Extreme Couponing
A friend sent me the link to this video and said "she makes all budgeters look like amateurs." So true! Diane Sawyer summed it up at the end by saying watching this lady in action makes one feel inferior!
January 19, 2010
October 31, 2009
$5 off Grocery Coupons
I had heard that Publix honored competitors' $5 off groceries coupon (like Albertson's $5 off a $50 purchase) but I had never tried it myself until this morning. They do! It worked! The cashier didn't bat an eye. A friend of mine says she uses one nearly every week. You bet I will be too now. Thanks, Andrea, for the tip!
Baking day: chicken taco quiche, candy corn mini cupcakes, halloween chex mix, butterscotch bars and mummy dogs!
Halloween treats have always been a favorite of mine, and I finally have a little one who can enjoy them! We're getting together with cousins for Trick-or-Treating tonight and I'm baking some festive snacks. Here's what's on the menu:
CHICKEN TACO QUICHE
From Simple & Delicious
2 unbaked pastry shells (9 inches)
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 envelopes taco seasoning, divided
2/3 cup salsa
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
8 eggs
2 cups half-and-half cream
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
1/2 cup sliced ripe olives (I USED A CAN OF BLACK BEANS INSTEAD)
DIRECTIONS
Line unpricked pastry shells with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 400° for 4 minutes. Remove foil; bake 4 minutes longer.
In a small bowl, combine chicken and one envelope taco seasoning; spoon into pastry shells. Top with salsa and cheese. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, cream, butter and remaining taco seasoning. Stir in chilies and olives. Pour over cheese.
Cover and freeze one quiche for up to 3 months. Cover edges of remaining quiche loosely with foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 33-35 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.
To use frozen quiche: Remove from the freezer 30 minutes before baking (do not thaw). Cover edges of crust loosely with foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 70-75 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Yield: 2 quiches (6 servings each).
CANDY CORN MINI CUPCAKES
I used a coconut cake mix baked in mini cupcake holders, topped with cream cheese icing and candy corns.
HALLOWEEN CHEX MIX
I adapted this recipe from BettyCrocker.com and doubled the ingredients listed.
4 oz white chocolate baking bars, coarsely chopped
1 cup Corn Chex® or Rice Chex® cereal
1 cup Cheerios
1/4 cup mixed nuts
1/4 cup raisins
1/3 cup candy corn
2 tablespoons Betty Crocker® orange and black candy decors (I didn't use these ... didn't want to spend the money!)
1. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave chopped baking bars uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.
2. Gently stir in remaining ingredients until evenly coated.
3. Spread on waxed paper or foil until cool and chocolate is set, about 30 minutes. Break into chunks. Store loosely covered.
BUTTERSCOTCH BARS
From Simple & Delicious
INGREDIENTS
1 package (17-1/2 ounces) sugar cookie mix
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant butterscotch pudding mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 package (14 ounces) caramels
1/2 cup evaporated milk
2 cups mixed nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup butterscotch chips
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, pudding mix, butter and egg. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until set.
In a large saucepan, combine caramels and milk. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from the heat. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Pour over crust. Sprinkle with butterscotch chips. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container. Yield: about 3 dozen.
MUMMY DOGS
from picky-palate.com
1 roll/pkg Pillsbury Breadstick dough (12 count)
12 hot dogs
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Unroll all 12 breadsticks from package. Cut each into 3 equal strips. Take 3 strips, one at a time and wrap around 1 hot dog starting from the top of the hot dog. (Each hot dog has 3 thin breadstick strips around it). Leave a small space towards the top of the hotdog to make mustard eyes. Continue wrapping all dogs then place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
2. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Use mustard or ketchup for the eyes.
September 09, 2009
Restaurant.com 90% Off Today
$25 Restaurant.com gift certificates are just $1 for 99 hours this 9/9/09! Use coupon code NINETY.
August 04, 2009
Tomorrow: Free Arby's Roast Beef w/ Purchase of Drink
Tomorrow: Free Arby's Roast Beef w/ Purchase of Drink in the following markets:
AL- Birmingham, Huntsville & Montgomery
FL- Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa & Miami
GA- Atlanta & Savannah
NC- Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh & Wilmington
SC- Charleston & Laurinburg
TN- Memphis
July 29, 2009
You Don't Need Coupons to Save Money
Northern Cheapskate reveals a secret: You don't have to use coupons to save money. *Gasp!* I know, right? She offers a handful of ways you can skip the clipping, like buying generic and shopping online.
July 28, 2009
BOGO Sweet Tomatoes
Sweet Tomatoes has another round of buy one, get one free meal coupons or a $5.99 lunch, both with the purchase of two drinks. Coupons available here.
Free Take-Home Meal from Maggiano's
Buy a meal at Maggiano's and they'll package up and send one home with you afterward. I have to admit I've never heard a promotion like this, but these days restaurant folks are having to get creative to win your business. Check out the details here.
Half Price Cheesecake Thursday
This Thursday, July 30, any cheesecake is half off at Cheesecake Factory locations.
