Menu Planning Monday: My menu plan for the week of 7/1

My in-laws will be in town this week and I’m all about tried and true favorites that are quick and easy to throw together!  Most of the recipes these week are slow cooker meals and they are super easy to make!  Plus they are kid tested and family friendly!

If you’re new to menu planning, grab a FREE membership to Food on the Table!  Searchtheir database of recipes and choose your favorites.  They’ll generate your grocery list based on the best deals in your area.  You can print it or send it to your Smartphone!  It’s awesome!  Click here to grab your membership–>Food on the Table subscription FREE for life (use the code SUMMERFREE to get your free membership) 

I have calculated someWeight Watchers points values using the e-tools Recipe Builder, and points values this week are based on the new Points Plus program! (I will update with points values on the others as we have the meals)

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here.  You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY: Chicken Tortilla Bake (slow cooker> – I modified a recipe I found on Homemaking Challenged so that it could be used in the slow cooker and I also added enchilada sauce to give it an extra “kick” My entire family (including my kids) loved this one, so we will definitely be making it again! Watch for my recipe review later this week!

Ingredients:
2 cans cream of chicken soup (I used the 98% fat free version)
1 can green enchilada sauce (small can)
1 can Ro-Tel (small can)
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used frozen ones)
corn tortillas (approximately 12)
shredded cheese (I used 1 8 oz bag)
Tortilla chips (10-13), crushed

Directions:
Place chicken breasts, Ro-Tel, enchilada sauce and cream of chicken soup in slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours (or high for 3-4 hours). Shred chicken when cooked and mix it back into the mixture. Chop up tortillas into bite-size pieces (I used a pizza cutter to do this – it was so easy!). Place a layer of tortillas along the bottom of a square casserole dish. Add a layer of the chicken and sauce mixture. Top with cheese. Repeat this step for 3 layers. I added crushed tortilla chips to the top to give it a crunch. Cook in the oven on 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until cheese is melted and it is warmed through. You may want to serve your kids with some sour cream if they don’t do well with “hot” stuff.

MONDAY: Cream Cheese Chicken (slow cooker) – This is one of my family’s favorite meals. We RARELY have any leftovers, and if I would let my kids, they would be licking their plates clean!


TUESDAY: Creamy Tortilla soup (slow cooker) – My in-laws are coming into town today and I know I’ll be busy with last minute cleaning and errands, so I picked this recipe because it’s a family favorite, you can throw it all together (literally) in five minutes or less, and everyone loves it!

WEDNESDAY:  BBQ hamburgers and hot dogs plus fruit salad and pasta salad! 

Pizza pasta salad – I found this recipe on Favorite Family Recipes.  We made it for Memorial Day and it was a hit and so we made it again!

Ingredients:
1 bag colored spiral noodles
¾ c. pepperoni cut into wedges
¾ c. mozzarella cut into small cubes
¾ c. fresh tomatoes, diced
½ c. olives, sliced
¼ c. parmesan cheese
1 bottle Bernstein’s Restaurant Recipe Italian Dressing (I’m using Kraft low fat Zesty Italian dressing)

Mix together all ingredients and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours before serving.

THURSDAY:  Steak stroganoff (slow cooker)  – This is another 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, 6-8 servings (add 3 points for 1/2 c. cooked pasta or 5 points for 1 cup)

FRIDAY:  Chicken ranch tacos (slow cooker) – I made this recipe last week and we loved it so much that I decided to make it again this week!  It’s a totally easy “dump and go” recipe, too!  I’m all about simplifying things this week!

SATURDAY:  Eat out 

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

The Children’s Place: 50% off sale, 20% off coupon and FREE SHIPPING!

If your kids need new clothes, now is the time to stock up!  The Children’s Place is having a 50% off sale!  Plus, they have a 20% off coupon that can be used in store or online AND if you shop online, you can get FREE shipping, too!  I love shopping online because I can get cash back, too!

Click on the blue “Shop Now” button here to shop the sale online and get 10% cash back from ShopAtHome.com–> The Children’s Place 50% off sale 

If you’re shopping online, use the code Y6H2012 to save an additional 20% off your total purchase price.

If you plan to shop in store, print this e-mail here to save 20% off your total purchase price–> The Children’s Place 20% off printable coupon 

Here are some of my top picks: 

Flower Belt Denim Shorts – $9.59 after 20% off discount – My daughter HATES wearing shorts and loves to wear skirts, but she loves these shorts!

