Recipe=Tacos for The Weight Watcher or Anyone Watching Their Calorie Budget

Well, this isn't REALLY a recipe, but I wanted to share with you how our family eats tacos. You all know that I am a Weight Watcher and have been for a few years. Well, as a Weight Watcher, you can pretty much eat whatever you want you just need to watch portions mostly and make "healthier" choices. Well, being that I am a Mexican Girl one of my FAVES is tacos. Yep, grew up eating tacos and I LOVE THEM!! It's in my blood. :) One of the ways we ate tacos growing up and my most favorite, is frying a corn tortilla in a pan of grease. OH YUM!!!!! THEY ARE TO DIE FOR!!!! (literally and figuratively) Well, I'm sure that you are aware that eating this way is not really the healthiest for the human body, and I'm pretty sure that it is really frowned upon at Mr. Scale. ;) Anyway, I still eat these, just a more healtier version and they are really good. Of course, it is not the same, but they do the job. Here is what I use......


La Tortilla Factory Corn Tortillas $2.50



2 points per tortilla or 4 points for 2 tortillas



"Frying" the corn tortilla in a frying pan sprayed with Pam. Spray the tortilla before flipping over, so it gets brown on the other side too.



Done "fried" tortillas waiting to be topped/filled.



Ready-to-eat taco.



Okay, so here is what I did....

2 corn tortillas (4 points)

Pam

1 cup of Fat Free Refried Beans (1 points)

1/2 cup leanest ground beef (4 points)

2 Tablespoons Fat Free Sour Cream (0 points)

other veggie toppers of your choice

Coat your frying pan with some Pam. Let the tortilla brown. Spray tortilla before flipping. Brown that side too. Top your tortilla with 1/2 cup of beans, 1/4 cup of beef, veggies (lots of veggies make it really big), sour cream.

There you have it. You have two over-filled tacos for 9 points! Or you can half this and have one for 4 points! This is well worth it for me and I get my "bad" taco fix. :)

Alrightly, I hope you like.....

Cheryl

A Weight Watcher's Snack

I have not shared a recipe in a while, as I have been trying to still get my head around this whole new points system that my friends at Weight Watchers have changed up. Anyway, I don't know about you, but I tend to get stuck in a rut with the type of foods that I eat and sometimes I just get bored. I love it when I do go to Weight Watchers and somebody shares a "new" recipe to me or a snack idea. Sometimes we just get stuck! Well, anyway, I thought I would share one of my FAVORITE snacks. Some of you may say...."eewww," but I'm tellin' you it is sooooooo yummy and filling too. I tend to turn to it when I have a sweet tooth or when I want to "just" eat. I actually haven't had it in a while and decided to add it back to my diet this week. Anyway, this is my cottage cheese and grapes.....

So, this is my "recipe."

Grapes and Cottage Cheese

1/2 cup of Fat Free Cottage Cheese (2 points)

1 cup of grapes (FREE)

4 teaspoons of Splenda (I REALLY REALLY like sweet)

Mix up and enjoy for ONLY 2 POINTS!!

I'm tellin' you IT IS SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!! Seriously, if you like cottage cheese, give this a try. You just might like it. This has 15 grams of protein!!!

Enjoy!!!

Cheryl

Big Lots=20% Off Entire Purchase Tomorrow, Sunday, 3/6/11, ONLY

So, TOMORROW ONLY, 3/6/2011, Big Lots is offering 20% off your entire purchase when you use this coupon here.
This is a Buzz Club Reward coupon.  If you are not already registered you can register online, here, before you print out your coupon.

Thanks Wheel 'n Deal Mama!

Cheryl

$2/2 Hillshire Farm Lunchmeat

I don't know about you, but we go through lunchmeat like crazy over here. So, I always try to jump on good coupons when I can. Anyway, there is a good coupon over here (make sure you use zip 60021).

$2/2 Hillshire Farm Lunchmeat You will need to go "vote," then you will be able to print out the $2/2, which prints out TWO $1/1 coupons! :) Niiice. Maybe you could pair this up with a doubler and get and even better deal! :)

Thanks!

