All You Grocery Challenge - Week 2, Day 3

All You Grocery Challenge - Week 2, Day 3

  

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Chicken Lettuce Wraps: 3 people

Based off of THIS recipe

Ingredients:

Ground Chicken (1lb) - $2.99

Butter Lettuce - $3.49

Dressing:

Minced Garlic (1Tbl )- $.07 (bought jar at $1.50)

1/2 yellow onion (minced) - $.21

Red Wine Vinegar (3 Tbl) - $.05 (bought bottle at $1.46)

Peanut Butter - had on hand

Hoisin Sauce - had on hand

Red Pepper Sauce - had on hand

Pinch of Sugar - had on hand

Pinch of Salt - had on hand

 Water Chesnuts (8 oz.) - $1.09

3 Green Onions (chopped) - $.34

Total Cost: $2.76 per person

+ leftovers for 1 lunch

All You Challenge Goal: $3.57 per person/day

My Goal: $2.86 per person/day

Goal Met? YES (just barely!)

Don't think kids will like this recipe?  Guess again!

  My 22 month old LOVED the lettuce wraps!

 

All You Grocery Challenge - Week 2, Day 2

All You Grocery Challenge - Week 2, Day 2

Monday, June 28, 2010

Tortellini Salad: 3 people

Based off of THIS recipe

Ingredients:

Whole Wheat Cheese Tortellini - $3.79

1 cup Organic Veggies - used from freezer

2 Eggs (Hard Boiled) - had on hand

2 Tbs. Italian Dressing - had on hand

3 Green Onions (chopped) - .34

Cheesy Muffins - had on hand

Total Cost: $1.38 per person

+ leftovers for 1 lunch

All You Challenge Goal: $3.57 per person/day

My Goal: $2.86 per person/day

Goal Met? YES

Dessert Recipe: Brownie Pudding

BROWNIE PUDDING

Adapted from Barefoot Contessa's Ina Garten

Photo and recipe from http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter (melted and cooled)
2 extra large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup cocoa powder (sifted)
1/4 cup all purpose flour (sifted)
1 T Vanilla Extract

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a baking dish (I used a 1.5L square dish) but you can use oval or round. Melt the stick of butter and let cool. In an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, mix together eggs and sugar on medium speed for about 5 minutes until smooth and pale yellow. Reduce speed to low and add vanilla and cocoa/flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Add cooled melted stick of butter until just combined.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Result: DELICIOUS! My husband gave this a 6 out of a 10. Since I don't bake a lot, I thought it was still pretty good. The dessert had a brownie like exterior and a gooey interior. The original recipe called for the seeds of a vanilla bean but since I'm not a professional baker, I chose to use vanilla extract instead. Also, Ina cooks her dessert in a water bath but again I did not do that because I am a working mom and I just don't do that sort of thing. :) I'm sure it would have come out even more amazing with those changes but it's still worth giving a try. I will probably make this again when I get another major chocolate craving and next time will serve it with vanilla ice cream. I'm a huge hot/cold dessert fan.

So, tell me...are you the middle of the pan kind of brownie lover or an edgy??

My Target Trip: Saved $59.39!

Items Bought:

2 pkgs. - Pampers Size 4 Diapers (31 count)

2 pkgs. - Purina Dog Treats

2 pkgs. - Hefty Freezer Bags

6 - Renuzit Air Freshners

2 pkgs. - Air Wick Refills Twin Pack

2 - Eucerin 1.0 oz. Lotion

This would have cost me -  $63.65 (before sale & coupons)

Total OOP (Out of Pocket): $20.28

(sales, manufactuer and Target coupons)

Savings = $59.39!!!!

All You Grocery Challenge: Week 1 Recap

All You Grocery Challenge Week 1 Recap

June 20 - June 26, 2010

Challenge Goal: $25 per person per week

My Goal: $20 per person/week or $2.86 per person/day

Sunday: June 20, 2010

Father's Day Grill: 4 people
Grilled Corn (4) - $1.00
Chicken Fajita Meat (2lb) - $8.44
Flour Tortillas (20 count) - Free
Guacamole - Free
Sour Cream - Free

Shredded Cheese - Free

Total Cost: $2.36 per person

+ lots of leftovers!

