April Shopping Plus Link Up

Told you I was doing my shopping a bit early and I am glad I did!  I saved 10% off my entire order and scored some great deals on good quality meat.  I do have tons of produce and I will be busy preparing them and freezing some of it so it is meal ready.  Everything I bought is in the picture except for the whole wheat hamburger and hot dog buns (my table ran out of room!).

Aldi
2 - Milk
$1.99 each

1 - King Hawaiian Rolls
$1.99

Total Spent: $6.49

Hy-Vee
1 - Saga Blue Cheese Crumbles
$4.29

1 - Belgioioso Parmesan Cheese Wedge
$5.99

1 lb Hy-Vee Deli Roast Beef
$5.09

1 - Bird's Eye Frozen Peas
$1.00

1 - Hy-Vee Limeade
$1.43

1 - Barilla Jumbo Shells
$2.17

1 - Hy-Vee Dijon Mustard
$1.47

1 - Hy-Vee Seasoned Croutons
$1.29

2 - Hy-Vee Light Apple Juice
$3.96 or $1.98 each

1 - Hy-Vee Wheat Hamburger Buns
$1.68

3 - Hy-Vee Fruit Snacks
$5.01 or $1.67 each

1 - Hy-Vee Long Grain Rice
$1.69

2 - Hy-Vee Wheat Tortillas
$3.18 or $1.59 each

4 - Hy-Vee Black Beans
$2.76 or 69 cents each

3 - Kool-Aid Juice Pouches
$5.97 or $1.99 each

1 - Zesta Whole Wheat Saltine Crackers
$1.99

2 -15 oz  MCF Tomato Sauce
$1.18 or 59 cents each

1 - Planters Chopped Pecans
$6.98 (Ouch!  I really wish Trader Joe's was closer!)

1 - Realime Lime Juice
$1.69

Roland Organic Capers
$3.99

1 - Roma Brat Buns
$1.49

2 - Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta
$2 or $1 each

2 - San Marco Tomatillos
$4.50 or $2.25 each

1 - Tones Cilantro
80 cents

1 - 16 oz Fage Greek Yogurt
$4.29

1 - Hy-Vee Cherry Lime Sherbet
$2.57

1 - 8 oz Hy-Vee Diced Ham
$2.57

2 - Hy-Vee Turkey Bacon
$5.18 or $2.59 each

1 - 16 oz Jen-O Turkey Ham
$5.99

1 - Oscar Mayer 98% Fat Free Hot Dogs
$3.99

4 - Amana KC Strip Steaks (24 oz total)
$21.96

1 - Eye of Round Roast (just over 1 lb)
$3.89

1 - Hy-Vee Sliced Swiss Cheese
$2.88

3 - Bulbs of Garlic
$1.14

6 - Red Onions (3.12 lbs)
$4.02

3 - Green Bell Peppers
$3 or $1 each

3 - Bunches of Green Onions
$1.50 or 50 cents each

1 - Jalapeno Pepper (0.13 lbs)
26 cents

2 - Limes
$1.34 or 67 cents each

1 - Bunch Organic Cilantro
$1.67

2 - 2 lb Bags of Organic Baby Carrots
$7.76 or $3.88

1 - Organic Celery
$1.79

1 - Organic Romaine Hearts
$2.50

2 - Packages Beef Flank Steak (about 2 lbs)
$16.30

6 - Packages 100% Natural Chicken Breasts (about 12.45 lbs total)
$23.39 or $1.88/lb (great price! They have the best chicken!)

1 - Package Pork Country Style Ribs (just over 4 lbs)
$8.08

2 - Louis Kemp Imitation Crab Meat
$3.34 or 1.67 each

I used a coupon for 10% off your entire order if you spend $50.  That's the reason I decided to shop early.  The coupon was only good for 3 days, but that's alright.  I am just glad my menu and grocery list was planned so it was no big deal to go out today :)

Total Spent:  $199.03

Below is the list of items I still need to buy.  Not much and mostly produce.  You will notice I am getting closer to my goal.  I told you it would all even out in the end.  Not having to buy cleaning products, laundry soap or dishwasher soap is really making life easier.  Just so know I am still loving all of my homemade cleaning supplies.  In fact I just made a second batch of the dishwasher soap and the surface cleaner.  Those two and the laundry soap are my favorites!  I really encourage you try some of these or at least look into it!

