tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36040867478855635282024-03-12T19:21:28.112-07:00Joy's Dumb DealsJoy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.comBlogger523125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-78642522608690550282011-02-07T14:24:00.001-08:002011-03-14T11:37:08.846-07:00Seattle Resources<div style="text-align: center;">In case you hadn't noticed, in the last 5 months or so I am now finding myself with very limited time for posting. I am still couponing of course. It just takes a really long time to search the blog world, compile lists, get my coupons printed and/or cut, sort them by store, pack up 2 monkeys, shop, come home, take pictures, and THEN post. Since I cannot possibly cut back on the shopping aspect (translation: I'm an addict) I have decided that blogging will have to wait a bit.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I have found a few resources for stores here in the Seattle area that I look up every week to help me decide which stores I'll hit and what I'll get there. Hope this helps!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Nationwide Stores</b></div><div><b>Rite Aid</b>: <a href="http://hip2save.com/save-money-with/rite-aid-deals-rite-aid-coupons">hip2save</a> (sales run Sun-Sat)</div><div><b>Walgreens:</b> <a href="http://hip2save.com/save-money-with/walgreens-deals-walgreens-coupons">hip2save</a> (Sun-Sat)</div><div><b>Target</b>:<a href="http://hip2save.com/save-money-with/target-deals-target-coupons"> hip2save</a> (Sun-Sat)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Seattle Area Stores</b></div><div><b>Albertsons:</b> <a href="http://couponconnectionsnw.com/category/albertsons/">couponconnectionsnw</a> or <a href="http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159736">pinchingyourpennies</a> (Wed-Tues)</div><div><b>Safeway</b>:<a href="http://www.couponconnections.com/category/safeway/"> couponconnectionsnw</a> or <a href="http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159735">pinchingyourpennies</a> (Wed-Tues)</div><div><b>QFC:</b> <a href="http://couponconnectionsnw.com/category/qfc/">couponconnectionsnw</a> (Wed-Tues)</div><div><b>Top Foods:</b> <a href="http://couponconnectionsnw.com/category/top-foods/">couponconncetionsnw</a> (Wed-Tues)</div><div><b>Fred Meyer:</b> <a href="http://couponconnectionsnw.com/category/fred-meyer/">couponconncetionsnw</a> or <a href="http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=65">pinchingyourpennies</a> (Sun-Sat)</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Shopping!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-34327803017275412312011-01-03T15:41:00.000-08:002011-01-03T16:13:28.014-08:00Thai Green Curry Deliciousness<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">Oh man. We just had the best curry I've had in a while. This was super good and super easy. The prep is less than a 1/2 hour for some fly food. (Yes, I just said "fly.") You could easily leave out the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">crockpot</span> step at the end and eat it after it simmered for 10 minutes or so. The original didn't call for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">crockpot</span>, but it really melded all of the flavors together.</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViXoG-juAnj5CkhWBKX-b2hAmsrhlq9HcHWnWmHo3aPJG-chEygLFOW8WIElBonwMqOzlZ86LiYFl-CyvII3O87bQuxPV7w5KHLZ1pws2UbS5M2RJqrfAsFVhe1qDnOYYbPAjNNQDDTn9/s1600/DSC_1985.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViXoG-juAnj5CkhWBKX-b2hAmsrhlq9HcHWnWmHo3aPJG-chEygLFOW8WIElBonwMqOzlZ86LiYFl-CyvII3O87bQuxPV7w5KHLZ1pws2UbS5M2RJqrfAsFVhe1qDnOYYbPAjNNQDDTn9/s320/DSC_1985.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558115054100425714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Thai Green Curry Deliciousness </span></b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; "><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(thank you Chef Ashley)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ingredients:</b><br /><div><div><div><ul><li>2-3 potatoes</li><li>2 cans coconut milk</li><li>about 2 T green curry paste (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">i'm</span> not sure how much I put in. I started at a bit over 1 and just kept adding. I used Thai <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Kitchen's paste</span>)</li><li>couple pounds raw chicken breast, sliced super thin</li><li>1/4 c brown sugar</li><li>1/4 c fish sauce</li><li>a shake or two of basil</li><li>a bay leaf or two</li><li>red pepper flakes to taste- however spicy you want it.</li><li>1 mini can of bamboo shoots, sliced the long way</li><li>1/4 c or so of cashew pieces</li></ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div></div><div><ol><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Undercook</span> the potatoes in the microwave. You don't want them so done that they're crumbly or they'll fall apart while you're cooking. Peel and cube them when they cool down a bit.</li><li>Scoop off some of the thick creamy part of the coconut milk, like 1/5 of each can, and combine it with the curry paste in a large skillet,</li><li>Add in the chicken breast and cook until cooked through.</li><li>Dump in the rest of the milk and simmer until it thickens up a bit. The one problem with mine was how runny it was. If I just boiled it longer here I'm sure that would have taken care of that.</li><li>Add in the rest of the ingredients</li><li>Put in a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">crockpot</span> on low for a few hours. I put it in for about 4 hours and it turned out so flavorful. I love having meals to eat right when I get home from church!</li></ol><div style="text-align: center;">Serve over Jasmine rice. 2 c uncooked rice was about the right ratio for the curry.</div><div><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ashley made this with red curry paste, omitted the cashews (you wouldn't have to) and added1 tsp or so of creamy peanut butter. </div></div><div><br /></div></div></span>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-40846423533126061462010-11-12T11:21:00.000-08:002010-11-12T14:55:00.733-08:00QFC Deals<div><div style="text-align: center;">We're here in Washington. It is super. I've been having a WONDERFUL time learning the new stores around here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After researching around a bit, I've discovered that QFC is a Kroger store. While they do have the same general promotions they tend to be a little more on some of the items than Smiths.</div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoqIc2PUvVCj4w_15VoBnAPE2L10Gt0r-F6bm3dMYBAuNP5OoAXXKl6NPX0Zn5LhCb6Qo148t-eTbILJEjWjMb1wZcxfIqM_BFcLFq7ZWcvZ929aiN-WxGXEvyTEnioYiRIF78aStKaE/s1600/DSC_1877.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoqIc2PUvVCj4w_15VoBnAPE2L10Gt0r-F6bm3dMYBAuNP5OoAXXKl6NPX0Zn5LhCb6Qo148t-eTbILJEjWjMb1wZcxfIqM_BFcLFq7ZWcvZ929aiN-WxGXEvyTEnioYiRIF78aStKaE/s320/DSC_1877.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538791115872780098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Retails: $88.05</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Total Spent: $25.53</span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Percent Off: 71%</span></b> </div><div><br /></div><div>How did I do it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">QFC has a promotion: Buy 10 Mega Event items, get $5 off instantly, meaning $.50 per item. This is the 2nd week of the sale and darn it all, some of the items are a little more this week.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are a few of the printables. For more deals, check out the <a href="http://thecouponproject.com/2010/11/hot-diggity-deals-at-qfc.html">Coupon Project</a>, although this is from last week, so some of the prices have risen.