My new favorite sweetener

I'm not a fan of white refined sugar, but I've never been a fan of using chemical sweeteners for anything but iced tea. They don't do well in baking, not to mention the fact that it's fake. We use honey when we can, but it still has a lot of calories.

I decided a couple weeks ago to try something I've heard a lot about- agave nectar. It comes from a plant similar to an aloe vera plant. Great flavor, sweet, and about the same cost as honey. Best part is that it is a low-glycemic food, so it doesn't spike your blood sugar.

So far I've baked with it, used it in salad dressings, substituted it for maple syrup, and I have liked it every time! I will be experimenting with it more and will share more ideas soon.

Using my stockpile for charity

As we approach the holidays, I'm thinking about purchases for my stockpile, but also for charity. I have accrued much more through the year than we'll ever need, thankfully, so we make sure it goes to those that have a need. Right now I have about 30 deodorants, 20 toothpastes, along with shelves and shelves of food, so I am boxing up the extra for our area food bank. As I shop, I'm also putting an eye to things that might not be a need for us, but could definitely be used by others. It is very important to me that we give back to our community and help any neighbors that might be experiencing tough times.

Please think of those opportunities as you save and coupon. I will be sharing what I've acquired, and look forward to seeing your stashes as well!

My goal for the rest of this year

Between work, family, the summer garden, and my Mom's cancer, I have really gotten away from blogging, which has made me very sad. I love my blog. It's like my online diary. A place to stay organized, share my thoughts, and also to share information with others. Most importantly, the time I put into my blog is ME time. The lack of time on my blog also signifies real lack of me time, and that needs to change.

On that note, I will be much more active here. Sharing, exchanging thoughts and ideas here with you, talking about our love of food and family. Our love of organization, budgeting, couponing. And juggling it all.

Happy November!

Menu Plan Monday 11/1

A relatively easy week this week, which should give me some time to make freezer meals, some breakfast goodies for the boys and bake a roast for lunch meat. The 8 days of dinners here will work out to around $35.00.

Sunday 11/1
Baked Chicken $2.75
scalloped potatoes .50
steamed broccoli with lemon $1.00
leftover bread with bread dip .00
$4.25

Monday 11/2
pizza $3.75
salad .75
$4.50

Tuesday 11/3
Steak and Black Bean Tostadas $3.75
corn .35
$4.10

Wednesday 11/4
ravioli casserole $4.00
steamed veggies .75
salad $.75
$5.50

Thursday 11/5
Turkey Sausage with sauerkraut and red potatoes $3.00
green beans .45
baked apples 1.50
$4.95

Friday 11/6
Fish sticks $1.50
carrot coins with cinna butter $.75
mac and cheese $1.50
$3.75

Saturday 11/7
chicken alfredo pasta $2.75
broccoli .50
$3.25

Sunday 11/8
turkey chili dogs $2.50
french fries .75
$3.25

Easy Baked Bone in Chicken Breasts

I've been seeing lots of sales for bone in chicken breast at .88/lb, which is a fantastic price. I often use bone in chicken for slow cooker recipes, soup, etc. At this price, though, I like to serve it as a main course, and this is an easy, yummy way to do it.

4 bone in chicken breasts (skin on or off, however you prefer)
1/4 butter, melted
3 cloves garlic, minced
1t season salt

Preheat over to 400. Spray baking dish with no stick spray. Place chicken in dish. Place butter and garlic in microwave safe bowl. Microwave 40 seconds, stir. Brush garlic butter mixture all over chicken. Sprinkle chicken with season salt. Bake at 400 for 50 to 60 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Mega Sale at Bakers

Bakers (Kroger with a local name) is having another Mega Sale. When you buy 10 qualifying items, you get $5 taken off at the register. There doesn't appear to be a limit on how many times you can do this in one transaction. Lots and Lots of coupon matchups for this. It looks like the Mega sale goes through 11/8, so I will be posting links to coupons to help you maximize your savings. Yesterday I got $100 worth of groceries for $31! That's a 69% savings. Not too shabby!

