Monday, March 12, 2012

My Quest For A Healthier, Better ME!

 In my quest for a healthier and better me, I have been working on exercising daily and eating healthier. I refuse to count calories or points or anything else. I know what the right foods are and I know what the wrong ones are. I have been working really hard on eating MORE whole foods and LESS processed foods. I'm also doing that on a tight budget.

BREAKFAST
Protein shake:
vanilla whey powder
almond milk
spinach
flax seed meal
banana

SNACK
orange

LUNCH
oatmeal with:
almond milk
plum amazins
grapenuts


 
DINNER
Beef and broccoli with carrots
Harri covert
brown rice/bulgar wheat mix
Mixed greens salad:
tomato, red and green pepper,
pineapple, radish, scallion
pomegranate balsamic vinegar for dressing
Fat free skim milk to drink


DESSERT
Greek yogurt
grape fruit

Drank 90 oz. water throughout day

EXERCISE
Pilates
5 miles on treadmill
incline 6
1 mile in morning
1 mile at noon
3 miles late afternoon
1 mile worth of  sprints at 6.0 1/10 mile at a time

Please "like" my facebook fan page!!!

https://www.facebook.com/MelissMyTwoCents

Thursday, March 8, 2012

5 Walgreens Transactions. All FREE Plus PROFIT!


TRANSACTION #1


 Nasal spray on sale $5 with $5 RR back (FREE)
Toothpaste on sale $3 with $3 RR back (FREE)
Gum on sale 69 cents each (with in store coupon found in weekly circular)
Total retail $14.69
Total sale price $10.01
Used $8 RR **(4) $2 RR's**
Paid $2.01
Got back $8 ($3 and $5)
Making all of it free + $5.99 profit


TRANSACTION #2

See Transaction #1 details for prices
Total retail $12.02
Total sale price $8.54
Used $4 RR
Paid $4.54
Got back $8 RR ($3 and $5)
Making both FREE with $3.46 profit


TRANSACTION # 3
See Transaction #1 for prices
Razor on sale $9.99 with $4 RR back
Total retail $20.03
Total sale price $15.34
Used:
 $4 off razor coupon (from sunday paper)
$5 RR
Paid $6.34
Got back $7 RR ($3 and $4)
Making it all FREE with 66 cents profit

TRANSACTION #4


See Transaction #1 and for prices
Razor on sale $9.99 with $4 RR back
Total retail $20.03
Total sale price $15.34
Used:
 $4 off razor coupon (from sunday paper)
$5 RR
Paid $6.34
Got back $7 RR ($3 and $4)
Making it all FREE with 66 cents profit 

TRANSACTION #5 

 See transaction #1 for prices
Gaz-it modeling fun $1
Total retail $12.07
Total sale prices $7.88
Used (2) $3 RR
Paid $1.88
Got back $5 RR
Making it all FREE with $3.12 profit


All 5 transactions plus the one from yesterday came to:
Total retail $107.67
Paid $25.56
Got back $27 RR
Making ALL of it Free with  $1.44

I'd like to thank Walgreens GIVING me all of this stuff for free and PAYING me $1.44 on top of that!

This week I have a master plan in mind here. I have been rolling over and saving up my RR's so at the end of the week, I can buy 4 lbs of whey protein powder for FREE Retail value $40 on sale for $30. I already have $27 RR to put towards it and I will earn more tomorrow. 

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Chicken and Mixed Veggies in Brown sauce

I baked split chicken breasts the other night and used the leftover chicken in this dish. I didn't measure it, I just used what I had. I also used whatever veggies I had. I just eye ball the amounts to a ratio I like. You can use any meat you like and any combo of veggies for this dish.

You all know I love split chicken breasts because they are always on sale for 99 cents/lb. I baked  all the chicken at once and made a couple meals out of it. #1 baked chicken with gravy. #2 chicken salad #3 BBQ chicken (just for 2 lunches) and this dish. I pulled the chicken off the bone for the chicken salad, BBQ chicken and this chicken and veggies in brown sauce.

1 bottle of low sodium soy sauce (kikoman is the brand I like most by far)
3 TBSP corn starch
1-2 cups of water
3 TBSP brown sugar
3 cloves of garlic. minced or pressed, whatever you like
1 TBSP minced onion
1/2 tsp fresh ginger. crushed, minced, whatever you like
 Use as much or as little ginger as you like.
I cut 2 chunks of ginger and cook in sauce but remove before eating.
 I am not the biggest fan of ginger but without it, it doesn't taste right

Make this sauce your own. Use more or less of any of the ingredients.
This is just how we like it. The above recipe makes about 4-6 servings.
There are times when I doubled it to make more.

