Menu Plan Monday 71

There's not a whole lot going on this week. I'm trying to use up some things from the freezer the next few days. Here's what we're eating:
Sunday--Cheese Ravioli
Monday--Chicken Taco Bake (mixture from the freezer)
Tuesday--Parmesan Drumsticks, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Veggie
Wednesday--Tater Tot Hot Dish
Thursday--Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Squash
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--Eating Out

Menu Plan Monday 70

Time to move on from the Thanksgiving leftovers! Besides eating all the leftovers on Friday, I made Turkey/Rice Soup on Saturday and BBQ turkey on a bun on Sunday (with the BBQ sauce from this meatball recipe). Here's what we're eating the rest of the week:
Sunday--BBQ turkey on a bun, coleslaw, chips
Monday--Chili Mac
Tuesday--Chicken breasts, rice, veggie
Wednesday--Potato Soup
Thursday--Not sure yet, I need to go grocery shopping and haven't made my list yet!
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--TBD

Adventures in Breadmaking: Whole Wheat Bread

I think I'm starting to get the hang of this bread making! This whole wheat bread recipe was on the side of some North Dakota Mill whole wheat flour.

4 cups Dakota Maid whole wheat flour
2 1/2 cups Dakota Maid bread flour
2 pkg. dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110-115 degrees F)
2 1/4 cups warm water
2/3 cups dry milk ( I used warm milk in place of the 2 1/4 cups warm water. Well, I meant to, but I forgot until I had started pouring the water in, so I ended up with about 2/3 cup milk and the rest water.)
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup shortening, melted (I used butter)
1 T. salt

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup water. Add remaining water, dry milk, honey, shortening and salt. Beat in 1 cup whole wheat flour. Add remaining wheat flour.

Turn out on counter and knead, adding enough bread flour to make a soft dough. Place in lightly greased bowl and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk (about 45 minutes).

After first rise

Punch down dough, divide and form into two balls. Cover and let rest about 5 minutes.

Separated into two balls of dough

Roll each ball on lightly flour-dusted surface into a 10" by 6" rectangle. Roll up jellyroll fashion and pinch ends together. Place in two lightly greased 8 1/2" by 4 1/2" or 9" by 5" loaf pans, with seam sides down. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk.

Bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when tapped. Remove from pans immediately . Cool on wire rack.

I was happy with how this bread turned out. I need to keep remembering that because homemade bread does not have the preservatives that commercially available bread does, it does not last as long. When I took the half loaf of bread that was left out later in the week, it was starting to get moldy already. Sigh. So, when I make two loaves of bread, I'll put one in the freezer until I'm ready to use it.

The finished product

From the Grocery List to the Dinner Table: Thanksgiving Edition

Last week the Super One ad was filled with bargains for Thanksgiving Dinner.

What I bought for Thanksgiving--

Ocean Spray cranberry sauce $1.15-$1/2=$0.65, Turkey $0.43, almost 14 pounder was $5.96, Potatoes $2.98 for 10 pounds

I have to decide on a veggie, I have Pillsbury pie crust and filling for pies, I just need to get sausage for the stuffing, which is on sale this week

Breakfast items--

Johnsonville sausage $2.99, coffee beans, bagels, orange juice

Lunch--

Canned tuna, chips, bread, whole wheat tortillas

Meals--

Ham and bean soup, bought 2 cans of white beans at $0.88 each, used ham leftover from Saturday's ham dinner, broth from the freezer, and carrots/onion/celery I already had

Cheddarwurst were $2.49 each (although they charged me $3.43, so I'll get back money for these next time I shop), bought buns to go with at $1.55, leftover au gratin potatoes from our ham dinner on Saturday, frozen veggies

Baked potato bar using the surplus of potatoes I have, steamed broccoli, bacon, shredded cheese and sour cream

Also eating this week:

Roast from the freezer with fried potatoes (using leftover baked potatoes from potato bar night) and green beans, homemade pizza, and homemade vegetable beef soup with leftover roast beef from Thursday's supper.

Snacks--

Hunt's Snack Pack pudding $0.97-$0.50/2=$0.72 each

Produce--

Onions $0.99 for 2 lb., organic sweet potatoes $2.99 for 3 lb.

Bananas, oranges, grapes

Dairy--

Pillsbury crescent/sweet rolls 3/$5-$1/2 and $0.30 coupons=$1.23 each

Eggs, creamer, Tru Moo chocolate milk, 2% and skim milk

Pantry/freezer items--

My canned good storage is so full, I've had to put some cans in the kids' play kitchen! Okay, the kids put them there, but I am pretty stocked up.

Marshmallows $0.97, Green Giant canned veggies $0.55, Barilla whole grain pasta $1.25-$0.55 coupon=$0.70, Nestle hot cocoa mix $0.97, Fleischmann's yeast $1.25-$0.40 coupon=$0.85, Campbell's cream soup $0.59-$0.25/4 coupon=$0.53 each, Carnation evaporated milk $0.97-$0.50/2=$0.72, Dole pineapple $1.25-$0.50/2=$1.00 each, Flavorite pumpkin $0.97, Eagle sweetened condensed milk $1.99-$0.55=$1.44, Del Monte canned fruit $0.97, Swanson beef broth $0.59-$0.50/5=$0.49 each, Jello $0.77/Jello pudding $0.88-$0.55/3 coupon=$0.66 each, Comstock cherry pie filling $2.49-$0.50=$1.99, Heinz ketchup $1.66-$1.00 coupon=$0.66, Langer's cranberry juice $1.99, Birdseye Steamfresh $0.97, Green Giant Steamers $1.50-$0.50/2=$1.25 each, Edy's ice cream $2.49

Italian seasoning, salsa, pancake mix, flour, syrup, hamburger, more frozen veggies

Non-food--

Napkins, straws, Kotex Lightdays (got $2 catalina back for buying two), shampoo and conditioner

Kraft Foods deal: $10 off turkey when you buy 12 products. I was buying the turkey anyway at $0.43/lb., so I considered the $10 off to to be off the Kraft products.

