Meijer Shoppers: Are you using mPerks?

I knew that Kroger did this, but I was recently introduced to mPerks at Meijer.  All you have to do is sign up for a free account, digitally "clip" the coupons you want, and then when you check out at the store- don't forget to enter your phone number to activate the coupons!  As I make my weekly grocery list I sign in to my account to see which coupons I have in my mPerks account.

Homemade Granola....in the Crockpot!

I am VERY intrigued by this one.  It is a granola recipe for the crockpot.  I am hoping to try it out next weekend.


Granola

Ingredients:
3 cups oats
1-½ cups raisins
1 cup Wheat Chex cereal
1 cup walnuts, chopped
¼ cup white chocolate chips
¼ cup brown sugar
2/3 cup honey
1 egg, beaten

Directions:
Pour oats, raisins, cereal, walnuts, chocolate chips, and brown sugar in the slow-cooker. Mix well. In a small bowl, add honey and beat in the egg. Drizzle over the oat mixture and stir until moist. Cover, but leave the lid cracked open and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or on LOW for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. When done, remove crock insert from heat and let cool. This crunchy granola is a great snack or topping for yogurt or ice cream. 


Thanks to The Crockin Girls for the recipe.

Broccoli Slaw Salad

I am always looking for new salads to try out.  This one looks good! I may add sunflower seeds to it too.

Recipe makes enough for 1 or 2 people (depending if it’s the main dish or a side)

1/2 bag of pre-shredded broccoli slaw
1/2 pint grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
2 oz crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola cheese
2-3 TB balsamic vinegar
1 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Combine veggies, beans, and cheese in a bowl, gently toss with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Top with crumbled cheese.

Thanks to aggieskitchen.com for the picture and recipe.

6 Free Items at Vista Print

Vista Print is offering 6 different items for free.  You just have to pay for shipping.  


FREE Items include:

• Personalized calendar
• Personalized T-shirt
• Personalized Magnet
• Personalized Mouse Pad
• Personalized Mug
• Personalized Photo Book

Up to 70% off Nike Shoes + Free Shipping

Head over to 6pm.com for up to 70% off Nike shoes free shipping.  At the same site you can also get up to 70% off North Face clothing and up to 70% off Reebok shoes and clothing.





These are normally $90 and on sale for $45

Awesome Deal on a Flat Iron!

Right now at No More Rack you can get this flat iron that retails for $220 for only $35. They have them in pink or black. You have to sign up for a free No More Rack account to get the deal.  

Free Sample: Tide Pods

This one will go quick...so hurry on over to Tide's Facebook and request your free sample of their new pods.

Spinach and Orzo Salad with Cranberries and Almonds

I am hoping to try this recipe next week for dinner.

1 cup whole wheat orzo, uncooked
3/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
about 3/4 of a 6 oz bag of baby spinach, thinly sliced
3/4 cup dried cranberries
4 oz gorgonzola, crumbled

For the dressing:
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (Toast in a nonstick skillet over med heat for about 5 minutes)
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1-2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons minced onion
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 – 1/2 cup light flavored oil
salt and pepper to taste

Cook orzo according to instructions on package, set aside to cool completely.

To prepare dressing,  whisk together in a small bowl (or shake in a jar) sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, onion, paprika, vinegar, oil and pinches of salt and pepper.

In a large salad bowl combine orzo, almonds, spinach and cranberries. Gently toss ingredients with 1/3-1/2 amount of dressing, add more or less to your liking.

Add crumbled gorgonzola and gently toss again.

Serve immediately at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Chocolate Banana Pops

The recipe for these came in my latest edition of Everyday Food Magazine. My son and I decided to try them out today!





4-5 ripe bananas cut into 2 inch pieces
6 oz semisweet chocolate chips (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon of sprinkles
toothpicks


1. Insert 1 toothpick (I used sucker sticks from a local craft store  so they are easier to hold) into each banana piece.  Arrange bananas, toothpick side up, on parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm (2 hours)


2. In a medium microwave safe bowl heat chocolate chips in 10-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth.  Working quickly, dip each banana piece in the chocolate, shake of excess, and cover with sprinkles.  Chocolate should set quickly, but freeze if necessary to harden coating before serving.

