Champagne Worthy Meals on a Beer Budget

Lose weight by drinking more water!

2011-06-25T21:49:00.003-04:00

First, you are probably wondering what this has to do with eating on the cheap. That is easy. When you are well hydrated, you eat less. If you eat less, it costs you less. Also, when you lose weight, you will be less hungry – thus saving money. So, without further delay, how do you lose weight with water?

It is important to note that you can lose tons of weight simply drinking water. People are surprised when they hear this! Generally they don't know that their body is retaining water due to their lack of water consumption. You see, we are built for survival. If you don't drink enough, your body will retain water for “just in case”. With this in mind you can see how water can actually help you lose weight!

You don't have to drink plain water. However, avoid sugar and caffeine as these can be counter-productive. You may want to consider drinking green tea as it possesses some extremely healthy effects (including evidence that it can aid in weight loss). If you combine green tea with increased water consumption, you just may be amazed at how well your weight loss begins to progress.

Also, remember to lower your sodium consumption as this will dehydrate you and cause you to retain more fluids (as well as do other damage to your health).

Chicken Stuffed Tortilla - Video Recipe!!!

2011-06-22T14:35:00.000-04:00

Okay - so this is my first attempt at making a "video recipe" for you all to enjoy! I am so excited, and I hope you all like it! The Chicken Stuffed Tortilla recipe is one of my favorites because it is so versatile. Formally known as "Stuff" to my family and friends, this recipe has taken many forms over the years. If you want to sneak healthy things such as mushrooms or avocados in the recipe, all you have to do is puree them and stir them into the mix.

So without further delay, here we go!

Quick/Easy/Cheap Dessert - Instant Chocolate Cake

2011-06-20T20:29:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the two days off folks - things came up... I will make up for it though! How does cake in minutes sound? Delicious? I thought so!

Instant Chocolate Cake
Serves 2
Start -2- Finish: 10 minutes
“Work” Time: 10 minutes
Cost Per Person: $1.15

Ingredients:
1/4 cup flour
5 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
dash of vanilla extract
dash of salt

Directions:

* Mix all ingrediants in a coffee cup
* Microwave for 2 minutes

Serving Suggestions:
Add Chocolate chips, mint chips, walnuts, or so on...

Quick/Easy/Cheap Recipe - Honey Mustard Chicken

2011-06-17T22:53:00.001-04:00

Honey Mustard Chicken

Serves 2

Start -2- Finish: 60 minutes

“Work” Time: 15 minutes

Cost Per Person: $1.00

Ingredients:
2 - Frozen Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breast
½ Cup - Creamy Honey-Mustard Sauce (See Below)

Creamy Honey-Mustard Sauce
2 parts yellow mustard
1 part mayonnaise
4 parts honey
Alter to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F
Rinse Chicken
Spray chicken lightly with cooking spray (to prevent drying)
On broiler pan, bake chicken for approximately 30 minutes (until juices run clear)
When chicken is done, remove from oven and place on plates
Top with Creamy Honey-Mustard Sauce
Serve

Serving Suggestion:
Serve with baked potato or mixed veggies

Father's Day FREE Gift Idea!

2011-06-16T20:10:00.002-04:00

So Father's Day is Sunday, and I am sure many of you have not yet gotten anything for that special man. Now, I am aware that this is not meal related, but then again, if you don't have to pay for a Father's Day gift, you can spend more money on food ;-) right?

So what is the deal? You can get a FREE 8×10 Collage Print from Walgreens! Just use coupon code: 1FREEBIE at checkout through Saturday, June 18, 2011. If you choose pick up in-store, you can avoid shipping fees (and to get it by Father’s Day!). Just remember, there is a limit of one free offer per customer.

Quick/Easy/Cheap & Healthy Dessert - Chocolate Pudding

2011-06-15T17:39:00.001-04:00

Healthy alternative to traditional chocolate pudding. Decadent, sweet, and delicious. Also very affordable. This tastes just like traditional chocolate pudding, however it is dairy free and very low in fat. Also, this is very high in vitamins and minerals.

