Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwich

I have had some pork boneless ribs sitting in the freezer and had been wondering what to do with them. The first thing that came to mind was to throw them in the slow cooker add BBQ sauce and serve pasta salad, corn and bread.

My husband is not the biggest fan of pork, so when I told him what I was making for dinner he was not thrilled and didn't want ribs. So, it was leftovers for dinner. We headed out to Coyote Point park and ended up bringing home take-out.

On Monday, I was trying to figure out what to feed everyone for lunch, since all were home due to the holiday. Since ribs was shut down the other day, I came up with plan B. I shredded the pork, added BBQ sauce and made french fries. SUCCESS

Boneless ribs: $5
French Fries: $3.50
Coleslaw: Under $0.50 (not sure of cost, cabbage was $0.99 and bag of carrots $0.99)
Hamburger Buns: FREE (Lucky Supermarket promotion)

Total: $9 for 5 people

Grocery List Planning - 5.27.2015

It is that time again. Time to plan my grocery trip. This week I will be going to Smart & Final, along with Grocery Outlet, Safeway and Lucky.

Some of you might be thinking that you do not have time to sit down and look at the weekly ad and plan. Well, I timed myself this morning and it took me 30 minutes to review the ads and write out my plan of attack.

Here is my list:

Grocery Outlet -- $20

• Apples
• Bananas
• Watermelon
• Cantaloupe
• Tomatoes

Smart & Final -- $13.46 

I normally do not go here, but they are having the best deal on creamer. Since I also need tortillas, I decided to get them here instead of going to Costco.

• Coffee-mate: $1.99 x 2 = $3.98
• Doritos: $1.99 x 2 = $3.98
• 70 ct Corn Tortillas = $2.50
• Flour Tortillas = 2/ $3

Safeway -- $22.83

• Top Ramen: 6/ $1
• Safeway Whole Wheat Bread: $1.99
• Italian Sausage: $3.99
• Gold Fish x 2: $3.09 (BOGO)
• Pop Tarts: 2/ $5
• Safeway Peanut Butter: $1.79
• Frosted Flakes: $1.99
• Apple Jacks: $1.99
• Froot Loops: $1.99

After logging into my Safeway Just 4 U account, I found a $3 off coupon for spending $20 or more. So, my total here will be $19.83

Lucky -- $31.94

• 18 ct Sunnyside Eggs - $2.99
• Sunny Apple Juice: 3/ $5
• Eggos: 2/ $5
• Welch's Juice: 2/ $5
• Milk: $3.98 x 2 = $7.96
• Coke: $5.99

I will roughly spend $85.23 and have a remaining $31.77 of my $120 budget to spend on meats. Lucky has a new rewards program and for every dollar you spend you rack up points. I like to build my points so that I can get a $5 or $10 coupon to use towards a future purchase.

I need to purchase steak, beef stew, bacon. 

In reviewing my list, I realized that I did not budget for cheese, so I will need to set aside $5 dollars for this.

Steak Ranchero Dinner

For dinner last night I made a family favorite, steak ranchero or is bistec a la mexicana (does anyone know the difference?), with rice, beans and flour tortillas.


Steak Ranchero Recipe:

• 2 packages of thinly sliced steak
• 1 small yellow onion
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 green bell pepper
• 2-3 jalapenos (less or more depending on how spicy you like you food)
• 8 oz can of tomato sauce
• 8 oz can of El Pato sauce (optional)
• 32 oz beef broth

Heat up pan with with a couple tablespoons of oil. While pan is heating up chop onion, peppers (I placed some of these aside to add to my rice), and jalapenos, place in pan and sprinkle with salt. Saute veggies while you are cutting your steak into strips. After veggies have cooked, translucent, remove from pan and cook steak (this is when I start my rice). Replace veggies in pan add tomato sauce, el pato sauce and beef broth. Cook on low until your rice and beans are ready.

