Save the Produce: Part 1

Did you know that American's throw out, on average, 25% of all their food.  It comes out to an average of $2,200/family wasted!  Shocking huh?  Shocking that we are wasting $2,200 each year? Yes.  Shocking that while in other countries people are literally dying for food and we are simply tossing it in the trash because we didn't have a chance to get around to muching on it. 

We all know I'm a self proclaimed coupon queen.  However, there usually aren't coupons for produce.  BUMMER!  It used to be every week I'd buy carrots, onions, celery, chives, corn, whatever.  A bag of potatoes every couple weeks.  Berries.  Oh, and don't forget containers of fresh thyme, basil and whatever seasoning I needed.  And I'll admit.  I wasted at least 75% of it.  At least.  I'd need 1/2 of something for a recipe.  Or worse.  2 tablespoons of fresh herbs.  And the rest of that $3 seasoning - thrown in the trash. 

Anyone else suffer from produce-wasting-itis? Have no fear, the money saving doctor is here!  This is part 1 of my mini series Save The Produce. 

Ready? 

Fact #1 - My family now eats double the vegetables it used to.

Fact #2 - I spend 50% less than I used to on produce.  Yup 50% less for us to eat 50% more. 

First thing I do when I get home from the store.  Cut the veggies.

Have them all sliced?  Perfect.

Next, bag em up.  I bag quite a few bags of mirepoix.  (What's mirepoix?  It's a French cooking term for mix of carrots, celery, and onion.  It's the beginning of most stocks, soups, sauces, stews, etc.) I add in 1/2 cup of each to a baggie.  Pre-measured and ready to go.  Even when I don't make something homemade, it's so easy to grab a bag and add it to store bought sauce (I have to put ours through the food processor otherwise my picky little guy won't eat it due to seeing the veggies).  Such an easy way to add some veggies to spaghetti sauce or pizza sauce!

I toss all of the single serve mirepoix mixes into one big gallon bag.  Makes organizing the freezer easier!  (One day I'll have a food saver!)

I also do the same thing for potatoes.  I slice some, dice some others.  Just dump into boiling water for mashed.  Add a bag into a stew.  It may not seem like much, but for some reason I'm so much more apt to use them when they are pre-cut.  Not even like it saves THAT much time! :)

My favorite way to save the produce is every time we have leftover veggies - corn from dinner, I sliced too many potatoes, carrots that didn't get eaten, whatever - they get dumped into the leftover bag.  You can't see in the picture above but this bag has corn, carrots, potatoes, onion, celery, and a little red pepper.  When the bag gets full - add some stock and a few other simple stockpile ingredients and you have a fabulous veggie soup.  All from food that would have otherwise been thrown away.  OR use the bag in a fresh pot pie.  Either way.  Delicious.

Such an easy and simple idea.  Chop it.  But I can't even explain how much this has saved our family in produce!  I no longer have to buy a package of celery each week (I wish we actually ate a thing of celery each week!) but the 1 package lasts 2 weeks.  That bunch of carrots doesn't go to waste.  And we eat each and every bite of those onions.  Plus, I get an extra meal out of something I would have otherwise thrown away!  Perfect!

Stay tuned for more of the Save the Produce mini series!

Still to come: Herbs, Saving fruit and Don't throw that part away - plant it!

Stockpile Recipe: Chicken and Dumplings

This was delicious.  Growing up I knew chicken and dumplings as more of a chicken with noodles.  And it was yummy.  So I was a little skeptical of the drop dumplings.  But oh no.  Love.  I got this recipe out of a Woman's World magazine last year.  (Yes, it took me a year to finally make.)  And while that plate up there looks like a carb lovers dream (it was too) - the chicken and dumplings is relatively good for you - I was surprised until I thought about it.  340 calories/serving (this recipe serves 6) Not bad for dinner huh? :)

On to the easy on the budget dinner!

Ingredients:

3 split bone in, skin on chicken breasts about 2 1/2 pounds

salt & pepper

1 tbsp Olive Oil

1 onion finely chopped

3/4 cup sliced celery

3/4 cup sliced carrots

6 cups chicken broth (1 48 oz container)

1 c flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 + 1 tsp milk

1 egg

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp sliced chives

3 tbsp heavy cream

1. Sprinkle chicken with 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.  In a large pot (hint: use a soup pot.  I used a large pan and had to transfer the chicken to the soup pot.  This should be just a 1 pot dinner!) over medium high heat oil.  Cook chicken, turning often, until browned on all sides about 6 minutes.  Transfer to plate.

(Note on chicken: I've always been a boneless skinless chicken breasts kind of shopper.  I was shocked at how cheap I was able to get theses bone in skin on chicken breasts were.  So no longer will I be buying the expensive boneless skinless chicken breasts just to cut up and throw in tacos!  And theses were just falling apart good!!)