Kraft ranch dressing $2.50-$0.83 promotion=$1.67

Planters peanuts $2.99-$0.83=$2.16

Nabisco crackers (two) $2.00-$0.84=$1.16 each

Stove Top stuffing (two) $1.25-$0.83=$0.42 each

Oscar Mayer bacon 2/$6-$0.83 each=$2.17 each (although they charged me $4.99 each! I'll be getting my money back next time I go shopping--$5.86 total with the overchard from the Hillshire Farms Cheddarwurst.)

Kraft shredded cheese (two) $2.67-$0.83 each=$1.84 each

Philadelphia cream cheese $1.66-$0.84=$0.82

Cool Whip $0.97-$0.83=$0.14

Saved $109.73 or 37%

Menu Plan Monday 69

Who has their turkey thawing in the refrigerator? My 15 pounder is! But I have a few days before Thanksgiving to plan for before we get to eat the turkey and trimmings. Here's what we're eating this week:
Sunday--Sweet and Sour Meatloaf, baked sweet potatoes, creamed corn
Monday--Spaghetti with meat sauce
Tuesday--Chicken breasts, rice, veggie
Wednesday--Something quick and easy since hubby will be gone and I'll be getting Thanksgiving prep done
Thursday--Thanksgiving feast! Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, corn, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, cherry Jell-o, pumpkin pie, apple pie a la mode
Friday--Leftovers of course
Saturday--TBD

Adventures in Breadmaking: Trial and Error and Cinnamon Raisin Bread

Our second week of bread making, Barry picked Sunflower Nut Bread and I picked a Simple Oat Bread recipe. After our first week, I realized we would need a few more things to enhance our bread making experience: another bread pan as I only had one and many recipes make two loaves, pastry brushes for brushing oil/butter/egg white on top of loaves of bread and bread flour.
Imagine my surprise when Barry came to tell me the brand new bread pan had exploded in the oven. That was a fun mess to clean up. At least it exploded away from the bread and there was not glass embedded in it.


We were a little disappointed with our results this time as both loaves were rather dense and heavy. They were still edible, but were not what we were hoping for. I suspect that since the yeast expired in May 2011, it just wasn't doing the job anymore, so I bought some fresh yeast next time I went grocery shopping.

I used the fresh yeast to make Cinnamon Raisin Bread, using a recipe from allrecipes.com.

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (105 degrees to 115 degrees)
• 2 cups warm milk (110 to 115 degrees F)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 5 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups raisins
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• GLAZE:
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk

In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add milk, 1/3 cup sugar, oil, salt and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Add raisins and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.

Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/4 hours. Punch dough down. On a lightly floured surface, divide in half. Roll each into a 15-in. x 7-in. rectangle.

Combine cinnamon and remaining sugar; sprinkle over dough. Sprinkle with water. Starting with a short side, roll up tightly, jelly-roll style. Pinch seams and ends to seal. Place, seam side down, in two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over loaves.

Menu Plan Monday 68

Last week was busy with Trick or Treating, a choir concert/variety show, and a band concert all falling near eating time. Thank goodness for a menu plan! This week parent/teacher conferences fall right at mealtime, so I'll work around that with something easy to make that night. Here's what we're eating this week:
Sunday--Leftovers
Monday--Steak, garlic mashed potatoes, salad
Tuesday--Chicken Stew
Wednesday--(P/T conferences) Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Thursday--Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, veggie
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--To be decided

Adventures in Breadmaking: Cranberry Walnut and French Baguettes

My husband and I have ongoing discussions about bread. He prefers the cheap white stuff while I like whole wheat. We both like the expensive artisan style bread with the crusty outside and chewy middle, but who wants to regularly spend $5 on a loaf of bread? So we decided to make Saturday our bread making day. Every week, we'll each pick a type of bread to try. Stir, knead, rise, bake, and then evaluate the end result.
For our first attempt, Barry picked Cranberry Walnut Bread. We adapted this No-Knead Artisan Style Bread from allrecipes.com by taking a reviewer's suggestion of adding dried cranberries and walnuts to the dough instead of the rosemary, thyme and sage.

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons salt (I used only 1 tsp. as other reviewers suggested)
  
• 1 2/3 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (optional)
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage (optional)

1. Combine the flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl and mix to combine. Add the water and herbs, if using, and mix well. The dough will be very sticky and shaggy-looking. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for 18 to 24 hours.
2. Generously flour a work surface. The dough will have risen and will be covered in bubbles. Transfer the dough to the work surface and dust it with flour. Fold the dough in half, and then form the dough into a ball by stretching and tucking the edges of the dough underneath the ball.
3. Liberally flour a kitchen towel (do not use terrycloth). Place the dough ball on the floured towel. Cover with another floured towel. Let the dough rise for about two hours [see footnote].
4. Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Place a lidded Dutch oven or deep heavy duty casserole dish (with lid) into the oven to preheat.
5. Carefully remove the hot baking dish from the oven. Remove the lid and gently turn the dough ball into the ungreased baking dish, seam-side up; shake the dish so the dough is more evenly distributed.
6. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and bake until the crust is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the loaf from the baking dish and let it cool on a rack before slicing.


I chose French Baguettes, also from allrecipes.com, adapted to bake in the oven rather than a bread machine.

• 1 cup water
• 2 1/2 cups bread flour (We didn't have bread flour, so I used all-purpose)
  
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast (I used active dry yeast)
  
• 1 egg yolk (I skipped this step because I didn't have a pastry brush to brush on the egg yolk)
  
• 1 tablespoon water

1. Place 1 cup water, bread flour, sugar, salt and yeast into bread machine pan in the order recommended by manufacturer. Select Dough cycle, and press Start.
2. When the cycle has completed, place dough in a greased bowl, turning to coat all sides. Cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in bulk. Dough is ready if indentation remains when touched.
3. Punch down dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll into a 16x12 inch rectangle. Cut dough in half, creating two 8x12 inch rectangles. Roll up each half of dough tightly, beginning at 12 inch side, pounding out any air bubbles as you go. Roll gently back and forth to taper end. Place 3 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Make deep diagonal slashes across loaves every 2 inches, or make one lengthwise slash on each loaf. Cover, and let rise in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes, or until doubled in bulk.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Mix egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water; brush over tops of loaves.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Non bread machine directions:
Combine water, sugar and yeast to proof. Add salt, then flour and knead until no longer sticky. Place in bowl and rise 30 minutes. Follow recipes directions above to the end.

