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Tip of the Day Tuesday: Check out MyPoints!

January 19, 2010 by
MyPoints

In my Menu Planning Monday post, I shared that I cut our “eating out” budget to $50 for the month. To be honest, since I’ve been focusing on counting my points for Weight Watchers and eating better, I don’t really have a desire to eat out, but one of the ways that we are able to eat out without spending very much money out of pocket is by using gift cards that I have earned from sites like My Points.

If you’re looking to earn gift cards to supplement your 100% cash Christmas budget or you’re looking for an easy way to earn gift cards to supplement other budget categories, My Points makes it very easy! I joined the site about 5 years ago and in that five years, I have earned gift cards to places such as Chili’s, Target, Rainforest Cafe, Amazon.com, and CVS.

Here are some easy ways that you can earn points through My Points:

*Read the e-mails you receive – You will get 1-2 e-mails per day with various offers (I have not gotten any additional spam from this site, but you may want to sign up with a different e-mail address). Click on the “get points” icon in the e-mails that you receive and they will be added to your account! I usually earn 150-200 points each month just by doing this!

*Print and redeem coupons – you can print your coupons through MyPoints and you earn points each month when you redeem them!

*Earn points for your Bzz Agent reports – If you are a member of Bzz Agent (and if you’re not yet, you should join that, too!), you will typically earn 50-100 points for every Bzz report you submit. These are added to your My Points account!

*Shop through the links on their site – I usually do most of my shopping through Ebates, but if a retailer is not listed with them, I always check out My Points next!

Your points will add up before you know it and with 1,500 points, you can cash out for gift cards from several popular retailers including:

*Barnes and Noble
*Bass Pro Shops
*Bath and Body Works
*Borders
*Chili’s
*Gap/Old Navy
*Panera Bread
*Red Lobster/Olive Garden

Filed Under: Tip of the Day Tuesday Tagged With:

Get free Nivea body wash at Target!

January 18, 2010 by


Here are the weekly Target deals.

You can also get Nivea body wash for FREE this week using coupons!

Here’s are the coupons you need to make this deal work:
$2/1 Nivea Body Wash – 1-3 SS
$1/1 Nivea Skin Care (Target printable)

The Nivea is $2.99 at Target this week. Use the coupons above (make sure you give the Target coupon LAST) and get it for free! This results in $.01 “overage” so make sure you are buying other items, too, so you can avoid a hassle at the register!

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

Filed Under: freebies Tagged With:

Print your coupons now for an upcoming deal at Walgreens!

January 18, 2010 by


I posted yesterday about hot new Huggies printable coupons. If you haven’t printed these already, make sure you print them soon because there’s a sale coming up next week at Walgreens and you’ll want to use them!

Here’s the deal:

Starting on 1/24, you can get a $5 RR when you spend $25 on the following products: Huggies diapers jumbo packs, Pull-Ups training pants, or Goodnites – $8.99, Huggies wipes – $2.50, or Enfamil Lipil Formula – $22.99

Here are a few scenarios:

SCENARIO #1:
Buy 3 Huggies jumbo packs – $8.99/each

Use 3 $2 Huggies printables
Use $1 Huggies coupon in the Walgreens coloring book (will deduct $3)

Spend $17.97 OOP, get a $5 RR (if you have a $5 RR to roll into the deal, you only spend $12.97 OOP or $4.32 per jumbo pack!)

SCENARIO #2:
Buy 1 Enfamil Lipil – $22.99
Buy 1 Huggies wipes – $2.50

Use $5/1 Enfamil catalina (these are printing at my Kroger stores, YMMV at using them at your Walgreens stores, but they are manufacturer’s coupons)
Use $5 Enfamil check
Use $.75 Huggies wipes printable

Spend $14.74 OOP, get a $5 RR (if you have a $5 RR to roll into the deal, you only spend $9.74 OOP!)

SCENARIO #3:
Buy 10 tubs of Huggies wipes – $2.50 each

Use 10 $.75 Huggies wipes printable

Spend $17.50 OOP, get a $5 RR (if you have a $5 RR to roll into the deal, you only spend $12.50 OOP, which is $1.25/tub)

SCENARIO #4:
Buy 2 Huggies jumbo packs – $8.99/each
Buy 3 tubs Huggies wipes – $2.50/each

Use 2 $2 Huggies printables
Use $1 Walgreens activity book coupons (will deduct $2)
Use 3 $.75 Huggies wipes printables

Spend $17.23 OOP, get a $5 RR (if you have a $5 RR to roll into the deal, you only spend $12.23 OOP!)

