatoes
1 organic celery

Frozen:
10 Bird’s Eye Steamfresh ($1.79)

Beverages:
3 24 packs of Arrowhead water (3 for $9.99)
4 12 packs of pepsi ($2 each)

Other:
2 black peppers
1 box of salt

We spent a total of $185.90 and saved $155.08 ($155.08/$340.98=46% saved). I still spent more than I wanted, but am happy with the percentage of savings.

Saturday (6th)
Spiral cut ham, cheesy potatoes, and steamed fresh veggies

Sunday (7th)
Super Bowl Sunday at Mom’s house

Monday (8th)
Roasted chicken breasts, veggies, and bread and butter

Tuesday (9th)
Italian sausage sandwiches, and fruit

Wednesday (10th)Vegetarian night
Baked potatoes and roasted veggies toppers

Thursday (11th)
Grilled ham and cheese sandwich night, and fruit salad (save ham from Sat.)

Friday (12th)
Take out night

Saturday (13th)
Shopping day

February - heart month!

I am challenged to buy enough fruits and vegetables to put in my Vita Mix. I love my Vita Mix! It has to be good for me to consume all this goodness. We will see what the future holds.

Lucky spent $60.18, saved $41.54 (41%)
Meat:
5 lbs cross rib roasts (boneless) ($1.88 a lb)
5 lbs pork loin or sirloin chops ($1.38 a lb)

Vegetables:
2/ 3 lb bags of organic apples (Fuji, and Gala $2.99)
4 bags of Grimmway Farms baby carrots (99 cents each)
4 lbs beefsteak tomatoes ($1.69 a lb)
3 lbs of asparagus ($1.27 a lb)

Beverages:
4 Full Circle apple juice ($3.29 each)
4 Minute Maid orange juices (2 for $5)

Safeway spent $47.10, saved $43.32 (48%)
Meat
Safeway chicken leg quarters value pack(67 cents a lb)

Dairy:
2/ 12 oz. Lucerne slice cheese (99 cents each with coupon)
10 Lucerne creamery fresh yogurts (49 cents each with coupon)

Cans/boxes:
2 boxes of Nabisco Ritz crackers (2 for $5)
10 Progresso soups (10 for $10)
10 Golden Grain pasta (75 cents each)

Vegetables/fruits
10 lb bag of russet potatoes
4 O Organics baby salad blends (3 spinach and 1 salad) buy1, get 1 free
2 lbs green seedless grapes (98 cents a lb)
4 lbs pears (99 cents a lb)

Raleys spent $64.83, saved $21.06 (24%)
Other:
4 Nature Pride Bread ($1.99 each)
4 Take and bake pizzas (2 for $10)
80 small cake plates (the cheapest you can find)
6 Hemp milk for baby (never on sale)

Vegetables/fruits
2 organic baby bella mushrooms (2 for $4)
2 organic celery

Nugget spent $34.02, saved $36.66 (more than 50%)
Cans/boxes:
10 cans of S&W beans (75 cents each)
5 cans of Chef Boyardee (99 cents each)

Vegetables/fruits
10 lbs Organic navel oranges (97 cents a lb)
4 packages organic blueberries ($2.97 for 11 oz.)

I spent $210 on groceries this week, however with $146 in savings. I am aiming for $150, but am struggling with quality (organic) versus cost. I have to buy what I believe is best for my families health. I will focus on additional savings this summer when I have more time to devote to going to the stores to look for saving opportunities.

Saturday (30th)
Take and bake pizzas, and salad

Sunday (31st)
Roast beef (purpose the leftovers for soup and lunches), asparagus, and bread and butter

Monday (1st)Staff meeting
Beans burritos, rice, and fruit salad

Tuesday (2nd)
Pork loin or sirloin chops roasted, steamed vegetables, and orange slices
Extra food prepackaged for lunches

Wednesday (3rd)TUTA meeting night
Beef and vegetable noodle soup (leftover beef), and bread and butter

Thursday (4th)Relational organizing group
Vegetarian chili and corn bread

Friday (5th)
Roasted barbecue chicken legs, braised carrots with dill, and fruit

Saturday (6th)
Shopping day

The uphill battle of January

January always seems like the longest month of the year. I am always still dealing with the large volume of additions to my home, the weather is bad, the children (and dogs) are restless, the bills from holiday excess come in, and then you start to break your resolutions. Will I ever learn to make doable resolutions? I am such an optimistic person and plan to stay that way. I would rather plan more than I can do, and get more done than if I didn't try.