We liked the flavor of both of these breads, although we expected them to rise more. The Cranberry Walnut Bread was chewy in the middle and crunchy on the outside. The baguettes were miniature, and unfortunately we only ended up eating one out of two baguettes. The second one we didn't get around to using right away, and it became hard as a rock.

From the Grocery List to the Dinner Table

When grocery shopping, I bought the following for meals I had planned:

Tater tot hotdish (Bought hamburger, tater tots, cream of mushroom soup for this)

Grilled pork chops, baked sweet potatoes, sugar snap peas (Bought pork chops, had sweet potatoes, bought veggies for $1.50-$0.35=$1.15)

Turkey meatloaf, mashed potatoes, squash (Bought ground turkey $2.99/20 oz. pkg., potatoes, squash)

Baked pasta (Used hamburger and shredded cheese I bought, plus some mushrooms and spinach, had pasta and sauce)

Chicken tacos (Bought chicken breasts for $7.97, whole wheat tortillas for $2.39)

I also bought other groceries:

Breakfast items--

Johnsonville sausage $2.99, Kashi cereal $3.33-$1.50=$1.83

Lunch--

Tortilla chips, juice boxes, ripple chips, bread, deli turkey, deli salami

Snacks--

Nestle Crunch $1.99-$1/2=$1.49 each, Goldfish $1.79-$0.35=$1.44, CheezIts $1.66, Cake donuts $1.99, Tribe hummus $1.49, ice cream

Produce--

Broccoli, garlic, baby bella mushrooms, bananas, spinach, organic carrots, apples, onions, green cabbage ($0.44/lb.), potatoes, pears, butternut squash

Dairy--

Butter $2.49, Yoplait 4 pk. $1.49-$0.50=$0.99, Activia $1.99-$1=$0.99, Coffeemate $0.99, eggs, cottage cheese, sour cream, chunk cheese, orange juice, 3 gallons of milk

Pantry/freezer items--

Hershey chocolate chips $0.99 each, canned pumpkin $0.99, Del Monte canned fruit 10/$10 (must buy 10), Del Monte canned veggies 10/$8 (must buy 8), McCains sweet potato fries $1.99, Frozen mixed berries $2.66-$0.35=$2.31, flour, coffee, walnut pieces, sweetened condensed milk, popcorn kernals, spaghetti noodles, rosemary, chicken drumsticks, hamburger, shredded cheese

Non-food--

Kitchen trash bags, glass cleaner

There was a General Mills deal for $5 off when you buy 10 items. I bought:

Chex Mix $1.49-$1/2 coupon=$0.99 each, Sweet Moments $1.99-$1=$0.99 each, Pillsbury pie crust $2.49-$1/2=$1.99 each, Yoplait Smoothies $1.99-$0.75=$1.24 each

There was also a Con Agra deal for $3 off when you buy 10 items. I bought:

Hunts spaghetti sauce $0.88 each, Hunts Snack Pack pudding $0.88-$0.50/2=$0.63 each, Peter Pan peanut butter $1.49-$0.50-$0.99, Pam cooking spray $2.19, RoTel tomatoes $0.69, Hunt's ketchup $0.88, Reddi Wip $1.69

Freebies--

Skittles FREE with coupon my oldest son got from entering a code from a Skittle package

I saved $110.27 or 34% on this shopping trip.

Menu Plan Monday 67

I haven't posted a menu in a few weeks, but I have been planning all along. Here's what we're eating this week:

Sunday--Homemade vegetable soup, rolls
Monday--Country style ribs cooked in the crock pot, baked potatoes, butternut squash
Tuesday--Dill crusted salmon, rice pilaf, veggie
Wednesday--Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, veggie
Thursday--Not sure, something with chicken thighs or ground beef
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--TBD

Apple Pie

We got a bunch of apples from a friend of my husband's, and hubby requested that I make apple pie with some of them. I went over to allrecipes.com and found this highly rated recipe for Grandma Ople's Apple Pie. I had never made a lattice crust before, so I just winged it. The pie was awesome!

• 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie (I used Pillsbury refrigerated crust)
  
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced (I didn't use Granny Smith, just whatever variety we were given, which were a semi-tart, firm apple)
  

1. Melt butter in a sauce pan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add white sugar, brown sugar and water; bring to a boil. Reduce temperature, and simmer 5 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
3. Bake 15 minutes at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes.

From the Grocery List to the Dinner Table

I saved $88.10 or 31% on my groceries this week by shopping the sales and using coupons. For meals I bought:

Shore Lunch, so hubby could finally make the fish that's been in our freezer since vacation in July
Beef stew meat at $3.69/lb. and beef stew seasoning packets at $0.25 each
To make Creamy Baked Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts ($4.94) and thighs ($3.49), can of cream of chicken soup, Swiss cheese, stuffing mix
Kielbasa and Potatoes O'Brien
Pizza dough mix, pepperoni (on sale for $1.99), mozzarella cheese for homemade pizza and a 2 liter of A & W root beer to go with it
The other meals for the week (chicken wings and sides, enchiladas, minestrone soup) I already have the ingredients in the pantry, refrigerator or freezer.

I also bought:
For breakfast--
Raisin Bran Crunch 3/$8-$1/2 coupon=$2.17 each
Mini Wheats 4/$10, get free gallon of milk wyb 4 (store coupon), used $1.50 off fruit wyb 2 boxes. Since I buy milk and fruit anyway, it was like getting four boxes of cereal for $2.80, or $0.70 each.