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Walgreens deals for the week of 1/17

January 18, 2010 by


This week, I have several scenarios combined with the match-ups. The “newbie” scenarios and FAQs are at the end.

FREEBIES: (these items are free after coupons or RRs) remember if you are using a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon to give the manufacturer’s coupon FIRST and then the store coupon!

*Bayer Contour meter – $14.99 (UPC 3 0193 715101 9 in blue box) or Bayer Breeze meter – $14.99 (UPC 3 0193 144001 0 in blue box) (this is a monthly deal)
Up to $30/1 Bayer Breeze/Contour meter – 10-25 RP
(some people have also reported getting a $2 RR for buying 2 Bayer products in one transaction)

SCENARIO:

Buy both meters, spend $0 OOP, get a $3 RR, but 3 meters, get a $6 RR

*Buy 2 Neosporin antibiotic ointment (5 oz) or Lip Health products – 2/$8, get a $3 RR (this is a monthly deal)
$1/1 Neosporin printable here
$1/1 Neosporin – 1-3 inserts
$3/1 Neosporin lip health printable here
$2/1 Walgreens coupon in the Children’s Activity book

SCENARIO #1:
Buy 1 Neosporin antibiotic ointment – $4
Buy 1 Neosporin Lip Health product – $4

Use $1 Neosporin printable
Use $3 Neosporin printable
Use $2 Walgreens coupon

Spend $2 OOP, get a $3 RR

SCENARIO #2:
Buy 2 Neosporin antibiotic ointment – $4/each

Use 2 $1 Neosporin coupons
Use $2 Walgreens coupon (will deduct $4)

Spend $2 OOP, get a $3 RR

SCENARIO #3:
Buy 2 Neosporin lip products – $4/each

Use 2 $3 printables

Spend $2 OOP, get a $3 RR

Buy Wet Ones Antibacterial Wipes – 2/$4, get a $1 RR
$1.50/1 Wet Ones printable here

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Wet Ones – $2/each

Use 2 $1.50 coupons

Spend $1 OOP, get a $1 RR
Final cost = free after RR and coupons!

RR DEALS:

Buy Children’s Benadryl, Tylenol Plus, or Sudafed – 2/$10, get a $3 RR
$3/2 Infants’ Motrin, Children’s Motrin, Infants’ Tylenol, Children’s Tylenol, Children’s Tylenol Plus
$1/1 Children’s Tylenol in the Walgreen’s Coloring Book (I found mine at the pharmacy, but these have been around for awhile and are hard to come by now – if you can’t find the coloring book, ask your cashier to enter code 2033 – YMMV on being able to do this)

SCENARIO: (if you don’t have RR)
Buy 2 Tylenol Plus – 2/$10

Use $3/2 Tylenol coupon
Use $1/1 Walgreens coloring book coupon (will deduct $2)

Spend $5 OOP, get a $3 RR
Final price = $2 after RR and coupons!

SCENARIO: (if you do have RR)
Buy 2 Tylenol Plus – 2/$10
Buy 1 “filler” item (Mars candy is $.39 this week)

Use $3/2 Tylenol coupon
Use $1/1 Walgreens coloring book coupon (will deduct $2)
Use $3 RR (or whatever denomination you choose)

Spend $2.39 OOP, get a $3 RR
Final Price = free after RR and coupons!

Buy Curel or Jergens skin care – 2/$12, get a $5 RR
$1/1 Curel moisturizers – 12-6 and 1-17 SS
$1/1 Jergens moisturizers – 12-6 and 1-17 SS

SCENARIO: (if you don’t have RR to “roll”)
Buy 2 Curel or Jergens Skin care – 2/$12

Use 2 $1 Jergens/Curel coupons (this is a monthly deal valid through 1/30)

Spend $10 OOP, get a $5 RR
Final price = $5 after coupons and RR (it’s like paying $2.50/each!)

SCENARIO: (if you have RR to “roll”)
Buy 2 Curel or Jergens Skin care – 2/$12
Buy 1 “filler” item (Mars candy is $.39)

Use 2 $1 Jergens/Curel coupons
Use $5 RR

Spend $5 OOP, get a $5 RR
Final price = free after coupons and RR!