2. Drain all but about 1 tbsp fat from pot.  Add in the diced onion, carrots, and celery.  Cook stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. 

3. Return chicken to pot. Add broth; over high heat, bring to boil.  Then reduce heat to medium low.  Cover; simmer until chicken is tender and cooked through, about 45 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken and vegetables to a large bowl. 

4. When chicken is cool enough to handle remove and discard bones and skin. Shred the meat into 2" pieces.

5. For dumplings, combine flour, baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper in medium bowl. 

6. In a small bowl, whisk milk with egg, thyme and chives.

7.  Combine the wet mixture and the dry ingredients.  Stir until just moist.  Gather dough into ball; on floured surface, knead dough once or twice until soft.  Using your hand, flatten dough into rectangle about 1/2" thick, cut into 12 equal pieces.

8.  Over high heat, bring broth to a simmer.  Reduce heat to medium-high.  Whisk in cream.  Drop dumplings into simmering mixture; simmer until dumplings are puffed and cooked through about 10-15 minutes.  Return chicken and veggies to mixture.  Cook until warm - about 2 minutes.  Serve and enjoy!

YUM.

Shop FabuLESSly at CVS

CVS has some great deals this week!  Here are my top match ups!

Pepsi 12 packs

Pay 3/$10

Earn: $4.00 ECB (extra care bucks)

Final Price: 3/$6 or $2 each

Hershey's assorted bags or Reese's Pieces

Pay: 2/$5.98

Use: $1.00/2 coupon from 01/08 SS 

Earn: $2.00

Final Price: 2/$2.98 or $1.49 each

Puffs or Puffs Plus tissues

Pay: $0.88 each

Use: $0.25/3

Final Price:  $2.39/3 or $0.80 each

Dawn

Pay: $0.98

Use: 1 0.50 coupon from 1/1 PG (Expires 1/31)

or use: 1 0.50 coupon from 1/29 PG

or use: 1 0.25 coupon from Home Made Simple booklet

Final Price: $0.48

Spend $10 get $3 ECB on the following:

Hellman's mayonnaise 2/$6

Lipton tea 2/$6

Ragu or Bertolli pasta sauce 3/$5

Deal idea:

Get 6 jars of Ragu pasta sauce $10

Use 2 $1.00/3 coupons from 1/29 RP

Earn: $3 ECB

Final Price: $5 for 6 jars or $0.83 each

Blue diamond almonds 2/$4

Spend $15 get $5 ECB on the following:

Pepsi 2 Liters 3/$4

Aquafina Pure water 2/$6

Amp or Frappuccino $5

Gatorade or Sobe 2/$3

Izze 2/$6

Doritos or Muchies 2/$6

Lipton tea (gallon) 2/$6

Deal Idea:

Buy 2 Gatorades $3

Buy 4 bags of Doritos $12

Use 2 $1.00 coupons for $1.00/2 Doritos (tear pad)

Earn $5 ECB

Final Price: $8 for 4 bags of chips and 2 drinks

Emerald almonds on the go 2/$7

Digiorno B1G1F

Use $2.00/2 coupon from 1/29 RP

Final Prices: Varies

Domino sugar 4 lbs $2.99

Cheez-it: 2/$4

Dean's Milk

Pay: $2.99

Earn: $1.00 ECB

Final Price: $1.99

Hershey's cadbury eggs

Pay $0.87

Earn $0.87 ECB

Final Price: FREE

*This is a sale that ends Tuesday!*

American Greetings cards - buy 3 get 3 ECB

Pay: 2.97

Use: $2.00 coupon from cvs.com (click on in-store coupons)

Earn: $3.00 ECB

Final Price: $2.03 Money Maker!!!!!

M&M's

Pay: 2/$5

Use: $1.00 coupon from 1/29 SS

Earn: $1 ECB

Final Price: 2/$3 or $1.50 each

Eucerin or Aquaphor - spend $20 get $10 ECB

Use $1.00/1 coupon from 1/29 RP

Final price: varies

Buy Vaseline 20.3 oz get a free 3 oz Vaseline lotion

Pay $4.99

Use: 2 $1.00/1 coupon from 1/29 RP

Final Price: $2.99 for both

Spend $12 get $6 ECB on the following:

ALL Speedstick or lady Speedstick deodorant $1.99

Colgate total or sensitive toothpaste $2.74

Colgate 360 toothbrush $2.89

Irish spring body wash/ bar soap 3-4 pack $3.00

Softsoap liquid or foaming hand soap $3

Deal Idea:

Buy 4 Irish Springs Body wash - $12.00

Use 4 $1.00/1 Irish Spring body wash SS 1/29

Earn: $6.00 ECB

Fina Price: $2.00/4 or $0.50 each

OR
Buy 6 Speed Stick deodorants

Use: 3 B1G1F coupons 1/29 SS

Earn: $6.00 ECB

Final Price: FREE!

