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January 25, 2010 by
Menu Planning Monday: My menu for the week of 1/24
January 25, 2010 by
For those of you who may be doing Weight Watchers, I have included the points per serving calculations for each of my recipes this week. I used the “Recipe Builder” feature on the WeightWatchers.com e-Tools program to input all of the ingredients and calculate the points, so it should be pretty accurate.
You can read more about my $40 (now $35) weekly budget in this post here. You can see pictures (and the breakdown) from my latest weekly shopping trip here.
If you have blogged a menu plan for the week (or even just a favorite recipe), please feel free to comment and share your link. I’m always looking for new ideas and inspiration and will be happy to share a link to your blog if we try your recipe!
If you need inspiration, check out the weekly meal plans here at Organized Junkie.
SUNDAY ~ Bourbon chicken – Keli shared this recipe in a comment on my Menu Planning Monday post last week and when I checked it out, it looked yummy! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks Keli!
Ingredients:
1 1/2-2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite size pieces)
1-2 T olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/4 tsp ginger
3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 c. apple juice (in the comments section on Recipezaar, some people substituted pineapple juice or orange juice)
1/3 c. light brown sugar
2 T ketchup
1 T cider vinegar (in the comments section on Recipezaar, some people substituted balsamic vinger or did half and half)
1/2 c. water
1/3 c. soy sauce
Directions:
Heat oil in a large skillet. Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned. Remove chicken. Add remaining ingredients, heating over medium heat until well dissolved. Add chicken and bring to a hard boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Serve over hot rice.
NOTES: On Recipezaar, some people mixed cornstarch and water and added it at the end to thicken the sauce.
We made this tonight and it was AWESOME! Definitely a “keeper” for us! We did thicken the sauce at the end.
WW points = 7 points per serving (add 2 points for 1/2 c. rice or 4 points for 1 cup)
Side = broccoli or asparagus and sliced cantaloupe
MONDAY ~ Steak stroganoff (slow cooker) – This is a family favorite!
Ingredients:
2T flour
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 3/4 lb. boneless round steak
2 cans 10 3/4 oz cream of mushroom soup (I use 98% FF)
2 c. water (or 1 can 100% FF beef broth for more flavor)
1 envelope beef stew mix
4 oz can mushrooms, sliced and drained
1/2 c. sour cream
1 T minced parsley
Combine flour, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika in slow cooker. Cut meat into 1 1/2 inch strips. Place in flour mixture and toss until meat is well coated. Add soup, water, and stew mix. Stir until well blended. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours. Stir in mushrooms, sour cream, and parsley and then cook on high 10-15 minutes until heated through. Serve over egg noodles. (Depending on the consistency of the sauce, you may need to add cornstarch to thicken or add more water/broth to thin)
To freeze: Pour into gallon freezer bags (I used Ziploc containers for this one). Allow to cool before freezing.
To reheat: Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Warm on stove and serve over rice or egg noodles. (Add sour cream when warming if you left it out of the initial recipe)
WW points = 7 points/serving (add 2 points for 1/2 c. cooked pasta or 4 points for 1 cup)
Sides = “green” veggies (green beans or broccoli) and a green salad
TUESDAY ~ Ravioli lasagne (freezer meal)
Ingredients:
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 pkg (25 oz) frozen cheese ravioli
2 cups small curd cottage cheese (I use low fat)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese (I omit this)
Directions: Spread ¼ cup of spaghetti sauce in 9X13 pan. Layer with half of the ravioli, 1 ¼ cups of sauce, and 1 cup of cottage cheese. Repeat layer. Sprinkle top with mozzarella and with parmesan cheese.
If freezing, place in a disposable aluminum pan. Cover with foil and freeze.
To bake: Thaw in refrigerator. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes until bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
WW points = 10 per serving
WEDNESDAY ~ Today is my husband’s birthday, so he got to pick his “favorites” for dinner. He picked chicken enchiladas and lemon cherry cheesecake.
