tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4924303057859702222024-02-07T18:17:09.428-06:00Chi-Annie: at the table!Hungry for inspiration, deals, or fresh flavors? From Chicago stores to national chains, I've got the deals on meals!Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.comBlogger428125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-83239074239860219352011-01-31T20:34:00.003-06:002011-01-31T21:52:35.292-06:00Meal Plan MondayI love how organized I feel when I meal-plan! Nothing is more frustrating to me than reaching 5:00pm and not knowing what to make for dinner. For peace and order to be kept in my house, my meal plan must be in order.<br /><br />Monday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/04/three-cheese-sweet-pepper-marinara.html">Spaghetti with 3 Cheese Sweet Pepper Marinara</a><br />Tuesday: Pork Roast, mashed redskin potatoes, carrots<br />Wednesday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/02/4-hats-frugal-chili.html">Chili</a>, brats, corn<br />Thursday: Macaroni & Cheese, chicken ranch salad<br />Friday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2011/01/chicken-scampi-copycat-of-olive-gardens.html">Chicken Scampi</a>, garlic bread, salad<br />Saturday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2011/01/swiss-pot-roast-slider-melts.html">Swiss & Pot Roast slider melts</a> with sauteed mushrooms, tossed fruit salad with apples and minneolas<br />Sunday: <br /><br />Breakfast: Oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, and toast<br />Sandwich of the week: Italian chicken salad sandwiches, turkey and swiss paninis<br />Dessert: Pumpkin Spice Cake with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese frosting<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-59844440551884071852011-01-24T21:22:00.003-06:002011-01-24T22:08:38.254-06:00Meal Plan MondayMonday: Brats, hashbrowns, salad<br />Tuesday: Quesadillas, beans, salsa<br />Wednesday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2011/01/chicken-shrimp-fajitas.html">Chicken and shrimp fajitas</a>, beans, rice<br />Thursday: Oven roasted chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, corn, salad<br />Friday: Tortas and chips, fruit (whatever is in season and on sale)<br />Saturday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/04/three-cheese-sweet-pepper-marinara.html">Spaghetti</a>, salad, garlic bread<br />Sunday: Dinner with the in-laws<br /><br />Breakfast of the week: cereal, oatmeal, fruit, juice, toast<br />Lunch of the week: leftover navy bean soup, tostadas, sandwiches<br />Dessert of the week: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/12/butter-cookies.html">Butter Cookies</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-23400282788720140992011-01-17T21:24:00.002-06:002011-01-17T22:15:00.126-06:00Meal Plan MondayI feel much calmer and more organized when I've got my meal plan written out. With my fridge cleaned out and a good idea of the ingredients I have on hand - I'm ready to face the week, one dinner at a time.<br /><br />Monday: leftover Navy Bean soup with white rice, biscuits, salad<br />Tuesday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, sauteed mushrooms, cinnamon apples <br />Wednesday: Spaghetti in a garlic marinara, Italian bread, salad <br />Thursday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2011/01/herb-roasted-chicken.html">Herb Roasted Chicken</a>, rice, beans, roasted veggies<br />Friday: Chicken Carbonara sammies, orange and tangerine wedges<br />Saturday: Fajita night<br />Sunday: Tacos with all the fixin's, chips, salsa, and guacamole<br /><br />Breakfast of the week: coffee cake, oatmeal, toast, fruit<br />Lunch of the week: navy bean soup, sandwiches, and empanadas<br />Dessert of the week: Frosted brownies<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-28677188541180767212011-01-09T20:14:00.003-06:002011-01-09T20:50:38.600-06:00Back to Meal PlanningIt's been ages since I've posted here - so many changes in my life, I hardly know where to start! I've been laid off from my position at a non-for-profit organization. It's both a blessing and a curse. A blessing that I am no longer working longer and longer hours (which is why I stopped posting back in October), but it's a curse to be unemployed in this market.<br /><br />I'm trying to get my bearings now that the holidays are behind us and I'm establishing a new routine. One thing that will keep me feeling more grounded is getting back to my meal planning. I hate looking at the clock and it's already 4pm and I haven't a clue what's for dinner. I need some semblance of organization to my life - even if it's just one meal at a time. I've got a great stockpile of ingredients to pull from and a full freezer so I'm all set to get back in my groove.<br /><br />Monday: Grilled cheese, tomato soup, sliced Minneolas<br />Tuesday: Burgers, tater tots, salad<br />Wednesday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/10/basic-tostadas.html">Tostadas</a>, <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2011/01/sweet-tart-apple-salsa.html">apple salsa</a>, guacamole, and all the fixin's<br />Thursday: DH's night to cook<br />Friday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/07/olive-garden-inspired-chicken-alfredo.html">Flatbread Pizza</a>, salad<br />Saturday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2011/01/bacon-red-pepper-and-provolone-omelet.html">Bacon & Red Pepper omelets</a>, sliced apples, bagels with <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2011/01/cranberry-cream-cheese-spread.html">Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread</a><br />Sunday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/05/enchiladas-basic-recipe.html">Enchiladas</a>, rice, and beans<br /><br />Breakfast of the week: Oatmeal, bagels and cranberry cream cheese spread, or cereal<br />Lunch of the week: leftover ginger stirfry, navy bean soup, salad, or sammies<br /><br />Dessert of the week: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/12/frosted-peanut-butter-swirl-brownies.html">Frosted Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-35252175856740758522010-10-27T08:19:00.004-05:002010-10-27T08:21:28.783-05:00Big Coupon Issues at TargetPlease read the following post on <a href="http://www.jillcataldo.com/node/13555">Jill Cataldo's blog </a>regarding Target's coupon scanning (or should I say scamming) practices.