Monday: June 21, 2010

Pasta Primavera Dinner: 3 people
Pasta - pulled from pantry
Peas, Carrots, Green Beans - pulled from freezer
Ham Steaks (Cubed) - $2.68
Cheesy Muffins - had all ingredients on hand (made 12), froze 6
Total Cost: $.89 per person
 + ham and muffins leftover

Tuesday: June 22, 2010

Quesadilla Dinner: 3 people

Flour Tortillas - Free (Meal Deal at Grocery Store)
Fajita Chicken - Free (leftover from Sunday's meal)
Shredded Cheese - $2.07
Bag of Coleslaw - $1.33
Cilantro - $.33
Can of Black Beans - $.66
Red Onion - $.69 (only used half)
Red Bell Pepper - $1.78
Lemon - $.22
Total Cost: $2.36 per person
+ lots of black bean salad & coleslaw leftover


Wednesday: June 23, 2010

Turkey Bacon (BTC) Sandwiches Dinner: 3 people
Bread (slices) - $.42 (used 6 pieces @ .07c a piece)
Turkey Bacon - $.52 (only used half)
Tomato - $1.20
Sliced Cheese - $1.25 (only used half)
Bananas (5) - $.55
Total Cost: $1.31 per person
+ 2 bananas leftover


Thursday: June 24, 2010

Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Didn't end up making dinner, life got in the way...
(no picture)
Out to Dinner - BBQ Baked Potatoes: 3 people
Total Cost: $10.05 or $3.35 per person

Friday: June 25, 2010

(no picture - we were on the road)
Deli Chicken Breast Sandwiches Dinner: 3 people
Bread (slices) - $.42 (used 6 pieces @ .07c a piece)
Deli Meat - Free (coupon from manufacturer)
Sliced Cheese - $1.25 (other half of package from Thur. meal)
Yogurt Cups - Free (meal deal from grocery store)
Total Cost - $.56 per person
+ 3 yogurt cups leftover


Saturday: June 26, 2010

(no picture - out of town at birthday party)
Food provided - Hot dogs, chips
Total Cost - $0.00 per person


Recap:
All You Grocery Challenge - $25 person/week
My Week's Goal - $20 person/week
Total Spent: $10.83 per person/week

Wow - Until you see it on paper, you don't really know how much you are saving!!!!

I love this Grocery Challenge!

Summer Giveaway: Hasbro Coupons - 5 winners!

Recently, I had the pleasure of hosting a Hasbro Game Night through House Party.
They provided me with TONS of coupons to give away.

Summer Entertaining is on me!  Would you like to win a $5 coupon towards the purchase of a Hasbro Game? 
There will be five winners.

Prize: Three (3) $5 Off Coupons on the purchase of the following Hasbro games:

-Taboo
-Electronic Catch Phrase
-Scattergories
-Game of things...
-Pictionary Game

Coupons Expire on 9/6/10.

You can enter up to 3 times with the following methods:

Mandatory Entry:
1. Leave a comment telling me your favorite board game you played as a child. Please leave your email in the comment.

Additional Entries:
2. Become a fan of Texa$aver on facebook. If you're already a fan, leave a comment telling me so. Please leave your email address in the comment.

3. Subscribe to my free newsletter via email. You must confirm your email subscription for it to be a valid entry. If you're already a subscriber, leave a comment telling me so. Please leave your email address in the comment.

Open to U.S. Entries Only.  Please leave a comment for each additional entry. Giveaway ends on July 14, 2010 at 11:59 CST. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be announced on the Giveaways page. Winner will also be contacted by email.  Be sure that texasaver@yahoo is on your safe sender list as you don't want to miss the email if you are chosen as the winner.  Winner will have 5 days to respond to me by email before another winner will be chosen.

Menu Plan Monday: Dinners for 6/28/10 - 7/4/10

Monday:  Tortellini Salad

Tuesday: Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Wednesday: Potato Flake Chicken & Rice

Thursday: French Toast, Scrambled Eggs

Friday: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Saturday: Sloppy Joes (recipe to be posted)

Sunday: July 4th BBQ on the Grill

For more menu planning ideas, go to Org Junkie!

