LInk Love: Free Christmas Music

Check out Devastate Boredom's recent post on how to download 13 free Christmas songs from Target! It's a great way to enjoy the season!

Cub Scout Cake Decorating Contest!

You know when something unexpectedly cool happens and it is such a pleasant surprise? Today is that day. After four years of Cub Scout cake decorating contests, my goal was merely to not be embarrassed. However, tonight both boys won first place in their dens! An entire Sunday of cake baking with the kids was worth it!

Pinewood Derby Cake

UFO Cake

Menu Planning Monday 11/29/2010

Monday: Ham & Rice Primavera
Tuesday: Pumpkin Turkey Chili & Salad
Wednesday: Crockpot Cranberry Chicken & Steamed Vegetables
Thursday: Crescent Roll Casserole
Friday: Hamburgers
Saturday: Caribbean Rice and Sausage
Sunday: Quiche and Blueberry Monkey Bread

$2 MP3 Albums at Amazon: Pink Floyd, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, more

Amazon.com is discounting select MP3 albums to $1.99, as listed below. Each is well below what iTunes charges; all are great prices. The albums:

• John Mayer's Battle Studies for $1.99
• Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster for $1.99
• LCD Soundsystem's This Is Happening for $1.99
• The National's High Violet for $1.99
• Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon for $1.99
• Robert Plant's Band of Joy for $1.99
• Spoon's Transference for $1.99

Thanks to dealnews.com for this tip!

Sunbeam 2-lb. Programmable Breadmaker for $30 + free shipping

Buy.com via eBay Daily Deal offers the Sunbeam 2-lb. Programmable Breadmaker, model no. 5891, for $29.99 with free shipping. Features include a viewing window, LCD display, 12 cooking functions, three shade selections, and more. Deal ends November 28 at 3 pm ET.

Thanks to dealnews.com for this tip!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Thanksgiving Poem

Twas the night of Thanksgiving,
I just couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards,
I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned -
the dark meat and white
but I fought the temptation
with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,
the thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door
and gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
'til all of a sudden, I rose off the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling,
floating into the sky
with a mouthful of pudding
and a handful of pie.

But, I managed to yell
as I soared past the trees....
Happy eating to all -
pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty,
may your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes 'n gravy
have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious,
may your pies take the prize,
may your Thanksgiving dinner
stay off of your thighs.

May your Thanksgiving be blessed!!

Free Food on Black Friday

Go HERE and check out the free food available on Black Friday!

Cooking a Rock-Solid Frozen Turkey!

With all the fantastic deals on turkeys going on right now, I have been able to acquire three of them for around $5 each. So when I found instructions on how to cook a turkey from a frozen state, I was willing to experiment and possibly sacrifice one of the turkeys. My thought was that if this really worked, how awesome would it be? No more stressing out if the turkey was not totally thawed in time! Just because I am a suspicious person, I consulted other websites to make sure this was able to be done. Other sites agreed that it was possible and stated that you have to cook the turkey 1.5 times the specified amount of time at a lower temperature.

So on Saturday I started with a rock solid 12.3 lb turkey right out of deep freeze. I used a rack in a shallow pan as the article suggests. Because I did not want it to cook the outside to a crisp before the inside cooked, I covered with two layers of aluminum foil. I was able to take the bag out of the center around hour 4. I also uncovered the bird at that time. I turned the bird over around 3/4 of the way just to be sure the bottom would cook and brown. I ended up cooking the bird just over 7 hours at 325 which is the amount of time suggested on other websites but a little longer than suggested in the article (I wanted to be totally sure it was cooked!).

What was the result? I probably would not know the difference if I had started with a thawed turkey. It was still tender and fully cooked. I used the leftovers the next day for turkey chili. Best of all, no one got sick (I did not think this would be the case). Probably not the best description for a recipe, but when handling turkey and using a new way to cook, it is always a concern.

Here is the article from a study conducted by O. Peter Snyder, Jr., Ph.D. about a new way to roast your Thanksgiving turkey by putting it in the oven frozen solid. Dr. Snyder is the president of the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Cooking Turkey From the Frozen State

Introduction

A common problem on Thanksgiving is waking up on Thanksgiving morning and realizing that the turkey has not been thawed, and there is not enough time to thaw the turkey in the refrigerator or in flowing water at 70ºF, which takes hours.

However, there is a very simple solution – cook the entire turkey from the frozen state. The FDA Food Code allows this, and turkey hotlines suggest it. The following is a HACCP-based procedure for cooking a 12-to-13-lb. frozen turkey.

Method

Start 5 to 5 1/2 hours before you want to serve the cooked turkey. Set the oven temperature at 325ºF. It is much better that the turkey be done 30 minutes before mealtime than to rush and serve an undercooked turkey. Remove the wrapping from the turkey and put the turkey on a rack on a pan that has been covered with foil to make cleaning easy (Fig. 1). You can also cook the turkey in a covered roasting pan if you have one.

Put the turkey in the oven (Fig. 2). Do not worry about the bag with the heart, liver, etc. in the neck cavity or the neck in the center of the turkey. They can be removed during cooking, after the turkey thaws. There will be Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter jejuni on the turkey. However, because it is frozen, there is no drip, and transfer to hands or counter is not a significant risk.

Cooking the turkey on a shallow pan on a rack assures even cooking. Cooking in a pan with sides shields the bottom of the turkey from heat, and the cooking on the bottom will be non-uniform.