Rice Recipe:

• 2 cups of rice
• 4 cups of water & 1 T of chicken bullion (or use 4 cups of chicken broth)
• onion and bell pepper (optional)
• 8 oz tomato sauce
• 2-3 sprigs clinatro

Heat pan with a couple of tablespoons of oil. Once it is hot add some of the onion and peppers, to taste, saute for a couple of minutes. Add rice, sprinkle with salt and let the rice brown. Once bottom layer of rice is golden brown add water, chicken bullion and tomato sauce. Stir and bring to a boil, add clinatro and cover. 

Pinto beans:

• 2 cups of beans
• 8 cups of water
• 1 T salt

This is really easy, put beans into a pot, add water and salt. Cook on Medium/ Low for 2.5 to 3 hours. FYI, it is really important to soak your beans for at least an hour before cooking, to prevent gas.

Cost for the meal:

• 2 packages of thin steak: $8.67 (this was a BOGO deal at Lucky)
• 1 red bell pepper: $0.50
• 1 green bell pepper: $0.50
• 3 jalapenos: $0.45
• Beef broth: $2.99
• 2 cans tomato sauce: $1.00
• El Pato sacue: $0.49
• 10 ct Flour Tortillas: $1.99
• 2 cups beans: $0.38
• 2 cups rice: $0.60

TOTAL: $17.57 for a family of 6 

Again, we had leftovers that my husband will take for lunch.

Weekly Shopping Trip - 5.21.2015

I ended up doing my grocery shopping yesterday, because there was rain in the forecast for today. And tonight at church we are playing Bible baseball, so in between taking care of my household duties I will be studying.

 I had some helpers with me.

Shopping with kids can be difficult, not only did I have my two youngest, but I also had my friend's 3 month old. You have to get them in and out of car and then there is the possibility of having to deal with them wanting things that are not on your list. But, I came prepared... the iPad kept them busy and only ended up buying an extra little bag of chips that they shared. 

My first stop was to Grocery Outlet. I would have liked to take more pictures of the great finds, but I had to much going on. Watermelon is currently $3.99 and if you can see in the picture is says "Elsewhere $5.99" and at Safeway that is exactly what they were selling it for. The provolone and cheddar cheese, $1.99 per package of sliced cheese, and Heinz ketchup, $0.99,  was cheaper than what I would have spent at Safeway. I also, found a great deal on Farmer John Bacon, $3.99 compared to $6.99, and bought the kids a treat some cheez-its, $1.49 compared to over $3. Total spent was $28.57

This is what I bought:

Green Bell Pepper: 2/$1
Red Bell Pepper: 2/$1
Bag of Jalapenos: $1.69
Deli Cheddar Cheese: $1.99
Deli Provolone Cheese: $1.99
Farmer John Thick Bacon: $3.99
Bag of Carrots: $0.99
Cheez-Its: $1.49
Bananas: $1.99
Cilantro: $.50
Heinz Ketchup: $0.99
2lb bag Avocado: $1.99
10lb bag Potatoes: $1.99
Cantaloupe: $1.99
Watermelon: $3.99
Small bag of Doritos: $.99 (kids shared this to snack on)

At Safeway, I had originally planned to spend around $35, I went over the planned budget. This is due to not rechecking my card promotions. A few of the items that I thought I was going to save on, the promotion deal had ended on Wednesday, bummer. So, a new rule that I am setting for myself is to check the promotions loaded on my card before I head out to the store. If, I had I would have found a $3 off coupon for spending $20 or more. Total spent was $39.09

This is what I bought:

Chicken broth: $2.99
Beef Broth: $2.99
2 cans tomato sauce: 2/$1
Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits: $2.50
Coca Cola: $6.99
El Pato Sauce: 3/$1.47
Mission Soft Tortillas: $1.99
French Fries: $3.50
Stouffer Frozen Pizza: 2/$6.67
Fat Free Milk: 2/$5.98
Milky Way (for me they are my favorite): $1.29

At Lucky's I had planned to spend around $45.78, but spent $56.40. If you remember from my post on Tuesday, I mentioned that I would have an extra $13 to spend on ground beef. I choose to buy the ground beef here. In addition to getting the hamburger buns for free, promotion on my rewards card, I also got a free gallon of Almond milk with the purchase of 2 Kellogg's products. We don't drink almond milk, but have been wanting to give it a try.

