Zucchini Bread

I was looking over my blog recently and realized it looks like all we eat is boxed food. While we used to eat a lot of that, we don’t do it as much anymore. My friends Claire and Jen B. are both really good cooks and have taught me a lot. I get a lot of really great recipes off their blogs that are now family favorites. When I grocery shop I try to stock up on items when they go on sale at their lowest price and match them with coupons. That is why I usually have a bunch of the same item. Then I store them and we use them as needed. This has allowed me to lower my grocery budget to between $250 & $300 a month but also have enough food stockpiled to last us a month or more. One of my goals this year is to keep my grocery budget under $250. This will include dog food, diapers and any cleaning or paper products. In an effort to do that I am working on making things from scratch and reducing the amount of meat we eat. If a recipe calls for 1 lb of hamburger, I use ½ lb. Another way to help reduce cost is not waste anything. We eat all leftovers for lunch the next day. Not only does this cut down on waste but also gives me one less meal to plan. When I was going through my fridge before yesterday’s grocery shop I ran across two zucchini I bought last week but we hadn’t eaten yet. What better way to use them up then to make Zucchini Bread. Yummy!!

INGREDIENTS 3 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil (I used ½ cup vegetable oil & ½ cup applesauce) 2 cups white sugar 2 cups grated zucchini 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup flour 2 Tablespoons butter or margarine 2 teaspoons cinnamon ½ cup chopped walnuts DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 325 degrees F ( 165 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8x4 inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and frothy. Mix in oil and sugar. Stir in zucchini and vanilla. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, salt and nuts; stir into the egg mixture. Divide batter into prepared pans. Mix together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, melted butter & walnuts. Sprinkle on top of the batter prior to baking. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until done

Fry's Trip January 22nd

It is Mix N Match time again at Fry’s. I love this sale because it is a great time to stock up on granola bars and get several items free with coupons. If you buy 10 participating items you get $5 off or .50 each item. There is a limit of 3 offers per transaction. I went over my 30 item limit per transaction so I had to break it up into two transactions. Transaction 1 10 Green Giant Steamers (Reg. $2.49, Sale $1.50 - .50 for M&M Sale, - .50Q doubled to $1 = FREE) 2 Heinz Ketchup (Reg. $3.19, Sale $2 - .50 for M&M sale = $1.50) Lay’s Chips (Reg. $3.99, Sale $2 - .50 for M&M Sale = $1.50) Tostito’s Chips (Reg. $3.99, Sale $3) 2 Tropicana OJ (Reg. $4.59, Sale $2.50 - .50 for M&M Sale - $1.25/2 Q = $2.75/2) 4 Chex Mix (Reg. $2.99, Sale $2 - .50 for M&M Sale- .50Q doubled to $1 = .50 each) Tostito’s Spinach Dip (Reg. $3.69, Sale $3 - $2Q = $1) Goldfish (Reg. $2.19, Sale $1.50 - .50 for M&M Sale = $1) I spent $12.94 and saved $53.23 which is 80%. Transaction 2 5 cases Soda (Reg. $5.29, Sale 5/$12 - $1Q = 5/$11) Broccoli Crowns (Reg. $1.77, Sale $1.35) Green Grapes (Reg. $5.30, Sale $2.07) Lettuce (Reg. $1.29) Kroger Cookies (Reg. $1.37, Sale $1.25) Juicy Juice (Reg. $3.49, Sale $2.50 - .50 for M&M Sale - .50Q doubled to $1 = $1) Fry’s Milk (Reg. $3.59, Sale $2.49) 2 Frank’s Red Hot (Reg. 3.19, Sale $1.50 - .50 for M&M Sale - .35Q doubled to .70 = .30) 2 Kroger Shredded Cheese (Reg. $3.29, Sale $1.88) French’s Mustard (Reg. $2.39, Sale 1.50 - .50 for M&M Sale - .50Q doubled to $1 = FREE) 2 Hormel Chili (Reg. $1.89, Sale $1 - .50 for M&M Sale - .55/2Q doubled to $1/2 = FREE) 2 Ken’s Dressing (Reg. $3.99, Sale $1.50 - .50 for M&M Sale - $1Q = FREE) Rotel Diced Tomatoes (Reg. $1.49, Sale $1 - .50 for M&M Sale - .30Q doubled to .50 = FREE) Kraft Mayo (Reg. $3.99, Sale $3 - .50 for M&M Sale - .75Q doubled to $1 = $1.50) 8 boxes Fiber One Bars (Reg. $3.59, Sale $2 - .50 for M&M Sale - .50Q doubled to $1 = .50 each) 8 boxes Nature Valley Granola bars (Reg. $3.59, Sale $2 - .50 M&M Sale - .50Q doubled to $1 = .50) Quaker Mini Rice Cakes (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1 - $1Q = FREE) Fry’s Eggs ($3.19, Sale $2.49) Blue Bonnet Margarine (Reg. $1.49, Sale $.99) French’s Spicy Brown Mustard (Reg. $2.39, Sale $1.50 - .50 M&M Sale - .75Q doubled to $1 = FREE) Kroger Block Cheese (Reg. $3.29, Sale $1.88) Goldfish (Reg. $2.19, Sale $1.50 - .50 M&M Sale = $1) Country Crock Butter (Reg. $3.69, Sale $3.47 - .55 shortcut Q - .55Q doubled to $1 = $1.92) Quaker Oatmeal (Reg. $4.49, Sale $2 - .50 M&M Sale - $1Q = .50) Tyson Chicken (Reg. $7.49, Sale $5 - .50 M&M Sale - $1Q = $3.50) 2 Bananas (Reg. $.64) I ended up spending $46.11 and saving $117.26 which was 71%. To pay full price for all this stuff it would have totaled $229.64. It definitely pays to take the time and clip coupons and match them to sales.