July 20, 2009
Free Starbucks Pastry w/ Purchase of Drink Tomorrow
Visit Starbucks tomorrow morning, purchase any drink and receive a free pastry. Details here. A friend visited Starbucks today and they mentioned you have to print and bring the coupon in for the offer.
And if you have a Tim Hortons, they're offering a free blueberry donut.
July 07, 2009
Got Cow Costume?
Come into any Chick-fil-A restaurant dressed as a cow this Friday (July 10) and receive a free meal.
June 20, 2009
$10 Outback GC
Bring Dad to Outback today or tomorrow and receive a $10 gift card good for his next visit.
June 16, 2009
Free Smoothie Friday
June 02, 2009
Free Krispy Kreme Donut Friday
On Friday, June 5, participating Krispy Kreme stores will give away a free doughnut to all its customers.
May 22, 2009
Publix Deals
Publix has some rockin' deals this week. I spent $35.12, saved $65.34 and got all this!!
Here's the complete list of deals and corresponding coupons.
May 14, 2009
Starbucks' Iced Brewed Coffee $1.95
Starbucks' Grande Iced Brewed Coffee (16 fl oz) is $1.95 until June 29. When you use your registered Starbucks Card, you can get a free refill.
May 06, 2009
KFC Promotion
From a friend:
KFC has a big promotion right now as they introduce their new grilled chicken offerings. Click here for a coupon for a free meal featuring 2 pieces of Kentucky Grilled Chicken and two individual sides and a biscuit.
April 30, 2009
Orlando Restaurant Week
I've never participated in this before, but next week is "Orlando Restaurant Week." Go to this website to purchase tickets to visit restaurants with a fixed price for a three-course meal. Click on the restaurant name to see their menu for the fixed price ($10, $15, $25 or $35). Some restaurants are including a lunch option.
Sounds fun, but we really don't have a free night to participate. We do have reservations at a new restaurant downtown called Citrus for Tuesday night (my birthday). We are using a $100 gift certificate that Jeff bid on and won for $50 at his school's fundraiser recently. Not a bad way to go!
April 13, 2009
The 20 Healthiest Foods for Under $1
Brie Cadman for DivineCaroline.com writes about 20 healthy affordable foods, which include:
1. Oats
2. Eggs
3. Kale
4. Potatoes
5. Apples
6. Nuts
7. Bananas
8. Garbanzo Beans
9. Broccoli
10. Watermelon
11. Wild Rice
12. Beets
13. Butternut Squash
14. Whole Grain Pasta
15. Sardines
16. Spinach
17. Tofu
18. Lowfat Milk
19. Pumpkin Seeds
20. Coffee
April 07, 2009
Mimi's Cafe: Free Appetizer w/ $10 Purchase
Visit MimisCafe.com to download a coupon for a free appetizer with a $10 purchase. (Not valid on holidays.)
Denny's: Free Grand Slamwiches Tomorrow w/ Friend
Bring a friend to Denny's tomorrow between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. and order a Grand Slam breakfast, and your dining partner will receive one of their new Grand Slamwiches at no charge (it's a scrambed egg, with sausage, bacon, ham, and American cheese on potato bread with mayonnaise and a maple-spiced spread.)
April 04, 2009
Simple Spring Baskets & Other Easter Treats
I'm hoping to make these sweet little treats for Easter this year. The baskets are made of marshmallows, butter and chow mein noodles. The recipe is at landolakes.com.
I've also seen some adorable "cake pops" on Bakerella. They're beautiful and look delicious.
What treats are you making this Spring/Easter season?
Here are some other ideas from the Internet, thanks to Make and Takes by Marie and her Marshmallow Bunny Treats post:
* Carrot Napkin Holders by Busy Bee (via Flip Flops)
* Bite Sized Easter Brownies by Designer Girl 007
* Easter Basket Cookies by Bake at 350
January 27, 2009
Free Dr. Pepper & Panera
Diet Dr. Pepper
Try a 20 oz or 2-liter Diet Dr. Pepper for free by requesting a coupon from http://promotions.yahoo.com/drpepper/freedietdrpepper/.
Visit Panera on Wed., Jan. 28 for free coffee and samples of new breakfast items. They're also inviting guests to donate $1 to support our Operation Dough-Nation® Community BreadboxTM program. Participating bakery-cafes will match the amount raised, up to $250 per bakery-cafe, with funds going to support local programs that address community needs.
January 20, 2009
Free Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Today
Krispy Kreme is offering free doughnuts in honor of the inauguration today. One per customer. Click here to find store locations.
January 07, 2009
Free Fazoli's
Sign up for Fazoli's newsletter and get an immediate downloadable coupon for a free small spaghetti with purchase of a drink.
Thanks, Money Saving Mom!
