Menu Plan Monday

Happy Sunday night/Monday morning everyone! I hope everyone had a great weekend :)

I didn't realize that last week was my 20th time participating in the MPM! I must have been distracted by my anxiety over my new job. Which, so far, has been good. I have already received a raise, and might be getting another one this coming week :) Turns out, I have more skills that they want to use then originally considered. It has been quite the adjustment going back to work, even part time, after 6 years of staying at home. I could really use some new Crock Pot and Freezer Cooking recipes, please leave a comment with a link to your tried and true favorites!

So, check out these fish! The boys went fishing on Saturday out at Sprague Lake and brought home 2 very nice Trout. The big one is 4 lbs.! Now, my dad wants me to tell you about what kind of lures they used but I don't give a rat's patootty so if your interested in what caught these beauties you can go read about it HERE on his blog.

Ironically, these fish were captured on the same day that we were suppose to have a fish fry, but they didn't get back until after dark. I wasn't told that they planned on staying out all day, was rather irritated with them for leaving that little detail out and in no mood to fry up a mess of fish. They got stuck with Grilled Cheese w/Turkey sandwiches and Tater Tots for dinner. Like they cared, my husband said that big one was the second largest fish he ever caught! Thus, the Fish fry has been moved to next week.

Here is the meal plan for this week. Chores are being done on an "as it gets done" basis until I can get adjusted to my new schedule. We are living in a pig sty.

Breakfast: Yogurt, Cereal, Eggs and Toast

Lunch: Sandwiches, Left overs for the DH.

Snacks: Apples, Cuties, crackers and cheese.

Dinner:

Monday -
Home made Mac-n-Cheese (from the freezer)
Smoked Sausages
Green Salad

Tuesday -
Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken
Mashed Potatoes (did you know you can freeze Mashed Potatoes?)
Dilled Green Beans

Wednesday -
Pork Chops
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Green Salad

Thursday -
10 Layer Slow- Cook Dish, from the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook by Dawn J. Rank and Phyllis Pellman Good. We are making a double batch, one for dinner, one to stick in the freezer for later.

Recipe:
6 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste
15 oz. can of corn (we are using frozen)
15 oz can of peas (also frozen)
1/4 C. water
1 1/2 lb. ground beef, browned
10 3/4-oz can of cream of mushroom soup

1. Layer 1: 1/4 of potatoes, 1/2 of onion, salt and pepper.
2. Layer 2: 1/2 can of corn.
3. Layer 3: 1/4 of potatoes.
4. Layer 4: 1/2 can of peas.
5. Layer 5: 1/4 of potatoes, 1/2 of onion, salt and pepper.
6. Layer 6: remaining corn.
7. Layer 7: remaining potatoes.
8. Layer 8: remaining peas and water.
9. Layer 9: ground beef
10: Layer 10: soup

Cover, cook on High for 4 hours.

Friday -
Our 6th Wedding Anniversary! Dh and I are going to PF Chang's, those stuck at home are having left overs, or what ever they want. I don't care, I am going to PF Chang's!

Saturday -
Pan fried Trout
Home made oven fries
Fresh veg (what ever is on sale this week)

Sunday-
Creamy Chicken Italiano served over pasta - again from the Fix-it and Forget-it cookbook.
Green Salad


Here is the recipe for the Creamy Chicken Italiano:
4 boneless, skinless chicken-breast halves
1 envelope dry Italian salad dressing mix
1/4 C. water
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
10 3/4-oz. can cream of chicken soup
4 oz. can mushrooms, drained (we will be leaving these out!)

1. Place chicken in slow cooker
2. Combine salad dressing mix and water. Pour over chicken.
3. Cover. Cook on low for 3 hours.
4. Combine cream cheese and soup until blended. Stir in the mushrooms. Pour over chicken.
5. Cover. Cook on Low for 1 hour or until chicken juices run clear.
6. Serve over noodles or rice.

So, what are you eating this week? Get recipe inspiration over at The Organization Junkie's MPM event!

I was only there for the biscuits....

Yeah right! Ok my friends, a few of you might want to sit down because I did something yesterday that will shock you.

I went to Safeway!! I know, I KNOW!

For those who don't know, I have had some pretty horrific experiences at Safeway and had stopped shopping there several months ago, outside of the occasional bottle of Milk or bag of Salad. But, my friend Michele convinced me it was worth giving them another chance and I wanted in on that Hot Pillsbury Biscuit Deal, so I put on my Safeway shopping disguise and tip-toed in.

