Both Kroger and Publix had a number of good sales this week.  Kroger is running their Mega Event right now so be sure to plan ahead.  You ahve to buy 8 participating items to get the savings and I can't even imagine counting in the store.  Make a game plan and a backup game plan (they were out of 2 of the things I was planning on getting) so you don't get flustered in the store.  Here's what I came up with.

Kroger



March to Save Mega Event

Buy 8 and get $4 off instantly (price listed is after savings)

Kraft Cheese 6-8 oz or Cheese Singles 12 oz at 99¢ ea (I bought 4)

-$1/2 Kraft or Cracker Barrel Natural Cheese shreds or chunk in-store dispenser (these are still there and make them .49 ea...unheard of cheese price!)

Annie’s Mac & Cheese at 49¢ ea (I needed one more item and my little one likes this)

Gillette Fusion Shave Gel $2.50 (I bought 2 shave gels and got 2 body washes FREE!)

-$1 off Gillette Fusion Shave Prep PG 3/07, 2/07
Free Gillette Body Wash wyb Gillette Shave Prep PG 2/21
(buy Shave Gel and Body Wash makes it 75¢ ea)

Bumble Bee Pouch Tuna 2.5 oz at 29-49¢ ea (I tried to get these, but my Kroger was fresh out- great deal though)

-.55/1 off Bumble Bee Premium Tuna SS 2/21 (makes it FREE)
-$1/5 Bumble Bee Products printable

Del Monte Tomatoes 14.5 oz at 49¢ ea (I bought 8 or different varieties)
-$1/5 Del Monte Canned Fruits, Vegetables or Fruit Cup Snacks RP 2/07
-$1/4 Del Monte Tomatoes RP 2/07 (makes it 24¢ ea)

Brawny Paper Towels 6-8 rolls at $5.49 ea (I bought 1)

-.50/1 Brawny Towels RP 3/14

Other Deals

Garden of Eatin’ Tortilla Chips 9 oz at $2 ea

-$1 off Garden of Eatin’ product printable

Reynolds 100% Recycled Wrap $1.49

-$1 off Reynolds Aluminum Foil printable (makes it 49¢)

I also bought:
   yogurt, squash, avocados, butter, and chocolate chips (it killed me to buy these without a sale or coupon!!)

Total Spent: $31.01  Total Saved: $47.53

Publix



This was pasta week for me!  Don't be surprised if you see a ton of meals calling for pasta in teh future.  I'm up to my ears in it!

BOGO's

V8 V-Fusion 100% Juice, 46 oz, at $3.99 ($1.99)
-$1 off V8 V-Fusion printable (makes it 99¢)

Prego Italian Sauce or Meat Sauce, 23.5-24 oz, at $2.49 ($1.24) (I bought 2, make sure you get the Heart Smart kind or they won't take the Q)
-$1 off Prego Heart Smart Italian Sauce, SS 2/7 (makes it 24¢)

Mueller’s Pasta, including Whole Wheat Pasta, 12-16 oz, at $1.39 (69¢) (I bought...are you read?  10! Pasta doesn't go bad and you can't beat .19)
-$1/2 Mueller’s Whole Wheat Pasta or Pasta Ribbons, SS 1/3

All Small & Mighty Detergent, 32 oz, or 2x Ultra, 50 oz, at $5.99 ($2.99) (I bought 2 - stock up!)

-$1 off All Laundry Detergent, printable
-$2 off All Liquid Laundry Detergent, 50 oz+, RP 2/7 (regional) (makes it 99¢) (I had this one!)
-$1 off All Liquid Laundry Detergent, 50 oz+ RP 2/7

Blue Bell Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt, half-gal ctn, at $6.59 (Holy smokes that's a good deal! - I bought 2 vanilla...yum!)

