Tobins' Tastes

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Publix Buy Theirs, Get Ours Promo

Publix has a great promotion that starts with the new sale ad. I have not seen them do this since this summer so I am excited that it has been brought back this week. And it looks like the items included are pretty useful. If you buy any of the following products, you get the Publix brand for FREE.
  • Buy Swanson Chicken Broth 32oz for $2.69 and get the Publix version FREE
  • Buy Del Monte Leaf Spinach 13.5oz can for $1.39 and get the Publix version FREE
  • Buy Del Monte Whole New Potatoes 14.5oz can for $1.39 and get the Publix version FREE
  • Buy Del Monte Diced Tomatoes 14.5oz for $1.49 and get the Publix version FREE
You can only get one of each FREE item per trip. I will definitely be taking advantage of the chicken broth and diced tomatoes deal, especially since I have a Swansons coupon too.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Weight Watchers Frozen Butterfingers Pie


Have you tried my Butterfingers Cake recipe yet? If you have you know that while it is amazingly good, it must have one million calories per slice. So I decided to look for something along the same flavor lines but a little lighter. This Weight Watchers version (adapted from Pinterest) of Butterfingers Pie does the trick. It was light and very satisfying without being too crazy bad for you. And it let me use some of the Cool Whip I have stocked up from the holiday sales. According to the recipe I adapted it from, it is 3 points (the old ones not points plus) per serving.

After making it, I have a few suggestions. Make sure that the Cool Whip is completely thawed before trying to mix and spread it. It was difficult to get it to spread evenly over the graham crackers while still a little frozen. You may want to crush the candy bar in the wrapper then just cut off the top to sprinkle it out. We also found that the longer it is in the freezer the better it tastes. We ate it last night a few hours after it was made and it was very good but it was even better tonight.

Weight Watchers Butterfingers Pie
  • 8 graham crackers
  • 1 tub of fat free Cool Whip
  • 1 Butterfingers Bar
  • Reduced Fat Chocolate Syrup (the kind in the squeeze bottle was easier to control the amount)
  • Sugar Free Caramel Sauce (I also used the squeeze bottle, much easier to portion than the jar)
1. Lightly spray an 8x8 pan with cooking spray. Lay graham crackers on the bottom.


2. Mix together half the crushed Butterfingers and the Cool Whip and spread over the graham crackers.


3. Lightly drizzle the chocolate syrup and the caramel sauce over the Cool Whip mixture and top with the remaining crushed Butterfingers.


4. Freeze for at least 4 hours. Cut into 9 even portions before serving.

I jazzed up the plate for picture taking purposes. We clearly don't do that on a regular basis in our house.


Enjoy!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Couponing Our Way To A New Camera Update

Here is a little update on our progress in couponing our way to a new, higher end camera. We currently have $40 in Target gift cards to put towards our goal.
Here is where they came from:
  • $10 gift card: Ebates.com - cash back site, new users, click through this link and you can earn a $10 gift card if you make a purchase through Ebates in your first three months, mine came in the mail yesterday. I have also earned $41 in cash back (deposited into Pay Pal or sent in a check) since I started using Ebates 2 months ago.

  • $25 gift card: MyPoints.com, earn points for reading emails and shopping online, redeem points for gift cards

  • $5 gift card: earned through an in store promotion

It may not seem like much but it has barely been a month since we set this goal and I have also not been doing much Target shopping (to earn the promo cards) since we are pretty well stocked and putting money towards our house renovation projects. And since it is all "found money", I am excited to be saving for a camera without taking out of our pay checks : )

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Publix Trip 1/19- Saved 83%!



Free gum!


This week was the first time since I started couponing that I actually did not "need" anything. If I had not been able to get to the grocery store this week we would have been just fine with our frozen chicken, frozen veggies, Smart Balance milk and Egg Whites supplemented by our stockpile. When I told Justin that he said he was really starting to see how much couponing is paying off and he said that I should just skip the store this week. However, there were some good deals I could not pass up adding to our stockpile and since I only spent $21 total, I don't feel too bad about it : )


I finally found the Gas-X money maker deal and also snagged a decent number of freebies. I saved 83% so all in all it was a great week for me.