Sugardale bacon $3.99-$0.55 coupon=$3.44
Pillsbury cinnamon rolls $1.99-$1/2 coupon=$1.49 each
Eggo waffles $1.66, used coupon for $2 off milk wyb 2 Eggo. I would have bought milk anyway, so the waffles ended up being $0.66 each
Bagels

For lunch--
6 pk. unsweetened applesauce cups
Sun Chips
Sara Lee thin buns $2.99-$0.55 coupon=$2.44
Whole wheat bread $2.49-$0.55 coupons=$1.94 each
Tuna
Kettle chips
Ramen noodles
Deli turkey and ham

Snacks--
Raisins
M & M's (plain and peanut butter) $2.49 each-$1/2 coupon=$1.99 each
Sunflower seeds
Vista chocolate chip cookies
Planters Big Nut Bars $2.50-$1 coupons=$1.50 each
Almonds
Kashi pita chips $3.29-$1.50 coupon=$1.79
Kashi pumpkin spice crunchy granola bars $3.33-$1.50 coupon=$1.83 (These were really good! I normally don't like crunchy granola bars, but these had good flavor.)
Kashi honey sesame crackers $3.29-$1 coupon=$2.29
Saltines
Graham crackers
Pillsbury Sweet Moments $2.49-$1 and $1.10 coupons=$1.44 each

Produce--
Acorn squash
Dole salad mix
Bananas
Sweet potatoes
Organic carrots
Oranges
Pears
Apples
Potatoes
Avocado

Dairy--
Eggs
Milk
Shredded cheese
Butter
Block cheese
Orange juice
Pillsbury crescent rolls $1.99-$1/2 coupon=$1.49 each
Pillsbury biscuits $1.67-$1/2 coupon=$1.17 each
Parmesan cheese
Cottage cheese
Creamer
Yogurt

For the pantry/freezer--
Bulk coffee
Riceland brown rice $1.66-$0.50 coupon=$1.16
Refried beans
Black beans
Sugar
Frozen peas

Non-food--
Hefty One Zips bags 2/$4-$1/2 coupon=$1.50 each
Coffee filters

My kids built a fort out of boxed goods before I put all the groceries away.

Menu Plan Monday 66

Here's what we're eating this week:
Sunday--Grilled chicken wings, baked beans, salad
Monday--Beef stew
Tuesday--Creamy baked chicken breasts, baked potatoes, veggie
Wednesday--Enchiladas (didn't make last week)
Thursday--Kielbasa, Potatoes O'Brien, veggie
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--Minestrone soup, Tuscan bread
We got a bunch of apples from a friend, so I'll make an apple crisp this week, slice some up for the freezer, and make applesauce.

From the Grocery List to the Dinner Table

After I make note of what's on sale at Super One, I decide what meals to make. This week I planned to make:
Pork roast ($1.89/lb.) made in the crock pot with sauerkraut, baked potatoes and cooked carrots
Chicken Enchiladas with shredded chicken from the freezer. I bought tortillas at $0.99 each, shredded cheddar cheese and a can of cream of chicken soup. I had salsa already in the pantry.
Chili made with hamburger from the freezer, beans in the pantry, and corn from the freezer. We had corn muffins with the chili, made from ingredients in the pantry--I use the recipe on the corn meal container.
Parmesan drumsticks made with chicken from the freezer, Bear Creek pasta side (new product was on sale for $2.49, used $1 coupon making it $1.49), and a vegetable blend from the freezer.
Chicken dinner made with ingredients from the freezer and pantry.
Minestrone soup made with pantry ingredients, with Tuscan bread my husband got from Great Harvest
Frozen pizza with wings (2/$5 for the wings)
Not for this week, but I bought a turkey breast for $0.89/lb. to put in the freezer for Sunday dinner sometime in the future.

Other items that I bought this week--
For breakfast
Honey Bunches of Oats 2/$5, coupon for $1 off fruit wyb 2 boxes, $2.00 each (since I would have bought fruit anyway)
Life cereal $2.49
Kellogg's Raisin Bran 5/$11, used $1/2 coupon $1.70 each
Quaker instant oatmeal $2.49
Quaker Oats $1.99
Bulk coffee

For lunch
Minute Maid 100% juice boxes $2.99-$1 coupon=$1.99
Flavorite applesauce $2.49
Campbell's Chunky Soup $1.49-$1/4 coupon=$1.24 each. I remember when these used to go on sale for 10/$10, and I used coupons on top of that often making them $0.50 each.
Sunbelt granola bars $1.66
Jennie-O turkey burgers $5.99
Wheat kaiser rolls (for the turkey burgers) $2.59
Whole wheat bread
Tortilla chips
Broccoli salad from the deli
Honey ham from the deli

Produce
Peaches $1.47/lb.
Dole celery $0.66
Bananas
Mini sweet peppers
Organic carrots
Strawberries
Gala apples
Organic broccoli

Dairy
Frigo shredded Parmesan cheese $1.66 (for the minstrone soup)
Coffeemate creamer $0.99 each
Stonyfield organic yogurt $4.39-$1 coupon=$3.39
Old Home cottage cheese $1.99
Westfield Farms butter $2.49
Tru Moo chocolate milk $2.99 (does not have high fructose corn syrup in it)
Eggs
Block cheese
Orange juice
Milk

Snacks
Kashi pita crisps $3.29-$1.50 coupon=$1.79
Vista oyster crackers $1.00

For the pantry
Ronzoni pasta $1
Hunts tomatoes $1
Betty Crocker Fun Da Middles cupcake mix 2/$5-$0.75 coupon=$1.75
Crisco oil $2.99
Champion raisins $2.99
Ortega enchilada sauce $1.25
Wing seasoning $1.00
Pizza sauce $1.50
Aunt Jemima syrup $2.49
Par Excellence white rice $0.77
Smucker's low sugar strawberry jam $2.77-$0.55 coupon =$2.22
Aunt Jemima pancake mix $1.99
Country Time lemonade $2.49

Non-food
Softsoap liquid soap $1.25
Glad cling wrap $2.00
Paper plates, 100 count $0.99
Pull Ups $11.59, used FREE coupon from playing the Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards games
Angel Soft toilet paper $6.46, used $0.50 coupon=$5.96
Legal size security envelopes, $1.59

This week I saved 33% or $101.39 by shopping the sales and using coupons.

