Rise and Shine

Good morning and happy Monday to you all. Today brings with it the menu for the week. Isn't it funny that I started this blog to chronicle life on one budget and the reality of being a full time at home mom, but I seem to be posting about food very frequently...hummmm? You know we begin life as moms working so hard to make sure our babies are nursing correctly and for long enough, we worry about our children's progress on the growth charts at every check up, and then we begin the battle are around two years old over what they will eat....so with that in mind maybe I shouldn't be surprised at all that the blog centers around food if it is meant to center around motherhood! That said I wanted to post a recipe for mulit-grain banana pancakes that my oldest son has fallen in love with. They pack quite the punch nutritionally and he wakes up every morning, for the last 8 mornings at least, asking for them. If you have picky eaters or company (maybe both) you should give them a try. Here is the how to:

INGREDIENTS

1 cup uncooked rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons dry milk powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 banana, mashed
DIRECTIONS
1.Place the rolled oats into the jar of a blender and blend until the texture resembles coarse flour. Whisk together the blended oats, whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, dry milk powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; set aside.
2.Whisk together the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Stir in the mashed banana. Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir just until moistened. Let the batter stand for 5 minutes.
3. Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium-high heat. Drop batter by large spoonfuls onto the griddle, and cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry, about 2 minutes. Flip, and cook until browned on the other side. Repeat with remaining batter.

As for the rest of the week we'll be having pancakes for breakfast or french toast. For lunch we'll be eating chicken nuggets or left overs from the previous night's dinner. Finally for dinner we'll be eating the following:

Monday: Beef Stroganoff, green beans, and frozen fruit

Tuesday: Chicken Rice A Roni and broccoli

Wednesday: Grilled burgers and fries

Thursday: Chicken Pot Pie

Friday: Left overs

Saturday: Beef and Chicken Fajitas, Beans, and Rice

Sunday: Fend for yourself...mom's taking the day off

Chicken Nugget Success!

Wow where has the last week gone? I'm sorry I haven't posted, but my cleaning spree began on Friday and before I knew what hit me it was Thursday again! There have been few new developments over the last week, but it is worth reporting that the chicken nugget experiment was a huge success. I found boneless skinless chicken breasts for $0.99lb (thanks Marnie) at HEB last week. I used 6 pounds of this chicken cut into bite sized pieces. I followed the recipe I posted on the blog last week. All in all it took me just over an hour to bread and cook all of the nuggets. I put them onto a metal cookie sheet in the deep freezer over night and then into a freezer zip lock the next day. I now have enough nuggets frozen to feed my boys for at least a month for just over $6.00!

My boys have been asking for these nuggest and they taste wonderful when reheated. I feel so much better about feeding these to my crew since they are made with 100% whole wheat flour, flax seed, no salt, and no preservatives. I can't recommend these nuggets strongly enough if you have little chicken nugget addicts in you household. Please post and let me know if you try them and how they work out for your crew.

Holy Cow!!!!

So before you continue to read today's post please know that the information that I'm about to share with you could lead to a full fledged cleaning addiction...so read at your own risk. Now that the leagal issues are out of the way let me tell about the most WONDERFUL cleaner I've ever used. I read about this all natural, biodegradble, non toxic, cruelty free cleaner on The Hillibilly Housewife's blog a few days ago and she seemed to love it so much that I went out to buy some myself.

The cleaner is sold at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Ace, and True Value and on-line at Amazon.com and http://www.holycowproducts.com/ I paid 5.95 for each of the bottles above. The Green is the concentrated cleaner, the pink general cleaner, and the blue glass cleaner. I began to clean with them as soon as I got home and I have just now be able to stop ... 5 hours later!!

