Wegman's trip 4/5

After a busy day, my son was still wide awake and not ready to fall asleep.  I decided that we would drive all the way to Wegman's to get the few things that were on my list:  cheese, ground beef, and snow peas.

We were almost there and he started nodding off and like any good mother, I started jabbing him and talking to him to keep him awake.  I didn't want to waste the nap and then have to wake him up at the store.  The place was a mad house and there weren't that many parking spots.  Luckily, I found one that a SUV was pulling out of.  Unlucky for me, she was the slowest person in the world to back up so my son nodded off a little at the end.  But we got the space and I grabbed him from the car and started running towards the store.  He was awake again... crossing my fingers that I didn't loose the nap!!!

Grabbed all of the things we needed and headed to self check out.  We were out of there super quick with all of our groceries and spending $26.57 OOP.

Back to the car and on our way home and there were no signs that he was sleepy or going to fall asleep.  On the other hand, I was ready to fall asleep at the wheel and kept yawning.  He finally closed his eyes and his head tipped forward as we were almost pulling into the turning lane to go to our house.  Should I drive around the block or just go home?  He is sound asleep or am I going to ruin this?  I grabbed the keys and took a load of stuff in the house.  I grabbed his blanket and went back to the car.  I put him on his blanket and got him inside and into bed still sound asleep!!!  Mission accomplished and the groceries weren't a bad plus either!!!  Naptime for mommy too :)

Giant Trip 4/5

After going to movies at the library and the park, my son and I went to Giant.  Of course, I made the big mistake of telling him we were going to Giant instead of just saying grocery store and he kept asking where the giant was... I don't think that he got that it was a store and not a really tall man.

I got confirmation that my $10 communispace credit was on my account so I was ready to go and spend my $10.  It was burning a hole in my pocket (electronically speaking).  Giant had Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice on sale for $2 so I was super excited to be able to get the bargain price matched with the free money.  Today was the last day of the sale so I was super happy that we made it there in time :)

I got 5 Ocean Sprays, 2 Gold Peak Tea, Barilla Whole Grain Pasta Shells, and ICBINB Spray (or I Can't believe it is Butter which is what my mom calls it).

Our trip went really well and they had everything in stock that we wanted.  I got a $0.50 uscan credit for one cranberry juice and a $0.50 catalina coupon printed out that I used immediately.  I used the new printable $0.75 coupon on the Gold Peak Tea to get it for free.  I used a store coupon and manufacturers coupon for the pasta so it was $0.19.  I used a $1.25 coupon on the spray butter so it was $1.59.  I got credit for 4 bags without the computer doing anything crazy like taking coupons off!!!!! 

The total OOP was $0.70 (total savings $24.55).  The cashier looked at me a little funny but didn't say anything and the woman behind me in line said that she tried to coupon but it was too hard and she thought it was awesome that I saved so much.  Great trip and great praises :)  I love being a member of this online community and being able to get so much for my family with the amount that they credit us each month.  I can't wait for next month already!!!!!

CVS trip 4/5

This morning, my son and I took a trip to CVS to get some Puffs tissues while they were still on sale for $0.99.  I had some ECBS so I got three boxes and my total OOP was $0 with a total savings of $6.57.

The even better news is that I filled the tissue area just in time since it seems that everyone in the family has cold/allergies and we are going through tissues very quickly.  I might have to go back and get more later this week!!

Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes from McCormick recipe cards

Awhile ago, I got a few McCormick spice packets that have six fresh spice and a recipe card on the back (I know you will be surprised but I had a coupon so it was free). Spices for free and a new recipe sounded like a great idea to me :)

I found a fun and easy recipe that soon became one of our regular meals and a family favorite.  The original recipe calls for bone in chicken thighs and small red potatoes but we don't usually have those in the house because they aren't our family favorites.  I have changed the recipe for my family and feel free to change it for yours :)  We make it so frequently that I actually mixed up the seasonings in small Tupperware containers in order to be ready and not have to pull out all of the spice containers each time.  Anything that gets dinner on the table faster and easier so that it makes a great weeknight meal is perfect for me.

The great thing is that it cooks the meal in one pan and doesn't really leave too much to clean up.  I love a meal that goes in the dishwasher when you are done!!!  Who doesn't!?