In the first 2 to 2 1/2 hours, the legs and thighs get up to approximately 100ºF. The breast, about 1 inch into the flesh, is still at the soft ice point, about 25ºF. At this point, begin to monitor breast temperature with a tip-sensitive digital thermometer as it thaws. You may also use a dial roast thermometer. Insert it into the breast, because it is the slowest cooking part.

After about 3 1/2 hours, the legs and thighs will be around 150 to 160ºF, and the breast, about 40 to 50ºF. The bag of heart, liver, etc. and the neck can be removed at this time, to be made into stock, if desired (Fig. 3).

At 4 1/2 to 5 hours, the turkey is nicely cooked. Check the temperature. The leg and thigh should be tender and at a temperature of 175 to 185ºF, while the breast will be moist at a temperature of 160 to 170ºF. The pop-up timer (if there is one) should have popped. Cooking turkeys to these temperatures is adequate to assure the reduction of Salmonella and Campylobacter jejuni to a safe level. (Fig. 4).

Discussion and Conclusion

This is an excellent way to cook turkey. Actually, cooking a turkey from the frozen state has benefits over cooking a thawed turkey. Cooking can be done in a roasting pan, but it is unnecessary. If one thaws a turkey in a home refrigerator, there is a significant risk of raw juice with pathogens at high levels getting on refrigerator surfaces, other foods in the refrigerator, countertops, and sink, thus creating a hazard and a need for extensive cleaning and sanitizing.

The second benefit is that, because the breast has greater mass, it takes longer to thaw. Therefore, the thigh and leg are well cooked and tender, while the breast is not overcooked and dried out. The breast will cook to a juicy 160-to-165ºF endpoint without difficulty.

Summary

Cooking turkey from the frozen state produces an excellent, juicy, tender, and safe product. There is no need to remember to thaw the turkey four days ahead of time, and cooking a frozen turkey minimizes risk of pathogen cross-contamination from juices from the raw bird.

To assure a quality and safe turkey, monitor the final temperature with a tip-sensitive digital thermometer, and always wash your hands before touching and handling the cooked turkey.

Reference: FDA. 2005. Food Code. U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Washington, D.C. http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fc05-toc.html.

Here is another resource:

Menu Plan Monday 11/22/10

Monday: Cheesy Beef Pasta
Tuesday: Barbecue Cups & Steamed Vegetables
Wednesday: Pasta with Pumpkin and Sausage, make Cheesecake
Thursday: Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Pizza

Bargain Meal of the Week 11/20/10: Sausage Sweet Potato Casserole

It's time for another week of Bargain Meals! Erin over at $5 Dinners (a great read!) is hosting a gathering of bloggers all over the Internet, creating frugal meals straight from the sales circulars of their favorite stores. Check it out for even more inspiration. I contribute every week for the current sales at Publix, which run from Wednesday to the following Tuesday. Keep in mind that you do not need to purchase two of a product to get the buy one get one price. Publix marks down their products to half price for the BOGO deals.

This would make a great Thanksgiving dish!

Items on sale that can be used in this meal:

Sweet Potatoes, 39¢ lb.

Jones Sausage Patties or Links 7 oz, $2.49 BOGO
- $1/1 Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Sausage 12 oz Winter Family Savings Publix Coupon (exp 12/31/2010)
-$2/2 (or $1/2) Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Sausage peelie (exp 4/1/12)
-FREE Eggs wyb 2 Jones All Natural Sausage peelie (exp 9/1/2011)
-Free Eco-Friendly Tote bag wyb 2 Jones All Natural Sausage mail-in offer peelie
Final Price: Use 2 Publix Qs and peelie for free and possible free eggs and tote bag

Dole Pineapple 20 oz can, $1.59 BOGO
-$.55/2 Dole Pineapple, any two cans (exp 12/31/2010)
-$1/2 Dole Fruit Tearpad
Final Price: .29 - .52

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, 10-16 oz. spread or 8 oz. spray, $2.89 BOGO
-.75/2 I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter product, (Target coupon) printable
-.75/2 I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter product, RP 11/14
Final Price: .69 - $1.07

Sausage Sweet Potato Casserole
from Southernfood

Ingredients:

• 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks in juice
• 1 can (about 18 ounces) sweet potatoes, sliced 1-inch thick
• 12 to 16 ounces smoked sausage, links or sliced in serving-size pieces
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions:

Drain pineapple, reserving juice in a 2-cup measure. Add water to juice to make 1 1/2 cups.

Arrange pineapple chunks, sliced sweet potatoes, and sausage in a lightly greased shallow baking dish. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually stir in reserved pineapple juice.

Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly; cook and stir for 1 minute longer. Remove from heat; stir in butter. Pour mixture over sausage and sweet potato mixture. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes, until sweet potato casserole is heated through.

(If beginning with raw sweet potatoes, you may need to pre-cook in microwave after chopping.)

Publix Trip 11/19/10

Great deals on things that will make my kids very happy!

