Extreme Couponing

If you've seen the show "Extreme Couponing" on TLC and wondered how to do it - here's an article I came across that you'll find helpful. It breaks down how to do it in seven easy steps. Skip past the "buy this" part for the information.

Fabulously Frugal's Article

Bacon Cheeseburgers by the BBQ Pit Boys

I had big plans this year for actually using our BBQ. I even hired a neighborhood kid to clean it up, only to find out that the BBQ that came with the house, is just trashed. It's beyond cleaning and using. So in honor of the BBQ that I am NOT having this fourth of July, here's a video from the BBQ Pit Boys. HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!

Using Coupons to Save Money

See all of those groceries there? I paid $21.70 for all of this! It was such a great deal that the cashier actually jumped up and down and said "who hoo!". (Yes, this really happened and is further proof that us Moms probably need to get some more hobbies. :)

So how did I score such a great deal? Simple - I watch for sales in the newspapers and clip coupons. The number one rule of coupon clipping - HOLD ONTO IT AND WAIT FOR A SALE! And that's exactly what I did.

Another thing that helped me in my money saving efforts - a really nice gal stopped and told me that there were coupon dispensers on the cereal aisle that I was able to use in conjunction with the store's coupons, the sale and the coupons I already had.

If you have a Fresh Market in your neighborhood be sure to get over there and check out the amazing deals they having going on this week. Who knows, with a haul like this - some of us might even get nominated for "Best Mom Ever".

Taste of Home - Cookie Dough Truffles

Cookie dough is somewhat of an addiction in my house which is why one must be vigilant if they want their cookie dough to actually yield cookies around here. Rather than stand guard against my husband's penchant for eating it, I decided to try this recipe from Taste of Home.

I only had one problem with this recipe and that was the dipping part. I wasn't able to do it without making a mess that was reminiscent of a toddler's first birthday. Seriously, there was chocolate everywhere! If you have hints on how to dip without making a mess - please leave a comment!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1-1/2 pounds dark chocolate candy coating, coarsely chopped

Preparations:

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla.
2. Gradually add flour, alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
3. Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
4. Shape into 1-in. balls; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets.
5. Loosely cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.
6. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt candy coating; stir until smooth.
7. Dip balls in coating, allowing excess to drip off; place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets.
8. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
9. If desired, remelt remaining candy coating and drizzle over candies.

Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 5-1/2 dozen.

My Chili - Step by Step

I thought this last week that it would be cool to make my very own chili for the guys I work with. It was such a hit that they wanted more information on how it was actually made. It's very simple and not expensive to make at all.

Ingredients:

• 1lb of Chuck Roast
  
• 2 cans of Red Kidney Beans (undrained)
• 15 oz can of Diced tomatoes
  
• 1 can of Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chillies (Mild)
  
• 1 /4 cup Olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tbsp Vinegar
  
• 1 packet of McCormick Steak Seasoning
  
• 1 packet of Taco Season (Original)
  

Preparations:

1. Marinade your meat - combine seasoning with vinegar, oil and water in a large ziplock bag.
2. Add meat and evenly coat it. Marinade for two hours.
3. Cut meat into small bite sized chucks.
4. Throw meat and remaining marinade from the bag, into your crock pot. Turn crock pot on high.
5. Add both cans of kidney beans.
6. Add both cans of diced tomatoes.
7. Add taco seasoning and mix VERY well.
8. Cook on high for four hours.

If you serve it with shredded cheddar cheese, it's really really good. :)

Servings: 5

Super Bowl Party Recipes

It's almost game day so get your shopping list ready and go team!

I did some research on super bowl party recipes and found this website - http://www.cooksrecipes.com which offers easy to make, good tasting recipes.

Check back later to see how my version of some of these tasty items turned out!

What to Do for Dinner Tonight

Cooking dinner night after night can be really trying. It's hard to cook the same thing over and over again and it's even harder still to find new recipes that are easy to cook and not expensive to make.

Here are my top five recipes that can help you answer the question - what's for dinner tonight?

1. Crockpot Chili
2. Beef Enchilada Casserole
3. Ken's Pasta
4. Chrissa's Taco Salad
5. Easy Lasagna

The beef enchilada casserole was a huge hit with the teenage boys that I teach Sunday School too. I've come to the conclusion that anything with Velveeta is usually well received. :)

Rouxbe - Online Cooking School

Ever heard of online cooking school? I hadn't either until a friend of mine showed me this site. It's very helpful. Some lessons are free and others can be viewed for the small fee of $15 of month.