This is what I bought:

Lay's Chips: 2/$4.29
Ken's Ranch Dressing: $2.50
Froot Loops: 2/$5
Ragu: 2/$3
Hamburger Buns: FREE
Silk Almond Milk: FREE
Sunnyside Yogurt: 10/$5
Stouffer Lasagna: $12.99
Welch's Juice: 2/$5
Ground Beef: $11.12 (originally $13.12, package had a $2 off coupon)
Mt. Olive Pickles: $2.50

TOTAL : $124.06

You might be thinking what are some things you plan to make for dinner? Here are some ideas:

• Hamburgers with french fries
• Sweet and sour meatballs over rice
• Steak Ranchero
• Grilled chicken with zucchini, salad and biscuits
• Lasagna with green beans, Italian sausage and French bread (This is one item that I will need to go back for, since I only purchase the bread on the day that I plan to use it, otherwise it will get hard.)

Most of the dinners that I make, have left overs that my husband takes for lunch. 

Taco Dinner

For dinner last night I made chicken tacos with rice and beans.

This was a really simple dinner. I cooked the chicken in my crock pot, chicken comes out much more juicy and tender than if I boil it on the stove. After it has cooked I shred it and put it in pan with fajita seasoning, I personally prefer the taste of the fajita seasoning compared to the taco seasoning. I make my own pinto beans, this is a huge savings, and to my rice I add onion, bell peppers and tomato sauce.

The cost of the chicken was $5 for 2 chicken breast (skin and bones) - purchased at Lucky's during their for 5/ $5 deal, I stock up on meats when this deal is going on. I purchase my rice and beans from Costco, a 25 lb bag of rice costs $9.49 and the 25 lb of beans is $14.99. This past year I have gone through 2 bags rice and one bag of beans.

If you were to purchase a pound of beans a week, at Safeway it costs $1.49 you would end up spending $77.48 on beans for the year. You are saving $62.49 on beans each year.

As for the rice, you can buy a 2lb bag for $3.69 (if not on sale), you would spend $191.88 a year for rice. I don't even think I need to do the math on this one, but you are saving $182.39. But, I bought 2 bags of rice from Costco, so I saved $172.90.

Corn Tortillas cost $3.19/ 50 count

I make rice at least 2 to 3 times a week.

In case you are wondering, I do not only buy rice and beans from Costco. I like to purchase tortillas and bread. When I do go to Costco I also purchase lettuce, it is the best deal. FYI, if you do not have a Costco card, you can always ask someone who does to purchase you a gift card. You do not have to be a member to use their gift cards. Or you can purchase these items at Smart & Final, they both cost a little bit more, but still a huge yearly saving.

Chicken - $5
2 cups of rice - $0.38
2 cups of beans - $0.60
tomato sauce - $0.43
2 tomatoes - $0.40 (purchased at Grocery Outlet 5/ $1)
9 tortillas - $0.63
Total - $7.44 to feed 6 people

I will round it off to $10 since I do not remember how much the cheese, bell peppers, onion or fajita seasoning cost.

I almost forgot to mention that there was left overs. I was able to make lunch for my husband to take to work. I still have some chicken left over that I use to make some flautas (taquitos).

Grocery List

Ok, so as I said yesterday, my weekly ads come in the mail on Tuesday. There are so many to go through, but the only 2 that I keep are for Safeway and Lucky.

This morning after I dropped off all the kids at school, I walked into my kitchen to evaluate what I have in my fridge/ freezer and my pantry cabinets.

My freezer is getting pretty bare. I had already taken out one package of chicken that I will cook tonight. I have one package of pork ribs, 4 packs of chicken breast and 2 packs of thinly sliced steak. I need to purchase some ground beef.

My cabinets probably look a lot like your's. I am not an overly organized person, but most items have a general location and I know exactly where to find everything that I need while cooking.

Next, I sat down and reviewed both the ads and went to work. Here it is.

At Grocery Outlet I have a budget of $25 for this coming week. We run out of fruit fast in our house. I generally do not buy a lot of chips, cookies and crackers and other sugary snacks, mainly because my weekly grocery bill would be much larger, and also because I do not like to give them a lot of junk food. So I will be stocking up on fruit and veggies.