Happy Cooking Everyone!

Mailbox Monday: What Did You Get?

 

Last week was kind of a slow freebie week for me.

  Here's what I got...

Free Sample of Kraft Sandwich Shop Mayo (2 packets)

Free Sample of Olay Body Wash (Walmart's Free Sample Page)

True Citrus Samples (4 packets + $1 off Coupon)

Toys R Us Birthday Coupon ($5 off 25 purchase)

What kind of freebies did you score this past week?

Thanks to A Frugal Friend and Simply Stacie for hosting Mailbox Monday!

All You Grocery Challenge: Week 2 Day 1

I'm in the second week of the All You Grocery Challenge.

Goal: $25 per person per week

($3.57 per person per day)

  

All You Grocery Challenge - Week 2, Day 1

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Hamburger & Carmalized Onion Pizza Dinner: 3 people

Ingredients:

Pizza Crust - $1.72

Pizza Sauce - used from pantry

1 lb. Ground Sirloin (90/10) - $3.76

1/2 Red Onion - $.69

Shredded Cheese - leftover form last week

Total Cost: $2.06 per person

had enough leftovers for 2 lunches

All You Challenge Goal: $3.57 per person/day
My Goal: $2.86 per person/day

Goal Met? YES!

  

Sunday Coupon Preview - 2 Inserts

Two Inserts in Sunday's paper (6/27/10)

1 - SmartSource

1 - Red Plum

SmartSource Sneak Peak:

Heinz Vinegar, 64oz+ Save $1.00/1 (10/15)

Lea & Perrins Thick Classic Worcestershire Sauce Save $2.00/1 (7/25)

Yoplait YoPlus Yogurt 4pk Save $.50/1 (8/21)

Colgate Toothpaste, 4oz+ Save $.75/1 (7/17)

Betty Crocker Warm Delights Bowls or Mini Bowls Save $.75/1 (8/21)

To see the rest of the SmartSource preview, click here.

Red Plum Sneak Peak:

Ball Park Jumbo Beef Franks Save $0.75/1

Crest 3D Whitestrips Save $10.00/1

Emerald Nuts Products, 5oz or larger Save $1.50/2

Kellogg’s Cinnabon Cereal, 10oz or larger Save $1.00/1

Minute Ready to Serve Rice Save $0.50/1

To see the rest of the Red Plum preview, click here.

Happy Clipping!

It's a Social Parade -- Follower Friday Blog Hop!

It's a Social Parade and I'm In it!

I'm trying something new and exciting to get

even more people to learn about my money-saving tips,

meal planning ideas and yummy family-friendly recipes.

Every Friday, bloggers like me link up to find new and interesting blogging friends!

Also, it helps to gain more readers so that we can share what we are so passionate about.

For those that decide to stay:

1) Subscribe to my Texa$aver Newsletter (right hand side)

2) Follow through Google Friend Connect (right hand side)

-or-

3) "Like" Texa$aver on Facebook  

WELCOME!!!

New House Party - Rubbermaid

Apply for the newest House Party!

Rubbermaid Reveal Clean Little Secrets

House Party - August 21, 2010

If selected as a host, your FREE party pack will contain:

Rubbermaid Reveal spray mop for host

Rubbermaid rubber cleaning gloves for host

Rubbermaid Reveal spray mop coupons for guests

Goody Hair Ties

Recipe Cards for Solution Mix

eMusic Cards

Papermate Pens

Go HERE to sign up for the Rubbermaid House Party!

Good Luck!

New HEB Weekly Deals from 6/23/10 - 6/29/10

Sign up for their Points Club and save even more!
Check out their Coupon Policy before shopping.


Here are the deals and Coupon Matchups for 6/23/10 - 6/29/10:

Hill Country Fare Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs

-or- BBQ Seasoned Chicken Leg Quarters - $1/lb
Pork Riblets - $1.97/lb
Ground Chuck Patties - $2.57/lb
Boneless Pork Loin Strips - $1.97/lb
Market Fresh Italian Sausage Links - $1.97/lb
Bar S Franks - $1ea.
Boneless Beef Shoulder Roast - $2.47/lb*3x rewards item

Large Cantaloupe - 5 for $5

White Onions - 2lbs. for $1

Roma Tomatoes - .77c/lb

White Seedless Grapes - $1.77lb

Strawberries - $1.67ea.