<br /><br />I was stunned to here that Target's computers are programmed to allow them to adjust down manufacturer coupons and that <em>Target has not addressed this issue</em>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-16617362483944832352010-10-26T21:08:00.005-05:002010-10-26T21:31:31.336-05:00One Year of Brownies!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0H01jnmA1Nk/TMeNnDsK1PI/AAAAAAAAAE0/s2s0lEk2WnU/s1600/Fudge-Brownies.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0H01jnmA1Nk/TMeNnDsK1PI/AAAAAAAAAE0/s2s0lEk2WnU/s320/Fudge-Brownies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532546369392923890" /></a><br /><br /><br />I got a little carried away with the $25/$10 General Mills/Betty Crocker and bought a few dozen boxes of brownie mix, for $.11 per box. While that was a great deal and I will be sharing generously with my friends and family, I decided to challenge myself a little. After all, basic brownies can get a little dull...so I'll be putting my spin on them.<br /><br /><strong>One box, One year, and One Woman's Mission!</strong><br /><br />For 1 year, I will chronicle my adventures in brownie making - all with the help of Betty Crocker. I plan to make 50 different variations on the basic brownie, to showcase what a few basic ingredients can create. Creating great desserts doesn't have to mean spending money on expensive ingredients or toiling for hours in the kitchen.<br /><br />I'll post a link to each recipe I use, as well as rate the overall recipe idea. My first batch will be <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/10/orange-soaked-cranberry-brownies.html">Orange Soaked Cranberry Brownies</a>. Why this combination? Because I was inspired when I saw someone soaking cranberries on a Food Network show some weeks ago and thought it was a good idea for some slightly dried out dried cranberries I had and orange juice was on sale this week. I've got tons of ideas for this project - I can't wait to dive in!<br /><br />Stop by next week to see the latest variation on a basic boxed brownie.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-88295992196379669542010-10-25T20:08:00.003-05:002010-10-25T21:39:19.074-05:00Back to Basics: Meal Plan MondayIt's been a while since I've posted, between crazy days at work and entering the busy season for my hubby and I - it's great that life is slowly winding down and I've got more time to post. I've still been meal planning, but I really miss having it all written down (or typed out) where I can refer to it - it makes life so much easier when I'm organized.<br /><br />I've really stocked up during the recent catalina deals at Jewel - so variations on boxed brownie mix will be popping up a lot for our desserts. I'll link my recipe creations to each variation I come up with.<br /><br />Monday: <a href="http://">Tostadas</a> with ground turkey (with minced peppers), minced onion, refried beans, and sour cream and salsa<br /><br />Tuesday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/10/mozzarella-stuff-meatballs.html">Mozzarella stuffed meatball</a> subs with marinara sauce, gourmet salad blend<br /><br />Wednesday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/12/4-ingredient-pork-tenderloin.html">Roasted Garlic Pork Tenderloin</a>, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, applesauce<br /><br />Thursday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/10/mushroom-swiss-burgers.html">Mushroom & swiss burgers</a>, <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/11/autumn-salad.html">Autumn Salad</a><br /><br />Friday: BBQ pork fried rice, sesame chicken<br /><br />Breakfast of the week: Cereal, Oatmeal, and Cinnamon Raisin Bagels<br /><br />Dessert of the week: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/10/orange-soaked-cranberry-brownies.html">Orange Soaked Cranberry Brownies</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-52558269128013250422010-09-21T08:25:00.004-05:002010-09-21T08:43:34.865-05:00Anniversary CelebrationsWe are entering into anniversary season (at least in my small neck of the woods). Tomorrow is the 8th anniversary of my first date with my hubby. I still can't believe 8 years has flown by so fast! We'll be scrapping Wednesday's dinner plans in favor of a semi-recreation of what we did on our first date.<br /><br />For our first date, we went to a movie, then shared appetizers at a nearby cafe, and sat in his car talking almost until sunrise. I remember it like it was yesterday. When I finally got home, I knew I had met my future husband. It was crazy, but 8 short- and sometimes crazy - years later I was right.