November 21, 2008
Publix Trip of the Week
I was a good girl and did my grocery homework. I mapped out the best deals for my family and have split up my shopping to Publix, Walgreens and Wal-Mart. So far I've only made it to Publix. I spent $54.95 and saved $47.47. I used 20 coupons and took advantage of many Buy One, Get One Free sales Publix is famous for. Some highlights:
• Navel oranges - B1G1 big bags that will last for weeks!
• Cool Whip - on sale for $1 a tub
• Egg Nog -- (.70 cents on sale) grab a red holiday coupon flyer from the front of the store for an extra $1 off
• Sweet Potatoes - on sale for .43 a pound. use the same coupon flyer for an extra .50 off.
• Kraft Macaroni - on sale for .50
November 19, 2008
Publix Deals
I went to Publix to take advantage of the free Martha White muffin mix deal they have. Of course, they were out, with it being the last day of the sale, but I got a raincheck -- so when they get a new shipment in, I should be able to get 10 mixes free!
I did snag these other deals from the same aisle though, so the trip was not lost! I had a coupon off the baking cups and two coupons for the frosting, which was buy one get one free. The cake mix was BOGO and so were the grinders -- plus I had a $2 coupon, making them free.
My total for all this was $3.45 -- and had I come sooner in the week, you'd see 10 bags of muffin mix with it!
November 03, 2008
Free Starbucks on Election Day
Visit Starbucks on Tuesday, Nov. 4, after you've voted and let them know. Get a free tall brewed coffee at participating U.S. stores.
October 24, 2008
Free Taco Bell Taco
Taco Bell is doing a promotion where if a base is stolen in the World Series, you can get a free taco. Get one free crunchy beefy taco between 2-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
September 29, 2008
Giant Gift Basket Giveaway
Marie from Makes & Takes has a great giveaway on her site this week: It's a Giant Gift Basket from Rhodes, including, free Rhodes coupons, easy grip loaf pans, an apron, oven mitt, and their 2 fabulous cookbooks, which has great recipes like, bread bowls, pizza, and pretzels.
September 27, 2008
Eat Free On Your Birthday
Ever wonder what restaurants offer free stuff on your birthday? This guy has created a massive listing. Check it out and eat free on your b-day!
Free Ice Cream w/ Purchase of Cake
Print this coupon and bring it to your local Baskin-Robbins store to receive a free pre-packed quart of ice cream with any cake purchase of $15 or more. Offer expires 10/06/08.
September 22, 2008
This week's dinners
I'm a firm believer you save money by eating at home instead of out ... even if the recipes aren't exactly frugal (we had filet mignon yesterday! But we got it on sale from the grocery store and the equivalent meal would have been 2-3x more expensive at a restaurant.)
Here is the meal plan for this week. This doesn't always go according to plan, but it's what I can plan for and buy for at the store. I've linked to the recipes to help me find them later!
Monday: Baked tilapia w/ basalmic vegetables (tilapia was one sale at the store last week)
Tuesday: Sausage Casserole w/ crescent rolls and fruit (sausage was BOGO at publix)
Wednesday: Hot Dogs and beans
(frozen leftovers from my daughter's 1-year party back in July!)
Thursday: Macaroni Vegetable Soup (economical recipe)
Friday: Taco Pasta Shells (Fun food!)
Saturday: Zucchini Quiche (nice change of pace ...)
September 16, 2008
Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing
I love super-easy recipes that are no-fuss and flavorful. This one from Kraft fits the bill for a fantastic fall meal.
Pork Chops with Apples and Stuffing
1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 can (21 oz.) apple pie filling
6 boneless pork loin chops (1-1/2 lb.), 3/4 inch thick
HEAT oven to 375ºF. Prepare stuffing mix as directed on package.
SPREAD pie filling onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with chops and stuffing. Cover with foil.
BAKE 30 min.; uncover. Bake 10 min. or until chops are cooked through (160ºF).
Kraft Kitchens Tips
Substitute
Prepare as directed, using 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves.
--
I plan to make this with frozen chicken cutlets I have on hand that I got on sale last week.
September 01, 2008
Kids Eat Free
Ever want to know what nights restaurants have kids eat free deals? This site lists common chain restaurants and what night is best to bring the kiddos.
August 31, 2008
Panera Anniversary Deals
I think this is local to Orlando but Panera is celebrating 10 years in the area by offering some local deals:
Weekly Anniversary Coupons
September 1st - 7th:
Purchase any Sandwich or Salad & Receive
a Kids Meal for $.10
September 8th - 14th:
Purchase any Sandwich or Salad & Receive
any Fountain Beverage for $.10
September 15th - 21st:
Purchase any Egg Sandwich & Receive
a second Egg Sandwich for $.10
September 22nd - 28th:
Purchase any Hot Espresso Beverage &
Receive a second Hot Espresso Beverage
for $.10
September 29th - October 5th:
Purchase any Cookie & Receive
a second Cookie for $.10
October 6th - 10th:
Receive at $10 Panera Gift Card with any
Purchase of $50.00 or more
In addition, the website says "customers will also have the chance to receive random acts of kindness in the form of Panera Gift Cards. There will also be weekly live radio remotes where customers will have the chance to win cash & prizes. Each week there will be special promotions enticing customers to visit the cafes daily. The Grand Prize giveaway is $10,000!"