Here is the breakdown of today's trip:
Total retail value: $127.97
Spent: $21.96
Total saved: $106.01
Percent saved: 83%


Here is what I got with coupon/sale match ups:
  • 6 boxes of Gas-X, retails for $2.49 each (we don't use/need them but they will get donated)
    • Used three $5/2 Publix coupons from the Green Advantage flyer
    • Stacked with three $3/2 manufacturer coupons from the 1/8 SS
    • Made them all FREE plus $9 total in overage
  • 3 cans of Muir Glen diced tomatoes, retails for $1.68, on sale for $1.33
    • Used three .75 cents off printables from coupons.com
    • Stacked with a $2/3 Publix coupon from the Yellow Advantage flyer
    • Made them all FREE plus .26 cents total in overage

  •  7 packs of UP2U gum, retails for .99 cents each
    • Used seven $1 off coupons from the 1/1 SS
    • Made them all FREE
  • 4 bottles of Sambazon Acai juice, retails for $2.99
    • Used two free product coupons from Facebook
    • Stacked with two BOGO free coupons from Facebook
    • Made them all FREE
  • 2 tubes of Colgate toothpaste, retails for $3.47, on sale for $2.39 each
    • Used two $1 off manufacturer coupons from a brand email
    • Stacked with two $1 off Target coupons from the Hi Coupons mailer
    • Made them .39 cents each
  • 4 pouches of Starkist tuna, retails for $1.39, on sale for $1
    • Used two $1/2 Publix coupons from the Find Yourself in Good Health booklet
    • Wish I had saved some of my man. coupons but oh well...
    • Made them .50 cents each
  • 3 bottles of Ken's Dressing, retails for $2.24, on sale for $1.09 each
    • Used a B2G1 free coupon from the 1/8 SS
    • Made them .72 cents each
  • 4 boxes of Kleenex, retails for $2.03 each, on sale for $1.25
    • Used two $1/2 Publix coupons from the Start Your Year Off With Big Savings Kimberly Clark booklet
    • Made them .75 cents each

  • 2 bags of Chex mix, retails for $2.59, on sale BOGO ($1.29 each)
    • Used two .60 cents off printables from bettycrocker.com
    • Made them .69 cents each

  • 2 packages of Crystal Light, retails for $4.05, on sale for $2.00 each
    • Used a $1/2 from an in store blinkie
    • Made them $1.50 each

  • 2 jars of Newman's Own Salsa, retails for $2.59 each, on sale for $2.00 each
    • Used two .50 cents off printables from coupons.com
    • Made them $1.50 each

  • 2 bottles of Pompian Olive Oil, retails for $.5.99 each, on sale BOGO ($2.99 each)
    • Used two $1 off printables from the brand's website
    • Made them $1.99 each

  • 2 packages of Velveeta Cheese, retails for $4.39 each, on sale BOGO ($2.19 each)
    • Used a $1 off coupon from the Kraft HSN booklet
    • Made them $1.69 each

  • 2 jars of Hellman's Mayonnaise, retails for $5.41 each
    • BOGO made them $2.76 each
  • 1 dozen eggs, retails for $2.87
    • On sale, $2.29 out of coupons : (

  • 2 bags of Honey Gold baby potatos, retails for $3.99 each
    • BOGO, made them $1.99 each
Did you find any great deals this week? Have questions about couponing? Make sure to submit your questions to be answered in future blog posts!


Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Loaded Baked Potato Soup a'la Cooking Light



I was so impressed with how good this soup was. The picture definitely doesn't do it justice. I am planning on making it again in the next few days so I will attempt to get a better shot of it. This is a recipe adapted from Cooking Light magazine and it was so flavorful I could not tell it was lightened up at all.

We left off the bacon and I forgot to get the scallions for the topping but it was still delicious. I am going to try and substitute plain Greek yogurt for the reduced fat sour cream next time and see if it is still as good.

Here is the easy recipe. 

Loaded Baked Potato Soup adapted from Cooking Light
  • 24 oz of red or gold potatoes, I just used a bag of the microwavable ones
  •  2 teaspoons of olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 1/4 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
  • 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 bacon slices, halved (for topping)
  • shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
  • 4 teaspoons thinly sliced green onions (for topping)
1) Pierce potatoes with a fork. Microwave on HIGH until tender. Let cool slightly and cut into bite sized pieces.




2) While potatoes cook, heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes. Add broth. Combine flour and 1/2 cup milk; add to pan with 1 1/2 cups milk. Bring to a boil; stir often. Cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream, salt, and pepper.



3) Return to heat and stir in potatoes. Cook until thickened. Top with bacon, cheese and scallions as desired.

Enjoy!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Taco Pie


 I don't eat beef and I don't like Doritos (Justin argues I am un-American), but I love Taco Pie. I was a really picky eater growing up (still am) but this is one of my mom's recipes that I loved/still love. It is really easy too.  We pair it with a big salad and call it a meal.

