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Menu Plan Monday

Here's what will be on our plates this week!

Monday
Mexican Lasagna

Tuesday
Lentil Stew

Wednesday
Pizza (we're using cheese this week, woo!)

Thursday
We've saved up all our eating out budget this month so we can go to the Melting Pot!! I love this place! It is defiantly NOT part of the migraine diet, but Hubbie says he wants to cheat for it. Hopefully he won't get a headache, or at least won't get a very bad one.

Friday
Grilled Tofu with garlic smashed potatoes and mixed veggies

Saturday
Curried Bulgar with Garbanzo beans

I'm looking forward to a nice 3 day week followed by 5 days of spring break. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Stephanie

Walgreens, Walmart, and Kroger

I've been absent from blogging forever, it feels like. I'm a teacher, and one of the occupational hazards is illness. I've been sick for practically the last 3 weeks. First I had the flu, then I came down with some kind of congestion cold, then I moved on to severe sinus problems accompanied by headaches for 6 days straight. I'm finally starting to feel better, and its about time I got back to blogging. :-)

Here's my shopping trips for this week. I stopped at Kroger, Walgreens, and Walmart.

Walgreens Transaction #1
2 Crest toothpaste, clearance at $.95 each
2 Crest Healthy Radiance toothpaste and whitening strips, clearance at $2.79 each
3 Listerine Mouthwash, $3.00 each
3 Kleenex 110 Ct tissues, $.89 each
2 packages pencils, $.99 each

Coupons Used
$1.00/1 Crest toothpaste
$.75/1 Crest toothpaste
$5.00/1 Crest Whitening Strips (I bought 2 of the Heatlhy Radiance because I was afraid the register would beep at me for having an overage)
$3.00/3 Listerine
$.50/3 Kleenex Tissues
$10.00 Walgreens Register Reward (RR)

Total Before Coupons: $24.28
Total After: $2.83
I also received a $6 RR for buying three Listerine mouthwashes. I also received a $1 RR, but I'm not sure what I bought that made the RR print out.

Walgreens Transaction #2
Listerine Whitening Rinse, clearance at $2.19
2 Crest toothpaste, clearance at $.95 each
3 Crest Healthy Radiance toothpaste and whitening strips, clearance at $2.79 each
3 Reach Toothbrushes, $3.00 each
2 Oral B Stages Toothbrushes, $3.49 each
1 Colgate Total Care Toothpaste, $3.49

Coupons Used
$.50/1 Listerine Mouthwash
2 $1.00/1 Crest Toothpaste
$.75/1 Crest Toothpaste
$5.00/1 Crest Whitening Strips
$3.00/3 Reach Products
BOGO Oral B Stages Toothbrushes
$.75/1 Colgate Toothpaste
$2.50 Colgate Easy Saver Coupon
$10.00 RR
$1 .00 RR

Total Before Coupons: $32.82
Total After Coupons: $3.88
I also received a $6 RR for buying 3 Reach Toothbrushes

Kroger
Kroger Colombian Coffee, $2.99
Kroger Butter, $1.93
Country Crock margarine, $1.49
Kroger Tortilla Chips, $1.00
Kroger Comfort Baby Oil, $2.99 (I use this for eye makeup remover)
.58 lb Roma Tomatoes, $.57
Wholly Guacamole, $2.00
Celery, $1.99
Bell Pepper, $.89
2.19 lb Grapes, $3.61
Kroger Chocolate Chips, $1.28

Coupons Used
$1.00/1 Kroger Comfort Baby Item
$1.00/1 Wholly Guacomole

Total Before Coupons:$22.32
Total After Coupons: $20.32

Walmart
2 Huggies Gentle Care Changing Pads, $2.82 each
1 Huggies Travel Wipes, $1.00
6 Johnson's Buddies, $.97
2 Glucerna Cereals, $3.94 each
Whoppers Strawberry Candy, $1.50

Coupons Used
$5.00/1 Gentle Care product ( I bought two items to avoid register beeps)
$1.00/1 Huggies bath and body product
3 $2.00/2 Johnson's Buddies product
$10.00/2 Glucerna Cereals (I wish my Walgreens carried this cereal because I would have received a RR for it)

Total Before Coupons: $22.24
Total After Coupons: $1.74

Total Before Coupons For All Transactions: $99.86
Total After Coupons: $28.77
Total Saved: $71.09

We didn't have to buy much food this week because I have a lot stockpiled. We are now pretty well stocked up on dental care items after this great week at Walgreens, and I also made $12.00 in RR!! This was a good week. I didn't really see anything that great at Rite Aid, but I might stop by this weekend if they have another $5/25 coupon. Come back tomorrow to see my menu plan for the week!