Texas Watermelon - $3.77ea.

Texas Green Beans - .97c/lb

Zucchini Squash - .97c/lb

Russet Potatoes 5lb - $1.47ea.


Pepsi 12 pk products - 4 for $10
Oscar Mayer Lunchables - $1ea.

HEB Twice as Soft Bath Tissue - 2 for $10
Hill Country Fare Party! Cups - 5 for $5
Palmolive Dish Soap - 2 for $4
Lysol Brand Disinfectant Spray - $2ea.
- Printable Coupon
Suave Professionals Shampoo - $2.87
Colgate Total Toothpaste - $1.39ea.
- $1 Coupon from SS 6/6/10

Promised Land Milk - 5 for $5

Mars Single Candy - 2 for $1 or buy 3, get 4th FREE
Nestle Candy Bar 8 pks - $1 ea., Buy 4, get 5th FREE
Orbit Single Serve Gum - Buy 1, get 2nd FREE

Heinz 40 oz. Ketchup - $1ea.
Cheerios Cereal - $2.50
- .55c Printable Coupon
DiGiorno Pizza - $4.98
Tyson Center Cut Bacon - 2 for $5
Wesson Vegetable Oil - $1.88


Texas Showdown:

Buy Blue Bell Gold Rim Ice Cream, Get HEB Ice Cream FREE
-$1 Printable Coupon

Meal Deal:

Buy HEB Fully Cooked Beef Brisket
Get $15.31 in FREE items
-HEB Hearts of Romaine Salad
-HEB Paper Towels
-Can of Beans
-Eckrich Sausage
-HEB Soft Drinks
-Hill Country Potato Salad
-HEB Ice Cream

Other Deals:

Buy Mrs. Bairds Hot Dog Buns, Get HEB Corn Chips FREE

Buy Heinz Ketchup, Get Vlasic Pickles and Bush's Baked Beans FREE


Buy 2 Ball Park Franks, Get Tortillas and HEB Chili FREE
-$1/2 Coupons from RP 6/6/10


Buy Oscar Mayer Lunchmeat, Get Kraft Singles FREE
- $1 Printable Coupon


Buy HEB Premium Dips, Get HEB 2ltr Soft Drink and Chips FREE



Buy Fresh Express Baby Blends, Get Ken's Salad Dressing FREE

Do You Pay With Cash?

Do you pay with cash when purchasing your groceries?

Well, you might start now.

Thanks to a new bill that is expected to be signed next week,

consumers who pay cash will be rewarded.

Here's the lowdown:

-Processing Fees are escalating for Merchants

-To bypass the fees, Merchants will be able to set a $10 minimum on credit-card purchases

-If Consumer pays in Cash, merchant will offer cash paying savings

For more information on this new bill, go here.

Thanks, The Happy Housewife.

NCP: Make Your Opinion Count

"The National Consumer Panel is a "mini-U.S.A.," representing millions of Americans.

 By scanning the barcodes on their purchases and completing fun surveys,

 panelists truly make their opinions count in the consumer marketplace."

Recently, I became a member of the National Consumer Panel.

It took several months on the waiting list, but I finally received my scanner.

Why Join the National Consumer Panel?

-Receive Rewards for Scanning Your Purchases

(Examples: digital cameras, game consoles, luggage, toys)

-Let Companies Know Your Voice as a Consumer

-It's Easy as 1, 2, 3

Go here to join the National Consumer Panel today.

Photo and content from https://www.ncponline.com

Free DiGiorno Deep Dish Pizza

Have you tried the NEW DiGiorno Deep Dish Pizza?

I've tried it and it's delicious!

All you have to do is "like" DiGiorno on facebook.

Click on "Deep Dish" tab.

Upload a photo of yourself.

Post to your facebook wall.

You will receive a Coupon via snail mail for a FREE Deep Dish Pizza!

Doesn't get easier than that to get free food!