Chocolate Pudding

Serves 4

Start -2- Finish: 10

“Work” Time: 10

Approx Cost Per Person: $1.00

Ingredients:
1 avocado
¼ c raw sugar
¼ c cocoa powder
¼ c water
2 t vanilla extract
¼ t sea salt

Directions:

With a sharp knife, Slice avocado around, twist and separate
Remove seed and using spoon scoop avocado from skin. Be sure to remove the stem
Place avocado in blender/food processor
In microwave safe bowl, microwave water for approx 1 min.
Add sugar, stir until dissolved. Place mixture in blender/food processor
Add cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt to blender/food processor
Blend/mix until smooth. If not mixing well, add 1additional TBSP water at a time, and work mixture away from edges (make sure blender is off)
Place in bowl(s) and refrigerate atleast 30 minutes
Serve and enjoy

Serving Suggestions:
You can variate as you would with traditional chocolate pudding by adding mint or making larger batch and making pie, ect.

Real meals for $1 a person? Yes! It is possible!

2011-06-14T19:52:00.002-04:00

So tonight at dinner, my boyfriend asked me how much dinner cost. When I told him, he sat back, blew out a long breath, and said "You should blog about that."

Plain and simple: dinner was delicious, healthy, and cheap. So what was it? Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage, buttered brussels sprouts, biscuits, and herbed garden vegetables. I fed two adults and two children for $4. Oh yea - and I was able to cook dinner in under 20 minutes. Funny thing is -- we eat like that all the time. So how do I do it?

Simple!

First, the Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage was on sale for $1.95. The buttered brussels sprouts and herbed garden vegetables were 10 for $10 & 11th free at Meijer - making them 90 cents each. The biscuits were a simple homemade recipe easily costing no more than a quarter. See, that is the ticket - watching out for sales and stocking up when you can. From my grocery shopping last week I have a save $3 coupon. Meijer recently added a save $2 coupon to my MPerks card - so the 1st $5 I spend on my next shopping trip will be free. And so goes my usual shopping trips. Whether or not you choose Meijer to shop is not important. What is important is finding an affordable grocery - and if possible one with a customer card and a major plus is one that doubles/triples coupons.

You can easily do this too!

A little planning can save you BIG! On average I save about 1/3 with coupons and in-store deals. What could you do with an extra $84.84?

Partnership with Coupons.com!

2011-06-14T09:56:00.001-04:00

I am pleased to announce our partnership with Coupons.com©! You are now able to select and print your grocery coupons directly from this site. Also, we are able to offer you coupon codes to your favorite websites. This is an amazing asset for those of you who are shopping on a budget. Coupons.com© has been around for 13 years, and is a leader in offering savings both online and in the grocery store. I am confident that this partnership will be an amazing asset for virtually everyone!

Instead of looking around for steals and deals, you can now find them right here. I will continue to offer recipes, tips, tricks, and other valuable information. I will always be on the lookout for ways to make your culinary experiences easier and more rewarding!

Quick Easy Delicious Quiche

2011-06-13T14:16:00.006-04:00

Spinach, Onion and Carrot Quiche

Serves 2

Start -2- Finish: 40min

“Work” Time: 10min

Approx Cost Per Person: $1.50

Ingredients:
1/2 cup frozen spinach thawed (remove excess water & chop)
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup small diced onions
1 cup milk
1/2 cup Bisquick
1 tbsp cream cheese
2 eggs
dash of salt

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 350
Combine all ingrediants in a bowl and mix
Grease standard pie pan.
pour mixture into pie pan.
Cook 25 to 30 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.
Cut into 8 wedges, Serve & Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions:
Works well for breakfast or dinner. Add more ingredients or change as you experiment with this recipe

In-depth guide on eating well on a budget

2011-06-13T11:37:00.001-04:00

Okay folks, since I was out of town over the weekend, and you had to go two days without a post, here is your reward for waiting patiently. :-)

Here are some ways you can save money on your grocery bill, and still eat well:

Not only is it easy to get sucked in by the Grocery Store's merchandising tricks, but it is also normal for most of us to fall into a mealtime rut (eating the same foods over and over). There are ways to avoid this and eat well on a budget. First and foremost: before you even walk out the door, sit down and write out a list. Remember to and stick to it. Shop no more than once a week. Clip out coupons from the paper, internet, or any other location that is available. But remember to only clip coupons for food you will eat – and try to skip the junk food and heavily processed foods. Don't be discouraged that they take up most of the coupons. Try to get extra coupons from friends and family.