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Campbells Cream of Mushroom or Chicken Soup, reg. $1.29</b></div><div>- on sale for $1.25/$.75 when you buy 10</div><div>- use <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); line-height: 28px; "><a href="http://www.campbellskitchen.com/coupon.aspx" target="_blank" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(58, 156, 161); ">$1.50/3 printable coupon</a></span>. Print twice.</div><div><i>- $.25!!!</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Stovetop Stuffing, reg. $2.29</b></div><div>- on sale $1.50/$1 wyb 10</div><div>- use <a href="http://coupons.target.com/mcp/pd.cfm?encp=bw3Edh8NsU3vzmfu%2BCqxk1gE5kAdfbx6dC45DH8m6FuvNQDwYVl3xOH31DkRj79yzb%2BSNmiA403I%0D%0AJRA3iOvI62%2BmjbHP208muBF0e9QzIwZlW4ftgf6Zcdh7Tn3Tou4OEz3QhnINWEXBz9YFOOOScA%3D%3D">$.50/2 coupon</a></div><div><i>- $.75 each!!</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta, reg. $2.39</b></div><div>- on sale $1.49/$.99 wyb 10</div><div>- use <a href="http://www.itpaystoeatpasta.com/coupons.cfm">$1/2 coupon</a>. Print twice.</div><div><i>- $.49!!!</i></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, this Saturday and Sunday only a <b>2 lb of Tillamook cheese is $2.99</b>! Crazy low! There's a limit of 1 per person.</div></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-85889385843432655132010-10-23T20:47:00.000-07:002010-10-23T21:30:59.757-07:00Guess What, I'm Moving!<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ipXu76Cmj9JKDM:b" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After over a decade, I am leaving Provo. It is a happy move- Matt got a job! Hooray! It's hard for me to think of life away from Utah but we're looking forward to this next stage in our lives.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I will still be blogging, although probably not so much in the next few weeks as he starts his job VERY soon and we aren't exactly "packed." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCcLaeS-1m_8CWOPwxTEVBU9wI8no1qqcl4DT-Jdq7MsJlfWo&t=1&usg=__-mp1Ge4sM2P2NV2Xct7S_O9lP8s=" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are moving back home to Washington where I'm excited to find new resources for grocery shopping. Anyone from Western Washington have some great match-up sites? I've spent some time looking and haven't been too impressed with any sites for QFC, Fred Meyer, Safeway and others.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyways, thanks for being patient with me as my life gets completely out of balance for a while. Must be because I'm always so on top of things and am super prepared. Yikes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Incidentally, how many bottles of hairspray am I allowed to pack before it becomes ridiculous? What about toothpaste? Shampoo? Soap? Just wondering.</div><div><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-14210800710932345652010-10-21T13:33:00.000-07:002010-10-21T14:14:23.606-07:00Chicken Breast $1.29/lb, 5 cent/lb Pumpkins- Buy Low<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRBmyR4unjvw9NHtggoxM4tfaEobd36tE6287TKpyPYMnxo-pI&t=1&usg=__krnC7arxWbKp95FeenSz08qNXmE=" /></div><div><br /></div>I looked through Buy Low's ad today and in addition to their great produce prices, I was impressed with a few things:<div><ul><li><b>Pumpkins are 5 cents/pound yesterday and today only</b> (Wed and Thurs). The cheapest price I've seen is 8 cents/pound at Winco.</li><li>Fresh Boneless, Skinless <b>Chicken Breast is $1.29/lb Friday and Saturday</b> only. Their chicken breast are HUGE and do require some trimming of fat, but it's not bad. One breast is about a pound. Crazy big. We usually use 1 pound for a meal so I put each breast in a sandwich baggy and put them all in a gallon freezer baggy. It's the easiest way I've found of freezing chicken breast. This is a great price by the way. I haven't seen boneless chicken breast under $1.50 in a LONG time.</li><li><b>Chex Mix, Bugles, or Gardetto's</b> are on sale for $.98. With these $.50 coupons below they are <b>only $.48.</b> These are always nice to have on hand for all the end of year parties coming up. Oh and FYI: Those chocolate covered Bugles are deadly- <i>SO</i> good. Coupons: <a href="http://www.pillsbury.com/coupons-promotions/">Pillsbury</a>, <a href="http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=13306&zid=iq37&nid=10&bid=alk10211310017fbfc96381913">Coupons.com</a>, and <a href="http://coupons.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=5S2ZUA6PWPEPO">Smartsource.com</a></li><li><b>Campbells Chunky Soups </b>are $.99. <a href="http://www.campbellskitchen.com/Coupon.aspx">Campbell's website</a> has a bunch of $.50 coupons, making them <b>$.49 each. </b></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><i>check out </i><a href="http://www.buylowmarket-utah.com/cms/managed/specials/1287589670_WBYLW1020P14V5F.pdf"><i>here</i></a><i> to see their ad.</i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-75389686792347222422010-10-21T13:20:00.001-07:002010-10-21T13:29:41.743-07:00Getting Rain Checks<div><div style="text-align: center;">A few weeks ago Rite Aid had a killer price on diapers and my Rite Aid was out. Of course. Instead of calling all over the valley and driving to Timbuktu to get them I got a rain check.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My diapers finally came in yesterday and I picked them up this morning.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzo9yANDtH8JcovGqHvYeo8fV7oFkJbT1Hq6aKtkYN47IwOVXu5a7tRWd2nNWKQqfQBhfXVxWi8EiNwlMX6oO2ZGo78MITbJwFOpSJdTSfstGItZOFWzO1E7qkHQoNjxTVprH6yb4HPk/s1600/DSC_1854.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzo9yANDtH8JcovGqHvYeo8fV7oFkJbT1Hq6aKtkYN47IwOVXu5a7tRWd2nNWKQqfQBhfXVxWi8EiNwlMX6oO2ZGo78MITbJwFOpSJdTSfstGItZOFWzO1E7qkHQoNjxTVprH6yb4HPk/s320/DSC_1854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530598480801694818" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Why am I telling you this? Two reasons:</div><div><ol><li>to brag about my great deal</li><li>to tell you to ask about rain checks whenever what you want isn't on the shelves. You can't always get one, depending on the way the sale's set up, but it is so much nicer if you can.</li></ol><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These 6 packs of diapers would have </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">retailed for about $75 and I spent about $18. That's about 75% off! </span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They couldn't have come in at a better time as I had like 5 diapers left.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Money Left for the Month: $133.30</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-16358101616658741762010-10-18T21:53:00.000-07:002010-10-19T07:59:12.543-07:00What to do with Cream Cheese?<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQFXii1p0jfgFmaCGnnssSluBCFJqJHxvlhFGvMWKGvbWxjt0EMQEfMoHwqqh-ZrCuQHopmvStkyrlnoMxL0HMrJRTFgcTtkEUF_nQ4uz5XskKAanE-Q1tCPpA1_psXtqBhRGRdD58g/s320/DSC_0139.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So what am I going to do with all of that Cream Cheese I got for free at <a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/10/smiths-freebies-cream-cheese-and.html">Smiths</a>? Really good question. Here are some ideas:</div><div><div><ul><li><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/07/bacon-wrapped_j/">Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos</a>- these are SO GOOD.