CVS Trip January 18th

I realized today that I had ECB’s that were going to expire in two days. I can’t have that happening so I took advantage of nap time and headed over to CVS. We don’t need anything so I looked for items that were free or cheap so I could roll my ECB’s. Of course I was side tracked by the 90% off Christmas stuff. Clearance is my weakness. I broke my trip up into several transaction to pay the least amount out of pocket. Transaction #1 NasoGel Nose Spray (Reg. $7.99, Earn $7.99 ECB) Box of Christmas Cards (Reg. $9.99, Sale $.99) I paid $8.98 in ECB’s and earned $7.99 ECB. Transaction #2 2 CVS Allergy Medicine (Reg. $4.29, Sale $3.79, Earn $3.79 ECB’s) Paid using $7.58 ECB’s and earned $7.58. Transaction #3 Holiday Message Plaque (Reg. $1.99, Sale $.19) 5 Popup tape (Reg. $1.99, Sale $.19 - $1/2Q (lowered to .95) = FREE) 2 rolls wrapping paper (Reg. $5.99, Sale .59) 3 gift tags (Reg. $2.99, Sale .29) Wrapping paper (Reg. $3.99, Sale .39) Tissue paper (Reg. $1.29, Sale .13) NasoGel nose spray (Reg. $7.99, Earn $7.99 ECB) I used $10.17 ECB’s and paid .71 OOP. I earned back $7.99 ECB’s. Transaction #4 SoyJoy 6 pk (Reg. $7.49, Sale $6, Earn $6 ECB’s) Love Dice (Reg. $.99—This is a filler item that I used so I wouldn’t lose any ECB’s) I paid using $6.99 ECB’s and earned $6 ECB’s. Transaction #5 SoyJoy 6 pk (Reg. $7.49, Sale $6, Earn $6 ECB’s) I paid using $6 ECB’s and earned back $6 ECB’s. I started out with $21.06 in ECB’s and ended up with $16.49. Sadly I lost $4.57 in ECB’s. Looking over my receipts I would have spent $88.11 had I paid for these items full price.

Fry's Trip January 16th

I had most things I needed for this weeks menu so decided to use the budget to stock up on a few items that were on sale. I also got several items that have been on my list but always get pushed aside because of their higher price. My dog Rusty wanted to be in the picture next to the surprise donuts I brought home for breakfast. No, he didn’t get to sample them. Transaction Pullups (Reg. $11.99, Sale $9.99 - $2 shortcuts q - $2 Q = $5.99) Huggies (Reg. $11.99, Sale $9.99 - $1.50 shortcuts q - $1.50Q - $6.99) 8 Cottonelle tp (Reg. $1.39, Sale $.99 - .50q doubled to .99 = FREE) Fuze drink (Reg. $1.89, Sale $1 - .25Q doubled to .50 = .50) La Victoria salsa (Reg. $3.29, Sale $2) Fast Fixin chicken strips (Reg. $2.49, Sale $1) 2 Toaster Strudels (Reg. $3.19, Sale $1.99 - .35Q doubled to .70 = $1.29) Ice Cream Sandwiches (Reg. $2.29, Sale $1) Mt Dairy Ice Cream (Reg. $2.99, Sale $1) 3 Kroger Sherbet (Reg. $3.79, Sale $1) 3 Fry’s Tortillas (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1) 2 Kroger Freezer Bags (Reg. $2.49, Sale $1) 4 Rice A Roni (Reg. $1.79, Sale $1 - $1/4Q = .75) 4 Pasta A Roni (Reg. $1.79, Sale $1 - $1/4Q = .75) 4 Kroger fruit snacks (Reg. $2.19, Sale $1) Macayo Enchilada Sauce (Reg. $1.79, Sale $1.49) Kroger Cornmeal (Reg. $2.19, Sale $1.99) Kroger Lemon Juice (Reg. $2.59, Sale $2.19) Fry’s Canola Oil (Reg. $3.89, Sale $3.17) 4 Martha White muffin mix (Reg. $1.39, Sale $1 - $1/4Q = .75) Fry’s Vegetable Oil (Reg.$3.29, Sale $1.89) Fry’s Bread (Reg. $1.79, Sale $1) Kroger Cheese (Reg. $3.29, Sale $2.50) Kroger Syrup (Reg. $2.89, Sale $2.19) 6 Donuts (Reg. $3.54) 4 Roma Tomatoes (Reg. $1.04, Sale $.70) 2 bunches Green Onions (Reg. $1.38, Sale $1) 2 Zucchini (Reg. $1.39, Sale $.82) Broccoli (Reg. $1.74, Sale $1.17) Kroger Carrots (Reg. $1.69, Sale $1) I ended up spending $68.43 and saving $71.08 which is 51%. Not as good as I would have liked but I expected it since I was buying several things that have been on my “needs” list for awhile. I still stayed under budget so I am fairly happy with the shopping trip. I will just strive to do better next time.