OOP: 33.85 (saving 79%)

Sweet Potatoes, 39¢ lb. 3.03 lbs
Final Price: 1.18

5 Nestle Toll House Refrigerated Cookie Dough, 16-16.5 oz., $2.93 BOGO
-(2) $1 off Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough printable
-(3) .75/1 Nestle Toll House Refrigerated Cookie Dough or Brownie Dough printable
Final Price: .61 ea

Betty Crocker Premium Muffin Mix, 15.2-18.25 oz., $2.59 BOGO
-.50/1 Betty Crocker printable , printable or printable
Final Price: .29¢

Crisco Oil, 48 oz., $3.98 BOGO
-.50/1 Crisco product, Publix booklet
Final Price: .99

2 Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa 8 or 10 oz box, $1.99 BOGO
Final Price: .99 ea

6 RoTel Tomatoes, $1.33 BOGO
-(2) $1/3 Rotel canned product printable
Final Price: .33¢ ea

4 Jones Sausage Patties or Links 7 oz, $2.49 BOGO
- (4) $1/1 Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Sausage 12 oz Winter Family Savings Publix Coupon (exp 12/31/2010)
Final Price: .24 ea

6 Nestle La Lechera Condensed Sweetened Milk, 14 oz, $1.79 BOGO
Final Price: .89 ea

13 Chef Boyardee, $1 ea
-(4)$1/3 MF Q blinkies
-$1.25/1 WYB 3 Chef Boyardee MF Q
Final Price: .59 ea

2 Kraft Macaroni and Cheese 5.5 oz box, $.59 ea

2 Breakstone’s Sour Cream, 16 oz., $1
-(2) .55/1 Breakstone Sour Cream printable
Final Price: .45 ea

4 Sundown Vitamin D, $2.99
-(4)$1/1 MF Q peelies
-(2) $6/2 (Green Advantage Flyer - good through 11/26)
Final Price: -$1.01 overage each

Dayquil (travel size), $1.29 (regular price)
-$1.50/1 MF Q (10/31 PG)
Final Price: -$.21 overage

2 Orville Redenbacher Popcorn, 10 pk, 4.89 BOGO
-(2) .55/1 MF Q blinkie (found this trip)
Final Price: 1.89 ea

Pepsi 2 Ltr, 1.69
-$1.50/1 Pepsi 2 Liter wyb 2 Orville Redenbacher's Popping Corn Yellow Flyer
Final Price: .19

2 Bailey's Coffee Creamer, 1.50 ea
-(2) $1/1 MF Q blinkies (found this trip)
Final Price: .50 ea

6 Ritz Crackers, snowflake shaped, 3.19 BOGO
-(3) $2/2 Publix Coupon Peelies found on product
Final Price: .59 ea (if you had a MF Q, this deal would be even better!)

2 Ziploc holiday storage bags, 2.19 ea
-$1.50/2 MF Q
-$1/2 Publix Q
Final Price: .94 ea

Duncan Hines Cake Mix, 1.59 BOGO
-$.55/1 Duncan Hines brownies, cake mix, frosting and Amazing Glazes from All the Trimmings Publix booklet
Final Price: .24

Ped. Dog Food, .79

-$3 Catalina from Kroger
-$5/$50 HG Hill coupon from local savings card

Total before sales/coupons: 160.23
Sales: 65.63
Coupons: 60.75
OOP: 33.85 (saving 79%)

Great Deals at GFS

My favorite time of year to shop at GFS is during the holidays. They make it so much easier to entertain. They are similar to Costco/Sams without the membership fee. The following sales are through November 24th. There is also a $5/$50 coupon in last Sunday's circular.

Whole Hen Turkey, .39 per lb (with $25 minimum purchase)

Fresh Mashed Potatoes, 6 lb tub, 3.99

Roasted Turkey Gravy, 50 oz, 2.99

Sweet Potato Souffle, 70 oz tray, 8.99 (tasted this at one of their taste tests and it was great)

Candied Yams, 2 lb tub, 5.99

Vegetable Blends, 4 lb reclosable bag, 4.99

14 Slice Variety Cheesecake Pack, 9.99

Cranberry Orange Relish, 5 lb tub, 11.99 (also tasted and was great)

Turkey Shaped Butter, 2.99 (the only time I will actually spend money on butter! Too cute.)

Macaroni & Cheese, 5 lb tray, 8.99 (great for kids on Thanksgiving!)

2.5 Dozen Eggs, 1.99 (.80 per dozen)

Au Gratin or Scalloped Potatoes, 10 oz tray, 7.99

7-Up Products, 2 ltr, .89

Smoked Ham Half, 1.99 per lb (6 lb average ham)

Pumpkin Cake Roll, 14.99

HG Hill Favorite Deals This Week 11/18/10

Here are the best deals at HG Hill this week. For the complete circular, go HERE. HG Hill sale dates run from Monday through Sunday. Generally, the best deals at HG Hill are meats and fresh vegetables. They usually have a big meat sale once a month which is a good time to stock your freezer. At least at the store that I shop (Franklin), no printable coupons are accepted currently. Often you can find a $5/$50 coupon printed on the back of your receipt which you can also use at the local Publix stores.

There is an in-ad manufacturer coupon for $2 off 4 Pepsi Product 12 packs.