What's for Dinner This Week?

Monday
Garlic Lovin' Salmon
Green Beans



Tuesday
Oven Fry Chicken 
(I buy Oven Fry in the grocery store and follow the directions and bake the chicken)
Roasted Vegetables 
(Simply tossed in olive oil and sprinkled with salt, pepper, fresh thyme and rosemary and roasted on a pan in the oven)







Wednesday
Tostados





Thursday
Marvelous Mini Meatloaves
Mashed Potatoes
Carrots

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn

8 cups plain popcorn 
Fine salt
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, melted
1 1/2 cups Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

1. Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl and salt to taste. Set aside.

2. Mix the honey and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and add the peanut butter. Stir vigorously until all the peanut butter is melted, then mix in the vanilla extract.

3. Immediately pour the peanut butter caramel over the popcorn and gently stir with a long-handled wooden spoon until it's all coated. Spread popcorn on a large baking sheet. Drizzle popcorn with melted chocolate and let sit until chocolate hardens. Stir in the Mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Thanks to twopeasandtheirpod.com for the recipe and picture.

Bacon, Eggs, and Toast Cups

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 8 slices white or whole-wheat sandwich bread
• 6 slices bacon
• 6 large eggs
• Coarse salt and ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter 6 standard muffin cups. With a rolling pin, flatten bread slices slightly and, with a 4 1/4-inch cookie cutter, cut into 8 rounds. Cut each round in half, then press 2 halves into each muffin cup, overlapping slightly and making sure bread comes up to edge of cup. Use extra bread to patch any gaps. Brush bread with remaining butter.
2. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium, until almost crisp, 4 minutes, flipping once. (It will continue to cook in the oven.) Lay 1 bacon slice in each bread cup and crack an egg over each. Season with salt and pepper. Bake until egg whites are just set, 20 to 25 minutes. Run a small knife around cups to loosen toasts. Serve immediately.

Cook's Note

Standard muffin pans come in 6- or 12-cup size; if baking 6 items in a 12-cup pan, leave empty space in between. Nonstick pans are nice but not essential. Beware of very thin pans, which often lead to burning. Place pans on a baking sheet to make them easier to get in and out of the oven.

Thanks to http://www.marthastewart.com for the recipe and picture.

Garlic Lovin' Salmon

2 tablespoons of butter
3-4 garlic cloves, pressed
2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
4 (4 oz) salmon fillets
lemon wedges

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter.
2. Stir in garlic.
3. Sprinkle salmon fillets on both sides with lemon pepper seasoning.
4. Place fish in the pan and cook on both sides for approx 3-5 minutes per side, until fish flakes when tested with a fork.
5. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve.

Thanks to http://dineanddish.net for the recipe!

Free Travel Size Item: Bath & Body Works (No Purchase Necessary)

Click HERE for a printable coupon for a free travel size signature collection item (up to $5.00).  Offer good through 2/20. In stores only.

$5 off a $15 TGI Fridays Purchase

Click HERE for the printable coupon that will get you $5 off a $15 TGI Fridays Purchase.  This offer is good until 6/30/12!!!

$15 P&G Rebate

Click HERE to access the form to fill out to get a $15 rebate when you buy $50 worth of P&G products.



Fine print...

You have to buy:

$50 worth of any Venus, Olay, Secret, CoverGirl, Clairol, Herbal Essences, Aussie, Head & Shoulders,  Pantene, Safeguard, Ivory, Crest 3D White, Always  and/or Tampax products from 02/15/12 to 04/28/12.


Mail:
To receive your rebate by mail you have to send in:
• This completed certificate
• Original dated sales receipt(s) with item(s) and purchase price(s) circled
• Write in UPC codes in spaces provided on the offer form

50 Chicken Breast Recipes

I came across this blog post from Six Sisters' Stuff (PS: I love their blog).  It is 50 Chicken Breast Recipes.  I love using chicken breasts and feel like I am always making the same meals, so I look forward to using some of their recipes.