Tiered Skirt – $7.49 after 20% off!  My daughter has this skirt and we love it!  It’s so cute!

Knit gauze fashion top – $7.99 after 20% off!

There are lots of other great deals for girls!  You can get skorts and shirts for just $3.19 after the 20% discount.

Boys Flip flops – $2.39 after the 20% off!

Boys Graphic Tees– lots of styles for just $3.99 after the 20% off!  If you’re looking for “big brother” tees to announce a new baby, they’ve got those, too!

There are some great deals, so all items pictured may not be available at the time you are checking out the site.

NOTE:  Your cash back will be credited to your ShopAtHome.com account within 30 days.  You will also receive a $5 cash back bonus after your first purchase if you are new to ShopAtHome.com.

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

 

Angel Soft Double Roll Bath Tissue (18 ct) $.24 per roll! **STOCK UP**

If you’re looking for a deal on toilet paper, right now, you can get Angel Soft Double Roll Bath tissue (18 ct) for just $8.96!  That makes it just $.24 per single roll, which is a “stock up” price for me!  Shipping is just $.97!   I love being able to find deals on toilet paper and love it even more when I can get them shipped to my home!

Angel Soft Double Roll Bath Tissue is strong yet soft on your skin. It has two layers to get the job done. Angel Soft provides you with an ideal balance of softness and strength.

Click here to grab this deal for yourself–> Angel Soft Double Roll bath tissue for $.24 per roll

Looking for more deals on paper products? Check out my paper products round-up for the week here–> Paper Products Deals for the week of 7/1

(Thanks Swag Grabber!)


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

Hormel Bacon Bits $1 each after coupon at Walgreens this week!

This is the best price I’ve seen on Hormel Bacon Bits in awhile!  You can get them for just $1 each after coupon at Walgreens this week!  I use these a lot of times in recipes that call for bacon because I hate dealing with cooking bacon and it makes it quick and easy!

Click here to grab your coupon–> $1 off 2 Hormel Bacon Toppings coupon  

See more Walgreens deals for the week here–> Walgreens Deals for the week of 7/1

Here’s the breakdown on the deal at Walgreens this week:

Buy 2 Hormel bacon bits – 2/$3

Use $1 off 2 Hormel Bacon Toppings coupon

Final Price = 2/$2 ($1 each) after coupon

Here’s a recipe that my family loves and it’s quick and easy to make using these bacon bits!

Monterey Chicken – This recipe is so yummy and it’s so easy to make, too!

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
Photo credit:  Beth’s Favorite Recipes

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

American Express: Get a Pre-Paid card plus a $10 gift card!!

My husband and I went through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University three years ago and since then, we primarily use cash.  There are times where a credit card is needed, though, (reserving hotel rooms orrental cars, etc.) and I don’t always like to use our debit card because I worry about identity theft.  Our debit card was stolen a few years ago and someone managed to make over $400 in purchases before the bank realized what had happened and cut them off!  If you’re worried about theft or don’t want to have a regular credit card, the American Express Prepaid Card is a perfect solution!  Plus, right now when you order an American Express prepaid card and load $50 or more at the time you place your order, you’ll get a FREE $10 American Express gift card!  It’s FREE to get your card!  You must load the $50 at the time you order your card in order to get the free $10 gift card.

Click here to order your card–> American Express Prepaid Card plus FREE $10 gift card 

Here are some of the included features:

  • NO MONTHLY OR ANNUAL FEES
  • NO PURCHASE FEES
  • NO OVERDRAFT FEES
  • NO CREDIT CHECK
  • NO WORRIES ABOUT INCURRING DEBT

PLUS, you get a lot of the benefits that come with a “regular” American Express card:

  • PURCHASE PROTECTION
  • FRAUD PROTECTION
  • ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE
  • AWARD-WINNING CUSTOMER SERVICE

Sign up for your card now, never miss a freebie again, and have piece of mind using a “credit card” to grab those freebies!  This is perfect if you’re traveling this summer, too!

NOTE:  This offer is valid through 7/31/12.  Refer to the card agreement for additional information.  For verification purchases, a mobile phone number and your social security number are required.  This offer takes you directly to the American Express website, which is a reputable site and I ordered one myself for an upcoming vacation.

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