Chicken enchiladas
Ingredients:
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use the 98% FF kind)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use the 98% FF kind)
2 cans green enchilada sauce
1 8 oz-16 oz. tub of sour cream (depends how spicy you want the enchiladas)
2-3 chicken breasts, shredded (if I’m in a hurry, I use canned chicken)
8 oz cheese, shredded
1 dozen flour tortillas (you could use corn also)
Add cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and enchilada sauce to a pan. Cook on medium low heat, stirring occasionally. When sauce is will mixed and starts to thin, add sour cream. Continue stirring occasionally until the sauce is well mixed and thinned out. Place a layer of the sauce along the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish. Fill each tortilla with the shredded chicken, sauce, and cheese. Roll and place in the baking dish. When you have filled all of the tortillas (this should make 1 dozen), pour the remain sauce over the top of the enchiladas and then cover with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is well melted.
WW points = 6 points per enchilada
Served w/ green salad and beans
Philadelphia 3 step cheesecake
Ingredients:
2 packages (8 ounces each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese (I use the 1/3 less fat and it works fine)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
1 Honey Maid graham cracker pie crust
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Stir in fresh lemon juice and grated lemon peel. Pour into crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool and refrigerate 3 hours (or overnight). I add a can of cherry pie filling on top.
(I didn’t even bother with the points on this, I’ll be skipping it)
THURSDAY: Cream cheese chicken (slow cooker)
Ingredients:
2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper (to taste)
2 pkg. dry Ranch or Italian dressing mix (we usually only use one)
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz. cream cheese – cut into cubes (I use the 1/3 less fat kind)
½ c. chicken broth
Directions: Brush chicken with butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in crock pot and sprinkle 1 pkg. dry mix over all. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours. About 45 minutes before serving, add soup, second packet of dry dressing mix, cream cheese, and chicken broth. Cook until smooth.
Serve over rice or pasta.
WW points = 6 points/serving (add 2 points for 1/2 c. rice or pasta or 4 points for 1 cup rice or pasta)
FRIDAY: Rice meatballs
Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked minute rice
1 lb ground beef (I use 93/7)
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 t. grated onion
2 t. salt (I cut this in half)
1/8 t marjoram
dash pepper
2 1/2 cups tomato juice (or two 8 oz cans tomato sauce mixed with 1/2 cup water)
1/2 t sugar
Combine rice and all other ingredients except tomato juice and sugar. Form balls and arrange in skillet. Pour tomato juice & sugar over meatballs. Bring to boil. Reduce heat & simmer uncovered 15 minutes.
WW points = 7 points/serving
SATURDAY: Teriyaki chicken: If you are wanting to get started with freezer cooking, this is seriously the EASIEST freezer meal to put together and a great one to start with!
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup pineapple juice
4 chicken breasts
Directions:
Mix marinade ingredients together and throw in a freezer bag with the chicken breasts. If you use it as a freezer meal, just defrost and cook as you please when ready to eat!
WW points = 8 points per serving (add 2 points for 1/2 cup rice or 4 points for 1 cup rice)
(We will serve this with rice and steamed broccoli)
Hot Kroger deal on Pillsbury, other catalina deals, and THE MEGA SALE IS COMING!
January 24, 2010 by
In my Kroger weekly deals post this week, I posted about a “cheap”/moneymaker scenario for buying Pillsbury refrigerated bread products this week (crescent rolls, Grands!, sweet rolls, etc.).
Then, at the register the other day, I got a catalina outlining an awesome catalina deal that starts today! The sale at Kroger goes through Tuesday (this is for the Texas/Louisiana market), so this will work Monday and Tuesday ONLY (at the 10/$10 prices). Here are the catalina deals:
Buy any Pillsbury Refrigerated Baked Goods Between 1/25 and 2/21:
Buy 4, get $2 OYNO
Buy 5, get $3 OYNO
Buy 6 (or more), get $4 OYNO
Here’s the breakdown on the Pillsbury deal:
Pillsbury Grands biscuits, crescents, or cinnamon rolls – 10/$10 – free or very cheap with coupons!
.25/1 Pillsbury crescent rolls – 11-15 GM, , 11-22 SS, 12-13 GM (will triple)
.40/2 Pillsbury crescent rolls – 12-6 SS (will double)
$1/1 Pillsbury crescent rolls printable here (makes them free after coupon!)
