Shopping list - a long blog

Well I know some of you will be disappointed that I am not posting the Very Hungry Caterpillar blog yet, but its in the works, I promise. Until then I am trying to get back to you all with the coupon blogs. This summer has been so crazy for and we have been in and out of town so much I haven't had time to do much couponing of my own. Thankfully we had a nice stash so it didn't matter much because we were able to use some things we already had.
This write up is going to be a little different. As you know, I usually just post deals on my own shopping list (don't forget there are lots of other deals to be had) I decide that this week I would give you a glimpse of how I set up for my couponing trip. I usually start by making a menu, that works best for us and helps us stay on budget. Plus, its just easier for me to have a list of meals to pick from. That way I don't have to try to figure out what I'll be making.
As bakward as it sounds to start a diet at the end of summer (what, are we getting in shape for parka season?) we've (me and the hubster) have decided to its time! We had a lot of good luck with the 17 day diet book when tried it at the beginning of summer. However, with all the travels it was really hard to stick to.  August for us, is relatively slow and a good time to focus on food.  Im not sure yet that we are going to do this by the book but we are going to try to take the things we learned and incorporate them and see how it goes. Diet Food- another good reason to make a menu, Im just not that creative and the hubster gets pretty impatient with diet food gone bad.  Hes a steak and potatoes kind of guy!
Ok, now you know whats going on and it goes something like this

Grain-Free Chicken Cordon Blue–

• Boneless Skinless chicken breasts
• Sliced ham
• Sliced swiss cheese
• Pork Rinds, crushed very finely or food-processed into crumbs
• Butter (melted)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Meanwhile, pound out your chicken with a heavy object (I use my heavy metal measuring cup) until it’s pretty thin, but not falling apart.
On each breast, lay some ham and cheese. Roll up the breasts so the ham and cheese are inside, and lay them in a baking dish seam-side-down.
Once all the chicken is rolled up and in the dish, top each one with some more swiss cheese.
Sprinkle pork rind “dust” over the top of the swiss cheese, and drizzle with melted butter.
Bake until cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.
Freeze, fully cooked. When you want to eat one, thaw it overnight. Then you can throw it in the oven or the microwave until it’s warm (since it’s already cooked). I did about 2 minutes in the microwave to heat the middle, then finished in the oven to get the top crisp-ish again.

This next was a recipe I wanted for lunch for myself. I like to keep egg salad or chicken salad on hand for fast lunches.Skinny Low-Yolk Egg Salad
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 2 • Serving Size: 1/2 of salad • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 2 pts
Calories: 81.2 • Fat: 4.4 g • Protein: 9.3 g • Carb: 1.2 g • Fiber: 0.2 g • Sugar: 0.1 g

• 4 hard boiled eggs, peeled
• 4 tsp Hellman's light mayonnaise
• 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp chopped green scallions or chives
• salt and fresh pepper to taste

Separate the yolks from the egg whites and discard 3 of the yolks. Chop eggs and combine with mayonnaise, dijon mustard, scallions, salt and pepper.

This is another dinner recipe. Its just the recipe for the Corn salsa, but I thought it would yummy on some grilled chicken or even a chicken salad.

Chicken topped with Corn Salsa with Lime
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 12 • Size: about 1/2 cup • Old Points: 1 • Points+: 1 pts
Calories: 52.5 • Fat: 0.7 g • Carb: 11.7 g • Fiber: 1.8 g • Protein: 2.0 g • Sugar: 1.8
Sodium: 10 mg (without salt)


Ingredients:

• 4 cups (20 oz) cooked sweet yellow corn, cut
• 2 vine ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1 scallion, diced
• 1-2 jalapeños, diced (remove seeds unless you like it really spicy)
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1 1/2 limes, juice of
• chipotle chili powder, to taste
• salt and fresh pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all the ingredients and refrigerate for about an hour. Makes about 6 cups.

Another Dinner plan

Grilled Chicken Bruschetta
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 4 oz chicken + tomatoes •  Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 6
Calories: 236.8 • Fat: 8.5 g • Protein: 32.4 g • Carb: 6.8 g • Fiber: 1.3 g • Sugar: 0.5 g
Sodium: 182.9 mg (without the salt)

Ingredients:

• 3 medium vine ripe tomatoes
• 2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp extra virgin oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
• 3 oz part skim mozzarella, diced
• 1.25 lbs (8 thin sliced) chicken cutlets

Directions:

Combine onion, olive oil, balsamic, salt and pepper. Set aside a few minutes.

We'll be having beans and "spanish" rice with this. -I usually just brown some rice then cook like the directions say (use brown if you can, better for you) and add a cup of salsa. Its a pretty good substitute.
Carne Asada

Carne Asada Marinade:

• 1 1/2 - 2 lbs of flank steak
• 1/3 cup vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1-2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/2 tsp oregano
• 2 limes, juiced
• 4-5 cloves garlic minced

In a gallon size Ziploc bag, combine all ingredients with flank steak and mix really well. Let marinate for at least 6 hours - overnight if you can.

