Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Menu Planning Email with Pricematchups


I would love feedback on this email! If you are using the recipes, how they turned out, if you loved them or not. Please let me know how this email is helping you!

Menu planning is a great way to also save money.  By planning your meals, you can make sure you buy exactly what you need, stick to your budget, and create healthy homecooked meals.
This works under the assumption that you keep certain pantry staples always stocked.  (Here is a great site that has a pantry staples list: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/pantry-staples-checklist-00000000000197/index.html)  It also works under the assumption that you are stocking up on the good deals such as meat and cheese when it is on sale so that these are always staples in your pantry.  For example, chicken is a great price at No Frills 1.49 for boneless skinless chicken breasts.  I bought 8 packages and will be using them for the next month in my meal planning.

Menu Planning for 5-23

Recipe Name: Smothered Enchiladas

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/smothered-enchiladas-10000001033063/

Alternatives: Vegetarians omit beef, use veggies or beans. You can also use chicken instead of beef
Sides: Chips
Price match ups: Ground Fresh Beef 85% 2.27 a lb at Bag N Save, Roberts Sour Cream or Dips 16 oz .98 at No Frills (use .40/1 Sour Cream from SS 5/20 makes it .58), Generic Shredded Cheese SV 8 oz 1.14 at Super Saver

Recipe Name: Baked Buffalo Chicken Strips with Blue Cheese Dip

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/baked-buffalo-chicken-strips-with-blue-cheese-dip-10000001946179/

Alternatives: No Vegetarian alternatives
Sides: Steamed Veggies
Price match ups: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 1.49 a lb at No Frills, Roberts Sour Cream or Dips 16 oz .98 at No Frills (use .40/1 Sour Cream from SS 5/20 makes it .58), Generic Shredded Cheese SV 8 oz 1.14 at Super Saver

Recipe Name: Easy Chicken Casserole

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/mandys-easy-chicken-casserole-00420000002718/

Alternatives: Vegetarians omit chicken and add veggies
Sides: Salad
Price match ups: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 1.49 a lb at No Frills, Roberts Sour Cream or Dips 16 oz .98 at No Frills (use .40/1 Sour Cream from SS 5/20 makes it .58), Generic Shredded Cheese SV 8 oz 1.14 at Super Saver

Recipe Name: Slow Cooker Meatball Stew

Website: http://www.womansday.com/recipefinder/slow-cooker-meatball-stew-121641?click=recipe_sr

Alternatives: No Vegetarian alternatives
Sides: Crusty Bread
Price match ups: Ground Fresh Beef 85% 2.27 a lb at Bag N Save, Baby Carrots 1 lb .88 at Fareway

Recipe Name: Chicken Parmesan Burgers

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-parmesan-burgers-50400000111141/

Alternatives: No Vegetarian alternatives
Sides: Salad, Frozen Veggies
Price match ups: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 1.49 a lb at No Frills, Generic Shredded Cheese SV 8 oz 1.14 at Super Saver

Recipe Name: Pesto and Peppers and Pasta

Website: http://busycooks.about.com/od/pastawithsaucerecipes/r/pestopeppers.htm

Alternatives: Carnivores can add chicken

Sides: Salad
Price match ups: Mini Sweet Peppers 1.99 a lb at Fareway

Recipe Name: Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roasted-vegetable-lasagna-10000000640301/

Alternatives: Carnivores add ground beef
Sides: Salad
Price match ups: Mini Sweet Peppers 1.99 a lb at Fareway, Generic Shredded Cheese SV 8 oz 1.14 at Super Saver

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Menu Planning for 5/9 with price match ups


I would love feedback on this email! If you are using the recipes, how they turned out, if you loved them or not. Please let me know how this email is helping you!

Menu planning is a great way to also save money.  By planning your meals, you can make sure you buy exactly what you need, stick to your budget, and create healthy homecooked meals.
This works under the assumption that you keep certain pantry staples always stocked.  (Here is a great site that has a pantry staples list: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/pantry-staples-checklist-00000000000197/index.html)  It also works under the assumption that you are stocking up on the good deals such as meat and cheese when it is on sale so that these are always staples in your pantry.  For example, chicken is a great price at No Frills 1.49 for boneless skinless chicken breasts.  I bought 8 packages and will be using them for the next month in my meal planning.

This week, because chicken is on sale and its the beginning of grilling season, I tried to have a few more recipes that can be made using your grill.  I also threw a soup in there just because it looked really good!