Use It Up Tip: Cheesy Chili Rice

I do my best to use up leftovers, but sometimes leftovers aren't appetizing after a couple days. I had in my menu plan to make a hamburger rice dish this week, but hadn't decided exactly what. Then I saw the leftover chili and I came up with a great idea for using it up.
I cooked rice--6 servings. I didn't have enough brown rice left, so I mixed brown and white and cooked it for about 25 minutes. I layered 1/2 the rice, 1/2 the chili, and some American cheese slices followed by the rest of the rice, chili and some cheddar cheese. Then I baked it about 20 minutes or so, and supper was ready. Quick, easy and cheap, and it tasted good, too.

Pumpkin Bars

Nothing says fall like baking with pumpkin! Pumpkin bars have been a family favorite for as long as I can remember--the mild pumpkin flavor with the cinnamon spice, and then the cream cheese frosting, they're soooo good. The recipe is from my mom.

4 eggs, beaten
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
1 cup pumpkin
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 cups flour

Mix together and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes in a 10 x 15 pan.

Frosting:
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
6 T. butter, softened
2 2/3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. milk

Mix with electric mixer until smooth. Add a little more milk if needed.

Menu Plan Monday 65

Looks like a pretty normal week ahead. Not a lot going on, which is nice sometimes. Here's what we're eating this week:
Sunday--Chili and corn muffins
Monday--Pork roast, baked potatoes, carrots
Tuesday--Hamburger/rice dish
Wednesday--Parmesan drumsticks (did not make these last week), pasta side, veggie
Thursday--Enchiladas
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--TBD
I think I'll make some pumpkin bars sometime this week, too.

Menu Plan Monday 64

School is in full swing now, so it's back to a more structured routine around here, including written-out meal plans. Here's what we're eating this week:
Sunday--Tacos (chicken or ground turkey), fruit salad
Monday--Chicken, baked potatoes, veggie
Tuesday--Chicken and rice, veggie
Wednesday--Potato soup with ham
Thursday--Parmesan drumsticks, mashed potatoes, veggie
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--TBD
It looks like we're eating a lot of chicken this week. I'm not grocery shopping until later in the week, so I'm working with what's in the freezer!

Blueberry Zucchini Bread

I had some zucchini from my mom and blueberries in the freezer, so I decided to make this Blueberry Zucchini Bread from allrecipes.com.

A certain four-year-old in this house likes to sample baked goods when they're fresh out of the oven.

3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup vegetable oil
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups white sugar
2 cups shredded zucchini
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 pint fresh blueberries (I used frozen)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease 4 mini-loaf pans. (I don't have mini loaf pans, so I used one bread pan and also made a dozen muffins.)
In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar. Fold in the zucchini. Beat in the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gently fold in the blueberries. Transfer to the prepared mini-loaf pans.
Bake 50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean. Cool 20 minutes in pans, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.

From the Grocery List to the Dinner Table

When I go grocery shopping, there are some products that I buy almost every shopping trip. I'm not very brand loyal, so I'll usually buy whichever brand is on sale that week.
In produce--
I always buy bananas, salad fixings (leaf lettuce, cucumber, other veggies that are on sale), apples and organic carrots (Earthbound Farm carrots just taste better than non-organic) if I'm getting low, and whatever is on sale for the week that our family will eat. This week it was blueberries that were FREE when buying two Ocean Spray juices, salad mix for $0.88, peaches for $1.59/lb. and pears for $0.97/lb., sweet corn for $0.22 each and red potatoes for $3.53. I also bought Caesar salad mix to eat with pizza, and a green pepper and mushrooms to make kabobs.
In dairy--
I always buy three gallons of milk, two 2% and one skim. I usually run out before my next shopping trip and have to buy more here in town. I buy yogurt if it's on sale. I prefer Yoplait and don't buy many other brands. I also like Stonyfield organic yogurt, but it's expensive so I don't buy it often. I buy cottage cheese, chunk cheese and shredded cheese, and orange juice, whatever is on sale or the cheapest. If I'm low on eggs, sour cream, creamer or butter I'll buy what's cheapest.
In the frozen section--
If I'm low on frozen veggies or they're on sale, I'll buy some. Sometimes I buy frozen pizza for the weekend. Sometimes I buy ice cream. I don't buy a lot of frozen food, mostly if it's a good sale that week.
In the bakery--
I buy two loaves of 100% whole wheat bread. Occasionally I'll buy white bread to placate the husband and kiddos, but I don't want them to come to expect it every week! My weakness is donuts/rolls, so if there's something on sale I'll probably buy it. This week it was caramel rolls. It was awesome with my Saturday morning coffee.
Other grocery items--
I look through the sale ad to see what's a good deal for the week. I buy whatever cereal or crackers are a good deal, if they're varieties we eat. I buy whatever chips are on sale to go with lunches. M&M's (individual size) were $0.55 and I used a $0.75/2 coupons, so $0.35 for both. Bob's Red Mill steel cut oats were $2.66. I've been wanting to try the steel cut oats, but they're usually quite expensive. Pineapple chunks for kabobs and tidbits for pizza. Hunts spaghetti sauce for $1, and free spaghetti when you buy 3 sauces. Two cans of tuna for a lunch option. Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding 5/$4 and used a coupon for $0.45/3, so $0.71 each. Frosted Mini Spooners for $0.97. Keebler Fudge granola bars for $2.77, but there was a tear pad on the display to try the product for free (send in receipt and UPC, get refund check). Bugles (the kids love 'em, but I rarely buy them). Eggo waffles on sale for $1.66, used $1/2, so $1.16 each. Johnsonville sausage for weekend breakfast. Garden of Eatin' blue chips for $2.99-$1 coupon=$1.99. Kangaroo pita chips for $1.99. Deli ham and turkey for sandwiches. Suave shampoo and conditioner for $0.99 each. Bic razors for $4.44-$2 coupon=$2.44.
I buy what I need for meals in the week(s) ahead. I bought pizza dough mix, hot dog buns, pepperoni and Canadian bacon for pizza, Elliott's hot dogs, baby back ribs for $1.97/lb., fresh chicken breasts for $1.97/lb., boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut up chicken fryer.
I also buy whatever I'm low on or out of. This week I needed chili powder and cumin, liquid hand soap, garbage bags, bulk coffee (always coffee!), cooking spray, sunflower seeds for hubby, Q-Tips.
This week I saved $80.12 or 30% by shopping the sales and using coupons.

