Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad

1 can tuna in water, drained
1 can tuna in oil, slightly drained
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup water chestnuts, chopped
1-2 Tbsp mayo (your preference)
Garlic Powder
Salt
Pepper

In medium bowl/container add all ingredients and mix well. That's it..SUPER EASY and VERY tasty!

This is especially good with the Special K Multi-grain crackers! OR the Triscuit crackers I got for FREE  :-)
Sorry about the pictures- It's hard to photograph tuna and make it appealing  Ha Ha

Shopping 5-14/5-15

OK so I didn't do as well as I wanted to do but I STILL think I did pretty good. I was out of a few things that I didn't have a coupon for but needed anyway so that ran my bill up some.
Here are my shopping trips from this weekend:


WALMART:

 Spent $20.36    Saved $14.75

Here is what your looking at:

Gallon Milk ($2.99)
Sugar ($2.78)
Parmesan Cheese ($2.62)
Country Crock Cinnamon spread (Sissy THINKS she will eat this on a bagel) (.72)
3 Mitchum deodorant (.99each) I only payed for this b/c it's my favorite and didn't want to wait! LOL
Pink Salmon ($1.98)
Relish (.23)
Expo Markers ($1.24)
5 packs Razors- FREE (Some we keep, some we donate)
*Note there is one thing missing from this picture that cost $3, however I can't include it b/c its part of a Fathers Day present that Sissy picked out for her Daddy)   :-)

WALGREENS:

Spent $29.93   Saved $57.96

Here is what your looking at:

3 bags Tostitos chips ($1.49each)
3 boxes Duncan Hines brownie mix (.50 each- I could have waited and got these free...)
5 Dole Fruit Crisp (.50 each-Could have waited on these as well but we have been wanting to try them)
2 Schick Shave Gel (.99 each)
2 Schick Razors (Normally $8.99 each. On sale B1G1, then I had 2-$3/1 coupons so I paid $1.49 each)
2 Hefty Ziploc (On sale B1G1 $3.29 and I had a $1/2 coupon so I got them for $1.14 each)
4 boxes Old El Paso Taco Shells (.50 each)
4 Old Spice Body Wash (.99 each) I should have waited on these but they are Big Daddys FAVORITE.    However I am not buying ANY more body wash...It has to be FREE before I will pull it off shelf! :-)
2 boxes Kleenex ( On sale B1G1 $ 2.29 so $1.14 each)

KROGER:

Spent $49.80  Saved $39.28    46% savings

Here is what your looking at:

3 Gerber Snacks ($2.10 each)
Kroger Coffee (FREE)
Cheerios (FREE)
Triscuits (FREE)
Bisquick ($1.19)
Hot Shot Spray ($1.97)
Hot Shot Ant (.99)
Light Bulbs ($1)
Chicken Tenders ($3.99)
Kroger Bacon (FREE)
Tyson Cooked Chicken ($2)
Wamplers Sausage ($2.99)
2 Ground Beef ($3.17each)
8 candy bars- (FREE AND the ONLY reason I got them! Hopefully Big Daddy will ration them!)
Plastic Cup $1- I just wanted it :-)
Kroger Sharp Cheddar Cheese- ($5.99)
Salad Mix ($1.10)
Word Books ($1)
Baby Book (.74)
Corn on Cob ($1.90)
Roma Tomatoes (.88)
Apples ($1.72)
Bananas (.87)
Carrots (FREE)
*NOT pictured: Loaf of Italian Bread (.99) + Sourdough Bread ($2.99)

FOOD LION:
4packs Huggies Diapers ($19.99  Saved $22.29)

BIG LOTS:
6pks Taco Seasoning (.50each)

With my papers I spent a total of $128.33 and saved $137.28

*Please keep in mind that EVERY store I have mentioned is less than a mile from my house with the exception of Walmart which is around 2 miles  :-)    So I do not waste alot of gas driving to all the stores!

Menu 5-16/5-22

Just the menu for now. Going to do a shopping post later today.


Monday:
Muffins
Bento/Sandwich
Pot Roast w/Cornbread

Tuesday:
Cereal
Bento/Soup
Grilled Chicken Salad

Wednesday:
Banana w/Granola
School
Taco Casserole

Thursday:
Yogurt
Bento
BBQ Chicken, Corn on Cob w/Roasted Potatoes

Friday:
Cereal
Bento
Chili Baked Potato

Saturday:
Eggs, Toast and Bacon
Salmon Patties w/Raw Veggies and Fruit
       ?

