Weekly Shopping Totals: Saved 70% at Publix

  

I am finally getting back to grocery shopping once a week. Maybe by February I will actually manage to do my shopping on Thursdays again so that I can help you all out with your shopping lists by shopping the first day of the weekly ad.

This week was a pretty basic trip. I stocked up on more snack and lunch/breakfast items, almond milk, and cleaning products. I was really happy to stay under $40 for the week and it has been so nice to have stuff on hand again after a total slacking on my part and no shopping during the holidays.

This week I used my normal two $5/$30 Winn Dixie coupons as well as earned a little cash back from ibotta and Checkout 51. If you aren't using these cash back apps you need to start. It is just an extra way to save more on the products you buy on top of sales, man. coupons and store coupons. Ibotta has currently upped their referral bonus to $5! And all new users get an extra $2 in their account if they redeem their first offer within 10 days of signing up.

Breakdown of Tuesday's Publix trip:
Total retail value: $125.01
Total spent: $37.09
Total saved: $87.92
Percent saved: 70%

Breakdown of what I got with sale/coupon match ups:

• 3 boxes of Nature Valley Protein Bars, retails for $3.29 each, on sale for $1.99 each
• Used a .50 cents off coupon from the 1/5 SS
• Stacked with a .50/2 printable coupon
• Made them $1.65 a box
• 2 boxes of Cascadian Farms Organic Granola Bars, retails for $3.99, on sale for $2.50 each (sale is also going on again this week through Wednesday)
• Used two .75 cents off printable coupons
• Stacked with a $1/2 Publix coupon from the Healthy Savings in store booklet
• Made them $1.25 a box
• 2 bags of Celentano Meatballs, retails for $4.99 each, on sale BOGO ($2.49 each)
• Used two $1 off Publix coupons from the Game Day Favorites in store flyer
• Made them $1.49 a bag
• 4 Fage Greek Yogurts, retails for $1.39 on sale for $1 each
• Used a $1/4 printable coupon  (use zip code 30187)
• Made them .75 cents each
• 4 bags of Green Giant Veggie Chips, retails for $2.65 each, on sale BOGO ($1.33 each)
• Used four $1 off Publix Best Meals Happen At Home in store coupons
• Stacked with two .50/2 printable coupons
• Made them .08 cents a bag
• 2 bags of Fresh Express Salad, retails for $4.09 each, on sale BOGO ($2.04 each)
• Used a $1.50/2 off coupon from the 1/5 SS
• Made it $1.29 a bag
• 2 half gallons of Almond Breeze, retails for $3.35, on sale for $2.50
• Used two $1 off Publix Healthy Savings coupons
• Made them $1.50 each
• 2 bags of Sundried Tomatoes, retails for $2.79 each, on sale BOGO, made them $1.40 each
• 2  Greek yogurt, retails for $1.25, on sale for $1 each
• 2 bottles of All Small & Mighty Laundry Detergent, retails for $5.99 each, on sale BOGO ($2.99 each)
• Used a $3/2 coupon from the 1/5 SS
• Made them $1.50 each
• 1 dozen Publix eggs, retails for $2.19
• Earned .50 cents cash back from Checkout 51
• Made them $1.69
• 2 boxes of Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent tablets, retails for $11.99 a box, on sale BOGO ($5.99 a box)
• Used two $2.15 cents off coupons from the 1/5 SS
• Made them $3.84 a box
• 3 twelve packs of Sierra Mist, retails for $5.49 each, on sale B2G1 Free (made them $3.66 each)
• Used a $2/2 Publix Digital Coupon
• Earned $1 cash back from ibotta
• Made them $2.66 per twelve pack

Did you get any great grocery deals this week? Comment and let us know what you got!

25+ Valentine's Day Desserts & Treats

  

Do you feel it? Love is in the air! We are just 3 short weeks away from Valentine's Day (how is that possible?)!  To get you in the mood here are some amazingly good looking pink, red, and sparkly desserts to help you celebrate with loved ones!

Need more Valentine's Day dessert ideas? Check out my Valentine's Day Love Pinterest board!

Back On Track For The New Year With Nestle

 I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. 

 

How are your New Year's Resolutions coming? One of my goals for the new year was to start leading a more balanced lifestyle between home and school. As someone who gets up before six each morning, out the door by seven, drives thirty minutes to work and then teaches from 8-3 with a less than thirty minute lunch break, I struggle with being disciplined enough to make and pack myself decent meal options for my work day.