</li><li>Creamy Mashed Potatoes</li><li>Stuffed French Toast</li><li><a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/08/beef-stroganoff-this-is-good.html">Beef Stroganoff</a> </li><li><a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2009/12/crockpot-potato-soup.html">Crockpot Potato Soup</a></li><li><a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/08/cheap-o-white-sauce-aka-using-up-some.html">White Sauce</a></li><li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cream-Cheese-Frosting-II-2/Detail.aspx">Cream Cheese Frosting</a></li><li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cream-Cheese-Bread/Detail.aspx">Cream Cheese Bread</a></li><li><a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/crowd-pleasing-scalloped-potatoes-114690.aspx">Scalloped Potatoes</a></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">Any other suggestions? </div></div><div><br /></div></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-40192490165010121822010-10-18T21:37:00.000-07:002010-10-18T21:51:28.855-07:00Some Produce<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTp131wJvH10HrpvlftiZMmGWNDVRgwpUMghSu7udBSkP8J_NM&t=1&usg=__LYraHOj5wdOBSJmB7iiQxofoMIw=" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hit Buy Low this morning for some fresh produce. Isaac has decided that he LOVES to eat solids. He is deeply offended every time I eat anything that he can't have a taste of, poor little man. He can destroy 1/2 a banana in a matter of minutes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Buy Low always have some great deals on produce. I am a fan.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; ">Total Spent: $5.85</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Money Left for the Month: $151.30</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>For a copy of their ad, go <a href="http://www.buylowmarket-utah.com/weekly-specials.php">here.</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>This sale ends Tuesday night.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-72077672346830521902010-10-18T21:01:00.000-07:002010-10-19T07:38:39.204-07:00Smiths Freebies- Cream Cheese and Creamer<div><div style="text-align: center;">We took a last minute 2 week trip and just got back this weekend. Sorry for the lack of posting, but I was having a great time not doing anything and hanging out with family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This week at Smiths is AWESOME. If you haven't gone, I would definitely check it out tomorrow as the sale ends tomorrow night. I hit Provo Smiths around 4:30 today and was surprised to see them so well stocked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">UPDATE: While I was in Washington, I discovered that QFC is a Kroger store like Smiths and had a lot of the same prices they did. If you're in WA, go and get some free cream cheese!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Highlights</span></i>:</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Philadelphia Cream Cheese, reg. $2.18 each</b></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVisj-8G12j8I3sZyIk0YpvoBtYImn43k_oMF7BheAIwoBimWmOjKiAxX8_IiGUHtmgbDsYi5WVmfZlSRIH_n7l7GsMaOMQ_ctW31XU19UCAngshyphenhyphentzEojz7khht01mvli1VNq30gAv8Q/s1600/DSC_1850.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVisj-8G12j8I3sZyIk0YpvoBtYImn43k_oMF7BheAIwoBimWmOjKiAxX8_IiGUHtmgbDsYi5WVmfZlSRIH_n7l7GsMaOMQ_ctW31XU19UCAngshyphenhyphentzEojz7khht01mvli1VNq30gAv8Q/s320/DSC_1850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529604193585664450" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">I got these all for<i> </i><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>FREE!</i></span><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i>10, you may ask? Yes. 10. I'll give a few bricks to my sister and have plenty to make all sorts of delicious treats and meals through the end of the year. These don't expire until the end of December. I stock up when the price is right so I don't have to pay full price later on when I need it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>CoffeeMate Creamer, reg. $2.49</b></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EC9JzsOszVT4BVe_0M-_JC_GCEW027NdF93H8cwJTUzkf2erlMo4QNscxWYAa7O4wv6vEDGnz4G8ktNkHbsfDG_oArxRZVpHR4Z0jv705J7Wzu_38DHyM4CpyFvjFfUtseU4Z8_d8BM/s1600/DSC_1851.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-EC9JzsOszVT4BVe_0M-_JC_GCEW027NdF93H8cwJTUzkf2erlMo4QNscxWYAa7O4wv6vEDGnz4G8ktNkHbsfDG_oArxRZVpHR4Z0jv705J7Wzu_38DHyM4CpyFvjFfUtseU4Z8_d8BM/s320/DSC_1851.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529604184633652002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I not only got these for <span class="Apple-style-span"><i>FREE</i></span> but <i>made</i> $.21 on each! No, I don't drink coffee, but my cocoa will never taste so delicious. Any other ideas for it?</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, there was a <b>Jell-o coupon</b> in the SS insert of Sunday's paper, making each large package of pudding or gelatin only <b>$.35</b>. They're regularly $1.09. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, and if you have that Nabisco BOGO coupon from facebook a few weeks back, this would be the time to use it on Oreos. Not counting the milk you had to buy to use the coupon ($1.89) each package ended up being $.35! Nice. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am feeling fatter just talking about all of this food.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Before I typed in my Smiths number, my total was <b>$98ish.</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">After promotions and coupons I spent<b> $20.07,</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>78% Off!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Check out the PinchingYourPennies </span></i><a href="http://www.grocerysmarts.com/utah/lists/indexg84rcm.php?s84mi2"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">grocery list</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> for details. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This sale ends *Tuesday* night!</span></i></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Money Left for the Month: $157.15</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></i></div></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-3752755168189029492010-10-14T13:54:00.000-07:002010-10-14T15:04:01.472-07:00What to do with Tomatoes?<div style="text-align: center;">Is it just me or do you get overwhelmed with tomatoes too? It seems that they do VERY well in my weed-infested joke of a garden, so well that I have struggled with what to do with them all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtTI6B5wKmPuQjmV5KfY2bg4Rhd-3MzL3B9NjHC3BAMKNa8II&t=1&usg=__hzirYf8p1qhssynmcbnHERKmS6s=" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Things I've done that I have NOT liked:</b></div><div><ul><li>This should read "Thing" not "Thing<b>S</b>." Matt does not like big chunks of canned tomatoes. He hates them in fact, something about being slimy. Therefore I have had to dice the tomatoes pretty small so that he'll eat them in whatever I cook with them. They were great to use and used up quite a few of the tomatoes, but it would take me like 20 minutes to fill a pint with all the seeding and dicing. I can buy a can of tomatoes for $.44 on sale, basically the same size as a pint. Forty four cents was not worth 20 minutes of my time. </li></ul></div><div><b>Things I've done with Tomatoes that I have liked:</b></div><div><ul><li>I have made mass quantities of <b>pasta sauce</b> and then <b>frozen it</b> flat and thin in gallon sized baggies, braking off a hunk and microwaving what I need. </li><li>I have made <b>homemade salsa</b>. <i>Mmmm</i>. I love fresh salsa. Mix diced and seeded tomatoes with diced onion, jalapeno, garlic, bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper and it is Delicious.