Sunday Tennessean, .99

Norbest Turkeys, .79 per lb

Boneless Sirloin Tip Roast, 2.49 per lb

Kentucky Legend Whole or Half Boneless Ham, 2.99 per lb

Kentucky Legend Honey Baked Sliced or Glazed Ham, 3.99 per lb

Elm Hill Whole Smoked Ham, 1.59 per lb

Tyson Spiral Sliced Honey Cured Half Ham, 1.99 per lb

Honeysuckle Turkey Breast, 1.59 per lb

Whole Fresh Chicken Fryers, .89 per lb

Bartlett Pears, .99 per lb

Campbell's Cream Soups, .99

Idaho Potatoes, 10 lbs, 2.50

McCormick Brown Gravy Mix, .59
-$1/3 McCormick Gravy - 11-07-10 RP
Final Price: .25 ea

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, .99

Cool Whip, .99

Sweet Potatoes, .59 per lb

Duncan Hines Cake Mix, .99

Del Monte Vegetables, .50
-.75/3 Del Monte Canned fruit, vegetables and tomatoes, Kroger home mailer
Final Price: .25 ea

Blue Bonnet Margarine, .50

Martha White or White Lilly Flour, 1.50

Sweet Sue Broth, .50
-.35/1 Sweet Sue product, any variety from home mailer
Final Price: Free (if you have this rare coupon!)

LeSueur Peas, .99

Ore-Ida Potatoes, 2.00
-$1/1 Ore-Ida Hash Browns, any, blinkie
Final Price: $1.00

Sara Lee Fruit Pies, 3.50
-.75/1 Sara Lee Frozen Dessert - 11-07-10 RP
Final Price: 2.75

Mrs. Smith's Fruit Pies, 3.99

Philadelphia Cream Cheese, .99
-1.25/3 Baker's Bar Products, Jell-O Brand Pudding Or Gelatin, Nilla Wafers, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Any - Deliciously Simple Recipes booklet (I found recently at Publix)
Final Price: .57 ea

Sara Lee Pecan Pie, 5.99
-.75/1 Sara Lee Frozen Dessert - 11-07-10 RP
Final Price: 5.24

Favorite Deals This Week 11/18/10

Publix:

Cranberries, 12 oz., at $2.99 BOGO

Celery, at $1.69 BOGO

Green Beans, Yellow Squash, or Zucchini Squash, 99¢ lb.

Sweet Potatoes, 39¢ lb.

Publix Frozen Young Turkey, 10-24 lbs, 59¢ lb.

Publix Baby Cut Carrots: 2lb is $2.99 and 3lb is $3.99 BOGO
Final Price: 1.49 - 1.99

Fresh Express Salad Blend, 4.5-12 oz., at $3.99 BOGO
-.55/1 Fresh Express Blends, Baby Blends, or Gourmet Cafe salads printable
Final Price: $1.44

Nestle Toll House Refrigerated Cookie Dough, 16-16.5 oz., $2.93 BOGO
-$1 off Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough, RP 10/3
-$1/2 Nestle Toll House Refrigerated Cookie or Brownie Dough October Family Fun magazine
-$1/2 Nestle Morsels or Refrigerated Cookie Dough Kroger My Magazine (EXP 11/17)
-.75/1 Nestle Toll House Refrigerated Cookie Dough or Brownie Dough printable
Final Price: .46 - .96

Swanson Broth, 14.5 oz., $1.09 BOGO
-.50/5 Swanson broth can, 14 oz +, SS 11/7
-.75/5 Swanson broth can, 14 oz +, SS 11/7
Final Price: .34 - .39¢ ea

Betty Crocker Potatoes, 4.5-6.6 oz., $1.75 BOGO
-.50/2 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes, SS 10/3 or printable
-.50/2 Betty Crocker boxed potatoes, SS 11/14
Final Price: .37¢ ea

Mt. Olives Pickles, 16-46 oz., or Jalapeno Pepper Slices, 4 pk. 3.7 oz., $2.79 BOGO
-.50/1 Mt. Olive pickles, peppers or relish, SS 10/31
-.75/1 Mt. Olive pickles, peppers, or relish in store dispenser
Final Price: .37 - .64¢

Betty Crocker Premium Muffin Mix, 15.2-18.25 oz., $2.59 BOGO
-.50/1 Betty Crocker or Fiber One Muffin Mix SS 10/3, printable , printable or printable
Final Price: .29¢

Crisco Oil, 48 oz., $3.98 BOGO
-$1/2 Crisco product, RP 11/7
-$1 off Crisco Oil, Kroger Insert 11/14
-.55/1 Crisco product, RP 11/7
Final Price: .99 - $1.49

Mueller’s Pasta, 12-16 oz., $1.25 BOGO
-$1/2 Mueller’s Pasta printable or printable
-.55/2 Mueller’s Pasta, Mueller’s Plan on Pasta home mailer
Final Price: .12 - .35¢

Wish-Bone Dressing, 16 oz., $2.73 BOGO
-.50/1 Wish-Bone Salad Dressing, 16 oz +, (sign in) printable
Final Price: .36

Uncle Ben’s Long Grain & Wild Rice, 4.4-6.7 oz., $1.99 BOGO
-$1/3 Uncle Ben’s rice, RP 11/14
-.75/2 Uncle Ben’s product, any printable
Final Price: .62 - .66¢

RoTel Tomatoes, $1.33 BOGO
-$1/3 Rotel canned product printable
-$1/3 Rotel product, 10 oz, Conagra Home Mailer
-$1.50 off Chips WYB (1) Kraft Velveeta 1 lb + AND (2) can Rotel, tearpad
Final Price: .33¢ ea