August 30, 2008
Have an 'Eat Down'
This blog describes what many of us do when we realize our pantries are full but we have no food, if you know what I mean. This blogger calls it an "Eat Down." Dig through your pantry and see what creative combinations you can come up with to use up the food you have. Then, make a list of the rest of the ingredients and either find recipes and buy new ingredients at your next store visit, or just keep the list with you on grocery trips so you can find things to combine with them to use them up.
August 29, 2008
Free Chick-fil-A!
Visit any participating Chick-fil-A wearing your favorite football team’s attire or logo on Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2008, from 10:30 a.m. until close and get one free order of Chick-n-Strips (3-count).
Free Breakfast at Ikea
Here's a flyer for an Ikea sale this weekend.
August 22, 2008
Mint.com
August 19, 2008
Northern Beans with Ham
Monday night I made northern beans with ham and cornbread. Delicious warm comfort food -- perfect for a rainy night.
2 cans northern beans
1/2 package of cubed ham
Heat beans and ham together on the stove in a pan.
Then I just made mini corn muffins from a package. We crumbled the corn muffins in the bottom of a bowl and added the beans. Delicious!
Black Bean Quesadillas
One of my husband and my favorite foods is the Black and White Quesadilla from Baja Burrito. Our Baja recently closed down, but even before it did, we started creating our own at home. Baja's was a white cheese quesadilla with black beans and cilantro, topped with guacamole and sour cream ... with a side of salsa, of course.
We make ours a little more simply, but it makes a delicious and filling meal or snack any day of the week.
This is a favorite quick dinner for us.
Black Bean Quesadillas
spray butter
flour tortillas (taco size)
mexican blend shredded cheese
can of black beans (rinsed and drained)
Spray a skillet with butter spray for cooking and turn heat to med-high. Place a flour tortilla facedown and load with shredded cheese and beans. top with flour tortilla. Flip with a large spatula after a few minutes when bottom tortillas begins to brown. Remove from skillet once the other side has browned.
Cut into triangles with a pizza cutter and serve immediately with sour cream.
August 14, 2008
Chocolate-Banana Smoothie
Loving Starbucks' new Chocolate-Banana Smoothie? Here's a DIY version.
August 11, 2008
'Bright Ideas' for Parties Year-Round
Great party ideas for summer celebrations and holiday parties. Enjoy!
July 29, 2008
Cheerios Challenge
Simply fill out the fields on this site to get six $1 coupons, and heart health tips over six weeks.
July 23, 2008
Free Starbucks Smoothie
July 22, 2008
$1.50 Cheesecake
Cheesecake Factory is celebrating its 30th anniversary with cheesecake slices for just $1.50 (their original price) on July 30. Details here.
July 11, 2008
Free Grub Day
Dress up like a cow from head-to-toe and receive a free combo meal at Chick-Fil-A today. If you wear a cow accessory, you can receive an entree item.
It's 7/11, which means free Slurpees at your local 7-11 store.
Enjoy!
June 05, 2008
Free Donut
Tomorrow is free donut day at Krispie Kreme!
May 30, 2008
Meals for 4 Under $15
Whole Foods Market has a series of recipes and videos to save you time and money in the kitchen.
* Easy Tamale Casserole
* Hearts of Palm and Avocado Salad with Three Cheese Quiche
* Italian Wedding Soup with Vegan Meatballs
* Quick Scallops and Asparagus Risotto
* Sausage and Artichoke Pizzas
May 29, 2008
Tuna Crescent Ring
Pucker-Up Pie
This easy-to-assemble pie serves as a cool, tart treat for the warm, long days of summer.
Combine 1 box of sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix with 1 cup of milk. Add 1 teaspoon of Crystal Light (lemonade or pink lemonade flavor). Mix for two minutes until consistency is thick. Add half a carton of Light Cool Whip and pour into graham cracker crust. Smooth remaining Cool Whip on top and sprinkle with some of the remaining drink mixture (optional).
May 24, 2008
Low Fat on a Budget?
Eating at home instead of eating out can save you tons of cash each month -- but what about eating low fat on a budget? About.com's Low Fat Cooking editor has some tips.
May 09, 2008
Publix Sale on Baby Food
Publix has Beech Nut Baby Food 3 for 99 cents for the 4 oz. size can. Sweetness.
April 14, 2008
Free Donut on Tax Day
Get a free donut with purchase of a coffee at Dunkin Donuts on April 15!
March 25, 2008
Pineapple Angel Food Cake
Just add 16 oz. of crushed pineapple (with the juice) to a box mix of Angel Food cake and bake according to the box directions. Viola! A yummy twist to a easy, cheap, low-fat dessert. Enjoy!