<br /><br />Unlike in our younger, slightly more foolish years, this year we will celebrate the anniversary at home with a favorite movie and we'll make quesadillas and chicken strips together. I love cooking with my hubby, and this will help us save some money, since we have a week long vacation next month to ring our 5 wedding anniversary. We have not taken a weeklong trip together since our honeymoon, so I think we're long overdue.<br /><br />For our 5th anniversary, I initially wanted to go to Jamaica (or some other tropical, exotic, fabulous place), but after careful consideration, we'll be staying stateside (and supporting the U.S. tourism industry!) and travelling to The North East Coast. I have never seen the East, so I am crazy-excited to go, especially in the fall it should be beautiful. All of our deal shopping, bargain hunting, penny pinching ways have paid off. We'll fly into a cheaper airport and rent a car and drive to our final destination, much like we did when we went on our honeymoon. There, we actually flew into one city, caught a taxi to the ferry, a ferry ride to the island where we were staying, and a taxi again to the resort. Even with all that, we still managed to save a few hundred dollars by being willing to fly into a different airport.<br /><br />Over the next week or two, I'll start making my list of places to go on our vacation, checking restaurant prices, and researching the cost of all activities. Even on vacation, we are frugal. And that's perfectly okay with me. I get to see an extra destination because the direct flight to our destination is ridiculously expensive - let's say it's cheaper to fly to Jamaica than to another U.S. city. Isn't that strange?<br /><br />Tell me - what budget savvy travel tips do you hold true to?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-19833757980620025882010-09-20T07:51:00.002-05:002010-09-20T08:27:48.753-05:00Meal Plan MondayI love weekends that are laid back and lazy, but it's not easy going in to work in the morning after that. The good news: I've got a fridge full of precooked pork (chops and roast) which I'll be basing many of our meals around and half a pot of Navy Bean Soup that my mom shared with me. Meal planning should be easy, but need to make sure we take a break from the pork at least twice.<br /><br />Monday: DH's cooking dinner<br />Tuesday: Burritos con <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/09/carnitas.html">Carnitas</a> with rice and quesadilla cheese, refried beans (frijoles)<br />Wednesday: Navy Bean Soup, focaccia bread, mixed greens salad<br /><a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/09/kansas-city-style-pulled-pork-sammies.html">Thursday: Pulled Pork sammies</a>, chips, <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/03/baked-bean-casserole-sweet-cajun-style.html">baked bean casserole</a>, garden salad<br />Friday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/09/pork-taco-filling.html">Pork tacos</a>, leftover beans and rice<br />Saturday: Homemade pizza, mozzarella topped foccacia bread sticks<br />Sunday: Leftovers or <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/09/chicken-sausage-peppers.html">chicken sausage and peppers</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-64379149687252954052010-09-15T08:13:00.002-05:002010-09-15T08:37:37.536-05:00Meal Planning - a little late this weekIt's been a few crazy weeks here, I need to get my butt in gear, get my meal-plan set so it's one less thing for me to worry about and stress over. Sometimes life moves so fast, you have to hang on for dear life, grab it by the reins, and get taken along for the ride!<br /><br /><strong>Monday:</strong> Cream of mushroom soup, roasted tomato foccacia, mixed greens salad, apple crisp<br /><strong>Tuesday:</strong> Roast pork with mashed potatoes, gravy, and garden salad<br /><strong>Wednesday:</strong> <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/05/enchiladas-basic-recipe.html">Enchiladas</a> <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/09/carnitas.html">carnitas</a> with red bell pepper, red rice, beans, shredded lettuce, sour cream, and salsa<br /><strong>Thursday:</strong> <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/04/fancy-french-toast.html">Fancy French Toast</a>, strawberries, breakfast sausage, apple slices, orange juice<br /><strong>Friday: </strong>DH is back as Grill Master! Can't wait to see what he grills up! along with <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/03/baked-bean-casserole-sweet-cajun-style.html">baked bean casserole</a> and corn<br />Saturday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/02/italian-style-chicken-salad.html">Italian-style chicken salad sammies </a>or <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/09/kansas-city-style-pulled-pork-sammies.html">Kansas City-Style pulled pork sammies</a>, chips, carrot sticks, corn on the cob<br />Sunday: Leftovers<br /><br />Breakfast of the week: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/03/6-whole-eggs.html">Swiss and Mushroom Frittata</a>, cereal, yogurt, granola bars<br />Dessert of the week: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/02/white-chocolate-raspberry-bars.html">White Chocolate Raspberry Bars</a><br />Lunches are dinner leftovers or chicken sammies<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-18906007325886928862010-09-07T07:46:00.002-05:002010-09-07T07:55:48.302-05:00Meal Plan MondayI love meal planning after a busy holiday weekend - so many leftovers, all I have to do is pick and choose what to have each day! We hosted a BBQ on Sunday for our fmailies and had about 8 people over. DH loves to grill, and thsi time he did a huge selection of meats - from steaks to ribs, burgers to brats and some chicken thrown in for good measure, we still have leftovers a-plenty to make into great meals.