Kroger Deals and Losing My Freezer Food

So Monday morning my husband and I go to leave for work. As we walk into the garage, my heart sank. Our freezer door on the top of our refrigerator was standing wide open!

Now sometimes it pops open if you slam the refrigerator door too hard. After much arguing discussion on who was out in the garage last, we decided it didn't really matter. All of the meat I had just bought at Kroger was soft and ruined. I didn't think it was safe to eat anything that had sat all night and allowed to thaw. Since we had no idea how long it had been thawed.

We lost a six pound roast, 5 lbs of hamburger, two of which was grain fed organic. Six porkchips, 2 pounds of frozen fish, 2 lbs of ground turkey. Yes, I know, it is hard to bear!

So we decided that I would only keep things in the garage that would be okay if they had thawed like frozen waffles, icecream, frozen vegies, beans and popsicles!

So my Kroger trip consisted of the following (no photo as I had to rush home and put it away before I had to do preschool pickup).

3 skim milks $2.28 each
cat food $10.49
gum $1.29 (29 cents after coupon)
Oxy steam cleaner for our carpet steamer $10.49
Simply Orange OJ $3.00
Chuck Roast $6.03
Chuck Roast $5.83
cube steak $5.08
ground chicken (grain fed and hormone free) $2.49
ground turkey $2.49
grain fed, hormone free organic ground beef $4.29
italian salad dressing $1.24(free with coupon)
2 soy milks $2.99 ($1.99 each with coupon)
ham lunch meat $6.71
orange big K cola 99 cents for a 12 pack!
Kashi cereal $2.99 (free with coupon)
lettuce 99 cents
navel oranges $1.99
poptarts $3.69 (request from husband!)

Total $81.33

Aldi (from last week since I forgot to post it):
cat litter $3.69
10 lb potatoes $1.99
4 cans corn 55 cents each
4 cans green beans 55 cents each
4 cans diced tomatoes 55 cents each
4 cans tomato sauce 25 cents each
2 Skim milk $1.88 each
2 bouillan cubes $1.29 each
2can kidney beans 59 cents each
soymilk $2.49
2 salad mix 99 cents each
navel oranges $1.29
2 cans diced tomatos with green chilis 55 cents each
napkins $1.49
2 boxes thin spaghetti $1.99
turkey bacon $1.99
sliced bacon $1.89
celery 99 cents
carrots $1.29
green peppers $1.29
bananas 72 cents
gallon storage bags $1.69
2 pack toothbrushes $1.69
2 bnches brocolli crowns $1.29 each
1 can tomato paste 39 cents
2 can chili beans 59 cents each
2 tubes cinnamon rolls $1.49 each
red grapes $1.98
2 cans baby peas 69 cents each
2 loaves italian bread $1.19 each
oyster crackers 99 cents
fig bars $1.15
hot dog buns 69 cents
shortbread cookies $1.19
jar spaghetti sauce $1.09
2 taco mix (incase I didn't have time to make mine from scratch) 33 cents each
2 box crispy oats cereal $1.59 each
corn chex cereal $1.99
tissues 99 cents
2 cans refried beans 69 cents each
box of raisins $1.49
box of prunes $1.99
2 bags pretzel sticks $1.29
Total $79.68

I had to buy no diapers this week and hopefully put in my last formula order to a tune of $95 dollars or so.

This post is linked to Super Saving Saturday.

Homemade Noodles

When I was little growing up, my mom always made homemade noodles when we were having homemade soup. I remember we used to sneak the noodles that my mom would have drying on the table. My mom always cut them and let them dry for a while before adding them to the soup.

There is nothing better than homemade soup made with scratch noodles. Only her recipe was made with eggs and I cannot use eggs. So for the longest time I didn't make homemade noodles.

Then I found this recipe.

I made this the other day with leftover turkey. I added the gravy and the rest of the turkey stock, vegies and the homemade noodles (which I had precooked first).

Man was it delicious. Everyone loved it and really enjoyed the noodles. It was a great way to use up the leftover turkey.

That was until the dreaded stomach virus hit and everyone got to see it a second time. So it was requested by all that I don't make it again . . . for a long time. Good thing I don't have a turkey in my freezer.

I did have a photo but for the life of me, I cannot seem to find it in my folders!

This is not only a healthy alternative to store bought but it is super cheap. I personally don't think this pasta works for spaghetti dishes. However for turkey or chicken and gravy or for a soup, they are perfect.

This is linked to Frugal Friday.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

As I have stated before, our family loves tacos. We have some form of them about every other week. Which means that we go through a lot of taco seasoning.

I used to buy a large jar of it from the local warehouse club. But we rarely went anymore so we let our membership end.

Well, I just ran out. I did buy some packages at the local store. However, there is a lot of sodium in them and I am supposed to be watching my sodium. Not to mention that everyone knows it is cheaper to buy a large container of taco seasoning than it is to buy the little packets.

In addition to that, our family is trying to eat less processed foods, more healthy, made from scratch food. So I thought I would try my hand at making my own taco seasoning.

I made it today and it was super easy, I had all the ingredients already on hand. I mixed it up and used it for dinner. And it was very good, just as good as the store bought. Only I know exactly what is in this recipe. There are no additives, nothing I can't pronounce, just straight spices. Plus, I reduced the amount of sodium  that the recipe called for.

I will add a little less to the meat next time. I used hormone free ground chicken this time. And I added too much spice because it had quite a little kick to it!

I found my recipe in my absolutely favorite frugal book, Miserly Moms: Living Well on Less in a Tough Economy. But I am sure you can search for the recipe online and find many to choose from.