Cheryl

FREE Recipe Book

Wow, one of my favorite chefs is offering up a FREE recipe book. Have you ever heard of Jamie Oliver? He is an AWESOME AWESOME chef and has some really yummy recipes that are on the low-cal side. That is one of the things that I LOVE about his cooking! Anyway, he is offering up a FREE recipe book when you go on over here and fill out a "short" survey. Really, it is short.

Thanks A Thrifty Mom!

Cheryl

$1/1 Welch's Sparkling Juice or Sparkling Juice Cocktail

Just go on over here to Welch's Facebook page and "like" them, then you will be able to print out a coupon for $1/1 Welch's Sparkling Juice or Sparkling Juice Cocktail!

Thanks A Thrifty Mom!

Cheryl

More Rite Aid Deals

Here are a couple more Rite Aid deals that I have come across this morning.

All King Size Candy Bars B1G1 FREE
-B1G1 free hershey's Milk Chocolate or Reese's Peanut Butter Cups King Size (Up to $1.29 value)
= FREE or just a few cents, depending on how much over $1.29 they are. STILL A GOOD DEAL!!

Easter Bliss Dove $2.99
-$1/1 from 3/6 RP (Rumor has it that we are getting this in the paper tomorrow. Fingers crossed)
=$1.99, PLUS get back (1) $1 +UP reward, making these JUST $0.99!

Fabulessly Frugal has this posted...
Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna B1G1 ½ OFF ($1.49)
$1 +up
Final: $0.12 each wyb 2, but I did not see it in the ad. BUT, this would be a GREAT deal if it is accurate! I just wanted to give you a heads up, just in case...

KY Intrigue, Yours+Mine $17.99

$5 +up
$3/1 Yours + Mine or Kissable Sensations February VV
$4/1 KY Lubricants All You Feb 2011
$2/1 KY Products All You Feb 2011
$2/1 KY Brand Product 1/30/2011 SS
$4/1 Ky Brand Couples Product 1/30/2011 SS
Final: $5.99

Thanks for your help Fabulessly Frugal!

Cheryl

Rite Aid Deals 3/6-3/12

There is not really much happening next week at Rite Aid, in my opinion, but maybe there are a few deals that you might like. The Coupon Posse' has put together a list of matchups for you. Just go on over here ......

The Coupon Posse': Rite Aid Deals 3/6-3/12!#c7704480833800057301

and see the list that they have come up with.

FYI.... The Cetaphil Bars are NOT part of the deal. You have to spend $8-something in order for the deal to work. It is printed in the ad, on the coupon.

Thanks Coupon Posse'!

Cheryl

Albertsons Doublers Tomorrow?

We are hearing rumors that there will be doublers in tomorrow paper! Wahoo! That is going to make for some AWESOME deals!!!

Here are a few to get you thinking.......Well....... as you know I'm a little partial to FREE, so here are a few freebies......

Nabisco Chips Ahoy $1.99 in-ad coupon
-$1 when you buy one Nabisco cookies and one milk
-1 doubler
=FREE, plus the cost of a gallon of milk

Ore-Idea Potatoes 2 for $4
-$1/1 SWEET POTATO FRIES from Safeway March Frozen Food Month booklet (IF THESE ARE INCLUDED)
= FREE!!

Stouffer's Frozen Entrees 5 for $10 ($2 each)
-$1/1 printable (NLA) or you can order from here)
-1 doubler
=FREE!
 
Oscar Mayer Deli Creations 10 for $10
-$1/2 from here
-1 doubler
=FREE X2!!!!

Starkist Tuna Patch 10 for $10
-$0.50/1 from Feb All You (or if you printed that printable that was available a week or so ago for $0.50/1 it is NLA)
-1 Doubler
=FREE!!

Hefty One Zip Storage Bags 2 for $4
-$1/1 from Safeway The Joy of Football Booklet
-1 Doubler
= FREE!!!

Zone Perfect Bars 10 for $10
-$0.55/1 from 1/16 SS
-1 doubler
= FREE!!!