<br /><br />Tuesday: Chicken, turkey bacon, and mushrooms tossed with pasta<br />Wednesday: Build Your Own Sandwich<br />Thursday: Brats and chicken, leftover red rice, salad<br />Friday: Chicken sammies, mixed green salad, apple<br /><br />Lunch of the week: Anything we can turn into a sandwich or taco. I've presliced a chunk of ribeye and some Swiss cheese for some decadent sammies. We also have a partial rotisserie chicken that can be a simple chicken sandwich or get made over into chicken salad. Chicken or steak tacos with a chunky salsa are another easy option.<br /><br />Breakfast of the week: Cereal, granola bars, yogurt, and bagels (wanted to get some of the bagels out of the freezer)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-77587542171996632202010-08-31T23:09:00.002-05:002010-08-31T23:20:15.661-05:00Meal Plan Monday...Running Late This WeekMonday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/08/portabella-alfredo-over-fettucine-with.html">Fettucine with Portabella Alfredo and Italian Grilled Chicken</a><br />Tuesday: Ham and turkey sammies, salad, chips<br />Wednesday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/03/ginger-pork-stirfry.html">Ginger Pork Stirfry,</a> fried rice<br />Thursday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/07/sweet-honey-lime-chicken-drummies.html">Sweet Honey Lime Chicken Drummies</a>, baked beans, baby carrots<br />Friday: Ground turkey tacos with all the fixin's<br /><br />Weekend: TBD - hubby thinks his family will have a BBQ, so we're in a wait and see before I can do any more planning.<br /><br />Dessert of the week: Banana Nut Bread, <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/08/maple-pecan-apple-crisp.html">Maple Pecan Apple Crisp</a><br /><br />Breakfast for the week: We're still working off our cereal, granola bar, yogurt, and poptart stockpile. I keep grabbing more free granola bars from Dominicks - so it might be awhile before I'm forced to actually cook breakfast more than 1-2 a week.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-31590650090975732010-08-30T18:51:00.002-05:002010-08-30T19:13:05.341-05:00Another Great Dominicks TransactionI couldn't resist another run at the "Buy 3 Juices, get 2 snacks FREE" deal. I found 2 catalina coupons for $2.50 each. I'm just lovin' the free snacks and I totally needed to stock up on granola bars. I go through a box of granola bars a week, so each transaction yields another month supply! And hubby is totally loving all the juice, we're big juice fans, and it doesn't get any better than this!!<br /><br />6 bottles Mott's apple juice $2.99 (reg. price) $2.00 (sale) -$2/2 (2) -$1.50/2<br />4 boxes Quaker granola bars ($3.49/box) free wyb 6 juice -$1/1 (4)<br />1 gallon Lucerne milk $2.99, -$2.99 (wyb 4 Quaker granola bars, get 1 gallon Lucerne milk free)<br /><br />Total retail value: $36.89<br />Total saved: $36.89<br />Total OOP: $.06 (local tax)<br />100% savings<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-1023506562051811102010-08-29T11:24:00.003-05:002010-08-29T12:57:40.087-05:00Dominicks DealI'm glad I popped over to Jill Cataldo's website before I headed out yesterday. There was a 3 day sale at Dominicks - buy any 3 participating juices, get 2 participating snack items free. The deal got immeasurably better when coupons for the juice (Mott's apple juice) could be found in a coupon booklet recently spotted at Jewel. Which I actually found, while I was there grabbing newspapers (Saturday paper with coupon inserts) for $.99 each. Best price in the area.<br /><br />Truth be told, I found a huge display of those coupon booklets, so I helped myself to a dozen or so. I was so thrilled to find them. The deal was on. I had my box of expired coupons in the car, and was ready to go. The snacks that were included in the deal were Quaker granola bars. Which was great - I have tons of expired Quaker granola bar coupons. I had coupon overage on the brain. It's been some time since that happened. And this Dominick's is typically coupon friendly. This was my day.<br /><br />Here's what I found:<br />9 bottles of Mott's Apple Juice 64 oz. each $2 each -$1.50/2 coupons (x4)<br />3 bottles Ocean Spray juices 64 oz. each $2.29-$2.99 -$3/1 coupons (x3) = $.73 moneymaker!<br />6 boxes Quaker Granola bars $2.49 (free wyb 3 juices) -$3/5 quaker products, $1/1 True Delights = $4.00 moneymaker!!<br />6 bags Fritos/Cheetos on sale $1.49 (with in-store coupon) -$1/2 coupons (3)<br />3 jars Frito-Lay brand dip $2.29-$3.79 -$3/1 coupons wyb 2 FritoLay chips (3)<br />10 bags Nabisco Mini Oreo's, Chips Ahoy, etc. $.99 with instore coupon -$1/2 coupons (5)<br />2 Kraft Salad Dressing $2.00 -$1/1 coupons (x2)<br />1 Kraft Garlic & Herb Sandwich Shop Mayo $1.79 -$1/1 coupon<br />4 WishBone Salad Dressing $.99 -$1/2 coupons (2)<br /><br />Total before discounts: $198.28<br />Total Savings: $167.17<br />Total OOP: $31.11<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-14689880511352588392010-08-23T08:12:00.002-05:002010-08-24T08:38:49.157-05:00Meal Plan MondayWe didn't get to the roast beef I had planned for Sunday, so I'll be using that in tonight's dinner. For lunches, we have lots of canned soup, salad fixin's, deli-sliced ham for sandwiches, and we often take leftovers to work for lunch, so I have that pretty well covered for the week.<br /><br />I try to bake one breakfast or dessert a week to round out the meal plan, this week I'm planning to bake some crimson raisin & cinnamon scones. I just love how easy and versatile scones are - they pop up at leat once a month in my house! I like to eat them for breakfast, hubby prefers them as a dessert or snack.