Cook all ingredients in pot on med heat then simmer until thickened. (corn starch needs to be cooked out)
Pour over meat and veggies and bake just to meld all ingredients together. 10-20 minutes @ 350


 I used frozen veggies in this dish. I use frozen veggies OFTEN. They go on sale all the time at our 3 local grocery stores for $1 and I try to keep stocked up. The broccoli I actually purchase mostly in bulk because we eat a lot of it. It is my Sons favorite. I always do the broccoli florets. I put all the veggies in a baking dish or any dish that is appropriate size and I defrost them in the microwave. This way they will never be over cooked and all the nutrients won't cook out. Also, I made this whole meal for about $10! That's about $1.70 cents per serving!

Tuesday Drugstore Deals

On sale at CVS for 99 cents with 99 cent ECB back
Paid $1.06 got 99 cent ECB back. 
It's like getting jelly beans for 7 cents.

WALGREENS

Razor on sale $9.99 with $4 RR back
Nasal mist on sale $5 with $5 RR back
Colgate on sale $3 with $3 RR back
Orange slices on sale 69 cents each (must use in store coupon in circular)
Skittles on clearance 69 cents

Total Retail $28.83
Total sale price $20.06
Used:
$4 off razor coupon (from sunday paper)
(3) $2 RR's
(2) $4 RR's
Paid $4.05
Got back $12 RR ($3, $4 and $5)
So I got all of the above for free + $7.95 profit

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

AWESOME! CVS Deals


TRANSACTION #1

CVS was running a sale: buy $20 worth of participating pet products and get $5 Extra Care Bucks (EBC) back
Beneful dog food on sale $4.50 (reg. $6.99)
Total Retail $14
Total sale price $9
Used (2) $2.50 off bag of beneful (from sunday paper)
AND $3 ECB from prior week
Paid $1.61
I only bought the 2 bags this time so I won't get the $5 EBC till I reach the $20 needed to earn it. Which I will do in my last transaction.


TRANSACTION #2
**NOTE: Please notice at the bottom of the above receipt my year to date savings are $223.05. My year to date spending is ONLY $168.52 Since January I have saved MORE than I spent out of pocket. To think that for years, I thought CVS was to expensive for me to even shop there at all is LAUGHABLE now! **

UP2U gum on sale 99 cents ea.(reg. $1.49 ea.)
Razor on sale $9.99 with $4 ECB back (reg. $12.79)
Total retail $16.27
Total sale price $11.97
Used $3.79 ECB (from week before)
(2) $1.00 off pack of gum  (from sunday paper)
$4 0ff razor (from sunday paper)
Paid $3.01
Got back $4 ECB

TRANSACTION #3
 
Beneful dog food on sale $4.50 ea. (reg $6.99)
Fructopia shampoo $2.50 ea. (reg. $3.39 ea.)
Candy on sale 2/$1 (reg. 87 cents ea.)
Total retail $32.97
Total sale price $21.50
Used: 
(3) $2.50 off bag of beneful (from sunday paper)
(2) $2.00 off bottle shampoo (from CVS in store coupon booklet) *found on rack where circulars are*
(3) 25 cent off 2 candy (from CVS in store coupon kiosk) *found in front of store*
$4 ECB
$1 ECB (from my CVS green bag tag) *need to purchase bag tag. you get $1 ECB every 4th time it's scanned*
Total paid $5.50
Got back $10 ECB (should have been $5 EBC but due to and thanks to error, it printed twice YAY me!)

 

Monday, March 5, 2012

Great Week Of Deals At Walgreens


This was an extreme week at Walgreens for me. They were running sales on things that I really wanted and needed and also on some thing I know I can turn around and sell. I also made bigger purchases than I normally do in a single transaction. I did this because I really wanted to make sure I got as many of these items as I could in the week they were running the sale. Our store is a small one so more often than not, they run out of the item I want within a few days of the sale start date. 

I have been so unorganized at home lately and I really wanted to blog each transaction right after I made them. However, nothing in my life seems to ever work out the way it's supposed to, no matter how well I plan it all out. So now that the week is over, I have a whole load of info to have to post at once. I also lost a receipt. I also didn't price check the reg. retail prices. I will give a round about price as best I can. I am so annoyed with myself right now lol So i am going to do my best to lay it all out minus the fine details. I am really working on getting my shit together and finding/making the time to blog more often. If anyone has any questions on further details, feel free to ask. I added the receipts this time so you could see the break down.

