Thursday, May 7, 2009

Being Real with a Recipe Flop!



The ladies over at Home Ec 101 are starting a new blog meme called Fearless Fridays.  It is going along with their new series, "Kitchen Bravery", basically it is a meme to brag about your successes and failures in the kitchen.

I decided to play along today and humbly brag about a failure that I had in the kitchen this past week!  I am not sure what exactly went wrong with my main course meal on Monday night but to have only one or two people out of seven tolerate the meal means something was not right.

A little background...I am working at trying at least one recipe a week because I really need to get out of the rut of the same meals over and over again. In taking inventory of my freezer, I found that I had several packages of already browned ground beef and they were in need of getting used up.  So I did some recipe searches to find some ground beef recipes that did not use a tomato based sauce. 


I came across this Hobo Casserole over at Recipezaar that looked yummy and definitely fell into the new recipe category.  I decided to give it a try.  The only substitutions I did was using dry minced onion instead of fresh onion and garlic powder for the minced garlic.  I also made up some beef broth using water and bouillon for some of the milk. Everything else I used as according to the recipe. Here is how I put it together...

Hobo Casserole

2 lbs ground beef, browned (thawed from freezer)
8  potatoes, peeled, cubed and cooked
3 large carrots, peeled, diced, and cooked
2 tsp. garlic powder*
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 can 2% milk (used the soup can)
2 tbsp. minced onion*
4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce*
a few shakes of salt and pepper
1 beef bouillon in 1 cup of water for beef broth

Cook the potatoes and carrots on the stove until tender. While the potatoes and carrots are cooking, combine soup, spices, milk, broth and meat together in a separate bowl.   Once the potatoes and carrots are done, mix into the meat mixture.  Pour into your baking dish and cook at 350° for 30-40 minutes until heated through.

*spice amounts are approximate

The Results: It was fairly easy to put together. It smelled and looked appetizing. However, the texture was mushy, that it was hard not to have my(and hubby) gag reflex engage while I was eating it.  It was not very flavorful and what flavor there was seemed more of a bitter, vinegary taste, maybe because I did not measure out the spices or worcestershire sauce.   It also came out more like a stew/soup in consistency rather than casserole-y. 

Now I have a TON of it as leftover and not even sure if I can salvage it into a better dish as a "leftover makeover" or if I just need to bite the bullet and trash it.  

What do you think??  What could I have done differently? Do you think I should trash it or is there a way of salvaging it?  

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FREEBIES #2--Homeschooling Resources

**these freebies are no longer available, however, you can still purchase them by going to CurrClick!**  Go here for today's freebies!

Another day of freebies over at CurrClick!!! 

To celebrate Mother's Day, CurrClick is giving away FOUR freebies for you to download each day for the next five days!! The freebies will change each day! The days that they will still be offering the freebies is May 7, 8, 11, 12, 13!!! So do not delay in taking advantage of this wonderful resource!!

Today's Freebies are: 


  1. Ancient Rome Mini-Lapbook (TM) (K-8th)--This product comes with an extensive Study Guide, so you can easily teach as much detail as you choose and add to the lapbook as you see fit. All instructions and templates are included, and a layout makes the process fun and easy!

  2. Mother's Day Blessing--This set of Notebook Papers includes journal pages with quotes and scriptures, there are food journal pages, diary pages, shopping lists and even recipe cards.

  3. Footsteps on the Road to Learning ~ First Phonics Book--ideally for preschool and first grade. There are 52 phonics lessons with a number of fun activities in each lesson.

  4. Happy Scribe Copybook - Life on the Farm--It has twenty different sayings, presented in three different common handwriting fonts; Classic Block Printing, D’Nealian Italic, and Cursive.

Don't miss out!!!

Where to find the freebies: You can click on the picture above to get to CurrClick's homepage (or the CurrClick links in this post)and then click on the same picture over on the homepage to find the freebies!!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

FREEBIES #1---Homeschooling Resources

***these freebies are no longer available!*** If you would still like that them you can purchase them at CurrClick's website. 

To celebrate Mother's Day, CurrClick is giving away FOUR freebies for you to download each day for the next five days!!  The freebies will change each day!  The days that they are offering the freebies is May 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13!!!  So do not delay in taking advantage of this wonderful resource!!

Today's Freebies are:

  1. Prince Caspian: Living for Christ in a Fallen World--unit study that gives you the opportunity to go through the book. The unit study has chapter summaries, memory verses, vocabulary and more.

  2. Meaningful Bible Copywork - Variety 1--This is a collection of near 60 Bible verses. They range from short to medium in length and provide a good solid foundation
    for memorization at any age.

