Menu Planning Monday: my menu plan for the week of 1/30


Welcome! One of my New Year’s “goals” was to eat healthier, and so I’m trying to incorporate healthier recipes all around into our menu plan. My husband was gung ho at first, but last night informed me that we’ve been eating a LOT of chicken and asked could we please add some beef to the menu this week!

The plan listed here just includes our dinner menu and recipes. I have calculated Weight Watchers points values using the e-tools Recipe Builder, and points values this week are based on the new Points Plus program! Both kids eat breakfast at home, but my son eats lunch at daycare, my daughter eats lunch at

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, then you know that for the past two years, I have done a $40 weekly budget. With the changes to our eating habits, I’m going to increase our budget to $50 per week and I’m really going to try to stick to that, but I’m not even sure that will be enough. This will be a trial and error experience, so stay tuned!

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here.

SUNDAY: Hamburgers

MONDAY: Monterey Chicken

Ingredients:
4 (5 oz.) Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts1/4 Cup Barbecue Sauce
1/4 Cup Hormel Real Bacon Bits
1 Cup 2% Colby and Monterey Jack Shredded Cheese*
1 (14 oz.) Can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies, drained (I’m just going to use regular diced tomatoes)
Sliced Green Onions
Pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pound out the chicken breasts to flatten. Season each with a little pepper. Cook the chicken in a skillet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray over medium-low heat until no longer pink.

Place each breast onto a baking sheet and top each breast with 1 tablespoon of barbeque sauce, 1/4 cup cheese, 1/4 cup tomatoes, green onions and 1 tablespoon of bacon bits. Place into the oven and bake until the cheese has melted (about 5 minutes).

Per Serving: 263 Calories; 8g Fat (29.0% calories from fat); 39g Protein; 6g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 108mg Cholesterol; 840mg Sodium. Exchanges: 4 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

WW points = 6 points per serving

TUESDAY: Hawaiian chicken bowls – I saw this recipe on Marci’s blog last week and it sounded yummy and looked kid friendly (I think anything with ranch dressing is kid friendly!)

Ingredients:
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used 3)
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple (I used lite)
1 bottle (16 oz) [gf] barbecue sauce (I used lite)
4-6 cups rice, cooked (I used 1/2 white and 1/2 brown)
Steamed broccoli
Ranch dressing

Directions:
Place meat in 3 1/2-5 quart slow cooker. Combine pineapple and barbecue sauce and pour over meat. Cook on high heat for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours. Layer in bowls: rice, chicken, broccoli, and a little ranch dressing. Makes 4-6 servings.

WW points = 6 per serving; add 5 points for 1 cup brown rice or 3 points for 1/2 cup


WEDNESDAY: Taco soup

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)

THURSDAY: Country Ham and Macaroni Casserole – My entire family has been BEGGING for this!


Thanks to Sandy~Bettyinthekitchen (BabyCenter.com Cooking for Your Family Board)

Ingredients:
1 lb country ham slices or regular smoked ham in one piece (I just use whatever leftover ham we have on hand)
1 large onion, diced
1 lb elbow macaroni (whole wheat)
2 cups shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz) – I use reduced fat
1 cup sour cream (I use reduced fat)
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use 98% fat free)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine, melted (I don’t use this when I make it)
1 cup dry plain bread crumbs

1. Heat oven to 400º.
2. Bring 4 quarts water and ham to boiling in large pot. Once water begins to boil,
remove ham to a plate. Add onion and macaroni to pot. Return water to boiling; cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Coarsely chop ham, discarding any fat and bones.
4. Drain macaroni and onion and return to pot. Add ham, cheese, sour cream and soup. Scrape into a 13x9x2 baking dish. Pour melted margarine over top. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.
5. Bake in heated 400º oven 30 minutes or until heated through and top is golden brown.
Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Note: Prepare in two 8×8 casserole dishes, bake one and freeze one (unbaked) for another day. If freezing, top with crumbs and margarine right before baking.

WW points = 9 points per serving (with modifications above), makes 6 servings


FRIDAY: Beef tips (slow cooker) – I found this recipe in Taste of Home Magazine. We have eaten it a few times now and my whole family (even my picky eater kids) loves it!


