Weekly Shopping Trip--Savings $56.25

There wasn't much in the way of groceries that was on the "I need" list this week. I did do a milk and eggs run along with picking up a few deals more so I had enough meat to fix to satisfy my meats & potatoes family.  I didn't use much in the way of coupons this week either.   I am using what I bought this week along with items that I have in my freezer and pantry to complete 3 meals and 2 snacks per day.

Here is a breakdown of what I purchased this week:

Meijer:

• 2.43 lbs bananas $1.43
• 5 Reeses peanut butter cups $2.22
• 2.95 lbs ground chuck $5.88
• 4 dozen eggs $3.52
• 10 lbs potatoes $1.69
• 4 gallons milk $7.00
• 1 family pack Tyson breaded chicken nuggets $1.99

Total OOP after $2 off shopping order Catalina cpn: $21.73

Total Savings: $12.34

Total without coupons & sales: $34.07

Family Fare:

• 1 box Fiber One cereal $2.00
• 1 box Reeses Puffs cereal $2.00
• 2 lbs stick margarine $1.58
• 9 oz deli turkey $1.88
• 9 oz deli roast beef $1.88
• 9 lbs boneless/skinless chicken breasts $16.11
• 3 pks. smoky links $6.00
• 4 Tombstone pizzas $9.08
• 1 bag Reeses snack size cups $1.62

Total OOP: $42.57

Total Savings: $43.91

Total without sales & coupons: $86.48

Grand Total OOP: $64.30

Grand Total Savings: $56.25

Grand Total without sales & coupons: $120.55

This post is linked to:

• Super Savings Saturday at MoneySavingMom!
• Shopping Round up at The Grocery Cart Challenge!

Oatmeal Muffins

In my efforts to find more nutritious snacks to make rather than relying on pre-packaged snacks to have on hand for my family, I found this recipe in my recipe files.  I am not sure my source for this recipe, but it definitely will be put into my keeper notebook! (update: I found my source, my homeschooling friend, Leni! Thanks so much for this yummy recipe!)

I find these easy to make and was able to use items I had on hand to make them. I divided the recipe in half rather than making the huge batch of them and find that my crew did not like them. Hence ending up wasting a ton of muffins!

These muffins are very versatile in that you can change around the types of flour you use along with changing the type of liquid you put into them.  You can make the huge batch (40 muffins) and divide the batter into different bowls so that you can add in different ingredients to give you a whole different muffin.  I didn't want to use milk in the recipe so I used some apple cider for all the liquid amount.  I also add in 1 TBSP. cinnamon into the mixture as well.  There isn't much sugar in this recipe which makes for a very healthy and yummy muffin.

Oatmeal Muffins

3 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/3 cups white flour
3 cups oatmeal (quick or whole)
8 tsp. baking powder
4 eggs
3 cups milk(water, apple juice, apple cider)
1 cup oil
1 1/3 cups sugar (white or brown)

Add in options:

• chopped apple
• chocolate chips
• raisins
• dried fruit 
• chunk of cream cheese in each muffin cup
• dollop of jelly or jam in the middle
• spices, ie. cinnamon

Mix together the dry ingredients in one bowl.  In another bowl, cream together the eggs, liquid, and sugar.  If desired, separate batter into different bowls before adding in any of the above "add in" options. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until golden.  Makes about 40 muffins, depending on size.

This post is linked to:

• Food On Fridays at Ann Kroeker’s!
• Recipe Swap at The Grocery Cart Challenge!
• Friday Feasts at Mom Trends!
• Foodie Friday at Designs By Gollum!
• Fearless Friday at Home Ec 101!

Peanut Butter Filled Fudge Cupcakes

I have been trying to find baked goods to make so that I can stop buying pop-tarts and other high fat/calorie prepared foods that had been purchasing for hubby's snacks at work.  While looking through one of my cookbooks, I came across this awesome recipe for a cupcake that actually has a bit of nutritional value to it.  They are easy to make. I am even planning on letting my kids have them for a breakfast along with some eggs or yogurt!

Peanut Butter Filled Fudge Cupcakes

1 cup all-purpose flour (1/2 cup whole wheat, 1/2 cup white)
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shortening (or butter)
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk

Filling:
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (can use crunchy)
1 TBSP. honey
1 TBSP. milk

In a bowl, stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.  In a mixing bowl, beat shortening for about 30 seconds. Add brown sugar and vanilla; beat well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Add dry ingredients alternately with 1/2 cup milk, beating well after each addition. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, peanut butter, honey, and 1 TBSP. milk; beat well.

Place a scant 2 TBSP of batter in each muffin cup. Spoon about 1 rounded teaspoon cream cheese mixture into center of each; fill cups half full with remaining batter(1 TBSP each muffin cup). Bake in 375° oven for 20 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack.  Makes 16-18 cupcakes.

Notes: I use my small and medium Pampered chef scoops to measure out the batter and the filling for the muffin cups.  These can be left unfrosted or frosted.  I frosted some of mine with just a can of already made frosting from my pantry stockpile.

This post is linked to: 

• Cupcake Tuesday at Hoosier Homemade!
• Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam!
  
• Tempt My Tummy Tuesday over at Blessed with Grace!
• Tuesdays at the Table over at All the Small Stuff!

Menu Plan Monday 10/18-10-24

This week’s meals are some of the family favorites.  I am hoping that doing a few of the favorite meals will get my desire back for menu planning and just cooking in general.  It has been very difficult the last few weeks having any desire to do much of anything in the kitchen. I am hoping to get some baking done as well this week so doing favorite meals will make it easier to accomplish the baking.

This week’s shopping trip was payday week shopping.  I picked up several deals along with doing my monthly Sam’s shopping.  This month’s shopping at Sam’s was also stocking up on some flour for the holiday baking season that is fast approaching!

A special thanks to Laura-Organizing Junkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday! Need help with your menus; go check the over 300 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 (10-18)

Breakfast: eggs, sausage, hash browns, and jiffy muffins

Lunch: leftovers

Dinner: Wendy’s

Snack: snack basket

Monday (10-19)

Breakfast: cereal and toast

Lunch: leftovers

Dinner: saucy pork chops served with rice, green beans and crescent rolls

Snack: snack basket

Tuesday (10-20)

Breakfast:  waffles and sausage

Lunch: using leftover turkey for sandwich & chips

Dinner:  Taco Bar

Snack: snack basket

Wednesday (10-21)

Breakfast:  bagels and cereal

Lunch: leftover burgers & fries

Dinner:  beef gravy served over noodles with green peas and biscuits as sides

Snack: snack basket

Thursday (10-22)

Breakfast:  French Toast and sausage

Lunch: leftovers

Dinner:  chicken club sandwiches served with fries and carrot sticks

Snack: snack basket

Friday (10-23)

Breakfast:  cereal and toast

Lunch: sandwich & chips

Dinner:  spaghetti (kids), chicken parmesan (parents) served with garlic toast and salad

Snack: ice cream night

Saturday (10-24)

Breakfast:  Your Choice

Lunch: chicken nuggets and tater tots

Dinner:  roasted chicken served with mashed potatoes, corn and dinner rolls

Snack: popcorn

Singing Sunday--Hosanna!

Sorry its been awhile since I have done a Singing Sunday post! Life has been busy!  However, there was several songs in today's church service that really hit me in the heart!  Here is one of them...

Hosanna
by Hillsong United

I see the King of Glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

Yeeeah

I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

[Chorus]
Hosanna
Hosanna
Hosanna in the highest [x2]

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

[Chorus]

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from nothing to
Eternity

[Chorus x2]

Hosanna in the highest