The pink cleaner was able to totally clean all of my carpets. I just used it and a large scrub brush and in less than 40 minutes I had removed every stain from our family room and entry way. Just let me remind you that I have 2 little boys, 1 husband, 1 labradore, and my less than graceful self which all add up to one very stained carpet. I used different combinations of the cleaner in my kitchen. My counters are cleaner than they have ever been even with straight bleach! They feel great ... no residue. My stove look brand new and it is a 25 year old builder's grade appliance. My sink is so shiny that even the fly lady would be envoius. And the rest of the kitchen is following suite.

I wish I had thought in advance and taken tons of before and after picts. but alas I didn't. I got the idea when I was almost done so I just have picts of my beloved canisters. These belonged to my grandmother all of my life and are more than 40 years old I know. They are what I used as my Nana was teaching me to bake and I love them very much. Over the past 7 years I have tried everything to get them to shine, and nothing worked until today. Now my beautiful canisters shine like they did in my childhood. I will be researching ways to safely dispose of ALL my other cleaners once I'm done with this post. I am so excited to have something that works so well, is safe for my family, and won't take up all the space under my sink!!! Seriously go and get yours today!

Thrifty Thursday - Grocery Finds

Here's what I'm buying at Randall's/Safeway/TomThumb this week:

Lucerne 18 ct Large Eggs - $.99 with coupon from this week's add - limit one with card Friday,

Saturday, Sunday only with $20 purchase

Chinet plates or cups $2.50 use $1 off Classic white HERE = $1.50

Charmin Ultra - 6 mega / 12 super rolls use .25 cents off from 7/5 P & G and .25 cents off

e saver = $4.49

I'm buying 3 so we'll be set for TP until next sale

Colgate Toothpaste - $2.49 use $.75/1 final price 1.74 (not a great deal,but need toothpaste)

Blue Ribbon or Jimmy Dean Bacon BOGO - should be around $1.99 each

I'm buying 10 packs because we love bacon and it COSTS

Total cost - 19.99

Total Cost = $37.69

Kroger Deals This Week:

Kroger Value Boneless Chicken Breast or Tenders - $1.99lb

I'll be buying 5 lbs of tenders (for chicken nuggets) and 5 lbs to marinate

Total cost - $19.99

Springdale Milk $1.99 - not on sale, but we need milk. I'll buy one gallon

Total cost - $1.99

Downey $4.99 - Use $1/1 from RP 6/28 - final cost 3.99 - I'll buy two one for us one "scent free"

for baby girl

Total Cost $7.98

Dr. Pepper - 5 for $5 -

Total Cost $5.00

Pampers Jumbo Pack - $8.99 use $2/1 from P&G 7/5 - final cost $6.99 I'll buy two packs

Total Cost $13.98

Total Kroger Cost - 48.94

I'll have to pick up some other things that I don't have prices for so I'll have to give you the final costs when I post my exact spending on Sunday. If you find some great deals in the meantime please comment here so that we can all cash in on your knowledge.

Super Target Thursday and Other Great Deals

I wanted to let you all in on some super deals at Target this week. I frequently visit the Stretching A Buck blog at http://www.stretchingabuckblog.com/ to find super Target Deals.You can also find tons of info at A Full Cup http://www.afullcup.com/ You have to join, but it is free and worth it! I'll list the Target deals that I'll be headed out to get, but check the site for yourself to find tons more...even some free items!

~ WEEKLY DEALS ~

Kashi Crackers (10 oz) - $2.50/ea

Use $1/2 Target printable couponPLUS

Use $1.50/1 when you sign up here (print 2)

Final Price = $0.50/ea when you buy 2

Olay Body Wash (18 or 24 oz) - $4.99/ea

Use $2/1 in 7/5 P&G insert

Final Price = $2.99/ea

Rayovac Batteries (2-4 ct) - $1/ea (found in $1 spot)

Use $1/1 in 6/21 Smart Source insert

Final Price = FREE

Degree for Women Fine Fragrance Deodorant or Body Mist - $3.29/ea

Use $2/1 Target coupon here

PLUS

Use $1.25/1 in 5/16 Red Plum insert

Final Price = $0.04/ea

Bare Solo Cups and Plates - $1.50/ea

Use $1/1 coupon here or $0.75/1 coupon here

Final Price = $0.50-0.75/ea

Pictureka Card Game - $6.64/ea

Use $5/1 here

Final Price = $1.64/ea

Happy Targeting and have a great day.