Hey, if you want to see some more matchups just go on over here to Happy Money Saver and check out The Coupon Posse' too! They both have some good matchups!


Thanks!

Cheryl

Extra Extra Read All About It-New Walmart Coupon Policy

WOWZAS!!! Walmart JUST updated their coupon policy and IT ROCKS!!! Check this out......

Walmart Coupon Policy

Walmart accepts the following types of coupons (see guidelines below):
•Manufacturers' coupons
•Print-at-home internet coupons
◦Must be legible, have "Manufacturer Coupon" printed on them, have a valid remit address for the manufacturer, valid expiration date, and have a scannable bar code.
•Competitors' coupons that feature a specific item for a specified price
~for example, $2.99
•Soft drink container caps
•Checkout coupons
~(also called "Catalinas") that are printed at our competitors' registers, have "Manufacturer Coupon" with specific requirements printed on them, a valid remit address for the manufacturer, valid expiration date, and a scannable bar code.

Walmart does not accept the following coupons:
•Print-at-home Internet coupons that require no purchase
•Competitors' coupons for dollars/cents or percentage off, buy one get one free, and double- or triple-value coupons

The following are guidelines and limitations:
•Only one coupon per item is permitted.
•Coupons must have an expiration date and be redeemed prior to expiration.
•Coupons may exceed the price of the item. Change may be given or applied toward the cost of the basket purchase. !!!!!
•Walmart only accepts coupons for merchandise that we sell.
•Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
•We accept the following with Customer Service Supervisor/Management approval:
~40 or more coupons
~Any coupon over $20
~$50 or more in coupons in one transaction

Wow! THANKS WALMART!

Thanks for the heads up Coupon Posse'!

Cheryl

Recipe=Homemade Doggie Treats

Just a quick, little, funny update:  Well..... my husband was not too happy with me when I told him that he was eating a dog treat! LOL! I thought it was funny. He came in and said, "oh, what's this?" So, I said, "give it a try." Well, he knows me and hesitated a little and I told him "well, go ahead. Try it." He did. I told him to go ask the kids what he was eating. He did. They told him he was eating a dog treat. Needless to say.....he was not too happy with me. :) BUT, he did say they were good. :)

Well, I had stated this morning that I wanted to spend some quality time with the kiddos today. I really really like to bake, but I don't normally do that as I will eat it ALL. I fell like baking with your kiddos can really help bring you together. It helps them to be more comfortable in the kitchen and gets them to see what goes into their food, and it makes them proud. So, our little Sadie is an older pup and is missing quite a few teeth. They pulled a bunch of teeth when we got her from the shelter, instead of spaying her, 'cause she was already spayed. Anyway, we have to be careful on the type of food and treats that we get for her because she doesn't have any teeth. We usually get her Mighty Dog Food in a can, with cut up little pieces of meat. She refuses to eat the mush food. She will, but she does not like it very well. Anyway, when we buy her treats we have to buy the soft ones and break them up into smaller pieces so she does not choke. Yes, really we have had that happen before with her and it was REALLY scary. She refuses to believe that she is not a young pup anymore and that she cannot eat what she used to, so we do have to be careful as evidenced by the night of her "escapade on the table." I get so ticked at her when she gets in the garbage and gets a chicken bone or a pork chop bone. :( It just scares the heck out of me.

Anyway, I was doing some thinking and thought......well....why don't we try to bake some doggie treats? So, here is what we came up with and, of course, I cannot find my specific source, but when I google the name of this recipe soooo many pages come up. Anyway, many thanks to the creator of this recipe....

Banana Mutt Cookies
1 1/2 cups ripe mashed bananas
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups of oats
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1/4 cup applesauce

Preheat oven to 350º. Mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto an ungreased sheet, and press flat with a fork. Bake for approximately 15 minutes. Then cool on a rack before serving. Store in an airtight container.

I did not have any applesauce and I did not feel like making it. So, I used peanut butter and a tad bit of water. I also did not add any nuts. (Remeber she has no teeth).

