Grocery Nerd IV - alotta yogurt

I was able to go to the grocery alone today. It's the last tine until September, so I tried to enjoy it. (as much as anyone can enjoy a trip to the grocery).

Here it is....

3 greek yogurts (my favorite!)
2 loaves Sara Lee bread
3 Gortons frozen shrimp
1 Gortons frozen salmon
4 four packs la creme yogurt (I've never had this before)
3 Philly cream cheese snack size (for lunches)
2 Hidden Valley dressings
1 Fisher snack mix
1 12pk Fig Newton snack packs
1 15 pk Kraft Handi-snacks (the cheese in these makes me gag)
3 McCormick marinades
2 packs kool-aid fizz tabs(they were free - I'll try 'em)
1 lb brown rice (steam, vacum seal in steam bags, freeze,microwave for instant rice)
1 box Capri sun (this will last 5 minutes, maybe)
Celery
2 Go-Gurts
1 Carefree pantyliners ( I know, thanks for sharing :)
1 Cover girl mascara
bag cole slaw mix
Cover Girl eyeshadow ( any one want it? i don't wear it)
1 J&J soap bar
1 oscar Mayer lunch meat
1 Crest toothpaste
John Frieda shampoo & conditioner
3 Honey Bunches of Oats
2 Golden Grahams
1 Cocoa Puffs (the kids were thrilled)
1 Trix ( thrilled again...)
4 jars peanut butter
12 pk Lemon lime seltzer water
8 ears yellow corn

Total before coupons and discounts $172.27
Total after coupons and discounts $37.24
(this is before tax)

I saved $135.03 by shopping sales with coupons, and stocking up. I noticed on my receipt that they left off a $3 coupon, but I didn't want to look like a total coupon freak by going to customer service. I will spend the remainder of my budget (roughly $20), on fresh fruit, veggies, and meat. My budget includes beauty products, cleaners, etc.

I happened to have some good Kroger coupons this time, so that helped. Publix accepts competitor coupons, even on store brands.
If you need to save money pleeeeeese visit these sights. It's so much easier than you think.

Southern Savers

I Heart Publix

Faithful provisions

Frugal Dr. Mom




LittlebitsDesigns.com

Pineapples!!

If you don't like pineapple, you might as well hit the back button(and get your head checked :). That's all this post is about. Random, I know....

I LOVE fresh pineapple. If you have an Aldi store nearby, they have Dole fresh, whole pineapples for .99!!

That is a fabulous price, the cheapest I have ever found. I bought 3, and I will flash freeze 2 of them for smoothies. I learned a trick a while back on how to make the most of your whole pineapple.

-Put the pineapple upside down in your refridgerator for one hour.
Sounds easier than it is, they aren't exactly designed to stand on their head. I empty one of my door shelves temporarily, and it holds them in place.

It might seem like a weird thing to do, but it redistributes all the natural sugars through the pineapple before you cut it, so it is equally as sweet the whole way through.

To flash freeze, I cut it up into pieces, and lay them out onto a cookie sheet covered with freezer paper, or wax paper. Once frozen, I put them into a ziploc freezer bag. This way, they freeze into individual pieces, not a big lump, and I can grab a handful out of the bag when I make a smoothie.

Iknow, this isn't pineapple, I haven't done mine yet, but I wanted a photo and you don't get much when you Google "flash frozen pineapple images".

(this photo is from Kelly @ Fathful Provisions)

For my smoothies, I use lowfat vanilla or plain yogurt, frozen fruit, a little skim milk, and some ice. I sometimes use fresh fruit, and if I do I add more ice. I like them really cold. Plus, the ice addds bulk, making you feel fuller.




They are also good with bananas and a little peanut butter. I even add cooked, plain oatmeal occasionally. Sound gross? I promise it's really good. And, again, very filling with very few calories and no fat.

You may not have wanted to know any of this, but I guess if you didn't, you didn't make it this far down the page!




Littlebits Designs.com

Grocery Nerd - part III

I have had several people ask me to continue to occasionally post about my groceries. So, here's this week's trip to Publix. ( I only spent 1/2 of my $60 budget!)

2 Loaves Sara lee bread
2 12 packs Publix drinks
3 Bounty napkins
3 Quaker Granola bars
2 Bounce dryer bars
1 Bounce dryer sheets
2 Starbucks Coffee
1 fish sticks
3 Country crock side dishes
1 bag salad
strawberries
1 doz eggs
1 roast
3 Bertolli pasta sauce
6 sundown vitamins
1 bag chips
1 dial hand soap
3 Dawn dishsoap
4 Frusion Smoothie packs of 4
1 Publix hummus
1 Athenos hummus
1 oscar Mayer salami
2 lunchables
2 greek yogurt2 Downy softener
1 Arm and Hammer detergent
2 gallons milk
1 Aunt Jemima syrup
4 Orville Redenbacher popcorn
16 boxes Knox gelatin
-------------------------------
Total before tax $26.41

I guess I need to google recipes that include Knox gelatin. I bought it because it gave me overage toward my groceries.

I don't have a problem with store brands, but I rarely need to buy them anymore. I can usually find a better deal on the brand name items. Crazy, I know.

To find deals like these, check out these sites, or leave comments with questions.

Southern Savers

I Heart Publix


Frugal Dr. Mom

Faithful Provisions




I was thrilled to have a beautiful spring day today. I love that we got to play outside. I'm not so sure that I loved seeing my Lilly try to ride a skateboard. At least she was wearing a dress....