Ingredients:
1 beef top sirloin steak (1 pound), cut into 1-inch cubes
2 to 3 medium carrots, chopped
1 to 1-1/2 cups chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed golden mushroom soup, undiluted
1/2 to 1 cup white wine or beef broth
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
Hot cooked egg noodles

Directions:
In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine the beef, carrots, celery, onion, soup and wine or broth. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until meat is tender.

Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into cooking juices. Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes or until thickened. Serve with noodles. Yield: 4 servings.

WW points = 6 per serving (add 3 points for 1/2 cup pasta/rice or 5 points for 1 cup pasta/rice)


SATURDAY: California Combo – I found this recipe on Marci’s blog awhile ago. It’s pretty quick and easy to make and my family loves it. We’ve got some zucchini to use up, and I saw this great recipe for Guiltless Baked Zucchini on Favorite Family Recipes this week, so I thought we’d try it out.

Ingredients:
– about 8 oz. noodles, cooked (I used my GlutenFree Penne)
– 1 lb. hamburger
– 1/2 c. onion, diced
– 1 c. sour cream (I use FF)
– 8 oz. cream cheese (I use reduced fat)
– 1 jar (1 lb. 10oz) spaghetti sauce
– 4 green onions, diced
– cheddar cheese to top dish

Directions:
– Cook beef and onion in sauce pan, drain. Stir jar of sauce into pan and heat through.
– Sautee green onions in a little butter.
– Cream together sour cream and cream cheese. Stir green onions into mixture.
– In lightly greased casserole dish layer noodles, cream cheese mixture and meat mixture. Repeat layers again and top with enough shredded cheese to cover top.
– Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
I actually cooked 16 oz. noodles tonight but only used about half of them. I like to go heavy on the sauces, otherwise you may be able to do a 9×13 dish. I had enough for an 8×8 and then a little extra as shown. The cream cheese mixture is what makes this sooo good!

Guiltless Baked Zucchini
1-2 large zucchini, cut into spears or circles (the zucchini we had was HUGE so we just used one)
2 eggs
1-2 Tbsp. milk
1 c. Italian-style bread crumbs or croutons blended up finely in a blender (we ran out of bread crumbs so we did the crouton thing)
1/2 c. parmesan cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
Butter or cooking spray

First, line a baking sheet with foil and spray evenly with cooking spray. Next, combine eggs and milk in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and salt & pepper. Dip each zucchini piece into the egg mixture, then dip into bread crumbs until evenly coated in crumbs. Place zucchini on baking sheet, spray each with cooking/butter spray and then bake in the oven at 425-degrees for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. For an added crisp, turn the oven to broil and cook for about 30-45 seconds longer (don’t let em’ burn though, watch them closely). Remove from oven and serve hot with ranch dressing or marinara/pizza sauce.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

ANOTHER great Groupon deal: $4 AMC movie tickets!

GROUPON is offering a HOT deal today!  You can get an AMC movie ticket (retail value $12) for just $4!  There is a limit of two tickets per account.  This deal went pretty quickly last time, so if you want it, make sure you jump on it!

Here’s how you can take advantage of this deal:

1.  Log into your Groupon account (or create one here if you don’t have one already)

2.  Click here to access this deal.

3.  Click on the green “buy” button and then complete the check-out process.

4.  The information for this deal will show up under the “My Groupons” tab on your account.

Limit 2 per person.  Expires 7/26/12.

NOTE:  If you have Swagbucks, click on “Special Offers” and then the “Trialpay” wall first and you’ll get 280 Swagbucks!!

Good at any AMC®, AMC Showplace, Loews, Cineplex Odeon, Magic Johnson, and Star theatres, excluding Canadian theatres. Subject to surcharge for 3D, IMAX®, ETX, alternative content, and premium services and locations. No photocopies allowed. Valid seven days a week. Please visit amctheatres.com for additional information. Special Engagements excluded. Special Engagement restriction is necessary to comply with the contractual obligations of motion picture distributors on certain films. It is typically AMC’s policy to remove the restrictions after the second weekend of the film’s release. Please visit amctheatres.com or box office for this information.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Another Soap.com deal – Save up to 50% off Vaseline products!

Soap.com has ANOTHER hot deal today!  You can save 30% off Vaseline products when you enter the code FBVASELINE at check-out!  The Vaseline products are already on sale for 20% off, so it’s like you’re getting 50% off when you take advantage of this deal!