Grill steak until desired degree of doneness. LET SIT FOR AT LEAST 5-10 MINUTES! Once the meat has cooled, slice ACROSS grain into small chunks.

Other Ingredients:

• Corn tortillas
• Cotija cheese (Mexican cheese that is worth getting because it's really great on all Mexican dishes & salads)
• Guacamole (see recipe here)
• Roasted Tomato Salsa (see recipe here)
• Onion, Lime & Cilantro relish (see recipe here)

Cook tortillas (dry) in a hot pan for 45-60 seconds on each side. You want them soft & pliable. Add meat, cheese, salsa, onion & top with guacamole. You will LOVE these tacos.

Onion, Cilantro, and Lime Juice Relish:

• 1-2 sweet yellow onions, diced
• 1 handful of cilantro, chopped
• 2-3 limes juiced

Dice onion into small pieces. Clean & chop cilantro. I use some stems (not many) because they have great flavor. Add lime juice & stir. I let it sit for a few hours to marinate the flavors. It is delicious - especially on Carne Asada Tacos!

 The full recipe was so long I didn't paste it but you can go here and check it out.

Flank steak

• 2 lb flank steak, fat trimmed
• kosher salt and fresh pepper
• garlic powder
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp balsamic
• 1/3 cup red onion, chopped
• 3-4 tomatoes, chopped (about 3 1/2 cups)
• 1 tbsp fresh herbs such as oregano, basil or parsley

The goal is really to avoid carbs and sugars. I do splurge a little but try to make healthier choices like whole wheat, brown rice, corn tortillas and so forth. Then compare your recipes to your cupboards and figure out what you need. I usually just print the recipe list and highlight or circle the things I need to get. If they are already on my following list I just tally them.
I always keep fresh salad and fruit on hand. Since I am trying to knock out carbs, I haven't been creative enough lately to come up with additional sides to my main dishes, most of them time I will just do a salad and a veggie.

The rest of my list looks like this
Eggs - big one
Turkey bacon
Light Mayo - Walgreens
Light butter
Pancake Mix (Hungry Jack)
bread
Milk
Yogurt - Kroger
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Fruit
Carrots
Onion
Dish Soap

CVS
Coca Cola 12 pk Cans – $4.25
-Get $3 ECBs WYB 4 (Limit 1)
Final Price =  $10 for 4 ($2.50 each)
Dawn Dish Detergent – $.99
-Use $.50/1 Dawn Dish Detergent (PG 7/31)
Final Price = $.49
Caliber Notebooks BOGO

Walgreens
Keri Lotion $6.99 = $5 RR (August unadvertised monthly deal)
Use the $2/1 coupon found here or in the 7/17 SS
Pay $4.99
Get back a $5 RR
Final cost FREE!

Kids Smart HI DHA-Omega-3 Fish Oil 30 ct $7 = $7 RR
Final cost FREE!

Crayola Washable Markers classic 8 pk $2 = $2 RR
Final cost FREE!

Hellmann’s mayonnaise 22 or 30 oz $2.99
Use the $0.40/2 coupon found in the 7/31 RP (value will vary by region)
Final cost $2.79 each!

Revlon Tweezer $2.49 (regular price – not in ad)
Use the $1/1 Revlon Beauty Tool coupon found here
Plus, use the $1/1 Walgreens coupon found in the August coupon booklet
Final cost only $0.49!

Dawn dish liquid 10.3 oz $0.99
Use the $0.50/1 coupon found in the 7/31 PG (Some regions received $0.25/1 coupons)
Final cost $0.49!

Walmart

Trial Size Cascade Complete ActionPacs (3 pk) $0.99
Use the $1/1 coupon found in the 7/31 PG
Zyrtec (5 Ct.) $5.27
Use the $5/1 Zyrtec coupon previously printable
Final cost $0.27!

Kroger
French’s Yellow Mustard $1
- 30¢/1 French’s Mustard Printable Coupon OR
- 30¢/1 French’s Classic Yellow, Spicy Brown, Honey, Horseradish, Honey Dijon or New Dijon Mustard Coupon (6/19 SS)
= 10¢
Crayola Crayons, 24 ct. 25¢
Dannon Yogurt $1.88
- $1/1 Danimals Product Coupon (6/5 SS) OR
- $1/2 Activia Multipack or Tub Coupon (6/5 SS) OR
- $1/1 Dan-o-nino Dairy Snack Coupon (6/5 SS)
= 88¢ – $1.38 ea.


Randalls
409 or PineSol $1.49 (Limit 3)
- $1/1 PineSol Printable Coupon
= 49¢



HEB
Skintimate Shave Cream – $1.97
-Use $1.50/1 Skintimate Cream Shave Printable Coupon OR
-Use $1/1 Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave coupon (SS 7/24)
Final Price = As low as $.47


And there you have it, the things I'll purchase this week and a healthy menu you didn't even have to create together! Hope it goes well!