  3. A Simple Booklet-Making Kit for Mother's Day--Make a lovely booklet or two for Mother's Day with the variety of sweet templates.

  4. MIRL Arithmetic I--math featuring real life learning.

Don't miss out!!! 

Where to find the freebies: You can click on the picture above to get to CurrClick's homepage (or the CurrClick links in this post)and then click on the same picture over on the homepage to find the freebies!!

Using freebies works for me in keeping homeschooling costs down! There are more homeschooling freebies in my left sidebar!

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Monday, May 4, 2009

Menu Plan Monday 5/3-5/9



Last week's menu plan went pretty smoothly!  I “flew by the seat of my pants” a couple of nights for dinner because I didn’t have a plan but made it through with delightful dinners prepared and ready for consuming at a reasonable hour.  This past week, my downfall was being so busy that I forgot to take the time to pull meat from the freezer to use for dinner!  I did that one night and ended up going after take out because the meat was just too frozen to do anything with in a timely fashion.

For this week’s
shopping trip wasn’t anything to write home about as I didn’t use much in the way of coupons. However, I did snag a couple good deals, including getting some boneless/skinless chicken breasts for $1.79/lb!!  I made it through my pantry & freezer spring cleaning event during the month of April; however, I am extending the event into May!!  The reason is that Sara over at Learning the Frugal Life is having an Eat from the Pantry Challenge during May and I decided that I would join her!  I learned a few  valuable lessons during the month of April in regards to my grocery budget…stay aware of what you have on hand and use it because it will keep your budget in check and you will not go over the monthly allotment! Also, I learned that I can feed my family of seven(2 adults/5 kids under 12) 3 meals and 2 snacks on $16 per day!!

This week’s menu consists of one new recipe along with family favorites.  I am using what I have on hand.  Any shopping that I do this week will be for next week’s meals!

Lunches listed are for the kids & me. Unless we are having leftovers, our lunches are served with apple slices or baby carrots along with fruit juice or water.  Hubby usually takes a dinner leftover along with various snacks for his work lunch.

A special thanks to
Laura-Organizing Junkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday! Need help with your menus; go check the over 400 other delicious meal plans that have been linked at Laura-Organizing Junkie’s site or look down in my right sidebar for my menu suggestion lists! 


Sunday (5-3)

Breakfast: eggs, sausage or steak, hash browns, and banana muffins (from freezer)

Lunch: deli meat sandwiches and chips

Dinner: chicken club sandwiches served with fries and fresh veggie tray (carryover from last week)

Snack: snack basket

 

Monday (5-4)

Breakfast: cereal, toaster strudel, yogurt

Lunch: leftovers

Dinner: hobo casserole(new recipe) served homemade honey oatmeal rolls

Snack: snack basket

 

Tuesday (5-5)

Breakfast:  waffles and sausage

Lunch: deli ham sandwich & chips

Dinner: choice of chicken or beef tacos topped with rice, refried beans, lettuce & cheese served with tortilla chips and salsa

Snack: snack basket

 

Wednesday (5-6)

Breakfast: cinnabites, eggs and cereal

Lunch: sandwiches & chips

Dinner:  smothered chicken served with boiled potatoes and peas

Snack: cookies & milk 


Thursday (5-7)

Breakfast: Pancakes and sausage

Lunch: leftovers

Dinner:  whole roasted chicken served with mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and hot biscuits

Snack: snack basket

 

Friday (5-1)

Breakfast: cereal and toaster strudel

Lunch: sandwich & chips

Dinner: homemade mini French bread pizzas (using mini sub buns)

Snack: ice cream night                                          

 

Saturday (5-2)  

Breakfast: “Cook’s Choice”

Lunch:  chicken nuggets

Dinner:  grilled burgers or hot dogs served with pan fries and corn on cob

Snack:  snack basket  or popcorn

 

 

 

 

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Meijer Deals 5/3-5/9



Just a reminder, that I am using a West Michigan sale ad and my Meijer does NOT double coupons! Also check the two pages of Mealbox coupons there are several cpns that match items in this week's ad! The coupons have had a change in wording, they now say, ONE COUPON PER TRANSACTION. NOT TO BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER MEIJER MANUFACTURER DISCOUNT COUPONS. So that means that we can use them with manufactor's cpns!! 

Don't Forget to check out my friend, Kate at Cooking During Stolen Moments has posted a few meal ideas based on what is on sale this week, head over and read her meal ideas!!!


PROMOTIONS:

~~Buy Ten 6 oz. cups or 4 oz. whips Yoplait Yogurt Get $1 off Instantly at Checkout!