Time for Tea, But Not Enough Time To Double Check

Our day has been uneventful. We were expecting company, but the plans changed so to help the kids still have fun I decided to have tea time. The boys have been doing this with my parents for some time and love it. I also grew up with my great-grandmother and our tea parties so I love passing this tradition along to my crew.

Today I decided to make tea time extra special with the addition of home made English tea cakes. The boys came in and "helped" me make them. I was using a recipe that I had never used before so the waters were already unclear as we set off on this baking adventure. When you add one crying baby, and two busy boys you in effect have, the perfect storm! We mixed everything together, or so I thought, and I double checked the recipe to make sure I didn't forget any liquid because the dough was like sand. Nope, no liquid called for so ahead we went. We shaped the cookies and baked them. I had hoped that once the butter began to melt they would stick together and turn into cookies.

I took the cookies out of the oven and it was just then that it hit me....I had put two sticks, not two cups, of butter into the batter. Suddenly I had two very let down boys on my hands. We survived because the cookies came out of the pan and we were able to have our tea party after all. I am sure; however, that we would have enjoyed the sweets more if they had contained said amount of butter. Gman assured me that it was ok even if I made a mistake cause they were still cookies after all.

We Don't Like Eggs

Good morning to all. Today brought another challenge...scrambled eggs for breakfast!!!! Gman woke up very hungry this morning and started asking for food right away. I invited him to help me prepare the eggs. He helped me, but wasn't any too happy about it. We cooked to eggs with salt and butter, kid friendly right? Wrong! After much protest both boys tasted the eggs, gaged, and spit them onto their plates. The deal I made was to taste the eggs and you could then have one frozen eggo. It may sound strange, but I've found that if I can just get the boys to taste new foods they generally go on to like them. Today I struck out, but there is always another day. I've read tons about picky eaters and the consensus seems to be that the children need multiple exposures before they incorporate a new food into their diets. The plan around our place to introduce one week of new foods (this week) and then each person in the family will get to choose one meal a day to put on our menu for the week. It should look something like this:

Day: Break: Dinner:

Mon. Gman: Daddy

Tues. Mommy: Zman

Wed. Daddy: Gman

Thurs. Zman: Mommy

Fri. Gman: Daddy

Sat. Mommy: Zman

Sun. Daddy: Gman

Hopefully we'll find some new foods that the kids like before school starts.

Lost Teeth and Ground Beef!

Wow what a day it was today. We started the day with "French Sugar Toast" aka French Toast. Neither boy was thrilled, but both tasted the dish. Zman said he didn't like it and then snuck bites until his was all gone. Once he was finished he said "Man, I'm sorry mom that wasn't gross at all." Gman on the other hand tasted one bite and then would eat no more. My thoughts were no problem we can try something else at lunch.

Lunch came and we decided to depart from the menu and have make your own lunch day. Zman made and ate two peanut butter sandwiches with fruit and milk. G made cheese rolls on fancy toothpicks and lunch meet rolls on fancy toothpicks and then ate nothing!!! So Gman is getting pretty hungry by now. But there is still dinner, right?

Fast forward to dinner. I made Beef Taco Bake and it was great!!! Dad and Mom had a wonderful dinner and we'll totally make it again. The boys were another story. For starters Zman lost his top front tooth between lunch and dinner. In typical Zman style this was an emotional event. He informed his dad and I that he couldn't close his lips because they poked into the gap where his tooth use to be. He is true to his word and didn't close his mouth or swallow (you don't want to know what he did instead) for about an hour. By dinner he was a little better, but didn't really want to eat. He did taste the food, but that was it. Gman stuck to his guns and didn't eat for the third meal in a row. So I sent two very hungry boys to bed tonight. The bright side is that they should be super hungry when we try scrambled eggs in the morning.