Buy 2 or more Delsym products, get a $3 RR (products priced at $7.99)
$1.50/1 Delsym – 11-15 SS
Final price = $9.98 ($4.99/each) after coupons/RR

Buy Select Dental Care Products – 2/$7, get a $2 RR: 2 pack Oral B Advantage Plus or 1-2-3 toothbrushes; Crest Pro Health, Extra White Plus, Scope, or Outlast Toothpaste, or Scope White or Outlast Mouthwash
$1.50/2 Oral B manual toothbrushes – 11-1 RP
$1/1 Crest Premium toothpaste – 12-6 RP, 12-27 PG, 1-17 PG
.75/1 Scope – 12-27 PG, 1-17 PG
Final Price = 2/$3 after coupons and RR (when you buy 2 Crest toothpaste

Spend $20 or more on Lean Cuisine or Lean Pockets, get a $5 RR – priced 2/$5
$1/3 Hot Pockets and $1/3 Lean Cuisine printables on Target.com (these are manufacturer’s coupons with a Target logo)
Final price = $13 after coupons and RR

Buy one Mucinex product ($9.99) and one Lysol product ($3.49), get a $3 RR (this is a monthly deal valid through 1/30)
$1/1 Mucinex adult medicine – 1-17 and 12-13 SS
$1/1 Lysol Disinfectant spray – 1-3 SS
Final price = $8.48 after coupons and RR

Buy Nivea Creme or Lotion – $6.99, get a $1 RR
$2/1 Nivea body lotion – 1-3 RP
Final price = $3.99 after coupons and RR

Buy Nivea Hydrating Shower Gel – $4.99, get a $2 RR
$2/1 Nivea Body Wash for Women – 1-3 RP
Final price = $.99 after coupons and RR

Buy Pampers diapers or Easy Ups – 2/$20, get a $3 RR
$2/1 Pampers diapers – 12-27 PG

SCENARIO: (if you have no RR)
Buy 2 Pampers diapers – 2/$20

Use 2 $2 Pampers coupons

Spend $16 OOP, get a $3 RR
Final Price = $13 after coupons and RR

SCENARIO: (if you have RR)
Buy 2 Pampers diapers – 2/$20
Buy 1 Mars candy – $.39

Use 2 $2 Pampers coupons
Use $3 RR

Spend $13.39 OOP, get a $3 RR
Final price = $10.39 ($5/pack) after coupons and RR

Buy Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, or Aussie Shampoo or Conditioner – $5.99, get a $2 RR
$3/2 Pantene products – 12-27 PG
$2/2 Head & Shoulders shampoo or conditioner – 12-27 PG
$1/1 Herbal Essences shampoo, conditioner, or styling product – 12-27 PG
$1/1 Aussie, any size – 12-27 PG

SCENARIO: (if you have no RR)
Buy 1 Aussie or Herbal Essences – $5.99

Use $1 coupon

Spend $4.99 OOP, get a $2 RR
Final Price = $2.99 after coupons and RR

SCENARIO: (if you have RR)
Buy 1 Aussie or Herbal Essences – $5.99
Buy 1 filler item – Mars candy is $.39

Use $1 coupon Use $2 RR
Spend $3.38 OOP, get a $2 RR
Final Price = $1.38 after coupons and RR

Spend $20 on Pepsi products, get a $10 RR: Frito Lay Doritos/Tostitos/Lays – $2.50, Tostitos/Fritos dip – $2.50, Gatorade – $1, Pepsi 12 pk – $3/each (pricing may vary by area), 2 liter Pepsi products – 4/$5
$1/1 Stacy’s Pita printable here
$1/2 Gatorade G2 – 1-10 RP

Buy one Theraflu (priced at $3.99) and one Lipton product (priced at $2.99), get a $4 RR (this is a monthly deal vaild through 1/30)
$2/1 Theraflu printable here
$2/1 Theraflu Sugar Free Night Time Severe Cold & Cough – Diabetes & You Magazine (Walgreens coupon)

SCENARIO:
Buy 1 Theraflu Sugar Free Night Time Severe Cold & Cough – $3.99
Buy 1 Lipton product – $2.99

Use $2 Theraflu coupon
Use $2 Walgreens coupon

Spend $2.99 OOP, get a $4 RR
Final price = free after coupons and RR

Buy Tropicana orange juice – 2/$6, get a $1 RR
$1/2 Tropicana Trop 50 – 11-15 RP
Final Price = $4 after coupons and RR

Spend $15 on Vicks NyQuil or DayQuil, Formula 44, VapoSyrup, or Vapo Pads, get a $5 RR; Spend $20 or more, get a $10 RR – NyQuil and DayQuil are on sale for $5/each (this is a monthly deal valid through 1/30)
$2/1 Vicks NyQuil or DayQuil – 1-17 PG

SCENARIO: (if you don’t have RR)
Buy 4 Vicks NyQuil/DayQuil – $5/each

Use 4 $2 coupons

Spend $12 OOP, get a $10 RR
Final price = $2 after coupons and RR

SCENARIO (if you have RR to “roll”)
Buy 4 Vicks NyQuil/Day Quil – $5/each
Buy 1 “filler” (Mars candy is $.39)

Use 4 $2 coupons Use $10 RR

Spend $2 OOP, get a $10 RR
Final price = free after coupons and RR!

