Finally got to one grocery store yesterday (well I went to Staters and they were sold out of the sausage I wanted - but will restock on Sunday!). So not my best deal yet as the cashier did not understand one of my coupons but I digress.
3 boxes of General Mills Cheerios
4 Can Green Giant Green Beans (canned ones taste so good!)
2 Boxes New Nature Valley Granola Thins (these are ok)
2 Cartons of Eggs (18 Packs)
1 Betty Crocker Cake Mix
1 Betty Crocker Frosting
1 Package 20 oz Bisquick
1 Package 18oz Blueberries
2 V09 Shampoo/Conditioner (to donate at .59 each my church really needs these this week!)
For a grand total of $18.51 with a total savings of $25.91.
And now you can click on the Master Deal List to see the best prices I find on many items we almost always have on hand due to stockpiling! The list is not complete but it is all I have time for since I am late getting on my run today!
Enjoy your weekend!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Gardening!
One of the best things about our new home is the large backyard (and front yard for that matter) because we can finally garden!!!! My husband and I are both absolutely ecstatic to be gardening and here is a list of what we are growing!
Tomatoes (Roma and big early - big early are not my favorite but are growing on me),
Basil, Oregano, Parsley, Zucchinis, Yellow Summer Squash, Onions, Garlic, Green Onions, Tons of Chili Plants, we had Cilantro but it is too hot now.
We have learned a lot this year and will definitely be setting things up differently next year. We have cucumbers just starting to grow in one box now and our lettuce is done until it cools down again.
Then we also have plenty of fruit trees: Lime, Lemon, Orange (navel), Plum (but it is now dead), Nectarine, Banana!, and a different plum variety. Along with these are blueberry and raspberry bushes.
So as you can tell we are really enjoying our yard and being able to grow so much of our own produce (organically (mostly)) too! Our fall garden will be even better as well as next springs garden (live and learn right!). So here's to the rest of this season which is going strong (and producing enough for freezing for our stews this winter). Yum Yum!
Your List Lady!
PS Tomorrow's post will hold my deals from Ralphs, Albertson's and Staters!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Getting Enough Fruits & Veggies
Sorry for the lack of posts ladies and gentleman...no excuses just life. I am super happy to be back and promise to *try* and post daily! I have been sooo busy making so many lists in my life and I need to get on here and post them for you folks. Here is my master list of setting out to prepare a menu:
Breakfast: Protein, Carbohydrate, Dairy, Fruit
Ex: Egg w/cheese, toast, peaches
Ex: Toast with Peanut Butter, Yogurt, Blueberries
Lunch: Carbohydrate, Protein, Fruit, Veggie
Ex: Tuna Fish on Bread, Avocado, Pineapple
Ex: Mac N Cheese, Peas, Grapes
Dinner: Protein, Carbohydrate, Veggie
Ex: German Pork Roast, Steamed Summer Squash
Ex: Chili Verde, Beans, Chips & Salsa, Corn
Now in reality we aren't eating three huge portions of protein a day and overkilling it but proteins and carbohydrates help you to break down sugars in fruits etc, without the protein we would be on a sugar high all of the time! Another rule of thumb I use is "Eat the Rainbow" I try to serve different colored fruits and veggies throughout the day. We would try not to eat grapes, avocado, peas, salad all in one day but to mix it up!
Now here is our Chili Verde Recipe
1 Pork Ball (sold at Costco in a 4 pack in the meat department otherwise any type of pork roast)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1.5 cans water (using cream of chicken soup cans)
1 small can diced green chilies (if you like spicy use hot ones if you like mild use mild ones)
1. In crock pot smother the pork roast with salt and pepper (we mostly use sea salt in our house - again please buy most of your spices at Costco or World Market they are the cheapest hands down).
2. Pour cream of chicken over pork.
3. Add water
4. Add chilies on top
5. Cook in crock pot to your liking. (We used to do 8 hours on low but we have since gotten a new crock pot that you input how long you want it to cook and no matter what it is always ready when it says)
Unfortunately I don't have picture available at the moment but I will post them soon!
Hope you enjoy the two recipes in this post!
Your List Lady
Breakfast: Protein, Carbohydrate, Dairy, Fruit
Ex: Egg w/cheese, toast, peaches
Ex: Toast with Peanut Butter, Yogurt, Blueberries
Lunch: Carbohydrate, Protein, Fruit, Veggie
Ex: Tuna Fish on Bread, Avocado, Pineapple
Ex: Mac N Cheese, Peas, Grapes
Dinner: Protein, Carbohydrate, Veggie
Ex: German Pork Roast, Steamed Summer Squash
Ex: Chili Verde, Beans, Chips & Salsa, Corn
Now in reality we aren't eating three huge portions of protein a day and overkilling it but proteins and carbohydrates help you to break down sugars in fruits etc, without the protein we would be on a sugar high all of the time! Another rule of thumb I use is "Eat the Rainbow" I try to serve different colored fruits and veggies throughout the day. We would try not to eat grapes, avocado, peas, salad all in one day but to mix it up!