The Quest for a Healthy Chicken Nugget

Ok, so I have given birth to two, maybe three, children who refuse to eat much other than chicken nuggets. We have come to realize that our family in fact are what we refer to as "Chickaterians" ie. we eat mostly chicken. I'm ok with lots of fresh chicken, but frozen chicken like product is a different story. Since I'll have a bit more time now I thought I'd try to make my own nuggets so that I can try to make them healthy and maybe even hide some veggies in there too. I am also hopeful that I can save a bit of cash. So here is the plan:

I usually buy these Tyson nuggets at our local Sam's Club. The bag contains 4.25lbs and costs $10.87. This week (ending today) Randall's has their fresh chicken breasts on sale for 1.99 a pound....so 4.25lbs of fresh would cost $8.46. I have everything else I need to make them so that will be my only cost this time. If I needed to buy eggs, flour, etch it would go up a bit, but not more than about a dollar per batch. I'm going to make these, bake them, and then lay them flat on a cookie sheet to freeze. Once they are frozen I'll put them into freezer zip top bags and keep them on had for lunches. Fingers crossed here we go....

INGREDIENTS

vegetable oil
4 cups all-purpose flour ( used whole wheat)

1/8 cup ground flax seed
6 tablespoons garlic salt
3 tablespoons ground black pepper
4 eggs, beaten
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into small chunks

DIRECTIONS
Heat 1 inch oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a large skillet or saucepan.
Stir together the flour, garlic salt, and pepper in a bowl. Dip the chicken pieces individually into flour mixture, egg mixture, the flour mixture again; shake off the excess flour. Place the coated chicken pieces onto a plate until all the chicken has been coated.
Cook the chicken in batches in the hot oil until golden brown and no longer pink in the center. You can also bake them at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. To make them crispy in the oven coat the baking with non-stick spray.

To Freeze:

Cook and cool completely on cooling racks. Once cool place chicken in a single layer on a metal cookie sheet and put into the freezer overnight. Once they are frozen in this way put them into a freezer zip top bag and save for later.

I'm going to make a test batch of these for lunch tomorrow. I'll post and let you know what the boys think...I'll have to wait 6 months or so to let you know baby girl's thoughts.

Meal Plan Monday 7-7-09

This week we'll be eating:
Monday -

• we were traveling to the grandparent's house we ate on the road.

Tuesday -

• Breakfast: French toast and milk
• Snack: Frozen Grapes and tea
• Lunch: Fish Sticks, Fruit, and milk
• Snack: Chips and tea
• Dinner: Beef Taco Bake, chips/salsa, chocolate pudding,tea
• Snack: pop corn and tea

Beef Taco Bake

Crust:1 3/4 to 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 package active dry yeast 1 tablespoon sugar 2 teaspoons finely chopped onion 3/4 teaspoons salt 2/3 cup very warm water2 tablespoons oil 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
Filling: 1 pound ground beef 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 tablespoons chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 3/4 cup water
Suggested Toppings: 1 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 2 cups shredded lettuce 2 to 3 ripe tomatoes, chopped
Chopped onion
Chopped avocado
Chopped fresh cilantro
Sour Cream
Fresh or bottled salsa
Lime wedges
In medium mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, yeast, sugar, onion, and salt; mix well. Add warm water and oil. Mix by hand until almost smooth. Stir in chips and enough flour to make a stiff batter. Spread in well-greased 10-inch pie pan, forming a rim around edge. Cover; let rise in warm place 20 minutes.
In large skillet, brown ground beef with onion. Add seasonings and water; simmer 25 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375*F (190*C).
Spread meat mixture over dough. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until edge is crisp and light golden brown. Sprinkle top with your favorite toppings. Serve immediately with a dollop sour cream, salsa and a squeeze of lime.
Makes 6 servings.