I have ordered from Soap.com several times and have had great experiences! Here’s the scoop on how you can stock up on your favorite Vaseline products: 

1. Click on this link and add participating Vaseline items to your cartMake sure you add at least $25 to get free shipping!

2. Log into your Shop at Home Account (or create one if you don’t have onedetails on Shop at Home are here) – You’ll get 10% cash back when you shop through Shop at Home!

3. Search for Soap.com and click on the blue “Shop Now” button. Your items should already be in your cart.  Click on “check out” and don’t forget to use the code FBVASELINE!

I love the Vaseline Sheer Infusion body lotions!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Walgreens deals for the week of 1/30

If you are new to shopping at Walgreens, make sure you check out my tips for shopping at Walgreens here.  If you need coupons for the deals this week, check out My Coupon Hunter!

These are not all of the weekly RR deals.  These are just some of the highlights!  Make sure you check coupon expiration dates because some of the hot coupons expire on 1-31!

FREEBIES:

Buy Arnicare Pain Relief Gel – $5.99, get a $6 RR
$2/1 Arnicare gel printable
Final Price = $2 moneymaker after coupons/RR

Buy Blink Eye drops – $7.99, get an $8 RR
$1/1 Blink drops – 1-2 SS
Final Price = $1 moneymaker after coupons/RR

Buy Butterfinger Snackerz – $.39 (w/ in ad coupon)
$1/2 Butterfinger Snackers printable
Final Price = $.22 overage when you buy 2 – make sure you give the store coupon LAST!

Buy Icy Hot No-Mess Vapor Gel – $3.99, get a $3 RR
$1/1 Icy Hot – 1-30 SS, 1-2 SS
Final Price – FREE after coupons/RR!

Buy Natrol Melatonin (100 ct) – $3, get a $3 RR
$2/1 Natrol, any – 10-10 RP
Final price = $2 moneymaker after coupons/RR

Spend $15 on Vicks products, get a $5 RR or spend $20 on Vicks products, get a $10 RR
-Includes NyQuil or DayQuil Liquicaps (20 ct) or liquid (10 oz), Sinex, and Formula 44 – $5each
$4/1 Vicks Sinex – 12-26 PG (*this expires 1-31)
$3/2 Vicks Nyquil/Dayquil – 12-26 (*this expires 1-31)
$1.50/1 Vicks Nyquil/Dayquil – 1-16 PG
$1.50/1 Vicks Nyquil/Dayquil – 1-30 PG
$1/1 Vicks product, any – 1-30 PG

SCENARIO:Buy 4 Sinex – $5/each

Use 4 $4 coupons

Spend $4 OOP, get a $10 RR
Final Price = $6 moneymaker after coupons/RR!

OTHER RR DEALS:

Buy 2 participating Advil/Thermacare products, get a $5 RR
-Advil 40-50 ct, Advil PM 16-20 ct, or Advil Congestion relief 10 ct – $4.99
$1/1 Advil PM – 1-30 RP
$1/1 Advil – 1-30 Rp
$2/1 Advil Congrestion Relief – 1-30 RP
$2/1 Advil PM – 12-12 RP (expires 2/5)
$2/1 Advil, any – 12-12 RP (expires 2/5)
$1/1 Advil, Advil PM, and Advil Congrestion Relief printables
-Thermacare heatwraps (2-3 ct) – $5.99
$3/1 Thermacare printable

SCENARIO:
Buy 2 Thermacare heat wraps – $5.99/each

Use 2 $3 printables

Spend $5.98 OOP, get a $5 RR
Final Price = $.98 after coupons/RR ($.49/each)

OR

Buy 2 Advil products – $4.99/each

Use 2 $2 coupons

Spend $5.98 OOP, get a $5 RR
Final Price = $.98 after coupons/RR ($.49/each)

Buy Aussie or Herbal Essences Hair Care – $2.99, get a $1 RR
Buy Aussie/Herbal Essences shampoo/conditioner, get a styler free – 12-26 PG (*expires 1-31)
Final Price = $1.99 for two products after coupons/RR

Buy DiGiorno pizza (12 in) – 2/$10, get a $1 RR
Final Price = 2/$9 after RRs ($4.50/each)