I have kept up with this journey of working to feed a family well or a budget. My families diet is of good quality, and our food budget is doing fine. I could still work harder to cut costs, and will continue to do that. I will start (next week) to see which meal was the most economical in price. I have realized that it is not a bargain if I will not cook it, my family will not eat it, or it is not good for us. A bargain to me is getting something that is on sale, nutritious, and delicious.

This week's menu was a struggle. It is work to make a menu from the sales papers. However, it does keep mealtime interesting.

Lucky- We spent $18.27, saved $18.14 (50%)
Meat:
3 lbs of beef rib eye steak ($3.88 lb)

Vegetables/Fruits:
6 lbs of navel oranges (3 lbs for 99 cents)
2 lbs of bananas

Safeway- We spent $52.87, saved $50.87 (49%)
Meat:
2 Jimmy Dean premium sliced bacon (2 for $5)

Dairy:
2/ 18 count Lucerne large eggs (buy 1, get 1 free)
2/ 8 oz. Lucerne soft cream cheese (99 cents each)(coupon)
10/ 6 oz. Lucerne yogurts (10 for $4)
Butter (salted variety)

Cans/boxes
Cheerios

Other
6 oz (at least ) mini chocolate chips
1 bag of walnut pieces (no on sale, buy a larger bag to put in freezer for oatmeal recipe)

Vegetables/Fruits:
12 large Hass avocados (2 for $1)
5 lbs red roma tomatoes (47 cents a lb)
5 lbs sweet fuji apples (78 cents a lb)

Beverages:
4 Minute Maid orange juice (2 for $4)

Raleys- We spent $72.78, saved $39.47 (35%)
Meat:
6 lbs R Everyday split chicken breast ($1.69 lb)

Dairy:
2/ 4 pack of Dan Active drinkable yogurt (2 for $4)

Cans/boxes:
2 Full Circle organic peanut butter (creamy) ($3.99 each)
Quaker old fashioned oats ($2.50)

Other:
2 Sara Lee bagels ($2.59)
1/ 17 oz. Star Olive oil ($3.99)

Vegetables/Fruits:
4 lbs of red pears (99 cents a lb)

Frozen:
15 Birds Eye steamfresh vegetables ($1.49 each)

Beverages:
2/ 18 packs of Pepsi ($4.49 each)(coupon limit 2)

Nugget- We spent $51.92, saved $30.33 (27%)
Dairy:
4 Land O Lakes sliced cheese (2 for $5)
Sargento shredded cheese (Monterey jack) ($2.99)

Cans/boxes
4 Wacky Mac noodles (4 for $5)
4 Pacific Foods organic broth (chicken) ($2.99)
4 jars of Francisco Rinaldi pasta sauce (2 for $3)

Other:
4 Oroweat bread (2 for $3)
1 package of Jumbo Seeds ($1.29)

Vegetables/fruits
2 Organic Girl salads (2 for $5)(spinach)
2 lbs of red peppers (41.97 a lb)
2 lbs of italian squash (97 cents a lb)

I spent a total of $195.96 for a week of groceries for a big family ($32.66 per for the week, $4.66 per day, or $1.56 per meal). This is an interesting way to look at my spending amount.

This week's menu includes a treat night with steak for dinner. Every once in awhile I have to make something to tell my amazing husband that I love him. Nothing does this like steak.

I am going to mentally extimate the cost of each meal and add that data. I estimate that $76 dollars of our spending is for dinner, which means $120 in other meals. I am spending more on breakfast since that is the meal that I am focusing on trying new recipes this month.

