Deal Diva Friday's

It's that time of the week again: Deal Diva Fridays!  LOL  That's right, the time I drive many miles and walk hundred's of aisles, looking for the best deals to feed my hungry crew.  We have a small budget and a huge hunger to deal with, every week!  Every week people!  Anyway, first stop is UGO (United Grocery Outlet).  Let me just say this, on a budget?  Find this store or a comparable one- now!  Bought over half my groceries there this week, mostly meat and produce.  They have a fresh butcher there and the meat is great. 

   Best deal: these multi-grain pita breads- $1.39 each.  Yes they are day olds, but I am saving a $1.30 over the Wal-Mart price.  Just use them fast or freeze them.  I keep mine in the fridge crisper and no problems.  These are great for packed lunches, lots of upcoming events when I won't be home for lunch.

 

 

 

Next stop was Kroger, the family friendly neighborhood one in the 'boro.  Big deal today:  This gallon jug of my favorite brand of almond milk.  Same price as I pay for 1/2 gallon at Wal-Mart, which usually lasts me about one week or so.  I don't believe it will go bad any time soon, but don't worry.  When the children realize it is in the fridge, I will get many offers to drink it quick. 

 

I only picked my top 3 favorite deals, and number three was also found at the Kroger; Southwestern salad kit for half price.  Fridays are insane here between shopping, school work and bible study.  This little beauty will make my hubby's day, er night I mean.  He gets his lunch from work at 5 p.m. and will enjoy this quick and fresh salad with his lunch, er dinner - LOL

 

 

 

There were MANY other deals to be had out there this morning and I was pleasantly surprised.  I haven't paid full price for meat in years, not sure what I would do if I had too . . . ?  Just keep your eyes peeled and remember mornings are best.

 

Blessing, Beth

Recipe Alert: Paleo Meat-stuffed Peppers

Yesterday was a busy day and I made sure to get my slow cooker going before I went out the door.  Have I mentioned I am in LOVE with my slow cooker?  And yes, even SAHM are to busy to cook sometimes.  Actually SAHM is a misnomer as we are almost never there!  LOL  Yesterday was our annual trip to the pumpkin patch and it left me with about an hour between that and taking twin daughter to ballet, returning home after 6 p.m.

 

 I have been veering back to a clean / Paleo eating  menu, in an attempt  to help heal my wheat belly/ leaky gut and multitude of food sensitivities.  I had a couple requests for the recipe :

 

Meat -stuffed peppers in the crock pot

 

5-6 green peppers

1 lb. ground beef

6 oz. tomato paste

8oz. tomato sauce

bag of frozen cauliflower

1 TBS. minced garlic

2 tsp. thyme

2 tsp. oregano

2 tsp. basil

 

1) Steam cauliflower, I use the microwave.

 

2) Mash cauliflower into a rice like consistency.  Most use food processor on uncooked cauliflower, but I use my potato masher on the steamed and it works just fine with about 1/4 of the dirty dishes. I mash it up with the garlic and spices.

 

3) Brown the ground beef and drain. Add the cauliflower mixture, tomato paste and sauce.  Continue to sir slowly.

 

4) Cut off the tops of the peppers and remove all the seeds.  Keep the tops!

 

5) Portion out the mixture in the peppers and place the peppers in a slow cooker that has been sprayed or greased.  Put the pepper tops back on.  Cook the peppers  on LOW for 8 hours.

 

Note: If there is extra filling, scope it into a ball on to some foil and pinch closed.  Place in with peppers and cook the same.  This happened to me and turned out to be a blessing as twin daughter wanted nothing to do with the peppers, but ate the filling right up!

 

 

 

 

This was not a meal by itself for my family (mostly the guys), so I struggled with what else to serve with it.  I settled on mac & cheese for the boys, but not what  would want for us all if made again.  So if you have any clean/paleo friendly ideas for a yummy side dish to go with this entrée, please share!

 

 

 

Blessings, Beth Ann

I'mmmmmmmmm back, with pumpkin spice cofee creamer ~ LOL

Welcome back all!  Not sure why the urge has come over me once again to share my misadventures, but I am glad for the company : )

 

This morning in my kitchen I whipped up a much cleaner/healthier version of the most popular coffee creamer out there, Pumpkin Spice!  The cost is about the same per ounce, but no chemicals or artificial sweeteners.  Guess it comes down to personal choice.  It took like less than 2 minutes to make, so no problem there.  I typically have  coffee with  splash of unsweetened almond milk and a drop or two of stevia.  But when the craving hits, this is what I am going to make, and I pray for my resolve to stay firm at the supermarket; even when there is an amazing sale on seasonal creamers.  I am making an early resolution to take a serious stand on my health!

 

Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer:

 

1 cup half n' half

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

1/2 cup real maple syrup

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

pinch of sea salt

 

Blend all ingredients together.  Store in fridge for up to 10 days.  (I saved one of the creamer containers I had from a sale and washed it by hand.  Doubled the recipe and it fit wonderfully)

 

Thanks for hanging out with me, and keep checking back for more healthy and budget friendly tips, ideas and recipes.

Blessings, Beth