Buy select Dove products – 4/$15, get a $5 RR
-Dove Active Clean shower tool
$1/1 Dove Men+care or active clean shower tool – 1-30 RP
-Dove body wash (12-13.5 oz)
$1/1 Dove body wash – 1-30 RP
-Dove/Degree deodorant or body mist (2.6-3 oz)
$2/1 Dove deodorant or body mist – 1-30 RP
$1.50/2 Dove deodorant/body mist printable
-Dove Hair Care (7-12 oz)
$1.50/2 Dove hair care products printable
$1/1 Dove Hair Care products – 1-30 RP

SCENARIO:
Buy 4 Dove deodorant – 4/$15

Use 4 $2 coupons

Spend $7 OOP, get a $5 RR
Final Price = $2 after coupons/RR ($.50/each)

OR

Buy 4 Dove shampoo/conditioner – 4/$15

Use 4 $1 coupons

Spend $11 OOP, get a $5 RR
Final Price = $6 after coupons/RR ($1.50/each)

Buy 3 participating Dove/Degree products – 3/$18, get a $6 RR
-Caress, Dove, or Lever 2000 bar soap
$.75/1 Caress – 1-30 RP
$1.25/1 Dove beauty bar – 1-30 RP
-Dove body wash or Dove lotion
$1/1 Dove body wash – 1-30 RP
-Dove/Degree Clinical deodorant (1.7 oz)
$2/1 Dove deodorant or body mist – 1-30 RP
$1.50/2 Dove deodorant/body mist printable
$2/1 Degree deodorant – 1-30 RP
-Pond’s Towelettes (30 ct) or Cold/Dry skin cream (9.5-10.1 oz)
$1.50/1 Pond’s Cream/Towelettes printable

SCENARIO:
Buy 3 Dove/Degree clinical deodorant – 3/$18

Use 3 $2 Dove/Degree coupons

Spend $12 OOP, get a $6 RR
Final Price = $6 for 3 ($2 each) after coupons/RRs

Buy Gillette Venus or Fusion ProGlide razor system – $9.99, get a $4 RR
$4/1 Gillette Fusion pro-glide razor – 12-26 PG (*expires 1-31)
$4/1 Gillette Fusion pro-glide razor – 1-30 PG
Final Price = $1.99 after coupons/RR

Buy Olay Quench Body Lotion (20.2 oz) or Olay Total Effects Body Wash (15.2 oz) – $7.99, get a $2 RR
$2/1 Olay body wash or body lotion – 12-16 PG (*expires 1-31)
Buy One Olay body wash, get an Olay facial moisturizer FREE – 1-30 PG
Buy One Olay body wash, get Secret Base deodorant FREE – 1-30 PG

SCENARIO:
Buy 1 Olay body wash – $7.99
Buy 1 Olay moisturizer OR Secret Base deodorant

Use $2/1 Olay body wash coupon (NOTE: this expires 1/31)
Use Buy body wash, get free deodorant/moisturizer coupon

Spend $5.99 OOP, get a $2 RR
Final Price = $3.99 after coupons/RR for both items!

Spend $25 on select Pampers diapers/wipes, get a $5 RR
-Pampers Cruisers value box (56-64 ct) – $19.99
$3 Pampers diapers/pants and wipes – 1-30 PG
$2 Pampers diapers/wants and wipes – 1-30 PG
$1.50/1 Pampers diapers/pants – 12-26 PG (*expires 1-31)
-Pampers wipes (180-216 ct) – $5.99

SCENARIO:
Buy 1 box Pampers Cruisers – $19.99
Buy 1 package Pampers wipes – $5.99

Use $3 off Pampers diapers/pants and wipes

Spend $22.98 OOP, get a $5 RR
Final Price = $17.98 after coupons/RR

Buy Scotch Brite sponges (3 pk) or O-Cel-O (4 pk) – $2.99, get a $1 RR
Final Price = $1.99 after RRs

Buy Wisk laundry detergent – $6.99, get a $1 RR
$2/1 Wisk laundry detergent – 1-2 RP
Final Price = $4.99 after coupon/RRs

