The Couponizer Company
Hey Shoppers! Check out our great money-saving tips below!
Hey Shoppers! Check out our great money-saving tips below!
Snackin' twists!
Most every mom knows that to maximize time and money when cooking, you simply make more than needed and serve it for another meal. In fact, I regularly build this strategy into my weekly meal plan for my family. The problem is that even our favorite recipes that turn into leftovers become less appealing when served over and over again as a main course. I know this because I have heard "not again" when trying to dish up another round of something everyone has already had for dinner.
So, recently and quite by accident, I discovered a new use for leftovers. Instead of dishing up leftover spaghetti for dinner again, I offered it as a snack one afternoon before soccer practice. When my three kids squealed with joy and anticipation for this unexpected snack and I was caught by surprise. Snacking on spaghetti in the afternoon was something they had not done before, so it had new appeal. I loved it because it provided them with a satisfying snack that would hold them over until dinner.
This new snack option works for everyone. The kids eat a healthy and hearty snack, and I feel like I am doing my part to make the most of the groceries purchased. After all, cooking too much and then tossing out leftovers is a waste of time and money.
Leftovers that make great snacks:
As mid-afternoon snacks, these seems to be a hit with my kids (for now). Give your leftovers a try!
A simple trick for making the most of toppings on grilled sandwiches.
What happens if you make a grilled sandwich with shredded cheese instead of sliced? I recently tried to do this and most of the cheese tumbled out on the griddle and made a melty mess! It was mozzarella cheese, I was supposed to use Swiss but I didn't have any and my kid's are not fond of the sharp taste. Then, I tried spreading a thin layer of mayonnaise and mustard on the bread slices to hold everything in but this was clearly not working. So instead of abandoning my grilled Cuban sandwich, I decided to try a condiment combo. The M-M-M combo. Success!
I combined mustard, mayonnaise and shredded mozzarella cheese in a mixing bowl and then plopped the mixture on each side the bread, layered the pork roast and pickles in the middle and then returned the sandwich to the grill. Everything held nicely together, the M-M-M combo melted evenly with no waste and best of all, my family devoured the finished product! Okay so my version is not exactly authentic but pretty close. The good news is most of the ingredients have coupons readily available!!
Feeding the family is a continual production and the responsibility may fall on mom's shoulders, or it can be a team effort involving other family members. At any rate, coming up with food choices on an ongoing basis that are nutritious, taste good and will not break the bank can be tricky, and unless you build in some planning, you may be compromising in one or more areas.
In a perfect world, whoever is feeding the family would know exactly what is on the menu for every meal, have all the necessary ingredients in stock and have just the right amount of time and expertise to pull off the preparation and presentation. Just writing that makes me laugh since we do not live in a perfect world and as moms, we manage many variables that affect our ability to be successful such as kids activities, appointments, illness, travel, vacation, energy level, time management, and financial resources.
Here are a few tips to help whoever is primarily responsible for feeding the family to keep up and maintain nutrition, taste, and low cost:
Poll the family from time to time on what meals they like and do not like.
If you think of them as your customer, then this would help you to understand them better and provide more of
what they like and perhaps reduce waste. Stock your pantry with items that support your family's favorite recipes. For example, spaghetti is a family favorite of ours and I always have
spaghetti sauce, pasta and Parmesan cheese in the pantry. Additionally, using manufacturer's coupons and combining them with store sales will give you the deepest discount on stock-up
items.
Keep your family calendar current and visible at all times.
The calendar keeps a record of the events and appointments so by having it out in the open you are able to continually take in
information that may affect your planning and meal schedule.
Lastly, when you are building your shopping list for the week, plan your anchor meals first.
Anchor meals are the ones where you are all sitting around the table together and sharing the
meal. When these meals are lovingly and deliberately planned, the chances they will happen are greater. Also, you may shop your pantry and freezer first to see what you need and what
you already have.
By applying these guidelines in your everyday routine, you may see more consistency in your ability to maintain meal appeal. Be sure to build in some time off from cooking by going out to eat occasionally. While eating out regularly is a sure budget buster, every now and then is a welcomed break and will enable you to enjoy being served and perhaps give you some new ideas!
Have you ever been in a rut with the flavors and variety of fish, chicken or pork you serve your family? I have and I recently discovered a quick, low cost way to add gourmet flavor to any fish or chicken. In fact, it is so easy and flavorful; I might need to give it a rest!
The best way to achieve the highest savings is to buy pork, chicken or fish that is on sale. Boneless chicken breasts work well, any whitefish or salmon will work also, but my favorite is boneless pork chops.
Begin by cooking the meat/fish by frying it on a bit of oil and finishing it in a separate baking dish a 350 degree oven. Then take the brown bits from the pan and add a half jar of gourmet pepper relish and 2TB balsamic vinegar. The brand of pepper relish I use is Brawells of Georgia, it costs under $4 online and less than that in participating grocery stores. Within seconds, you have a gourmet sauce to pour over your pork, chicken or fish, and then round out the meal with rice and a vegetable. The taste is so delicious, the cost is low and the best part is how fast you can bring it all together.
Other uses for the pepper relish for an appetizer to share at a family picnic, tennis match, or playgroup. Simply pour the pepper relish right out of the jar over a chunk of cream cheese and serve with crackers. Also experiment with other flavors of relish and gourmet jellies for variety. Enjoy!
According to the American Public Health Association study in 2004, the frequency of eating fast food has been linked with higher fat intake in children and with increased weight in adults. I k now from personal experience and by polling other Moms, that the convenience of the drive thru overrides good sense when it comes to healthy eating choices. Before having children, if someone had told me that after children reach toddler age, dining on fast food once a week is common and accepted, I would not have believed it. When I was growing up in the seventies, going to Burger King in the next town over and eating a Whopper, Jr. with my family was a big deal, a real indulgence and only happened once or twice a year!
So, what is it that causes many people to spend more money, get less value, create more trash in the car, less time together and wind up with loads of cheap toys that are forgotten about ten minutes after playing with them? It all goes back to planning. I have been caught with no plan for dinner, out in the car and it is just easier to go through the drive thru than it is to go home and figure out something to eat and prepare it.
Below are some ideas to help you plan better and stick to your family budget and nutritional goals more consistently:
Going to fast food restaurants can unfortunately become a main part of our children’s memory of family dining if we let it. I would much rather have their family dining memories be of home and eating what was carefully planned and lovingly prepared for them. This is my memory and I am striving to pass this along to my children as well.
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