Here are a few of my favorites (click on the title of the recipe to take you to the recipe):

Greek Salsa Chicken


Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts


Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken


Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Use What You Have

I came across this great website called My Fridge Food and I plan on using it when planning dinners.  You check the ingredients that you currently have in your fridge/pantry and it comes up with a list of recipes you could make.  Hint: Click "detailed kitchen" to enter in more specific ingredients and get even better results.  I highly recommend giving it a try!

Children's Place: 25% off and Free Shipping

I only buy things online when I can get free shipping.  And my favorite place to shop for my boys is The Children's Place...so I am loving this sale! Today only you can get 25% off everything AND free shipping on all orders!

Fashionable Scarves That Make a Difference

This is great! Head on over to fashionABLE and check out their scarf collection.   They are changing the lives of women in Africa, one scarf at a time! 

Here’s how it works: FashionABLE partners with non-profits to create jobs for women in poverty and desperate circumstances. All the net profits from the business go back to these women and to help set up a stronger economy. Each scarf is named after one of the women and handmade in Ethiopia by many of the women whose names you see on the scarves. How cool!

This one is a gorgeous 100% cotton scarf with plum and teal stripes. This is the Dember scarf:

20% off Gap Online- Today Only

Today only! 20% off at the Gap with code GAPLOVESU.

Live in Cincinnati? Looking for something to do?

Maybe everyone knew about this site but me?  But I just discovered this website and I love it!  It is 365 Things to Do in Cincinnati.  I plan on checking some things out.  The event that caught my eye is a VIP Tour of the Moerlein Lager House for only $15.00.

Make Your Own Gogurt

I plan on just spooning the yogurt I already buy into these, but you could knock yourself out and make your own yogurt for them....





They are Kinderbites Little Bites Ice Molds but Snack Girl has the great idea of filling them with yogurt to create your own yogurt on the go!  Much cheaper and green!  She suggests filling them with plain yogurt and a little bit of jam.  You could even freeze them.  

40% off Shutterfly Books + Free Shipping

Right now you can get 40% off all photobooks if you use Coupon Code BOOK40 during online checkout.  Valid through 2/16/2012.

If you spend $30 or more, you can get free shipping with Coupon Code SHIP30 through 2/29/2012

Homemade Finger Paints

Thanks to theberry.com for the idea!

Valentine's Day Crafts

I found this great article for cute homemade Valentine's Day crafts: 16 Best and Easiest Valentine's Day Crafts

Here are a few:

Retail Coupons! Ulta, Macy's, Kohl's and More!

Ulta.com Use code 72503 to get $3.50 off a $10.00 purchase and right now get this FREE 13 piece set with any order over $17.50 (3 styles to choose from):


Printable Macy's Coupon for 15% off.  Valid through 2/14

Printable Kohl's Coupon for 20% off when you spend $100 or 15% off any amount. Valid through 2/14

Printable Express Coupon for $50 off a $150 purchase or $30 off a $90 purchase. Valid through 2/14

Printable Aeropostale Coupon for $10 off a $40 purchase.  Valid through 2/20

Printable OshKosh Coupon for 20% off a $40 purchase. Valid through 2/15

What's for Dinner This Week?!

Monday
Pulled Pork Sandwiches (leftovers)
Green Beans
Corn Casserole




Tuesday
Heart Shaped Chicken Quesadillas


*No special recipe: We simply add cooked chicken, shredded cheese, peppers, and onions into tortillas and cook on the stove.  Cut into a heart shape for Valentine's Day!





Wednesday
Cheese Ravioli (out of the freezer- nothing fancy here!)
Peas



Thursday
Chili Mac
*I will either serve with mixed veggies or just put the veggies into the chili mac

Chili Mac

I can't remember where I found this one.  I have it written down on a piece of paper and shoved in my cook book.  I usually add frozen mixed veggies to this and a teaspoon or so of sugar for sweetness.

8 oz. elbow macaroni
1 onion, minced
1 tsp. chili powder
1 can kidney beans
1 lb. ground beef
1 c. water
1 tsp. salt

Cook macaroni. Brush large skillet with oil, add ground beef and onion, brown. Add macaroni, water, chili powder, salt and kidney beans. Cover, simmer for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. 

