Breaking the Code: The Real Deal

About a month ago I started a series titled "Breaking the Code" to help you save money at the grocery store. The first topic centered around helping you figure out what actually is a deal at the grocery store.  The second topic was all about coupons, where to find them, how to organize them and how to use them effectively.  Today I will marry the two together and show you how to use a great deal at the grocery store plus coupons to get The Real Deal.

DEAL #1: CEREAL
A local grocery store is running the following deal on select boxes of General Mills cereal.

To get the deal you have to use the following store coupon.

This alone is a great deal because the boxes normally cost $2.25 each.  With the store coupon alone, you're already in the ballpark to save $1 a box.  But why stop there, when you could use a manufacturer's coupon too?  I only had one General Mills cereal coupon in my collection which was $1 off 2 boxes.  There are always cereal coupons on the web though so I took a stroll around Coupons.com to see if I could find any more.  There I found coupons for $0.50 off one Chex cereal, and $0.50 off one Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  That's a double bonus because Tuesdays are double coupon days so the grocery store will double all coupons $0.50 and under.  That means I get $1 off the Chex ceral and $1 off the CTC.  

SUMMARY:

                                            Original $     Sale $      Store Cpn       Mfr Cpn        Final $       Total Savings

Cheerios (8.9oz)                     $2.25        n/a           - $1.00           - $0.50         $0.75         $1.50

Cinn. Tst. Crunch (12.2oz)     $2.99         n/a           - $1.00          - $1.00          $0.99         $2.00

Honey Nut Chex (13.8oz)      $3.28         n/a           - $1.00          - $1.00          $1.28         $2.00

I saved a total of $5.50 and walked out with 4 boxes of cereal for $3.77 (+ tax).  **I have to admit that I broke my cardinal rule because Cinnamon Toast Crunch is not a cereal that I normally buy, but I bought it because of the great deal.  I also knew it would earn me some brownie points with Papa J so I caved.**

DEAL #2: RITZ CRACKERS

Here is the advertised deal at the grocery store.

I've seen Ritz for as low as $1.88 so this is not the best deal but in combination with a coupon and double coupon day it turned out to be a great deal.  I had a coupon for $0.50 off one box of Nabisco crackers.  This coupon came from Coupons.com a couple of weeks ago.  Remember, the coupons on that website have a printing limit so once they reach their limit they are no longer available, or even visible.  I looked today and the coupon was no where to be seen.  The good ones go fast but the coupons refresh on the first day of the month so be ready to click & print come April 1st.

SUMMARY:

                                        Original $     Sale $      Store Cpn       Mfr Cpn        Final $       Total Savings

Ritz Crackers (13oz)         $2.88          $2.00       n/a                   - $1.00         $1.00         $1.88

The sale and coupon brough the price down to $1.00/box.  That is $1.88 off the original price.  I saved a total of $3.76 because I had two coupons and bought two boxes of Ritz.  Baby J loves Ritz so these are essential to keep on hand in our house.

DEAL #3: POPTARTS

Here is the advertised deal at the grocery store.

This is a pretty good deal on its own but as soon as I saw Kellogg's I thought to myself, "I wonder what coupons they have for Poptarts in the Kellogg's rewards program?"  I found two coupons in the rewards, $0.75 off one Poptarts (500 points) or $1.50 off one Poptarts (1,000).  I had 2,000 points in my account due to a St. Patrick's Day bonus and two extra bonus codes (EARNSWEETREWARDS and HOLLYJOLLYCOSTCO --> use them while you can!) so I splurged on the $1.50 coupon.  After printing once, I hit the back button in my browser, then refresh and amazingly it let me print the coupon twice.  I know, I know, it pinged my conscious to be able to use the coupon twice so the second box of Poptarts I bought are going to the local food pantry.  It's the Robin Hood theory, steal from rich (= Kellogg's) and give to the poor (= food pantry).  

SUMMARY:

                                  Original $     Sale $      Store Cpn       Mfr Cpn        Final $       Total Savings

Poptarts (13.5oz)        $2.18          $1.48       n/a                  - $1.50         +$0.02       $2.20

Believe it or not, they (whoever "they" is) paid me $0.02/box to buy these Poptarts today.  Again, this is not a product I always buy but when I am going to get paid to take home Poptarts, then I won't argue.  Plus I get to turn around and use the rewards points towards more Kellogg's Rewards and donate to the food pantry.