I swear, I was just there for the Biscuit Deal. On my way to the Biscuits, I went down the freezer isle and started noticing some pretty decent prices on things that I really did want that were also part of the March Frozen Food Promo. I didn't really have a plan, but I did have my coupons so I decided to go for it. What was the worse that could happen? Getting into a screaming match with the cashier and stomping out of the store was par for the course for me and Safeway, familiar territory if you will....

Here is the list w/ prices before Club Card and coupons:

1 Yoplus Yogurt = $2.50

1 Yoplait Fiber-one yogurt = $2.50

3 Pillsbury Jr. Grands @ $1.49 each =$4.47

5 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls @ $1.89 each =$9.45

2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudels @ $2.50 each = $5.00

2 Pillsbury Savorings @ $3.99 each = $7.98

2 Kashi Lemongrass Chicken bowls @ $4.49 each = $8.98

3 Green Giant frozen boxed veg @ $2.00 each = $6.00

5 Tony's Crispy Crust Pizzas @ $1.29 each = $6.45

1 Michelina's Entrees = $1.00

1 Lucerne Coffee Creamer = $1.79

Subtotal = $56.12

Proceeding to swipe my Club Card and 2 things happen:

First, subtract Club Card savings of $13.14

$8.00 for purchasing 8 Pillsbury Biscuits

$3.00 for purchasing 2 Kashi (making them $2.99 each)

.93 cents for purchasing 3 boxes of GG Veg

$1.21 for purchasing the Yoplait Yoplus Yogurt (making it $1.29)

Subtotal = $42.98

Second, subtract E-coupons savings of $8.20

.30 Shortcuts for purchasing 2 Pillsbury Grands

.40 Cellfire for purchasing 2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls

.40 Shortcuts for purchasing 2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls

.55 Cellfire for purchasing 2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudels

.55 Shortcuts for purchasing 2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudels

$3.00 ($1.00 x 3) for purchasing 2 Pillsbury Savorings*

$3.00 ($1.00 x 3) for purchasing Yoplait Yogurts*

* I had these E-coupons loaded onto the card from both Cellfire and Shortcuts but I have cannot explain why they tripled up like that. Cellfire and Shortcuts do work together at Safeway, but as to why I got $3.00 off instead of $2.00 is a mystery to me. Same thing with the Yogurt, I had stacked Cellfire and Shortcuts for the Yoplait Fiber One, but it looks like it also subtracted an additional $1.00 for the Yoplus, I'm guessing.

Subtotal = $34.78

Subtract Manufacturers Coupons of $14.78

Pillsbury Sweet Rolls PRINTABLE (no longer available) = .95

wyb 2 Pillsbury Grands PRINTABLE= .30

wyb 2 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls PRINTABLE = .40

wyb 2 Pillsbury Toaster Strudels PRINTABLE = .55

wyb 2 Pillsbury Savorings PRINTABLE = $1.00

wyb 3 GG boxed Veg = .60

Yoplait Yoplus PRINTABLE = $1.00

Yoplait Fiber-One PRINTABLE = $1.00

2 Kashi Free Product coupons @ $4.49 each =$8.98

Total for the order = $20.00 and I got the $10.00 OYNO for purchasing $25.00 worth of qualifying frozen foods! So, basically $10.00 bucks!

It was a very pleasant experience. The cashier was friendly, didn't even blink at my coupons, handed over my OYNO and wished me a nice afternoon. I practically skipped out of the place! I'm tempted to try it again, but I don't want to push my luck and the OYNO is good through April 2nd. Maybe I will just wait and see what happens next week :)

Yoke's March Savings Guide Match-ups

Read Yoke's Coupon FAQ HERE.

Yoke's March Savings Guide with coupon match-ups! Prices good from 3/3/10 to 3/30/10.

Red Baron Pizza, 3/$10 ($3.33 each)

- $1.00/2 MFR (1/31 SS, expr. 4/11)

= $5.66 wyb 2 ($2.83 each)

Blue Bunny Premium Ice-Cream, 3/$10 ($3.33 each)

- $1.00 /1 PRINTABLE - must sign up

= $2.33 each

Millstone Bulk Coffee, $7.99/lb

- $2.00 wyb 1/2 lb. MFR (2/17 RP, exp. 4/30)

= $1.99 for 1/2 lb.!