FILLER ITEMS:
*Ajax cleanser – 3/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Geisha mushrooms – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Kellogg’s Pop Tarts (2 ct) – 2/$1
*Madame mandarin oranges – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Nestle or Mentos candy – $.39 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Royal gelatin – 5/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Russell Stover chocolate heart – $.29 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Valentine’s mini stickers, wall decor, heart bubble necklace – 3/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Valentine’s pencils/gift sacks – 8/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Valentine’s tumbler – 6/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)
*Van Camp’s Pork and Beans – 2/$1 (w/ in ad coupon)

The following scenarios are for people who are new to shopping at Walgreens or who have very few RR to “roll” into deals:  $20.23 in merchandise for $4.24 OOP, $1 RR left to spend

NOTE:  This does not include the Sinex deal – if you have that many coupons to use and do the scenario listed above, go for it!

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy Natrol Melatonin – $3

Use $2 Natrol coupon

Spend $1 OOP, get a $3 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor – $9.99
Buy 1 Valentine’s pencil – $.13

Use $4 Fusion coupon
Use $3 Natrol RR

Spend $3.12 OOP, get a $4 RR

TRANSACTION #3:
Buy 1 Aussie/Herbal Essences shampoo/conditioner – $2.99
Buy 1 Aussie/Herbal Essences styler – $2.99
Buy 2 Pop Tarts (2 pks) – 2/$1
Buy 1 Valentine’s pencil – $.13

Use BOGO Aussie/Herbal Essences coupon
Use $4 RR

Spend $.12 OOP, get a $1 RR

MY PLAN:  I am starting with a $5 RR:  $30.71 in merchandise for $1.72 OOP, $4 RR left to spend

TRANSACTION #1:
Buy 2 Thermacare – $5.99/each
Buy 1 Geisha mushrooms – $.50 (w/ in ad coupon)

Use 2 $3 Thermacare coupons
Use $5 RR

Spend $1.48 OOP, get a $5 RR

TRANSACTION #2:
Buy 1 Natrol – $3
Buy 1 Icy Hot – $3.99
Buy 2 Pop Tarts – 2/$1
Buy 1 Valentine’s Day pencil – $.13

Use $2 Natrol coupon
Use $1 Icy Hot coupon
Use $5 Thermacare RR

Spend $.12 OOP, get 2 $3 RR

TRANSACTION #3:
Buy 1 Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor – $9.99
Buy 2 Valentine’s Day pencils – $.13/each

Use $4 Gillette coupon
Use 2 $3 RR

Spend $.12 OOP, get a $4 RR

FAQS: (Check out Walgreens new coupon policy here!)

Do you do multiple transactions at one store on one visit?
It just depends. Several stores in my area have gone to a “one RR per item per day” rule, which means I can’t do more than one transaction where I’m earning RR for the same product at the same store. Some of the stores in my area also will not let you use the RR you earn from one transaction on another transaction in that same visit.  I’m fortunate to have several stores within a few minutes of my house, so I usually try to break up transactions at different stores and on different days to stay in the good graces of my stores.

What is Walgreens policy on using BOGO free coupons with a BOGO free offer, adjusting down coupons, etc.? 
The new coupon policy does not really using a BOGO free coupon with a BOGO free promotion, but it does say you can use up to two coupons as long as the total doesn’t go below zero, so, you SHOULD be able to do this!!

Walgreens coupon policy is now to adjust the value of coupons down – YAY!!

Some helpful tips:
*At Walgreens, you can use ONE manufacturer’s coupon and ONE store coupon per item (always give the store coupon last to avoid problems)

*At Walgreens, you cannot do a promotion more than once in a transaction and earn Register Rewards. (for example, if you buy 2 Natrol, you will only earn a RR for one)

*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 the Gillette razor and use the RR from that to buy more, the RR will not print

*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 if you are using a manufacturer’s coupon and a RR. The in ad coupons often have good, inexpensive filler items. (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 1-877-210-1917, option 1

This post is part of Becentsable’s Grocery Gathering.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

Free candle from Bath and Body Works!

This weekend, you can get a FREE 1.6 ounce candle ($3.50 value) from Bath and Body Works with this printable coupon here. You can choose from Pink Sangria or Island Colada.

This offer is available in stores or online. If you are shopping online, enter the code FBS113660 at check-out. No purchase necessary, while supplies last. This offer expires on 1/30/11.

Sadly, this promotion cannot be combined with any other offers (including the Groupon offer).

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.