</li><li>I have <b>frozen them whole</b>, just washed them, thrown them in gallon freezer bags and put them in the deep freeze. Then when I need tomatoes in a recipe I can deal with them then. I pretty much do this when I have a bunch that I don't have time to do anything with. FYI: when you thaw tomatoes the skin just rubs right off of them so don't try to get the skin off first. </li><li>Right before the first frost of the fall I pick all of the tomatoes. The frost will ruin them, turning them into mush. I put the <b>green ones in my basement</b> in boxes or paper bags and put newspaper between each layer. They will slowly turn red, giving me more tomatoes for a few more weeks. Don't stack them too deeply because you'll need to be able to check their reddening. Also, as you're stacking them, put the super green ones on the bottom and the ones less green at the top. They need to be in a cool place, not a freezing place like a shed or they will just freeze.</li><li style="text-align: left;">This year I've tried something new: I've<b> dehydrated tomatoes!</b> These are also known as <b>sun-dried tomatoes</b>. Fancy me! This is my new very favorite thing. All you do is half them then use your thumb and middle finger to seed them really quickly. I then cut each half into thirds. Lay them on your dehydrator trays cut side up, leaving room for air to circulate, and sprinkle them with salt. Watch them and take them off when they are dry but flexible. You don't want them brittle. My dehydrator took FOREVER, like a day and a half but my mom's was done in 12 hours or so. Just like anything you dry, they will be done at different times so check on them periodically and pull out the dried ones. I just put them in a quart jar in the fridge. Even if you don't have a dehydrator, you can do this in the <a href="http://www.ghorganics.com/Sun%20Dried%20Tomatoes.htm">oven</a>. These are yummy cut up in bite sized pieces in pasta and pizza or a salad.</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">I never have done Fried Green Tomatoes, but I think that my current love affair with fried foods will force me to make a batch this year.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Any other great ideas you've had to use your tomatoes?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-57181760177050451752010-10-11T15:44:00.000-07:002010-10-11T16:28:29.333-07:00Homemade Powdered and Brown Sugars<div style="text-align: center;">Ok, I am super dense. I LOVE my new Vitamix and have made all sorts of fun things with it: ice cream, fruit and green smoothies, tortilla soup, broccoli potato soup.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0Ze8pUP4PLB3JhfwZa_-wmbQCvr68c6dIlgW0TvuDSiC_RyxKFP3H9s1-WLdNDDdkPXY90a8xDNdpeQXiHTxorI-r-3tCNz8cNelcNsZQkwDfI6U3dfh4vLpBWbrRsgbRnV90_e_tvE/s320/DSC_0702.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It has made me realize however how truly dumb I am. Guess what Cream of Wheat is? Wheat, creamed or chopped up. Duh. (delicious, by the way)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In looking through the cookbooks that came with the mixer I found a highly complicated one for Powdered Sugar. Guess how you make this- you powder sugar, or blend it. Crazy! Just 30 seconds in the Vitamix and wow, powdered sugar. I Googled it and it looks like you could make it in a regular blender as well. Some people say to add a bit of cornstarch to keep it from clumping. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It got me wondering about cost. A pound of powdered sugar is 3 3/4 cups, and 2 1/4 cups of granulated sugar makes a pound of powdered.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You're doing pretty good to get 2 pounds of <b>powdered sugar</b> for $1.25, or <b>$.63/lb</b>. A 5 lb bag of <b>granulated sugar</b> runs about $2.50 on sale, or <b>$.50/lb</b>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So 1 pound (2 1/4 cups) of granulated sugar makes 1 pound (3 3/4) of powdered sugar. Again, duh. 1 pound = 1 pound. I won't tell you how long it took me to arrive at that genius statement. Wow. Impressive math skills, eh?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is all very good for me to realize. <b>It is cheaper to make my own powdered sugar</b>, especially if I can get sugar for cheaper than $.50/lb.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It also made me wonder if you could make brown sugar. Well, yes you can! Cool! Matt, the resourceful man he is, googled that and we discovered you use 1 cup granulated sugar and mix in by hand 1-2 Tbsp of molasses. That's it! <a href="http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf814119.tip.html">Homemade brown sugar</a>! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever made either of these? We did the powdered sugar today and it was super fun.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-3420110795046369142010-10-07T21:53:00.001-07:002010-10-07T22:28:37.085-07:00Rite Aid 99% Off- Humidifier, Diapers, & More for Pennies<div style="text-align: center;">I had an awesome trip to Rite Aid today! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I got a pack of Huggies, a humidifier, 3 trial sized TRESemme, 2 ice packs, and some candy. Guess how much it cost?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=975bcc025b&view=att&th=12b8925c28ecd844&attid=0.1&disp=thd&realattid=1348988961447477248-1&zw" alt="IMAG0192.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Retails: about $35</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Total Spent: $.64</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Percent Off: 99%</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">64 cents. Crazy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I did use a $4 gift card but I also got a $2 UpReward (like gift card).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Want details? Check out Hip2Save <a href="http://hip2save.com/2010/10/rite-aid-deals-103-109.html#more-36027">here</a> and <a href="http://hip2save.com/2010/10/rite-aid-free-vicks-vaporizer-with-deal-scenario-below.html">here</a>. She also tells about how to get free Halloween candy from Rite Aid <a href="http://hip2save.com/2010/10/my-rite-aid-candy-score.html">here</a>. Would have been helpful to see before I went, but whatever.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I shop at Rite Aid I make sure to buy in $25 increments so that I can use a $5/$25 purchase Rite Aid coupon. Then I use store and manufacturer coupons<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Money Left for the Month: $177.22</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-11184889337832039142010-10-01T10:56:00.000-07:002010-10-01T11:35:46.700-07:00Menu<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwvFS0WTlJcJB7Ehk-8uGmkvDw6ubc_mn7WYgJiPcCDJOeq8YYdeiCG0tKOY8Nft7Z9n1MkFH8oT7rVHF-WTDiIbK-7_rhpi2r5IOhl0gW0LwGU6UcTQ0k39AkhT87mvAr_GawpH5nciu/s320/DSC_1059.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><b>Main Dish:</b><div><ul><li><a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/05/oil-staple-in-life.html">Grilled Artichokes</a></li><li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-with-Chipotle/Detail.aspx">Chicken with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chipotle</span></a> w/rice and <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/good-eats/oven-roasted-broccoli-recipe/index.html">Oven Roasted Broccoli</a> (Buy Low has chicken legs for $.48/lb!)</li><li><a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/07/grilled-teriyaki-burgers-with-pineapple.html">Grilled <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Teriyaki</span> Burgers</a> w/ <a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-seem-to-be-on-eternal-hunt-for-best.html">homemade buns</a></li><li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Tikka-Masala/Detail.aspx">Chicken <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Tikka</span> Marsala</a> (Yet a 3rd recipe. I'm sure I'll find one I love...) w/grilled garlic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">naan</span></li><li><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Tastira-Tunisian-Fried-Peppers-and-Eggs/Detail.aspx">Tunisian Fried Peppers and Eggs</a> with <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/04/basic-breakfast-potatoes/">Breakfast Potatoes</a></li><li><a href="http://realmomkitchen.com/3479/skillet-ground-beef-stew/">Skillet Ground Beef Skillet</a> w/homemade bread</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;">We are loving our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Vitamix</span> and have been having Green Smoothies for breakfast. I feel so fancy and healthy.