Money-saving basics:

Shop the perimeter (outside) of the store first. That’s where all of the healthier choices usually are – produce, dairy, meat, ect.. You will avoid most of the more processed foods.
Don’t go shopping on an empty stomach! Make sure you shop after a meal, or after a light snack to help resist temptation. If nothing else, chew some gum.
Look for sales on fresh fruits and vegetables. You can freeze most of these.
Choose the large bags of fruit (like apples, pears, or mixed fruits), instead of the singles. These are cheaper, and while there may be a bruise or two, they are the same as the single (higher priced) fruits.

Also remember that it is okay to buy generic! Generic brands can provide a great savings when shopping and are often labeled as the store’s brands. The nutritional value of the food is the same, whether it’s canned, frozen, or bagged foods. A lot of these “generic” foods are made by big brand names, but packaged for the store.

Avoid buying soda, juice drink singles, sports drinks, and bottled water. A water filter will serve you well if you have concern over quality/flavor of tap water. Remember that sodas and sports drinks are not only expensive, but they are bad for you. If you must buy soda, go for store brand.

There’s been a lot of single serve packages of snacks come onto the market – and they cost you A LOT more per serving. While portion control is a great thing, you don’t need to pay extra for it. Buy some snack-size bags, and make your own single-serving packets.

Go frozen! Frozen fruits and vegetables are usually very favorably priced, and can be used in a variety of ways. When you get fresh fruits and veggies, and their time is approaching, freeze them! Don't throw them out. Wash and prepare them. Place them in a freezer bag, and you are good to go.

Look for sales. Stock up on healthy deals when you can. Freeze the perishables (fruits, veggies, and meats). Just remember though, a deal is only a deal if you can use it. Don't buy foods you will never eat.

Buy in bulk. Items like meat and poultry can be divided and frozen for later use for a variety of meals. Shop the warehouses (Sam's Costco, ect), if you can split the packages with a friend, especially for perishable foods. While that bag of vegetables may not look very big in a warehouse store, it may not fit in you refrigerator.

Too tired too cook? Buy a rotisserie chicken at the store, and add the side dishes, drinks, and dessert at home.

Drink lots of water! Drinking at least 8 cups of water a day is not only good for you, but it also helps you to limit your snacking. The less you spend on snacks, the more you can spend on meal time.

Stock your fridge and cupboards with items that are quick and easy to cook. The following items are also easy on the wallet:

Beans and lentils
Brown Rice
Pasta
Fresh vegetables and fruit
Discounted meats
Condiments & spices to change things up

Save your vegetable and meat trimmings to make your own stock. Not only do you save money, but vegetable and meat stock also makes a great base for many meals.

Use less expensive cuts of meat for casseroles or slow cooker meals. Add veggies to make the meal go further.

Make one-pot dishes whenever possible. This will generally save prep time, money, and dish-washing.

Look top to bottom on the grocery shelves. Stores often place less expensive generic or store brands high or low on the grocery shelves. These are often very similar to higher-priced brand names though packaged under different labels. Stores deliberately place the highest-priced brand-name items at eye level, but if you compare the cost per pound/ounce/unit, you will see a major saving opportunity.

Limit your dining out, especially when it comes to fast food! You will find yourself spending unnecessarily on items that are high in fat, salt, and calories, and that are cheating you in nutrition.

Buy In Season Fruits & Veggies. Food grown in season usually tastes better and is often cheaper. Remember: Root vegetables in the Winter. Apples & squash in the Fall. Broccoli & berries in the Summer. Buy from local farmers or the farmer’s markets.

Anymore it is okay to buy everything from one place (if you research you shopping venues). Time is money and fuel is quite expensive now-a-days. Just because you save $5 at one location, it isn't worth $7 in gas and 20 extra minutes.

If you store offers one, get their customer card. Many grocery stores hold sales for customer card holders only. Some cards save you money and give you money (gift certificates once you’ve spent a fixed amount, ect) Many now let you load coupons directly to the card, saving you clipping time.

Avoid Impulse Buying. Remember that “Failing to plan is planning to fail”. The best way to avoid impulse buying is to prepare yourself before you do the grocery. Stick to that list we were talking about earlier!

Whenever possible, grow your own food.! It always tastes better when it comes from your own garden ;-)

Why use coupons?