February 25, 2008
Dunkin' Donuts Deal
Tomorrow, from 1-10 p.m., Dunkin' Donuts is offering lattes, espressos and cappuccinos for 99 cents. Get one straight or with mocha or caramel swirl and even iced.
This is in direct response to the news that Starbucks will be closed tonight for remedial espresso training ...
February 21, 2008
Pizza Hut on a Budget
Pizza Hut announced it's adding a line of pasta and budget-friendly items targeting the busy mom. Click here to read a news article about it.
February 20, 2008
Use your Savvy Tips to Get on TV!
From Sandra Lee's "Semi-Homemade" section of the Food Network's website: "Are you a semi-homemaker in the New York tri-state area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut) who has smart, savvy ways to save time and/or money? If so, Sandra wants to hear from you! Using the form below [linked here], send us your recipes, ideas, quick tips, and helpful hints. If possible, please include photos and videos as well. If Sandra likes your suggestion, you could be a guest on her show."
February 14, 2008
Cheap Treats for Valentine's Day
Here are my little creations for Valentine's Day. I used a boxed cake mix for the cupcakes that I got for half price (BOGO sale at Publix). I piped pre-made icing through an icing bag. I used meltable candy and candy molds to make chocolate peanut butter hearts on top.
These Rice Krispie Treats get kicked up a notch with a dash of lemon extract and a few drops of red food coloring. I used heart-shaped cookie cutters to get the fun shapes. Happy Valentine's Day!
Fore more cheap ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, visit this article I wrote for ninetyandnine.com.
February 07, 2008
Free Lunch - Panera
If you live in Orlando, donate your change for a good cause and get a free lunch at Panera. Details here.
January 29, 2008
Seeing Green
Clip out the $1 off coupon for any two packages Green M&Ms and pick up two small packs at CVS (.69/ea.). Depending on tax, it's around .40 for two packs!
January 21, 2008
RedPlum.com
I'm checking out http://www.redplum.com/ — a new site that catalogs deals and coupons in different categories like groceries, entertainment, lifestyle and more. The grocery section will soon have a function where you can enter your grocery list and it'll match up coupons to the items you're already planning to buy. Cool!
It's got local and national deals, but you have to register (it's free). Check it out. Let me know what you think.
January 18, 2008
Free McGriddle
Click here to register to get a coupon for a free McGriddle. If you're into that sort of thing:
http://www.morningimpaired.com
January 08, 2008
Lean Cuisines Sale
Also, Publix has their Lean Cuisines on sale (BOGO) and there's a $1 off coupon if you buy 5 in the Sunday paper.
Free Peanut Butter
There's a coupon in this past Sunday's paper for $1 off any size Peter Pan peanut butter. Publix has the small size jar on sale for $1 through tomorrow, so if you use the coupon, it's free!
December 15, 2007
Free Donut After Magic Win
Jeff and I went to the Magic game tonight ... and they lost to the Memphis Grizzles. But had they won, we would have been looking at scoring a free donut tomorrow morning before church. Dunkin Donuts has teamed with the Orlando Magic this year to offer free donuts when you mention a Magic win the day after the game. Click here for more info.
Do you have something similar in your area? Post it below in the comments!
December 13, 2007
Manatee Tenders
This has nothing to do with cheap ways to do anything ... well, except it's about eating at home, which will definitely save you money ... but tonight my husband was baking some chicken tenders when he noticed that they were in the shape of a manatee family, complete with mommy, daddy and baby manatee. Pretty hilarious if you've ever listened to comedian Jim Gaffigan.
Some people see the Virgin Mary in their food — we see manatees. Save the manatees!
November 01, 2007
Low-Fat Blueberry French Toast
In my quest to create low-fat fare, I put together this scrumptious French toast.
Low-Fat Blueberry French Toast
Ingredients:
4 slices whole-grain bread
3 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
splash fat-free milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup blueberries
1. Beat 3 eggs with a splash of milk and nearly 1/4 cup sugar (reserve some for sprinkling on the toast while it cooks).
2. Dip both sides of each slices of bread in the mixture.
3. Spray a hot skillet with butter-flavored baking spray.
4. Place bread in skillet and pour blueberries around. Flip when bread is ready.
5. Serve while it's hot!
I warmed up about a third of a cup of syrup in the microwave to serve it with, and my husband and I had it for dinner!
October 29, 2007
1/2 Birthday Bash
So I'm thinking of throwing a little "1/2" party for my daughter, Madilyn, when she turns 6 months old. I saw the idea a couple of places on the Internet, so I can't take credit for the cute idea.
It will just be a small party for the family at our home, and I'm thinking of some ideas for it. I thought you might have some ideas as well. In the comments below, let me know if you threw one of these for your kid and even if you haven't, share some ideas you might have. Remember to keep it "cheap"!
The centerpiece for a "1/2" party is always the birthday cake. This could be a regular sized cake cut in half then decorated to say "Happy 1/2 Birthday, Madilyn," or it could be a half-moon shaped cake decorated. I think I'm going to go with that option.
