Annual Budget Countdown

And now the most anticipated post of the week:

I only grocery shopped once since last A.B.C. post:

Kroger Spent: $80.67 (on 45 items)
Saved: $33.49

Totals for year:
Total Spent: $1851.24
Total Saved: $1470.85
Total Left for year: $3148.76

Blog Break- Over!

Well, that was a nice little break. But it's good to be back. Anyone notice I was gone? Don't answer that, I don't want to know. In my little world it is best if I just imagine that people were pining away at their computers wondering "when will she ever come back." If I really knew that this blog was only read by my Mom and myself I might stop and I can't stop because it is critical therapy in the treatment of my DRS. Come to think of it.... Mom never mentioned the blog break........

Blog Break

Hey DRSers- I'm pooped! Hope you don't mind but I am going to take a few days off from the computer. Talk to ya soon!

Tonights the Night

Well tonight is the big Ford American Idol Watch Party!!!! Are you coming? Oh, I sure do hope so. Can you imagine how much fun it would be to get a whole bunch of women together with DRS! Wow! Good times!

I know UCA is having a HUGE watch party at Estes Stadium but if you would like to attend a smaller event with just as much excitement then come on over (Second Baptist Church Gym behind Quiznos on Oak street.) The festivities start at 6pm. I really have no idea how many people to expect but I have real food for about 50 and then unlimited hot dogs (well anyways about 200).

We'll dim the lights at 7pm to watch the finale competition between Kris and the other guy. During commercial breaks I'll do the Ford party-favor give aways (Ford totes NOT cars) and of course you'll have a chance to check out the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

So stop by if you can and bring the fam. I'm so excited about getting a chance to meet some of my blog family!

(oh and I do apoligize I did not get a jump around for the kids because 1) it would have been too loud during the show and 2) they didn't call me back. Hope your kiddos won't be too disappointed!)

Deal Alert

You know how I love a good cheese sale. Well, go here to print 2 $1 off 1 coupons for 2% Kraft Cheese. Hey, why don't you combine it with your Target $1 off 2 coupon for some really cheap cheese. Woo Hoo!

Recipe Help!!!

The final recipe for this week's meals is for Hot Wings. The problem is I have NEVER made wings before and to be honest can't remember ever trying hot wings before. Surely I have though....? Anyways.... my question to you is do you have to keep the skin on the wings or can you make the hot wings without the skin?

Second Question- What does "separated at joints, tips discarded" mean? Do I have to do something to the wings or do they come that way?

I am anxiously awaiting your advice before I make this recipe. Thanks!

If you would like to check out the recipe you can go here.

This is reposted from January.

This is one of my all time favorite ways to prepare fish! The foil packets work great in the oven or on the grill. And talk about easy clean-up! I substituted talipia for the trout and I prefer lime over lemon- purely personal preference.
Go ahead and throw your asparagus in a separate foil packet, add a dab of olive oil and your favorite spices and toss in the oven or grill alongside the fish. Yummy!

Go here for the recipe.

Fish in Foil
Nutrition Information
Serving Size: 1 Fish Packet
Meal Plan: Calories: 213, 3 lean meats, 1/2 fruit, 1 fat

I'll serve with the asparagus mentioned above and rice.

Heather's Marinara

My friend Heather has started a blog called Fundamentally Frugal. A little over a month ago she posted this recipe for homemade Marinara and my mouth literally watered as I read the recipe. While checking out the recipe I encourage you to spend some time at Fundamentally Frugal. Once all my FREE Huggies Wipes run out I'm totally going to try Heather's homemade wipe recipe!


Visit Heather's blog here for the recipe.

Marinara
I ended up using just one onion and 1/4 cup olive oil.

Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: ~120 Calories, 2.5 veg, 1.5 fats

I am going to serve this with whole wheat spaghetti and a side salad.

Crockpot Mexcian Chicken

Need a quick meal to throw together before you head out the door in the morning. Well, this is it! Takes all of two minutes to prepare. And talk about healthy!

Crockpot Mexican Chicken

1 can (15oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 cup bottled thick and chunky salsa
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast
1/2 cup 2% Mexican blend cheese

In a 3-1/2- to 5-quart slow cooker, mix together the black beans, corn, and 1/2 cup of the salsa. Top with the chicken breasts, then pour the remaining 1/2 cup salsa over the chicken. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the chicken is tender and white throughout; do not overcook or the chicken will be dry.
Sprinkle cheese on top; cover and cook until the cheese melts, about 5 to 15 minutes.

