Since we’re sticking to only buying produce and dairy this month when possible, this weekend’s shopping didn’t require a whole lot of preparation. I sent Andy and Katie to the store with a small list and they did great!

We went slightly over our $20 budget this week, but I planned to because we had a few extra dollars from a few weeks ago and we needed baby stuff.

I did take the girls to the farmers market this weekend and we got some great produce, and even tried Swiss Chard for the first time!

At Publix, we got Mylicon for Emma and vitamins for Katie, along with milk and cheese. Light trip, but we have everything we need!

Well, we have one week under our belts and we’re doing great! We stuck to the meal plan and really enjoyed each meal. If Andy hadn’t known we were doing this challenge he would not have been able to tell, which I deem a success!

I was even able to stretch Saturday’s spaghetti in to two more freezer meals. I combined homemade marinara (from the freezer) with a bag of frozen Italian veggies, a package of mild Italian Sausage and a can of crushed tomatoes with basil (we had used half the marinara on our pizza the night before so we didn’t have quite enough for the spaghetti, hence the crushed tomatoes). I mixed a pound of whole wheat angel hair pasta with all of this and we ate like kings. We had so much left over that I was able to make an odd lasagna – I layered the pasta mixture with cheese in two 8 x 8 baking pans (we had a couple bags of almost empty shredded cheese, so I was able to get rid of those) and stuck them in the freezer. Each of these will give us two dinners easily, since Katie doesn’t eat a whole lot!

I was also able to freeze two portions of the chili and cheese mixture I made for our chili cheese dogs, so we’ve got a couple more easy chili cheese dog nights in our future!

We had a busy weekend and I haven’t had time to sit down and make this week’s meal plan, so I’m doing that today. I do know that today is leftovers for me and Katie, since Andy is going his Cleanse Day today.

Shedd’s Country Crock Deluxe Side Dishes, Mashed Potatoes: Regular, Garlic, or Loaded; Macaroni and Cheese; Cheddar Broccoli Rice or Cinnamon Apples, 21 to 24 oz tub, BOGO $3.59
-$1/1 Sides PRINT
-$.40/1 Any Country Crock Product PRINT
Pay as little as $0.80 per item!

Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Assorted Varieties, 10.9 to 16.2 oz box, BOGO $3.89
-$1/1 Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Any box – 02-07-10 RP
-$1/1; $.75/1 Quaker True Delights Instant Oatmeal, any – 02-14-10 RP
-$1/1 True Delights Oatmeal PRINT
-$3/5 Tearpad
-$1/1 Quaker PRINT
-Free Naked Juice, 15.2 oz bottle wyb Quaker Instant Oatmeal, any 10.9 – 16.2 oz box (Publix store coupon) – Publix Family Style Spring 2010 
Use the $1/1 and pay $0.95 per box and get a FREE Naked Juice using the Publix Coupon!

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars or Oat Granola or True Delights Squares, Assorted Varieties, 5.9 to 8.7 oz box, BOGO $2.99
-$.75/2; $1/2 Quaker Chewy Granola bars, any 2 – 02-14-10 RP
-$.55/1; $1/2 Quaker Fiber & Omega-3 Chewy Oat Granola Bars, any box – 01-24-10 RP
-$.75/1 Quaker True Delights Granola Bars or Cafe Squares, Any – 02-14-10 RP
-$1/2 Quaker PRINT
Use the $.75/1 and pay $0.75 per box!

Pasta Roni or Rice-A-Roni, Assorted Varieties, 3.8 to 7.2 oz box, BOGO $1.39
-$1/3 Rice-A-Roni Or Pasta Roni, Any – 01-03-10 RP
Pay $0.36 per box!

Bertolli Pasta Sauce, Assorted Varieties, 15 or 24 oz jar (Excluding Organic)  BOGO $2.69
-$1.50/2; $.60/1; $.75/1 Bertolli Pasta Sauce, any – 02-14-10 RP
-$1/1 Peelie
-$1/2 Bertolli Multiply Your Meals & Savings Booklet
Combine a Publix coupon with a manufacturer coupon to get these for free or really cheap!