Sara Lee Frozen Fruit Pies, $4.99 each

- $1.00 PRINTABLE - must sign up

= $3.99 each

Banquet Frozen Dinners, $1.25 each
- B3G1F (Jan. All You, exp. 3/28. max value = .98 cents)
= $4.02 wyb 4

Rhodes Warm 'n Serve Rolls, $2.29 each
- $1.00/1 PRINTABLE
= $1.29 each

Birds Eye Steam Fresh Frozen Vegetables 12 oz., $1.69 each
- .35 cents MFR (2/28 SS, exp. 3/28)
= $1.34 each

Swiss Miss Pudding, 6 pk, $2.69 each
- .50 cents PRINTABLE
- $2.19 each

Coffee Mate, 16 oz. $1.99 each
- .75 cent PRINTABLE
= $1.24 each

Dannon Activia Yogurt, 4 pk. $2.50 each
- $1.00 MFR (2/28 SS-?-exp. 3/15)
= $1.50 each
There are also a good variety of Catalina coupons from several different stores for $1.00 off.

Nestle Tollhouse Cookie Dough, $3.39 each
- $1.00/1 PRINTABLE
= $2.39 each

International Delight Coffee Creamer, 16 oz. $1.79 each
- .55 cent PRINTABLE
= $1.22 each

Egg Beaters, 15/16 oz., $2.49 each
- $1.00 MFR (Jan All You, exp. 5/30)
= $1.49 each

Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna 5 oz., .79 cents each
- $1.00/5 PRINTABLE
= .59 cents eacy wyb 5

Kellogg's Fruit Snacks, $1.99 each
- $1.00 PRINTABLE

= .99 cents each

Kozy Snack Puddings, 6 ct or 22 oz. $2.50 each
- .55 cent MFR(2/7 SS, exp. 5/31)
= $1.95 each

Wesson Canola Oil, 48 oz, $3.39 each
- $1.00/1 (Jan All You, exp. 5/30)
= $2.39 each

Frigo String Cheese, 12 oz, $3.49 each
- $1.00 PRINTABLE
= $2.49 each

Treasure Cave Gourmet Cheese Cups or Wedges, $2.50 each
- .55 cents PRINTABLE
= $1.95 each

Gortons Breaded Fish or Shrimp, $3.99 each
- .60 MFR (Feb All You, exp. 7/31)
= $3.39 each

Hormel Beef, Pork or Chicken Entrees, $5.49 each
- $1.50 MFR (2/7 SS, exp. 4/5) or $1.00 PRINTABLE
- $3.99 each OR $4.49 each

Fast Fixin Entrees, $4.99 each
- $1.25 MFR (Jan All You exp. 5/31)
= $3.74 each

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Milk, $1.89 each
- $1 MFR (2/28 SS, exp. 5/31)
= .89 cents each

Muir Glen Tomatoes, $1.79 each
- $1.00 PRINTABLE (Bricks, IE)
= .79 cents each

Trident Layers Gum, .99 cents each
- .75 cents MFR (2/7 SS, exp. 4/3)
= .24 cents each

Zone bars, $1.00 each
- .55 cents MFR (2/7 SS, exp.4/25)
= .45 cents each

Western Family Product Deals:

WF Frozen Bread Dough, 5 lb., $2.99 each
WF Frozen Texas Toast, $2.39 each
WF Whipped Topping, $1.19 each
WF Steam-Its Frozen Vegetables, 12 oz. .99 cents each
WF Frozen Vegetables, 16 oz, .99 cents each
WR Refrigerated Biscuits, .44 cents each
WF Frozen Pie Shells, 2 pk, $1.99 each
WF Orange Cream Bars, 18 ct. $3.99 each
WF Cream Cheese bars, 8 oz. $1.29 each
WF Feta Cheese, 4 oz, $1.69 each

Pssss....don't forget to take your extra Albertson's Doublers with ya ;)

Yokes Fresh Board 3/5 - 3/11, Fresh Friday and Food Drive!

FIGHTING HUNGER, FEEDING HOPE
All Day Friday, March 5th, KXLY/KVEW and Yoke's will be hosting their annual 2nd Harvest Food Drive. Pre-packaged bags of needed items will be available to purchase for donation to the 2nd Harvest Food Bank. Just another good reason to stop by Yokes today!

The Fresh Board looks great this week!

Produce Dept.
Fresh Asparagus, $1.48/lb.