</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I make my menu I look at what I have stockpiled in the house or ready to use in my garden and then find recipes to use them. We're adventurous around here so it's no biggie for us to try a bunch of new recipes. By using what I've gotten really cheap in the past for our meals I'm able to free up money to stockpile what's on sale this week. </div><div><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-18495486099218018702010-09-29T22:11:00.000-07:002010-09-29T22:12:28.932-07:00Cheap, Cheap Produce<div><div style="text-align: center; ">I know that the month hasn't started yet, but it was very important to start my budget over. Why? Because I was already over-budget and I wanted to spend more. Good reason.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Buy Low has some great prices this week. I had a great time today, tossing in fruits and veggies left and right. Produce is normally SO EXPENSIVE. What did I ever do before Buy Low?</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">With that new Vitamix holding down my cupboard, I've got to have some serious produce so I was very happy to see a really good week at Buy Low.</div></div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uw69IKu3RmC5611azaAN49-VGHqadZec6YA3QxrCWObpKeqkCaZ5Tmw9vV0e1m-JVEmDL7qe8GhevBGAuJbt_YnumJjrxoiTceC7wXbGZ2LPR4Qq893g2GcZBSNMjEBdoaxn6KefNLI/s1600/DSC_0701.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uw69IKu3RmC5611azaAN49-VGHqadZec6YA3QxrCWObpKeqkCaZ5Tmw9vV0e1m-JVEmDL7qe8GhevBGAuJbt_YnumJjrxoiTceC7wXbGZ2LPR4Qq893g2GcZBSNMjEBdoaxn6KefNLI/s320/DSC_0701.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522562445428621282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://www.buylowmarket-utah.com/cms/managed/specials/1285779019_WBYLW0929P14v5NCF.pdf">Here's</a> the ad.</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Highlights: bananas 4lb/$1 (Wed & Thurs only), spinach 2/$1, oranges and pears 3lb/$1, 18 count L eggs $.99, chicken legs $.48/lb</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Don't forget Buy Low has extra produce deals on Wed and Thurs every week.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; ">Total Spent: $22.14</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; ">Money Left for the Month: $177.86</span></b><br /></div></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-76421508352743688732010-09-29T21:54:00.000-07:002010-09-29T22:09:07.829-07:00Buy Low Review<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSqGzEiRPCpaBFDZ10598iA1c9eRBD6_Y14gPNYS42gDWkGm0Y&t=1&usg=__H0Yzj4iJIfIggLo3TwaYItLmqhQ=" /></div><div><br /></div>Things about Buy Low:<div><div><ul><li>Their address is 2250 N University Parkway in Provo. They are in between <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Shopko</span> and Cafe Rio where Food4Less used to be</li><li>They have <b>really good</b> produce prices </li><li>They have extra produce prices Wednesday and Thursday</li><li>They have extra meat prices on Friday and Saturday</li><li>They have 10% off for students Monday and Tuesday</li><li>Their carts have 2 spots for little ones to sit in and they also have carts with the fun driving cars in the front</li><li>With the amazing prices they have there are items that aren't the highest quality. I've never had problems with their apples, bananas, berries, and many other items. However, the spinach is always covered in dirt (easy to wash off!) and after looking at some things I sometimes don't get everything I've planned. It is SO WORTH it for me to pass over things and every once in a long while, throw something away. </li><li>There is no <a href="http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=62"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">PinchingYourPennies</span></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">GrocerySmarts</span> list for Buy Low </li><li>I like to make bigger trips here every other week or so, using canned/frozen produce until I get to the next trip.</li></ul><div><br /></div></div></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-65164330241145197472010-09-29T21:09:00.000-07:002010-09-29T21:38:27.624-07:00Vitamix, You are AMAZING!<div><div style="text-align: center; ">Christmas came early this year. It came early and it came Awesome.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">My mom and dad got us a Vitamix, the Arnold Schwarzenegger of blenders. It came 2 days ago and I love it.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0Ze8pUP4PLB3JhfwZa_-wmbQCvr68c6dIlgW0TvuDSiC_RyxKFP3H9s1-WLdNDDdkPXY90a8xDNdpeQXiHTxorI-r-3tCNz8cNelcNsZQkwDfI6U3dfh4vLpBWbrRsgbRnV90_e_tvE/s1600/DSC_0702.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0Ze8pUP4PLB3JhfwZa_-wmbQCvr68c6dIlgW0TvuDSiC_RyxKFP3H9s1-WLdNDDdkPXY90a8xDNdpeQXiHTxorI-r-3tCNz8cNelcNsZQkwDfI6U3dfh4vLpBWbrRsgbRnV90_e_tvE/s320/DSC_0702.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522556913227026146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We made ice cream tonight with it. Ice cream! Two nights ago we had soup that we poured steaming hot right from the blender. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We've made fruit smoothies that have had such great texture. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I did grind wheat with it and it worked fine. My wheat grinder is a better option for that though. (we got that from my parents for Christmas a few years back) I wasn't a huge fan of the bread you can mix in it but it was pretty cool to make bread in a blender. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am really interested in the green smoothies. We'll give 'em a shot for breakfast.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks Mom and Dad! I have dreamed about even knowing someone who owned one of these and look at me now! There's a shmancy blender on my counter as we speak! Hooray! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Weight gain, I mean loss, here I come!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-46437206976952666142010-09-29T20:47:00.000-07:002010-09-29T21:06:07.919-07:00September Budget Review<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><img src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQoqsVSB2jbl30yGNuqit2gW_-vKBaTW9rpTdCYNoWVRAeVHJE&t=1&usg=__feauyew6qWraa7b_mRN6IT967vw=" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">I'm not a regular grocery shopper. I buy stuff before I even need it, matching manufacturer coupons with store sales. This way I'm able to "shop" from my own pantry and pay a fraction of retail with items I use. No, we will not use all that chicken breast this month, but we will use it this year. When I make meals for us, I menu plan around what we already have on our shelves and in the freezer. There are occasional items I have to pay full price for, but they are the exception as I build up my food storage with stuff we actually use, all for less then I used to spend just to get us by every month. Want to learn how I do it? Check</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); ">this</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">out.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; ">Total Spent: $235.32</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Besides perishables like eggs, milk, and produce, this month I was able to stock up on cheese, sour cream, frozen veggies, soda, pasta sauce, diapers, tooth care, hamburger, fruit snacks, vanilla, toilet paper, candy bars, chips, bone in chicken breast, boneless chicken breast, baby food, pepperoni, mandarin oranges, vegetable oil, vitamins, flour, salami </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><br /></span></span></div></span>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-7318401351203329702010-09-28T14:49:00.000-07:002010-09-29T08:39:56.067-07:00Beans, Beans, the Magical Fruit.