TRANSACTION #1
I started the week with $2 in RR (register rewards) 
 Bluscience on sale $10 with $10 RR  (reg price about $25)
On the go drink mix on sale $8 with $8 RR (reg price about $16 I think) 
Total Retail $ $41.98
Total sale price $19.22
Used  $2 RR
Paid $17.22
Got back $18 RR (10 and 8) 

TRANSACTION #2
Act on sale 2/$8 with $2 RR back (reg. about $5 each)
Ultimate Flora on sale $10 with $10 RR (reg. price $24.99)
Walgreens bags on sale $1.19 (must use in ad coupon) (reg. about $2.05 each)
Note: I love the quality of wags bags. I buy them as filler items even though I could just buy something for 10 cents and bring down my cost. Wags runs this same sale on bags ALL the time and I stock up every time. 
Wags only lets you use 1 coupon per item (RR is considered a coupon) so if you had 4 RR's and wanted to buy only 2 items but use all your RR's, you need to buy filler items. If you have 4 coupons you need to purchase 4 items. 
Another note: The ultimate flora rang up reg price but they refunded me. My prices below will be different from what the receipt says. 

Total retail $40.58
Total sale price $23.03
Used the $18 I had in RR ($10 and $8)
Total out of pocket $5.03
Got back $12 RR ($2 and $10)

TRANSACTION #3
Glade on sale $3.49 with $1.50 RR (reg. price unknown)
Melatonin on sale $4 with $4 RR (reg. price unknown)
Bags $1.19 each (reg. $2.05 each)
On the go on sale $8 with $8 RR (reg. $16)
Burts Bees cough drops on sale $1.99 with $2 RR (reg. unknown)
Spinner thingy (for Isabella) $1
Total retail $38.02
Total sale price $23.54
Used $12 RR and $2 off glade (from paper)
Paid $9.54
Got back $15.50 RR


TRANSACTION #4
Bags $1.19 each (reg. about $2 each)
Ultimate Flora $10 with $10 RR (reg. $24.99)
Razor on sale $9.99 with $4 RR back (reg $12.99)
Nivea lip balm on sale $2.99 with $2 RR 
Pez 37 cents hearts 12 cents (valentines clearance)
Total Retail $51.85
Total sale price $28.87
Used $15.50 in RR and $4 0ff razor (from Sunday paper)
Total paid $9.37
Got back $16 RR ($10, $4 and $2)

NOTE: I won't list prices for each item again unless they items that weren't mentioned above!

TRANSACTION #5
Conair Dryer on sale $17.99 (reg price unknown)
Total retail $44.21
Total sale price $29.32
Used $16 RR and $2 off glade (from sunday paper)
Paid $11.32
Got back $7.50 RR ($4, $2 and $1.50)

TRANSACTION #6
Total Retail $13.94
Total sale price $7
Used $6 RR NOTE: Still have $1.50 from last week that I didn't use here
Paid $3.96
Got back  $6 RR ($4 and $2)

TRANSACTION #7
Candy  on sale 2/$1
Total Retail $26.75
Total sale price $11.76
Used $10 RR
Paid $1.74
Got back $10 RR
Here is where filler items come in I used (3) RR's a $4, $4 and $2 since I wanted to use 3 I needed to buy 3 items!

TRANSACTION #8

Belvita breakfast biscuits on sale $2.99 with $2 RR back (reg. $3.99)
Total retail $75.99
Total sale price $41.51
Used $10 RR and $4 off razor (from sunday paper)
Paid $27.51
Got back $25.50 RR
NOTE: This was one of my larger transactions. If you go with fewer items at a time using as many RR's as you can, your out of pocket prices will be so much lower. I had to do this because the week was almost over so it was my last chance to stock up on these needed items.

TRANSACTION #9
All candy on clearance and bought as filler items. I will not list each price, they are on receipt
Total retail $42.77
Total sale price $16.82
Used $13.50 RR 
Paid $3.32
Got back $12 RR

TRANSACTION #10
Total retail $58.36
Total sale price $34.48
Used $20 RR
Paid $14.48
Got back $21.50 RR

TRANSACTION #11
Total retail $20.91
Total sale price $16.91
Used $12.50 RR and $4 off razor (from sunday paper)
Paid $1.41
Got back $8 RR

TRANSACTION #12
Total Retail $4.05
Total sale price $3.05
Used $2 RR
Paid $1.05
Got back $2 RR

 After all was said and done this week I spent $105.95 and got back the $22 RR shown in above picture
That's like paying $83.95 for $414.27 worth of stuff.
The $22 RR will be rolled over in this weeks sales. Unfortunately, there aren't as many items on sale this week that I need or want. 
Also note that most of the items I bought were needed items. Household, vitamins/supplements, beauty supplies, food, hair dryer that was needed to replace mine (it just broke) and a FEW goodies.
FYI I never heard of those Belvita breakfast biscuits. They are really really good. Everyone is my house loved them. This is the kind of thing I love about Wags and CVS. I get to try new things for a fraction of the price.