Stephanie

Menu Plan Monday

I'm feeling so much better after my little flu episode. My doctor gave me some very helpful medicine, and I was able to go back to work today! While I was sick, I menu planned all of March! It was a challenge to not repeat the same things, but I think I only ended up putting one meal on their twice. Here's what we're eating this week!

Monday

BBQ Lentils (Thanks to $5 Dinners for this one!)

Tuesday

Tofu Stir Fry

Wednesday

Spaghetti and garlic bread

Thursday

Home made pizza

Friday

Fried Tofu and baked potatoes

Saturday

Left overs/ on our own

I'm going to be making some banana muffins this week, but I'll be skipping any cookies. Hubbie and I have been having just a little too much fun with the cookies, and we need to be careful with our weight :-) Hope everyone had a happy Menu Plan Monday!

For more Menu Plans, visit I'm an Organizing Junkie.

The Flu and Huggies Coupons

Sorry for my blogging absence, I have been sick with the flu.  Getting sick is an occupational hazard,  I suppose.  I am still trying to get over it and have been living on a very "healthy" diet of grape juice, saltine crackers, and Ramen noodles :-).  

I did want to point out 2 new coupons that you can print from my side bar.  Coupons.com has 2 new Huggies coupons. One is for $3.00 off 1 Huggies Natural Fit diapers, the other is $5.00 off 1 Huggies Gentle Care diapers.  These are great, high value coupons.  Even if you don't have children in diapers, I would print them off and give them to someone.  I'll be using these coupons to purchase baby shower gifts or to give away to friends.  Make sure to get them quickly, they will go fast!  

Hopefully I'll be more up to blogging next week!

Stephanie

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I love cookies, but I don't love the fat and calories you get from eating cookies. I like to try to make cookies that are deceptively healthy and still very tasty. This oatmeal cookie recipe is just that: healthy and very tasty!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
1 cup white flour ( DO NOT use self rising flour)
1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp nutmeg ( you may sub cinnamon or allspice)
2/3 cup white sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Stir together flour, baking soda, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. Combine sugar, applesauce and vanilla extract. Mix until sugar is well incorporated.
4. Add the flour mixture, stirring until all ingredients combine to form a stiff dough.
5. Fold in the raisins.
6. Put rounded teaspoons of batter onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and let cool.

Nutritional Information for 1 cookie: 57 calories, 1g protein, 0g fat, 0g fiber, 13g carbohydrates, 27 mg sodium, 0 mg cholesterol

These cookies are so good, especially considering they have NO fat and only 57 calories!! I take mine out a little before 12 minutes because I like a slightly chewy oatmeal cookie. Be careful when making this recipe that you use baking soda. I used baking powder last time on accident, and the cookies turned out very, em, interesting. Still edible, but not really yummy cookie goodness. I sometimes use less sugar when I'm in an extra healthy mood. The sweetness of the applesauce lets you decrease the sugar if you want. When I'm in a not-so-healthy mood, I may be inclined to add some chocolate chips to the batter.

Hope you enjoy!
Stephanie

Kroger, Rite Aid, Walgreens, Save a Lot

I had a fun day shopping today, and I got some pretty good deals.

