Recipe for Honey Oatmeal Bread

This bread has a very pleasing texture!

Ingredients:

1½ cups (warm) water
½ cup quick-cooking oats
½ cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups bread flour
¼ cup oat bran (or Grape Nuts or bran flakes cereal, crushed)
2 Tbsp ground flax seed
½ tsp salt
¼ cup honey (or molasses or maple syrup)
1½ Tbsp vegetable oil
1½ tsp (active dry) yeast

Place ingredients in the bread case and insert the bread case into the bread machine. Select the Basic (Medium) Bread Mode and press Start.

Enjoy!

Publix Deals – 03/24 thru 04/03

I’m actually going to make it to Publix since this is a holiday week and the deals are good through Saturday!

Here's my list:

Classico Pasta Sauce (8.1 to 24 oz) – B1G1 for $2.49
Use $1.00/2 printable coupon
Stack with “Save $1.50 on Beef with purchase of two Classico Pasta Sauces (SmartSource 03/14)
FREE after coupon
(Pay $3.49 per pound for Ground Round.)

Ronzoni Pasta (12 or 16 oz) – B1G1 for $1.39
Use $0.75/1 printable coupon
Or use $1.00/2 printable coupon
$0.20 or FREE (plus $0.05 overage)

Hunts Diced Tomatoes (15 oz) – B1G1 for $1.39
Use $1.00/4 coupon (Rediscover Your Balance Booklet)
$0.45 each

Chocolate Cheerios – B1G1 for $3.99
Use $1.00/1 printable Publix coupons
$0.99 each

Land O Lakes Sweet Cream Butter (16 oz) – $2.00 each
Use $0.50/2 printable coupon
$1.50 each after doubled coupon

Strawberries – $1.25 per pound

Sweet Potatoes – $0.39 per pound

And don’t forget the FREE Yoplait Greek Yogurt Deal! (Good through 04/04/10)

You can see more deals with coupon match-ups at FiddledeedeeMom.

CVS Deals – 03/28 thru 04/03

These are the deals I'm hoping for this week. I'll probably make several trips so I can use ECBs on grocery items; I love it when drugstore deals help the grocery budget!

Buy two Huggies or Pull-Ups – $8.99 each
Get $5.00 ECBs (Limit 1)
Use two $3.00/1 coupons (from various free samples)
Or use two $3.00/1 printable coupons
$3.49 each after coupons and ECBs

Crest Toothpaste – $2.99 each
Get $2.00 ECBs (Limit 1)
Use $0.75/1 coupon (P&G 03/07)
$0.24 after coupon and ECBs

Lindsay Olives – $0.88 each (Limit 6)
Buy two and use $1.00/2 printable coupon
$0.38 each after coupon

Kellogg’s Cereals – $2.00 each (Limit 4)
Use $1.00/1 coupon (from various cereal boxes)
Or buy two and use $1.50/2 printable coupon
$1.00 or $1.25 each after coupons

You can see more deals with coupon match-ups at MoneySavingMom.

Walgreens Deals – 03/28 thru 04/03

These are the deals I'm hoping for this week. I'll probably make several trips so I can use RRs on grocery items; I love it when drugstore deals help the grocery budget!

Dove Shampoo, Conditioner, or Styling Product – $4.00 each
Get $4.00 Register Rewards
Use $2.00/1 printable coupon
FREE plus $2.00 overage after coupon and RRs

Dentek Floss – $2.00 each
Get $2.00 Register Rewards
Use $1.00/1 coupon (SmartSource 01/17) (regional)
FREE plus $1.00 overage after coupon and RR

Walgreens One Daily Multivitamin (100 count) – $3.00 each
Get $3.00 Register Rewards
FREE after RRs

Reese’s Cups – $0.39 each with in-ad coupon
Use $0.55/1 coupon (SmartSource 03/14) (regional)
FREE after coupons

Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna (5 oz) – $0.69 each with in-ad coupon (Limit 4)
Bumble Bee Chunk White Albacore Tuna (5 oz) – $0.99 each with Easter-ad coupon (Limit 3)
Buy four Chunk Light (Limit 4) and one Albacore
Use $1.00/5 printable coupon
$0.55 each after coupons

Campbells Cream of Mushroom or Chicken Soup – $0.79 with Easter-ad coupon
Buy two and use $1.00/2 printable coupon
$0.29 after coupons

Walgreens Pure Honey (32 oz) – $3.99 with in-ad coupon

Milk – $2.69
Currently the best price in town!

