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.

Extreme Couponing...Could I Tackle It?

Seriously, have you guys seen the episodes on TLC?? If you haven't, the next time you pass by the channel, stop and watch.  Even for just five minutes, please, watch the train wreck.  It's so completely entertaining and yet really intriguing all at the same time.  I find myself saying things under my breath like, "Holy Cow, that woman is nutso." and "seriously, who needs 100 bags of croutons??"  But then I also catch my nerd brain thinking, "I could soooooo do this."  Definitely not to the extent that all of these women (+ 1 man I've seen) go to, but even just a little bit to save some money.  For me, being a math teacher, I like numbers.  Numbers are fun.  Say it with me! No?? Ok... I guess to me this whole idea of couponing is a challenge.  A challenge to see if I can beat the system and save money. 

One of the major rules of couponing is not to buy things just because they are on sale.  Ummmmmm, I'm the girl that used to buy (key word used to!) two of the same shirt at Gap in different colors just for the "buy one get one 1/2 off"...I know.  I'm ashamed.  So I was a little worried about having that problem.  But honestly, I haven't done that in years.  You see, there's something that happens when you get married.  It's a little thing called a financial conscience.  And I have one.  I get horrible buyers remorse now, way more than ever before.  So I don't think I would have any problem not buying 50 bags of Cheetos just because I have a coupon for it. 

I think the one thing that attracts me to it is the giving aspect of it.  Some of these women go straight from the grocery store to the food pantry and drop off food that they have just purchased gotten for practically pennies.  It would be an amazing feeling to not only be able to help out those in need, but just to be able to give family and friends a few things now and then.  If you can get it for free why not?

Now there's a science to it, and I'm definitely still learning, but I think it's safe to say that this wifey is officially going to attempt it.  I plan to start small though...very small.  Because seriously who gets 50 bags of free cat food without even having a cat?!?

2-Way Kabobs

While I've been doing the Boot Camp Challenge, I have been trying to incorporate some healthier alternatives to my cooking, while still giving the hubs what he desires...meat and potatoes.  So I came up with this marinade, and just changed one ingredient in the marinade to switch from beef to chicken, and it was fantastic!

A few tips to the perfect kabobs.  And look, I'm no expert, but I have seen a few things here or there on the food network...and the fab chefs on that channel have been doing this stuff for a long time, and I'm a very trusting individual.  Makes for a great relationship.  First thing is if you are planning on using wooden skewers, make sure you soak them first.  This will ensure that the skewers won't burn.  Yes, I soaked my skewers in my develled egg tray.  Don't hate.  I'm resourceful.

Next you want to mix up the marinade...super simple just whisk it together.  I believe that this one was the beer marinade.

Once you are finished mixing the marinade, pour it over your chopped meat and veggies.  The bottom container is our Foodsaver quick marinade container (love this! marinade in about 15 minutes, what would normally take 12-24 hrs!) and the top bag is the chicken.  I knew that the chicken would not take as much time to marinade as the beef. 

In the meantime, I parboiled some red potatoes for a few minutes, then cooled and quartered them.  Once Timothy was home from the farm and got the grill going (it's a fine art) I skewered them and had them ready to grill.  I never did get a good picture of the chicken kabobs (there's nothing good about the lighting at 9 pm) but they were WONDERFUL! There was something about the honey and the grilled pineapple that was killer!  Hope you enjoy these kabobs, I'm interested to see what vegetables you choose to use!

Easy Steak Kabobs
printable recipe
makes 6-10 kabobs

Marinade Ingredients:
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp spicy brown mustard
2 cloves garlic minced
cracked black pepper
red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:
Whisk all ingredients together and pour over 1 lb of chunked sirloin along with vegetables of your choice.  I used red onion, green pepper, and red potatoes.  Marinade for 12+ hours.

**For chicken kabobs, replace the worcestershire sauce with honey, and the spicy brown mustard with dijon mustard.  With the chicken kabobs instead of potatoes I used pineapple. Yum!

My Crazy Life + Updates on Getting Clean and Staying Clean!