Anyway, I can't keep my kids out of these treats.  THEY ARE EATING THEM ALL!!!! I keep telling them that these are for Sadie. Anyway, she (Sadie) LOVES these treats!

I know, I cut Faith out of the picture, but I was just trying to hurry. Sadie was so excited about these treats!

Here is another picture of her begging me to give her some more treats....


I am sooo happy with this recipe. I think we will be doing this one again. Maybe next time we will try Tuna Brownies. ick.....

Thanks!

Cheryl

Safeway Run

I told you earlier that the kiddos and I did a real quick trip to Safeway this morning. Here is what we got......

Transaction #1

Betty Crocker Stickerz $0.99 X5
-$0.50/2 X2 from 2/13 GM insert X2
= $3.95

Mentos 2 for $1 X10
-$0.50/1 (ordered from here) X10
= FREE!!

Then, there a promo "Buy 10 get 2 additional FREE." Part of this promo are Cheese Nips, Snak Saks {Oreos, Graham Crackers, Animal Crackers}Vitamin Water SmartWater, Fuze, Dasni 1 Liter, Honest Tea (my Safeway does not carry Honest Tea anymore). You can mix and match!

Nabisco Animal Crackers $1 X6
-$1/2 Nabisco Cracker from 1/30 SS X3
=$3

Nabisco Cheese Nips $1 X2
-no coupons (I was thinking these were going to be my free items.
= $2

Vitamin Water $1 X4
-$1/2 from Safeway Heart Healthy Book X1
-$0.50/1 from Coca-Cola Coupon Book found at Albertsons a while back X3
=$1.50

-$3 Catalina from previous transaction (fruit snacks)
And, I don't know why but it actually made THREE of my Vitamin Waters FREE! Upon, thinking about it, I think that that is how the $1/2 from the Safeway Heart Healthy Book is ringing up. FREE! I don't know, it is just a guess. I'm not gonna argue that one. So, when looking at the "Buy 10 get 2 additional free" promo, each of my items were only $0.38 each! So, I could have used one more Nabisco coupon and made the deal even better! I still did pretty good, I think. :)

Anyway, my TOOP was $4.54 and I saved $43.79!!! Plus, I got back ANOTHER $3 Catalina from the Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks AND I got back a couponf for $1.50/3 Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored SHAPES, which I will be using on another transaction later.

Transactions #2 and #3

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks X5 $0.95

-$0.50/2 from 2/13 GM insert

-$3 Catalina from previous purchase

=$0.95, plus I got back another $3 Catalina and ANOTHER $1.50/3 Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored SHAPES X2 (one for each transaction)

The Betty Crocker Gushers will be going towards the giveaway!

How did you do? Are you gettin' on the fruit snack deal?

Cheryl

Safeway Fruit Snack Sale Gets Better

Hey, I just wanted to give you a quick update. The kiddos and I went out to Safeway today to get some more fruit snacks and $1.50/3 Catalina coupon printed out on BC FRUIT FLAVORED SHAPES with my three separate transactions. So, I got a total of three separate coupons! One transaction I bought the Simply kind. The next transaction I bought the Starz kind. The third transaction I bought Gushers.

I just wanted to give you a heads up on that. That this is EVEN better than the $0.50/2!
If you use it when you buy 5, it will look like this.....

BC Fruit SHAPES $0.99 X5
-$0.50/2 from 2/13 GM insert or printable
-$1.50/3 Cat Coupon
-$3 Catalina from previous purchase
=-$0.05 (That is NEGATIVE $0.05). So, they will have to adjust something OR you can purchase a REAL CHEAP fruit or veggie!

Good luck!

Cheryl

FYI.....

HAPPY FRIDAY!!! :) I LOVE FRIDAYS!!!

I just wanted to give you all a heads up and let you know that I will be stepping out for a little while. My kiddos have been out of school (conferences) and I have not got to spend very much time with them. So, I am going to spend some much needed quality time with them for a little while today. They have been so patient with my having to work and blogging. I REALLY need to spend some time with them.