To continue the "half" theme we can serve:
• Ice cream that comes in half vanilla/half chocolate cartons
• Arnold Palmers (half tea/half lemonade)
• Coffee with either half & half or half coffee, half hot chocolate
• Pastries and/or cookies cut with a crescent cookie-cutter
For a gift, my husband and I can get her several "half dollars" with the year on them to go in her piggy bank! When she's older we can tell her about the special party she had when she received them.
What else should we serve? Any ideas for decorations?
Since the party is three months away, I have time to make what I need, plus I can take my list of things to buy and watch out for sales!
Oh—we could encourage guests to come in "half" costumes and see what they can come up:
• half man/half woman
• half adult/half baby
• a costume cut in half
• a half moon (also known as a plumber's costume — get it?)
Any other ideas?
October 09, 2007
Fun with Phyllo
Low-Fat Apple Tarts
Spinach and Feta Cups
In my quest to find cheap, simple, low-fat fare, I read about the benefits of phyllo dough. Not only is it low in fat and has no cholesterol, it gives the feeling of decadence. Whether you use for in sweet or savory recipes, it has an irresistible crunch.
Instead of using phyllo sheets, which can dry out easily, I picked up some pre-made phyllo cups at Wal-Mart for about $1.50. Here are the two treats I came up with.
Low-Fat Apple Tarts
I filled the pre-made phyllo cups with half a can of apple pie filling (which is fat-free) and topped with Cool Whip.
Spinach and Feta Cups
I drilled olive oil on half a drained package of chopped spinach and mixed in garlic & herb seasoning. After filling the cups with the mixture, I topped with reduced-fat Feta cheese.
Since the phyllo cups are pre-baked, I only baked the cups for each recipe for 5-7 minutes at 350 degrees.
October 06, 2007
Black Bean Dip, Chicken Pot Pie Soup and Oreo Pie
Here are a few new recipes I’ve been trying on my low-fat diet. They use common and very economical ingredients.
This fat-free black bean dip has the creamy taste of beans, the bold flavor of cilantro and a sweet aftertaste thanks to the yogurt in the recipe. It makes a great appetizer, and tastes fabulous with baked pita chips.
These Pita Chips also go great with soup, which is our main course below. After baking the chips, I sprinkle salt on top for extra flavor. I store them in a gallon-size plastic bag to keep them fresh.
I tend to cook with what I have on hand. I hate going to the store to buy ingredients for one meal. So that’s where this soup came from. There are lots of varieties to this soup online. The great thing is you can’t make it wrong. Whatever you have on hand that you think would be good in the soup will probably work.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup
½ cup fat-free chicken broth
4 frozen chicken tenderloins
1 can mushroom soup
1 can sliced potatoes (do not drain)
½ package frozen mixed vegetables
Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on high until chicken is completely done (about 4 hours). Serve with baked pita chips.
Pudding pies are my husband’s favorite because they’re light and naturally low fat. And pudding pies have come a long way. Kraft has Oreo pie shells and Oreo flavored pudding with oreo chunks! And the pie is just as low fat as the other pudding pie recipes (about 5g fat in the pie shell and almost fat-free pudding).
October 01, 2007
Low-Fat Chicken Pizza
Thanks to my recent gall bladder surgery, I am enjoying experimenting with low-fat recipes. This pizza was created on the fly Sunday when we needed a low-fat lunch fast.
Low-Fat Chicken Pizza
1 tube reduced-fat crescent rolls
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1 can chicken broth (optional)
6 frozen chicken tenderloins
1 cup mozzarella cheese (I used fat-free)
1 TB Italian seasoning
1. Preheat oven according to crescent roll instructions.
2. Boil frozen tenderloins in water or chicken broth until done.
3. Roll out reduced-fat crescent rolls on an ungreased baking sheet, flattening the dough to form a single rectangle. Sprinkle Italian seasonings on dough. Bake according to packaging directions.
4. Spread pizza sauce according to taste (I like a minimal amount) over baked crust.
5. Cut boiled chicken into bite-sized pieces and spread over crust.
6. Top with cheese.
7. Bake for 6-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and begins to brown.
8. Cut and serve.
You can use any variation on this recipe. Try bbq sauce instead of pizza sauce for a tangy treat.
Enjoy Fresh Produce All Year
I'm enjoying fresh blueberries in October thanks to a tip my Mom gave me this summer. When the blueberries were at the peak of their season, we bought several quarts to freeze when the grocery store offered their lowest price of the season.
To freeze them without them all sticking together, Mom froze them for an hour on a baking sheet, just far enough apart not to freeze. (We have a large bar pan, so it has a little bit of a lip around the pan to keep the berries from rolling off in transit.) Once they were frozen, she put them in a gallon size freezer bag.
Now when I make these delicious low-fat blueberry muffins, I just pour a cup a blueberries into my measuring cup and reseal the bag. Back in the freezer it goes. I enjoy fresh blueberries all year long.
This technique works with just about any type of berry.
Pumpkin Time!
