Cut Food Cost

It seems that our grocery budget is ever growing. So if you are like me you need to simplify it just a bit. A few tips that I have used and seem to help are:

make a meal plan. That way you know what you are having and only have to shop one time a month. Those extra trips to the store often catch up with us and helps to make our budget grow

While my mother is not an advocate to buy store brands I often find that they are very similiar to the brand products that we choose to buy. Try them out for yourself if you like them as well or better then your grocery budget may be able to shrink up to 25%

Check out warehouse stores for staples like milk , eggs, butter, cheese and sugar. While not everything is not cheaper when you buy in bulk you may be able to find some awesome savings. Likewise keep your eye out for deals at places you would not regularly think of shopping for groceries. Our local gas station has cheaper milk than our grocery stores in this area.

Check out the farmers market and local farms that sell produce. They often have a better taste and savings

Pick up some rotisserie chicken. Look for bargains at your local deli counter, krogers and walmart all often have deals that you cant resist. You can stock up, chop up, and freeze for a later time.

Check local flyers, restraunt.com , and groupon.com for great deals at restaurants. Gift cards from PlasticJungle.com also make great deals when it comes to eating out.

Discover all the Kids Eat Free offers and don't forget about all the Report Card Freebies?

Brown bag your lunch instead of eating out this will help you cut your grocery budget quickly and help save money as well.

I hope you will find these tips useful and save some money as well

South Western Cobb Salad

What a great salad to serve to your family after a busy day of rushing. Sure to build energy back up and provide protien that is so much needed.

 

For the salad

• 1 small head romaine lettuce, chopped (6 cups total)
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cooked chicken breast (or use additional black beans)
• 1/3 red onion or red bell pepper, finely diced (1/2 cup)
• 1 avacado, diced
• 1 cup corn kernels, fresh, frozen, or canned (thawed, if frozen, drained and rinsed if canned)
• 1/2 cup diced or shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese

For the dressing

• 1/2 avacado
• 3 tablespoons low-fat sour cream
• 1/4 cup lime juice (1-2 limes)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Hot pepper sauce, to taste (optional)

1. Put the lettuce in a large serving bowl, and top with the rest of the salad ingredients.
2. Mash the 1/2 avacado and whisk it in a medium bowl with the remaining dressing ingredients.
3. Toss the salad with about 1/2 the dressing, then add more to taste.

recipe source kiwi

3 meat pizza casserole recipe

1 lb bow tie pasta
1 lb mild pork sausage
1 large onion, medium size chopped
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce (I used Bertolli’s Mushroom and Garlic)
1 lb cubed cooked ham
1/2-1 lb of sliced pepperoni
3 (8 ounce) bags of shredded mozzarella cheese
6 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
　
Directions
1. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dent é.
2. Cook sausage, garlic powder and oregano with onions until the juices run clear.




3. In a lightly greased 9x13x3 inch pan, pour a small amount of sauce to lightly coat bottom.

4. Layer ingredients in the order listed below.
5. 1st layer-1/3 of the pasta, 1/3 remaining sauce, 1 bag of mozzarella cheese, 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese, sausage and onions.
6. 2nd layer-1/2 of the remaining pasta, 1/2 remaining sauce, 1 bag of mozzarella cheese, 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese, ham.
7. 3rd layer-all remaining pasta, all remaining sauce, 1 bag of mozzarella cheese, 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese, all the pepperoni(completely covering the entire top with pepperoni).
8. Bake at 375°F for 40 minutes.
9. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

recipe source here

shared at
Feature Friday
shabbylicious

Copy Cat Recipes : Joes Crab Cakes

2/3 cup mayonnaise
5 egg yolks
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon blackening seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup crushed, chopped parsley
2 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
2 lbs crabmeat

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together.
Make into 4 oz. patties
Coat with flour and fry in 1 inch of oil until golden brown.