Premium Cameo Apples, .98 cents/lb

Deli Dept.
Italian Roast Beef, $3.99/lb (almost half off, and there might be coupons in next Sunday's paper that will take even more off)

Bakery
Artisan French Bread, .99 cents each

Meat Dept.
Fresh Cut-up Fryer Chickens, .99 cents/lb. (Thrifty pack, normally $1.89/lb.!)

Wild Ahi Tuna Steaks, $6.99/lb. (normally $9.99)

Jenny-O Turkey Tenderloins, 24 oz. $4.99 each (normally $7.49)

In store special at Argonne only! Daily's Big Buy Bacon, $1.89 each, 1 lb. pkg.!

Fresh Friday - Today only Deals!

Large Navel Oranges, .38 cents/lb.

HOT! 10 lb. Russet Potatoes, .98 cents each.

Braeburn, Jonagold and Grannysmith Apples, .68 cents/lb.

Fresh Express Garden Salad, .88 cents each

T-Bone Steak, $5.99/lb. (stock up price!)

HOT! Boston Cut Pork Roast, $1.59/lb.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, $1.79/lb.

See this week's specials and coupon match-ups HERE !

Walgreens deals

Tabitha at Saving toward a Better Life has created a very nice list of Walgreens match-ups for this week, so go check it out! Work those RR's girl!

Albertsons deals and doubler ideas

My friend Michele over at Happy2bfrugal has done the recon at Albertsons to find the deals. She has been busy! Go check her doubler ideas out and get in on the deals yourself :)

Yokes 3/3 through 3/9 and Fresh Friday Deals!

Here are the deals this week at Yokes:


Large Red Bell Peppers, .50 cents each

Anjou, Bosc or Red Pears, .68 cents/lb.

Large fresh Eggplant, $1.00 each

81% Lean Ground Beef, $1.79/lb.

Pork Sirloin Chops, $1.69/lb.

Top Sirloin Steaks, $3.99/lb.

Chefs Choice Game Hens, $1.99 each (24 oz, not bad)

Hormel Little Sizzler Sausage Links, $1.00 each

Dungeness Crab, $4.99/lb.

Tony's Single Serve Pizza, $1.00 each

Kellogg's Cereal, $1.99 each
- $1.50/2 PRINTABLE
= $2.48 for 2 ($1.24 each)

Pillsbury Toaster Strudels, $2.00 each
- .55 cents/2 PRINTABLE
= $3.45 for 2

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables $1.50 each
- .50 cents/2 PRINTABLE
= $2.50 for 2

Yo plait Delights, $1.99 each
- $1.00 PRINTABLE and HERE too
= .99 cents each

Psss...got any spare Albertson's Doublers left? Use them at Yokes!

Fresh Friday Deals!

Large Navel Oranges, .38 cents/lb.

10 lb. Russet Potatoes, .98 cents each.

Braeburn, Jonagold and Grannysmith Apples, .68 cents/lb.

Fresh Express Garden Salad, .88 cents each

T-Bone Steak, $5.99/lb. (stock up price!)

Boston Cut Pork Roast, $1.59/lb.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, $1.79/lb.

B1G1 free Nabisco cookie coupon available Today only

I just got an email from Nabisco world.

Go HERE to sign up to become a Facebook fan of Nabisco cookies, click on the word FREE*, and print out a B1G1 free coupon for Nabisco cookies wyb a gallon of milk. The coupon expires on March 4, 2010! So, if your looking for a deal on cookies in the next 2 days grab the coupon because it won't be available again until the first Monday in April.

I grabbed the ads from last week and saw that Yokes has Oreos and Oreo cakesters on sale for $2.58 each. Milk is usually between $1.99 - $2.59 per gallon (depending on which % you get). Please leave a comment if you know where there is a better price on the cookies :)

I will miss you, Frugal Chic

By now, you have probably heard that Crystal at Frugal Chic Living has decided to stop blogging. A sad day for us that have come to trust her for the reliable information she shared and we in turn used to make our own lives better.

It was Frugal Chic Living that kicked my butt back into gear about smart shopping. I have been a coupon shopper for 20 plus years, but had become very relaxed and wasn't taking advantage of the best deals out there. It was Crystal that made me aware of how much money I had been wasting, and then inspired me to share my own shopping experiences.

Thank You Crystal, for the inspiration you gave me, all the hard work and hours you put into providing the information on the best deals, your awesome articles that educated us, and for providing a place for us to come together and share with each as well. We are going to miss you.