Kroger

20 assorted Hunts Tomatoes $.95 each, used 10 $.40/2 coupons, doubled to $.80

2 Hunt's Tomato Pastes $1.00 each, used $.40/2 coupons, doubled to $.80

3 Cottonelle 4 pack toilette paper used 3 $.50/1 coupon, doubled to $.99

2 Kroger Tortilla chips $1.00 each

1 Kroger Dried Black Beans $1.29

1 Kroger Dried Garbanzo Beans $1.25

1 Cucumber $.82

1 Roma Tomato $.42

2 Johnson's & Johnson's Buddies Bars, $1.09 each, used $2.00/2 coupons

2.05lb bananas, $.38/lb

2 Aquafresh Whitening Toothpaste, $1.00 each, used 2 $.75 coupons

I also had a $1.00 off Kroger Coupon

Total Before Coupons: $40.15

Total After: $20.79

Rite Aid

1 Huggies Jumbo Pack $12.49, used $1.50/1 coupon, and will receive $2.00 in Single Check Rebate (SCR)

1 Always 18ct, used 1 Free Infinity coupon

1 Fructis Wonder Waves shampoo $2.99, used $1.00/1 coupon and will receive $2.99 in SCR

10 Soy Joy bars $5.00, used $3.00/10 and will receive $5.00 SCR

I also used a $5/$25 Rite Aid Coupon

Total Before Coupons and SCR: $34.94

Total After: $2.38

Walgreens

Transaction #1

1 Fusion Gamer Razor $8.99, used $4.00/1 coupon and received $6.00 RR

Transaction #2

2 Oust Air Sanitizer $2.99 each, used BOGO coupon and will receive $2.00 ESR

1 Orajel Toothpaste $1.99 each, used $1.00/1

2 Reynolds Wrap $1.59 each, used 2 $1.00/1 and Walgreens coupon

Total for Both Transactions Before Coupons and ESR: $27.65

Total After: $4.44

Save a Lot

8 lb Potatoes $3.49

1 lb Kidney Beans $.99

1 lb Great Northern Beans $.99

Total: 5.89

Hubbie also bought some expensive spices from Cash and Carry. He bought 1 giant garlic powder and 1 giant onion powder. His total was $16.76

Total Before Coupons for Everything: $125.39

Total After: $50.26

One quick note about my purchases. I bought several items for free or cheap that were baby related. No, I do not have any children, and I am not expecting. I buy some of these items when they are free or cheap because I know plenty of people that are pregnant that need baby items, or that need baby presents :-). I just wanted to clear that up for all the people I know who read this blog.

Stephanie

New Week-New Deals

I always love the start of a new week.  I love seeing what new sales and deals are out for the week.  I like to use Sundays as my days to work on my grocery list, drugstore lists, and coupon matches.  After church on Sunday, I stop by Walgeens to pick up the paper, then I head home to make lunch.  After Hubbie and I have enjoyed our lunch (Spicy black bean, tomato, and corn soup today) I lounge around and start searching for coupon matches.  I don't do all the matching myself though.  I'm a teacher, so I like to stick to the principle of "think smarter, not harder".  Instead of matching all the coupons myself and pouring over the ads, I use several different websites and blogs to help me find the best deals and coupon matches.  Some of my favorite blogs for coupon matches are:

southernsavers.com

frugalisfab.blogspot.com

becentsable.net

These sites all offer coupon matches for the stores I frequent the most.  I'll be heading to Rite Aid and Kroger tomorrow, so stop back by to see what deals I found!

Menu Plan Monday

I have a really bad habit of cooking the same 7-10 things over and over.  I'll be trying a few new recipes this week, so hopefully they'll turn out okay!

Here is my menu plan for the week:

Day 1

Chickpea and Potato Dahl

Day 2

Hummus Sandwich with veggies

Day 3

Chili

Day 4

Fried tofu with potatoes and veggies

Day 5

Stir Fry

Day 6

BBQ Lentils and Rice

Day 7 

Left Overs

We're going to have tortilla chips with black bean dip (Hubbies only food request this week) and oatmeal cookies for snacks!  Head over to I'm an Organizing Junkie for more Menu Plan Monday fun!

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Mexican Lasagna

We had Mexican Lasagna for dinner last night, but I was not able to post because someone was playing video games on the laptop all night :-). Here's the recipe, one day late.