I also stocked up on some staples that will be in future meals, which accounts for at least $27 dollars. (pasta, pasta sauce, and frozen vegetables - I love the steamfresh vegetables due to the ease of cooking them).

Next week, I will plan from the cupboards. I wonder if we could skip a week of major shopping. It would be neat to do that every 3rd or 4th week.

Monday (18th)($16.00)
Steak, veggie, and baked potatoes

Tuesday (19th)($9.00 the broth is organic)
Bean soup (didn't make it last week)

Wednesday (20th)($9.00)
Grilled cheese and tomato soup (I will use my tomatoes to make a tomato soup in my new Vita Mix)

Thursday (21st)($11.00)
Roasted chicken breast, steam vegetables, and bread and butter

Friday (22nd)($9.00)
Chili (with ground turkey), and fresh fruit

Saturday (23rd) ($12.00)
Chicken noodle soup

Sunday (24th)($10.00)
Breakfast for dinner- muffins (make extras for next week’s breakfasts and snacks for the girls), bacon, scrambled eggs. 1

New Year, and new outlook

I am so impressed with my new Vita mix. I just constantly look for recipes to make and make up recipes. The amount of vegetables you can put into tasty foods with a tool like this is wonderful. I bought so many fruits last week that I had 4 grocery bags of pears, apples, oranges, avocados, bananas, carrots, and greens. Yesterday I cut up the leftover fruit and got 9 bags of fruit to put in the freezer for smoothies. I don't want to waste food. I don't have to buy as much fruit this week. I don't need any carrots, but we used all the bananas and avocados.

Lucky (spent 72.58 saved $46.15 (39%))
Meat:
4 lbs of petite sirloin roast ($2.49 a lb)
4 lbs of pork sirloin chops ($1.69 a lb)

Cans/boxes
20 cans Sunny Select canned beans (pinto, red, white, black, and any other varieties on sale)(89c)
19 cans of Del Monte tomatoes (select the seasoned varieties) (10 for $10)
1 box baking soda

Other:
2 Bohemian Hearth breads (1.99 each)
Cupcake papers

Vegetables:
3 mangoes (3 for 99 cents)
4 lbs of navel oranges (69 cents a lb)
2/ 4 ct bags of avocadoes ($2.49 each)
2 lbs of red bell peppers ($1.99 a lb)
5 lbs of Roma tomatoes (97 cents a lb)
3 green peppers (3 for 99 cents)

Safeway (spent $50.05 saved $19.93 (28%)
Meat:
6 lbs Foster Farms split chicken breast ($1.99 a lb)
2 packs of Foster Farms lean ground turkey (2 for $7)

Dairy:
10 Yoplait yogurts (10 for $5)

Cans/boxes
1 bag of whole wheat flour

Vegetables/fruits
2/ 3 lb bags of O Organic apples (granny smith and gala) ($2.99 each)
3 large bunches of bananas
10 lb bag of russet potatoes ($2.99)

Raleys {spent 17.41 saved $9.40 (35%)}
Dairy:
18 ct Raley’s large eggs

Vegetables/fruits
Organic celery

Beverages:
4 half gallon R everyday 100 apple juice (4 for $1.49 each)
2 gallons Bayview Farms orange juice ($2.99)

Nugget (go to on Tuesday)
Meat:
2 packs of pork or chicken teriyaki pineapple sausage ($2.99 a lb)

Other
2 Thomas Bagels (1.99 each)
4 take and bake pizzas (bought on Tuesday)

Vegetables/fruits
2 Fresh Express (spinach and a salad)

Monday (11th)
Chicken breast in the crock pot
Tuesday (12th)
Take and bake pizzas and salad from the Nugget
Wednesday (13th)
Sausages,
Thursday (14th)
Roast (crockpot), steam vegetables, and bread and butter
Friday (15th)
Roasted chicken breast, pasta and vegetable, and sliced apples
Saturday (16th)
Spaghetti with ground turkey sauce
Sunday (17th)
Bean and ham soup (made with frozen ham bone from New Years), rice

2010 has arrived!