Menu Planning for 5-9

Recipe Name: Cheesy Vegetable Chowder

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cheesy-vegetable-chowder-10000000258189/

Alternatives: Can add chicken, shredded would be best
Sides: Salad, crusty bread
Price match ups: Vidalia sweet Onions .77 lb at HyVee, Generic Idaho Potatoes 5lb bag $1.47 at Super Saver, Baby Carrots 16 oz bag at Aldi, Generic Sweet Cream Butter 16 oz. $1.88 at HyVee, Generic Milk (Vit D, 2%, 1%, or Skim) Gallon 2.69 at Bakers, Velveeta 2lb $3.99 at Fareway

Recipe Name: Sante Fe Grilled Chicken Tacos

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/santa-fe-grilled-chicken-tacos-50400000112449/

Alternatives: No Vegetarian alternatives
Sides: beans (black, pinto, or refried), mexican rice
Price match ups: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.88 lb at HyVee, Generic Shredded or Chunk Cheese SV 8 oz at Super Saver

Recipe Name: Chicken Parmesan Burgers

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-parmesan-burgers-50400000111141/

Alternatives: No Vegetarian alternatives
Sides: Salad, Frozen Veggies
Price match ups: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.88 lb at HyVee, Generic Shredded or Chunk Cheese SV 8 oz at Super Saver,

Recipe Name: Chicken, Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms with Marsala Wine

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-peppers-onions-mushrooms-with-marsala-wine-10000001611676/

Alternatives: Vegetarians can omit chicken
Sides: Salad, Pasta side
Price match ups: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.88 lb at HyVee, Vidalia sweet Onions .77 lb at HyVee, Multi Colored Peppers 3 ct tray 1.59 per pack at Aldi, Mushrooms 8 oz trays all varieties .79 per pack at Aldi

Recipe Name: Classic Sausage and Pepper Grill

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/classic-sausage-and-pepper-grill-10000000222517/

Alternatives: Vegetarians can omit sausage
Sides: Salad and Crusty bread
Price match ups: Vidalia sweet Onions .77 lb at HyVee, Generic Idaho Potatoes 5lb bag $1.47 at Super Saver, Multi Colored Peppers 3 ct tray 1.59 per pack at Aldi, Johnsonville Brats or Italian Sausage SV 2.99 at No Frills (use $1/2 Johnsonville Brats or Italian Sausage, (SS 05/06/12 R) or $1/1 Johnsonville Pork & Chicken Sausage, (SS 04/29/12 R) or $1/1  printable makes it free (depending on which variety you buy and coupon you use or .50)

Recipe Name: Chicken Breasts stuffed with Italian Sausage BreadcrumbsWebsite: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-breasts-stuffed-with-italian-sausage-breadcrumbs-10000001041903/

Alternatives: No Vegetarian Alternatives
Sides: Cumin Sweet Potatoes
Price match ups: Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.88 lb at HyVee, Johnsonville Brats or Italian Sausage SV 2.99 at No Frills (use $1/2 Johnsonville Brats or Italian Sausage, (SS 05/06/12 R) or $1/1 Johnsonville Pork & Chicken Sausage, (SS 04/29/12 R) or $1/1  printable makes it free (depending on which variety you buy and coupon you use or .50), Vidalia sweet Onions .77 lb at HyVee

Recipe Name: Cheesy Baked Cavatappi with Onions and Peppers

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/cheesy-baked-cavatappi-with-onions-peppers-10000001065554/

Alternatives: Carnivores can add beef, you don't have use the fancy cheeses listed in the recipe, you can use any you like
Sides: Salad, Frozen Veggies
Price match ups: Multi Colored Peppers 3 ct tray 1.59 per pack at Aldi, Vidalia sweet Onions .77 lb at HyVee, Generic Milk (Vit D, 2%, 1%, or Skim) Gallon 2.69 at Bakers, Generic Sweet Cream Butter 16 oz. $1.88 at HyVee, Generic Shredded or Chunk Cheese SV 8 oz at Super Saver,



Sides Recipe and Price match ups

Recipe: Salad
Price match ups: Dole classic Salad Mix 12 oz bag .99 at Fareway

Recipe: Frozen Veggies
Price match ups: Birdseye Veggies 10-16 oz SV .99 at Bakers (use $0.50/1 printable makes it .49)



-- 
"If you can't speak well of someone, come sit by me." -Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Perfectly acceptable to insult someone in private, they might even thank you for it afterwards.  But when you insult someone in public, they tend to think you’re serious.