<div style="text-align: center;">We love our beans around here. We eat them for breakfast, lunch, snacktime, and dinner. Ok, we HAVE eaten them for all of those times but we don't do it regularly. We do have beans a few times a week. I love my black beans. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With so much bean-consumption going on, I have figured out what works really well for me. In fact, it works so well, it might be the reason we eat so many beans.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKZhWYtqVNcqkl8jo5dbrzBlTx2L4r5wiLNQdtheB5h5fEuP6FD6tMrrRKrlDUE72LJ8WbTH4R1G63XwnS9yUep-BO3T-RBtMzxsuxmpGd7f0lCm6xXt4iLtCputnWOtiSeGmSrlJ_Q/s320/DSC_0600.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Occasionally I will buy canned beans to have as a back up, but we pretty much live off of dried beans. Why, you may ask? Basically 3 reasons:</div><div><ol><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span">They taste better</span></b>. My accomplished sister in law Alicia passed on her secrets on the wonders of <a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/04/goodbye-canned-beans.html">crockpot beans</a> and eating canned beans now tastes similar to cardboard. By the way, crockpotting them is the way to go. I get so mad every time I try to do them on the stove top. They take WAY longer then the bag ever says and you have to keep an eye on them the whole time they're cooking. </li><li><b><span class="Apple-style-span">They are so much cheaper</span>.</b> A 15 oz can of beans costs around a dollar. For that same price you can get a pound, or 16 oz, of dried beans. Isn't that the same? No sir-ee Bob. These are DRIED beans. They are beans minus the water. When they are done cooking <b>1 pound of beans is equivalent to </b><a href="http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/2208614"><b>3 cans of beans</b></a><b>.</b> You're getting 66% more just by grabbing the bag instead of the can! </li><li>This reason should be a subset of #2: <b><span class="Apple-style-span">I don't waste anything</span></b>. I cook a whole bunch at once and then freeze them flat in gallon sized baggies. When I want some beans I just break off a hunk and throw it in the microwave. I only cook what I'm going to use. Maybe it's just me but whenever I open a can of anything, I use what I need and then either A: leave it out on the counter still in the can for a day or so and then end up throwing the rest away or B: transfer it to a container for the fridge where it will rest indefinitely until the smell/lack of containers forces me to clean out the fridge. Either way the little cash register inside my head is telling me how much that cup of beans down the disposal just cost me and I am not happy.</li></ol><div style="text-align: center;">As far as current prices go, Maceys does have WF canned beans on sale for $.48 as part of their caselot sale, the best price anywhere all year (unless some random crazy high value coupon comes out- unlikely) so if you're going to get canned beans, this would be a good time. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The last I checked Target was the cheapest price for a pound of black beans at $1.09 for a pound. As I look at the <a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4EjTfXhwMcwMWEzNmQyNDUtZTIyMS00YmViLTkzZTMtYjgzMjczMDk2NmRi&hl=en&authkey=CPjRh_wH&pli=1">Caselot Price Comparison</a> at <a href="http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/">PreparedLDSFamily</a>, it looks like the LDS cannery has the best price on bulk beans at $14.50 for a 25 lb bag if you can get them. They don't sell them when there is a greater need somewhere else in the world. The next best price is at Maceys (Harmon's sale is over- they were better priced than Maceys) for $17.58 for a 20 lb bag.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If my math is right then it would still be a little better than 1/2 the price to get the Cannery beans verses the canned Macey beans. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-44202297932461531762010-09-27T14:03:00.000-07:002010-09-27T14:56:47.827-07:00Reuben: Best Thing Since Sliced Rye<div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When Matt and I first got married I was appalled with his choice every time we would grab a sandwich somewhere. He would always order a Reuben. To be honest, I'm pretty sure I had no idea what this even was Before Matt, but even if I did, I am POSITIVE I would have never tried it. Ever. In a million years. Ever. It has weird dark bread and is filled with stuff I was pretty sure tasted as bad as they smelled.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Then one day after years of insistence, I tried a bite. I may or may not have had a "This is Going to Be Disgusting" look on my face while trying it, but I tried it. Lo and behold, I liked it. Darn it all, I loved it. I don't think Matt will ever recover from that triumph.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Apparently I also like </span><a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/05/oil-staple-in-life.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">artichokes</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and smoked oysters too. And </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Eggs_and_Ham"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Green Eggs and Ham</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. Shoot. That is all besides the point though, which is that Reubens are Delicious.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you're looking for a good laugh, check out this beauty </span><a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/05/oh-my.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> of when I "made" rye bread. Next time I get domestic, t</span><a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Swedish-Rye-Bread/Detail.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">his</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> looks like a tasty recipe for it. FYI: You can get rye flour at Winco in the bulk section.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Traditionally Reubens are made with corned beef, but that stuff runs $6.98/lb at the deli at Walmart and $6.89 at Sam's. Yikes. I tend to use pastrami, but you could use any lunch meat your little heart desires.</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMgukST0Bqvrys54bkkv55WWsOq9Y8ZWGBOZzejuxPvOrlcJvccPWRLLHVhr7Dvh3DuQOAQx09d6uiHUb3ha39lEapt4xBRK76ejhvNZTkg1GeP7QKdYMQ9ZasKbpKGRP3j5kKwKLb7w/s1600/DSC_0688.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMgukST0Bqvrys54bkkv55WWsOq9Y8ZWGBOZzejuxPvOrlcJvccPWRLLHVhr7Dvh3DuQOAQx09d6uiHUb3ha39lEapt4xBRK76ejhvNZTkg1GeP7QKdYMQ9ZasKbpKGRP3j5kKwKLb7w/s320/DSC_0688.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521711654850382978" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This makes 9 sandwiches, based on the number of slices of bread in the bag I bought.