You can see more deals with coupon match-ups at Common Sense with Money.

A Simple Resurrection Object Lesson

We did this for the first time last year, and our toddler enjoyed it thoroughly – and learned the true story of Easter!

Materials needed:

• Printed script (See below.)
• Small basket. (A bowl or small shoe box works well, too.)
• Five (large) brightly-colored plastic eggs (You can get these for about $1.00 at Target, etc.)
• A clip-art picture of a donkey (I printed it in black and white, colored it with pencils, and then “laminated” it with clear tape before cutting it out.)
• Crackers (Saltines or oyster crackers work well.)
• Two nails
• A rock
 

Instructions:

Print the following script and keep it in the basket to read as you open the eggs. The script is targeted toward pre-school children; older children can be involved by looking up the Bible passages and reading them aloud.

Let the child open the blue egg and hold the donkey.

(Matthew 21:1-9)

Jesus was coming to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. Some people cut branches from trees and spread them in the road. Many people laid their coats in the road like a carpet. Jesus rode into the city on a donkey. “Hosanna!” the people cheered as they waved palm branches. Some people cheered, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest!” Jesus rode into the city on a donkey because a king riding on a donkey meant he would bring peace. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to set us free from our sins and bring us peace.

Let the child open the purple egg and eat the cracker.

(Matthew 26:17-19, 26-30)

Jesus and His disciples (the twelve men He was training to tell others about God) celebrated Passover together. They went to an upstairs room in a house in Jerusalem. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet to remind them that they should serve others. Then Jesus and the disciples shared a special meal. Jesus knew it would be His last meal with His friends; He knew He had to follow God’s plan for His life and die for our sins.

Let the child open the yellow egg and hold the two nails; show him how to make the nails into a cross.

(Matthew 27:33-56)

Jesus had to be nailed to the cross to die for our sins because it was God’s plan for salvation. The people who loved Jesus were very sad. Jesus did not deserve to be punished; He had not done anything wrong. Jesus died so that we could be forgiven. The Bible says in John 3:16:

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Let the child open the green egg and hold the rock.

(Matthew 27:57-60)

After Jesus died, one of his followers wrapped Jesus’ body in cloth and put it in a tomb. The tomb was a special tomb cut into the rock on a hillside. A big stone was rolled in front of the tomb to close the entrance. Soldiers were posted to guard the tomb. Jesus followers were very sad that Jesus had died.

Let the child open the orange egg. It is empty!

(Matthew 28:1-10)

Early the next morning two ladies named Mary went to visit the tomb. When they came to it, they saw that the big rock had been rolled away. The tomb was empty! The angel that had rolled away the stone said: “Jesus…is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead.” Good news! Jesus was alive again! And He is alive today! He took the punishment that we deserve for our sins so that we can be forgiven – and so that we can know and serve God. And one day we will go to heaven to live forever with God!

(This script has been adapted from a script shared at Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, SC.)

What's Cookin'?

This week's menu includes some good-tasting, cheap food:

Classic Meatloaf

Sweet Butter Bread

Lentil and Sausage Stew

Otherwise, we're pretty much still Eating from The Pantry and freezer, etc. It's been a blessing!

I used a one-pound package of "Cocktail Smokies" little sausages from the freezer for today's Lentil and Sausage Stew. Besides omitting salt, I started by putting the frozen sausages in about two cups of water and simmering them until they were hot. (They're already fully cooked.) I then proceeded with the recipe as stated.

Recipe for Lentil and Sausage Stew

Serve this simple, hearty stew with whole-grain (homemade) bread* to make a great economic meal – complete with protein, vegetables, and fiber! I like to make one huge batch and freeze some for later. (For a smaller batch, simply divide the recipe in half.)