~~Buy TWO Nabisco items listed in the sale ad(check ad for list of products), Get ONE gallon of Milk(excludes chocolate and organics) FREE!

GROCERY DEALS:

Crystal Light 1.3-3.4 oz. canister. Makes 10-12 quarts. All varieties ~~ Buy Two, Get Two FREE

Center Cut Half Boneless Pork Loin $1.79/lb

Deans Ice Cream, 48oz carton ~~ 50% off

Dove Pint Ice Cream ~~ 50 % off

Dove, Snickers or M&M's Novelties 4-16 ct. Assorted varieties ~~ 50% off

Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Cut Carrots- 1lb bag, each 5/$5

Golden Pineapple each $2.99

Meijer Frozen Tilapia Fillets 16oz 2/$7

Meijer Milk-gallon $1.98

Meijer Fresh Whole Chickens 98¢/lb

Meijer Split Top Bread--white or wheat 98¢

Meijer Grade A Large Eggs-dozen 98¢

Potatoes - 5 lb bag: Red, Klondike Rose or Idaho Russet 2/$5

Powerade 32 oz. bottle. Select varieties. ~~ Buy 10 Get 5 Free

Strohs Ice Cream 48 oz ~~ 50% off

Smart Balance Buttery Spread or Butter Blends 2 pk./7.5 oz. tub,8 oz. spray or tub, 12 oz. squeeze or 13-15 oz. tub or Butter Blends 16 oz. pkg. Assorted varieties 2/$4
B1G1 cpn 03-01 RP

Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits 16.3 oz. tube. All varieties. 4/$5
50/3 cpn 04-05 S1

Yoplait Yogurt 6 oz. single serve cups or 4 oz. whips. All varieties. 10/$5
40/6 cpn 03-22 S

Marie Callender's Dinners, Large Pot Pies or Pasta Al Dente 10-21 oz 5/$11
75/1 cpn 03-29 S (coupon is for Al Dente variety)

Pam Cooking Sprays 5-6 oz 2/$4
35/1 cpn 03-29 S

Post Cereal 13-20 oz. box. Select varieties 4/$8
$1/2 cpn 03-29 S

McCormick Gourmet or Organic Spices .06-2.62 oz. Select varieties ~~ 30% off
75/1 cpn 04-05 RP

Smart Balance Peanut Butter 16 oz. jar. Creamy or crunchy 2/$4
$1/1 cpn 04-05 RP

Smart Balance Popcorn 3 ct. Movie style or light butter ~~ B1G1 Free
$1/2 cpn 04-05 RP

Lays Potato Chips 10.5-11 oz. Assorted varieties ~~ B1G1 Free

Hillshire Farm Rope Style Smoked Sausage, Cheddarwurst or Brats 2/$4
75/2 cpn 04-19 RP

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, Granola Bites or Protein Bars or Breakfast Cookies 4.2-8.4 oz. box or Breakfast Cookies 10.1 oz. box. Select varieties 5/$10
75/2 cpn 05-03 RP(Cpn is for Chewy Granola Bar Variety)

Kraft Barbecue Sauce 18 oz. bottle 5/$5
75/1 cpn 05-03 S


NON-GROCERY DEALS:

CoverGirl Clean Makeup or Pressed Powder, Professional Mascara or Boundless Nail Color ~~ B1G1 Free

LOreal Skin Genesis Product ~~ B1G1 free

LOreal Sublime Bronze or Sublime Glow Product ~~ B1G1 free

Meijer Hand Sanitizer - Aloe $1.99

Meijer Pain Relief products ~~ B1G1 identical product Free

Secret Invisible Solid $2.19
$1/1 cpn 03-15 PG

LOreal Preference or Dream Blonde ~~ $2.00 off
$2/1 cpn 03-22 S

Old Spice High Endurance $2.19
$1/1 cpn 04-05 PG

Revlon Age Defying or Age Defying Spa Cosmetics or Lip or Nail Color ~~ 50% off
$1/1 cpn 04-26 S

Crest Kids Liquid Gel Hannah Montana 2/$5
50/1 cpn 05-03 PG

Crest Pro-Health Clean Mint Mouthwash ~~ 2/$9
$1/1 cpn 05-03 PG

Crest Pro-Health Enamel Shield Fresh Mint ~~ 2/$5
50/1 cpn 05-03 PG

Gillette Daisy 3 Women's Razor $5.49
$2/1 cpn 05-03 PG

Head & Shoulders Shampoo Smooth & Silky $4.49
$1/1 cpn 05-03 PG

Gillette Shampoo Clean & Thick $4.49
B1G1 cpn 05-03 PG

Gillette Shampoo or Conditioner 11.5-12.2 oz $4.49
B1G1 cpn 05-03 PG

Mr Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power 2/$5
B1G1 cpn 05-03 PG