Mexican Lasagna
Ingredients
1 garlic clove (guestimate $.10)
1 medium onion, chopped ($.40)
1 can diced tomatoes with juice ($.49)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (guestimate $.10)
2 teaspoons cumin (guestimate $.10)
8 oz can tomato sauce ($.35)
16 oz can black beans, if they are not low sodium rinse and drain ($.79)
1/2 cup frozen corn ($.15)
1/2 cup Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) ($.17) You may substitute .5 lb ground beef or turkey if you wish!
12 soft corn tortillas ($.40)
4 ounces low fat or vegan cheddar cheese($1.00ish, I can't remember how much our vegan cheese is; I just know it's expensive!)

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray.
3. Add garlic, onions, tomato, cumin, and chili powder.
4. Cook on medium heat until onion is tender.
5. Add tomato sauce and cook 5 minutes more.
6. Stir in beans, TVP, and corn. Cook until TVP has rehydrated and resembles ground beef.
7. Spray a 9 inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
8. Cut tortillas in half so you can lay flat edges against the baking dish. Layer 4 tortillas, 1/3 cheese, and 1/3 of the bean mixture; repeat 2 more times.
9. Top with reserved 2 tablespoons of cheese.
10. Bake 20 minutes, covered, then 10 minutes uncovered or until bubbly. Vegan cheese will not get bubbly. It becomes more crunchy as it cooks.
11. Top with sour cream if desired.

Total Cost: $4.05-This will feed us dinner and two-three lunches

Nutritional Information
Calories 344, Total Fat 6.8g, Saturated Fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 700mg, Total Carbohydrates 55.3g, Dietary Fiber 12.8g, Sugars 9.0g, Protein 20.8g

The nutritional breakdown of the meal I prepared is a little different than that listed. The source I use to calculate the information doesn't let me selected low sodium. If you use low sodium veggies, your sodium will be cut in half at least.

One of the great things about this meal is all the substituting you can do. Don't have meat or TVP, or corn, just leave it out. Only a little cheese left? Put cheese only on the top; it still tastes great! I found out last week that you can leave the tomato sauce out and it still tastes okay. I forgot it when I was cooking this meal for my in-laws! This would also be a good meal to make ahead of time to heat up and eat on a busy day. Hope you enjoy!

Grilled Tofu Sandwhich

We had a good dinner tonight. I love, LOVE grilled Italian sandwiches with gooey cheese and oh so bad for you meat. We obviously don't eat these anymore, but I have come up with an alternative to the Italian grilled sandwich. We use cooked barbecue tofu on sour dough bread with a veggie cheese slice.

Ingredients
4 slices sour dough bread ($.83)-You may use any bread, but the only bread we can eat is sour dough because of Hubbies yeast sensitivity.
1/2 block tofu ($. 60)
2 slices mozzarella flavored veggie cheese slice ($.80)
2/3 cup BBQ sauce ($.40)
1 T butter or olive oil spray ($.10- I'm guestimating on this one!)
1 package Green Giant Veggies (Free! on sale for $1.00, used $.50 coupon that was doubled
Panini press or electric grill press

1. Drain tofu and place in a large skillet. Crumble tofu in the pan.
2. Cook on medium high heat until much of the moisture is gone.
3. Add BBQ sauce and continue to cook another 5 minutes.
4. Butter one side of each slice or bread, or spray with olive oil spray.
5. Put a scoop of tofu and cheese on unbuttered side of the bread. Place sandwich on the grill press. Cook for 5 minutes or until sandwich is crispy.
6. Serve with veggies of your choice.

Dinner for 2 for the low price of $2.73! There is enough tofu in a block to make about 4 sandwiches. We only eat 1 sandwich each, so we will save the rest for another meal.

Nutritional Information
Sandwich: 317 calories, 6.7g fat, 650mg sodium (ick, high salt on this one), 33.4g carbohydrates, 2.5g fiber, 13g protein.

Green Giant Broccoli and Carrots: 60 calories, 260 mg sodium, 8g carbohydrates, 3g fiber, 2g protein.

mmm, comfort food for less than 400 calories. I love grilled sandwiches! I had a picture to post for you, but the website isn't letting me post pictures. I'll try tomorrow so you can drool over my yummy dinner!

Menu Plan Monday

Since we spent so many days this week with my in laws, we didn't cook many of the meals I planned for last week. This week's meal plan will have quite a few repeats from last week's.