<br /><br />Monday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/08/beef-in-creamy-mushroom-gravy.html">Thin sliced roast beef over potatoes with a mushroom gravy</a>, salad<br />Tuesday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/04/fancy-french-toast.html">Fancy French Toast</a>, <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/08/sharp-cheddar-pepper-frittata.html">pepper and cheddar frittata</a>, apple slices<br />Wednesday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/03/ground-turkey-tacos.html">Ground turkey tacos</a>, beans, and rice<br />Thursday: Roast beef and provolone paninis, summer salad, grapes<br />Friday: DH's making pizza!<br />Saturday: DH's grilling<br />Sunday: Dinner at Nuevo Leon in the city - best enchiladas ever! (and it's super affordable - less than $6.00 a plate!) We'll be at Navy Pier for the Tall Ships Festival - I love the tall ships.<br /><br />Breakfast for the week: Cereal (we have more than 12 varities on hand), yogurt, toast, fruit, and granola bars.<br /><br />Dessert of the week: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/03/cinnamon-raisin-scones.html">Crimson Raisin & Cinnamon Scones</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-24514133624116056932010-08-16T14:46:00.002-05:002010-08-16T15:11:05.309-05:005 Tips for Finger-Lickin' ChickenI absolutely love chicken. It's my favorite source of protein, hands down. A lot of people get tired of eating the same old chicken entree - and who can blame them? I used to think chicken could only be roasted or fried, with a dash of season salt and black pepper. I'm so glad over the years that I've proven that mentality wrong! Paired with sweet or savory spices, chicken is my go-to everytime. One of my favorite things about chicken is how budget friendly it is.<br /><br />1. Want to make a bold dish - swap a cut of chicken in for beef or pork as is called for in your recipe. I match boneless with boneless, bone-in with bone-in. Some of my favorite swaps include: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/03/sweet-bbq-pulled-chicken.html">Pulled Chicken Sammies</a>, <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/11/smoky-mexican-chicken.html">chicken tacos</a>, and <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/01/chicken-n-biscuits.html">chicken and biscuits</a>.<br /><br />2. Chicken pairs well with most fruits for awesome kebabs, sizzling stirfries, and wings that make your heart sing! Some of my favorites are chicken "burgers" topped with grilled pineapple rings, <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/10/indonesian-garlic-chicken.html">Indonesian Chicken with Honey and Garlic</a>, and <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/04/thai-mandarin-ginger-stirfry.html">Thai Mandarin Chicken Stirfry</a>. I haven't yet tried chicken dish with fruit that I didn't like - kids love it, too!<br /><br />3. Soup and salad. I can think of no other protein base that goes so well into either salad or soup, let alone both. From fancy grilled chicken salads to the humblest of chicken soups, this piece of poultry packs a powerful punch in the flavor department. With bone-in pieces of chicken, you can stretch your dollar even further, and when making soups - stretch the flavor further, too!<br /><br />4. Chicken as a component in casseroles, pastas, rice dishes, etc. A little of this bird can go a really, really long way. One chicken breast can provide enough meat for 2-4 servings when worked into a pasta sauce, as a primary ingredient in a casserole, and when shredded/cubed into a rice dish. When you do this, let the side dish take center stage as your entree and pair it with a hearty salad. That is a easy supper that's good for you and light on your wallet, too.<br /><br />5. Spices, marinades, and sauces. Chicken with gravy over potatoes, chicken marinated in teriyaki (or any fruit-based marinade), chicken seasoned with basil, garlic, and onion - any favorite spice combination or flavor mix that you love - you will love it on chicken. I like to pair in smoky elements in chicken (cumin and hickory seasoning, anyone?) for an unexpected twist on a classic chicken dish. If you need inspiration - check out ethnic cooking. Chicken seems to be the favored poultry for many nationalities, if you need some flavor inspiration.<br /><br />Tell me - what's your favorite chicken dish?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-70003931969381563602010-08-15T21:24:00.002-05:002010-08-15T21:57:40.425-05:00Meal Plan MondayFinally, we're having a break in the heatwave that feels like its lasted much of the summer. Hubby has offered to do some grilling this week and I can't wait that! With lots of summer produce keeping the prices low across the area, the meal plan this week has never been easier. No major schedule changes, not too many things to take into consideration. I love it when it's easier to plan.<br /><br />Monday: Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, salad<br />Tuesday: Grilled brats and teriyaki chicken thighs, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob <br />Wednesday: Turkey, apple, and cheddar paninis, salad, peaches<br />Thursday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/08/ginger-lime-roasted-chicken.html">Ginger Lime Roasted chicken</a>, angel hair pasta, green beans<br />Friday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/06/chorizo-cheddar-egg-breakfast-wrap.html">Breakfast wraps</a>, hashbrowns, bananas, juice<br />Saturday: Date night<br />Sunday: Italian beef sammies, fresh fruit, baked beans<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-66232794858786567412010-08-14T11:19:00.002-05:002010-08-14T11:30:04.093-05:00Side Dishes for $.09I still cannot believe this deal: Jewel has selected Pillsbury/General Mills/Betty Crocker items on sale this week. WYB 10, receive $5 instant savings and receive 50 Bonus Boxtops for Education (BTFE).