Wednesday:

• Breakfast - biscuits, eggs, and sausage, and milk
• Snack - frozen grapes and tea
• Lunch - left over beef taco bake, fruit, and milk
• Snack - fruit roll ups and tea
• Dinner - Grilled Italian Lime Chicken, Wild Rice, Green Beans, brownies, and tea

I marinate chicken breasts in fat free Italian Salad Dressing and the juice of 8 limes for two days and then freeze it all in a zippered bag when we're ready to cook I pull it out to thaw and we're ready to go. The kids love this and don't love much.

• Snack - brownies and milk

Thursday:

• Breakfast - cereal with fresh fruit and milk
• Snack - frozen grapes and tea
• Lunch - left over Italian Chicken and fixings
• Snack - brownies and milk
• Dinner - Lloyd's BBQ pork, baked potato, brownies, and tea

Friday:

• Breakfast - waffles, yogurt, and milk
• Snack - banana's and peanut butter with milk
• Lunch - make your own sandwich (boys may like this), fruit, chips, and milk
• Snack - peanut butter cookies
• Dinner - Rice-a-Roni with shredded chicken, glazed carrots, peanut butter cookies, tea
• Snack - frozen grapes

Saturday:

• Breakfast - pancakes, bacon, and milk
• Snack - frozen grapes
• Lunch - chicken nuggets, fruit, and milk
• Snack - oatmeal cookies and milk
• Dinner - we'll be eating at a friend's birthday party tonight
• Snack - oatmeal or peanut butter cookies and milk

Sunday:

• Breakfast - cereal with fresh fruit and milk
• Snack - fruit roll up and milk
• Lunch - hot dog, fruit, and milk
• Snack - frozen grapes
• Dinner - hamburger helper, corn, fruit, pudding, and milk

Super Savings Sundays 7-5-09

Welcome to the first post of "Super Savings Sundays"


I'll be posting each Sunday about the super deals I found at the stores that week. I'll be letting you know if I used coupons and where I shopped. I hope you can take this information and run out for your deals before they expire on Tuesday. Good luck ...


This photo was from last week and represents an out of pocket cost of 160.16 and a savings of 105.57. You can't see the 3 gallons of milk, 8 pounds of ground beef and various other items in the back.

This week I got the following deals...


HEB - Spent: $12.63 Saved: $3.98(all in store sales)

• 1 extra large bag of dog food (HEB) brand for 7.99
• 4lbs green grapes on sale for .97 in store special

Kroger - Spent $27.82
Saved: $51.37 (27.59 coupons & 23.78 Kroger Sales)

• 4 Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix - Reg. 2.69 on sale for 1.99 used coupon from SS 6/28 for .75/2 - paid .94 each
• 4 Wholly Guacamole - Reg. 2.99 on sale 2/$3 used coupon from SS 6/28 for $1.00 off 1 - paid .50 each
• 4 Wholly Salsa - Reg. 2.99 on sale 2/$3 used coupon from SS 6/28 for buy one get one - paid .75 each (and got peel off coupon x 4 for one dollar off future purchase)
• 8 Suddenly Salad Mixes - Reg. 2.19 each on sale for 2/$3 used coupon from SS 5/17 for .50/2 - paid 1.00 each
• 2 bags Splenda - Reg. 7.99 each on sale for 5.99 used coupon from SS 6/14 for $2/2- paid 4.99 each
• 1 extra large bottle Wesson Oil - Reg. $6.98 in store closeout paid 3.95

Randalls - Spent 105.93 - Saved $118.30 ($10.80 coupons & $ 107.50 in store sales)