Day 1

Mexican Lasagna

Day 2

Red Beans and Rice

Day 3

Tofu and Spinach Lasagna

Day 4

Lentil Burritos

Day 5
Grilled BBQ Tofu Sandwiches with veggies

Day 6

Soup Day!

Day 7

left overs

I will be making no bake granola bars and popcorn for snacking this week. I might make banana muffins if bananas are still on sale.

Walgreens Deals 2/15-2/21

Here are some of the best advertised deals I see this week. You have the chance to MAKE MONEY on many of the Free After Rebate Deals! Make sure to check your Walgreens clearance items to match with coupons. I find some of my best deals from matching last chance items with coupons! Remember you don't have to buy everydeal, and only buy the deals you'll use or can give away--unless you can make money. I always buy things, even if I don't normally use them, if I will make money off of it.

Skippy Peanut Butter, 16.3 oz: $1.67
$1.00/2 from 1/18 Red Plum insert
Final Price: $1.17 each when you buy 2

Quaker Oats, 18 oz: buy 1 at #3.29, get 1 free with in ad coupon
$1.00/2 from 1/16 or 2/8 Red Plum insert
Final Price: 2/$2.29

Airwick Freshmatic Kit: $8.99
Use $4.00 printable coupon here
There is a $3.00 rebate (#34, limit 1)
Final Price: $1.99

Walgreens Pantyhose: $.69 with in ad coupon

Garnier 100% Color Hair Color: buy 1 at $7.49, get 1 free
Use 2 $3.00 coupons from 11/9 Red Plum insert. Some times it won't let you use two coupons on a buy 1 get 1 sale, so be prepared if the register beeps at you.
Final Price: 2/$1.49

Bic Soleil Disposable Razors, 4 pack: $4.99
Use $1.00 Easy Saver Coupon
Use $2.00 coupon from 1/18 Smart Source insert
Final Price: $1.99

Twizzlers: 2/$3.00, Hershey's Kisses: 2/$4.00
Purchase $10.00 in Hershey's or Twizzler's bagged candy, receive a $5.00 rebate (#35, limit 1)
Use 2 $2.00/2 Hershey's coupons from 1/25 Smart Source insert
Final Price: 7/$5.50 for Twizzlers or 5/$1.00 for Hershey's Kiss

Aquafresh Toothpaste: $1.99 with in ad coupon
Use 1 $.75/1 Aquafresh toothpaste coupon from 1/04 Smart Source insert

Revlon Creme Lipgloss: $9.99, buy one, get one free!
There is a $9.99 rebate (#4, limit 1)
Use 2 $1.00 coupons from 11/16 or 12/7 Smart Source or 2 $2.00 coupons from 1/11 Smart Source or 2/8 Smart Source
Final Price: OVERAGE of up to $4.00!!!!!

February Free After Rebate Items
(My Walgreens is completely sold out of the free after rebate items. I normally try to get my free rebate items the first week to ensure I get them)

Zucol Cold Care Lozenges, 18 pack. $7.99, limit 1
Use $2.00 printable coupon, or $2.00/1 from the 2/01 Smart Source insert

Revlon Age Defying Spa Concealer or Spa Foundation up to $10.00, limit 1
Use $2.00 off coupon from 1/11 Smart Source or $1.00 coupon from 10/12 or 11/16 Smart Source. I bought 20 $2.00 Revlon coupons this month. I made $4.00 from the Walgreens free after rebate deals, and I scored 16 free eye shadows when the Revlon Matte went on sale for $1.99!

Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Shampoo, Conditioner or Styler up to $4.29, limit 1
Use $1.00 coupon from 11/9 or 11/4 Red Plum

Revlon Creme Lip Gloss up to $10.00
Use $2.00 coupon from 1/11 or 2/8 Smart Source or $1.00 coupon from 11/16 or 12/7 Smart Source
SEE DEALS ABOVE ON HOW TO GET 2 FREE!!

Walgreens Multi-Purpose No Rub Contact Solution, 4 oz up to $1.99, limit 1

Thermacare Trial Size Neck, Shoulder, and Wrist Heat Wrap up to $2.49, limit 1