2011-06-10T12:38:00.000-04:00

Simply put, if you use coupons properly they WILL save you money! On Average, I save 1/3 on groceries that I actually use. Unlike those shows, I do not buy 50 yellow mustard bottles or anything like that. What follows are my tips to making coupons work.

Only clip coupons for products you use
Ask your friends if they use their coupon section of the Sunday paper
Find a store that double/triples coupons
Know which store offers the best deal for products you use
A deal isn't a deal if you will not use it
Plan ahead

These are just a few suggestions for you to consider...

Quick/Easy/Cheap Dessert - Cinnamon Sauced Oranges

2011-06-09T07:46:00.000-04:00

Healthy meals are great, but we all love dessert, right? Inexpensive, delicious, and healthy desserts are possible. I love this recipe! Not only is it sweet, but it is fresh and clean. An excellent recipe for a hot day, it is quick and light. Turn it into a winter delight by serving warm over french toast.

Cinnamon Sauced Oranges

Serves 4

Start -2- Finish: 10

“Work” Time: 10

Approx Cost Per Person: $1.25

Ingredients:
4 cold navel oranges
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon raw or brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

With a sharp knife, remove rind and white pith from oranges.
Cut each into 5 or 6 slices and arrange on 4 plates.
Whisk together orange juice and lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon.
Spoon over the orange slices.
Serve & Enjoy!

Serving Suggestions:
Try with additional fruits such as blueberries, or turn into a breakfast treat by serving on French Toast! Don't have orange juice? Express the juice from a 5th orange to avoid a trip to the store.

Quick/Easy/Cheap Recipe - Down-Under Chicken

2011-06-08T13:52:00.000-04:00

Down-Under Chicken

Serves 2

Start -2- Finish: 60 minutes

“Work” Time: 15 minutes

Approx Cost Per Person: $3.00

Ingredients:
2 - Frozen Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breast
4 - Strips lightly cooked bacon(or turkey bacon) or ¼ Cup Real Bacon (or turkey bacon) Bits
½ Cup - Creamy Honey-Mustard Sauce (See Below)
Sliced Mushrooms
4 ounces - Shredded Cheese

Creamy Honey-Mustard Sauce
2 parts mustard
1 part mayonnaise
4 parts honey
Alter to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F
Rinse Chicken
Spray chicken lightly with cooking spray (to prevent drying)
On broiler pan, bake chicken for approximately 30 minutes (until juices run clear)
When chicken is done, remove from oven and place on cookie sheet – leave oven turned on
Top chicken with bacon, mushrooms, then cheese and bake additional 3-5 minutes (until cheese is melted)
Place Chicken on individual plates
Top with Creamy Honey-Mustard Sauce
Serve

Serving Suggestion:
Serve with mashed potatoes and brown gravy or baked potato

The new "Food Pyramid"

2011-06-08T13:04:00.001-04:00

Just because you are eating on a budget, it does not mean you can't eat healthy. Likewise, eating healthy does not mean you can not eat well. Recently the USDA released the new "Food Pyramid", which isn't even a pyramid anymore. It is actually a plate.

So what does this mean for you and your food preparation? First, let me say that I am NOT an nutritionist. However, every nutritionist I speak to promotes a diet based on vegetables, fruit, and legumes. Now this varies a bit from the plate shown. But what knowledge can we take from the plate that we can all agree on?

Variety is key. Just like four food groups (plus dairy) depicted by the icon, where there is variety, there is nutritional richness.
Portion size. While the icon doesn’t give us a reference for the size of the plate, it is clear that portion control is key if we want to provide diners with nourishing food.
Protein sources. The icon lists grains, fruits and vegetables, but makes no reference to the sources of protein. Because protein can be found not only in animal derived products, but also in whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy, and yes, even some vegetables, a combination of these items should be incorporated into the overall protein content. You do NOT have to eat red meat to get the necessary proteins if you choose not to. Fish, legumes, and soy are excellent options.
Fat sources. The icon does not say anything about fats and oils. But the verdict remains: fewer saturated fats, avoidance of trans fats, less frying, and more good fats coming from fish, plant oils, nuts and seeds are keys to healthy eating.