Serving Size: 4oz chicken breast with 1/4th of beans and corn
Meal Plan: Calories: 350, 5 oz meat, 1.5 starches, ½ vegetable

I am going to serve this with sauteed green peppers and onions.

Meatloaf

Can I just tell you that I can't believe I'm making meatloaf this week. I have NEVER liked meatloaf. But I figured Donna totally made meatloaf for her family so I should suck it up and give it another try. Who knows, maybe my 31 year old pallet has developed a taste for the stuff. Anyways... I went to allrecipes.com and picked the meatloaf with the highest rating. I figured if 3,207 people liked it maybe my family would too.

Here is the winning recipe.
I took the suggestions of some of the comments and only used 1/4 cup of brown sugar. I used egg substitute instead of whole eggs. I also added Worcestershire sauce to the ketchup. We'll see.....

Nutrition Information: Provided by allrecipes.com and based on original recipe. Modifications would reduced Calories slightly
Serving Size: 1/8th of recipe
Meal Plan: 355 Calories, 2.5 meats, 1.5 starches, 2.5 fats

I am going to serve this with mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes

Mealtime Monday

Well I am excited to say it only took me 1 hour this week to prepare the following:

• 2 meatloaves
• 2 fish in foil meals
• 2 crockpot Mexican Chicken dishes
• 1 Heather's Marinara
• 1 pepper and onion packet

I have not prepped the hot wings because I have some questions about the recipe. I am hoping you will be able to help me out with my questions later on today. Stay tuned.

Here is my eating and storage schedule for the week:

Monday: Meatloaf- I fully prepped and stored in fridge until final baking.

Tuesday: Um PARTY!!! I'm not cooking!

Wednesday: Crockpot Mexican Chicken- I simply dumped all the ingredients into a ziplock storage bag (minus the cheese). I stored in fridge. Wednesday morning I will transfer contents into crockpot and cook on low all day. (Note: this is a slight modification in recipe recommendation)

Thursday: Hot Wings- I am hoping I get advice today on how to prepare these little guys. I will probably wait to prepare these until Thursday night.

Friday- Out

Saturday: Fish in Foil- I prepared this recipe with frozen fish and then stored the foil packets back in the freezer. Saturday morning I will transfer from freezer to fridge until ready to grill.

Sunday: Heather's Marinara. I went ahead and sauteed vegetables in skillet. I then transferred sauteed vegetables to a freezer ziplock and added remaining ingredients. I will store in freezer. Saturday I will transfer to fridge to start thawing. Sunday I will cook in crockpot while we are at church.

Meals in Review

Here's how last week's menu scored:

• Chicken Berry Salad- So good. Really should do this more often.
• Spinach Lasagna- Kids didn't touch (noodle thing) Rory and I really liked it.
• Crunchy Lemon-Dill Salmon- I was soooo excited about this recipe BUT I accidentally left it out of the fridge for 3 hours when the other family came to pick up their meals and so I was nervous to feed it to my family. We ended up eating at Moes instead!
• Kate's French Dip Sandwiches- Loved these. They made for great left-overs. Definitely will make again and soon.
• Beef Kabobs- The other family I cook for raved. In fact they asked to have these every week. I will say that marinade was awesome.

Overall it was a tasty week!

Sonday Sunday- kinda

Good Lord's Day to all of you. Please forgive the lack of posting today. I have had a busy weekend and did not have a chance to prepare anything for today. If you don't mind, I would like to go ahead and take this opportunity to introduce the reflection series I am going to start next Sunday. While on vacation I picked up the book Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. Wow! Can I just tell you that the Lord is ministering to me through this book and I can't wait to share some tid bits of what I'm learning with you. You know what would be really cool? If you would pick up a copy for yourself, and read along with me! That way we could all share what we are learning together. Doesn't that sound fun?!?! You can pick up a copy at the Christian Book Store OR go over to Amazon.com and get you a used copy for around $3.



In the meantime, I'm going to put a Mr. Linky up so you can share your favorite bible verse, or a scripture that has meant a lot to you lately.