-$1 off Blue Bell Ice Cream printable (makes it $2.29)
Other Deals

Cantaloupes $1.97 ea


Idaho Potatoes 5lb bag, $2.49

Yoplait Greek Yogurt 6 oz Cup $1.19 (2 here for recipes)

Free Yoplait Greek Yogurt printable (store coupon)

Friendship Sour Cream, 16 oz, .99¢ (I bought 4, it is called for in a lot of baking and some casseroles we will try)

-$1/2 Friendship Sour Cream in store dispenser (makes it 49¢)

Sue Bee Honey, 12 oz, $1.99

-$1 off Sue Bee Honey printable (makes it 99¢)

I Also Bought:
bananas .69/lb
lettuce (NOT on sale and not happy about it!)

Total Spent: $18.33  Total Saved: $49.39

Happy Clipping!

Well folks, the weekend came and went and meals never got posted...and here we are on Tuesday!  My baby is turning 1 this coming weekend so we've been putting in a lot of family time...and doing some much needed baby proofing as he is now an avid walker.

Since I'm so late this week, I'm giving you 3 meals to finish out the week AND next week's menu.  I'm pretty sure with the birthday festivities this weekend I'd be late again if I don't just do it now!  Thanks for your patience!

Wednesday
Pizza Spaghetti

12 oz uncooked spaghetti
1/2 tsp salt
1 1lb package mild ground pork sausage
2 oz turkey pepperoni slices (30 ), cut in half
1 26 oz jar pasta sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 8 oz package Italian blend cheese, shredded

Cook spaghetti according to package directions with salt.  Drain and place in lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish.  Brown sausage in skillet, drain and set aside.  Add pepperoni to skillet and cook 4 minutes.  Top spaghetti with sausage, pour sauce over sausage.  Arrange half pepperoni over sauce.  Sprinkle with cheeses and arrange remaining pepperoni over cheese.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 30 minutes.  Remove foil and cook 10 minutes more.

Thursday
Breakfast Sandwiches

We actually had these last night and they were so good for being so easy!

2 packages Pillsbury biscuits
6 eggs
1 cup shredded cheese
5 slices bacon, cooked
fresh fruit

Bake biscuits according to directions.  When biscuits have 8 minutes left, scramble eggs and microwave bacon.  When everything has finished cooking, assemble sandwiches.  Split a biscuit and top bottom half with eggs.  Top with cheese and one piece of bacon cut in half.  Put biscuit top on and serve with fresh fruit and breakfast potatoes if desired.  (My husband ate 3 so plan accordingly!)

Friday
Fiesta Chowder

3 Tb flour
1 package taco seasoning
4 cups chopped chicken breasts
3 Tb vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
1 can Mexican corn, drained
1 14.5 ox can Mexican style stewed tomatoes
1 can chopped green chiles
3 cups water
1 cup uncooked instant brown rice
1 can nacho cheese soup
3 Tb fresh chopped cilantro
1 Tb lime juice

Combine flour and 2 Tb taco seasoning in plastic bag; add chicken and shake to coat.  Cook chicken in Dutch oven until browned.  Add onion and garlic.  Stir in remaining taco seasoning, corn and next 5 ingredients.  Bring mixture to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes.  Remove lid and stir in nacho cheese soup, cilantro and lime juice.

Next Week's Menu

Monday
Over the Border BLT Wraps (Southern Living)

1 cup mayo
1 Tb fresh chopped cilantro
2 tsp chopped canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
8 flour tortillas
1 lb bacon slices, cooked
1/2 head lettuce, chopped
1 cup grape tomato halves

Stir 1st 3 ingredients together; spread over 1 side of tortilla.  Top with bacon, lettuce, and tomato.  Roll tightly and cut in half.

Tuesday
Tuna Noodle Casserole (yes, this has been on the menu before, but not since January and it's too good not to repeat once in a while!)