<br /><br />The Betty Crocker Potatoes were on sale for $1.00 each - and the price dropped to $.50 each WYB 10. What a fabulous deal! On the boxes, there were $1/2 peelies - which meant, all I had to pay was tax!<br /><br />I used 16 coupons and grabbed 32 for the cost of the tax ($.09 per transaction of 10 boxes).<br /><br />While I like homemade mashed potatoes, the boxed ones are not too bad (especially at this price). To make them healthier, I use fat free milk (I start with powdered milk and add water as directed on the box), I use half the butter or margarine called for on the package and substitute light sour cream or fat free cream cheese for the other half of the butter/margarine needed in the recipe. And if you really want to punch up the flavor of the potatoes, use chicken stock in place of the water called for.<br /><br />It's an easy way to turn boring boxed potatoes into a tasty treat. I've even used my doctored up box potatoes in entertaining, and have had people ask for my recipe. If you are looking to save time, cut calories/fat grams, many varieties of these potatoes are a good choice. If you want to add even more flavor, fold in a little garlic, a tablespoon of parmesan, some parsley - anything you would normally add to your own mashed potatoes.<br /><br />I also stocked up on canned veggies (Green Giant brand was $.99 - dropped to $.49 a can wyb 10), since I was starting to run low from the last time I loaded up. I grabbed 28 cans - and that should be enough to hold us through the winter. If I have a chance, I may grab another 10 cans before the sale is up. You can never be too well stocked on veggies, especially at these prices!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-40769984630078631622010-08-11T08:10:00.002-05:002010-08-11T08:35:05.477-05:00Dominick's Deals: Breakfast on a BudgetI have been not-so-patiently waiting for another good deal on cereal, and as it tends to happen, Dominicks is the place to be. Since no stores in Chicagoland double coupons, Dominicks is our saving grace - they accept expired coupons. Couple that with a Buy 10 get a $10 coupon OYNO, and I was in heaven. Oh, and Kellogg wasn't the only brand on sale, Keebler was, too! This was a great time to be couponing!<br /><br />Transaction #1<br />10 boxes Keebler cookies (originally $4.19 - $4.39) on sale for $2.49<br />1 gallon milk (regular price $3.19) $2.69<br />Minus $1/2 coupons (x5)<br />Minus $2 milkpurchase wyb 2 Keebler cookies<br />Minus $3 register rewards from Walgreens<br />Total: $18.07<br />Total Saved: $25.60<br />and a $10 cat prints out...<br /><br />Transaction #2<br />10 boxes PopTarts (regular price $3.39) on sale for $1.99<br />Minus $1/2 coupons (x5)<br />Minus $10 cat<br />Total: $5.25<br />Total Saved: $29.50<br />no cat prints....I ask the cashier, he tells me to talk to the service desk. I decide to do that after my next 2 orders are complete<br /><br />Transaction #3<br />6 boxes Apple Jacks (regular price $3.59) on sale $1.99<br />2 boxes Kellogg's NutraGrain bars (regular price $3.99) on sale $2.49<br />2 boxes Keebler cookies (regular price $3.99) on sale $2.49<br />Minus $1/2 coupon (cookies)<br />Minus $.70 off 1 box cereal (x6)<br />Total: $15.87<br />Saved: $21.50<br />and a $10 cat prints out...<br /><br />Transaction #4<br />2 boxes Keebler cookies (regular price $3.99) on sale $2.49<br />6 boxes Frosted Flakes (regular price $2.99) on sale $1.99<br />2 boxes Apple Jacks (regular price $3.59) on sale $1.99<br />1 jar apricot preserves (regular price $2.79) on sale $1.99<br />2 64 oz. bottle Ocean Spray juice blends $2.99<br />Minus $1/2 Kellogg cereals (x3)<br />Minus $.70 off 1 box cereal (x2)<br />Minus $1/2 coupon (cookies)<br />Minus $3 off winetag coupons for the juice<br />Minus $10 cat<br />Total: $9.73<br />Saved: $33.00<br />and a $10 cat prints out...<br /><br />I go to customer service after my transactions, ask if the purchase where no cat pr inted could be re-rung or returned. The cashier offered me $10 cash instead of the cat. I happily accepted and was off on my merry way.<br /><br />Total Saved during this long shopping trip: $109.60<br />Coupons spent: $49.60<br />Total OOP: $38.56 (I've subtracted the $10 cash from this)<br />Plus another $10 cat in my wallet...<br />Quantity of items purchased: 44<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-89599038369946459122010-08-09T08:25:00.004-05:002010-08-09T09:01:10.392-05:00Menu Plan MondayI didn't have a meal plan last week, because I assigned that duty to DH. I knew I wouoldn't have time to make our dinners (a crazy work week, culminating in an in-office board meeting that was 3 days too long!), and desperately need to get back in the swing of things this week. Luckily I have a few things on hand to build my meals around - like the leftover bagels from the meeting (no one wanted them, so I took home 6-8 huge bagels and popped them in my freezer) and a little help from my mama (who made a large batch of pulled pork and was nice enough to take pity on me and share some). With a few pantry staples, here's what I've got in mind for this week:<br /><br />Monday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/08/diner-classic-monte-cristo.html">Monte