 

recipe source here

shared at
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creative things thursday

OOEEYY GOOOEEEYYY Worms Perfect for Halloween

find the recipe here and make your own

Moz Sticks

 

 

12 pieces string cheese

12 egg roll wrappers

Oil for deep-fat frying

Marinara or spaghetti sauce

 

Place a piece of string cheese near the bottom corner of one egg roll wrapper (keep remaining wrappers covered with a damp paper towel until ready to use). Fold bottom corner over cheese. Roll up halfway; fold sides toward center over cheese. Moisten remaining corner with water; roll up tightly to seal. Repeat with remaining wrappers and cheese. In an electric skillet, heat 1/2 in. of oil to 375°. Fry sticks, a few at a time, for 30-60 seconds on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve with marinara sauce. Yield: 1 dozen.

 

recipe source: Taste of Home

Pardon Day

When : Always September 8th Pardon Day is today. Its an opportunity to seek forgiveness where needed. Today is also a day to say "Pardon Me", or Excuse Me" as appropriate. In today's busy society, too many people race about their lives, forgetting the small courtesies in life. Among the easiest things to let slip by, is etiquette. Pardon Day is the perfect day to tell those who need to hear it "Pardon me" or "Excuse me" Use the manners that mom or grandma shared with you. Its a perfect time to give forgiveness or ask for forgiveness as well.  Origin of Pardon Day:
The roots of this day go back to September 8, 1974. On this day, newly installed President Gerald Ford issued a Presidential Proclamation pardoning President Richard M. Nixon of any wrong doing related to the Watergate scandal.

September 9 Salute To Bacon With Bacon Donuts

For Brioche Dough:
-2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
-1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
-1/4 cup cool water (about 70 degrees F)
-4 large eggs
-2 tablespoons sugar
-3/4 teaspoon sea salt
-1 cup (8 ounces) cold unsalted butter
For Maple Frosting:
-3 ounces unsalted butter
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-2 cups powdered sugar
-3/4 cup maple syrup
For decoration:
-1 cup bacon crumbles
Method:
Place 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the yeast, water, and whole eggs in a mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, using the flat beater paddle, until smooth. Cover the mixture and let sit for 45 minutes. It will develop some bubbles, but not change a lot due to the thinness of the batter. However, the yeast is getting a head start.
Add the remaining flour, the sugar, and salt, and beat for 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough cleans the sides of the bowls and is shiny and elastic.
Sprinkle a work surface with a small palmful of flour (about 2 tablespoons of flour). Place the butter on the flour. Pound with the side of a rolling pin until it has become a cohesive rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Fold it over several times as you pound; it will become pliable without getting too warm or soft. Add it to the dough and beat until it is fully incorporated.
Cover the dough with a towel and let it rise in a warm room for an hour. It should be very soft and have risen about 1/3. Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and fold it over several times. (Use a bench knife or dough scraper to scrape up any bits that stick to the table.) Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or up to 16). The dough will firm up considerably and be easier to work with.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Using a rolling pin with handles, roll it out to a thickness of 1/2 inch. If the dough is difficult to handle after rolling, place it in the freezer for 20 minutes. Cut the dough using a donut cutter or two round cutters of graduated size. Dip the cutters in flour each time to make it easier.
Cover and let rise until double, 30-40 minutes. At 25 minutes, begin to heat vegetable oil in high-sided stock pot to 350 degrees F.
While the donuts are rising, make the maple frosting. Heat butter over low heat until it is melted. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar until smooth. Stir in tablespoons of maple syrup one at a time, until desired consistency. Set aside until ready to frost.
When the oil reaches 350 to 360, carefully place 4 or 5 doughnuts in the oil. Fry for 1 minute, then use a slotted spoon to flip them over carefully. Fry the other sides for 1 minute, then flip the doughnuts again and fry for 30 seconds more, or until dark golden brown. Remove the doughnuts from the oil and drain them on paper for 30 seconds before frosting. Generously spread frosting over the top of the donut and sprinkle with bacon.

Nanas Special Day

National Grandparent's Day

When: the first Sunday after Labor Day Originated: 1978 President Jimmy Carter declared it to be the first Sunday after Labor Day It is only right and fitting that one day of the year is set aside to honor our grandparents. It is time to celebrate those special people who are always there with a hug, a kiss, a cookie, something special, or take us somewhere.