Jones Sausage Patties or Links 7 oz, $2.49 BOGO
- $1/1 Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Sausage 12 oz Winter Family Savings Publix Coupon (exp 12/31/2010)
-$2/2 (or $1/2) Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Sausage peelie (exp 4/1/12)
-FREE Eggs wyb 2 Jones All Natural Sausage peelie (exp 9/1/2011)
-Free Eco-Friendly Tote bag wyb 2 Jones All Natural Sausage mail-in offer peelie
Final Price: Use 2 Publix Qs and peelie for free and possible free eggs and tote bag

Nestle La Lechera Condensed Sweetened Milk, 14 oz, $1.79 BOGO
Final Price: .89

Dole Pineapple 20 oz can, $1.59 BOGO
-$.55/2 Dole Pineapple, any two cans (exp 12/31/2010)
-$1/2 Dole Fruit Tearpad
Final Price: .29 - .52

Kraft Macaroni and Cheese 5.5 oz box, $.59

Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, 14 oz., 89¢

Oscar Mayer Meat Hot Dogs regular/bun length 16 oz, BOGO $2.99
Final Price: 1.49

Breakstone’s Sour Cream, 16 oz., $1
-$1/2 Breakstone’s Sour Cream, 16 oz printable
-.55/1 Breakstone Sour Cream SS 11/14 printable
Final Price: .45 - .50

CapriSun Juice Drink Blend, 10 ct. 6 oz., $2
-$1 off Capri Sun Juice package, Fall Kraft Food & Family magazine or Maxwell House on product booklet
-$1/2 Capri Sun drink, Celebrate the Americas Kroger home mailer (EXP 11/21)
Final Price: $1.00 - 1.50

Thanks to I heart Publix and Southern Savers for this information. Visit their sites for more deals!

Kroger:

Kroger has a GM Mega Deal going on now. Save $4 Instantly WYB 4 of participating items. Check out the list at Southern Savers for good deals. HERE are a recent shopping trips.

Walmart:

Morton Sea Salt - $1
-$1/1 Morton Sea Salt Product, exp. 12-31-10 (RP 11/14/10)
Final Price: Free

Thanks to Faithful Provisions for this tip!

Aldi:

Celery, .49

Sweet Potatoes, 3 lbs, .99

Cranberries, .99

Fresh Pineapple, .99

Butterball Fully Cooked Smoked Turkey, 1.59 per lb

Butterball Turkey, .99 per lb

Happy Harvest Canned Green Beens, .39

Sweet Harvest Canned Cranberry Sauce, .79

Kroger GM Deal Trips

Now is a great time to stock up on Pillsbury products at Kroger. There is a GM Deal where you purchase four participating items and you instantly get $4 off the total. There is also a Catalina deal that makes it even better! Be sure and save your coupons to your Kroger card (Kroger eCoupons, Shortcuts & Cellfire). I never know which ones will actually work. It seems to vary also by store.

3 Trips, $20.59 (saving 79%)

Trip 1:

6 Grands Cinnamon Rolls, 1.49 (GM Deal Price)
-(3) $1/2 blinkies
-(2) .40/2 Kroger eCoupons
Final Price: .85 ea

2 Betty Crocker Muffins, 1.49 (GM Deal Price)
-(2) .50/1 IP Qs, doubled
-(2) .50/1 Kroger eCoupons
Final Price: Free

Total before sales/coupons: 27.94
Sales: 14.80
Coupons: 6.80
OOP: 5.97 (saving 80%)
Received: $3 OYNO for purchasing 6 Pillsbury

Trip 2:

2 Grands Cinnamon Rolls, 1.49 (GM Deal Price)
- $1/2 blinkie
Final Price: .99 ea

2 Pillsbury Pie Crust, 1.49 (GM Deal Price)
-.50/2 IP Q, doubled
-.50/2 Kroger eCoupon
Final Price: .74 ea

2 Pillsbury Ready Bake Cookies, 1.49 (GM Deal Price)
-$1.25/2 blinkie
-$1/2 Kroger eCoupon
Final Price: .36 ea

2 GM Cereals, 1.49 (GM Deal Price)
-$1/2 IP Q
Final Price: .99 ea

Kroger Corn, .50

-$3 Catalina from 1st trip

Total before sales/coupons: 23.98
Sales: 13.64
Coupons: 6.75
OOP: $3.59 (saving 88%)
Received: $3 OYNO for purchasing 6 Pillsbury

Trip 3:

Kroger Turkey, 12.36 lbs, .59 per lb, $7.31 (regularly $18.46)
-$1.50 off $7+ meat purchase Kroger homemailer
Final Price: $5.81

4 Grands Cinnamon Rolls, 1.49 (GM Deal Price)
-(2) $1/2 blinkies
-.40/2 Kroger eCoupon
Final Price: .89 ea

2 Pillsbury Pie Crust, 1.49 (GM Deal Price)
-.50/2 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: .99 ea

2 Pillsbury Ready Bake Cookies, 1.49 (GM Deal Price)
-$1.25/2 blinkie
-$1/2 Kroger eCoupon
Final Price: .36 ea

Simply Lemonade, 1.59
-.50/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .59

-$3 Catalina from 2nd trip

Total before sales/coupons: 47.47
Sales: 26.69
Coupons: 9.65
OOP: 11.13 (Saving 78%)
Received: $3 OYNO for purchasing 6 Pillsbury

Menu Planning Monday 11/15/10

Monday: Black Beans & Rice
Tuesday: Cabbage & Potato Hash
Wednesday: Idiot Chicken & Potato Wedges
Thursday: Spinach Turkey Meatloaf & Rice
Friday: Kid's Choice
Saturday: Scandinavian Meatballs with Egg Noodles
Sunday: Greek Chicken Pasta

New Free Music!