If you go to the grocery store and look in the fresh food section, you will notice that these are quite expensive items. This does not mean you should avoid them. Some of the most nutritious fruits and vegetables are not very expensive at all. It is all how you use them.

While grocery shopping on a budget, one might be tempted to buy cheap, quick, and easy foods - but don't give into this! Remember, your family's health is in your hands. Overly-processed foods are not healthy, and will cost you much more in the long run. Below is a quick list of inexpensive foods to fit each section. Below the list, see the nutritional information!

Vegetables: Carrots are both inexpensive and healthy. While there are vegetables that offer more nutrition, carrots are very versatile and inexpensive. Shred them, crunch on them as snacks, cook them with dinner, throw them in a smoothie - they are amazing!
Fruits: Grapes are an excellent option. High in vitamins, these little sweet treats have been shown to decrease the risk for heart disease. I highly recommend them in a smoothie as the highest levels of nutrients are in the skin, stems, and seeds.
Grains: I can not say enough good things about brown rice (but not white)! Brown rice is delicious, healthy, and versatile - and well as inexpensive. Do not get the boil in bag style as it has been processed. Brown rice is VERY easy to prepare - just double the water for the amount of dry rice used. So why Brown rice you ask? The process that produces brown rice removes only the outermost layer, the hull, of the rice kernel and is the least damaging to its nutritional value. The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids.
Protein: Black Beans are both inexpensive and healthy! If you have a crock pot, they can be your best friend! Many public health organizations--including the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society--recommend legumes as a key food group for preventing disease and optimizing health.
Dairy: Not only is yogurt a wonderful quick, easy and nutritious snack that is available year-round, but researchers are finding evidence that milk and yogurt may actually add years to your life as is found in some countries where yogurt and other fermented dairy products are a dietary staple.

2nd Quick/Easy/Cheap Recipe

2011-06-07T10:25:00.000-04:00

Cheesy Chicken Ranch Wrap

Serves 4

Start -2- Finish: 55 minutes

“Work” Time: 10 minutes

Approx Cost Per Person: $2.75

Ingredients:
2 - Frozen Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breast
¼ Cup - Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing (room temp or slightly warmer)
6 Ounces - Shredded Cheese
8 - Soft Tortilla Shells
1 - Diced tomato
Shredded lettuce (either iceberg or can substitute spinach leaf)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F
Rinse Chicken
Spray chicken lightly with cooking spray (to prevent drying)
On broiler pan, bake chicken for approximately 30 minutes (until juices run clear)
When chicken is done, remove from oven and place on cookie sheet – leave oven turned on
Cut chicken into strips
Place chicken in center of tortilla shells and top with cheese
Place tortillas on cookie sheet and return to oven for 3-5 minutes
Place tortillas on plates
Top with lettuce, tomato, then ranch dressing
Fold or roll tortilla
Serve

Serving Suggestions:
This can be a full meal. Multiply recipe as needed to serve.

1st Quick/Easy/Cheap Recipe

2011-06-06T20:02:00.000-04:00

Cheesy Ranch Chicken

Serves 2

Start -2- Finish: 47 minutes

“Work” Time: 7 minutes

Approx Cost Per Person: $1.25

Ingredients:
2 - Frozen Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breast
¼ Cup - Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing (room temp or slightly warmer)
4 ounces - Shredded Cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F
Rinse Chicken
Spray chicken lightly with cooking spray (to prevent drying)
On broiler pan, bake chicken for approximately 30 minutes (until juices run clear)
When chicken is done, remove from oven and place on cookie sheet – leave oven turned on
Top chicken with cheese and bake additional 3-5 minutes (until cheese is melted)
Place Chicken on individual plates
Top with Ranch dressing
Serve

Serving Suggestions:
Serve with steamed broccoli or cauliflower – buttered lightly – no cheese
Can Substitute Ranch for honey mustard or BBQ

Stocking Up

2011-06-06T19:58:00.000-04:00

The first thing you need to do is to purchase some inexpensive food items that will be the basis for many meals. Proper planning is "Key 1" to not going broke at the grocery store. The following items are my recommendations:
* Frozen Boneless-Skinless Chicken Breasts
* Rice
* Self Rising Flour
* Canned Chicken
* Various seasoning blends
* Frozen Vegetables
* Shredded Cheese
* Honey
* Bacon Bits (real or Turkey)
* Mustard