 

This semester I am excited to back on track with healthier options from Nestle. One quick trip to Walmart and I was stocked up for a week of better for me breakfasts, lunches and treats.

I grabbed a mix of Lean Cuisine options including some long time favorites like Mac & Cheese and Sesame Chicken as well as some of their other products like Wrap Additions and Breakfast Sandwiches. I really wanted to try their new Stuffed Pretzels for an afternoon snack but my store was completely sold out of them. I also got some Skinny Cow Devine Candy and a little Sugar Free Coffeemate Creamer.

I love that Lean Cuisine has so many different meal options which are all perfectly portioned (and really delicious!) to help me make better choices in my lunch routine. Since they are easy to throw in my work bag and then pop in the microwave at lunch, I can avoid the school pizza line and skip snacking on junk on days when I was too rushed to make a lunch myself.

And for those afternoons and evenings when I am doing lesson planning, grading or making power points, I can have a little treat without feeling too guilty about it with my Skinny Cow and Sugar Free Coffeemate. 

My Walmart recently had tons of Lean Cuisines on Rollback pricing too just in time for everyone to make good on those resolutions to make better choices towards a more balanced lifestyle. Lean Cuisine is also offering a 10 day "try it" money back guarantee so you can give them a try right now. Check out all the details on Walmart's website!

Weekly Shopping Totals Link Up: Saved 75% at Publix

  

And, I'm back! I can't believe it has been so long since I grocery shopped. When we went to Publix on Monday it was the first time I had been there for more than one item since mid-December. Our pantry and fridge were looking pretty pathetic. I know it may be hard to believe but we actually only ran out of almond milk, yogurt and eggs last weekend. Between eating with family for the holidays and going out of town three times (one of which was for five days), we really did have everything we needed on hand.

It was really nice to take a break for shopping lists and coupons. We could have stretched it out longer if we wanted to but I was ready to have some of my favorite snacks and treats on hand again. This week's trip was amazing except for the fact that our store was out of almond milk (how is that possible?) and Justin ended up having to run back and grab some the next day. It was nice to stock back up on dairy, eggs, and snack items for our lunches.

We also got our biweekly produce share this week and it was filled with things we use on a regular basis so that has been really nice for meal planning. We are going to attempt to organize our pantry and freezer in the next few weeks so I can get a better grasp on what we need to be shopping for and stocking back up on in 2014. I am also trying to decide if we need to place a Zaycon order for February. We definately haven't eaten our way through our Fall order but it appears that they won't be doing Summer orders this year and I am worried we won't make it until the Fall sale.

This week I used Checkout 51 for the first time. It is a cash back app like ibotta but it seems to match up perfectly with the Publix weekly sales. I earned $1 for Fage yogurt plus an extra $2 for uploading my first receipt over $20 total. They send you a check once you reach $20 in cash back and it seems relatively simple. I combined mine with coupons and if there were ever duplicate offers I don't see why you couldn't use it with ibotta cash back too. Personally, I am happy to earn cash back on things I am already buying especially when it's so easy.

This week had a few freebies and quite a few items under $1. I actually had a $20 gift card from a student so with that and two $5/$30 Winn Dixie coupons I only spent $3 out of pocket this week which makes my post holiday budget very happy : )

Breakdown of Monday's Publix trip:
Total retail value: $96.01
Total spent (not considering gift card): $23.48
Total saved: $72.53
Percent saved: 76%

What I got with sale/coupon match up:

• 2 packages of Johnson & Johnson Gauze, retails for $1.79 each, on sale for .90 cents each
• Used two .75 cents off Publix Ad. Flyer coupons
• Stacked with a $2/2 printable coupon
• Made them both FREE plus a $1.70 moneymaker
• 1 bottle of Pure Leaf Sweet Tea, retails for $1.79, on sale for $1
• Earned $1 cash back from ibotta
• Made it FREE
• 2 rolls of Glad Cling Wrap, retails for $1.69 each
• Used two .75 cents off Publix Ad. Flyer coupons
• Stacked with two $1 off printable coupons
• Made them both FREE plus a .12 cents moneymaker
• 2 packs of Evenflo Baby Bottles (great donation item!), retails for $3.39 each
• Used two $3 off coupons (not sure if still available)
• Made them .39 cents per package
• 2 cans of Starkist Gold Tuna in Olive Oil, retails for $2.19 each, on clearance for .95 cents each
• 2 boxes of Nature's Valley Granola Bars, retails for $3.29 each, on sale for $1.99 each
• Used a .50/2 printable coupon
• Made them $1.74 a box
• 4 Lean Cuisine Honestly Good Meals, retails for $4.69 each, on sale BOGO ($2.34 each)
• Used four $1 off Target coupons
• Made them $1.34 each
• 2 bags of Baked Lays, retails for $3.29 each, on sale for $2.50 each
• Used a $1/2 Publix Ad. Flyer coupon
• Made them $2 a bag
• 4 Stoneyfield Organic Yogurts, retails for $1.50 each, on sale for $1 each
• Used a B2G1 free coupon from the 1/5 SS
• Made them .75 cents each
• 3 Dannon Okios Green Yogurts, retails for $$1.20 each, on sale for $1 each
• Used a B2G1 free coupon from the 1/5 SS
• Made them .66 cents
• 1 dozen Publix eggs, $2.19
• 1 package of Sargento Cheese Sticks, retails for $5.19, on sale for $3.99
• Used a .50 cents off coupon from the 1/5 SS
• Made it $3.49
• 2 Babybel Cheese packs, retails for $3.69 each, on sale for $2.50 each
• Used two $1 off printables
• Made them $1.50 a package
• 1 big carton of Fage Greek Yogurt, retails for $6.49
• Used a $1 off printable coupon
•  Earned $3 from  Checkout 51  ($1 for the Fage and $2 for uploading my first receipt over $20)
• Made it $2.49
• 1 bag of Birdseye frozen veggies, retails for $2.69, on sale for $1.35
• 1 Snapware Glass container, retails for $6.99, on sale for $3.49
• Used a $2 off coupon from the 1/5 SS
• Made it $1.49

How did you do this week? Inspire me (and everyone else) with your amazing savings and deals this week. Please link up directly to your specific post. Do not link up to your blog's home page, giveaways, or etsy shops please. You can also "like" Couponing & Cooking on Facebook too! I would love it if you would link back to this post or grab my button from the sidebar : )

Red Velvet M&M Valentine's Day Bark

Rich creamy chocolate bark topped with Red Velvet M&M's and an excessive amount of sprinkles. It's almost as over the top as Valentine's Day at a high school. 

  

Can you believe Valentine's Day is less than a month away? I haven't even fully finished putting my Christmas decorations away yet but already my Pinterest and social media newsfeeds are full of candy hearts and excessive amounts of pink sprinkles. My local stores actually had Valentine's Day Candy out on display as early as January 2nd so true to form, it's time for me to start sharing some limited edition holiday flavored candy treats with you.

Since Justin and I spent the first 5 years of our relationship living in different cities, Valentine's Day was something we always celebrated a little bit early or a little bit late. In fact we spent our first 7 Valentine's Days apart either due to distance or his shift schedule as a firefighter. We had actually been married for over a year before we got to celebrate together on February 14th. So the day always passed with little fan fare for me. Until I started teaching high school.

Do you remember Valentine's Day as a teenager? No? Let me refresh your memory: Huge stuffed animals that get carried from class to class, balloon bouquets, messages written on car windshields, roses left on homeroom desks, massive glittery cards, way too expensive gifts for people who probably don't have jobs, and so much sugar you get physically ill by the time the 2:30 bell rings simply from being around it all day.

There are happy tears, sad tears, why does he love her more than me tears, stories about how sweet it is that he brought me Dunkin Donuts for us to romantically share in the parking lot before school, oohs and aahhs, and death stares. Sound about right?

 It is one of my favorite days of the school year simply because I enjoy watching the romance and the drama unfold.

And while that may sound a little bit over the top, I assure you it is about 97% factual. You know what else is a little bit over the top in the best possible way? This Red Velvet M&M Bark.

This bark is made just like any other traditional bark but I added a little red food coloring to the white chocolate part and then topped it with crushed Red Velvet M&M's and an absurd amount of Valentine's Day sprinkles. It was creamy, crunchy, rich and had the perfect amount of sweetness. I apologize for the picture overload but the color combo was just too cute not to photograph in excess.

Red Velvet M&M Bark

• 1 pound good melting chocolate ( bars, chips, melts)
• 1 pound good melting white chocolate
• Red food coloring
• 1 cup of crushed Red Velvet M&M's
• Valentine's Day themed sprinkles

 1.) Using whatever method you prefer, melt your chocolate and pour/spread it evenly on a baking sheet lined with a silpat or wax paper.