Spend $15 get $5 ECB when purchase the following:

Dove Shampoo/Conditioner 2/$7

Dove, Caress, or Lever bar soap 6-8 pack, body wash or cream oil body lotion $6

Dove Men+care body wash $5

Deal Idea:

Buy 5 Dove Shampoos/Conditioners $17.50

Use, 5 $1.00 coupons from 1/29 RP

Earn $5 ECB

Final Price: $7.50/5 or $1.50 each

Dove Visible Care: $2.49

Spend $10 get $3 ECB when you purchase the following Nivea Products:

Nivea Lotion, gel, or creme $6.88

Nivea Body wash or body scrub $3.88

Nivea Lip Care 2/$5

Deal Idea:

Buy 4 Nivea Lip Cares - $10

Use 4 $1.00/1 coupons from facebook - will need more than 1 computer

Earn: $3 ECB

Final Price: $3/4 or 0.75 each

L'oreal Go 360 Clean: $4.39

use 1 $2.00/1 coupon from 1/1 RP

Final Price: $2.39 each

Spend $15 get $5 ECB when you purchase any of these John Frieda Products

John Frieda Precision Foam Colour: $12

John Frieda shampoo/conditioner/styler $5

John Frieda Collection Hair Treatments $8

Deal Idea:

Buy 1 Precision Foam Colour $12

and buy 1 shampoo/conditioner/styler $5

Use: $3.00/1 coupon for precision foam color from 12/4 SS

Earn: $5.00 ECB

Final Price: $4.99 each

ClearBlue Pregnancy Test

Get $5 ECB

Tom's of Maine deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash

Pay: $3.99

Earn: $3.00 ECB

Final Price; $0.99

Get $4 ECB when you buy 2 of the following products:
Advil 40-50 ct, PM 16-20 ct, Children's 24 ct, Children's liquid 4 oz. or Children's drops 0.5 oz $4.49

Therma Care heatwraps - excludes 1 ct. $5.99

Centrum or Caltrate Centrum Silver 80 ct, adults 100 ct, kids 80ct, Caltrate 600+D or soft chews 60 ct. (excludes Gummy Bites) $6.99

Robitussin or Children's Dimetapp liquid 8 oz. $6.99

Deal Idea:
Buy 2 thermacare $11.98

use: 2 $1.00/1 Thermacare coupons

Earn $4 ECB

Final price: $5.98/2 or $2.99 each - but wait...keep going to the next deal! :)

Pro Nutrients or Caltrate $9.99

Use 1 $4.00 CVS coupon from the red machine

AND use 1 $5.00 coupon from 1/1 RP

Final Price: 0.99

AND if you buy the 2 Thermacares and the Pro Nutrients for a total of $6.97

Final Price: FREE + $3.00 MONEY MAKER

Iams ProActive Health Dog or Cat Food $6.99

Use $3.00 coupon from 1/29 PG

Final Price: $3.99

fancy Feast 10/$5.50

use 2 $1.00/4 coupons from coupons.com

Final Price: $3.50/10 or $0.35

Hefty CinchSak $6.99

Use: $1.00/1 Cinchsak 1/1 RP

Final Price: $5.99

Downy or Bounce liquid 52-60 loads or sheets 120 ct

Pay: $5.99

Print your coupons to stock up on DVDs and toys - SO excited for these deals!

Right now there are so many coupons to print for awesome deals.  But not just for food!  Check out this list for entertainment and toy deals!  This is a great time to stock up on these items for Easter baskets, birthdays and Christmas (I know I know it's 11 months away!) But at these prices you would be crazy not to!  Gifts under $10?  I'm there! :)

Spongebob's Frozen Faceoff

On Sale at Wal-Mart for $10.96

Use 1 $3.00 coupon from coupons.com

Final Price: $7.96

(If you can't find this in your store you can order it online - it has free shipping to the store!)

Dora Loves Boots DVD $12.00 at Wal-Mart

Use 1 $3.00 off coupon from coupons.com

Final Price: $9.00

Abduction DVD $14.96 at Wal-Mart

Use 1 $3.00 coupon from coupons.com

Final Price: $11.96

Simon or Yahtzee Flash game $19.84 on sale at Wal-Mart
Use 1 $8.00 coupon from coupons.com
Final Price: $11.84
(This is a great price because these games are normally around $30!  We got one for Christmas and they are really neat!)