Menu Plan Monday 63

It's hard to believe that summer is winding down, although it's still three weeks still school starts. We're trying to pack all we can into these last weeks! Meals will be simple so I don't have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Here's what we're eating this week:
Sunday-Clean out the fridge/leftovers
Monday--Hot dogs, watermelon, chips
Tuesday--Homemade chicken nuggets, sweet potato fries, veggie
Wednesday--Chicken kabobs
Thursday--Chili mac
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--TBD

Menu Plan Monday 62

I'm not grocery shopping until the end of the week, so I'm cooking out of the pantry/freezer this week. Here's what I have planned:
Sunday--Homemade chicken soup
Monday--Spaghetti
Tuesday--Chicken stir fry with brown rice
Wednesday--Pork tenderloin
Thursday--Grilled chicken
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--TBD

From the Grocery List to the Dinner Table

This is what I bought for groceries last week:

I bought this case of blueberries for $24.99 at our local grocery store (not where I do most of my shopping). Last year I bought a case for $17.99, so the price has gone up quite a bit. I froze most of them to use through the fall/winter. In the long run it's a money saver as I saw frozen blueberries in the grocery store were over $4 each.

For my regular shopping, I saved 34% or $121.90 buy shopping the sales and using coupons.

The freebies for the week--

Creamette spaghetti FREE with purchase of 3 Hunt's spaghetti sauce, Pop Tarts 12 pk. FREE with purchase of 4 Mini Wheats, Blueberries FREE with purchase of two Ocean Spray

Breakfast items--

Master English muffin bread $1.66, Kellogg's Mini Wheats (4 total) 4/$10-$1/2 coupons=$2.00 each, Kellogg's Raisin Bran Crunch and Rice Krispies 3/$8-$1/2 coupon=$2.16 each, Hungry Jack pancake mix $1.99, Eggo waffles $1.66-$1/3=$1.33 each, Johnsonville breakfast sausage $2.97, Jennie-O turkey bacon $1.99

Lunch--

Barrel o' Fun chips $2.50, Barrel o' Fun tortilla chips $1.99, Whole wheat bread $1.99 each, Kraft mac 'n cheese $0.75-$1/2 coupon=$0.41 each, Foster corn dogs $5.99, Deli salami $2.47, Deli hony ham $2.89

Meat and sides--

Ocean Eclipse salmon 4 oz. individally packaged 10/$10 (Made this awesome grilled salmon!), Gold'n Plump boneless, skinless chicken breasts $7.97, Gold'n Plump boneless, skinless chicken thighs $7.97,Gold'n Plump cut up fryers $4.94, Ground beef $13.13, Mr. Dee's sweet potato fries $2.50, Jack's pizza $2.49

Snacks--

Nabisco Teddy Grahams $2.49, Kashi pita crisps $2.99-$1.50 coupon=$1.49, Cheez Its $1.99, Kemps tropical popsicles $2.50, Kemps ice cream bucket $2.99, Hunt's snack pack pudding 5/$4

Produce--

Broccoli $0.92, Grapes $3.86, Dole salad mix $1.88, Bananas $1.86, Green beans $2.20, Green peppers 2/$0.97, Organic carrots $1.66, Roma tomotoes $0.43, Seedless watermelon $2.97, Idaho potatoes $3.49, Honeydew melon $5.44

Dairy--

Eggs $1.59, Cruz whole wheat tortillas $2.39, Westfield Farms shredded cheddar cheese $1.99, Crystal Farms string cheese $2.99, Yoplait Delights 4 pks. $2-$0.50 coupons=$1.50 each, Westfield Farms butter $2.50, Arrowhead cottage cheese $2.50, Coffeemate creamer $1.66-$0.55= $1.11, Reddi Wip $1.99, Crystal Farms American cheese $1.99, Arrowhead orange juice $3.99, Super One milk $2.50 each for 2, $3.49 for 3rd

Pantry items--

Hunt's ketchup $0.75, Chicken of the Sea tuna $0.69, Hunt's spaghetti sauce $1.00, S & W kidney and black beans 2/$3, Hunt's diced tomatoes $1.00, Kool Aid mix $1.99, Flavorite mandarin oranges (to add to fruit salad) $1.00, Del Monte pineapple $1.00, Nestle chocolate chips $2.49-$1/2 coupon=$1.99 each, Peter Pan peanut butter $0.99, Lime juice $1.79, Sunflower seeds $1.99

Other--

Ocean Spray cranapple juice 2/$5, Twizzlers $0.99, Bulk coffee $3.49,Bottled water 24 pk. $2.50, Royal Oak charcoal $4.94, Angel Soft 12 big rolls $4.94

Grilled Salmon

We grill often in the summer, especially when it's as hot and steamy outside as it has been. Sometimes I get tired of the same old burgers, pork chops or chicken that we seem to make most often, so last week we tried grilling salmon. The marinade added a nice sweetness to the salmon. (Recipe from allrecipes.com)
I also decided to do baked potatoes on the grill for the first time ever. I drizzled olive oil on aluminum foil, sprinkled with seasoning salt, and rolled each potato in the oil to coat. I wrapped them up (individually) and cooked on the grill about 45 minutes or so, until they were soft.
I rounded out the meal with fresh green beans. This was definitely the best meal of the week!