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ingredients:</span></b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 loaf Rye Bread, homemade or store bought</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1 lb shaved corned beef, or any other lunch meat</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">14 slices Swiss cheese, or any other cheese. I've used Colby, Cheddar, and Mozzarella </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">14 oz or so of Sauerkraut, drained</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Russian or Thousand Island dressing</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">butter</span></span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Directions:</span></b></span></div></div><div><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Preheat a skillet on medium-high and throw in the sauerkraut and corned beef until heated through</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Butter one side of each slice of bread. Turn them over and put the cheese on half of them. My bread was big so I needed 1 1/2 slices. On top of the cheese, spread the Thousand Island. We recently discovered this order made the sandwich less soggy. Put the corned beef and sauerkraut on top and slap on the other Thousand Islanded slice, butter side out.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Put sandwich in the skillet and grill, flipping it over to brown both sides.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eat warm. Thank your lucky stars that you're not </span><a href="http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Bizarre_Foods"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-29579257054602407002010-09-25T18:45:00.000-07:002010-09-25T19:04:54.601-07:0060% Off at Smiths!<div style="text-align: center;">Smiths has some great deals this week. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2qGOfjEuStQkttmdDC4XFqMirYyLnmG8I3qchxaKiwsvunfRclcbOODCOOtgHt2OM06bTEsG6xF4sXURinitkC5RO-PC6sgrQctgVIaWiraQcfOKvKTj2-D3awObc_koRTlmef84DCM/s1600/DSC_0637.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN2qGOfjEuStQkttmdDC4XFqMirYyLnmG8I3qchxaKiwsvunfRclcbOODCOOtgHt2OM06bTEsG6xF4sXURinitkC5RO-PC6sgrQctgVIaWiraQcfOKvKTj2-D3awObc_koRTlmef84DCM/s320/DSC_0637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521032802220436898" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The final prices are $.44 for the 2 liters, $.99 for the Kraft cheese, $.88 for the sour cream, and $.55 for the Green Giant veggies (factoring in the $3 catalina when you buy 6). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For details on this and other sale items, see the <a href="http://www.grocerysmarts.com/utah/lists/indexg84rcm.php?s84mi2">GrocerySmarts list.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not planning on eating those 3 sour creams, those 5 packs of cheese, or the 6 2 liters this week, but we will use them before they expire. When I find great prices I stock up. I also got a raincheck for cottage cheese.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This sale ends Tuesday night.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-82077524249596921472010-09-25T18:20:00.000-07:002010-09-27T14:59:12.275-07:00$.50 Ragu at Fresh Market!<div style="text-align: center;">Fresh Market has their Ragu on sale for $.99, a good price. They retail for $1.89. I was planning on using my $.30/1 coupon from the 9/12 RP newspaper, making them $.69 each.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXVgyX-zqjNLi0agOzgkMWklczZ9NdpdwYBDbRsD2Kr8HbValNExr-oWQEOOkEy_sHczLR5R3Swou4Lmh_QhMWn95r1gMDukCDtGjLAt9nkNrOS0CupPfZmqOBK10pNp7OjtXkRuUV2I/s1600/DSC_0635.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXVgyX-zqjNLi0agOzgkMWklczZ9NdpdwYBDbRsD2Kr8HbValNExr-oWQEOOkEy_sHczLR5R3Swou4Lmh_QhMWn95r1gMDukCDtGjLAt9nkNrOS0CupPfZmqOBK10pNp7OjtXkRuUV2I/s320/DSC_0635.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521026374013445730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I went to grab some at the Provo Center Street store, I noticed these $1/2 peelies on some of them on an endcap, making them $.50 each! Sweet! That's 74% Off!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The coupon expires on the 30th of September, FYI.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>For a list of everything on sale at Fresh Market, check out the </i><a href="http://www.grocerysmarts.com/utah/lists/indexg84csg.php?s84un2"><i>GrocerySmarts list</i></a><i>.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This sale ends Tuesday night. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-69720644639156972122010-09-25T18:03:00.000-07:002010-09-25T18:19:28.366-07:00Super Shopping without Kids!<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQoYfMel1oXwmFwZ0gjYoVb5867jIhtEaUA1sKtlvqfTtZc484&t=1&usg=___eS1odCc1D1zByd4KGzA7cvVKP8=" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh, how I love you Saturday! I love that you came and brought me a husband at home. Thank you for allowing me the joy of shopping WITHOUT children. It was a blissful day.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I hit Rite Aid for a few more packs of diapers and some toothpaste (came to $.78), Smiths for some random stuff ($17.43- post coming soon), and Fresh Market for their One Day Meat sale ($13.12). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Total Spent: $31.33</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Money Left for the Month: -$7.19</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">oops. Oh well.</span></i></div><div><br /></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-43584472374042160582010-09-24T14:04:00.000-07:002011-03-28T09:33:15.383-07:00Paella<div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">We’ve used what we’ve had when we make this- canned diced tomatoes, chicken breast, etc. Our favorite is with artichoke hearts, olives, shrimp, chicken, and sausage. Also, the recipe doesn’t mention covering the pan while it cooks, but we’ve found we’ve had to do it for the rice to cook.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" align="center" style="text-align:center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;line-height:115%">Paella<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">There are many, many “paella” recipes. Originally paella was a dish made in Valencia using chicken, rabbit, snails and three kinds of fresh beans. Now paella is almost always associated with seafood, chicken and vegetables. There is no right or wrong recipe, only the recipe that pleases you. Paella ingredients vary from place to place, and time to time, depending on local traditions and the ingredients available. Anything from fresh garden produce to holiday left-overs can inspire a cook to create an original version of this one-dish feast. The dish was named after the pan it is cooked in, a Paellera, which is also used for a variety of rice dishes, such asarroz negro, as well as the Spanish pasta dish fideua. This is only one recipe, use your imagination and the ingredients at hand, varying the ingredients can make Paella an everyday dish:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">½ c uncooked Valencian Rice per person<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">1 c chicken stock per ½ c of rice, more if using Bomba<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">5 threads saffron per person, dissolved in ½ c white wine<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">4 Tbsp or more olive oil to cover bottom of pan<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">1 piece of chicken, such as a thigh, per person<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">½ to 1 soft chorizo, such as Bilbao or Palacios, per person<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">½ tsp Spanish sweet paprika per person<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">1 clove garlic per person, minced<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">¼ c chopped onion per person<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">1/8 c grated tomato (cut in half, grate and discard the skin) per person<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">2 shrimp or prawns per portion<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">2-4 small clams and/or mussels per portion<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Re piquillo peppers cut in strips<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Artichoke hearts, green beans or