Transformers Deluxe Action Figures on sale for $9.88 at Wal-Mart
Use 1 $3.00 coupon from coupons.com
Final Price: $6.88


My Baby Alive on sale for $29.96 at Wal-Mart
Use $8.00 coupon from coupons.com
Final Price: $21.96


Nerf Vortex Praxis gun on sale for $25.97 at Wal-Mart
Use 1 $5.00 coupon from coupons.com
Final Price: $20.97


Bop It XT on sale for $19.84 at Wal-Mart
Use 1 $5.00 coupon from coupons.com
Final Price: $11.84


 Cranium Brain Breaks on sale for $12.88 at Target
Use 1 $3.00 coupon from coupons.com
AND
1 $3.00 coupon from Target coupons
Final Price: $6.88

Electronic Catch Phrase on sale for $24.29
Use 1 $5.00 coupon from coupons.com
AND
use 1 $5.00 coupon from Target coupons
Final Price: $14.29

Phew.  There are quite a few!  We will def be getting the Cranium, Electronic Catch Phrase, Simon and Yahtzee Flash, Spongebob's DVD, and the Transformer action figures.  Some will get put back for Easter baskets and the others are going in my gift closet.  At this rate I'll have Christmas saved up in no time!

What are you getting?

DIY: Chore Magnets

I'm going to say something that makes me feel like such an....
adult.

Chores are good for kids. 

There.  I said it.  I'm completely an uncool mom.

But hear me out. 
1.I need help around the house. 
2. I don't want my son growing up, moving out and then appearing on Hoarders because he's never had to do anything. 
3. You can download video games onto the 3DS.  And I'm tired of being asked a zillion times a day for a new game.
4. Same goes for Skylanders.

I thought about allowance.  I've thought about mandatory chores.  But I also wanted to raise a child who (hopefully, one day) will see something needs to be done and just does it.  Proactive isn't just the name of a face wash people!

Hence the chore magnets.  Josh can pick his chores.  They get done.  And I'm one happy lady.

This project cost less than $5 and was super easy and quick to do!

Supplies:

Glass gems (find them over in the floral section of the craft stores)
Magnets
Mod Podge
Glue (I ended up using a glue gun)
Scissors
A list of chores with the value

Instructions:

1. Print off your list.  Make sure that you leave plenty of room between each chore.  They don't all have to be chores either!  I added try a new food, play outside and read a book to some.  And don't forget parent's choice! :)

Don't think this one will get picked very much, but you can't blame a mama for trying!


Put a glass gem over each of the chores.  Trace and cut out.

Put a thin layer of Mod Podge on the flat side of the glass gem.

Place the cutout circles chore side down.  Press all the air bubbles out.  Wipe off any excess Mod Podge off with a paper towel.

Cut strips of magnets to fit.  These are self adhesive, but I used a little hot glue for extra stability.  Place on back - tada.

You can print the chores on scrapbook paper if you want.  I chose just white paper, but I printed in 3 colors - red, green and blue.  Why you ask.  Because this way we earn video game/TV time! 
Each red chore = 10 minutes
Blue chores = 15 minutes
Green chores = 30 minutes

Virtual high five!  Getting chores done, buying some of their own toys, AND limiting video game time.  Triple score for mom!

Linking here

**Update:
Here are my chores and their values:
take trash out - $0.50
take trash to curb and back in - $0.75
sort the laundry - $0.50
gather the wastebaskets - $0.25
clean the toliet - $1.00
vacuum a room -  $0.50
make bed - $0.25
brush teeth - $0.25
set the table - $0.50
try a new food - $0.75
dust - $0.50
wipe down the bathroom - $0.75
clean room - $1.00
reading - $0.25
playing outside - $0.25

Monkey Bread Recipe

Monkey Bread.  Mmmm.  A favorite in our house.  Made every great once in a while because, well, it's addicting - you can't just have one bite.  And I'm not sure, but pretty positive that it's not the healthiest thing out there. :)

But it IS a great stock pile recipe!  And super easy.  And it will make your kid's (or husband's) day.

Ingredients:

1/2 c. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 cans (16.3 oz) of Pillsbury Grands Homestyle biscuits

1 c. firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 c. butter or margarine, melted

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350.  Cut each biscuit into fourths. 

2. In a plastic bag combine the cinnamon and the sugar.

3. Add a cup of brown sugar to the melted butter.  Set aside. 

4. Add your cut up biscuits to the bag.  Shake to coat.

5.Toss in a lightly greased bundt pan.

6. Repeat until all biscuits are in pan.  Looks good already huh?

7. Remember that brown sugar butter mixture?

Pour it all over the biscuits.

Yup.

Looks good.

8. Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes.

I cook mine for a few extra minutes. Let cool about 5 minutes in the pan.

9. Flip over onto a plate.

Admire yumminess.

Smells good!

And it doesn't last long!

Linking here