Rosemary Chicken and Potatoes

2 tbsp olive oil (or as needed)
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp rosemary
6 chicken tenders
Cubed White Potatoes (or whatever you have on hand)

1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees and get out the ingredients.

2.  Pour olive oil on the bottom of the 9 x 13 casserole dish
.
3. Cut potatoes and put into casserole dish.  Cover with spices and stir in dish until coated.

4.  Place the chicken in between the potatoes and roll in seasoning on the bottom of the pan.  Make sure that potatoes are up against the edge of the pan.

5.  Splash a little more olive oil on the chicken.  Add a little bit of paprika and spices to top of chicken tenders.

6.  Bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender and serve.

These pictures are from a few times of making the meal in order to get the pictures because we smell it cooking and start eating as soon as we get it out of the oven which means that we didn't have any pictures of it.  We hope that you try it and it is a family favorite at your house too!

Not Fried Zucchini

My cousin brought over a zucchini this weekend for us to have for dinner.  She asked for the zucchini the way that I do it :)  I started making it and my sister in law asked what I was doing.  I told her that I was making not really fried, fried zucchini.  Make sure to preheat the oven.  I normally bake on 400 degrees.  If I am making other food in the oven, I will put the zucchini in with the other items and turn up the temperature at the end of the cooking process when I get the other things out to brown the edges.

I had one bowl with the milk and the thinly sliced zucchini soaking in them.

And then a bowl with a mix of my homemade breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and oregano.

I do one turn in the breadcrumbs, then a dip back into the milk, and then a second coating of breadcrumbs.  The recipe only calls for one layer of crumbs so you can certainly do to taste but I like a nice thick coating.  I would especially recommend with the store bought crumbs because they don't hold on as well.  Then use a spray oil (like Pam) on a pizza pan with holes (or cookie sheet if you don't have a pizza pan but I suggest one flip mid cooking with the cookie sheet).

Lay the zucchini in a single layer on the pan and then spray with Pam again (liberally).  Put in the oven and bake until crispy brown on the edges. I didn't take any pictures of these yummy treats because they always go straight to the table and get eaten immediately.  I will try to take pictures next time I make them but they are crispy and yummy treats!!

This same process can also be used with other veggies or chicken to make a healthy not fried food!!

Menu Plan Monday 4/2

Monday- SW Spiedies with rice
Tuesday- Rosemary Chicken and potatoes
Wednesday- ??  Still trying to figure out
Thursday- Bisquick Chicken with Pasta Roni
Friday- Zesty Italian Chicken Wrap
Saturday- Burgers and leftovers/Frozen Pizza
Sunday-Brunch at Friends/Leftovers

I have most of the month planned out with only 7 meals not filled in yet so I was pretty proud of myself that I got the plan together before the month started.  Almost all items are on hand except a few perishable things that I need to pick up at a few stores.  I am going to Giant this week to get cranberry juice but the sale ends on Thursday and it might take me that long to make it there.  I am going to Wegman's to get snow peas, ground beef, and cheese next week when my son is back in school.  I have a trip to Aldis to get lettuce and whatever other deals they have planned for next week.  I will probably also fit in a trip to Wal-Mart to get headache medicine, milk, and bread.  That should cover most of what we need for the month and then I can follow the sales and stock up on stuff for next month!!

CVS Shopping Trip 4/1 April Fools!!! (not really)

I went to two different CVS this morning to get all of the things that I was on my list.  At the first CVS, I got 2 Snickers Eggs, 2 Ibuprofen, Box of Puffs and 5 Allegra (5 ct).  I paid $0.63 OOP for all my transactions.  I should have done one a little differently and added the bag of corn muffin mix that I was holding but I didn't want to mess up the transaction because going back and forth to add enough to use ECBs.  At the second store, I got 4 Allegra and paid $0 OOP.  The great news was that I got my quarterly rewards and my bag tag and only spent $2 ECBS on all the transactions so I actually came out ahead.  Total savings is $70.65!!!  Gotta love a trip to CVS that goes so well!!!!!!  Hope that you have a good week at CVS too :)

Reminder- Scan your card because the Spring ECB Rewards are printing out.  I got $3 back!!!  Both a good and bad sign but it tells you how many prescriptions we got there last quarter :)