$1/2 Pillsbury Grands Sweet Rolls printable here
.50/2 Pillsbury crescent rolls printable here (will double)
.30/2 Pillsbury Grands refrigerated biscuits printable here (will triple)
.35/3 Pillsbury Grands Jr biscuits printable here (will triple)
$1/2 Pillsbury Grands Sweet rolls loadable on shortcuts.com
$1/2 Pillsbury crescent rolls loadable on shortcuts.com
.30/2 Pillsbury Grands refrigerated biscuits loadable on shortcuts.com
SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Pillsbury crescent rolls – $1/each
Buy 2 Pillsbury Grands sweet rolls – $1/each
Buy 2 Pillsbury Grands refrigerated biscuits – $1/each
Use 2 $1 crescent rolls printables
Use $1/2 sweet rolls printable
Use .30/2 refrigerated Grands printable (will triple to $.90)
$1/2 Crescent rolls loadable
$1/2 sweet rolls loadable
.30/2 refrigerated biscuits loadable
Spend $0 OOP, get a $4 OYNO catalina!
If you don’t have the 2 $1 crescent roll printables (I’m guessing the print limit has been met already…I printed mine awhile ago), you can still use the $.25/1 coupons which will triple and it works out almost as well! You pay about $.30 OOP (if you have the loadables)
OTHER CATALINA DEALS:
Save up to $3 on a Future Purchase of Beef or Chicken With Coupon ~ Purchase any Old El Paso taco shells, dinner kits, seasoning, refried beans or Heat & Serve side dishes between 1/25 and 2/21
-Save $1 on your next beef or chicken purchase when you buy 3
-Save $3 on your next beef or chicken purchase when you buy 6
There are peelie coupons where you buy 2 Old El Paso products and get a free seasoning packet. There is also a loadable coupon for $.50 off any Old El Paso product on cellfire.com
Here’s the cheapest way to do this:
Buy 6 taco seasoning packets (~ $.74/each)
Use 2 B2G1 free peelie coupons (if you have them)
Use $.50 Cellfire loadable
Spend $2.46 OOP, get $3 off your next beef or chicken purchase!
(There is also a coupon booklet at Randalls/Safeway stores that has a store coupon for $.50 off Old El Paso taco shells. If you buy 4 taco shells and 2 seasoning and use 4 $.50 coupons and the peelies, this ends up being a good deal too!)
In other news, based on postings I have seen from areas where the Kroger sales start on Sundays, it looks like the Mega sale is coming after all! If you’re not familiar with the Mega sale, you buy 10 participating items and get an instant $5 off. Check out my January 2009 Mega Sale scenarios for more information.
Here are a few of the deals I have seen, so you can stock up on coupons:
*Chex Mix – Print the $.50 Chex Mix printable and make sure you have loaded the coupons at cellfire.com and shortcuts.com and it will be FREE (if your store doubles or $.49 otherwise)
*Daisy sour cream – this will be $.49 after coupons – there are $.50 coupons which should double on eBay (check the location that it will be shipping from because these expire on 1/31)
*Electrasol/Finish Gel Tabs – $.49 after the $2.50 insert coupon (eBay’s your best bet for these, but they expire on 1-31, so make sure you find someone to ship who lives close and has good feedback!)
*French’s Classic Yellow Mustard – will be $.19 after coupons (if your stores double) – print the $.50 coupon or use the $.50 coupon from the 1-24 inserts (My Coupon Hunter still has some!)
*I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter – print the $1 coupon here (IE) or here (FF) and get it for FREE!
*Kraft cheese – will be $.49 after coupons – you want to print as many of the $1/2 Kraft cheese printables as you can and they also still have some available on My Coupon Hunter
*Mission Tortillas – will be $.74/each with the coupon from the 1-10 inserts (My Coupon Hunter has them)
*Quaker Quakes – will be $.24 if you have the $.75/1 coupons from the 1-10 RP insert (you will have to look to ebay for these
*Rotel – if your stores double or triple, it will be FREE after coupons (or .19 otherwise) – you want to get the $.30/1 coupon which was in yesterday’s inserts (these are also available on My Coupon Hunter)
*Sargento String cheese – Use the $.50/1 coupon from the 1-3 SS insert and it will be FREE (if your stores double or $.49 otherwise)! (My Coupon Hunter still has these available)
Get a free AMC movie ticket!
January 24, 2010 by
Be one of the first 200,000 people to sign up and become a fan of “Be Our Movie Critic” on Facebook, and get a free movie ticket to AMC theaters. The group is not directly affiliated with AMC but is reportedly offering the tickets to their fans in exchange for a review on their site. Reportedly, between February 25 and March 7, they will send out the tickets to those who are “eligible.”