Carving a pumpkin this month? Instead of throwing away the slimy innards, pick out the seeds and toast them for a healthy and delicious snack. You can also use them in soups and on salads.
Click here for the full recipe. The short version is to roast the seeds at 300 degrees and add seasonings when they're finished (they're finished when they look dry on the outside and they smell good).
June 07, 2007
Free Root Beer Floats
Thanks to Craig T., for this tip!
"Just FYI, today, June 7, is Free Root Beer float day at Sonic. Between 8 pm and 12 am, free root beer floats."
June 01, 2007
Free Donuts
It's national donut day and Krispie Kreme is giving out free donuts: http://www.krispykreme.com/storelocator.html!
May 13, 2007
Crazy for Corn
Publix has 8 ears of corn for $1.99. They have a choice of yellow, bi-color or white corn. Mom and I bought 32 ears of white corn and Mom spent Saturday afternoon cooking them. They are delicious. We went to the farmer's market that morning and they were selling 6 ears for $2, so Publix had the better deal this time. We are enjoying it!
May 11, 2007
Stamp Out Hunger
Tomorrow, leave a bag of canned or boxed foods next to your mailbox. The mail carriers are picking up donations for the "Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive" for America’s Second Harvest. Click here to visit the website.
April 26, 2007
Unique Publix Sale
Beginning this week, Publix is offering free store-brand products when you purchase select brand-name products. Each week for the next five weeks, they will designate three products—this week it's grape juice, crunchy raisin bran and English muffins. See more info here: http://www.publix.com/publixbrand/
April 17, 2007
Free Cone Day
It's "Free Cone Day" at Ben & Jerry's. Visit their website for locations.
April 15, 2007
Organic Produce
A reader posted a comment asking how the Orlando Organics is going. I've been meaning to post about that. Just this past week, I placed our account "on hold" online, so we won't receive another delivery until I undo.
I've been very happy with the service and the produce. We even share part of our goods each week with one of my coworkers who pays for her share. However, I'm finding that there are too many items that we just don't care for. I'm a pretty picky eater and there are just some staples that we like to eat. Sometimes there are too many greens and they go to waste. Or we end up not liking a different fruit than we're used to. And we'd only get a handful of bananas and I was having to go to the store to buy more each week.
It's been fun trying new things but I think I'm going to go back to buying at the grocery store or at a farmer's market (which I did this week). The best part about the experience has been that it has us in the habit of eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. And the way the account is set up online, all I have to do is reactivate our account with the click of a button and our service can resume.
March 20, 2007
Free Iced Coffee Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Wed. March 21st, is free 16 oz. iced coffee day at Dunkin. Visit their website for details and a "send to a friend" e-vite.
March 19, 2007
Strawberry Trifle Recipe
A reader asked for the strawberry trifle recipe. Here's the link to the one I used: Strawberry Trifle. I often use About.com's Southern Food section for recipes. It's great. Also, to make my recipe "cheaper," I used a yellow cake mix I bought for half off at Publix (I wait for the BOGO sales and buy a couple each time); and instead of buying a small bag of slivered almonds for $5.99 (seriously!), I chopped up some whole almonds I already had. I like the smaller pieces the hand chopper created than the larger slivers anyway.
Strawberry Delights
This past week the local grocery store had a special on strawberries (about $1.25 a pound). I bought and cut 10 pounds this weekend and froze most of it, but also made strawberry muffins, strawberry-banana bread, homemade strawberry ice cream and a strawberry trifle (pictured). There's something about baking and making sweet treats that's therapeutic. And it's fun to watch friends and family enjoy the fruit of your labor. I froze most of the breads so we can enjoy them for longer than the shelf life.
March 14, 2007
Free Coffee
From 10 to noon tomorrow, Starbucks is giving away free cups of coffee. I don't think you need a coupon.
Also, the local Orlando Borders newsletter this week has a coupon for a free drink from their grand opening of Seattle's Best Coffee café on Saturday.
And if you're looking for something cold and sweet to follow that cup of joe, wait for April 17 for Ben & Jerry's 29th annual Free Cone day.
March 02, 2007
Organic Produce
A friend sent me a link to Orlando Organics this week. I checked it out and decided to start a weekly produce subscription. This family-owned business distributes fruits and vegetables all over the Orlando area. Most of it is locally grown; some of it is from out-of-state since it's not grown here (like potatoes). I got the medium package for $32 a week and my single co-worker is going to split the order and cost. I'll keep the blog updated on how it goes for us and how it affects our regular grocery bill.
January 06, 2007
Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie
I made this Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie tonight ... haven't tasted it yet but it looks and smells delicious. This recipe is from Paula Deen's "Christmas" magazine from this past year. They make this pie at her restaurant in Savannah, Ga.
Old-Fashioned Fudge Pie
makes 6 to 8 servings
2 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate (I used chips)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell
Whipped cream or ice cream (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Melt chocolate and butter together in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Remove pan from heat and add sugar, then eggs; beat well. Pour filling into pie crust and bake for 25 minutes. Serve warm or cold, with whipped cream or ice cream.