Do you need some new tunes for you iPod? Here are some good ones:

City Of Night - Bruce Springsteen
Respect Yourself - Huey Lewis And The News
Love Only Knows - Josh Groban
Between The Bars - Elliott Smith
So Far Gone - Tish Lyndsey
Come Home - Bess Rogers
Paper Trails [Amazon MP3 Exclusive] The Benjy Davis Project (Entire Album)

Bargain Meal of the Week: Fettuccine with Parmesan Garlic Sauce

It's time for another week of Bargain Meals! Erin over at $5 Dinners (a great read!) is hosting a gathering of bloggers all over the Internet, creating frugal meals straight from the sales circulars of their favorite stores. Check it out for even more inspiration. I contribute every week for the current sales at Publix, which run from Wednesday to the following Tuesday. Keep in mind that you do not need to purchase two of a product to get the buy one get one price. Publix marks down their products to half price for the BOGO deals.

This is easy and quick! It is perfect to serve with a salad.

Items on sale that can be used in this meal:

Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dip,12 oz., at $2 BOGO
-.50/1 Heluva Good product printable
Final Price: Free

Ronzoni Pasta, 12-16 oz., $1.39 BOGO
(excl. Lasagna, Manicotti, Jumbo Shells, Healthy Harvest & Garden Delight)
-$1 off Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta, Nov. Good Housekeeping or Martha Stewart Living
-$1 off Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta, Nov. Parents magazine
-.50/1 Ronzoni, quick cook pasta printable
-.55/1 Ronzoni Quick Cook pasta, SS 10/3
-.75/1 Ronzoni Smart Taste printable
Final Price: Free - .14

Dreamfields Pasta, 13.25 oz., $1.67
-$1 off Dreamfields pasta product printable or printable
-.55/1 Dreamfields Pasta, SS 9/12
Final Price: .67¢ - 1.14

Publix Salad Blends $2

Fettuccine with Parmesan Garlic Sauce
From Heluvagood.com

Ingredients:

12 oz. fettuccine
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
12 oz. Heluva Good!® Garlic & Parmesan Dip
4 slices Prosciutto, cut into thin strips
2 scallions, chopped
1 Tbsp parsley, minced
Fresh ground white pepper

Directions:

Cook fettuccine according to directions until al dente, then drain. While noodles are cooking, mix together the dip with the Prosciutto, scallions and parsley in a small bowl. In a large skillet, heat the sauce until warm and add the noodles, tossing the noodles until well coated. Serve immediately with fresh pepper.

Favorite Deals of the Week 11/11/10

Publix:

Vigo Saffron Rice, 10 oz., at $1.29 BOGO
-.50/1 Vigo Rice, 10 oz. yellow or 8 oz., RP 10/3
Final Price: Free

Hunt’s 100% Natural Tomatoes, 14.5 oz., at $1.39 BOGO
-$1/3 Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 oz., Conagra Home Mailer
-$1/4 Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes November All You Magazine
-.45/3 Hunt’s canned tomatoes, 11 oz. +, SS 10/3 (EXP 11/14)
-.50/2 Hunt’s Tomato products, Celebrate the Americas Kroger mailer
$30 Coupon Booklet and $5 gift card WYB $25 in Conagra products rebate
Final Price: .19 - .44¢

Betty Crocker Cake Mix, 18-19.5 oz. or Frosting, 12-16 oz., at $1.71 BOGO
-.50/2 Betty Crocker Cake mix AND frosting printable or printable
-.75/2 Betty Crocker cake mix AND Frosting, SS 10/3
Final Price: .35 - .48¢

Nestle Toll House Morsels 11-12 oz., at $2.93 BOGO
-$1/2 Nestle Toll House Morsels, 10 oz. + printable
-$1/3 Nestle Toll House morsels, tearpad or October Family Fun magazine
-.50/2 Nestle Morsels printable
Final Price: .96¢ - 1.13

V8 V-Fusion Vegetable & Fruit Juice, 46 oz., at $3.99 BOGO
-$1/2 V8 V-Fusion juice printable
-.50/1 V8 V-Fusion SS 10/3
Final Price: .99¢ - 1.49

Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dip,12 oz., at $2 BOGO
-.50/1 Heluva Good product printable
Final Price: Free

Barlett Pears 99¢ lb.

Royal Gala Apples 3 lb. bag $2.50

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Snack Crackers or Grahams 6.6-8 oz., $1.50
-.35/1 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers, Save Big Dream Big Booklet
-.75/1 Pepperidge Farm Goldfish Grahams, 6.6-8 oz., Oct Women’s Day, Good Housekeeping or Cooking Light mag
Final Price: .75 - .80¢

White Lily Flour 5 lb. bag, $1.49

Sargento Shredded Cheese 5-8 oz., $2
-.50/1 Sargento Natural Cheese, 5-12 oz, Giving Hope a Hand Kroger home mailer
Final Price: $1.00

Thanks to Southern Savers for this information. Check out her site for complete sale/coupon match-up!