Dole Fruit, Fruit in Gel, or Parfait, Assorted Varieties, 4pk, 4 or 4.3 oz cup, BOGO $2.65
-$.50/2; $1/2; $.75/2 Dole Fruit Parfaits, Any – 01-10-10 SS
-$.50/2; $1/3; $.75/2 Dole Fruit Bowls Or Fruit Bowls In Gel, Any – 01-10-10 SS
-$.75/2 Dole Fruit Bowls, Gels or Parfaits, Any – All You, February 2010
-$1/2 Dole Fruit Bowls, Gels or Parfaits, Any – Ladies Home Journal, Family Circle July 2009
-$1/2 Dole Fruit Bowls, Gels or Parfaits, Any – Better Homes and Gardens, September 2009
Use the $1/2 coupon to get these for $0.83 per item!

Hormel Compleats Dish or Dinty Moore or Chi-Chi’s Fiesta, Assorted Varieties, 10 oz bowl, BOGO $2.49
-$1/1 Blinkies
-$1/1 Hormel Completes Microwave meals – 02-07-10 SS
-$1/2; $.55/1 Hormel Compleats Microwave Meal, any variety – 02-07-10 SS
-$.55/2 PRINT
Pay as little as $0.25 per item!

Duke’s Mayonnaise or Whipped Salad Dressing, Assorted Varieties, 32 oz jar, BOGO $3.55
-$.50/1 Duke’s Whipped Salad Dressing – 02-28-10 SS
-$.50/1 Peelie
If you store doubles you can get these for as little as $0.78 per item!

Nabisco Ritz Crackers or Ritz Munchables, Pretzel Crisps, Assorted Varieties, 7.5 to 16 oz box, BOGO $3.09
-$.50 off Kraft Cheese, Any (1) 6 Oz. + And (1) Nabisco Ritz Crackers, Any 12.5 Oz Tearpad
-$1/1 Nabisco Crackers, any 6 – 16.5 oz. (DND/T 5) – 01-24-10 SS
-$1 off Nabisco Crackers and/or Easy Cheese any 6 oz – 16.5oz DND/DNT5 – Kraft Game Day Greats
-$2 off Diet Coke 12-pack, 8-pack 8 oz., or 8-pack 7.5 oz. (or any other Coca-Cola product), one (1), and one (1) Nabisco Cracker (6 oz. -16 oz.) Tearpad
-$1/2 Nabisco $55 Booklet
Pay as little as $0.55 per box!

Lysol Disinfectant Bathroom Cleaner, Removes Soap Scum: Island Breeze; or Mildew Remover With Bleach, 32 oz bot, BOGO $3.69
-$.75/1; $.50/1 Lysol Bathroom Cleaner or Mildew Remover, any – 02-07-10 SS
-$.55/1 PRINT
If your store doubles you can get these for $0.85 per bottle!

Totino’s Pizza Rolls, 40 ct, 19.8 oz bag or Pillsbury Savorings Flaky Pastry Bites or Bread Bowl Bites, 7.8 or 8.5 oz box, Assorted Varieties, BOGO $3.79
-$.60 off Totino’s Rolls Snacks, Any (1) WYB (2) Totino’s Crisp Crust Party Pizza products, any – 02-07-10 SS
-$.60/3 any flavor/ variety Totino’s Products, on any three – 02-07-10 SS
-$1/1; $1/2 Pillsbury savorings products – 12-13-09 GM (exp 3/6)
-$1/2 Savorings PRINT
Pay as little as $0.90 per box!

