Thrifty Tips for July 25, 2013

RECIPE FOR THIS WEEK'S SALE

Safeway is selling Sanderson Farms whole chicken at just 88 cents a pound.  This means that I MUST share my favorite chicken recipe.  Roast Chicken with Lemons is from Marcella Hazan.  It is perfect inside and out every single time.  Follow this link for the recipe which I have picked up via NPR.  The leftover chicken can usually be halved (if you remove ALL the meat) and makes a great base for Garlic Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Thrifty Fun (I even just make the chicken and scatter it over a salad).  The other half is great on this Chicken Pesto Pizza recipe from Pillsbury.  They suggest jar pesto, but here is a simple recipe from Simply Recipes if you have the ingredients. 

SOMETHING MISSING?  MAKE IT YOURSELF

Necessity is THE mother of invention.  Who said that?  Okay...believe it or not, I stopped to look that up and found that it is apparently an English proverb but it has also been attributed to Plato.  Either way, it is so very true, and I discovered how true the other day when I was trying to figure out how to not buy more groceries.

My son wanted tacos.  I had the main ingredients which included ground beef, cheese, lettuce and soft corn tortillas (way cheaper than boxed brands), but I did not have taco seasoning.  What is a woman to do?  Go on a Pinterest hunt.  While there I found just the perfect recipe for taco seasoning that you can make on your own and not only save some money but save on ingredients that we do not desire like (from a packet I looked up online) Maltodextrin (what is that?), Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil (I cannot have soy), Silicon Dioxide (anti caking), and Ethoxyquin (a preservative).  Pinterest has recipes for massive amounts and smallish ones.  I went for the smallish which should work for at least three batches of tacos when using one pound of ground beef.  I found this recipe at AllRecipes.com. 

3 teaspoons of Sea Salt (I used regular iodized salt)
3 teaspoons of Pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons of Garlic Powder
1 1/2 teaspoons of Onion Powder
1 – 1 1/2 teaspoons Dried Mexican Oregano Leaves
2 teaspoons Paprika
4 1/2 teaspoons of Ground Cumin
3 Tablespoons of Chili Powder
3/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (I just shook the container a few times)

Here are some links to some more great recipes:
Italian Dressing Mix (Great substitute for the dressing packets that you add to oil, vinegar and water. One suggestion, do not add additional salt as it calls for celery salt and garlic salt.  That will be enough)
Dry Ranch Mix
Chili Seasoning Mix


WEBSITE LOVE

Back to School shopping is in full swing, and it can be pretty difficult planning out the best ways to save.  In my opinion, there is nothing more annoying than paying $1.00 for a composition book one day and then finding them at another store for half the price or lower at a different store the next.  There is a site I really like to go to in order to keep on top of those deals.  It is called Passion for Savings.  Follow this link to see a great list of savings by store plus a lot of other great site features.  Before you shop, remember to inventory what you already have.  Spending 25 cents on paper is not a bargain if you already have five packages at home.  

BACK TO SCHOOL

Getting a locker of my own was THE highlight of entering sixth grade.  Finding supplies when I needed them, a rougher time.  Pocket Locker Organizers are so simple to make with directions from Bella Savvy. They are a great way to add a little organizing help while reusing old denim jeans.

Love to Know Crafts has instructions on how to make simple locker caddies out of boxes you may have at home (pop tart boxes and the like).  The same pages has many other back to school craft ideas.

Don't forget to head to Goodwill on Saturday for another 50% off day and perhaps a jump start on school organizing and purchasing.  I picked up some great desk organizers at the last sale. 


FREE EBOOKS (Remember that these were free at the time of my posting.  That can change quickly.  Always check the price before downloading.)

Skip Rock Shallows by Jan Watson (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (AMAZON) (BARNES & NOBLE)

Hazardous Duty (Christian Mystery) (Squeaky Clean Mysteries) by Christy Barritt (AMAZON)

The Deuce (Midtown Blue Book #1) by FP Lione (CHRISTIANBOOK.COM) (AMAZON)

Cooking from the Pantry: The Busy Mom's Guide to Creating Fabulous, No-Fuss Meals in 30 Minutes or Less by Tracy Roberts (AMAZON)

FUN FOR THE KIDS

If you live in Prescott, there are still openings for Lowe's Build & Grown Clinics on Saturday and Sunday where your kids can build a Toy Story  RC car for free.  Follow this link to sign up.

FREE MAGAZINE

Three free issues of Ladies Home Journal are still available at this link.  Sign up while they last.

GROCERIES

SAFEWAY

Sanderson Farms Whole Chicken 88 cents lb
Fresh All Natural Pork Shoulder Country Style Ribs $1.39 lb
Lemons 2/$1
Marie Callender's or Healthy Choice Meals 10.25 to 19 oz Select Varieties (excludes steamers) 5/$10
Sweet Red Cherries $2.99 lb
Fresh  Express Spinach or Garden Plus Salads 9 to 12 oz 99 cents

FRY'S

Red Seedless Grapes 75 cents lb
Broccoli or Roma Tomatoes 99 cents lb
USDA Choice boneless Beef Roast Chuck, Shoulder or Top Round 50% off (up to $3.49 lb with card)
Simple Truth Organic Beans Select Varieties 16 oz Can 10/$10
Colgate  Toothpaste Select Varieties 4.6 oz or Toothbrush 1 ct 10/$10

ALBERTSONS

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.88 lb
Extra Lean Ground Beef 85% Lean $2.79 lb
Northwest Grown Blueberries 11 oz Package 4/$5
Sweet Honeydew Melon 49 cents lb
Green Bell Peppers or Cucumbers 59 cents