Whew life is super crazy right now.  I thought that once basketball season was over I would be ready to rock and roll when it came to cooking, cleaning, and all that jazz.  Turns out, I decided to do another round of boot camp.  Crazy I know, but my butt and thighs are thanking me, and so are my pants that were getting too tight.  So my schedule right now is pretty much the same as it was during basketball.  But I am happy to report that the hubs and I are working together to keep a spotless cleaner house.  We do laundry each day, we pick up after ourselves (what a concept), and we take time on the weekends to work together to get some stuff done. And for that, we are happier, and closer than ever before...

Today I am thankful for my husband, who I heard doing dishes at 5:30 am.  LOVE HIM!!

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor - Ecclesiastes 4:9

New Additions

Nope, not the additions some of you are thinking about.  But there will be some new additions to this blog starting in the next few weeks.  Monday the 14th, my great friend Tanna and I are starting the Boot Camp Challenge in Columbia.  I completed this challenge (twice, what was I thinking??) before I got married in 2009.  I absolutely loved it.  My roommate and other great friend Kelly got me hooked on it after she completed the program.  Now don't get me wrong, it's grueling.  But the group workouts and the fact that I paid money for the program really help me to push through it.  And I'm hoping for the same results as I had the last time. 

Here's the conflict I have.  We all know how "down home, meat and potatoes" my lovely husband is.  But I don't have much of a choice when it comes to food during this program.  Not only do I have to eat healthier, but I have to log it.  Online.  For the instructor to see.  And if I don't, well let's just say it ain't pretty.  I can't be making creamy casseroles and using my beloved cream cheese in every dish anymore.  While I am a firm believer in all things in moderation, let's get real, it's hard to "moderate" when you have a steak and mashed potatoes sitting in front of you.  So I'm going to be adding some healthier meals to the blog.  I know that healthy can be delicious, but the last time I did the boot camp program before we got married, I was still living on my own.  This time will be different because I still love to cook for my husband, so this may be more difficult to balance.

Now, I know what you are all thinking.  Make him eat what you are eating.  And if he doesn't like it, tough.  There in lies the problem.  He likes "big salad night", so that's a plus.  But he likes his salad with tons of ranch dressing...negative.  He likes fish, such as salmon and tilapia.  But he likes it with a side of something really starchy and about 10 garlic cheddar biscuits.  Yes the man can eat about 10 by himself.  He doesn't mind roasted pork, or chicken breast.  But he likes it with a huge side of mashed potatoes and rolls. 

I married a farm boy.  I knew what I was getting all along, this is no surprise.  But I'm challenging myself to incorporate healthy options while still making my husband's stomach happy.  In the meantime, I'm doing a lot of research and jotting down recipes.  To my blogger friends, do you have any ideas on how to be healthy but not sacrifice taste????

Chicken Spaghetti

Ok, so it has definitely been awhile.  Finally done with basketball and the craziness of the past two months.  I am excited to get back in the kitchen and work on some new stuff.  I will admit, the recipes may not be as frequent, but I hope to get back in the swing of things very soon.  On to the casserole! 

For some reason, my husband just cannot get enough of this casserole.  It's really good, trust me, but while I'd much rather go for a great salad with feta cheese he could eat this every other day (with meat and potatoes being the other days of course.) 

Chicken Spaghetti
Printable Recipe

Yield: 10-12 servings
Ingredients:
3 cups cooked chicken
3 cups broken spaghetti
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely diced green pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
1 jar (4 oz) pimentos, drained
2 cups chicken broth (I use the broth from my chicken)
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).  Cook 1 cut up fryer and pick out the meat to make three cups. If you don't have a cut up fryer chicken, you can substitute any chicken pieces (sometimes I just use breast meat).  Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth (or in boiling water) until al dente. Do not overcook. When spaghetti is cooked, combine with remaining ingredients except 1 cup sharp cheddar.  Spread mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cup of cheese on top and bake for another 15 minutes.  Another option is to go ahead and sprinkle with cheese just be careful the cheese doesn't burn, if it starts to turn, just cover with foil.

Freezing Instructions:
Prepare casserole, add cheese to top of casserole but do not bake.  Cover tightly with aluminum foil and freeze up to three months.  Allow casserole to defrost and bake as directed.

Adapted from All Recipes