Kraft Chunk Cheese or Cracker Cuts, Cubes or Shredded, Assorted Varieties, 4.5 to 8 oz pkg, 3/$5
-$2/2 Kraft Shredded Cheese Blinkie
-$2/3 Tearpad
-$1/2 Blinkie
-$1/1 Kraft Chunk Cheese Target Q PRINT
-$2 off Publix Bread, save wyb Kraft Shredded Cheese and Kraft Singles (Publix coupon) Tearpad or PRINT
Pay as little as $0.66 per pack of shredded cheese!!

Kraft American Cheese Singles, Yellow or White, 12 oz pkg, 2/$4
-$2 off Publix Bread, save wyb Kraft Shredded Cheese and Kraft Singles (Publix coupon) Tearpad
-$1 off Publix Ground Beef (1 lb+), save wyb any (2) Kraft American Singles (12 oz+) (Publix store coupon) Tearpad or PRINT
Combine coupons to get these super cheap!!!

Birds Eye Steamfresh Frozen Vegetables, Assorted Varieties, Including Steam Trays, 10 to 13 oz pkg, or Corn on the Cob, 4 ct bag, 50% Off
-$1/3; $.35/1 Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetable, Pasta, or Rice variety, any – 02-28-10 SS
-$1/2; $.50/1 Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables, Rice, or Pasta, Any Bags – 02-07-10 SS
-$1/4 any Birdeye PRINT
-$1/2 Steamfresh PRINT
-$1/2 Birds Eye Steam Fresh Vegetables and Rice 10 – 13 oz Yellow Adv Buy Flyer (effective 3/6)
-$.35/1 Birds Eye Vegetables, Any Excluding Steamfresh Varieties (Publix Coupon) Healthy Meals Healthy Kids Booklet
If your store doubles you can get these super cheap!!!

Tyson Beef Pot Roast in gravy or Steak Tips in Burgundy Sauce, Pork Loin In Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sauce, or Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Ham, 17 oz pkg, 2/$8
-Free King’s Hawaiian Rolls, Any (1) 4-Pack Free WYB (1) Tyson Heat-And-Eat Entree, Any – 02-21-10 SS
-$2/1 Tyson Refrigerated Entree, any 17 oz. pkg. (Publix store coupon) – Publix Family Style Spring 2010
-$.75/1 PRINT
-$1/1 PRINT
Combine coupons to get everything for $1!

For a complete list of deals, click here. Thanks IHeartPublix!

I posted earlier in the week my menu plan, which included pizza. Since I hate to spend money on something I can easily  make at home, I almost never buy premade pizza dough. My mom has an awesome recipe for pizza dough that motivates me to make pizza at least once per week! We don’t even miss ordering pizza anymore, and I am so happy to be able to give my family something more healthy for less money.

Mom’s Pizza Dough

3 cups bread flour (I periodically substitute whole wheat flour or go half and half)

1 tbs olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 tbs yeast

1 cup warm water

Dissolve yeast in the water and let it sit while you mix the other ingredients. Combine other ingredients (I use my food processor which makes it SO easy) then add the yeast water. Depending on the humidity in the air, you may have to add either a little more water or a little more flour. Mix until it forms a sticky ball, then transfer to an oiled bowl. Let sit for 30 minutes to rise in a warm place.

Roll out, top, bake for 15 minutes in a 400 degree oven, and you have some yummy pizza! Thanks Mom!

Here are a few of the best Rite Aid deals this week. Thanks, MoneySavingMom!

Listerine Pocket Paks – $3.00
     Use $1/1 coupon from the 1/3 or 10/18 SmartSource insert
     Submit for $3 Single Check Rebate
Use both and get these for FREE!

Satin Care Shave Gel – $1.99
     Use $1/1 coupon from the 2/17 P&G
     Submit for $1 Single Check Rebate
Use both and get these for FREE!

Renu Eye Drops – $0.99
     Use $1/1 printable
After coupon these are FREE!

Carefree Ultra Pantiliners 16 count – $0.99
     Buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon from the 1/31 RedPlum insert
Use coupon and get these for $0.50 each!