~Benjamin Franklin 

~If you can’t be kind, at least be vague ~ Joshilyn Jackson 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Menu Planning with Pricematchups 5/2


I would love feedback on this email! If you are using the recipes, how they turned out, if you loved them or not. Please let me know how this email is helping you!

Menu planning is a great way to also save money.  By planning your meals, you can make sure you buy exactly what you need, stick to your budget, and create healthy homecooked meals.
This works under the assumption that you keep certain pantry staples always stocked.  (Here is a great site that has a pantry staples list: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/food/pantry-staples-checklist-00000000000197/index.html)  It also works under the assumption that you are stocking up on the good deals such as meat and cheese when it is on sale so that these are always staples in your pantry.  For example, chicken is a great price at No Frills 1.49 for boneless skinless chicken breasts.  I bought 8 packages and will be using them for the next month in my meal planning.
This week I started using this tool for meal planning, its amazing!  Try it out!
http://www.myrecipes.com/general/ingredient-chef/ingredient-chef-00420000010081/?pid=ingredient-search 

Menu Planning for 4-25

Recipe Name: Macaroni and Beef (slow cooker)

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-macaroni-beef-10000001875197/

Alternatives: No Vegetarian alternatives
Sides: Salad
Price match ups: 93% Lean Ground Sirloin $2.59/lb. At Bag N Save, Vidalia Sweet Onions $0.79/lb. At Bakers

Recipe Name: Slow Cooker Shepherds Pie

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-shepherds-pie-10000001892145/

Alternatives: No Vegetarian alternatives
Sides: Steamed Veggies
Price match ups: Land O Lakes Milk (gal.) $2.29 at Bag N Save, Vidalia Sweet Onions $0.79/lb. At Bakers, Idaho Russet Potatoes (5 lb.) $1.38 at Fareway, 85% Lean Ground Chuck $1.99/lb. (sold in 10 lb. tube) at Fareway

Recipe Name: Vegetable Ribbon Pasta Shells

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/vegetable-ribbon-pasta-shells-10000001916225/

Alternatives: Shortcut, use premade marinara sauce, carnivores add chicken or beef
Sides: Salad
Price match ups: Zucchini or Yellow Squash $0.69/lb. At Hyvee, Baby Carrots (16 oz.) $0.88 at Hyvee, Ragu Pasta Sauce $0.99 at Hyvee

Recipe Name: Black Bean Zucchini Quesadillas

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/black-bean-zucchini-quesadillas-10000001992086/

Alternatives: Carnivores add chicken, vegetarians add extra veggies if you want!
Sides: Rice a roni
Price match ups: Azteca Tortillas (6 oz. corn or 8.5 oz. flour) $0.69 at Fareway, Zucchini or Yellow Squash $0.69/lb. At Hyvee,

Recipe Name: Roast Chicken Chimichangas

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/roast-chicken-chimichangas-10000000604814/

Alternatives: Vegetarians omit meat, add veggies!
Sides: Rice a roni
Price match ups: Azteca Tortillas (6 oz. corn or 8.5 oz. flour) $0.69 at Fareway, Rosarita Refried Beans (15-16 oz.) 10/$10 at Bakers (Use $0.50/2 coupon from 4/22 SS Final cost $0.75 each!)

Recipe Name: Chili Cheese Steak with Avocado
Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chile-cheese-steak-with-avocado-10000000600558/

Alternatives: No Vegetarian alternatives
Sides: Salad, rice a roni
Price match ups: Sirloin tip roast or family pack steaks $2.99/lb at Bag N Save, Avocados $0.29 at Aldi

Recipe Name: Smothered Green Chilie Pepper Chicken

Website: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/smothered-green-chile-pepper-chicken-10000001896126/

Alternatives: No Vegetarian alternatives
Sides: Salad, pasta roni
Price match ups: Limes 8/$1 at No Frills






Sides Recipe and Price match ups

Recipe: Boxed Potatoes
Price match ups: Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes 10/$10 at Fareway (Use $0.50/2 coupon from 3/25 SS or found HERE Final cost $0.75 each! )

Recipe: Salad
Price match ups:  Iceberg Lettuce $0.77 at Super Saver

Recipe: Rice a Roni
Price match ups: Rice-a-Roni or Pasta Roni 5/$5 at Hyvee 

--
"If you can't speak well of someone, come sit by me." -Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Perfectly acceptable to insult someone in private, they might even thank you for it afterwards.  But when you insult someone in public, they tend to think you’re serious.

~Benjamin Franklin

~If you can’t be kind, at least be vague ~ Joshilyn Jackson