peas<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Cooked garrofon beans from Valencia<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; "><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Lemon wedges for garnish<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Heat stock and keep warm. Toast saffron gently in a small pan. When aroma is released, add white wine. Allow to come to a boil then remove from heat. Heat pallera over medium heat, add olive oil and fry chicken. When chicken is golden and the juice runs clear, add garlic and onions and saute until translucent. Add chorizo and cook until heated. Add the rice, stirring until well coated with oil (about one minute). Add the paprika and grated tomato. Stir, add saffron flavored win e and hot stock. Bring to a boil, scraping the bottom of pan, then add piquillo pepper and artichoke hearts, green beans, cooked garrofon beans or peas. Adjust heat to maintain a slow boil. After about five minutes, add the seafood. Cook another 15 minutes, or until rice is done. Sprinkle with chopped parsley, garnish with lemon wedges and serve. To ensure proper cooking, clams may be steamed in a separate pan, then added to the paella with their nectar substituting for some the chicken stock.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Traditionally, Paella is not stirred during the second half of the cooking time. This produces a caramelized layer of rice on the bottom of the pan considered by many to be the best part. With a large pan, it is difficult to accomplish this on an American stove and you may prefer to stir the Paella occasionally or move the pan around on the burner. Another alternative is the finish the Paella by placing it in the oven for the 10-15 minutes of cooking. Paelleras can also be used on a barbeque, over any open fire (the most traditional heat source) or on a counter top grill.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-11756244956796243832010-09-23T06:35:00.000-07:002010-09-23T06:37:34.477-07:00Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes<div style="text-align: center; ">I was flipping through the October Parent magazine, looking for the <a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/09/free-5-lb-cache-valley-cheese.html">FREE Cache Valley Cheese</a> coupon last week and stumbled on this darling idea: cupcakes in ice cream cones! How cute. It seems that everyone else in the world has seen this idea, but I never had. In an effort to save someone out there from feeling as foolish as I did, I thought I would post.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Oh, and I got these multicolored cones at Walmart. They were $1 something for 18.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRb51TNkSfzsFW7QHLt927aik7ogrij9zNLew38-marLaYTKshyphenhyphenNDaXRQnwC-E9KdlvvHBxYPMVXIB8bTZ6I_sdfogaba_N6m5F5DXcMTER9yuz_-jc8n9HUNbTtcbxey4F35A1Mf7vw/s1600/DSC_1670.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRb51TNkSfzsFW7QHLt927aik7ogrij9zNLew38-marLaYTKshyphenhyphenNDaXRQnwC-E9KdlvvHBxYPMVXIB8bTZ6I_sdfogaba_N6m5F5DXcMTER9yuz_-jc8n9HUNbTtcbxey4F35A1Mf7vw/s320/DSC_1670.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518388701059965474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; ">Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ingredients:</b></div><div><ul><li>Cake mix with eggs, oil and water</li><li>30 ice cream cones</li><li>icing</li><li>sprinkles</li><li>30 red gum drops (optional, but how cute is that?)</li></ul><div><b>Directions:</b></div></div><div><ol><li>Mix up cake mix according to instructions on box</li><li>Pour batter into ice cream cones, leaving about an inch at the top. The cake will rise as it cooks and leaving that space will keep it from making a big mess.</li><li>Place them on a cookie sheet and bake as directed for cupcakes on the cake box. Be careful as you move the sheet around. The cones are kind of tippy. If your cones don't stand very well you could use a small crunched piece of foil at the base to stabilize them. I didn't have any problems.</li><li>Let them cool completely and then ice them. I iced then put the sprinkles on each one, one at a time so that the icing wouldn't set before I could get back to put the sprinkles on.</li><li>Enjoy your fancy work.</li></ol><div><br /></div><ol></ol></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3604086747885563528.post-9848779858503313862010-09-21T20:57:00.000-07:002011-03-28T10:16:37.660-07:00Chicken Fried Rice<div style="text-align: center;">I made this Chicken Fried Rice for dinner tonight and it was pretty darn good. I used <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chinese-Chicken-Fried-Rice-II/Detail.aspx">this recipe</a> as a base and made some changes and additions. If you've got cooked chicken and leftover rice, this is a fast meal.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7oXbgXCQ3E6xzSROBstDcLC9SPVVCfdnw6IaCSzwaQNRYVZiavw49lmMl5MB5j8LI95D140xoYlZg_Go9DavP4RN9zrnsN07ma2OCDMyjBsL32T6V8XOCSSh4wuA30ahyiSdL5cWELY/s320/DSC_1678.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519582235423334162" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Couple things here:</div><div><ul><li>You have to use cold rice here, not hot rice. It apparently DOES matter. Hot rice will turn this to goo. I just cooked mine an hour or so before, spread it across a big plate, and put it in the fridge to cool it down quickly.</li><li>Make sure the chicken is in pretty small chunks. Big ol' hunks of chicken would not be delicious. </li><li>Last time I made this I didn't even use chicken and used this as a side dish with <a href="http://joysdumbdeals.blogspot.com/2010/09/chinese-food-heaven.html">Sweet and Sour Chicken</a>. We had it as the main dish tonight. </li><li><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwoMU_0t9vkhqJRG_X8Eufdh1EO5bp35jMYAnnFisQBAl0CFKhJEVfU5H8FLBSoWN_byeMxjjBGxqG_uLo2sE-fFj6z_AIOxb0w7mj9uFdNPSFUPy1vCjegG-GJR0lZxA4uwQ300dCj7M/s320/DSC_1682.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519589223901851794" /></li><li>The original doesn't call for fish sauce or Maggi sauce, but they are the reason that this tastes so good. My little sister told me to buy both of them and I am so glad. Thank you Ashley for forcing me to pay full price for a few things. Sorry I am a cheapskate. They are both just a few bucks at Walmart or Winco. I'm sure they sell them at just about any other grocery store too, but you know they'd be cheapest at Walmart or Winco. Ashley says she uses them in just about every Asian recipe she makes. Oh, beware of the smell of the fish sauce. Believe it or not, that stuff smells WORSE than you'd think. Urg.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chicken Fried Rice</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ingredients:</b><div><ul><li>2 eggs</li><li>2 Tbsp water</li><li>2 Tbsp butter</li><li>1 Tbsp vegetable oil</li><li>1 onion (about 2 cups), chopped</li><li>1 cup carrot, chopped</li><li>3 cups cooked white rice, cold</li><li>3/4 cup frozen peas </li><li>2 1/2- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (to taste)</li><li>2- 2 1/2 tsp fish sauce</li><li>2- 2 1/2 tsp Maggi sauce</li><li>3/4 tsp pepper</li><li>3/4 cup cooked, chopped chicken. You could use chopped ham instead.</li></ul><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Directions:</b></div></div><div><ol><li>In a small bowl, beat egg with water. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add egg and leave flat for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and cut into shreds.</li><li>Heat oil in same skillet; add onion and carrots and saute until soft. Then add rice, soy sauce, fish sauce, Maggi sauce, pepper, peas, and chicken. Stir fry together for about 5 minutes, then stir in egg. </li></ol><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Joy's Dumb Dealshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08408089862799024407noreply@blogger.com0