Suave Shampoo or Conditioner – $1.99
     Use $.50/1 coupon from the 1/3 RedPlum insert
     Submit for $1 Single Check Rebate
Use both and get these for $0.50 each!

Kashi Cereal (price starts as $4.49) – On Sale Buy One Get One Free
     Buy 2 and use 2 $1.50/1 printable
Use coupon and get these for $0.75 each!

Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser – $7.99
     Submit for $7 Single Check Rebate
After Single Rebate Check, this is $0.99!

For a full list of Rite Aid deals, click here.

Let me preface this by saying that I tend to always make more food than we can eat, so we usually have an abundance of leftovers. This actually plays in my favor since I can always count on a few nights every week not having to cook! And let me tell you, those nights usually fall on a day I really need it!

By doubling recipes and freezing half, along with stocking up on staples at the store recently, I was able to amass quite an impressive freezer/pantry stockpile. Now is when we get creative!

I’m going to focus on dinners only, since Andy and I both have our shakes for breakfast and lunch so there is no need to meal plan for that. Katie is pretty predictable in her breakfast desires (Cheerios, oatmeal or eggs, fruit) and she either gets leftovers for lunch or things like chicken nuggets and whole wheat mac and cheese with veggies. She also loves frozen peas (right from the bag, still frozen!) so every lunch and dinner starts with that.

Monday: Mini Chili Cheese Dogs – I’m going to use some canned chili I got on sale with some hot dogs I have in the freezer and shredded cheddar I got on sale. Since I don’t really enjoy defrosted hot dog buns, I’ll wait until I absolutely have to use those later in the month. Instead, I’m planning to cut the hot dogs up and wrap them in crescent rolls, then smother them in chili and cheese. Should be yummy!

Tuesday: Gumbo – I made slow cooker gumbo today and doubled the recipe, so we had dinner tonight, dinner on Tuesday, and I will have a lot leftover to freeze. I was also able to use some frozen okra I have had in the freezer forever and not known how to use! (I may live in the South but I was raised up north, so I have no idea what to do with okra!) I’ll also make the other half of the frozen garlic bread loaf we ate half of tonight.

Wednesday: Enchiladas and Spicy Black Beans – Last week I made turkey enchiladas and froze half, so all I have to do is make the black beans. This will only work if I remember to put them out to soak on Tuesday night!

Thursday: leftovers – Andy’s not home for dinner that night so it works out well, Katie and I can finish off some leftovers and he doesn’t miss out on anything new and exciting.

Friday: Homemade Pizza – My mom’s pizza killer pizza dough recipe combined with frozen homemade marinara makes for a pretty good pizza. I have a bunch of yummy Mozzarella, Parmesan and Romano cheeses to top it with, plus some basil from our Earth Box. There aren’t usually leftovers from pizza night!

Saturday: Spaghetti with Marinara and Italian Veggies – Since I freeze my marinara in quart zip top bags, I will have enough left over from pizza night to make pasta on Saturday. I have a bag of Italian mix veggies in the freezer I’ve been wanting to use, so I’ll just throw it all together with some garlic bread or rolls, and Voila! Perfect date night dinner with the hubby!

Sunday: leftovers – I always make too much spaghetti.

As March begins and we embark on our first Eat From the Pantry Challenge, I am reminded of just how blessed we are. Having to be a little creative in our meal planning and grocery shopping for a month is nothing compared to the hardships so many people are facing. We have been incredibly blessed by God and I feel that my work to make the most of the money we have been given pleases Him.

With so many people suffering around the world, especially those who have been impacted by the devastating earthquakes recently, I am forced to put our situation into perspective. I could be upset with the financial position we are in, beating myself up over allowing it to happen. Instead, I am grateful for the nonmaterial blessings that are a direct result of the difficulties we find ourselves in.