Harris Teeter:

College Inn Beef Broth Carton 32 oz., at $2.95 BOGO
-.75/1 College Inn Chicken or Beef broth, 32 oz, RP 9/19
Final Price: Free

Lipton Tea Bags 24 ct., at $2.69 BOGO
-.60/2 Lipton Tea bags, To Go, or Iced Tea mix, RP 11/14
-.60/1 Lipton Tea bags, RP 11/14
Final Price: 14 - .74¢

HT Premium Frozen Turkey 10-22 lb 39¢ lb (limit 1)
(With additional $40 purchase)

Bumble Bee Tuna Pouch 2.5 oz., $1
-$1/2 Bumble Bee Premium Tuna Pouch, 2.5-5 oz, SS 9/12
-.55/1 Bumble Bee Premium Tuna Pouch, 2.5-5 oz, SS 9/12
Final Price: Free - .50

Mariani Banana Chips 6 oz., 99¢
-.75/1 Mariani Dried Fruit snack, SS 10/3
Final Price: Free

Thanks to Southern Savers for this information. Check out her site for complete sale/coupon match-up!

HG Hill Favorite Deals This Week 11/10/10

Here are the best deals at HG Hill this week. For the complete circular, go HERE. HG Hill sale dates run from Monday through Sunday. Generally, the best deals at HG Hill are meats and fresh vegetables. They usually have a big meat sale once a month which is a good time to stock your freezer. At least at the store that I shop (Franklin), no printable coupons are accepted currently. Often you can find a $5/$50 coupon printed on the back of your receipt which you can also use at the local Publix stores.

Boneless Pork Loin, 1.79 per lb

Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks, .99 per lb

Ground Beef, 1.49 per lb

Boneless Pork Chops, 1.99 per lb

Honey Glazed Smithfield Spiral Sliced Half Ham, 2.29 per lb
-$1/1 Smithfield Ham, Any - All You, November 2010
Final Price: Cheaper

Idaho Potatoes, 5 lbs, 1.50

Yellow Onions, 3 lbs, $1

Baby Peeled Carrots, 1 lb, $1

Angel Soft Bath Tissue, 4 pk, .99

Always Save Soda, 2 ltr, .69

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix, 10 pk, .99
-$1/2 Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa, any DND - All You, November 2010
Final Price: .49 ea

Dial Liquid Hand Soap, $1
-.35/1 Dial bar pack or Dial Liquid hand Soap on one - 10-10-10 RP
Final Price: .30

Campbell's Gravy, .69
-.50/4 Campbell's Gravy - 11-07-10 SS, 10-31-10 SS
Final Price: .44 ea

Chocolate Polish Babka Recipe for Bread Maker

I have been wanting to make this bread for a while but could not find a bread maker recipe to use. The traditional recipe creates a very wet dough which does not work well with a bread maker. Thus, I improvised and came up with a great new family favorite! It's also a lot of fun to do together with children.

Chocolate Polish Babka

Ingredients:

• 3 whole eggs
• 4 egg yolks (save one egg white for brushing)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 5 cups flour
• 1 package yeast (2 tsp)

• decorator sugar

For chocolate filling:

• 3 TB unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 TB cinnamon
  
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 TB butter melted

Combine cocoa, cinnamon and sugar and set aside.

Directions:

Beat the eggs and yolks until well mixed. Add to bread machine. Add remaining wet ingredients and then dry ingredients to bread machine (except decorator sugar).

Start Dough Cycle.

When complete, roll dough out into a large rectangle, about 1/2-inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, cut down the center in half. Spread each rectangle with half the melted butter and sprinkle with half the cocoa/sugar mixture, then roll jelly roll style, starting from the outer edges rolling inward. Repeat with the remaining dough. Twist the two rolls around each other like a braid, and arrange in a bundt or tube pan. You can also use a spring-form pan and a ramekin in the center. The dough should fill the pan about 3/4 of the way. Cover and let rise for thirty minutes to an hour.

Brush egg white on the outside and sprinkle with clear decorator sugar.

Bake in a 340-degree oven for 50-60 minutes, or until the bread sounds hollow when you tap on it. If the top browns too early, place aluminum foil on it to prevent burning.

This is how our afternoon of baking went:

Yumm!

Free Downloadable Christmas Sampler from Amazon

Go HERE to download Amazon's Christmas music sampler. It's hard to believe that the holiday season is nearly here, but this music will get you into the spirit fast!

Menu Plan Monday 11/8/10 Time Change Addition

I dread this week all year long. I hate leaving work at dusk and picking up my kids in pitch black. I know the time on the clock says 5-ish. but it still makes me feel like a terrible mother. I don't understand why we bother with a time change, research shows that it doesn't save money but actually costs money. Oh well, to make it a bit easier I use my crock pot more for the next few weeks.

Monday: Crock Pot Root Vegetable Ground Beef Stew
Tuesday: Southwest Black Bean Soup
Wednesday: Slow Cooker Marmalade Curry Chicken
Thursday: Crockpot Ham & Beans
Friday: Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken
Saturday: Cheeseburger Bread (kid's favorite)
Sunday: Spaghetti

Bargain Meal of the Week: Southwest Black Bean Soup

It's time for another week of Bargain Meals! Erin over at $5 Dinners (a great read!) is hosting a gathering of bloggers all over the Internet, creating frugal meals straight from the sales circulars of their favorite stores. Check it out for even more inspiration. I contribute every week for the current sales at Publix, which run from Wednesday to the following Tuesday. Keep in mind that you do not need to purchase two of a product to get the buy one get one price. Publix marks down their products to half price for the BOGO deals.