Mr Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner 2/$5
B1G1 cpn 05-03 PG

Scope Mouthwash 2/$7
$1/1 cpn 05-03 PG

Secret Clinical Strength $7.49
$1/1 cpn 05-03 PG

Garnier Nutrisse and Color Breaks Hair Color ~~ $2 off
$2/1 cpn 05-03 RP

Sure Invisible Solid Unscented Antiperspirant 2/$4
75/1 cpn 05-03 S

***Please take the time to check out your local ad, which you can find here!! IF Meijer is not your store of choice, head over to BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering!!***

Friday, May 1, 2009

Weekly Shopping Trip---Savings $43.06

WOW!  Hard to believe that it is May already!   I think I have finally figured out what it takes to actually have and keep a grocery budget. Last month, I worked at really watching my spending and trying not to get more than necessary or refilling the stockpile too much so that my hubby would not get upset with all the stockpiling.  I actually stayed within our monthly budget by doing my pantry & freezer spring cleaning so I am going to work at continuing it through the month of May!

This week, I spent a little over $100 out of pocket for items that will get us through the week.  I still need to do up menu plans for the week so hopefully I did not miss anything!  If I did then I will have to choose something different for the menu. 

Here is the breakdown to what I purchased this week:

Meijer: 
  • 15.42lbs boneless/skinless chicken breast $27.60
  • 2 bags frozen green beans $2.00
  • 2 bags frozen green peas $2.00
  • 2 lbs butter $3.58
  • 2 gallons milk $3.96
  • 1 box Gortons fish fillets $3.59
  • 6 boxes poptarts $10.00
  • 4 pkgs smoky links $10.00
  • 1 bag breaded chicken tenders $4.00
  • 1 bag breaded chicken fries $4.00
  • 2 bottles Juicy Juice $4.18
  • 2 Speed Stick deodorants $6.25
  • 8ct discounted bakery donuts $2.79(splurge item for the kids' breakfast)
  • 8ct dishcloths $3.99(needed new ones to replace holey ones!)
Total OOP(with tax): $88.60
Total Savings: $38.48
Total without sales or coupons: $127.08

Family Fare: 
  • 4lbs apples $1.98
  • 2 bottles(64oz) apple juice $4.00
  • .75lb sliced deli smoked turkey $3.97
  • 1/2 lb sliced deli ham $1.47
  • 1/4 lb sliced deli oven roasted turkey $1.27
Total OOP: $12.69
Total Savings: $4.58
Total without sales or coupons: $17.27

Also made it to the Aunt Millies' Bakery outlet: 
  • 6 loaves bread $5.34
  • 7 pkgs 8ct buns $5.03
  • 2 loaves texas toast $2.98
Total: $13.35

Grand Total OOP: $114.64
Grand Total Savings: $43.06
Grand Total without sales or coupons: $157.70


Pantry & Freezer Spring Cleaning Challenge UPDATE!



Yesterday was the last day of April which means that my spring cleaning event is officially over!

However, I am finding that I still have several things that were not used up in April!  These things are still good and there are no worries of them expiring even in the month of May but they still need to be used and the amount on the pantry or freezer shelves still needs to be reduced.   So in an effort to use those items up, I am going to continue this spring cleaning and join the fun over at Learning the Frugal Life: Eat from the Pantry Challenge!  

Most of our eating from the pantry will be in the form of desserts!!  Some how I still have 17 boxes of instant pudding and 7 boxes of cake mixes!!  I have several cans of pumpkin and sweet potatoes to make muffins too! As for the freezer there is still lots of browned ground beef to use but not much else in the way of meats!  There is also several packages of english muffins and toaster strudel that need to be eaten as their freezer life is shortening by the day. 

As for April grocery shopping totals:  

Grand Total(food only) was $469.82
Grand Total for the month(food, paper products, toiletries, laundry soap, and cleaners) was $523.37

I have been spending closer to $650/month!!  So I was successful in getting our budget back on track! We have a budget of $525/month. The total also includes my monthly shopping trip to Sam's Club!

Breaking down the grand total spent on food, it translates into $15.67 per day for 3 meals and 2 snacks!!   That is amazing for feeding my family of seven!

So it looks like really taking the time to think throughly about what I have on hand and shopping accordingly is helping me to reduce the grocery food bill and get the budget back on track!  

Now to continue on  keeping my grocery total under $500 for the month of May!!

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