Now here is our Chili Verde Recipe
1 Pork Ball (sold at Costco in a 4 pack in the meat department otherwise any type of pork roast)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1.5 cans water (using cream of chicken soup cans)
1 small can diced green chilies (if you like spicy use hot ones if you like mild use mild ones)
1. In crock pot smother the pork roast with salt and pepper (we mostly use sea salt in our house - again please buy most of your spices at Costco or World Market they are the cheapest hands down).
2. Pour cream of chicken over pork.
3. Add water
4. Add chilies on top
5. Cook in crock pot to your liking. (We used to do 8 hours on low but we have since gotten a new crock pot that you input how long you want it to cook and no matter what it is always ready when it says)
Unfortunately I don't have picture available at the moment but I will post them soon!
Hope you enjoy the two recipes in this post!
Your List Lady
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
My Favorite Websites
Here is a list of some websites I use to earn free gift cards, learn about great deals, print great learning materials for the tots etc!
Swagbucks - My newest favorite this website allows me to earn points for searching the Internet! I can then use my points to buy gift cards to Amazon.com. Four points can be earned daily just by visiting the Daily Polls, Trusted Surveys, Special Offers pages, and using the toolbar. Now if you want Swagbucks to be worth it you must download the toolbar since you can search straight off of it. I joined swagbucks in June and already have $15 to Amazon.com You also get points for anyone who joins based upon your referral (click the link above and it will credit me).
MyPoints - Another way to earn free gift cards this site sends emails based upon your interests (the more you have the more emails you get) then if you click on them you receive points. I also shop through mypoints.com to earn points. Our favorite store Barnes And Noble offers 10 points per dollar. Over the past 2 years I have received over $200 in gift cards.
Money Saving Mom - This lady is absolutely awesome and so is her site. She posts all kinds of incredible deals and links to coupons - even pairing up the best deals at each store each week. As if that wasn't already enough she also gives amazing advice and encouragement through her articles. This is a gifted woman. We do not practice the Dave Ramsey way of life we have our own method but it is encouraging to see other families live like no one else!
Confessions of A Homeschooler- Even if you aren't going to home school please still look at this site. There is a great wealth of information and printables which could be used to cure boredom (both mom and child). She has great book reviews, recipes, and scheduling materials.
Coupon Mom - This is another great site as it posts the current deals for the grocery stores you may shop at. We mostly shop at Ralphs and they even list the unadvertised specials and tell you where to find your coupons. Truly awesome
Starfall.com - My daughter loves this website and it is purely educational! From learning the letters to learning to read this is an interactive website allowing growth in a multitude of areas. My oldest tot has now mastered the keyboard and mouse and my youngest tot dances along to the music.
There are many more websites but this is a start - I will be back to add more over time!
Swagbucks - My newest favorite this website allows me to earn points for searching the Internet! I can then use my points to buy gift cards to Amazon.com. Four points can be earned daily just by visiting the Daily Polls, Trusted Surveys, Special Offers pages, and using the toolbar. Now if you want Swagbucks to be worth it you must download the toolbar since you can search straight off of it. I joined swagbucks in June and already have $15 to Amazon.com You also get points for anyone who joins based upon your referral (click the link above and it will credit me).
MyPoints - Another way to earn free gift cards this site sends emails based upon your interests (the more you have the more emails you get) then if you click on them you receive points. I also shop through mypoints.com to earn points. Our favorite store Barnes And Noble offers 10 points per dollar. Over the past 2 years I have received over $200 in gift cards.
Money Saving Mom - This lady is absolutely awesome and so is her site. She posts all kinds of incredible deals and links to coupons - even pairing up the best deals at each store each week. As if that wasn't already enough she also gives amazing advice and encouragement through her articles. This is a gifted woman. We do not practice the Dave Ramsey way of life we have our own method but it is encouraging to see other families live like no one else!
Confessions of A Homeschooler- Even if you aren't going to home school please still look at this site. There is a great wealth of information and printables which could be used to cure boredom (both mom and child). She has great book reviews, recipes, and scheduling materials.
Coupon Mom - This is another great site as it posts the current deals for the grocery stores you may shop at. We mostly shop at Ralphs and they even list the unadvertised specials and tell you where to find your coupons. Truly awesome
Starfall.com - My daughter loves this website and it is purely educational! From learning the letters to learning to read this is an interactive website allowing growth in a multitude of areas. My oldest tot has now mastered the keyboard and mouse and my youngest tot dances along to the music.