I am excited to start the new year with a new kitchen toy - Vitamix. I have bags of fruits and vegetables to blend into delicious smoothies and soups. I seem to be the only one excited (Jenny is excited except for the chunky smoothies). My little grandson, who needs fattened up, loves my smoothies and I add fats to his. I have two new blogs up and many projects to keep me busy, as if I am not busy enough. lol

I must confess that we have stunk in the saving money on food dept. this month. It is hard to buy holiday favorite all on sale. We will fine tune our spend in 2010. However, I need to work on having more disciplined shoppers, who don't impulse shop without thought to my goals. Perhaps a motivational meeting will serve this purpose.

Lucky's spent $76.14 saved $79 (51%)
Meat:
8 lbs Boneless skinless chicken breasts ($1.77 a lb)
2 Johnsonville breakfast sausage (get 1 free dozen eggs)
2 lbs 80% lean ground beef ($2.49 a lb)
Max pack country style ribs ($1.49 a lb)

Dairy:
2/ 8 oz Sunnyside Farms whipping cream (99 cents)
2 Sunnyside Farms old fashioned regular egg nog (2 for $5)
1 dozen large Sunnyside Farms eggs (free)

Cans/boxes
4 boxes of Post cereal (4 for $1.49)(Honey Bunches of Oats and Selects Apple Caramel Pecan Crunch)

Vegetables:
20 avocados (47 cents each)
5 bags of Grimmway farms baby carrots (5 for $5)
10 lb bag of russet potatoes (97 cents a lb)

Beverages:
2 bottles of Martinelli’s sparkling cider (2 for $4)

Safeway spent 63.04 saved 28.93 (32%)

Vegetables/fruits:
4 large bunches of bananas
4 lbs of Gala apples (79 cents a lb)
10 lbs large CA Navel oranges (39 cents a lb)

Frozen
4 bags of frozen peaches (not on sale but only source we could find :( )

Other
2/12 pack Northern bath tissue ($5.99 each coupons)
2/ 12 packs of Brawny paper towels ($5.99 each coupons)

Raley's spent 80.58 saved $48.36 (37%)
My shopper lost focus and impulsed shopped and bought Pillsbury danishes, bacon, and a $14 bottle of Chardonnay. This was about $30 of what was spent. She has been refocused. lol

Cans/boxes
4 boxes of Nabisco Snack Crackers ($1.79 each)

Bread:
2 Ultimate Dinner Rolls (buy 1, get 1 free)
Vegetables/fruits:
7 lbs Granny Smith apples (97 cents a lb)
7 lbs Organic D’Anjou Pears (99 cents a lb)
2 containers of micro greens ($1.79 each)
2 bunches of organic celery
2 bags of cut ‘n clean country greens (2 for $4)

Frozen
10 bags of Birds Eye Steam fresh vegetables ($1.69 each)
2 bags of frozen peaches ($1.99)

Nugget $50.19 saved 26.09 (over 50%)

Meat:
2 packages beer n’ brats ($2.99 a lb)

Dairy
15 Yoplait yogurt (50 cents each)

Other
4 Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce (4 for $5)
Fresh Bread ($149 a loaf)
Virgin organic honey bear ($2.99)

Vegetables/fruits:
2/ 11 oz containers of black eyed peas (2 for $4)
2 Fresh Express salad mixes (baby spinach and sweet butter)

Frozen
3 Red Baron Pizzas (3 for $10)

Beverages
Soy Delicious Coconut Milk ($3.99)


Saturday (2nd)
Cheese burger baked potatoes, and steamed vegetables
Sunday (3rd)
Bean soup w/ leftover ham
Monday (4th)
Chicken beer n’ brats, fried potatoes, and steam vegetables
Tuesday (5th)
Pork lo mien (leftover pork)
Wednesday (6th)
Roasted chicken breast w/ tomato marmalade sauce, and steamed vegetables
Thursday (7th)
Pizza and salad night
Friday (8th)
Crock pot country style ribs w/ barbecue sauce, and steamed vegetables
Saturday (9th)
Chicken noodle soup (homemade) (use leftover chicken breast meat)