Taco Pie:
  • 1 roll of refrigerated crescent roll dough (I actually think the reduced fat ones work best, less greasy)
  • 1 bag of Doritos
  • 2 pounds of lean ground beef
  • 1 packet of taco seasoning
  • water (half what the packet says)
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 2 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup of shredded mozzarella (or more if you like)
1) Spray the bottom of a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and roll out the crescent dough to completely cover the bottom.


2) Cover the crescent roll dough with 1 cup of crushed Doritos.



3) Brown the ground beef and then drain. Add taco seasoning and the water (half of what the packet says to use). Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the sour cream and mix well.


4) Pour the ground beef over the crescent roll dough.


5) Top with shredded cheeses.


6) Completely cover with crushed Doritos.


7) Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until top is browned and sides are bubbling. Let is sit for about 5 minutes before trying to cut and serve.


Enjoy!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Publix Trip 1/12



It was another interesting week for me at Publix. A decent amount of the things on my well planned out list were either out of stock or not priced or sized right to fit with advertised sales or coupons. I ended up not getting close to ten items on my list but I still stayed well within budget so I didn't mind too much.


I only spent $36 today and that included a few non sale/no coupons items that we wanted or needed for meals. Last week I ended up being around $50 total since I did go back to buy the lean ground beef on sale and 2 packs of the BOGO boneless, skinless chicken breasts. So I think 2012's grocery shopping has started out way better than it did in 2011. We were spending almost $100 a week on groceries alone, no stockpile or health and beauty items included.


Here is the breakdown of this week's trip:
Total retail value: $113.36
Total spent: $36.46
Total saved: $76.90
Percent Saved: 67%

Here is what I got with coupon match ups:
  • 4 Four packs of Dannon Activia yogurt, retails for $2.50 each, on sale for $2.00
  • 1 package of Udi's gluten free muffins, retails for $5.99
    • Used a coupon for a free Udi's product from a Facebook promotion
    • Made it FREE
  • 4 packets of Sunbird Seasonings, retails for .99 cents each, on sale for .95 cents each
    • Used two BOGO free printables from coupons.com
    • Stacked with two $1 off printables from coupons.com
    • Made them all free plus .10 cents of overage
  • 2 packets of Kikkoman seasoning, retails for .99 cents, on sale for .89 cents each
    • Used two $1 off printables from SmartSource.com
    • Made them all FREE plus .22 cents of overage
  • 1 bottle of Kikkoman Soy Sauce, retails for $1.29
  • 2 cans of Muir Glen organic tomato sauce, retails for .89 cents each
  • 4 pouches of Starkist tuna, retails for $3.19 each, BOGO ($1.59 each)
    • Used four .50 cents off printables from the Starkist Facebook page
    • Made them $1.09 each
  • 2 boxes of Green Giant Frozen veggies, retails for $1.99 each, BOGO (.99 cents each)
    • Used a .50/2 printable coupon
    • Made them .74 cents each
  • 2 boxes of VitaMuffins, retails for $4.49 each
    • No coupons but these are amazing and they never go on sale or have coupons
    • BOGO, made them $2.24 each
  • 2 bags of Ricola cough drops, retails for $1.79 each, BOGO (.89 cents each)
    • Used a $1/2 coupon from the 1/1 SS
    • Made them .39 cents each
  • 2 boxes of Progresso chicken broth, retails for $2.59 each, BOGO ($1.30 each)
    • Used a .75/2 coupon from the 12/11 SS
    • Made them .92 cents each
  • 2 half gallons of Smart Balance Milk, retails for $3.99, on sale for $2.50 each
    • Used two $1.50 off coupons from the 11/20 SS
    • Made them $1.00 each
  • 1 box of Slim Fast Snack bars, retails for $3.99
    • On sale 25% off
    • Made them $2.99
  • 4 four packs of Slim Fast Shakes (they have turned out to be a great breakfast), retails for $5.99 each
    • Used two BOGO free coupons from the 1/1 SS
    • Stacked with two $1.50 off one printable coupon
    • Made them $2.24 for each four pack
  • 2 Clean & Clear face washes, retails for $4.39, on sale for $3.51
    • Used two $2 off coupons from the 1/8 SS
    • Made them $1.51 each
  • 2 bags of baby red potatoes, $1.99 each
    • Went into the Cooking Light Baked Potato Soup, which was amazing, recipe soon
  • 1 package of Martin's Potato Rolls, $3.49
    • We love these, anyone know where to find coupons on them?
I used these match ups to plan my trip and the sale goes through this upcoming Wednesday. Comment if you found any good unadvertised sales!
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