There are many more websites but this is a start - I will be back to add more over time!
Monday, August 2, 2010
August Meal Plan
So meal planning is one of my favorite things to do - as long as I do it in advance! This is one of my lists that make living for today sooooo much easier. Unfortunately I am easily stressed by the unknown and am also extremely indecisive. If we do not have a plan for dinner I will spend at least an hour stressing over what to cook etc. then still not be happy with what we made. When I plan a whole month's of meals I don't have to think about what to make at all I just look at my calendar and bam its all there! Also, just because it is planned this way doesn't mean we always stick to it - I have already adjusted the first four days due to having leftovers and our unexpected picnic at the beach last night! Each week I will update with some of the recipes others I will post a link to where I found it. Enjoy!
Aug 1st - Egg Salad Sandwiches, Watermelon, Pasta Salad, Oranges, and Pie (Picnic at the beach)
Aug 2nd - Leftover Brazilian Beef & Pork, Salmon Tacos, Corn, Refried Beans
Aug 3rd - Broccoli & Garlic Pasta (recipe to come later in the week), Garlic Bread
Aug 4th - Leftover Brazilian Beef and Pork with Chiriasco Sauce, Baked Beans, Zucchini
Aug 5th - Tostadas, Corn, Chips and Salsa
Aug 6th - Meatball Subs with Grilled Zucchini
Aug 7th - Hamburgers, Homemade Fries, Baked Beans, & Salad
Aug 8th - My Sister's Going Away to College Celebration
Aug 9th - German Pork Roast, Corn Bread Muffins
Aug 10th - Visiting Family for Dinner
Aug 11th - Green Chili Burritos, Corn, Chips & Salsa (these are awesome recipes to follow)
Aug 12th - Pork In Orange Sauce, Rice, Stir Fry Veggies
Aug 13th - Chorizo & Eggs, Tortillas, Salsa, Fruit
Aug 14th - Lasagna, Garlic Bread & Salad
Aug 15th - Rotisserie Chicken, BBQ Potato packets, grilled veggies
Aug 16th - Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Bread, Broccoli & Cauliflower
Aug 17th - Risotto Alla Milanese, Salad (uses leftover rotisserie chicken)
Aug 18th - Breakfast Burritos, Fruit
Aug 19th - Chicken Tacos (using leftover rotisserie chicken), Corn, Beans/Rice
Aug 20th- Chili Cheese Dogs, Fries, Salad
Aug 21st - Steak Pasta Salad, Garlic Bread
Aug 22nd - Garlic Lime Game Hens, Long Grain Wild Rice, Corn
Aug 23rd - Fire Island Ziti, Grille bell Peppers
Aug 24th - Chicken Alfredo, Broccoli, Bread
Aug 25th - Veggie Chow Mein
Aug 26th - Dirty Rice, Tomato Salad
Aug 27th - Louisiana Red Beans and Rice, Grilled Veggies
Aug 28th - Alfredo Pizza, Salad
Aug 29th - Fried Burritos, Corn/Peas, Chips & Salsa
Aug 30th - Pasta With Pesto, Salad, Bread
Aug 31st - Chili Verde, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice
Wow that is a lot of yummy food and I am already looking forward to cooking dinner each night! Now recipes and links will come at a later time since my littlest tot wants to get dressed and go outside! Enjoy this for now and I will be back to edit this post later.
