Update on Couponing

Well, I tried it...more than once.  And while I'm not extreme, I have definitely filled our pantry and saved a lot of money in the process.  For those of you out there that are considering using coupons I figured I would come up with some Peaks and Pits for you.  I'm no expert, but I have gotten better about it and more organized, which saves me A LOT of time.  Will I be able to do this consistently? Probably not once school starts...but for me it's a challenge and I actually enjoy it.  Gasp!

Peaks:

• Having a well-stocked pantry before school starts back up
• Stocking up on items I need for my frozen food frenzy in October
• Not having to run to the store and pay a ridiculous price for something I really need for a recipe
• Saving $ - In two trips I've paid $160 for about $320 worth of groceries.  My husband commented the other day, "dang our bank account is looking better and better what do you think that's from?"...hmmmmm maybe it's the clipping, and the organizing, and the not running down the road to the store because we have to have guacamole with our dinner and spending $25 on the ingredients because the local store is price gouging. 
• The skills I'm perfecting will come in handy with kids someday

Pits (more like rants):

• Extreme couponing (like the tv show) is NOT real life.  In real life, you go to the store and you have to buy other things as well.  My husband eats sandwiches for lunch, while I try to buy deli meat when it's on sale, I still have to get some about once a week. And cheese, and bread, and milk and other things that are on sale.  So yes, while I could probably go to the store and save 98% and walk out with 500 bottles of Powerade, I think I'll pass.  Plus who needs that much Powerade??? Which leads me to my next "pit"
• I hate it when people clear out the shelves.  It drives me absolutely INSANE.  I live about25 minutes from the large town nearby that has a lot of the stores that double coupons and has a Walgreens.  Just because you can get the body wash for free doesn't mean that you need all 100 that are on the shelf and in the back of the store.  I've learned that ads come out on Tuesday nights.  Apparently if you are not in the store by 6 am the next day (day after Thanksgiving style) you will not get that body wash.  And honestly I don't need body wash enough to haul my happy butt from store to store trying to get my hands on it.  This my friends, is for those that have no life, and have probably cleared out the shelves in those other stores anyway.  Why waste my gas?
• The TV show has people in a tizzy! Disclaimer: I have always desired to use coupons.  My mom used them growing up and I mentioned using them when we got married then didn't get around to it...i.e. got lazy.  So before you jump on me and say "well you only coupon because of the show"...you're only partially right...The show intrigued me, and a lovely book I ordered taught me the skills I need to know to save $.  The book is realistic.  Unless you live in the city and have the time during the day, every day, to check local stores, there is NO WAY you will see more than 30-50% savings.  I hit the 60% mark my first trip...but haven't since and it doesn't bother me! Yes I said it.  I'm really happy that the time I have spent clipping, organizing, and making my shopping list has led to 50% savings in groceries.  Pumped.  Elated.  Dancing while I put away my groceries...
• Another reason why the show isn't real life...I'm going to say this in the kindest way possible...The stores are letting them get away with big no-no's for publicity.  If you look on most coupons it says "Limit 4 Per Transaction"...And a lot of stores say "Limit 3 per customer" for items that are on super sale.  So these stores that are letting people come in and buy 150 boxes of Excedrin (which seriously, I know they donate a lot of that stuff, but golly if I had that many headaches maybe I would rethink couponing) are really just doing it for the show. 
• People stealing inserts out of the newspapers.  Seriously? Seriously?? If you can't pay $1.50 for a newspaper and STEAL the inserts out of it...you are seriously bordering on Kathy Bates in Misery.  I don't pay for my inserts, but I sure as heck don't steal them!  I have family and friends that get the Sunday paper that don't coupon.  But when I do need to go buy a Sunday paper, I would like for my inserts to be there, it's not too much to ask I don't think...

So there you have it...my thoughts on couponing.  I'll probably keep doing it, but I'm not going to devote my life to it like a full time job.  I just have too many other things I enjoy...

Easy Tuna Salad + Why It's Hard to "Recipe"

Yes I'm alive.  To all 7 of you who were wondering, things have just been a little crazy around here lately.  I've been working on building my invitation business and between that, coaching, and trying to keep the house clean, I haven't had much time to "recipe"...And speaking of that, I am finding it more and more difficult to write recipes.  I struggle because most of the things I make on a daily basis don't involve recipes, I just "know" what is good.  That's the thing about cooking...I really feel like anyone can cook with a recipe, but it does take time to develop skills in order to know what flavors taste good together.  I am still learning that every day, and it will never get old.  I didn't go to culinery school, but I can tell you what my grandma did...problem is, my grandma doesn't go by recipes either.  So therein-lies the problem. 

I don't bake a lot of sweets, it just isn't my thing.  I love salty savory dishes, and by the time I sufficiently stuff myself on my meal, there is literally no room for dessert.  Although there is that sick twisted game I play with myself when it comes to snacks, like "oh I just ate that entire bag of salty chips, I have to balance it out with something sweet"...and back and forth I go until I'm unbuttoning my pants.  It ain't pretty... Anyway, back to the savory dishes...with savory, I don't really feel like a recipe is absolutely necessary.  Unlike desserts, where if you add the tiniest bit too much salt you end up with chocolate chip cookies that make your dad cringe.  Just a little side note: If you are 10 years old and making cookies alone for the first time...pay attention.  1/2 teaspoon and 1/2 cup are NOT interchangeable when it comes to salt.  Thankfully I have the best dad, that said..."Yummmmm, but I think they might be a little on the salty side"...Oh well.  Lesson learned!

To get back on track, this is why I enjoy making savory meals (hence the name of this blog)...I throw out a dessert every once in awhile, but it's rare.  And it usually involves something seasonal, like berries,or happens to fall around a holiday.  The reason I love savory dinners are because there's not much science to it, except my tastebuds.  So I'm going to try REALLY hard to write recipes for my favorite things, things I make probably a little differently each time.  But don't be surprised if there is more emphasis on technique and taste, than actual recipes.  It's really all about how it tastes after all. 

Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Printable Recipe

Yield: about 2 sandwiches
Ingredients:
1 can chunk light tuna in water (drained)
1 hard boiled egg
1/4 cup mayonaisse
salt and pepper to taste
splash of lemon juice

bread
lettuce
tomato (if you don't notice the tomato in the picture that's because it is missing.  Because I am holding out for fresh tomatos from the garden.  It's very difficult)
extra mayo
Directions:
1.  Peel the egg and chop it up.  I like the egg very finely chopped, so if I'm making a big batch I usually pulse the eggs in the food processor.  If I am making 1-2 sandwiches, I usually press my fork into the chopped egs to mash them up.
2.  Mix all the rest of the ingredients together, adding more of each depending on your taste.  If you have a little bit of celery this is delicious finely chopped and added in.  Refridgerate until ready to use.
3.  Make your sandwich.