Spend $30 or more on Zyrtec products, get a $10 RR: Zyrtec 24 ct D or 30 ct – $18.99, Itchy Eye drops – $12.99
$2/1 Zyrtec – 12-6-09 RP

Buy 3 or more participating products, get a $6 RR; buy 2 participating products, get a $3 RR: Alka Seltzer Plus or Cold & Sinus Headache Relief – $4.99 or One a Day/Citracal vitamins – $12.99
$1/1 Alka Seltzer printable

SCENARIO:
Buy 3 Alka Seltzer – $4.99

Use 3 $1 printables

Spend $11.97 OOP, get a $6 RR
Final price = $5.97 after coupons and RR

BOGO FREE DEALS:
*Scotch tape (masking or packaging)
*Walgreens alkaline batteries

FILLER ITEMS:
*Arizona tea – $.59 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna – $.69 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Kraft macaroni & cheese – $.59 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Mars candy – $.39
*Valentine candy – 2/$1
*Van Camp’s Pork and Beans – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)

OTHER DEALS:
*Buy Gillette cartridges (8-12 pack Mach 3, 4-8 pack Fusion), get a FREE Gillette or Old Spice antiperspirant/deodorant, body spray, or body wash
$3/1 Gillette Fusion cartridges – 6 ct or larger- 1-17 10 PG

*Johnson’s Body Care (softlotion or softwash) – $3.99 – $2.99 after coupon!
$1/1 Johnsons body care – 1-3 RP2

*Planter’s Nuts – $1.99
$1/1 Planters Peanuts – Diabetes & You Walgreens booklet $1/2 Planters – 12-13 SS $10 MIR when you buy 10 participating Nabisco products
SCENARIO:
Buy 10 Planter’s Nuts – $1.99/each

Use Diabetes & You coupon (will deduct $10) Use 5 $1/2 coupons
Spend $4.90, submit MIR = $5.10 moneymaker!

*Quaker Quakes – $.99 – $.24 after coupon!
$.75/1 Quaker rice and multigrain snack – 1-10 RP

The following scenarios are for those are just starting to shop at Walgreens and who have few, if any, RR to spend: $53.15 in merchandise for $2.17 OOP, $3 RR left to spend

Transaction #1:
Buy 2 Bayer monitors – $14.99

Use 2 $30/1 coupons

Spend $0 OOP, get a $3 RR

Transaction #2:
Buy 2 Neosporin lip products – $4/each
Buy 2 Wet Wipes – 2/$4
Buy 1 “filler” item (Mars candy is $.39)

Use 2 $3 printables
Use 2 $1.50/1 Wet Wipes coupons
Use $3 RR

Spend $.39 OOP, get a $3 RR and a $1 RR

Transaction #3:
Buy 2 Tylenol Plus – 2/$10
Buy 2 “filler” items (Mars candy is $.39 this week)

Use $3/2 Tylenol coupon
Use $1/1 Walgreens coloring book coupon (will deduct $2)
Use $3 RR and $1 RR

Spend $1.78 OOP, get a $3 RR

Some helpful tips:
*At Walgreens, you cannot do a promotion more than once in a transaction and earn Register Rewards.

*You also typically cannot use the Register Rewards earned from a promotion on the same promotion and earn Register Rewards again. For example, if you buy Wet Wipes and use the RR you earned from buying Wet Wipes to buy more Wet Wipes, another RR will not print.

*Typically, you cannot use the Register Rewards earned from a promotion with the same manufacturer and earn Register Rewards again. (all of the manufacturers are listed next to the deal in the coupon match-ups)

*Register Rewards are considered to be “manufacturer’s coupons” and you can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. You will have to add “filler” items. The in ad coupons often have good, inexpensive filler items. (there are LOTS of great filler items this week – check out the weekly match-ups for ideas)

*If you are using more than one RR in a transaction, always give the RR with the highest value FIRST. Sometimes strange things happen with coupons and taxes and even if you think you have planned out your scenario very well, you will end up with more overage than you planned for.