By staying home to eat in lieu of eating out, our family has become closer than ever (and we didn’t think it was possible to be closer than we were!) and sharing these hardships has allowed us to bond in a way we had not previously. Our relationship with and faith in the Lord has grown exponentially – we have given our worries and stress up to Him and are focusing on bettering our situation instead of dwelling on our mistakes.

We are also forced to find creative ways to spend time with the people we care about. No longer can we just go out to eat with friends on a whim. Now, we either have friends over or go to their houses, for the most part. And I have to say, laughing and talking over a good home cooked meal while our kids play together is so much fun! I find that I’m able to focus on our friends and the conversation rather than making sure Katie’s not trying to climb out of her restaurant high chair or chew on the table. In one of our homes, we are all more comfortable and this allows us to make the most of our time together.

I am convinced that we are in this position as part of His plan for us, and I am determined to make the best of this season of our lives. We are by no means suffering and we’re lucky for that! So join me as I do minimal grocery shopping and creative meal planning, facing this challenge head on!

Well, our weekend at the Kids Consignment and Mommy Extravaganza is over, and we had a great time. We met a ton of wonderful people and got the word out about our products. We even sold a few things! All in all, it was a very productive use of our time. Thanks to everyone who came out!

We are starting our Eat From the Pantry Challenge next week, so this weekend’s shopping trip was mainly for dairy and produce. Our Publix actually had some great produce deals and we were able to snag 3 cartons of fresh strawberries for $5! We also got some plum tomatoes for $1.29/lb and we were able to stock up on bananas to freeze for our shakes.

I couldn’t resist stocking up on vegetable oil that was Buy One Get One Free since we ran out a few weeks ago and I’ve been watching the sales to find some cheap!

But we were still able to get all of the above, plus milk and eggs, for about $19. The best part was that Andy did the shopping today since I was working, so I didn’t even have to brave the Saturday grocery crowds! All in all today was a success!

Ragu Pasta Sauce, Assorted Varieties, 16 to 26.3 oz jar (Excluding Organic) BOGO $2.29
-$1/2 Multiply Your Meals & Savings Booklet (26.3 oz jar only)
-$.30/1; $1/2; $.75/2; $1.25/3; $.60/2 Ragu pasta sauce, any – 01-31-10 RP
Combine a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon to pay as low as $0.15 per jar!

Green Giant Canned Vegetables, 11 to 15 oz can (Excluding Specialty Corn Varieties, Three Bean Salad, And Asparagus) BOGO $1.29
-$1/4 Green Giant Canned OR Jarred Vegetables, any FOUR Tearpad
-$5/20 Italian Days Coupon or PRINT
Buy four and pay as low as $0.40 per can!

Del Monte Tomatoes, Assorted Varieties, 14.5 oz can, BOGO $1.39
-$1/4 Del Monte Tomatoes (11-15.25oz), Any (4) – 02-07-10 RP
-$1/4 PRINT
Pay only $0.45 per can!

Betty Crocker Supreme Brownie Mix, Assorted Varieties, 19.8 to 22.5 oz or Dessert Bar Mix, 19.5 oz box, BOGO $2.69
-$.75/2; $1/2 Betty Crocker Box Supreme Brownie Mixes, any – 02-07-10 SS
-$.75/2 PRINT & PRINT
-$.50/1 PRINT
You can get these as low as $0.35 per box if your store doubles coupons!

Knorr Sides, Assorted Varieties, 4 to 6.4 oz pouch, BOGO $1.49
-$.55/2 Multiply Your Meals & Savings Booklet
-$.75/3; $.50/2; $1/3; $.60/2  Knorr Rice and Pasta Side Dishes any – 01-31-10 RP
Combining a store coupon and MQ will allow you to get these for as low as $0.17 per pouch!

Lipton Family Size Tea Bags, Iced Tea Brew, 24 ct box, (Excluding Decaf) BOGO $2.65
-$.60/1; $.50/1; $1/2 Lipton Tea Bags, any – 01-31-10 RP
If your store doubles, pay as low as $0.33 per box!