I also wanted to let you know I DID go to my VERY FIRST Zumba class last night and I LOVED IT!!!! Boy, I LOVE shaking my hips! LOL! I'm not sure everyone else enjoyed me shaking my hips, but I LOVED IT!!:) I can't wait to go back!!! I am going AGAIN next week! Thanks to my fellow Weight Watchers/friends that encouraged me to go and went with me! If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have gone, as this was WAYYYY out of my box! I EVEN managed to make a fool out of myself and got myself a nice charlie horse RIGHT in the middle of the class AND I WAS IN THE FRONT ROW! :) I don't know what I did wrong as I had all of my required water (plus some) for the day and I do eat lots of potassium. Maybe because I didn't stretch ahead of time? I'm gonna stretch next time before I leave home and see if this helps.

Anyway, I will chat with you later. I am going to be with my kiddos now......

Cheryl

Macy's Online Clearance Sale....

Macy's is having a really good clearance sale online ONLY. The "preview" sale starts today, but the "real" sale is tomorrow. You save an "extra" 25% off on clearance. I know it does not sound like that much, but I went and checked out some of their kids clothes that were on clearance and they are actually pretty good deals. Oh, the shipping, if you are buying under $99 (which would be me), is a flat rate of $8.

Here are a couple of items I spotted......

Carter's Baby Set, Baby Boys Hoodie and Pants

This was marked down to $2.24, from $24.99! 

Greendog Baby Leggings, Baby Girls Ruffled

Orig. $6.98
Was $2.99

Now $2.24

Baby Socks, Baby Girls Starters Socks

Orig. $10.00

Was $7.99

Now $5.99

Okay, these little baby socks are just the cutest I have EVER seen! :)

Ralph Lauren Kids Pants, Little Girls Corduroy Pants
Orig. $39.50
Was $14.99
Now $10.99

Pink Republic Dress, Girls Belted Sweater Dress
Orig. $38.00
Was $9.99
Now $6.99

Greendog Kids Shirt, Little Boys Microfleece 1/4 Zip Shirt

Orig. $9.99

Was $5.00

Now $2.99

Sean John Kids Shirt, Boys Layered Tee

Orig. $40.00

Was $11.99

Now $8.99

There are soooooo many good buys, from what I saw! Good luck!

Cheryl

Old Navy Sale

So, today (3/4) and tomorrow (3/5) ONLY, Old Navy is offering up a pretty good deal. They are offering up graphic tees for B1G1 FREE! Don't forget to go over here to score yourself a coupon to use in-store ONLY! You need to go to the left-hand side of the screen, and click on "hottest ticket," add your name, and then you can print. I don't know if these are all the same amount, but I was able to print a coupon/hottest ticket for $5/25.

Good luck!

Cheryl

Trading Company Coupon Policy

I just wanted to put in a separate blog entry for this, so it was not attached to anything else.....Here is a bit of info that I got today, while on the phone with the nice man at Trading Company.....

Well, I just got off of the phone with the nice man at Trading Company and got some answers to a couple of questions that I had.

1. Do you take Internet printables? No, we quit taking them about a month ago. He stated that about every 100 of them they turned in 95 OF THEM WERE FRAUDULENT! That is WAY TOO CRAZY! Not good!

2. Do you take a manufacturer coupon with your in-store coupon? The answer to that would be yes. So, yes, you can stack a manufacturer coupon with an in-store coupon. Well, that is GREAT news!

Now, that I "know" a little more about their coupon policy, I am going to try to do weekly matchups for Trading Company. Yay! This will be exciting. So, stay tuned.....
 
Thanks!
 
Cheryl

Trading Company Matchups for 3/2-3/8/11

Well, I just got off of the phone with the nice man at Trading Company and got some answers to a couple of questions that I had.

1.  Do you take Internet printables? No, we quit taking them about a month ago. He stated that about every 100 of them they turned in 95 OF THEM WERE FRAUDULENT! That is WAY TOO CRAZY! Not good!
2.  Do you take a manufacturer coupon with your in-store coupon? The answer to that would be yes. So, yes, you can stack a manufacturer coupon with an in-store coupon. Well, that is GREAT news!