*If you are buying items that would result in a “free” item or “overage” when combining a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon, give the manufacturer’s coupon FIRST, and the store coupons LAST to avoid beeping/issues at the register! Make sure that you are purchasing enough items in your total transaction to “cover” the overage. You will not get cash back and you will have to add items to cover the overage or they will not take the coupon.

*If your Register Reward doesn’t print for some reason and you have fulfilled all of the obligations for the “deal” (including not using RR from the same parent company to pay) DO NOT let them tell you it is because you used coupons! Chances are they didn’t print because the catalina machine is not working. You have two choices: you can return your items and try again or you can contact the catalina company by doing the following:
*The store will give you a form to fill out and mail in to catalina
*Call 1-888-8coupon, option 3
*Use the online form to contact them: Contact Catalina Marketing (when I have tried contacting them this way, my results have not been very good….your best bet is to call)

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

Filed Under: Scenario Sunday Tagged With:

Menu Planning Monday: My Menu for the week of 1/17 (WW points included)

January 18, 2010 by

Money Saving Mom is doing an “Eat from the Pantry” challenge this month. I didn’t start the challenge at the beginning of the month because we were in the middle of our budget and because most of my meals consist of items that are “from the pantry” already, so I wasn’t sure that I could cut my budget any more than I already have. Plus, to be honest, I was a little bit worried about being able to replenish my stockpile on my limited budget if we were strictly eating from the pantry. We just did our new budget (I budget from the 15th to the 14th) and I am cutting our monthly grocery budget from $160/month to $140/month. This basically means I’ll be buying groceries on $35 per week rather than $40 per week which I know isn’t a huge change, but the big change is that I also cut our “eating out” budget to $50 a month. I have made meals at home for three weeks straight now (no eating out) and to be honest, I haven’t missed it all that much. Plus, it has helped me to stay on track with my weight loss goals for the year.

Speaking of weight loss goals, 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 ~ Sweet and sour pork (I got this recipe from my mother in law)

Ingredients:
1 t. soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 T cornstarch
dash of salt
1/2 c. pineapple juice or water
3 T cider vinegar
2 T ketchup
Pineapple, onions, green peppers
Chopped ham

Mix ingredients in a pan. Stir constantly over low heat until thickened and translucent. Add pineapple, onion, green peppers, and ham. Serve over rice.

WW points per serving = 6 points per serving (including 1/2 c. of white rice per serving)

MONDAY ~ Foil baked Asian chicken – This comes from the April 2009 issue of All You Magazine. It’s super easy to make and family friendly! (this is a carry over from last week because we ended up having frozen pizzas Friday night instead)

Ingredients:
8 tsp olive oil
4 cups baby spinach
4 4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
8 oz white mushrooms, sliced
4 tsp teriyaki sauce
salt

Preheat over to 450 degrees. Tear off four 10-inch square sof aluminum foil (great sure for all that foil I stocked up on at Walgreens last week!). Brush each square with 2 tsp olive oil. Place 1 cup spinach on each square, slightly off center. Top with a chicken breast half and some mushrooms. Drizzle 1 tsp teriyaki sauce over each portion. Sprinkle with salt.

Fold each piece of foil over to cover chicken and vegetables. Crimp edges together tightly to seal. Place packets on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot.

WW points per serving = 9 points/serving (includes 1/2 cup of rice)

TUESDAY ~ Taco soup (slow cooker) – this is a carry over from last week because I decided to make chicken noodle soup on Saturday instead

Ingredients:
1 1/2-2 lb. ground meat (I use 1 lb and 93/7)
1 packet Ranch dressing seasoning mix
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can corn
1 can pinto beans
1 can Ranch style beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
1 can Rotel
1 can water

Brown the meat and then add combine the meat and other ingredients in a crock pot and to cook it on low all day. When we’re ready to eat, I will serve it with tortilla chips, sour cream, and cheese.

NOTES: With just one can of water, it will be very thick. Add more if you want it thinner. I drain the corn and pinto beans before adding them. I don’t drain the Ranch style beans because they are seasoned!

WW points per serving = 8 points per serving (this does not include any toppings you add)

WEDNESDAY ~ Parsley Parmesan chicken (freezer meal) – This has become a “hit” in our house. I actually don’t have any in the freezer right now, so I’m making this one “fresh.”