StarKist Chunk White Tuna, Premium Albacore, 6.4 oz pkg, BOGO $3.19
-$1/2 StarKist Pouch Products, 2.6oz or 6.4oz Chunk Light or Albacore, Creations, New Tuna Salad and Lunch To-Go – 02-14-10 RP
-$1/2 StarKist Pouch products, choose from 2.6oz or 6.4oz Chunk Light or Albacore, Creations, NEW Tuna Salad and Lunch To-Go – BH&G, Woman’s Day, Family Circle, Good Housekeeping, February 2010
-$1/1 PRINT
Pay as low as $0.60 per package!

Pam Cooking Spray, No Stick: Original, Olive Oil, Butter Flavor, For Baking With Flour, or For The Grill, 5 or 6 oz can (excluding Organic and Professional) BOGO $3.39
-$1/2; $.35/1 Pam Cooking Spray – 01-24-10 SS
-$1.00 WYB any ONE Reddi-Whip AND any ONE Pam No-stick cooking spray. Publix Store Coupon exp 02/28/10 Single Page Flyer
-$.50/1 PRINT
You can get these for as low as $0.70 per can if your store doubles!

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers, Assorted Varieties, 12 oz bag, BOGO $2.39
-$.50/2 Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Frozen Vegetables, any (2) – 02-21-10 SS
-$.40/1; $1/2 Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers Frozen Vegetables, Any – 01-03-10 GM
-$.50/1 PRINT
-$5/20 Italian Days Coupon or PRINT
-$.50/1 PRINT
If your store doubles you can get these for as low as $0.20 per bag!

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! Spread: 15 oz or 7.5 oz tub, 16 oz ctn, or 10 oz bot or Spray, 8 oz bot, Assorted Varieties, BOGO $2.49
-$.75/2  Multiply Your Meals & Savings Booklet
-$.60/2; $.75/2; $.50/1; $1/2 I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! products, any (2) – 01-31-10 RP
-$.75/1 Blinkie
-$.50/1 PRINT (zip 90210)
If your store doubles, you can get these for FREE ($0.50 per item if not)!

Right Guard Sport Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant, Assorted Varieties, 2.8 or 3 oz pkg, BOGO $2.79
-$2/2 PRINT & PRINT
Pay as low as $0.40 per item!

Egg Beaters, Assorted Varieties, 15 or 16 oz ctn, 3/$5
-$1/1 Egg Beaters (15 oz. or larger)  from the ConAgra ‘Rediscover Your Balance’ book
-$1/2; $.35/1 Egg Beaters Product, Any – 01-10-10 SS
-$.35/1; $.60/2 Blinkie
-$1/1  any Egg Beaters Publix Store Coupon exp 02/28/10 -single page flyer
Using a store coupon combined with a MQ can get you these for FREE or close to it!

Kraft Chunk Cheese or Cracker Cuts, Assorted Varieties, 4.5 to 8 oz pkg, 3/$5
-$2/3 Tearpad
-$1/2 Kraft or Cracker Barrel Natural Cheese, any (2) pkgs Shreds or Chunks – 01-24-10 SS
-$1/2 Blinkie
-$1/2 Kraft Natural Shredded Or Chunk Cheese, Any (Publix Coupon) – 01-03-10 SS
-$1/1 Kraft Chunk Cheese Target Q PRINT
Using a store coupon combined with a MQ can get you these really cheap!

Febreze Air Effects Air Refresher, Assorted Varieties, 9.7 oz can, 2/$5
-$.75/1 Shopping Spree Flyer
-$.50/1 Febreze Air Effects, Any – P&G’s Home Made Simple & 01-17-10 PG
Pay as low as $0.75 per can!

Click here for a complete list of weekly deals. Thanks IHeartPublix!