Corn Casserole

After having corn pudding this weekend from City BBQ...the family was instantly hooked.  So we are giving this casserole from Paula Deen a try.  She tops her's with shredded cheese, but we like it without.  





1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can cream-style corn
1 package Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup butter, melted


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


In a large bowl combine the cans of corn, Jiffy mix, melted butter, and sour cream.  Pour into a greased 13x9 casserole dish.  Back for 45 minutes or until golden brown.  Let stand for 5 minutes then serve warm.

Up to 50% off Bert's Bees Gift Sets- Great Deals!

I love Bert's Bees!  Head on over to Bert's Bees and you can get up to 50% off gift sets.  If you spend $25 use code SPRING12 to get $5 off you order.

Update: Some of these might already be out of stock. I apologize!


Here are a few highlights:


This Bee Pampered set is on sale for $10 (normally $20)


This Keepsake Tin which includes FOUR, yes FOUR lip balms is on sale for $5.


This Natural Manicure Set is on sale for $7.50 (normally $15).  I think this one makes the perfect gift!

Ever tried Plastic Jungle?!

Have a gift card you will never use and want to get rid of? Sell it at Plastic Jungle.  You can buy, sell, or trade gift cards.   Here you can find a list of gift cards for sale.  And the best part?  Most of them have a discount.  They aren't huge discounts, but every little bit helps. Right now Barnes and Noble gift cards are 13% off and New York and Company gift cards are 13% off (so you can get a $30 card for $26.10).



Just something to try out the next time you are in need of a gift card for someone or plan on going shopping for yourself!

50% off One Dozen Valentine's Day Wicked Whoopie Pies for $25!

These. Look. Amazing.  You can get 50% off One Dozen Valentine's Day Wicked Whoopie Pies for $25! (Shipping included). Apparently these have been featured on Oprah, Rachael Ray and Good Morning America.  I can't imagine spending $50 on 12 whoopie pies, but possibly $25.00.

Deal on the Mattel Sing-A-Ma-Jigs

I don't know why, but these darn things crack me up.  Right now you can get the Mattel The Sing-A-Ma-Jigs in mint green (seen below) for $4.98 (normally $13.99).  It would make a cute little Valentine's Day gift for a little one!

What's for Dinner This Week?

Monday
Teriyaki Chicken
Broccoli Couscous




Tuesday
Tacos
Rice
Corn


Nothing fancy here...just ground beef and a seasoning packet with store bought crunchy shells. Served with shredded lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes.



Wednesday
Grilled Cheese
Chicken Noodle Soup (yes, out of the can)



Thursday
Spinach Lasagna Roll-ups

Spinach Lasagna Roll-ups

Ingredients: 

9 lasagna noodles, cooked

10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and completely drained

15 oz fat free or part skim ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg

salt and fresh pepper

32 oz  spaghetti sauce

9 tbsp (about 3 oz) part skim mozzarella cheese, shredded

 

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine spinach, ricotta, Parmesan, egg, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Ladle about 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking dish.

Place a piece of wax paper on the counter and lay out lasagna noodles. Make sure noodles are dry. Take 1/3 cup of ricotta mixture and spread evenly over noodle. Rollcarefully and place seam side down onto the baking dish. Repeat with remaining noodles

Thanks to Skinny Taste foe the recipe!

Broccoli Couscous

I have posted about couscous before but here is a couscous recipe with broccoli that I had tried a few times.  I sort of just made it up.  It is really quick and easy and a great alternative to rice.


10 oz of fresh or frozen broccoli (cut up)
14 oz reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
1 cup uncooked couscous
Salt and pepper to taste


1. If you are using frozen broccoli- thaw and drain it first
2. Season chicken broth with salt and pepper and bring to a boil
3. Stir in couscous and broccoli, cover and remove from heat.  Let is stand of 5 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.  
4. Fluff with a fork and serve


I have seen other recipes that add chickpeas to this or even lemon juice.  Play around with the ingredients!