My list at Grocery Outlet:
Bananas
Apples
Watermelon
Lettuce
Potatoes
Tomatoes
Carrots
Cabbage
Zucchini

My list at Safeway is:
Milk
Provolone cheese
Cheddar cheese
Heinz Ketchup
Mission soft tacos
Red Lobster Biscuit Mix
Pop Tarts
Ore-Ida French Fries
Safeway chicken and beef broth
Coke

My list at Lucky's is:
Kellogg's Cereal
Hidden Valley Ranch
Mt. Olive Pickles
Kinder's BBQ Sauce
Capri Sun
Ragu
Sunnyside Yogurt
Stouffer Lasagna
Sunnyside Coffee Cream
Lay's Chips
Sunnyside Hamburger Buns (free with my reward card)

All of this comes to approximately $106, which means that I have $13 to spend on the ground beef that I would like to buy and still be in budget.

One important rule that I have for myself is to take cash to the grocery store. If you bring your ATM or credit card it is to easy to go over your budget. And by writing out your list with dollar amount next to each item you are bound to stay in budget.

Also sign up for the rewards program, you will find a lot of good deals on the items that you like to purchase, this happens to be the only "coupon clipping" that I do.

I will be heading to the store on Friday, so that I can take advantage of the Safeway Friday deal on Lucerne Cheese.

On Friday I will post pictures of my shopping trip.

Getting started

I, like many of you have seen the tv shows and read the blogs on extreme couponing. But, lets be truthful with managing a household of 6 and everything that it entails and going to school part time, I do not have the time to spend hours a day looking for coupons.

I'll be honest, I did give it a try once upon a time ago, and it was a lot of work to save a few dollars each week. Then, sadly I found out that none of the stores in my area double coupons, so I was never going to see the extreme savings that I saw on tv. As I flip through the channels I come across those shows at times and watch, but I have yet to see someone save a great deal of money on the essentials that are consumed in my household.

I have been a stay home mom going on two years, it is the best and most exhausting job that I have ever encountered and I love it. I have learned a few tricks that I would like to share, now it is not foul prof and I am always looking for new suggestions on how to save at the grocery store.

Also, I would like you keep in mind that my weekly budget for a family of 6 is $120. From time to time I do go over my budget.

Here are my tips:

1) Set a day to go shopping
2) Check your mail for the weekly circular, my come in on Tuesday
3) Look at what you already have in the house and make a note of things that you need
4) Sit down with your ads and make your grocery list
5) Sign up for the store promotion cards, if you haven't already done so

I was hoping that I would be able to share with you my grocery list from last week, but I was unable to find it so it is safe to assume that it was tossed.

Here is a picture of what I did buy last week:

Grand total was $86.17

Now you have to keep in mind that I had a couple of weeks ago stocked up meats and milk, so that is why you do not see those items pictured here.

I always go to 3 stores:
1st stop Grocery Outlet
2nd stop Safeway
3rd stop Lucky's

I know what some of you might be thinking, " I can't believe you go to Grocery Outlet!" But they have the best prices on fruits and veggies, I usually put aside $20 to $25 to spend here.

Last week I bought 2 bags of Gala apples, cherries and two 3 lb. bags of bananas. Also on my list to buy, as requested by my husband, was a Stouffers Lasagna, and as I was heading to the register I passed the frozen section and spotted the lasagna for $12.99 and at the other stores they can cost up to $4 dollars more. This trip I did go over my $25 limit, but that was due to the lasagna.

At Safeway, I stocked up on tomato sauce, coffee, frozen pizza, eggos, ice cream, chorizo, jalepeno peppers, and blueberry and chocolate chip muffins. Here I spent $35

Lastly, at Lucky's I purchased my remaining items, syrup, cereal, chips, juice, sausage, green beans, etc. and spent $22

What I am planning to do with this blog is to take you step by step into my world of grocery shopping. I hope that I am able to help you stay on budget, and like I have said I am always looking for grocery saving tips.