1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets
lemon pepper to taste (I didn't have any lemon pepper and used garlic pepper instead)
garlic powder to taste
salt to taste
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Season salmon fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and vegetable oil until sugar is dissolved. Place fish in a large resealable plastic bag with the soy sauce mixture, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Preheat grill for medium heat.
Lightly oil grill grate. Place salmon on the preheated grill, and discard marinade. Cook salmon for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

From the Grocery List to the Dinner Table, Vacation Edition

Little Winnie Lake

We were on vacation last week with my parents and sisters and their families. We took turns cooking the main meal of the day, and our family made homemade pizza with salad one night and grilled hamburgers, cole slaw and baked beans another night. Here's what else I bought before vacation:

Breakfast items--

Life cereal ($2.99-$0.75=$2.24)

Lunch--

Whole wheat bread (2), cottage white bread, unsweetened applesauce, chips, deli turkey and ham

Meat and sides--

Pizza crust (6), pizza sauce ($1-$1/5=$0.80 each), pizza toppings (pineapple, black olives, Canadian bacon, pepperoni), hamburger buns (3) ($1 each), chicken drumsticks (2/$, used 2-$1 coupons=$1.50 each), frozen pizza (2)

Snacks--More junk food than I usually buy, but it was for sharing on vacation

Graham crackers (2) ($1 each), Pretzel M & M's, 8 pk. fun size candy bars--Milky Way, Twix, 3 Musketeers, Snickers, vanilla wafers, Keebler Chips Deluxe, Quaker granola bars, almonds, sunflower seeds, Lunchables (4) ($1 each), Tribe hummus

Produce--

Broccoli, sliced mushrooms, romaine lettuce, mini carrots, plums and peaches ($1/lb.), coleslaw mix, spinach, roma tomatoes, apples, cucumbers, bananas

Dairy--

Coffeemate, eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, orange juice, bagels, butter, string cheese, block cheese, shredded cheese, milk

Pantry items--

Wacky Mac ($1-$0.40 coupon=$0.60), Flavorite peanut butter, taco shells, chocolate chips, pancake mix, canned peaches, canned pumpkin (2), Chi-Chi's salsa (2) ($1-$0.50=$0.50 each), Langer's apple juice ($1 each)

Other--

Paper plates, bottled iced tea (2), whole bean coffee, Pull Ups, bottled water, 3 pk. Zest soap ($1.99-$1=$0.99), Capri Sun (2), 6 pk. donuts (my weakness!), Kotex Lightdays, kids' toothpaste, Take and Toss straw cups

Menu Plan Monday 61

It's been over a month since I posted a Monday menu for the week! July was hot and busy and I've been keeping things simple for the most part. The last week we were on vacation and shared menu planning with the rest of my family (sisters and mom). Here's what we're eating this week:
Sunday--Grilled pork chops, herbed rice, corn
Monday--Grilled chicken thighs with this marinade, spanish rice, salad
Tuesday--Grilled salmon (see a theme here?!), fresh green beans, grilled potatoes
Wednesday--Something easy because hubby and oldest son won't be here
Thursday--Tacos
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--TBD

Menu Plan Monday 60

I puttered around in the kitchen most of the afternoon yesterday--boiling eggs, cooking down a chicken carcass for broth, making rhubarb bread, and making lasagna and garlic bread for supper. The rest of the week won't be as involved. Here's what we're eating this week:
Sunday--Lasagna, garlic bread
Monday--Salsa chicken, brown rice, broccoli
Tuesday--Turkey burgers, salad
Wednesday--Breakfast for dinner; pancakes and bacon
Thursday--Pepperoncini Beef, home fries
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--TBD

Rhubarb Bread

I had enough rhubarb left in my little patch that I decided to try some rhubarb bread. I used this recipe from allrecipes.com.

1 cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups chopped rhubarb
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I did not add walnuts)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans. In a small bowl, stir together milk, lemon juice and vanilla; let stand for 10 minutes. (I made one loaf of bread and 8 muffins with my batter.)
   
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, oil and egg. Combine the flour, salt and baking soda, stir into sugar mixture alternately with the milk mixture just until combined. Fold in rhubarb and nuts. Pour batter into prepared loaf pans.
3. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. Sprinkle this mixture over the unbaked loaves. (I ended up not putting the topping on; it tasted fine without it.)
   
4. Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a loaf comes out clean.

From the Grocery List to the Dinner Table

It wasn't a great week for grocery sales, but my family needs to eat, so here's what I bought:

Breakfast items--

Life cereal ($2.67-$0.75 coupons=$1.92 each), Mini Wheats w/Fruit cereal ($2.99-$1.00 coupon=$1.99), Post Honey Bunches of Oats, $2.50, Kashi Go Lean, $2.99, also, pancake mix and sausage

Lunch--

Ramen noodles, chips, bread, applesauce, canned pineapple, peanut butter, corn dogs, chicken tenders, deli salami, deli turkey

Meat and sides--

Seasoned whole chicken, chuck roast, pepperoni, French bread, frozen veggies

I made the chicken with mashed potatoes and cooked carrots. I'm still trying to decide what to do with the roast, so it went in the freezer for now. We had homemade pepperoni pizza, some with yellow peppers, the other night. I'm putting lasagna on the menu next week some time and will use the French bread that night. Frozen veggies are a quick and easy side for a busy night.

Snacks--

Keebler crackers, Kraft marshmallows ($1-$0.50/2=$0.75 each), almonds

Produce--

Green leaf lettuce, bananas, cucumber, broccoli, strawberries, braeburn apples, yellow bell pepper, potatoes

Dairy--

Milk, eggs, cottage cheese, creamer, block and shredded cheese, yogurt, orange juice, sour cream, butter, American cheese slices, chocolate milk ($1.99 on sale; I mix 1/2 and 1/2 with white milk to cut down on the sugar the kids get, and it's still plenty chocolatey)

I bought two containers of cottage cheese, one to have with salads/snacks and one to use in lasagna.

