GCC Shopping Round Up

It's the end of the month for us so I just got a few things at the store to tide us over before payday next week. When I inventoried what I had I came up with plenty of fruits and veggies, some breads in the freezer and lots of pasta and beans in the cupboard along with the Christmas ham bone. Seems like I needed less food and more toiletries than anything else. The cost of toilet paper is killing me and I jokingly told the kids, "No more wiping this week." I was only half kidding.

Win-co

Kitchen Garbage Bags $6.35
2 bags frozen french fries $1.96
Dishwasher detergent $3.60
TP $6.68
dish soap $.88
conditioner $3.78
3.5 lbs ground beef $8.98
cheddar cheese $5.96
2 bags buns $1.98
2 packs hot dogs $1.28
2 deodorants $3.46
frozen orange juice $1.12
ketchup $2.44
mayo $2.17
soap $2.77
shampoo $.98
bulk breakfast sausage $5.98
2 toothpaste 1.78

Grand Total $62.15

Would you like to share your shopping trip? Please link directly to your post, not your homepage, and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

Success Is In The Planning

I have learned a bazillion lessons during the last several years of this frugal journey. A lot of it has been about myself and the way I think about material things and what my true needs are. The rest has been practical stuff...the tasks I need to accomplish so that I can do the best with the resources that I have.

I've found that it takes courage to live a frugal lifestyle and go against what society says I need to have to be happy.

I've found that it takes self control to base my decisions off of needs rather than wants, and to base my wants off what I can truly afford.

And I've found that it takes planning to put together healthy food on a budget with a busy schedule.

Now is the time of year where many of us look ahead to the next year and figure out what we want to accomplish. We evaluate our progress from the current year so we can learn what we want to do differently or keep the same. Personally, this year is full of all kinds of changes for my household. I've been fortunate enough to find a part time job that fits around my priorities (homeschool and family) and can bring in a few extra much needed dollars (gotta love those braces) but I'm also facing bout 20 hours out of the house each week that I would normally be using to manage my home and our food budget. Without a good plan, it's not going to work. So this week is going to be all about planning for me.

I want to encourage you to join me in taking some time this week to put together a plan for the year. It doesn't have to be as complicated as making a meal plan for the next 12 months. It's as simple as figuring out a few details. Will you cook every day, once a week or put a months worth of meals in the freezer? Will you budget in a Starbucks run once or twice a week or will you just randomly buy your coffee without really knowing how much you're spending on it each month? Will you eat out at lunch or plan to brown bag it? Now is the time to rethink where you might be able to bring a healthy balance between money-saving and time-saving so that you can maintain a workable food budget during the upcoming year.

Through my years of frugality the number one thing that has helped me save money and budget my time is thinking ahead. So take a few minutes to jot down a few goals you'd like to work towards in the New Year and you'll be sure to see some saved dollars in your future.

Menu Monday

We had a great week of Christmas this year. We spent time with friends and family, ate lots of goodies, played a few games and had a Christmas movie marathon all day in our jammies. It was relaxed and fun and much too short. I'm a little shocked that we have to jump right back into real life so soon. I came home from my mom's with a big ol' meaty ham bone that will be turning into a yummy crockpot meal.
Here's what's on the menu for us.

Breakfasts:

Blueberry muffins, smoothies, oatmeal, fruit or cream of wheat

Dinners:

Crockpot Ham Bone and Beans, cornbread
Hungarian Goulash over noodles with steamed veggies
Crockpot Onion Chops
Baked Potato Bar
Fried egg sandwiches, veggies and dip
Freezer soup and rolls
Leftover Buffet

Merry Christmas!

Hello All! I can't believe this weekend is Christmas. I'm nearly ready. Most of the presents are wrapped and under the tree and I just have a few things to gather and some goodies to make and I'm good to go. This week has been exceptionally crazy but good. A part time job that I've been drooling over hired me so not only did I start work this week but I'll be learning to balance work, home, (homeschool) and frugality as I enter the new year.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season. Love on your friends and family and enjoy all the good food. Look ahead to the new year and start setting some fresh frugal goals and I'll see you on Monday.

From our family to yours....MERRY CHRISTMAS!

emilyannephotography.com

Menu Monday

Sunday I had a Christmas Shopping Blitz and managed to get it all done. I have a few stocking stuffers left to finish but the presents are wrapped and under the tree, just taunting the kids until Christmas eve. This week is crazy with Christmas parties, appointments, work and kids rehearsals. Here's what is cooking at our house this week.

