Meal Prep Day 1/22/2012

We got up pretty early and decided to go grocery shopping without the coupons.  It's typically against my system and beliefs but the idea was that the grocery store would be crazy with a 3PM Pats game and we had the Caps on at 12:30 and I would be keeping an eye on my Bruins playing at the same time as the Pats.

We did pretty well with some coupons but we did need to buy a decent amount of fresh items that weren't on sale for this week's meals.  I did get $120.46 worth of groceries for $88.73.  I used 12.15 in coupons this week too.  I realized when I got home I missed $3.00 worth too!

First thing on the prep list was to get that Cider Braised Pork into the crock-pot.

You can't appreciate how delightful a smell this was all day

While putting the pork together, I had to chop up some celery for the recipe.  I just broke down the entire package and put together some snack sized containers of celery sticks that will be eaten this week, since the are already cut up

Try to break down as many ingredients for future use when opening a package of anything

I put together an awesome ginger rice, which I need to tweak and share the recipe!  

I packed up some cereal for the week so we can grab and go in the mornings we have cereal.

2 of 3 days cereal packed, so there's no confusing pouring while sleepy

I had to make a Marinara sauce for the lasagna, turned out really delightful

Mixed up a great marinara sauce with mostly on hand items 

For my last trick I assembled the Butternut Squash Lasagna so that it can just go straight into the oven Monday night.

Butternut Squash Lasagna - I can't wait to put this in the oven!

I was in the kitchen longer than usual today, but I didn't have Hubs on KP duty for most of the day, so I had to do my own dishes!  He's really good at keeping ahead of them so I can just move on with the prep.

All in all, a good day - Pats are headed to the Super Bowl, we had a wonderful dinner and Hubs is finishing the rest of the dishes now.

Coupon Match Ups 1/22/2011

A little time, a little clipping saves some serious money!

I'm going to try to do this every week - but it just depends on travel and time allowed.

This is a great week to start looking for food for the Super Bowl.  A lot of soda deals, snacks & apps are on sale now and there will be more next week for sure.  Same thing with coupons too.  So keep in mind that you can get some great deals now and it's never too early to get a bargain on shelf stable items and frozen items!

There were were 2 inserts in the local paper this week - Smart Source & Red Plum.  Also I'll do my matches for Stop & Shop, Shaws (or as I like to call it Stahh Mahket), Roche Bros, CVS &; Walgreens.

Again - this is something you can do ahead of time.  The coupons are posted online on Sunday Coupon Preview and you can do some matching by using grocery flyer sites.  I use My Grocery Deals and it works great.  Again you can do this fairly quick and easy - I try to do it on my lunch break at work.

Red Plum:

Uncle Ben's Rice $1.00 off 4 - Stop & Shop has this on sale 3/$5.00 - Sale + Coupon 4/$5.67

Special K Cereal Bars, Fruit Crisps and/or Granola Bars $1.00 off 2 - Stop & Shop has these on sale 2/$6.00 - which would bring them to 2/$5.00
Newman's Own Salsas $1.00 off 2 - Shaws has this on sale 2/$4.00 - Sale + Coupon 2/$3.00
Newman's Own Salad Dressing $1.00 off 2 - Shaws has this on sale 2/$4.00 - Sale + Coupon 2/$3.00

Clips these for later:

Super Pretzel $.50 off 1
M&M's, Snickers Minis, Twix Minis, or Dove Promises $1.50 off 2

Smart Source:

Cheerios $1.00 off 2 - Shaws has this on sale for $1.88/each - Sale + Coupon 2/$3.76
Yoplait Greek Yogurt $1.50  off 5  - Shaws has these on sale 10/$10.00 - Sale + Coupon 5/$3.50
Hunt's Canned Tomatoes $1.00 off 4 - Roche Bros has these on sale $1.00 each - Sale + Coupon 4/$3.00
Oscar Mayer Lunchables $1.00 off 2 - Stop & Shop has these on sale 4/$5.00 - Sale + Coupon 2/$2.25
Hershey's Drops $1.00 off 2 - Stop & Shop has these on sale 3/$10.00 - Sale + Coupon 2/$5.66
Pepsi $2.00 off 2 multipack bottles or 8pk mini cans - Stop & Shop has the bottles 4/$11.00 - Sale + Coupon 2/$3.50
Cain's Mayonaise $1.00 off 1 - Stop & Shop has this on sale $2.99 - Sale + Coupon $1.99
Mt Olive Pickles or Relish  $1.00 off 1 - Stop & Shop has these on sale 2/$4.00 - Sale + Coupon $1.00


Clip these for later
Pace Salsa $1.00 off 2 - you might need Salsa for the Super Bowl - though the Newmans own is a great price
Swanson Chicken $1.00 off 2 - Make some Buffalo Chicken dip for the Super Bowl
Sargento Shredded Cheese $1.00 off 2 - Again Buffalo Chicken dip and this often goes on sale 2/$5.00 or 2/$6.00
Tyson Any'tizers snacks $1.00 off 1 - Again easy apps for the Super Bowl
Tazo $1.00 off - if you like Tazo tea, then you know it's a bit pricy
Lays $1.00 off Lays Dip when you buy Lays Chips - Again Super Bowl
Johnsonville - $1.00 of 2 packages of any Johnsonville Sausage - Again Superbowl
Heluva Good! - $1.00 of 2 Sour Cream Dips
Franks Red Hot Sauce -$1.00 of 2  -Again Buffalo Chicken Dip

On side note:
There are coupons for:
$5.00 off Electronic Catch Phrase or Taboo
$5.00 off Pictionary
$3.00 off Jenga

It's NEVER too early to start Christmas/Birthday shopping I picked up a couple of games early in the year and was able to supplement a gift for my friends son and make a donation for Toys for Tots