As I post this, I need to add my own personal disclaimer. I have to admit that I’m a bit skeptical. Typically when I first hear about a “deal” I will wait until I try it myself or get more information from people to make sure it really “works.” I did sign up to become a fan, but since this is a time sensitive offer, I figured I’d go ahead and post it. I figured I didn’t have much to lose if it doesn’t work out and to be honest, I won’t be incredibly surprised (or disappointed) if I don’t get a ticket. This offer seems a bit fishy because the “fan” page lacks information about the actual company and the fan page was just created. Plus, there aren’t that many fans (1,837 at the time that I signed up) and once these deals hit message boards and blogs, they seem to spread like wildfire.
So, I guess, sign up at your own “risk” and maybe we’ll all be surprised in a month and get tickets! Or, maybe this is all just an experiment in social networking 🙂
Check out this article for more information on sifting between the legitimate and “fake” online deals:
Deal or No Deal: Tips for Finding Legitimate Deals Online
Target deals for the week of 1/24
January 24, 2010 by
NEW AT TARGET: Electronics trade-in ~ I just got the details on this in my e-mail this morning. Trade in your new or used iPod or iPhone for a Target gift card.
Target now offers price matching. You can check out their policy here.
At Target, you can use one Target coupon and one manufacturer’s coupon per item. The printable Target coupons now state “one per transaction” meaning you can only use one “like” coupon per transaction. The Target coupons from the inserts do not have this wording and neither do the Target toy coupons. You can read/print their coupon policy here.
They are also offering a .05 credit when you bring in your own reusable shopping bag!
*There is a printable coupon for a $10 Target gift card with any new or transferred prescription printable here (you can print 2 per computer) Competitor pharmacies (such as CVS and Walgreens) will usually also take these coupons. Check out my post here on how this works!
Here is the “reported” markdown schedule (YMMV):
Regular Markdown Schedule in other Departments
Monday – Electronics, Kids Clothing and Stationary (Cards, GiftWrap, etc.)
Tuesday – Domestics, Women’s Clothing, Pets and Market (food items)
Wednesday – Men’s Clothing, Toys, Health and Beauty, Lawn & Garden items
Thursday – House Wares, Lingerie, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Movies, Music, Books, Decor and Luggage
Friday – Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, & Jewelry
GROCERY:
*Avocadoes – $.69/each
*Baked Lays 2/$6 – $2-$2.55/each after coupons!
$1/1 or $.55/1 Baked Lays coupon – 1-3 SS
$1/1 Baked Lays coupon on smartsource.com
*Large apples – $.99/lb
*Lean Cuisine One dish favorites – $2
$1/1 Target Lean Cuisine printable
$1/3 manufacturer’s printable (this is a manufacturer’s coupon with the Target logo)
Buy 8 Lean Cuisine One Dish favorites, get free Dreyer’s fruit bars! (in some areas, this is Skinny Cow Truffle bars instead)
SCENARIO:
Buy 8 Lean Cuisine 1 dish favorites – $2/each
Buy 1 Dreyer’s fruit bars
Use 8 $1 Target printables (the wording on these states ONE per transaction, some stores allow multiples, but be aware that YMMV)
Use 2 $1/3 manufacturer’s coupons
Spend $6 OOP
*Market Pantry frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts – $5.79 (2.5 lb bag)
*Sutton & Dodge Chuck roast – $1.99/lb
HOUSEHOLD/PERSONAL CARE:
*Cottonelle Aloe & E 12 pack – $6.49
$1/1 Cottonelle coupon (FF)
$1/1 Cottonelle coupon (IE)
$1/1 Cottonelle Target printable
Final Price = $4.49 after Target and manufacturer’s coupons!
*Cottonelle Soothing Clean Wipes (40 ct) – $2.99
$.50/1 Cottonelle Flushable Moist Wipes printable
$1/1 Target Cottonelle Soothing wipes
Final price = $1.49 after coupons!