1.5 cups pasta
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom
1 cup milk
1 Tb oregano
1 tsp lemon juice
1 can drained Tuna
1 cup crushed potato chips

Boil 1.5 cups pasta (any kind). Saute one onion in olive oil. Add one can cream of mushroom, one cup milk, a dash or oregano, and a squeeze of lemon. Simmer 4 minutes. Add one can of drained tuna. Mix pasta and sauce together and spread in casserole dish. Top with crushed potato chips or bread crumbs and bake at 425 for 23 minutes. Prep some frozen broccoli and a can of crescents for an instant meal!

Wednesday
Asparagus and Swiss Impossible Pie

1.5 cups chopped asparagus

1 cup shredded Swiss
1/2 cup Biscuit Mix
1 cup milk
2 large eggs

Preheat oven to 400. Mist 9 in glass pie pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle asparagus and cheese over bottom of pan. Whisk milk, biscuit mix, and eggs in small bowl and pour over asparagus and cheese. Bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Cut into wedges to serve.

Thursday
Cheeseburger Pizza

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 Tb Worcestershire sauce
2 Tb ketchup
2 Tbl prepared mustard
1 10 Boboli or precooked Pillsbury pizza crust
1 8oz package shredded pizza cheese
Toppings: shredded lettuce, pickle slices, chopped tomatoes

Cook 1st 3 ingredients in skillet over medium heat; drain and stir in Worcestershire.  Combine ketchup and mustard; spread over pizza crust.  Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese.  Top with beef mixture and remaining cheese.  Bake at 450 for 8 minutes.  Sprinkle with toppings.



Friday
Grilled Tilapia

I got Gorton's grilled tilapia for $1.50 last week so these are going to be our seafood selection this week!  I'm going to pair mine with a bag of lightly sauced vegetable I got for free and Pillsbury crescent rolls I also got for free.  $1.50 for Friday night dinner.  Not too shabby!

Well, there were a few good deals to pick up this week.  I made a separate trip to Kroger just for milk, bread, and some Pillsbury pizza crusts (there's a story behind that below).  I was even more excited when I realized there is another Rite Aid $5/25 coupon out there!  People ask me all the time how to get fresh produce and meat on sale, well, this is how.  If you are lucky enough to shop a store that takes competitor coupons, hunt for a CVS or Rite Aid coupon that takes $3-$5 off a purchase.  That's like free fruit!  Enter a search on Swagbucks (there's a link on my home page) and see what you can turn up.  The last Rite Aid coupon I found was from Fresno, CA!

Rite Aid $5/25 coupon


$2 off wyb above and Publix Ground Chuck 1 lb +, $2.69 lb
-.55/1 Old El Paso Green Chiles printable

I bought 2 green chiles and 1 lb of ground beef
Buy:
(2) Old El Paso Green Chiles $1.35
(1) Ground Chuck 1 lb $2.69
Use:
(2) -.55/1 Green Chiles printable
-$2 off in ad coupon
Total Due: $2.29 (That's .89 each!)

BOGO Ken’s Steak House Dressing or Lite Accents, 7-16 oz at $3.29 ($1.64) (Ibought 4; remember, these also make great marinades)

-$1/2 Ken’s Dressings, Any SS 1/10 or SS 3/7
-BOGO Ken's Dressings SS 1/10
Buy 4, use 2 BOGO and 2 $1/2, makes it .32 each)

BOGO Ragu Pasta Sauce, 45 oz, at $3.19 ($1.59) (If you need sauce, this is a GREAT price, I am flush with marinara right now so...)

-.30/1 Ragu Sauce RP 1/31 (makes it 99¢)
-$1/2 Ragu Sauce RP 1/31 or printable
-$1/2 Ragu Sauce “Multiply Your Meals” booklet (store coupon, this is in a standing kiosk by the bakery)
(use store coupon with mfr. coupon makes it 49-59¢)

Gorton’s Grilled Fish 2ct $3 ea (I bought 2 tilapia and 2 salmon)

-$1/2 Gorton’s Product Yellow Advantage Buy Flyer (store coupon)
-$1/2 Gorton’s Grilled Item SS 1/03, SS 2/21
-$1 off Gorton’s Grilled Item SS 1/03
-.50/1 Gorton’s product printable (use with store coupon makes it $1.50 ea)

Sure for Men $2.49 (okay, not a pantry item, but c'mon!  FREE!)

