March for babies

On May 9th, we will be walking the 3 mile walk for the march of dimes. This charity is very dear to us with our preemie daughter. The research they do helps many preemies survive and get better. Being 3 months early, Macey has had her troubles, but is catching up and even surpassing kids her age. Not bad for a baby who started out at 2 pounds. If you would like to make a donation or join us on our walk, feel free to click on the purple box on the right for more information.

This is what's for dinner tonight!

Ok, I was once like you and said "Really? Lentils?", but we tried them and like them. It is an easy alternative to cooking with ground beef. The best part is I don't have to remember to defrost anything! Just pull out of the cupboard and cook. It is also cheaper and healthier than making them with ground beef... and surprisingly just as tasty! But, shhhh don't tell my son, he thinks the lentils are ground beef. hehe

Lentil Burritos (taken from $5 dinners blog)

Ingredients
1 cup white or brown rice
1 cup lentils, any color
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
Salt/pepper
6-8 tortillas
1 cup shredded cheese

Directions
1. Cook rice. In saucepan, bring 2.5 cups of water or chicken broth to boil. Add 1 cup of white or brown rice. Return to boil. Cover and reduce heat to simmer. For white rice, cook for 20 minutes. For brown rice, cook for 50 minutes.
2. Cook lentils. In saucepan, add 1 cup of lentils plus water to cover lentils by an inch. Bring to boil and then reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, until lentils are soft. Drain any excess water.
3. Combine rice, lentils and can of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles. Stir in garlic powder, ground cumin, salt and pepper.

4. Lay tortillas (corn or flour…whichever you prefer!) out and spoon rice/lentil mixture into the tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese and roll up. Place burritos in 8×8 baking dish.
5. Place lentil burritos in a warm oven (250) for about 20 minutes, giving cheese time to melt. Don’t leave in too long or the tortillas will get crispy!
6. Serve

Kroger Triples Thru April 11!

Here is what I did:
Transaction 1
5 Frenchs mustard 1.00 (used 5 -.30 off) .10 ea
5 Frenchs spicy mustard 1.00 (used 5 -.50 off) FREE

Paid .50, received 5.00 OYNO coupons back

Transaction 2
1 lb ground chicken 1.39 (manager's special)
1 kashi frozen meal 4.99 (used free kashi meal) .90
5 land o lakes butter 2 stick packs 2.19 ea (used 5 - .50 off land o lakes butter) .69 ea
1 box crackers 1.89
1 5 lb bag Idaho potato 1.97
1 3 lb bag apples 2.99
3 tuna cans .80 (used .25) .05 ea
13 pillsbury pizza crust 1.25 (used 12 -.40 off) .05 ea
1 chocolate chip cookies 1.20
1 duncan chocolate cake mix 1.00 (used 1 -.35 off) FREE
2 ench. sauce 3.19 ea
1 dole pineapple chunks 1.00 (used 1 - .50 off) FREE
3 Ragu Pasta sauce 1.69 (used 3 - .30 off) .79 ea
1 Oscar meyer ham & cheese sandwich 2.50 (used free sandwich) FREE
3 betty crocker pouch potatoes (used 3 -.25 off) .25 ea

used 5.00 OYNO from previous transaction

paid 19.09 OOP (total savings 68.17 (78%))

Drug Store Deals Again!

CVS
2 5x7 enlargements of picture with the easter bunny 1.98
2 skintimate gel 3.49 x 2 = 6.98
1 bedtime story dvd 19.99
1 accuchek aviva meter 9.99
5 softsoap spa 4.49 ea
2 glucerna cereal 4.59 ea

ECBs used 1.99, 2.99, 3.49, 3.98, 10.00 and a 15 off 75 purchase

Coupons used 2 $5 glucerna coupons

1.49 on a gift card. Earned 9.99 ECB for meter and 6.98 ECB for gel...lost some ECBs, but had to roll them anyway 0.00 OOP!

Rite Aid
Did the good old fashioned monitor/$5 off $25 coupon deal... here's what I ended up with from two different stores

10 glucose monitors 30.00 ea
4 John Freida Friz Ease hair products 5.00 ea
5 Pudding .25 ea
1 Gain Detergent 4.99 ea
3 Venus Disposable Razor 3 packs 5.99 ea
4 Kraft Mac-n-cheese 1.79... bogo
1 Charmin 4 pack 2.99 ea
1 Bounty Paper Towel .99 ea
1 Rite Aid Tylenol 5.99 ea
1 snickers bar .88 ea
2 olay 2-packs 2.50 ea
2 Chef Boyardee Ravioli .99 ea
1 Charmin ultra 4 pack 2.99 ea

for a grand total of 5.49 and will receive $10 back in SCR for John Freida products
4.51 money maker!!!


Walgreens
One A Day Advantage 1.49
Paid 1.59 on gift card, will receive 1.49 plus 10% on gift card

Colgate 3.49
Paid 3.73 on gift card, received 3.50 in RR

Walmart
Coke 24 oz 1.38
3 Iams Dog Food 5.00 ea
2 winter coats for next year 5.00 ea
coupons
3 - $5 off Iams
1 free coke
Paid 11.78 OOP

Kroger
2 bread .78 ea
1 kroger soy sauce 1.29
1 ketchup 1.29
Paid 4.14 OOP

How to color eggs without a kit

What you will need -
* Cooled hard boiled eggs
* Vinegar (white, apple cider, any kind)
* Food coloring
* cups big enough to fit an egg plus enough water to cover the egg
* Spoon
* Crayons (optional)
* Container for holding the eggs once they're colored
* Newspaper and paper towels

Cover your work area with old newspaper or paper towels to keep the mess to a minimum.

If you chose to color with crayons on the eggs, do so before dipping them in the dye!

Place 1 teaspoon of vinegar in each cup or dipping container. Add about 1 cup of hot water to the vinegar (tap water is fine). Then add a few drops of food coloring to each container. Dip away.

Get creative and try tie dying them by making dots and letting them dry or 1/2 dipping the eggs. When dry, dip them in another color.

Come to my houseparty!

Guess what? I get to host a party through houseparty. It's a juicy juice party! Come sign up for the fun. If you might or might not be able to come, sign up and I will send you some coupons if you end up not making it... if they send me any! http://www.houseparty.com/party/115082