*Playtex tampons – $6.99
$1/1 Playtex Sport Tampons printable
Final price = $5.99
GIFT CARD DEALS: (There are other gift card deals this week. This is just the “highlights”)
*Buy 2 Axe bonus packs (priced at $5/each), get a $5 gift card (end date of this deal is in February)
$1/1 Axe Shower Gel or Detailer printable coupon here
SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Axe bonus packs – $5/each
Use 2 $1 coupons Use $5 Target gift card
Spend $3 OOP, get a $5 Target gift card
*Buy 3 Huggies or Pampers diapers or training pants, get a $5 Target gift card
$2/1 Pampers – 12-27 PG
$2/1 Pampers – this is a Target coupon that was regional in the 12-6 RP
$2/1 Huggies Little Movers or Little Snugglers printable
$1/1 Huggies diapers, any printable
$2/1 Huggies Pull-Ups printable
$1.50/1 Huggies diapers printable (please note: This is a manufacturer’s coupon with a Target logo, this is NOT a Target store coupon and it CANNOT be combined with other manufacturer’s coupons!)
$1/1 Huggies and Pampers Target coupons from home mailers
SCENARIO: (Huggies)
Buy 3 Huggies jumbo packs
Use 3 $2 printable coupons
Use $5 Target gift card (hopefully you keep one on hand!)
Spend $15.97 OOP, get a $5 Target gift card ($5.32 per jumbo pack)
SCENARIO: (Pampers)
Buy 3 Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive – $8.99
Use 3 $2 Pampers coupons
Use 3 $2 Pampers (Target) coupons
Use $5 Target gift card)
Spend $9.97 OOP, get a $5 Target gift card ($3.32/jumbo pack)
*Buy Michael Jackson This is It CD ($12.99) and This is It on DVD ($15.99), get a $5 Target gift card
*Buy 2 Similac formulas – $22.49/each, get a $5 Target gift card
MOVIE DEALS:
There are some HOT new printable coupons that have been released for $2 off the following movies. Click here to print these awesome coupons!
These prices are based on online pricing. The prices may vary in your actual store.
27 Dresses
Target ~ $9 ($7 after coupon!)
A Good Year
Target ~ $5 ($3 after coupon!)
Ever After: A Cinderella Story
Target ~ prices not listed online, reportedly it is $5 in stores making it $3 after coupon!
Just Married
Target ~ $9 ($7 after coupon)
Just My Luck
Target ~ $11.59 ($9.59 after coupon)
Moonstruck
Target ~ $11.59 ($9.59 after coupon)
The Princess Bride
Target ~ $9 ($7 after coupon!)
Unfaithful
Target ~ $11.59 ($9.59 after coupon)
What Happens in Vegas
Target ~ $9 ($7 after coupon!)
When Harry Met Sally
Target ~ $5 ($3 after coupon!)
OTHER DEALS:
*Carnation Instant Breakfast – There is a new $1/1 Target printable here (pg. 2) plus there were $1/1 coupons in the 1-3 inserts. These run between $3.75 and $4.50 at my stores. With both coupons, you should be able to get these for $1.75-$2.50!
*Electrasol tabs are on clearance in some areas for $3 (YMMV). Use the $2.50/1 coupon from the 1-3 inserts and get them for $.50/each!
*GE Reveal light bulbs – $2 – $1/each after coupon
$1/1 printable here
*Glad trash bags – combine the $1/1 printable Target coupon here with the $1/1 manufacturer’s coupon here for some great deals on trash bags – These usually are about $5.99 at my store, so you can get them for $3.99 after coupons!
*Juicy Juice – Use the $1/1 Target printable here and the $1/2 manufacturer’s coupon here (you must register). This is priced at $3.25-$3.50 at my stores, so it will be $1.75 after coupons.
*Method hand soap – Use the $2/1 Method Product printable (no longer available) and get it for $.49-$.99!
*Nivea Body Wash – Combine the $2/1 coupon for women’s body wash from the 1-3 SS insert with the $1/1 Nivea Skin Care (Target printable) and get it for $.99-$1.99!
*Rayovac batteries – The Rayovac alkaline batteries are back in the Dollar Spot. Pair them with the $1/1 coupons from the 10-18 or 11-8 SS inserts (these were regional, not all areas got them) and you get FREE batteries! (NOTE: You need to buy the batteries in the BLUE package that say “alkaline” not the ones in the red package)
NOTE: In some areas, these are part of the clearance in the “One Spot” and are 2/$1!
Here are some links to the clearance deals online: (don’t forget to shop through Ebates to get 4% cash back)
*Toddler girls
*Girls (4-14)
*Toddler boys
*Boys (4-14)
*General clearance
Want to get on the Target mailing lists? This isn’t a sure thing, but it’s worth signing up here. (Thanks A Full Cup!)
Check out more Target deals here on Attention Target Shoppers!
This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.