Save Money on Groceries
Coupons aren't the only way to save at the grocery store. This article outlines seven strategies, including downloading your local store's circular to plan your trip around sale items before you enter the store.
October 11, 2006
Eating Out in the Big Apple
Everyone knows it's expensive to eat out ... but one can expect to spend around $40 a person when eating a decent meal in NYC, which is 20 percent higher than the national average. Zagat's annual dining survey released on Wednesday said prices have raised 5 percent in the city for most restaurants, with some rising 15 percent since last year. This was the biggest percentage hike in years, but it's still a deal compared with meals in Tokyo ($75), London ($72) and Paris ($67).
September 29, 2006
Brown-Bagging It
Here's an article about how 20-somethings spend so much money on food because it's too depressing or inconvenient to pack a lunch. I liked one of the suggestions from one of the people interviewed: Twice a month, he goes to the grocery store and buys two week's worth of sandwich supplies and keeps them in a brown bag in the lounge’s refrigerator. So he doesn’t have to worry about making a sandwich each morning. Genius. He keeps the non-perishable snacks in a drawer at his desk.
June 17, 2006
Farmer's Market Finds
Finally made it out to the local farmer's market this morning. We picked up the produce you see in the picture for $5.50. I've seen pineapple for that price at Publix when it's not on sale. All in all, not a bad deal. Fresh produce, cheaper price and hopefully we're supporting local growers.
May 09, 2006
Easy, Cheap Crockpot Cooking
My wonderful mother-in-law, Ginger, bought Jeff and I a slow cooker/crock pot as a house-warming gift. The first weekend we cooked a ham with a can of pineapple over it. It was great, but I was looking for more easy recipes, with limited ingredients! I found this site today and it had several recipes I was looking for, plus a lot more. CheapCooking.com. Enjoy!
April 14, 2006
How to Preserve the Wedding Cake
Here's a brief article with great ideas for the anniversary wedding cake. Columnist Jane Greig says, yes you can freeze cake for a year, but don't expect it to taste good. If you do want to store it for a year, wrap it in an airtight container, then wrap it again with plastic wrap and again with aluminum foil.
But alternatively, she suggests, when you get your wedding cake, ask the baker if he/she would allow you to purchase a discounted wedding topper. A baker quoted in the story says they often give a free one-year anniversary cake to couples (who purchase a multi-tiered wedding cake) in most instances.
March 22, 2006
The Dark Side of Whole Foods Markets
Here's an interesting editorial from Slate questioning whether the image Whole Foods markets present is accurate. They lead customers to think their food supports small, family-owned organic farms, when it's widely known that a few large farms in California supply the majority of the produce.
It also questions the logic in flying in produce from Chile (just because it sounds sexier than produce from New Jersey. The food would be cheaper and fresher from New Jersey—because of that, it asks if maybe Wal-Mart is the better choice.
Food for thought (hehe)... Here's the article.
March 13, 2006
Create Your Own Grocery Game
Okay, so I'm obsessing now over this grocery game business. I found this article that actually walks you through how to set up your own database, of sorts, of figuring out when things really are on sale at the grocery store and what weeks of the year the store runs the best sales on individual items.
This article is found on The Dollar Stretcher, which is packed with useful tips on spending less and saving more. Enjoy!
The Grocery Game
Thanks for Lindsay who tipped me off about The Grocery Game ( www.thegrocerygame.com), a website you can subscribe to that gives you the lowest sales prices for items at your local grocery store and tells you which coupons to use. You can do a trial subscription for $1 and after that, it's $10 every 8 weeks. The site claims to save you $350 a month and around $3600 a year. Definitely worth checking out.
January 06, 2006
Cheap Ways to Buy Food
Chances are food is one of your biggest daily expenses. An easy way to save $10-$15 a week is to limit and/or eliminate your visits to convenience stores. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by shopping at lower-priced food stores. Convenience stores often charge the highest price.
Have you ever thought about the price of bottled water in these stores when compared the price of gas? A bottle of water at a gas station typically costs about $1.20. Gas is about $2 per gallon. If you were to buy a gallon of Dasani, you could pay about $7.68 before tax. That makes high gas prices look like the deal of the week.
Spend less on food by reducing the times you eat out. The average person spent $2,276 a year on eating out in 2002. When do you do eat out, try to order water instead of a $2.25 beverage. When you shop, take a list and come armed with coupons and knowledge of that week’s sales from the store’s flyer. Websites including www.couponcart.com and www.coolsavings.com have free coupons you can download—double your pleasure by shopping at stores that honor double-coupon days.
Avoid buying prepared and packaged goods. Compare price-per-ounce costs of other units on the shelf. Stock up on items with lower per-unit costs (two pounds of carrots can cost $1.29, compared with $7.16 for the same amount of precut carrot sticks). When you find a great deal (like turkeys that are slashed in price after a holiday), freeze it until you can use it.