Thanks, Moms Need To Know!

 

Don't forget to "like" The Texa$aver too!

All You Grocery Challenge - Week 1

I've decided to buckle down and enter the

 2010 All You Grocery Challenge!

The contest runs from June 20 - July 17, 2010.

The Challenge:

"Spend no more than $25 per family member per week on groceries for four weeks"

while...

"Being creative with your menu and providing healthy choices for your family."

My Goal: Spend only $20 per person per week!

So, here's how my shopping went for Week 1: 6/20 - 6/26

# of Items Bought: 35

SubTotal before Coupons: $68.50

Total After Coupons: $41.52

Total Savings: $26.86

Menu Plan for the All You Grocery Challenge Week 1:

What We'll be having for Breakfast:

 Pumpkin Chocolate Mini Muffins

Cascadian Farm's Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bars

Bananas

Yogurt with Granola

What We'll be having for Lunch:

Tuna Salad with Kashi crackers

Chicken Breast Sandwiches with Pretzel Sticks

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Amy's Frozen Foods

What We'll be having for Dinner:

Sunday, June 20th: 

Father's Day Meal:

Grilled Chicken Fajitas w/ all the fixins

Grilled Fresh Corn on the Cobb

Monday, June 21, 2010: Pasta Primavera w/ Ham and Fig's Cheesy Muffins

Tuesday, June 22, 2010: Mexican Grilled Chicken Wraps &; Black Bean Salad

(used recipe as guideline to make quesadillas instead)

Frugal Tip: Used leftover chicken fajita meat from Sunday's meal

Wednesday, June 23, 2010: BTC (Turkey Bacon, Tomato & Cheese) Sandwich & Banana

Thursday, June 24, 2010: P.F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps


Friday, June 25, 2010: Chicken Sandwiches with Yogurt Cups

Saturday, June 26, 2010: Out of Town for Birthday Party 

I encourage all of you to do your own challenge at home

if you're not participating in the All You Grocery Challenge already!

Good Luck and keep me posted on your progress!

CVS Trip: Huggies Deal (82 Diapers for FREE!)

Thanks to all the wonderful frugal bloggers I follow,

I got a heads up about a FABULOUS deal on Huggies Diapers at CVS.

Here's how it went:

Box of Huggies Diapers - $19.99

(-) $4/$20 CVS Purchase (printed in store)

(-) $3 Off Huggies Box Diapers (printed in store)

(-) $3 Off Huggies Diapers (internet coupon)

--------------------------

 TOTAL: $9.99 + tax

Received $10 ECBs BACK!!!!!

It's like getting it for FREE!!! Woohoo!

Want to get the same deals at CVS?

Join their ExtraCare Rewards Program.

Menu Plan Monday: Dinners for 6/21/10 - 6/27/10

Monday: Pasta Primavera Mac N Cheese

Tuesday: Mexican Grilled Chicken Wraps

Wednesday: P.F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Thursday: Turkey Bacon BLT's w/ Cheese and Fruit Salad

Friday: Chicken Breast Sandwiches & Yogurt Cups w/ Granola

Saturday: Out of Town (birthday party)

Sunday: Cheeseburger Pizza

For more recipes and menu plan ideas, visit Org Junkie!

Mailbox Monday: What Did You Get?

Another Monday, means more goodies!

Here's what I got all last week:

 Vouchers for Two FREE - Quilted Northern 12 Double Rolls

(sent email complaint to corporate re quality)

 &

Better Homes and Gardens Magazine (free issue)

Taste of Home Healthy Cooking Magazine (free issue)

Dr. Scholl's For Her Insole with $2 Coupon

("like" Dr. Scholl's For Her on facebook) 

Special K Protein Trial Pack

Two $10 Coupons for Pampers Diapers

(sent complaint email to corporate re leakage)

Playtex Gentle Glide Sample from Walmart
Stonyfield - FREE Coupon for 1 - 4-pack Yo Baby 3 in 1 Meals

 3 - $1 Off Coupons for Various Stonyfield Products

$5 in Coupons for Various Stonyfield Products

(sent compliment email to Stonyfield)

What did you get this past week?

Post a comment and let me know!