Sunday:
Sausage Pie
Quesadillas w/Carrots and Apple
Baked Spaghetti w/Green beans and Toast

What are y'all having this week?

Marinated Pork Chops

Marinade:
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup lime juice
4tsp balsamic vinegar
2tsp sugar
2tsp Worcestershire sauce
1tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 clove garlic,minced
6 boneless pork loin chops

In a large Ziploc bag, combine the first 8 ingredients; add the pork chops. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Drain and discard marinade. Grill pork chops, covered over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or 160 degrees. (I put a wire rack in a cookie sheet and put these in my oven on 500degrees for about 10 min and flipped once after 5 minutes)

I was pretty skeptical on these, I thought the combination of the marinade was a little weird.. HOWEVER they were AMAZING! So good! Even Sissy said "These are some good chops Momma!"
I served these with baked potato and baked beans and it was perfect! With the marinade it kinda tastes like a steak!  :-)

Try these out this summer, you won't regret it!

Saving Money

Saving Money....Who doesn't want to do that?!? Well, changes in our house recently have forced us to figure out a different strategy and so I jumped in with both feet and this is where I am so far...

Yard Sales: I have always loved yard sales but, I love them even more now since that is where I will be getting the majority of our clothes,shoes,and junk  from now on  :-)  Here is an example of why I LOVE yard sales!

Here you have 2 pairs of Timberland boots(Retail:$45-$50), a pair of Superball shoes(Retail $50) and a pair of Keen sandals(Retail $55)   The total for all 4 pairs retail would be around $190-$200.....I PAID $8 That's right folks $8 for all of these shoes and they don't even look like they were wore that much! I was SUPER excited about these.

With gas prices the way they are I will have to scope out the good yard sales before I leave the house!

Now on to the shopping...My new obsession is coupons! I have used coupons in the past but I never used them to the full potential...Now I know how,and let me tell you I will never go back the other way!

Some things that I will NEVER pay for again(b/c you can get free with coupons):
*Deodorant     
*Soap
*Tooth brushes
* Tooth Paste
*Shampoo/Conditioner
* Body Wash
*Band aids
*Antacids
*Razors
*Air Freshener
* Just to name a few, there are LOTS of other things that you shouldn't pay for because you can get it free with a coupon!

Here are some shopping trips:

These are priced $7.99 at Walgreens. With coupons I only paid the tax on them, so around $2. That's almost $16 saved! And these are GREAT for the arthritis in my knee from multiple surgeries!

These were priced $1.99 at CVS. With coupons I paid just .49cents a piece for them! :-)

  

Paid $19.26 for this order. (The deodorant not on sale cost $5each) Saved $75.14

             With tax I paid $5.44 for this order at Walmart-keep in mind those body wash are $3each! :-)

This was a large trip I had at Kroger, here is what your looking at:

40 boxes of pasta- ALL FREE (Some for me, some for family, and some to donate)
Cheez-Its
Triple pack of  Gerber puffs
Pinesol
2 pks of Hillshire lunch meat
4 pks Butterball Turkey Bacon
4pks Starkist Tuna -FREE
Ground Turkey
PAM
2pks Kraft Cheese
2 bags Boulder chips
Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns (cheap for a cook out- I don't like buying these..cheap...white...blah)
Sourdough Bread
3 BRUT Deodorant- FREE
(There was also a gallon of milk don't know why it's not in picture)

My total was $157 and some change on this order. I PAID $ 37.02!!!   :-D YAY!!

I would also love to have a garden to save EVEN MORE money and to do some canning with my momma.. That hasn't happened yet so for now I am going to be looking to friends with abundant gardens...hint hint   HA HA

**** Just so everyone knows I AM NOT A "Extreme Couponer". Those shows are fake and there are ALOT of BS that goes behind the shows, not to mention some of them commit coupon fraud in order to get those huge orders for pennies!!!!