-$1 off Sure Deodorant Green Advantage Buy Flyer (store coupon)
-$1.50 off Sure for Men Deodorant SS 1/24
-$1 off Sure Deodorant, 2 oz or larger SS 1/24
-$1 off Sure printable
(make it FREE)

I also bought:
 a French bread loaf
1 can nacho cheese soup
strawberries
cantalope
bananas
salad
cilantro
applesauce for my son

  Total = Spent $23.48      Saved $47.19

Kroger

1 gallon milk - $1.99!!
sandwich bread
eggs
1 Pillsbury pizza dough
1 Pillsbury breadsticks
 
* So the story with the Pillsbury items is this.  I needed them, but at Publix they were $2.49 each.  I just couldn't do it, even with my .40/2 coupon.  So I chanced it to see what Kroger could offer.  Well, they were on sale for $1.25 each, plus my .40/2 coupon (doubled), plus my .40/2 ecoupon.  That made each one .64!  I saved $3.68 just by waiting.  Well worth it to me.
 
  Total = $12.61  Saved - $5.31 (not a big couponing trip here, just the basics at a cheaper price)

I'm excited about some of these meals this week.  Deli meat has been so cheap I dug out another recipe that calls for ham.  Cut up deli meat works just as well, and at .50 a package, why not?!

*denotes items to be purchased on the next shopping day.

Monday
Sloppy Joe Loaf

3/4 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, drained
2 Tbl brown sugar
2 Tbl white vinegar
1 loaf Italian bread
1.5 cups shredded cheese

Brown beef and onion in skillet.  Add tomatoes, brown sugar and vinegar.  Cook 3 minutes while stirring.  Slice bread in half lengthwise and place on baking sheet.  Bake at 425 5 minutes.  Spread bread halves with meat mixture and top with cheese.  Bake at 425 for 12 minutes.  Cut into pieces to serve.

Tuesday
Ham and Potato Casserole

1 26 oz frozen shredded potatoes package
2.5 cups chopped ham
1 can cream of whatever you have on hand!
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup grated Parm
1 cup shredded Cheddar
Paprika

Combine 1st 4 ingredients.  Spoon into lightly greased 13 x 9 baking dish.  Bake at 400 for 25 minutes; sprinkle with cheeses and paprika.  Bake 5 minutes more.

Wednesday
Breakfast Burritos

1 1lb package breakfast sausage
6 eggs, scrambled
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1 cup salsa
2 cups shredded cheese, any type
tortillas

Brown sausage and build your burrito.  You can really add any toppings you like.  Start with a base of eggs.  Add meat, cheese, etc.  Don't fill too much or it won't roll up!

Thursday
Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

3.5 cups chicken broth
8 celery ribs, sliced
4 carrots, sliced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 tsp ground pepper
2 cups frozen corn
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Cheddar

Bring 1st 6 ingredients to a boil in Dutch oven. Cover and simmer 15-20 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in corn.  Melt butter in saucepan; add flour and whisk till smooth.  Cook 1 minute, whisking constantly. Gradually stir in milk and cook until bubbly and thick.  Add cheese and stir until blended. Stir cheese mixture into veggie mixture.  Cook over medium heat until heated through.

Friday
Salmon Bake with Pecan Crunch Coating (Southern Living)
4 salmon fillets*
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 Tbl Dijon mustard
3 Tbl butter, melted
1.5 Tbl honey
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 Tbl chopped parsley

Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper; place skin-side down in lightly greased 11 x 7 or 9 in baking dish.  Combine mustard, butter, honey and brush onto fish.  Combine breadcrumbs, pecans, and parsley and spoon evenly over salmon.  Bake at 450 12-15 minutes.