Breakfasts:

Choice of...Oatmeal, fruit smoothies, Cream of Wheat, or Lemon Poppy Seed Scones,

Dinners:

Monday: no cooking....Party.
Tuesday: Meatball soup and bread machine rolls
Wednesday: Southwestern Baked Spaghetti
Thursday: no cooking....Party
Friday: Eggs, toast, and sausage
Saturday: Christmas Eve Pizza
Sunday: Christmas with Family

GCC Recipe Swap

I have a partial at-home day today where I can just relax in my robe, no rushing off, and finish the last of my online shopping. Then later I get to whisk my two older children off for a thrilling bit of oral surgery. Poor kids.

Next week is baking week, the last week before Christmas for all those out there who like to give cookie trays or other home baked cookies as gifts. If you're looking for a fun recipe for your cookie tray this recipe is a family favorite. It's also pretty and a festive looking cookie that is simple to put together. I hope you like it.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups coconut
1 1/2 cups chopped maraschino cherries

Cream shortening and sugar in large bowl. Add eggs and extract, beating until light and fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to creamed mixture. Fold in chips, coconut and cherries. Drop by spoon fulls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned around edges.

Do you have a recipe you'd like to share? Please link directly to your post, not your homepage, and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

GCC Shopping Round Up

We had the chili cheese dogs tonight and they were a huge hit with all the kids. I'm trying not to think about the calories, fat or mystery meat. I made the mistake of bringing two kids with me to the grocery store today. I was trying to multi task and get some quality time with them as well as get the grocery shopping task done. Quality time cost me an extra $5 worth of string cheese. Darn. Here's what we got.


Win-co

2 bags hot dog buns $1.98
2 bags hamburger buns $1.98
2 cans diced tomatoes $2.12
fries $3.98
2 lbs ground turkey $3.98
egg noodles $1.17
2 bags of frozen meatballs $3.96
beef broth $1.78
kidney beans $.68
white beans $.68
spaghetti sauce $.98
bananas $1.48
string cheese $5.48
green onions $.58
broccoli $3.98
celery $.92
veggie medley $3.98
cheddar $5.96
Asian salad mix $2.78
sausage $2.48
bulk seashell pasta $.56
3 cans chili $2.58
cheddar soup $1.63
2 bags hot dogs $1.28

Grand Total $56.98

Would you like to tell us about your shopping trip? Please link directly to your post, not your homepage and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

Menu Monday

Remember last week when I was all Zen about Christmas? This week I'm freaking out. I have a dent done in my list but just a little dent. I'm still not going to go all hard core trying to make a perfect Christmas for my family....they don't even really expect that from me....but I still need to shop! Holy Moly! Today is our family Christmas Card picture....dogs or no dogs? Can't really decide. And two kids have oral surgery this week. Phew...I'm really going to need that easy Crock-Pot to get dinners on the table....it's going to be a busy one.

Breakfasts:

Choice of: Farina, oatmeal, freezer muffins or smoothies

Dinners:

Crockpot Baked Potatoes with toppings
Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup in the CrockPot
CrockPot Chili dogs (gross...but the kids will love it)
Freezer Chicken Chili with rolls
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
Leftover Buffet

GCC Recipe Swap

Christmas is coming and for some reason I'm just not stressing this year. I barely have any shopping done, I haven't made a single Christmas cookie and I just got the outdoor lights up yesterday. But it's all good and it's so nice to just relax during the season, that for Mom's, can be one of the most stressful as we balance gifts, baking, kids programs, parties, decorations and a huge meal. This year we have Christmas eve at our house with just the six of us. Then Christmas morning we head over to my mother's house for presents and food and naps. But before we head to Grandma's I like to make a special little breakfast for the kids. It's kind of become a tradition and I only make it on Christmas morning. Everyone thinks I slave over it but I have to admit....I make it easy on myself and use ready made rolls. Don't tell. I hope you like it.

Night Before, Carmel Pecan Rolls

• 1 (22 count) package frozen dinner rolls
• 1 (3 1/2 ounce) box butterscotch pudding (NOT instant)
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4-1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pecan pieces
• cooking spray

The night before: spray your bundt pan well and place evenly the frozen rolls in pan. Sprinkle the dry butterscotch pudding (instant will not work) evenly on top of rolls and sprinkle pecan pieces over pudding powder. Heat the butter to just melted, not hot in microwave and stir in brown sugar. If the butter is too hot, the brown sugar will separate and be hard to blend together pour brown sugar/butter syrup over rolls evenly. Place bundt pan in the cool oven overnight.