Safeway Trip January 9th

A few months back when food prices started going up I panicked and raised my grocery budget to $300. I have since evaluated my purchases and realized by doing that I gave myself too much room to buy junk I don’t really need. So I have put my food budget back to $250. In an effort to stay within that budget I am going to try shopping the deals at both Safeway and Fry’s. I know I don’t have the patience to take a kid (soon to be two kids) to two stores so I will get up early to go to at least one of them alone. I started that effort today and got up at 6 to shop Safeway alone. Transaction Motts Apple Juice (Reg. $3.59, Sale $2.50 - $1 for juice deal = $1.50) 2 Motts 9 pk juice (Reg. $3.19, Sale $2.69 - $1Q = $1.69) 6 Juicy Juice (Reg. $4.15, Sale $2.50 - $1 for juice deal - .75Q doubled to $1 = .50 each) Tree Top Juice (Reg. $3.59, Sale $2.50 - $1 for juice deal = $1.50) 2 Ocean Spray juice (Reg. $2.59, Sale $2 - $1 for juice deal - .55Q doubled to $1 = FREE) 2 Quaker Oatmeal (Reg. $3.99, Sale $2.50 – 2/$3 Safeway Q - $1 Q = .50 each) 2 gallons milk (Reg. $2.69, Sale $1.58) 3 Oranges (Reg. $1.86, Sale $1.12) 5 lbs Gala Apples (Reg. $5.49 – Safeway Q = $2.99) I spent $17.65 and saved $46.71 which is 73%.

Fry's Trip January 9th

I braved the store today with my son. I try not to do that because I have a hard time concentrating on the coupons/prices and entertaining my son. Plus if he is in the front of the cart I have no place to set my coupon binder. :) Transaction 9 Cottonelle 4 pk TP (Reg. $1.39, Sale $.99 - .50Q doubled to .99 = FREE) 6 Powerade (Reg. $1.49, Sale $.66 – 2 .40Q doubled to .66 = 2 Free and 4 @ .66) Soft Soap (Reg. $2.19, Sale $1 - .35Q doubled to .70 = .30) Suave Body wash (Reg. $2.99, Sale $1.67 - .50Q doubled to $1 = .67) 4 Reeses Whipp candy bars (Reg. $.79, Sale .50 - $1/2 Q = FREE) 3 Suave Deodorant (Reg. $1.49, Sale $1 - .75Q doubled to $1 = FREE) 2 2lb chubs of Hamburger (Reg. $9.99, Sale $3.76 - $1.50 Fry’s Q = $3.01 each) Gatorade 8 pk (Reg. $7.49, Sale $5.97 – Fry’s Q = FREE) Pet Pride dog food (Reg. $15.99, Sale $13.99 - $2.80 Fry’s Q = $11.19) 2 Kroger Strawberry Syrup (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1.49) 4 Kroger Green Chili's (Reg. $.99, Sale .49) Yoplait drinks (Reg. 2.99, Sale $1.74 - $1.50Q = .24) 4 Rosarita Refried Beans (Reg. $1.39, Sale .99 - .40/2 Q doubled .80/2=.59 each) 2 Nature’s Own Bread (Reg. $3.59, Sale $2 - $1Q = $1) Shamrock Farms Sour Cream (Reg. $3.99, Sale $2.39 - .50 doubled to $1 = $1.39) 4 cans Campbell Soup (Reg. $2.79, Sale $1.25 - .50/2 Q doubled to $1/2 = .75 each) 5 cans Fry’s beans (Reg. $.99, Sale $.44) 5 cans Chicken Broth (Reg. $.89, Sale $.44) 2 Jiffy Muffin Mix (Reg. $.59, Sale $.39) Lettuce (Reg. $1.29) 2 Onions (Reg. $1.07) Kroger Cheese (Reg. $3.19, Sale $2.50 - $1 Fry’s Q = $1.50) 3 Roma Tomatoes (Reg. $.91) 3 Bananas (Reg. $.72) I spent $46.86 and saved $88.14 which was 66%.

Walgreens Trip January 4th

I haven’t been shopping in a couple weeks due to having a large stockpile so not much to report. I did make a quick trip over to Walgreens today for a couple of free items. They both had a low limit so I couldn’t get much and may make another trip later in the week. Transaction 2 Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil (Reg. $1.69 - $1 Q - .70 Wags Q = .01 overage each) Garnier Fructis Gel (Reg. $3.99, Sale $2.99 - $1Q - $1 Wags Super Saver Q = .01 overage) I only had to pay tax on these items which came out to $.38. Not too bad for items we use regularly. I have some 2009 budget goals which I will try to post shortly.