Thursday, March 1, 2012

Save Your Veggie Scraps For Soup Stock

While I am on the topic of soup, I should give you this little tip that I LOVE!
When I was younger I have the privilege of living with my Aunt and Uncle for a while and spending summers at their house. My Aunt was a bit of a health freak to say the least and very big on nutrition and making everything from scratch. I learned a lot of tips and recipes from her that I still use today 20 years later. My Creamy Corn Chowder is actually her recipe. They had a garden and ate a ton of fresh veggies. She would save all veggie scraps for cutting, ends, peels, seeds, etc or a veggie that was going to go bad before it could be used. She would throw all these veggies in a ziploc or clean (of course) garbage bag and pop them into the freezer. Each time she had more, she would add to the bag. I use a garbage bag. When she had enough veggies frozen and saved up, she would dump them into a stock pot, fill it with water and let it simmer away for the most AMAZING veggie stock. You can also use these with bones of whatever meat/poultry and make whatever kind of stock you want.

I also freeze carcases, bones and scraps from meats/ poultry so they will keep until I am ready to use them. I also do this in a garbage bag. I do it in it's own bag though so I have my choice for a veggie only stock if I want. I don't eat much meat and prefer veggie stock anyway. I crush all of it down as much as I can before putting it in the bag, to save space in my freezer. It will keep for a long time. I don't want to or can't always make stock as soon as I have the bones etc ready for it so this is a really great tip.

Once the stock was finished and cooled, she would fill a bunch of containers or even ziploc bags and freeze those. I like to use a bunch of assorted size containers AND bags. Some of them very small, only fitting a cup or 2 cups or even just a half cup of stock. I do this because you can take out a little or a lot as needed. This stock is not just good for soup bases. You can cook your rice in it, instead of plain water for extra flavor. You can also add small amounts to sauces. Use small amounts to deglaze pans for a pan sauce. Use it in gravy instead of water for flavor. Boil pasta in it for a tasty side dish or to amp up whatever pasta dish you are making. There are really an endless amount of possibilities for this gem.It's so easy and saves on cost and it's a lot more healthy for you than any stock you can buy. Saves time too when you always have it frozen and on hand.

I love this idea so much that my Mom bought me a 16 quart stock pot for my 16th Birthday. I still have that pot and I use it all the time.

CREAMY CORN CHOWDER

A friend requested the recipe for my creamy corn chowder, so here it is.
A lot of people cringe when I mention this soup. I have to admit that I did too when I first heard of it. I am also not really a big soup eater. That being said, the minute I tasted it, I was in love. It has been one of my favorites and I crave it often. I love pairing it with grilled cheese on whole wheat. I break up the sandwich and throw it right in my bowl. My husband is more of a dipper. I also like to sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on it as well. Try that out.

INGREDIENTS:


3 small potatoes
diced into 1/2 inch cubes

2 cups boiling water

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 medium onion

2 TBSP. butter

1 3/4 cups fresh, frozen or canned corn
about 1 pkg if frozen
if you use canned, drain well

2 TBSP sliced canned, jarred or fresh pimento *optional*

2 cups of milk

1/2 cup half and half

1 TBSP. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. Paprika

salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook potatoes in boiling water and salt until tender. About 20 min. Drain.

2. Saute onion in butter until tender.

3. Stir onions into potato, corn, pimento, milk, half and half, brown sugar and paprika. Salt and pepper to taste.

4. Simmer 20 to 30 min longer until soup is thickened.

So that is the original recipe but of course, I like to stray off the beaten path and make it my own. This is really the kind of soup that you can make to your liking. I have no idea how many servings this recipe makes but I do know that it is not enough for me. I make at least double and I freeze a bunch of it. I also don't use the same ratio's of ingredients. I like my soup thick, chunky and hearty,  with lots or corn, potatoes and onion and not so much broth. Now I sure don't measure water to boil potatoes lol Sometimes if I have a vegetable stock made or frozen, I use that instead of water to boil potatoes for extra flavor. I also like this soup to be sweet and spicy which it kind of is on it's own but I amp it up a bit. I use a bit more sugar, paprika and pepper, lots of pepper. I do this little by little, tasting each time until I like the way it tastes.

On a side note. Cream does not agree so I would rather not use the half and half at all. The majority of the time that I make this soup, I use a rue. Equal amounts of butter and flour that you cook off in the pot first then add the milk and simmer for a few min before adding any of the other ingredients. I also use fat free skim milk. This also cuts calories :)