Ingredients:
2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 6-8 chicken breasts)
1/3 bottle of Italian salad dressing (I use fat free)
1/2 c shredded Parmesan cheese (I used reduced fat)
1/3 c dry bread crumbs (used Seasoned Italian bread crumbs)
1 1/2 T parsley flakes
1/2 T paprika
Salt & Pepper

Assembly Directions:
Marinate chicken in dressing overnight.
Mix the remaining ingredients and bread each breast with coating.

To Freeze: Lay chicken breasts side by side on baking sheets and place in freezer for 1 to 2 hours to firm up. Place chicken in labeled gallon size Freezer Bag and freeze.

Cooking Directions:
Thaw & bake at 350 uncovered for 30 minutes or until done.

WW points per serving = 6 points/serving

THURSDAY ~ Potato pizza – I got this recipe from my friend DeAna (check out her blog Balancing Act Basics here) several years ago, but after my computer crashed, I hadn’t been able to locate it. I e-mailed her and she sent it to me again right away (thanks DeAna!)

Ingredients:
1lb ground beef (I use 93/7)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp sugar
1 can (15oz) tomato sauce
4 cups thinly sliced potatoes
1 can (10.75oz) cheddar cheese soup
1/2 cup milk (I use skim)
1 Tbsp butter
mozzarella cheese, shredded (I used reduced fat)
1/2 cup Parmesan (I omit this)

Brown ground beef with onions, salt & pepper. Render fat from ground beef. Add oregano, sugar and tomato sauce. Stir together cheddar cheese soup and milk until smooth. Combine potatoes and beef mixture in a 13x9x2-inch pan. Dot with butter. Pour cheese sauce over top, but don’t stir. Cover pan tightly with foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour. Remove pan from oven and arrange mozzarella cheese on top. Return pan uncovered to oven and bake until cheese is bubbly, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.
WW points per serving = 6

FRIDAY ~ Taco rice (freezer meal)

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
3 cups Chicken broth (I use 100% fat free)
8 oz. Tomato sauce
1 pkg. Taco seasoning mix
1-1/2 cups Brown rice, uncooked
1/2 cup Red or Green Pepper
1 can of corn
(1 can red enchilada sauce ~ this is my personal addition)

On Hand:
Shredded cheddar cheese

Optional Ingredients:
Tortilla chips, flour tortillas, tomatoes, lettuce, salsa, etc.

Assembly Directions:
Mix everything in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until rice is done (about 40-50 minutes). Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Freezing Directions:
Allow rice mixture to cool. Place in appropriate sized containers. Seal, label and freeze.

Serving Directions:
Thaw in the refrigerator. Reheat in microwave until warm. You can also reheat it in a saucepan if you add a little bit of water before heating. Sprinkle cheese on top and serve with tortilla chips.

Comments:
This is a big favorite around our house. This time around, I substituted red enchilada sauce for the tomato sauce. I thought it would give it more zip, but I didn’t really notice a huge difference. My entire family loves this and it makes a LOT. We use it with nachos or as filling for tacos/burritos.

WW points per serving = 5 points/serving (this does not include toppings or “extras”)

SATURDAY ~ Buttermilk “Fried” Chicken with Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes – I got this recipe from the latest Family Circle Magazine and it sounded yummy. It is more points than I like to use on a meal right now, so I’ll have to plan the rest of my meals on this day accordingly.

CHICKEN INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 c. buttermilk
2 T dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp Tabasco sauce
4 lbs chicken breasts (I will probably only use 2 given the size of my family)
5 c. cornflakes (I will probably half this also)
1/2 c. bread crumbs
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp paprika
Pinch Cayenne pepper
2 tsp vegetable oil

POTATO INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes (I will probably only use 1 lb)
1/2 c. skim milk
6 T reduced fat sour cream

In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, mustard, 3/4 tsp of the salt, 1/2 tsp of the garlic powder, 1/2 tsp of the pepper and the hot sauce. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Heat oven to 400. Coat a baking rack with nonstick cooking spray and place inside rimmed baking sheet.

Stir together crushed cornflakes, bread crumbs, remaining 3/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, the poultry seasoning, paprika and cayenne. Stir in oil until blended. Remove chicken from marinade and dip in crumb mixture, pressing to adhere.

Place chicken on rack and bake at 400 for 55 minutes or until instant read thermometer registers 160 when inserted in the thickest part of the breast.

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 15 minutes or until tender. Drain and return to pan. Add milk and sour cream. Mash to desired consistency.

WW points per serving = 11 points

Filed Under: Menu Planning Monday