In-Ad Coupons....
Shasta Soda Pop $1.88 (in-ad coupon) limit of 3
(Even if we can't use the coupon this is still a GREAT deal).

Pasta Roni or Rice-A-Roni $0.87 (in-ad coupon) limit of 5

-Pasta Roni, Any (1) Free WYB Rice-A-Roni, Any (3) from 1/2 RP

= $0.65 each!

Suave Shampoo or conditioner $0.66 (in-ad coupon) limit of 3

____________________________________________

Gorton's Fish $2.97

$0.50/1 from the Safeway Joy of Football coupon booklet or

$1/1 or $0.50/1 from 1/16 SS or

$1/2 or $0.50/1 from 2/13 SS or

=As low as $1.97 for one box of fish.

Hungry-Man Dinners 5 for $10

-$1/2 from the Safeway March Frozen Food Booklet

= $3 when you buy two, making them $1.50 each

Hot, Lean, or Croissant Pockets 5 for $10

-$1/3 from the Safeway March Frozen Food Booklet

= $5 when you buy three, making them $1.67 each

Stouffer's Lean Cuisine Entrees 2 for $5

$1/3 from Safeway March Frozen Food Booklet

=$6.50 when you buy three, making them $2.17 each (not a good price at all, of course, that is my opinion)

Tony's Oringal Crust Pizza $1.77

-$1/2 from Safeway March Frozen Food Booklet

=$2.54 when you buy two, making them $1.27 each

Eggo Waffles French Toas or Pancakes $1.88

-$2/3 from Safeway March Frozen Food Booklet

=$3.64 when you buy three, making them JUST $1.21 each! That is pretty good!

Pepperidge Farm Garlic Toast $1.98

-$1/2 from Safeway March Frozen Food Booklet or

-$0.50/1 from February All You

= $1.48 to $2.96 (when you buy two), making them each $1.48

Blue Bunny Premium Ice Cream 2 for $5

Contessa Meal Kits $4.98

Western Family Tater Bars or Taters 2 for $3

Betty Crocker Specialty Potatoes $0.99 each

-$1/2 from 2/13 GM insert

= $0.98 when you buy two, making them JUST $0.49 each!

Gatorade Sports Drink $0.99

-B2G1 Free from 1/9 RP (If this kind is included)

= $1.98 for three of them, making them JUST $0.66 each!

Skinny Cow Frozen Treats $2.98

-$1/1 from Safeway March Frozen Food Booklet

=$1.98!!!

Colgate Toothpaste $0.98 (Limit of 2)

-$0.75/1 from 2/27 SS

= $0.23 each!

Some other good deals....

Banquet Pot Pies $0.58

Pillsbury Angel Food Cake $0.88

Bear Creek Dry Soup Mix $2.88 (this is a prety good price)

Western Family Chilled Orange Juice $1.98

Tillamook Sour Cream (Original, natural, fat-fee, or light) $1.48!! (AWESOME DEAL)!

Western Family Chunk Style Dry Dog Food or 14 lb Adult Formula Dry Cat Food $6.98

Western Family Strong and Absorbent Paper Towels (6-roll) $2.99

Sweet, Ripe Strawberries, 2-lb package $3.98 each!

Baked fresh, in-store, French bread $0.87 each!

Fresh, Crisp Pink Lady Apples (Washington grown) $0.77 lb

Rashishes or Green Onions 3 for $0.99

10-lb bag of potatoes $1.77

Tyson Game Hens 2 for $4

7 Bone Chuck Roast $2.57 lb

Okay, good luck and happy shopping!

Cheryl 

$1/1 Ovaltine Product

Here is ANOTHER great high-value coupon. Just go on over here to score a coupon for $1/1 Ovaltine product, any size, any flavor!

Thanks My Litter!

Cheryl

Another Safeway Deal

When I was at Safeway yesterday perusing the isles, I discovered that they have Mentos on sale for 2 for $1!

Mentos $0.50 X1
-$0.50/1 from 2/6 SS X1
= FREE!!!

Happy shopping......

Cheryl