A few highlights from the trip:

• 4 bags of Ricola cough drops- $1, .50 after the Mega Sale discount- use 2 BOGO coupons from the 10/11 Smart Source insert. They deduct $1 for each coupon. So all 4 bags are FREE!
• Snuggle Fabric Softener- $3.49, $2.99 after Mega Sale discount- use $3/1 coupon from the 10/4 Red Plum. Makes this FREE!
• Keebler Cookies are $1.49- .99 after Mega Sale discount- use $1.50/2 coupon here, and pay .24 each when you buy 2.

Check back for more links and scenarios.

Souptacular!

Don't you love that name? So catchy! I'm not sure who had the idea, but for the next 4 weeks at work on Fridays, it's Souptacular. We have a sign up sheet for 5 people to each bring in a crockpot of soup each week, and then everyone else is asked to bring crackers, breads, other sides, etc.

Soup is my favorite thing to eat. Seriously. Especially in the Fall when it first starts getting cool and I start craving those awesome comfort foods that we haven't eaten over the summer.

I'm signing up---but I haven't decided what to bring! Have a favorite soup recipe? Let me know!

Menu Plan Week of 10/19

We have a nice sunny day today, and tomorrow, they say sunny and 70! So we'll take advantage of the weather and grill.

Sunday 10/18

Baked bbq pork steaks $3.00

Au gratin potatoes $1.00

Green beans .45

$4.45

Monday 10/19

Grilled brats $2.00

Onion rings $2.00

Spinach salad $1.00

$5.00

Tuesday 10/20

Angel hair with sausage, white beans and spinach $3.50

Salad $1.00

$4.50

Wednesday 10/21

Pot Roast and veggies in the slow cooker $5.00

Mashed Potatoes .50

Salad $1.00

$6.50

Thursday 10/22

chicken quesadillas $2.50

Tomato soup $1.00

Apple slices .50

$4.00

Friday 10/23

Baked macaroni and cheese $2.00

Fish sticks $1.75

Broccoli $1.00

$4.75

Saturday 10/24

Pierogie chicken stroganoff $4.50

Corn $.75

$5.25

Sunday 10/25

Leftover night

Favorite Fall Salad

Salad:
1 bag spring mix
1 honey crisp apple, chopped
3T dried cranberries
2T chopped walnuts
2oz. crumbled blue cheese

Vinaigrette:
3T balsamic vinegar
1T honey
2T olive oil

Mix salad ingredients together in large bowl. In small bowl, whisk vinaigrette indregients and add to salad. Toss well. Serve immediately.

Menu Plan Week of 10/11

We got our first snow yesterday. In October! Which means the garden is officially toast until next year. I loooove having the fresh veggies, so that will be sad to have to go back to store bought, but the silver lining is the fun Fall food I get to cook again! Monday through Sunday's dinners come out to 7 dinners for 4 at under $30.

Sunday 10/11
Crockpot Chicken $2.75
mashed potatoes $.75
spinach salad $1.00
green beans .50
bread with bread dip .50
$5.50

Monday 10/12
chili cornbread bake (using chili from the chili cheese recipe) $1.50
(check back Tuesday to see the recipe for this!)
salad $1.00
applesauce .75
$3.25

Tuesday 10/13
chicken orzo soup (using chicken and stock from Sunday's chicken) $1.00
grilled cheese sandwiches $1.00
sliced tomatoes .00
$2.00

Wednesday 10/14
chicken enchiladas $3.00
salad $1.00
cheesy refried beans $1.00
$5.00

Thursday 10/15
Italian Beef sandwiches (freezer meal) $3.50
onion rings $1.50
$5.00

Friday 10/16
sloppy joe pasta skillet $2.50
corn $1.00
apple slices .50
$4.00

Saturday10/17
bbq pork steaks $3.00
au gratin potatoes $1.00
beans .40
$4.40

Sunday 10/18
chicken noodle casserole $3.00
baked sweet potato .50
salad $1.00
$4.50