2.) Let that layer sit while you melt your white chocolate. Once the white chocolate is melted stir inred food  coloring until it reaches your desired shade.

3.) Pour/spread the white chocolate over the regular chocolate layer.

4.) Top with crushed Red Velvet M&M's and sprinkles.

5.) Refrigerate until completely set. Break into bite sized pieces and enjoy.


Want more Valentine's Day treats?

Light & Easy Bruschetta Chicken Pasta {Tyson Grilled & Ready Chicken Strips}

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

So it's January and everyone seems full of promises to start eating well, living better, and making big changes in their lives. As much I would like to say that I completely overhauled our weekly menus with the start of the new year, We have actually decided to make small changes towards eating healthier. This Light & Easy Bruschetta Chicken Pasta with Tyson Grilled & Ready Chicken Strips is one of those changes. 

On week nights when we are too busy or tired to cook, it can be so easy for Justin and I to make a big pot of pasta with lots of cheese and butter. Yummy, yes, but not the best choice or the most filling dinner option. We usually end up hungry an hour later and looking for something to snack on. This pasta is a way better for you version of the flavors we usually like and by adding Tyson Grilled & Ready Chicken, it has the protein we need to keep us full. 

This dish is light, flavorful, satisfying and easy. All things I need in my life on weeknights in January. The sauce has tons of flavor without being filled with butter, cream or cheese. The sprinkle of shaved Parmesan on top still gives it the rich taste I crave but lets me control how much I add. It was so good we may or may not have eaten for lunch and then had some more for dinner. 

What I love about the Grilled & Ready line is that it comes in a refrigerated version so that all I have to do is make my dish and then open a bag from the fridge and stir it into my pasta. I love that I didn't have to defrost anything or bake anything. And after my first stress and rain filled week back to school, those were a few steps I didn't have the time or energy for. 

I purchased the smaller sized bags of Grilled & Ready chicken since there is just two of us eating dinner each night but right now Walmart has the bigger bags on sale for $5.87. It would be perfect for feeding bigger families or to just have on hand for anytime you want to add a little handful of chicken to a meal.

Tyson will be hosting in store demos for the Grilled & Ready line happening January 16th-19th at over 1,000 participating Walmart stores nationwide. Also, be sure to check out the "Just Add This" tab on the Grilled & Ready Facebook page, where they will be giving out weekly prizes, now through March 2014.

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 20 grape tomatoes (I used about half a package)
• 1 clove of garlic finely diced
• 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 4 fresh basil leaves finely chopped
• 2 cups of cooked pasta
• 1 bag of Tyson Grilled & Ready chicken
• Shaved Parmesan cheese for topping

1.) In a saucepan, heat the oil and saute the garlic and onion until the onion becomes translucent.

2.) Add the tomatoes (whole)  and salt and pepper to taste and saute for 10 minutes or until they start to soften. 

3.) Add the white balsamic vinegar, let it reduce for a few minutes and then add in the chicken broth and the Tyson refrigerated chicken. Simmer on low for 5 minutes. 

4.) Add in the cooked pasta and toss to evenly coat. Serve warm topped with shaved Parmesan. 

Enjoy!

Want more inspiration for healthier meals with Tyson's Grilled & Ready line? Check out the Just Add This Pinterest Board!

Follow cbSocially's board Just Add This on Pinterest.

Top 13 Most Viewed Recipes of 2013

So I know that I am a little bit late on the Top Recipes of 2013 train but I couldn't not share my top viewed recipes with you! I have been on a bit of a blogging break over the holidays and as much as I missed it, it was so nice to step away from the computer/ipad/iphone and relax. We had an amazing Christmas and New Years break and I will be sharing some of what we did later this week in a Peak In{stagram} My Life post.

New recipes and posts are on their way but for now, sit back, relax and enjoy a little trip down memory lane with my Top 13 Most Viewed Recipes of 2013:

Weight Watchers Red Lobster Biscuits

Butterfingers Cake

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken & Gnocchi Soup

Easter Cake Mix Cookies with Cheesecake Filling

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Magic Bars

Super Easy Whole Chicken in the Crock Pot

Chocolate Covered Rolo Stuffed Ritz Crackers

Peanut Butter M&M Batter Bars

Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins

Double Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip

Glazed Butter Pecan Toffee Cookies

Feta Dip

What was your favorite Couponing & Cooking recipe of 2013?