This is a great soup for the fall! And for you busy moms out there, this is super quick to make!

Items on sale that can be used in this meal:

Bush’s Best Baked Beans or Grillin Beans 21-28 oz $1.67
-$1 off Bush’s Grillin’ Beans 21-oz Black Bean Fiesta or Texas Ranchero SS 10/3
Final Price: .67¢

Hunt's Tomatoes, price unknown
-$1/3 Hunt's, Whole, Diced or Crushed Can Tomatoes - 10-10-10 SS
Final Price: Cheaper

Johnsonville Brats 13.5-16 oz., $2.99
-.55/1 Johnsnoville Brats printable
Final Price: $2.44

Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers, 11-16.5 oz., $1.99
-$1/2 Nabisco crackers (Target coupon), excl snack size printable
-$1 off Nabisco Premium Saltine crackers 9 oz + AND canned soup or chili, tearpad
-.75/1 Nabisco crackers, The Secrets of Flavor booklet
-$1/2 Nabisco cookies or crackers, 4.04-26 oz, SS 9/26 (EXP 11/07)
Final Price: use $1/2 Target and $1/2 manufacturer’s, makes it 99¢


Southwest Black Bean Soup
from Johnsonville.com

Ingredients:

2 cans (15 oz.) black beans
1 pkg. (16 oz.) Johnsonville® Smoked Brats, coin-sliced
1 can (14.5 oz.) tomatoes, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 c sweet yellow pepper, diced

sour cream, lime wedges, Jalapeno peppers (optional)

Directions:

In large saucepan, combine black beans, brats, tomatoes, garlic, lime juice and red pepper flakes.

Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 10-15 minutes.

Garnish with yellow pepper. If desired, serve topped with sour cream, lime wedges and/or jalapeno peppers.

$1/1 Coffeemate through Facebook

Go HERE to "like" Coffeemate and be able to print your $1/1 coupon. This should make for some free creamer at Harris Teeter's Super Double sale this week!

Harris Teeter Super Doubles and Publix Trips

There are some great deals for Super Doubles this week! Sales are good through next Tuesday.

Harris Teeter:

6 Grands Biscuits, 1.00 ea
.75/2 MF Q blinkie, doubled (found at Kroger this week)
Final Price: .50 ea
(produced a $3 OYNO catalina making them free)

6 Mueller's Elbow Pasta, .79
-(3) $1/2 Mueller’s pasta printable, doubled
Final Price: Free

2 Mentos Gum 15 ct., $1.50
-(2) $1 off Mentos Gum bottle, 15 ct, SS 10/3, doubled
Final Price: Free

2 Buitoni Fettucini $1.50
-$1 off Buitoni Refrigerated Pasta or Sauce, SS 10/10, doubled
-$1 off Buitoni Refrigerated Pasta or Sauce printable, doubled
Final Price: Free

Jet Dry Rinse, 4.79 BOGO
-$1/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: .39 ea

5 Swanson Broth (14.5 oz.), $.57
-.50/5 Swanson Broth Can, exp. 11-7-10 (SS 09/26/10), doubled
Final Price: .37 ea

2 Eckrich Sausages, 2.29
-$1/2 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: 1.29 ea

2 Success Rice, 2.50
-(2) $1/1 MF Q from magazines
Final Price: .50 ea

9 Dole Canned Fruit, $1 ea
-(3) $1/3 Dole Canned Fruits - Deliciously Simple Holiday Recipes Booklet from Publix (picked up today), doubled
Final Price: .33 ea

Total before sales/coupons: 62.05
Sales: 19.41
Coupons: 30.24
Final Price: 12.40 (saving 80%)
Received: $3 OYNO catalina


Publix:



Edwards Pie, 6.49 (needed for an event, no coupon, can you believe it?)

Publix Cherry Pie, 3.99
-$1/1 Publix Q from homemailer
Final Price: 2.99

2 Cascadian Farms Frozen Blueberries, 3.49
-(2) .75/1 IP Q
-(2) $1/1 Publix Q
Final Price: 1.74 ea

2 V8 Splash Beverage, 64 oz., $3.19 BOGO
-$1/2 off V8 Splash Diet printable
Final Price: 1.09

Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt, 4 pk. 4 oz., $2.50 BOGO
-.50/1 Yoplait Fiber One multipack printable, SS 9/12 (EXP 11/06), SS 10/3, printable , printable , or printable
Final Price: .25

2 Hood Simply Smart Milk, half gallon, $3.59 BOGO
- (2)$1 off Hood Simply Smart Milk printable
Final Price: .79¢ ea

Maxwell House Coffee, 2.50
-$1/1 MF Q Catalina (from Harris Teeter), doubled
Final Price: .50

2 Muir Glen Tomato Sauce, .89
-$1/2 Publix Q-
-.75/1 IP Q
Final Price: .01 ea

2 Welch Grape Juice, 3.25 BOGO
-(2) -$1 off Welch’s Essentials juice cocktail, 64 oz SS 10/31 (regional), printable or printable
Final Price: .62¢ ea

Glass Plus, 2.50 BOGO
-.50/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: .25

Total before sales/coupons: 50.76
Sales: 14.18
Coupons: 16.25
OOP: 20.33 (saving 60%)