The next morning, check the rolls. If any have that rise over the bunt pan, gently push them back down. With rolls still in oven, set the oven temp to 325°F. Bake about 25 minutes until rolls seem firm on top and done in middle. Don't overbake. Remove pan and let cool for 5 minutes. Invert over a platter until rolls come out. Then serve.

Do you have a recipe you'd like to share? Please include a link to your post, not your homepage and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

Give the Gift of Food

Food gifts are always a fun way to let someone know you're thinking about them at Christmas. I love to get them just as much as I love to give them. Some years we've put together trays of treats for friends but other years we put together decorative jars full of yummy mixes. Over the years some have been received with much more enthusiasm than others and we've learned which ones are the favorites. So hear are the two top food mixes that we use. I hope they make someone happy on your Christmas list.

Chai Tea Gift Mix

(We put this together in a basket with four (dollar store) mugs and maybe a few homemade scones. )

• 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
• 1 cup non-dairy powdered coffee creamer
• 1 1/2 cups french vanilla non-dairy coffee creamer
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 cups unsweetened instant tea
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon clove
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor until powdery. Put in pretty airtight jar with the directions: Mix 3 tablespoons into 1 cup of hot water.

Chocolate Chip Crunch Cookies

• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup crispy rice cereal
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup white sugar

1. In a 1 quart jar, layer the ingredients in the order listed. Pack down firmly after each addition.
2. Attach a tag with the following instructions: "Chocolate Chip Crunch Cookies: 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 2. In a large bowl, cream 1/2 cup margarine until light and fluffy. Mix in 1 egg and 2 tablespoons water. Add the entire contents of the jar, and stir until well blended. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. 3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks."

GCC Shopping Round Up

I hit the stores nice and early this morning and nearly had the place to myself. It was almost relaxing. Here's what I got.

Win-co

5 dozen eggs $5.48
Stew Meat $5.53
Milk $2.53
Ground Turkey $3.88
Bulk egg noodles $1.60
Bulk Popcorn $1.99
Yogurt $4.73
almond milk $3.49
cheese $5.96
honey $8.50
margarine $.67
spinach $1.68
green pepper $.58
Tea bags $3.02
diced tomatoes $.58
cucumbers $.78
fresh tomatoes $1.17
onions $.80
carrots $2.28
kidney beans $.68
2 cream of mushroom $1.16
tomato paste $.44
canned mushrooms $.67
2 sweetened condensed milk $2.18
kiwi $1.28
apples $3.60
lettuce $1.88
bananas $.67
potatoes $2.78
sugar $5.64

Grand Total $76.23

Would you like to tell us about your shopping trip? Please include a link to your post, not your homepage, and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.

Menu Monday

It's been a busy month. I've been doing lots of volunteering which means I'm gone in the afternoons. My crock pot has been my friend so that we aren't tempted to eat out at night when I'm too tired to come home and cook my normal meals. So this week you'll see many recipes that can either be cooked right in the crock pot or adapted to fit into it. Here's what is cooking at our house.

Breakfasts:

Oatmeal, pancakes, or some form of eggs

Dinners:

Crock pot Chicken with black beans and cream cheese
Ground Turkey Chili
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Leftover Chicken Stew from the freezer
Fried Egg Sandwiches and fruit
Spaghetti night
Leftover Buffet

$5 Christmas Idea - GCC Recipe Swap

So, I had a bored kid this week but I was heading out the door and didn't have to time to entertain him. He was begging for something productive to do and I decided I would take a few minutes and pull together some play dough for him. I was rushed and didn't really have time for the traditional stove top recipe so I decided to use my food processor to speed things up. What an amazing time saver! It came together so nicely and it's such a frugal toy that I though it would be great as a Christmas gift for the kids on my list.

Easy Scented Play Dough in 5 minutes or Less

• 1 cup flour
• 1 package of kool aid mix (makes it smell good and gives it color)
• **If you don't have kool-aid you can just mix in food coloring
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 cup boiling water

Mix first 5 ingredients together in food processor. Slowly add boiling water and mix until dough is formed. Let cool and either play or package up as a gift.

You can get creative with packaging....maybe put it in a basket together with some dollar store cookie cutters or mini rolling pins or an apron. Have fun with it!

Do you have a recipe you'd like to share? Please include a link to your post not your homepage, and please include a link back here to the Grocery Cart Challenge.