I am trying to be a frugal as I can since we have gone from a 2 income family to just 1. So any more suggestions would be appreciated! :-)

Some Rambling and a Menu 5-1/5-8-11

Rambling from a crazy lady:

• Praying for tornado survivors
• Glad I have items to donate for tornado survivors...
• Yay for Spring Break
• Brother needs a hair cut
• Need a present for Sissy's teacher
• Excited that there is FOUR coupon inserts in paper today
• Need to read Dr Bass book
• Need to put together a post on saving money and couponing
• Start cleaning basement and get yard sale items ready
• Wish I could get an answer on something I am waiting for....
• 54 days of NO SMOKING  WHOOHOO!!   :-)
• Mothers Day = Lacarettas??
• Need to move stockpile...it's in the way!
• Need to start a menu for NEXT week

But here is this weeks menu!

Monday :
Cereal
Bento/Soup
Crispy Chicken w/Italian Pasta

Tuesday:
Bacon, Tomato, and Avocado
Bento/ Salad
Veggie Soup w/Cornbread

Wednesday:
Jelly Biscuit
School/Midnight Snack Sandwich
Enchilada Stuffed Shells 

Thursday:
Cereal
Bento/ ?
Turkey Burgers w/HM Fries

Friday:
Yogurt w/Fruit
Bento/Sandwich
Curry Chicken w/Rice

Saturday:
Eggs,Toast,Ham
Turkey/Basil Melt
          ?

Sunday:
BLT
Hot Dogs w/Chips
**Mothers Day- Lacarettas? Hint Hint**

*No Bake Cookies

Menu 4-25/5-1

This week Sissy is on Spring Break, so my menu went out the window! I'm just going to put out some options for dinners here because who knows what we will get into! :-)  
Also I am going to do a post soon about....COUPONS....my new obsession!! And saving money in general...

Here are some dinners:

Pork Chops,Sweet potatoes and Green Beans

Curry Chicken with Rice

Crispy Chicken with Italian Pasta

Shepards Pie

Breakfast Casserole

This is one of Big Daddy's favorite dishes. This is our Christmas breakfast every year! :-)

Here is what you will need:

1 1/2 lbs breakfast sausage
3-4 slices bread, cubed
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
9 large eggs
3 cups milk
1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

First fry up the sausage until no longer pink, allow to drain on paper towels

Spray a 13x9 baking dish with Pam spray. Add the cubed bread

Top with sausage and cheese.

Whisk together eggs and next four ingredients; pour evenly over cheese.

Cover and chill 8 hours.
Let stand at room temp for 30 minutes.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until set.

Chili Noodle Casserole

Chili Noodle Casserole

We all loved this casserole. I wasn't sure about it because it sounded out there but everything came together well! Sissy declared it was the BEST dinner...then she found an onion piece! UGH!! Oh well...

Here is what you will need:

12oz package egg noodles
1 small onion, chopped
1lb ground beef
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 cup milk
1 packet taco seasoning
4 slices American cheese
3/4 cup crushed corn chips

1. Lightly mist a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. In a large pot of boiling water, cook noodles until al dente, 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. Add ground beef and onion to a skillet and cook until no longer pink,about 10 minutes; drain
5. Add tomato sauce, taco seasoning and milk. Bring to a boil and cook 1 minute, stirring once.
6. Add noodles to beef mixture and mix well. Pour mixture into casserole dish. Top with cheese slices; sprinkle with crushed corn chips.
7. Bake until cheese is melted and browned and mixture is bubbly, about 20 minutes.

Yum Yum! Y'all try this out, it is quick and easy and delicious! :-)

Menu 4-18/4-24

So things have changed a bit around here and someone will be home for all three meals...every day....

So here is our menu for this week:

Monday:
Bento/Tuna Salad w/ crackers
Baked Chicken w/Roasted Potatoes and green beans

Tuesday:
Jelly Biscuit
Bento/Stromboli(freezer)
HM Pizza Night

Wednesday:
Smoothie
Bento/Midnight Snack Sandwich

Thursday:
Oatmeal w/Fruit
Bento/ ?
Ramon Noodle Mix

Friday:
Cereal
Bento/Sandwich
Pork Chops w/Sweet Potatoes and Peas

Saturday:
BLT
Tuna Casserole
Smoked Chicken Sausage w/Italian Pasta

Sunday:
Breakfast Burritos w/Smoothies
*EASTER DINNER
   L.O.'s