Cristo</a> with tomato basil soup topped with crunchy croutons<br />Tuesday: Pulled pork sammies with a <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/08/teriyaki-sweet-bbq-sauce.html">teriyaki sweet BBQ sauce</a> on egg-onion rolls, gourmet spring blend salad, and corn<br />Wednesday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/03/6-whole-eggs.html">Mushroom and Cheddar Frittata</a>, bagels, strawberries, and red grapes<br />Thursday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/08/simple-pork-tacos.html">Simple Pork Tacos</a>, refried beans, rice<br />Friday: Girls day out - taking my mama (DaMama) out for lunch and a movie<br />Saturday: Build your own flatbread pizza - using the last of our $.49 flatbread pizza crusts from the $3 off bread coupon from Jewel<br />Sunday: Pork steaks on the grill, sauteed mushrooms, mashed potatoes, salad, corn on the cob<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-1611134842084763052010-08-02T11:57:00.003-05:002010-08-03T08:31:45.445-05:00Mini Menu PlanThis week, my office has its board of director's meeting, which means a few longer days (maybe into early evening) of work, so I've got DH making meals for half of the week.<br /><br />Monday: Rotini with a white wine portabella sauce, garlic bread, salad<br />Tuesday: Cheddar, Apple, and Onion Panini's, salad, chips<br />Wednesday: Dinner at DaMama's<br />Thursday - Sunday: DH's got his buttery chicken nuggets, pizza, and more planned for us!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-42669304573830581712010-07-28T08:33:00.002-05:002010-07-28T12:25:59.832-05:00Not Your Boring Brown Bag LunchI pack a lunch 5 days a week for work, so does my husband. We're not broke, we have no dietary restrictions, we simply bring our own lunches to work, since driving home for lunch for either of us isn't an option (our commutes are 45-55 minutes one way for work each day). It takes minimal planning, some basics on hand, and a willingness to save time and money every day.<br /><br />Why would we want to brown bag it every day? For me, I like to know what I'm eating, and I don't want to consume too much greasy, fried, sodium-laden dishes that are the fast-food norm - but beyond that, DH & I each work in areas that have many specialty restaurants, ethnic eateries, high-end fast-food, steak houses, and overblown casual eateries. The costs are insane. Two of my co-workers once estimated that by eating out 2-4 days a week for lunch, they spent an average of $200 a month - just on lunches. I have the added bonus of working in Illinois' infamous Cook County - where sales tax is over 10%.<br /><br />Every week, I plan lunches along with all our dinners. All our lunches are interchangable - doesn't matter what one of us grabs, there are at least 3 options each day for our lunches. We each take one, and the remaining one goes into the pool of choices for the next day. I typically emphasize the first in, first out rule. We have no problems eating leftovers, so this works out well.<br /><br />I also do a fair amount of what I call - leftover makeover. This week is a great example of that: I roasted a whole chicken and the leftovers are going to be used in salads, in sammies, in soup, and on a pizza. Not all weeks are like this, but 2-3 weeks each month, I make a meal that converts into many dishes easily. Browned, ground turkey (chicken or beef) or bulk sausage also works well for many meals. If you're new to this, just track for 2-3 weeks what meals you often prepare for your family - it won't take very long for a pattern to emerge.<br /><br />When you see the pattern emerging, you can do some simple meal planning. You don't have to designate which meal is for which day, if that's too exacting for you. You can meal plan by day, week, or 2-4 weeks at a time. For me, the weekly meal plan with each day planned helps me see how quickly we can use a leftover so we waste less food. When I make my meal plan, I take into account how many lunches we need for the week, if we have sandwich fixings on hand, and try to tailor the meals to be easily portable and reheatable. Each week, I look at the 2 prior weeks of meals, to make sure I'm not serving the same things too often. Each week, I try to offer a different meat that covnerts well to many other dishes.<br /><br />The result? I take restaurant quailty meals for my lunches, while not paying an extra dime out of pocket for it. Today, I'll be having a <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/07/spinach-mandarin-salad-with-chicken-and.html">Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Chicken</a>, and a wedge of parmesan focaccia bread. For tomorrow, I'll be having tostadas topped with chicken, red bell pepper strips, and some peach salsa. Where could you get a meal like that?<br /><br />Tell me, how do you save money on meals? Do you meal plan, brown bag, cook from scratch? I'd love some new ideas!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-27399347456864564652010-07-26T14:48:00.002-05:002010-07-26T14:56:41.526-05:00Meal Plan MondayI still have oodles of bread from the Jewel free bread coupon and some beautiful produce from the save $2 on any produce (price $2.00 or higher) from Jewel. I grabbed half a dozen focaccias, 3-4 loaves of raisin bread, mini-bagels, flatbread pizza crusts, and mini-croissants - all of which I've squeezed in to the freezer.<br /><br />With 2 loaves of french bread left, I've got some tasty meal ideas that are easy on the budget this week!