Pantry items--

Ketchup, flour, salad dressing (Kraft $1.49-$1/2= $0.99 each), pizza dough mix, vanilla, lasagna noodles, dill relish ($1.25-$0.75=$0.50), baked beans, Nesquik, pasta sauce, brown sugar, salt, organic honey, cinnamon, vegetable oil, whole wheat tortillas

These are items I was either running low on (flour, vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, salt, Nesquik), were on sale (ketchup, salad dressing, dill relish, baked beans, pasta sauce, organic honey, vegetable oil), or I needed for a meal in the next week or so (pizza dough mix, lasagna noodles, tortillas)

Other--

Coke ($4.94 on sale, I don't indulge very much, and only on the weekend, but this is as low as 24 packs sell for these days), cappuccino mix, coffee beans, Arm & Hammer Free detergent ($2.49-$1/2=$1.99 each), L'Oreal kids shampoo ($2.29-$0.75=$1.54)

Menu Plan Monday 59

I only have a partial list this week as I have to make a grocery list and go shopping this week. Here's what I have planned so far:
Sunday (Father's Day!)--Bacon wrapped pork, garlic smashed red potatoes, peas & carrots
Monday--Turkey burgers, sweet potato fries
Tuesday--Sausage, fried potatoes, veggie
Wednesday--Chicken, brown rice, veggie
Thursday through Saturday--To be decided

Kabobs

I love to grill kabobs in the summer, and there are so many different possible ways a person can make them. Recently we had smoked sausage with green pepper, onion, grape tomatoes and pineapple. Zucchini, summer squash and mushrooms are also great veggie additions. Sometimes I marinate them, this time I did not. I serve them over rice.

Menu Plan Monday 58

I did a big grocery shopping trip on Saturday, so we're well stocked for the week. Here's what we're eating:
Sunday--Grilled hamburgers, sweet potato fries, fruit salad and Rhubarb Dump Cake for dessert
Monday--Smoked sausage kabobs, brown rice
Tuesday--Tacos
Wednesday--BLT's
Thursday--Pork loin, mashed potatoes, veggie
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--TBD

Rhubarb Dump Cake

I was looking for a new rhubarb recipe and found this one on allrecipes.com. It was really easy to make, and although not my favorite rhubarb recipe, the kids loved it.


1 pound rhubarb, cut into 1/4 inch slices (I used almost 4 cups)
1 cup white sugar
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin mix (I used cherry flavor)
1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 cup water
1/4 cup margarine, melted (I used butter)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Spread the rhubarb evenly in the bottom of the buttered baking dish. Sprinkle the sugar over the rhubarb, followed by the gelatin mix, and finally the cake mix. Pour the water and melted margarine over the top. Do not stir.
3. Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the rhubarb is tender.

We had this warm with vanilla ice cream. The kids finished it off the next day with a little bit of whipped cream on top.

From the Grocery List to the Dinner Table

Last weekend we had to finish shopping for my daughter's birthday, so we picked up some of the sale items at Super One.

Ronzoni Garden Delight pasta, on sale for $0.99, used $1/2 coupon=$0.49 each (will use in pasta dishes in the future)

Hersheys candy pouches, on sale 3 for $5, used $2/2=$1 each
M & M's, on sale for $1.99, used $1.50 off 2 coupon=$1.24 each

Gold'n Plump chicken drumsticks and thighs, on sale for $1.99, used $1 coupon=$0.99 each (we grilled the drumsticks and I cooked the thighs for chicken soup for my daughter's birthday)

Overall I saved 39%, or $55.97 by shopping the sales and using coupons. I also bought:
Grocery items
Creamette thin spaghetti, $0.66 (for the pantry)
Ballpark buns--$1.50-$0.55 coupon=$0.95 each (Had Sloppy Joes from the freezer, and brats/hot dogs this week)
Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce--$1.50-$1/3 coupon=$1.17 each (for the pantry)
Rachel's Kettle Chips (hubby's choice)--$2.00 (for lunches)
Country Hearth whole wheat bread--$2.49-$0.55 coupons=$1.94 each (for breakfast/lunch/snack)
Del Monte ketchup--$0.77 (pantry)
Kellogg's fruit snacks (kid's choice)--$2.22
Kingsford lighter fluid--$3.33 (It's grilling season!)
Two bottles Dasani water (it was warm, we were thirsty)--$1.49 each
Del Monte spaghetti sauce--$0.66 (pantry)
Kingsford charcoal--$6.46-$1.00 coupon=$5.46
Doritos--$1.99 (lunches)
Meat
Besides the Gold'n Plump chicken, I bought a bag of Schweigert chicken nuggets for $4.99 (kids are home from school and I need some extra lunch options)
Produce
Mann's broccoli slaw--$1.47 (added to salad and casserole)
Bananas--$2.09 (got the first pound free with store coupon)
Green leaf lettuce--$0.97 (for salads, on sandwiches)
Pink lady apples, 3 lb.--$2.77
Dairy (Breakfast and snack options)
Eggs--$1.54
David bagels--$1.49
Arrowhead cottage cheese--$2.49
Skim milk--$3.19
2% milk--$3.59
Land O'Lake gallon orange juice--$4.34
Frozen
Kemps vanilla ice cream--$2.99 (to go with daughter's birthday cupcakes)
3 Jack's pizzas--$1.88 each
Deli
Hony ham--$4.68 (For sandwiches, in eggs)

Menu Plan Monday 57

School's out and summer's here! I'm not grocery shopping until the end of the week, so I'm using what I have in the pantry and freezer for this week's meals. Here's what we're eating this week:
Sunday--Homemade chicken noodle soup (7 year old daughter's birthday pick), cupcakes and ice cream
Monday--Sloppy Joes and/or pulled pork from the freezer, salad
Tuesday--Grillled brats/hot dogs, sides TBD
Wednesday--Grilled chicken drumsticks, sides TBD
Thursday--Baked spaghetti
Friday--Pizza
Saturday--TBD