It gives you tips on how and what to cook and is definitely worth taking a look at it.

http://rouxbe.com

Food 101 on Oprah Today

If you get a chance, tune into Oprah today. She'll have Michael Pollan (author of the best seller below) on to discuss the best foods for your health. Alicia Silverstone will also be on to discuss her book and diet.

Buy "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" here

When it comes to cooking, I don't think you can ever have too many cookbooks. The top of my refrigerator hosts a multitude of cookbooks that are frequently getting knocked off (and smashing innocent bananas in their wake) because I'm always adding more.

Here's a cookbook from a gal who has the best looking cooking website I have ever seen. I highly recommend picking it up and it's about $2 cheaper on Amazon than it is on Barnes and Noble online.

If buying the cookbook isn't for you than be sure to check out her website at http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking

Tools for the Kitchen (Cooking Must Haves!)

Okay this is hands down the best present I have ever gotten. (Even better than my shuffle that keeps me going at the gym.) It's my Kitchen Aid. For months after we got married, I wouldn't let anyone touch this little treasure. It was a work of art sitting pristinely on my counter until one day a certain child said "Come on, we have to make cookies with this thing!" And it's been love ever since!!

I've made everything from bread to pastries to meatloaf in this thing. It's easy to clean and operate (just taught our 7 yr old how to use it). It's a tool that every kitchen should have.

Save Money without clipping Coupons

MSN has a great article on how to save money on groceries without cutting coupons. While I'm a coupon clipper myself, it is rather time consuming so if you can save a buck or two without getting Newspaper ink on your fingertips - why not?

Check out the article at http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/fiscal-fitness-3-ways-to-save-100-on-groceries-571868/

Super Bowl Chili

With the Super Bowl fast approaching, it's time to get your game face on and prepare some yummy football dishes. How about chili? It's easy, you can cook it in a crock pot (translation more free time to do other things) and it's quite filling.




Check out what fabulous chili recipes Epicurous has to offer.

Click on the picture to read more....

A new site

Check out this site for lunch box ratings and information on how to efficiently pack a lunch for people in your family.

http://www.soundfeelings.com/free/lunch_box_reviews.htm

Thanksgiving on a Budget

Sorry, I've been MIA lately. I've been in California and I'm currently writing a novel. Here's a great a article on ways to save money on your Thanksgiving dinner (written by Ryan) - http://www.printcouponsonline.net/blog/2009/11/save-money-on-thanksgiving-shopping/

Also, Walmart is running great deals on turkeys (40 cents a pound) and everything else you need to make your holiday dinner yummy. Shop now and you'll not only save yourself some money but also the headache of fighting for the last can of pumpkin mix!

Happy Holidays!

Kid Friendly Recipes at Kellog's website

It's Friday and I'm way behind on posting recipes and pictures. We found this great and easy recipe for Blintzes that I hope to post very soon.

In the meantime, check out Kellog's website for some fun kid friendly recipes.

http://www2.kelloggs.com/Recipe/Recipe.aspx?id=471

Halloween Recipes

Check out Better Homes and Garden's website for fun Halloween ideas. They're great for kids and ghouls alike!

http://www.bhg.com/holidays/gallery/halloween-recipes/

Julia Child online

Happy Friday!

Ever wonder how Julia Child made some of her fabulous recipes?

Check out her cooking videos (link courtesy of Goller) and get some new ideas for dinner tonight.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1166576965/program/1073557581

Helpful Resources

Coupon Mistakes

7 Mistakes the Cost You Money

Saving money on Feeding Your Family

I'm one of those people who doesn't always plan meals out ahead of time. In fact, I'm frequently guilty of going to the grocery store totally unprepared and hungry. (Both are guarantees that I will overspend and buy chocolate.)

But after seeing a news story about a woman who saves her family $50,000 a year on groceries, toiletries and clothing - I've decided to become a changed woman.

If you're like me and you want to save some money for college funds and not have to work until you're 70, here's one important for spending less on groceries -

TAKE COUPONS!

It's amazing how many good websites are out there with ways to save money on your grocery bill. Check out this one for example -

http://www.krazycouponlady.blogspot.com/

http://www.utahdealdiva.com/

http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/

By spending an hour or so a week checking the newspapers and hitting some online sites, you'll find over time that those coupons can add up to quite a substantial savings. Now I know I'm a long ways away from the gal who saves $50k a year but I'd be happy to save a $100 a month.

Keep checking back for more useful tips on how to feed your family and stay sane.