• Real Lime Squeeze - $4.38 x 2 (paid full price)
• Morton Salt - $.79 (paid full price)
• Baking Soda - $.89 (paid full price)
• Nutrigrain Bars - $3.49(paid full price)
• Yeast 3 pack - $1.50 (paid full price)
• Cream Horns - $ 3.99 (paid full price)
• 13lb Beef Brisket - $2.79lb -sale $.99lb = 12.88 store sale
• 13lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts - Reg. 3.99lb -sale for $1.99lb - paid 26.00
• 2 gal Bordens Milk - Reg. 3.99 - in store sale 2.99 - coupon from RP 6/7 for 1.00 off paid - 1.99 each
• 4 2liter bottles Dr. Pepper - Reg. $1.99 - store sale .99 each
• 4 Hefty Gal. Freezer Bags - Reg. $3.29 each- store sale 1.25 ech. when you buy 4, coupon on package for .20 off each - paid $1.o5
• 6 Lawry's Marinades - Reg. 2.99 - store sale for 2/$4 used coupon from RP 5/17 for .50 off- paid 1.00 each
• Dove Facial Cleanser - Reg 6.99 - store sale for 3.49 used coupon from RP 6/7 for 1.00 off - paid 2.49
• 6 Kraft Salad Dressings - Reg. $2.85 - store sale for 2/$3 used coupon from SS 6/21 for 1.00 off - paid .50 each
• 2 -6 Count Bounty Paper Towels - Reg. $11.29 - store sale 7.99/4.99 when you buy combo of 3 - e-coupon .25 off - paid 3.99 each
• 1 - 12 Roll Charmin Extra Soft - Reg. $10.99 - store sale 7.99/4.99 when you buy combo of 3 - e-coupon .25 off - paid 3.99

So there it is my shopping this week. We also ordered three boxes of food from Angel Food Ministries for a total of $120.00. If you don't know about this GREAT service check them out at this link http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ With the food we've begun to stock pile and our food from Angel Food it is my plan to begin to spend no more than 30.00 each week on food, 15 on what we need for the week and 15 on replacing our stock pile. Hopefully with careful planning we'll be able to get buy on about $250.00 a month for food to feed 5. Keep watching and see how we do.

Here we go....

Welcome to my little corner of the cyber world. I'm excited to begin blogging about my life and my family's journey from two incomes to one. I have been out on maternity leave for the last 4 months and in that time have realized that if we tighten our belts a bit that we could realize our dream of a family with mom at home and dad at work.

I know that my mother's generation worked very hard for me to have the chance to work for equal pay and under equal conditions and I am thankful for their hard work and sacrifice. I'm sorry to say though that things didn't work out the way our mothers probably intended. Many of my friends agree with me that today's mom really has no more choices than her mother before her. When women entered the working world men didn't decide to stay home with the children, instead the glut of employees simply drove up the median household income and thus the prices of everything. Fast forward a generation later and women now have to work because our economy demands two incomes to have the same quality of life our parents had on one.

I have been a teacher for my entire career and have heard every possible theory for why our children are struggling so much more now. I have many ideas about why this is so, most of which, rest squarely on the shoulders of top heavy public education, but I also feel that now more than ever our children are left to their own devices because there is no one home full time. Now before I upset any career women or working moms, please know that I have been both and I have nothing but respect for you all. I believe no one on the planet works harder than a mom who works full time outside of the home because I've been one for the past 5 years. I am simply saying that families are left with few choices when it comes to finances and through no fault of their own the children are paying the price for a society with its economy askew.

After much reflection my husband and I have decided to attempt to live on his income alone. This is going to be a big challenge because we have 3 children and he is a professor at a community college. You may be thinking that we should be able to do this no problem, but you'd be wrong, because you see public school teachers make more than my husband does. It is our goal, our challenge, and our quest to live comfortably on 3,500.00 a month. I will be using this blog to share with the public our working budget, our coupon/sale savings tips, our finds when it comes to cheep family fun, and our memories along the way. It is my sincere hope that over the course of the blog other women who want to be full time moms are able to realize their dreams by what they learn here. I also hope that this becomes a place for like minded women to come together to learn from one another and to support each other.

And so we're off.....