Murad Skincare

As I sit with a big ole zit on the bottom of my chin and cursing myself for not using the products that truly work for me, the karma train stopped as I stumbled across my favorite skincare for the sort of "reverse t-zone" I seem to get. My chin and right around my nose are oilier, everything else is dry. Few things work. Except Murad.

For me, the clarifying cleanser and the spot treatment are just enough and effective. They also have an impressive line of anti-aging and anti-cellulite treatments. I am also intrigued by the dietary supplement they are now offering!

You can get more info at Murad Skin Care. That's where I'll also be going to get more of the cleanser. LOL. When will I learn my lesson?

I think this is my new sickness

$26.00 on spices. Darn near half what I spent on groceries last week. Am I a nerd? Some herbs I've successfully grown, and a few, like dill, I've even dehydrated and kept in my cabinet- worked great. But not everything works like that, and with spices, I've come to the realization that quality makes a huge difference. While I do truly watch what I spend, there are things that I'm comfortable spending more on, and Penzey's is one of those.

All of the small jars there are newbies for me. I buy a small, to see if I like it, and use it. The tall guys behind are more staples, and those bottles will serve as the bottles for refills---Penzey's sells in larger bags, and for certain spices that's the way to go.

I also really like that they have so many salt-free options. I like salt, I use salt, but I do like to try to limit what I use, and it's difficult to do anymore.

So after this, I walked into Walmart to get plastic spoons for Ry's lunches at camp this week, and they had this big ole bin of 2 / $1 cheapo spices, seasoning salts, etc....I almost walked into it. I actually laughed out loud. Someone else today spent $2.00 on her mother load of spices. Me? Loser.

Menu Plan Monday June 8th

This week my goal is to use as much fresh produce as possible, and if I can't use it this week, find ways to preserve/cook/freeze, as we're going to be gone for part of next week and I don't want anything to go bad. I'm also supposed to make a quick overnight business trip this week. Historically when I've planned for the boys, they still eat something else (you know, mom's not around, so why not do something fun, right?), so this week I didn't even try to put something in place. Not including the boy's nite, the week comes in at under $23. We'll see what damage they do :)

6/8 Monday
moo shoo pork wraps (using frozen thinly sliced pork I already have)
(pork $1.00, coleslaw mix .65, tortillas .50, extras .75)
fresh cubed Pineapple .75
$3.65

6/9 Tuesday
penne pasta with smoked chicken, broccoli and red pepper alfredo sauce $3.50
salad $1.00
$3.50

6/10 Wednesday
boys nite- Mom’s gone

6/11 Thursday
chicken patty sandwiches $2.00
fries .45
green beans .45
$2.90

6/12 Friday
grilled chicken drumsticks $1.50
knorr pasta .65
steamed broccoli .60
$2.75

6/13 Saturday
ribs $4.00
black bean and corn salad $1.00
roasted potatoes .75
$5.75

6/14 Sunday
lemon and rosemary grilled pork chops $2.00
risotto $1.50
carrots .50 (steamed from freezer)
$4.00

Weekly Shopping June 6th

I apologize that the pictures aren't great-I just wanted to take them quickly and grabbed my phone. This is my Baker's Trip:

2 Knorr Pasta sides= .87 each - .50/2 coupon and .75 cellfire = .25 each!
2 Ramen Noodles= .17
2 Maxwell House Coffees= 5.99 each- $2/2
2 Hormel Pork Tenderloins= $8.99 each BOGO- $1/1 coupon= $4.00 each...not too shabby!
4 ears corn= .80
3 bottles Ken's Dressing= $1.66 each minus 3 $1/1 coupons
1 Tabasco Chipotle Sauce= $3.29- $1/1 coupon
2 Oscar Mayer Lite Hogs = $1.25 each minus $1/2 coupon =.75 each!
4 tomatoes on the vine= $1.37
1 dozen Dillons eggs= .69
1 Country Crock tub= $1.99 minus .55/1 coupon

Total Before Coupons and Baker's Card Savings= $67.60
Total store savings= $27.61
Total MF savings= $9.80

OOP= $30.19 (55% savings)



Hy-Vee Trip-

6 Blue Bunny Yogurts= .50 each minus $1/6 coupon
3 Kelloggs Frosted Mini Wheats= $1.68 each minus 3 $1/1 coupons= .68 each!
2 Natures Pride 100% Whole Wheat Double Fiber Bread= $2.99 each BOGO- $1.10/2 coupon= .95 each!!
2 Ragu Sauces= $1.67 each minus .75/2 coupon
1 Slimfast 6pack= $4.99- $1.40/1 coupon
4 bags Kraft Shredded Cheese= $1.50 each minus 2 $1/2 coupons
Bananas @.39/lb= $1.35
1 Del Monte Pineapple= $1.99 (forgot coupons.com coupon on printer-drats!)
Red grapes @ .99/lb.= $2.14
Green cabbage @ .69/lb= $1.14

Total OOP= $22.81 (est. at 58% savings...Hy-Vee doesn't show original prices on receipt)


Target-

2 boxes Quaker Fiber Bars2 2/$5- 2 $1/1 coupons
1 Crystal Light 6 ct = $2.67 minus $1/1 coupon
2 Ziploc bags minus $1/2 coupon
2 Coffee Mates= $3.00
1 gallon skim milk = $2.39

Total $16.29 minus $15.00 in gift cards that I've gotten for prescriptions and purchases

OOP= $1.71

Total for the week= $54.71!

Bakers Meal of the Week

Between the work schedule and my desire to keep things fairly simple here, I know that's bleeding over into my suggestions here...this is a simple, easy dish for any night.

Here's your shopping list at Baker's for this meal-

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts $1.77/lb (sold in a 3lb. bag at $5.31)
4 ears fresh corn = .80
Knorr Pasta or Rice side= .87
1 fresh cantaloupe= $1.77

Your meal plan-
Marinated Grilled Chicken
Savory Grilled Corn
Knorr side of your choice
sliced cantaloupe

Meal total is $5.21 for an easy summer meal!