Not having additives and knowing exactly what is in my food works for me.

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.

Tacos with Turkey and black beans

Around here we love homemade tacos, tostados and burritos. We eat one of them about every other week.

I usually have the usual toppings: lime rice, black beans, refried beans, lettuce, cheese, salsa and tomatoes.

However I kept noticing that we always had the black beans leftover, only 1-2 people would eat them. Even I never put them on my tacos.

So I decided to start adding them to my ground turkey. They take on the taste of the taco seasoning.

This is such a healthy meal. We use ground turkey instead of ground beef. We have eaten it this way for so long that a couple of months ago, I didn't have any and had to use ground beef. My family asked why the taco meat tasted funny!

This is a great way to get more fiber in their diet. Not to mention a wonderful way to stretch your meat, which I didn't think about at the time.

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday, Ultimate Recipe Swap and Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap.

Allergy Free Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

My kids love cinnamon rolls. Especially homemade cinnamon rolls. I used to make them with eggs, when it was just the two girls and before we found out my third daughter had a food allergy to eggs.

I have since come up with a recipe that includes soy or rice milk, soy flour and dairy free butter. However they take quite a while to make. And while they are totally worth it when you take a bite, I don't have 2 1/2 hours in the morning to make them. So I have figured out a few short cuts.

First of all, I am making some right now for tomorrow morning. We have 2 girls staying the night tonight. They love my cinnamon rolls and request them every time. So what I do is I make them tonight all the way up to cutting them and putting them on the pan. But then I put them in the refrigerator.

Then in the morning, I pull the pan out and let it rise the last 45 minutes while I am getting everything else ready and wait for the oven to heat up.

In a pinch, on a morning when I have forgotten to make the dough, I have used my pizza dough recipe in place of the sweet dough. It worked and the kids ate it. But they did ask why they tasted different.

So, here is my recipe, which is peanut, treenut, dairy and egg free:

1 cup soy or rice milk
1/2 cup margerine ( I use Fleischman's Unsalted)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons yeast
3 1/2 - 5 cups flour
1 tablespoon soy flour and 1 tablespoon water (this is the egg substitute)

The filling is
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup margerine (Fleischman's unsalted) softened
2 tablespoons cinnamon

Heat the milk in the microwave (about 2 minutes) then add the butter so that it melts. In a large bowl combine sugar, salt, yeast, 1 cup flour and the butter/milk mixture. Mix in the egg and 2 1/2 cups flour. You may need to adjust if your dough is too moist. Kneed on a floured surface for 10 minutes. Cover and let rise for one hour.

Punch down the dough and let rise for 15 more minutes.

Roll dough out flat, try for a rectangle. Spread the room temperature margerine on the dough and sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up into a log.

Cut into 1 inch slices and place on a pan. Cover and let rise another 45 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. When cooled glaze with 1 cup powdered sugar and enough soy/rice milk to make desired thickness. I start with 1 tablespoon and work then add more if I need it.

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday, Ultimate Recipe Swap and the Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap.

On a Blogging Break

You may have noticed that I have been taking an unannounced hiatus from blogging. We have had a few things going on around here.

One, my little man, while his ears are better from his surgery, he is getting teeth. He is much worse than my girls were when they got teeth. He is up about every 30-60 minutes the first few hours that we lay him down to sleep. This time is usually my blogging time. When all the kids are in bed and the chores are finished for the day. But every time I would get out my laptop to work, within 10 minutes he would be up again.

Second, my husband has decided to take a new position with a new company. So I have spent many a nights in discussions with him. This is a great opportunity for him and I am very proud of him. I know he will be great.

Third, I need to figure out a way to balance my blogging time. I have also spent the time during the day, when I would have normally been checking other blogs to post comment on them, to catch up on house work. I feel like when I devote time to blogging, then my time to clean and take care of my house is seriously lacking.

So that is where I have been. I have really enjoyed the break. While I do enjoy blogging, it is also one more thing to add to my already full plate.

So I should be back in full swing now. Thanks for being patient.

Homemade Pretzels

I know they don't look like pretzels, but I always let the girls make whatever shapes they want to. Notice one is kind of like a heart and there is one that resembles a turkey as well!

Anyway, this is the pretzel recipe that my mom made for us when I was little. I love it, we would make it for any special get together.

In our house, we used to make them only for our "girls-night" which was when daddy was out. However, we have added a little boy to the mix and changed it to "kids night". Not only that but I now make them not just for nights like that, but also make them so that they are coming out of the oven when my older two get off the bus in the afternoon. They are a wonderful snack.

They would even be great as a lunch paired with a fruit or vegetable.

These are so tasty and good for you.

Here is the recipe:

2 1/4 tsp yeast

pinch sugar

2 tsp salt

4-5 cups flour ( I use white or wheat depending on my mood)

1 1/4 cup water

Dissolve yeast in 1 1/4 cup water with the sugar. Add salt, yeast and flour. Kneed until not sticky. I do this in my Kitchen Aid mixer for about 5-6 minutes.

Cover and let rise 45 minutes.

Boil 4 cups water and 4 tsp baking soda to a boil. Drop the pretzel dough in one by one until they float. Take them out and place on a baking sheet and salt as desired.

Bake for 10-12 minutes at 475 degrees. I like mine to be soft and chewy on the top and inside and crunchy on the bottom!

We can make a batch and barely have 1-2 pretzels left. We make them all the time for sleepovers. My kids and their friends love them.

This recipe is not only allergy safe for my daughter but frugal as well. Totally a winner recipe in my book.

Enjoy!

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday.