Get your Sunday paper and start clipping

www,sundaycouponpreview.com Is where I can see how many coupon inserts will be in the Sunday paper.  I get the paper delivered to my home and if there are good coupons I will buy some extras that day.  This Sunday there will be 4 coupon books so I will buy 3 additional papers (4 papers total, 4 people in my home).  I cut out every coupon even if I know I will not use that product just in case I can buy that item with overage, the store would be paying me to buy the item.

Enjoying the mall

I used to think shopping at the mall was just throwing hard earned money away.  I looked at the tag on clothes, roll my eyes and walk right out of the store.  I look at the mall different now and I like going to the mall for many reasons.  The best part is you can get a lot of stuff FREE at the mall just by doing some homework before you shop.  We do not have a mall where I live so it is a nice change when I am in the city.  Most mall's have a kids play area that is free and after walking around for hours it is nice to put your feet up and watch your kids burn the rest of their energy. 
My cousin will be a first time Dad in just a couple of months so I will be doing some shopping for the new baby this weekend.  While I am at the mall I will be picking up some items that I found great deals on this week.
VICTORIA SECRET - I downloaded a coupon for a free ruched back panty with any purchase.  I also have a coupon $10 off a pink bra.  They have a special going on right now 2 for $32.  With my coupon I can get 2 for $22 and a free panty. 
BUCKLE - 50% off necklaces.  I found several necklaces for $6.99.  If I buy two I can get one free.  Three birthday/ Christmas gifts done and I am only out $14.  Now I have all year to think about who to give them to.
DISNEY- I love going into the Disney store with my kids.  Even if I am not buying anything it is fun to look around.  Right now they have a good deal on sleepwear,  2 for $24 .  They also have Phineas and ferb sunglasses for $1.99, that will put a big smile on my Son's super cute face indeed.
FAMOUS FOOTWEAR- Now that winter is over they are doing a clearance on all winter boots 70%OFF I found a cute pair of boots for my Daughter for $15 I will just buy the next size up and we will be all set for next year.  If she happens to grow a lot and they do not fit her, I have a niece that loves shoes.
DILLARD'S- spend $32.00 (I need some makeup so this will not be hard to do) and receive a free Lancome gift.  You choose the bag and 6 lancome items to put in the bag. You receive more free merchandise then you spend, love when that happens.
BATH AND BODY WORKS - Here is the best deal.  Buy 3 signature collection products and you get 2 free.  Just for buying a signature collection product you receive a free tote and 10 full size items inside that tote. 

Get ready for summer with great flip flop sale

My kids love flip flops and wear them most of the summer.  So great for going to the pool or a quick errand just slip them on and go.  Kohls is having a great deal right now.  Go to kohls website and type in so flip flops for kids.  You will find them starting at $1.99.  When you check out use code SPRING15 and get 15% off making them $1.69 a pair and then use code SHIP4FREE and the shipping is free no matter how much you spend.

Getting back to what I am good at..... saving money

I have been through a lot these past couple of months and I am working every day to get my life back to the way it used to be.  I am putting more time and energy back into my coupons and it feels great.  Just wanted to share today's savings with you.  I shopped at Fry's, Safeway and CVS.  I spent $43.96 and saved $136.57 ($35 of that was from coupons and the rest was for using my store cards for in store discounts.  I am  happy when I save over 60% so this was excellent!
I bought 9 boxes of cereal, 5 boxes of cream cheese, 4 large tubes of tooth paste, 2 bags tortillas, 4 boxes of frozen pizza, two bags of chips, 2 bottles of salad dressing, 4 boxes of cookies, crackers, dole fruit cups, 2 pounds deli turkey, 2 deodorants, 15 lunch ables, 3 grill seasonings, 8 Greek yogurt, 2 16oz sour cream, 2 mayo and one pack of gum. 
I also took advantage of Safeway's hallmark card deal they have right now.  I bought 3 cards (have to be over 1.49 each) and received $5 for my next visit.  When I checked out from all of my stores I ended up with $8 to use on my next purchase so I actually bought all of my groceries for about $35 after tax.

SLOW-DOWN SUPPERS

My Mom gave me a subscription to the Lady's home journal and I have really enjoyed reading it.  It gives a lot of good ideas for running a household from home health and fitness to relationship tips.  Last week the February issue was in my mailbox and it is the big health issue.  I came across a hearty beef and squash stew that is only 165 calories a serving.  I also love this recipe because it serves 8 and the entire meal cost less than $6 to make.  Try going to a restaurant and ordering a low calorie heart healthy meal for $0.75 a plate.

combine 2 1/4 t thyme, 2 t salt, 3/4 pepper reserve 1t of the mixture for later and stir 5T cornstarch into the remainder.  Toss 1 1/2lb beef ( I used sirloin ct into 1 inch pieces), 1 medium fennel bulb cut into 1/2 inch wedges and 2 potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces. 

Prepair a small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and sliced 1/8 inch thick.  Toss squash with 1t olive oil and the reserved 1tsp of thyme mixture. 

Place the beef mixture in slow cooker, fitting the ingredients tightly; add 28oz can diced tomatoes. Arrange the squash on top of stew, cover an cook 4 1/2 hr on high or 8hr on low. 

165 calories a serving, 4g of fat and 4g of fiber

IT IS SIMPLY DELICIOUS

Dessert anyone?

My Grandma makes the best carrot cake.  I remember as a kid getting so excited when she made this dessert when we stayed at her house for Christmas break.  My Grandma and my Mom have a gift when it comes to baking.  When the New Year approached I took part of a weight loss challenge that makes my New Years resolution of not dieting this year null and void.  I am still pursuing creative cooking to make my family meals more healthy but now I am also counting the calories in the meals.  I decided to try making a carrot cake low calorie and I think the results are DELICIOUS!!!
A traditional carrot cake is often perceived as healthy because of the carrots it contains.  But usually it also contains at least 1 1/2 cups of oil - not good when you are watching your fat intake.  Here is my version which contains no oil and tastes fabulous (if I do say so myself).  
Traditional carrot cake is 449 calories/serving.  This cake is 204 calories/ serving. 
Preheat oven to 350 and lightly spray a 13x9 pan with non stick spray.
In a large bowl, stir together 1C all purpose flour, 1C whole wheat flour, 2 1/2 t ground cinnamon, 2t baking soda, 1/2 t nutmeg and 1/2 t ground cloves.  Set aside
In mixer beat 6 egg whites  until soft peaks form.  slowly beat in 1/2 +1/3c sugar and 6 packs splenda.  Then slowly beat in 1C unsweetened applesauce, 1/2 c 1% buttermilk, 1 1/2t vanilla. 
Using a spoon, stir in the flour mixture just until combined.  Then stir in 8oz crushed pineapple in its own juices (undrained), 2C shredded carrots and 1C walnuts.  Spread the batter in the prepared pan.  Bake about 35 min or until toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool completely
LOW CAL CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
2/3 c fat free vanilla yogurt
2/3 c low fat cottage cheese
16oz low fat cream cheese
powdered sugar (1c splenda + 1t cornstarch)
mix yogurt and cottage cheese in blender until smooth, poor into mixer, add cubes of cream cheese and blend. Place the Splenda and the cornstarch in a mixer or food processor. Blend on high speed for approximately 1 minute, until the texture is similar to powdered sugar. You may need to scrape down the mixer or processor bowl several times in the process. Sugar can be stored in an airtight container for up to a month. Add sugar and mix, place frosting in refrigerator until thick enough to frost cake
This cake makes 20 servings.

Cheers for a New Year and another chance to get it right

There is something about the first month of the year that makes me feel like I have a clean slate. It is a very motivating feeling.  This is the only time of year I am guaranteed to get something organized.  I start taking out projects I vowed to do daily/weekly only to find them all stacked up and deserted in the corner of my office.  I make a list of motivational quotes to post around my house as reminders to stay on task.  I want to make 2011 the year I stop dreaming about accomplishing my resolutions and I start to do them.  I think that starting this blog is a great way to stay on task because my hopes are that my readers will be checking up on my posts.  With that being said, my new years resolutions are as follows
1) To not diet this year.  I want to use my love of cooking to make healthy meals for me and my family.  I want us as a family to get involved in exercise and this will be more than wii bowling together.  We have a beautiful rec center that we are all members of, lets enjoy it!!
2)Enjoy life more Children, more than anyone else, know how to live. They experience everything in the moment, fully. When they get hurt, they really cry. When they play, they really have fun.  I want to learn from my Children instead of thinking I know so much more than them.  I want to learn how to be joyful like they are.
3) Stop caring what others think I know, logically, that you can't even know or predict what other people think, much less change their thoughts. I also know intellectually that other people's thoughts about what you do, say, plan, or think really don't matter. But this is something I struggle with -- a lot. If my kids are doing something cute and my house does not look PERFECT in the back ground I will not take a picture, I miss out on the memory because I don't want people to see that I did not put the laundry away.  People who really love me will not look at my double chin in a family pic, they will see the person that they love.
4)Get out of my comfort zone/ spend more time with my family and friends. I love living in my small town.  It is perfect for me and my family.  I love going to the store and seeing people that I went to school with and giving hugs to patients I cared for when I was a medical assistant.  I love it here but I miss my family that lives in the city.  Two hours is not a long drive, load the kids up and go.  Time is flying by and I am missing out on so many relationships.  Phoenix is so busy for me that I dread every bit of my travel there.  The traffic, the weather, the fear of getting shot LOL.  I need to get over it
5)Help others I do not have to sign up as a volunteer somewhere to help people.  This is not something I have to prepair for.  I want to be more giving, help an elderly shopper with their groceries, make meals for people, babysit for couples that need a break. 
Bottom line is I want to embrace every moment, I need to do more scrap booking so I can remember every moment, laugh until I cry, compliment someone every day.  BE A BETTER PERSON