<br /><br />Monday: Leftovers sandwich style. We've got plenty of leftovers from DH grilling yesterday, so I'll be turning some of the meats into sammies<br />Tuesday: Roasted chicken, spinach salad, rice<br />Wednesday: <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/06/basil-pesto-chicken-sammie-on-foccacia.html">Basil Pesto Chicken Sammie on Focaccia</a><br />Thursday: Cinnamon Raisin bread with homemade peach syrup<br />Friday: Chicken margarita style flatbread pizza, salad<br />Saturday: Dinner at Caputo's in Hanover Park - $5 per person - 15 choices on their buffet!<br />Sunday: Soup (not sure what kind yet) and sammies<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-26833869852954915992010-07-22T08:16:00.002-05:002010-07-22T08:40:16.014-05:00Bountiful Produce - Preserving Fresh FruitI've been having so much fun "buying" fresh blueberries and peaches with the $2 off any $2 or more produce coupon at Jewel. I've got more than 2 dozen fresh, plump, juicy peaches awaiting my attention as we speak. While I enjoy snacking on them, making them into <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/06/summer-fruit-salsa-peach-salsa.html">salsa</a>, tossing them into muffin batter, folding them into <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/06/summer-peach-and-almond-bars.html">bars</a>, or slicing them thin and adding them to a lovely spritzer - I've got more peaches than I could possibly eat right now. This is when it's time to start preserving or freezing them.<br /><br />Since I don't have a big enough batch to make canning worthwhile, I'm going to peel, slice/chop, and freeze my overflow of these amazing peaches. Come the fall and winter months, I'll have plenty of peaches for pies, cobblers, <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/07/peach-almond-muffins.html">muffins</a>, and other tasty recipes I come up with - without breaking the bank. While it sounds like a lot of work, I'll probably have the peaches blanched, peeled, pitted, sliced and diced in less than an hour or two.<br /><br />Last weekend, when I got home with my blueberry haul, I immediately got out the collander, tossed in the berries, removed any debris or stems, lightly patted them with a slightly damp rag (you should rinse berries just before using - not before freezing - it affects the consistency of the fruit), before measuring them and popping them into quart-sized freezer bags for easy use. The result - tons of fresh blueberries, frozen at the peak of freshness and plenty on hand for <a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2010/06/blueberry-buckle-coffee-cake.html">blueberry buckle</a>, blueberry muffins, pancakes, and maybe even a blueberry sauce. I filled 13 quart-sized bags and spent only: $4.48. That's the price right now for blueberries when they are in season for one single 6 oz. pint - I'd hate to see how high that would go in the winter!<br /><br />In my freezer, I already have raspberries, strawberries, and tons of a<a href="http://chicagoscookbook.blogspot.com/2009/03/apple-pie-filling.html">pple pie filling</a>. Each time a great coupon like this comes along, my first thought is what can I use right now. And once I've gotten the produce that my family needs for the week: bananas, grapes, cilantro, a few peppers, onions, fresh mushrooms, some salad fixin's, and a potato or two - then I look to what is in season, on sale, and will freeze well. Next, I make sure I have plenty of ways to use that fruit from its frozen form, then it's time to start planning for the colder months. They'll be here before you know it.<br /><br />What would you do with a deal like this? What fruits and veggies do you put up for the winter?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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<!-- END: Powered by eWebCounter.com --></div>Chicagolandiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15475890741692290709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-492430305785970222.post-57151567265256723462010-07-20T08:49:00.002-05:002010-07-20T09:27:36.726-05:00Great Shopping at JewelI've been busy shopping, on my way to and from work, using the FREE Jewel bakery bread coupon (up to $3 value) and $2 off any produce coupon of $2 or more. In the last week, I've managed pretty well, granted this is over several transactions - one transaction per store per visit (as the coupon states). I did bring DaMama along to maximum our "girls time" and to get the biggest bang for our buck, or in this case, spare change. Here's what I've gathered so far:<br /><br />3 loaves of focaccia<br />3 loaves cinnamon-raisin bread<br />2 pkgs. mini croissants<br />1 pkg. french rolls<br />1 pkg. hotdog buns<br />3 loaves of assorted sandwich bread (butter-cracked, white, and whole wheat)<br />19 fresh, local peaches<br />1 bag European salad blend<br />1 salad kit<br />2 bunches of banana<br />16 pints of blueberries<br />1 bunch of cilantro<br />1 apple<br /><br />Total retail value of: $119.25<br />Total OOP: $9.77<br />Total Saved: $109.48<br /><br />So far, I've frozen all the blueberries, 2 of the focaccias, the salad mixes have been used as lunches, the cilantro is nearly gone (I made salsa - also used the peaches in the salsa too - love a fruity summer salsa that's easy on the wallet!), I just need to grab some red potatoes (since they'll be free anyway...), and a few more peaches for the freezer. I'm planning an hour or two this weekend to prep and freeze the peaches - along with any other hearty produce I can get my hands on.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- BEGIN: Powered by eWebCounter.com -->
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