Ingredients:
2½ cups dried lentils
8 cups water
6 small (red) potatoes, cubed
1 lb sausage (chorizo, Italian, etc.)

Optional:
1 tsp salt
1 or 2 onions, chopped
1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
4 medium carrots, grated (about 2 cups)

Instructions:

Rinse and drain lentils. Put lentils and water in a large pot and bring to a simmer. (Add onion, garlic, and salt.) Add potatoes and sausage and then cover and simmer for about 30 minutes, until the lentils are done and most of the water has been absorbed. (Add grated carrots and simmer 15 minutes more before serving.)

Garnish with freshly ground pepper, freshly grated carrot, etc.

(Yields approximately ten 1-cup servings.)

*We love homemade Sweet Butter Bread.

What's Cookin'?

It's a cool, rainy, late-winter (but almost spring!) day where I live.

So, what's cookin'? Some great, nourishing comfort food to match the weather:

Split Pea (with Veggies) Soup and Sweet Butter Bread

This is my frugal version of Split Pea Soup. (Of course, you can add ham bone, too.) But this recipe keeps the idea of simple, economic meals that are also highly nutritious.

I'm looking forward to supper!

Recipe for Split Pea (with Veggies) Soup

Serve this simple yet hearty soup with whole-grain (homemade) bread* to make a great economic (meatless) meal – complete with protein, vegetables, and fiber! I like to make one huge batch and freeze some for later.

Ingredients:

4 Tbsp olive oil
2 or 3 Tbsp dried onion

8 to 10 cups water

2 tsp salt (optional)

4 cups dried split peas

2 medium carrots, grated (about 2 cups)

1 cup diced tomatoes

Instructions:

In a large pot, heat oil and sauté onions until lightly fragrant. Add remaining ingredients and stir until all are well mixed. Then cover and simmer about an hour, stirring occasionally (until peas are tender).

Garnish with freshly ground pepper, freshly grated carrot, or grated (parmesan) cheese, etc.

(Yields approximately fourteen 1-cup servings.)

*We love homemade Sweet Butter Bread.

FREE Italian Ice at Rita's – only on 03/20/10

Spring is in the air! It's time to think about celebrating with a Rita's Italian Ice again!

 

Rita's will be celebrating the First Day of Spring on Saturday, March 20, 2010 – by giving away 10-oz. cups of their famous Italian Ice! Yum!

 

Read the details.

 

You might even want to try the New Peeps Ice!

Check Rita's website to find a location near you. While you're there, sign up for the Birthday Club, too!

Diaper & Wipes Deal at Rite Aid (updated)

The Thrifty Couple has a detailed post on the great diaper and wipes deal currently at Rite Aid!

Here's my (hopeful) scenario:

Buy three packs of Pampers Diapers – $9.99 each
Use two $1.50/1 coupons (from select Cheerios boxes)
[Or use two $1.50/1 coupons (P&G 02/07 & 02/21)]
Use one $2.00/1 coupon (P&G 02/21)
Buy one pack of Pampers Wipes – $2.49 each
Use $1.50/1 coupon $0.50/1 coupon (P&G 02/07)
Stack with a $5 off $25 purchase Rite Aid coupon

Total after coupons will be $20.96 $21.96 (before tax).

Qualify to receive the $10 Rite Aid Gift Card. (See Rebate #18 here.)

The final price will be $10.96 $11.96 for four items – or $2.74 $2.99 each (before tax)!

FREE Yoplait Greek Yogurt at Publix!

We're back in the USA after almost five (very busy!) weeks away.

Here's an especially exciting deal at Publix (through 04/04/10) for our yogurt-loving family:

Yoplait Greek Yogurt (6 oz) – $1.19 each
Use FREE Publix coupon
Stack with $0.30/1 printable coupon (doubled)
FREE plus $0.60 overage after coupons

Thanks, MoneySavingMom!
 
You can also see a simple recipe for homemade yogurt right here on this blog!