Your List Lady
Aug 1st - Egg Salad Sandwiches, Watermelon, Pasta Salad, Oranges, and Pie (Picnic at the beach)
Aug 2nd - Leftover Brazilian Beef & Pork, Salmon Tacos, Corn, Refried Beans
Aug 3rd - Broccoli & Garlic Pasta (recipe to come later in the week), Garlic Bread
Aug 4th - Leftover Brazilian Beef and Pork with Chiriasco Sauce, Baked Beans, Zucchini
Aug 5th - Tostadas, Corn, Chips and Salsa
Aug 6th - Meatball Subs with Grilled Zucchini
Aug 7th - Hamburgers, Homemade Fries, Baked Beans, & Salad
Aug 8th - My Sister's Going Away to College Celebration
Aug 9th - German Pork Roast, Corn Bread Muffins
Aug 10th - Visiting Family for Dinner
Aug 11th - Green Chili Burritos, Corn, Chips & Salsa (these are awesome recipes to follow)
Aug 12th - Pork In Orange Sauce, Rice, Stir Fry Veggies
Aug 13th - Chorizo & Eggs, Tortillas, Salsa, Fruit
Aug 14th - Lasagna, Garlic Bread & Salad
Aug 15th - Rotisserie Chicken, BBQ Potato packets, grilled veggies
Aug 16th - Spaghetti & Meatballs, Garlic Bread, Broccoli & Cauliflower
Aug 17th - Risotto Alla Milanese, Salad (uses leftover rotisserie chicken)
Aug 18th - Breakfast Burritos, Fruit
Aug 19th - Chicken Tacos (using leftover rotisserie chicken), Corn, Beans/Rice
Aug 20th- Chili Cheese Dogs, Fries, Salad
Aug 21st - Steak Pasta Salad, Garlic Bread
Aug 22nd - Garlic Lime Game Hens, Long Grain Wild Rice, Corn
Aug 23rd - Fire Island Ziti, Grille bell Peppers
Aug 24th - Chicken Alfredo, Broccoli, Bread
Aug 25th - Veggie Chow Mein
Aug 26th - Dirty Rice, Tomato Salad
Aug 27th - Louisiana Red Beans and Rice, Grilled Veggies
Aug 28th - Alfredo Pizza, Salad
Aug 29th - Fried Burritos, Corn/Peas, Chips & Salsa
Aug 30th - Pasta With Pesto, Salad, Bread
Aug 31st - Chili Verde, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice
Wow that is a lot of yummy food and I am already looking forward to cooking dinner each night! Now recipes and links will come at a later time since my littlest tot wants to get dressed and go outside! Enjoy this for now and I will be back to edit this post later.
Your List Lady
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Cleaning Schedule
Welcome to a new post very late in the day (well um night)! Sorry for the delay folks but my sister is visiting for a couple of days before leaving for college and well we kept busy today!
A list of things we did: make pancakes, read stories, clean the downstairs (me! not the rest of the crew), visit the splash park, eat lunch, watch Ice Age, tots took naps, sis and I researched some things, went to dinner and surprise there was a concert in the courtyard! The tots were thoroughly entranced by the mix of older (think grandpa old) and younger (9 years of age) guitar players and really really loud oldies songs - they had a blast dancing, singing and running! If your community offers free summer concerts you might want to check them out!
SO here is my master cleaning list (just the weekly stuff the deep cleaning things are still being worked out - and no I am not a clean the whole house in one fell swoop and have the rest of the week off kind of gal).
Monday - Laundry and Clean the Kitchen (appliances etc) as we have usually entertained or cooked a new and messy dish!
Tuesday - Clean the upstairs: clean clutter, clean the bathrooms, dust, vacuum, mop.
Wednesday - De clutter and organize something (I always have little projects I need to do so I do one a week).
Thursday - Clean downstairs: wipe down kitchen, dust, clean slider, shake rugs out, clean downstairs bathroom, vacuum everything, mop.
Friday - Wash Sheets, any extra laundry, and clean the toilets before the weekend and potential entertaining.
All Week - I do vacuum under my kitchen table daily if not multiple times per day, laundry if it piles up, wash towels every couple of days.
It is definitely not perfect and my house is not always clean but that is my cleaning schedule hope it helps someone!
Tomorrow's installment will include a list of money saving blogs and websites used to earn free gift cards - with descriptions and links!
Good night,
Your List Lady
A list of things we did: make pancakes, read stories, clean the downstairs (me! not the rest of the crew), visit the splash park, eat lunch, watch Ice Age, tots took naps, sis and I researched some things, went to dinner and surprise there was a concert in the courtyard! The tots were thoroughly entranced by the mix of older (think grandpa old) and younger (9 years of age) guitar players and really really loud oldies songs - they had a blast dancing, singing and running! If your community offers free summer concerts you might want to check them out!
SO here is my master cleaning list (just the weekly stuff the deep cleaning things are still being worked out - and no I am not a clean the whole house in one fell swoop and have the rest of the week off kind of gal).
Monday - Laundry and Clean the Kitchen (appliances etc) as we have usually entertained or cooked a new and messy dish!
Tuesday - Clean the upstairs: clean clutter, clean the bathrooms, dust, vacuum, mop.
Wednesday - De clutter and organize something (I always have little projects I need to do so I do one a week).
Thursday - Clean downstairs: wipe down kitchen, dust, clean slider, shake rugs out, clean downstairs bathroom, vacuum everything, mop.
Friday - Wash Sheets, any extra laundry, and clean the toilets before the weekend and potential entertaining.
All Week - I do vacuum under my kitchen table daily if not multiple times per day, laundry if it piles up, wash towels every couple of days.
It is definitely not perfect and my house is not always clean but that is my cleaning schedule hope it helps someone!
Tomorrow's installment will include a list of money saving blogs and websites used to earn free gift cards - with descriptions and links!
Good night,
Your List Lady
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