Not too bad for an entire month...I am extremely happy and when I compared to last year I am still $100 less than when I used coupons.  So I am spending less money, eating healthier, and spending more time doing what I want to do!  Not to mention no more wasting time and money on printing all those stinking coupons ;)

Italian Sausage Sandwiches

Now I have made Italian Sausage Sandwiches many, many times in the past.  However, I came across this recipe for Zesty Italian Sausage Sandwiches at The Cheerful Madhouse and decided to combine my recipe with hers.  Definitely check out her blog!  She has tons of great recipes on there that are just wonderful!  The zesty part is what reeled me ;)

Now this is a simple meal, but it is filling and delicious!  Not to mention another great way to use your crock pot.  My bad boy is getting lots of use lately :)

Now the genius part to this recipe is the spices.  They blend so well and bring so much flavor!  I just love the addition and think I will make it this way from now!

Italian Sausage Sandwiches
4 - Italian Sausage Links
2 - Green Peppers, sliced into strips
1 - Large Sweet Onion, sliced into strips
1 - Jar of Spaghetti Sauce or 3 cups Homemade Sauce (I think 1-2 cups would be fine, we had lots of extra sauce, but obviously we don't like ours really saucy)
Here comes the genius part!
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp Seasoning Salt
1/4 tsp Chili Powder
1/4 tsp Cumin
4 - Hoagie Buns
Cheese for topping (we used leftover shredded mozzarella and some provolone slices)

• Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and brown sausage on all sides
• Then add green pepper, onion, and seasonings and cook until veggies are tender
• Put the sausage mixture into your crock pot and combine spaghetti sauce
• Cook on low for about 2 hours

That's it!  Now I always make mine in the crock pot, but you could just simmer on your stove for about 30 minutes if you want.  When everything is done build your sandwiches and don't forget the cheese!  Enjoy!

Greek Chicken & Veggie Salad

This is a great easy weeknight meal.  If you can't tell I am loving Greek food lately :)  Everyone enjoyed this salad and my hubby wanted to know the dressing recipe so he can marinate his chicken for lunch.  The  hardest part of this meal is chopping everything, which really isn't that bad.  I adapted this recipe from Rachael Ray's Greek Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Salad with Pita Bread.

It's jam packed full of fresh and healthy veggies which are filling and good for you.  So come one over and give it try!

Greek Chicken & Veggie Salad
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch strips
salt and pepper to taste
1 TBS lemon zest
1 TBS lemon juice
3 TBS red wine vinegar
1 TBS dried oregano
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 head of lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup kalamata olives
4 oz feta cheese crumbles
1 large tomato, seeded and diced
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1/2 medium onion, diced
4 pitas

• In a small bowl mix the lemon juice, lemon zest, and red wine vinegar
• Then add the chopped garlic and oregano and whisk again
• Season chicken strips with salt, pepper, and half of dressing
• Add to a skillet and cook over medium-high heat until cooked through and no longer pink, about 7-9 minutes
• While chicken is cooking wrap pita bread in aluminum foil and place in a preheated 250 degree oven to heat through
• In a large bowl combine lettuce, olives, tomato, cucumber, onion, and feta cheese then top with the remaining dressing and toss well to coat
• Place salad on a plate or in a bowl, top with chicken, and then serve with pita bread on the side

Yum!  This is just refreshing and delicious!  Feel free to swap out ingredients you don't like with ones you do to personalize it and make it better for you.  Here are the nutrition facts for the way I made it

.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 375 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 440 Calories from Fat 127

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 14.1g 22%

Saturated Fat 5.3g 26%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 86mg 29%

Sodium 866mg 36%

Total Carbohydrates 45.4g 15%

Dietary Fiber 4.8g 19%

Sugars 4.9g

Protein 34.3g

Vitamin A 22% • Vitamin C 25% Calcium 21% • Iron 23%

Nutrition Grade B

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

• High in niacin
• High in selenium