DEAL #4: SEATTLE'S BEST COFFEE

Here is the advertised deal at the grocery store.

 This alone is a not a good deal.  For example, Walmart sells the same bag of coffee for $5.88.  This grocery store has a gas rewards program though (the red circle in the upper right), so when you take that into account the amount you save on gas ($0.05/gallon and up to 20 gallons = $1 off gas), it brings the cost down to below Walmart's price (~$5.49).  What really makes it a good deal though is what I stumbled upon by chance.  Seattle's Best is giving away a free sample of coffee through the Facebook page.  Once you sign up for the free sample, they email you a coupon for $2 off one bag of coffee.  Again, using the back button, refresh method, I printed the coupon twice (hey, they're handing out free coffee, what's another $2 going to hurt?).

SUMMARY:

                                              Original $     Sale $      Store Cpn       Mfr Cpn        Final $       Total Savings

Seattle's Best Coffee (12oz)    $?               $6.48       n/a                  - $2.50         $4.48         $2.00+

All in all it was a good day at the grocery store.  Along with a few other deals and coupons that I didn't write about, I saved a total of $18.00 in coupons and even more in the sales of the week.  Just as I warned you before, don't be deceived by the advertisements.  Just below the Seattle's Best coffee, there was an advertisement for Tostito's chips.  This is NOT a deal.  Although it is a discount from the original price (which is crazy high!), the best sale is usually 3/$6 and it comes around every few months.  

Banana Muffin Recipe + Tip on Freezing Bananas

The title does no justice to these muffins.  Unfortunately I am all out of creative juice so the best I could come up with was 'banana muffin recipe'.  Although I'm guilty of judging a book by its cover or a blog post by its title, please do not judge this recipe by the title.  Keep reading, try the recipe and I promise you will not be disappointed.  Unless of course you don't like banana muffins, then I'll forgive you if you stop here.

I've been trying banana bread recipes for years, and I've never quite found one that keeps me coming back, until now.  These muffins are dense, yet full of fluff.  The banana flavor is outrageous.  And the nutrition?!  People, these muffins do not contain butter or sugar.  [pause to pick your jaw up because I know it just hit the floor]  

The recipe comes from the Weelicious cookbook by Catherine McCord (it was a Christmas present from my sister-in-law, much appreciated!).  She's also the author of a blog which is very useful for first time mothers trying to figure out what to feed their infant once they hit the solid food stage (4-6 months).  Here are a few other Weelicious recipes that are on my radar: graham crackers, sweet potato muffins and veggie nuggets. 

I buy bananas every week at the store.  Most of the time we eat them before they go bad, but sometimes we reach the point of brown spots and squishy centers.  At that point I just say no thanks and I stick them in the freezer, peel and all.  When I make a recipe that calls for 'very ripe' bananas, I pluck them from the freezer and depending on how fast I need them, I either 1) microwave them in 10-15 second intervals, just until you can easily press into the peel with your finger, or 2) set them on a plate in the refrigerator until again, you can easily press into the peel with your finger.  At this point, I take a knife and make a slit in the peeling along the length of the banana.  The slit should be deep enough to reach the flesh of the banana.  Once cut, I peel the peeling back and plop the banana out.  I then proceed with the recipe as normal.

Alterations / Specifications:

As I typed up the recipe card (below), I realized that I forgot to add baking powder, oops (how long can one claim preggo brain?).  I guess it didn't make much of a difference because they're delicious as is.  In fact, I'm a little hesitant to use the baking powder next time in fear that it might take away from my first impression.  

I only used one banana for the topping and cut them to be 1/8" slices.  Truthfully I think a 1/4" slice would be overpowering for the mini muffins but it would be okay for the regular muffins.

I made both the mini muffins and regular muffins. They're equally as delicious.  My regular muffins took 25 minutes to bake, whereas the recipe suggests 20 minutes.

I used the honey in lieu of agave nectar.  I've actually never bought or used agave nectar in cooking.  Has anyone else?  Thoughts?

Since this is a Weelicious recipe catered towards little ones, I had to ask Baby J his opinion.  See for yourself.

Download the recipe card below and enjoy!  Bon Appetit!

New Mom Confessions

Over at Oakland Avenue, Laura talks about her experiences as a new mom.  She down right says it all and about as bluntly as you can say it.  I think that's why I've come to appreciate the blogging community because you can say and read the honest truth.  As a new mom, I often need to hear the honest truth from other new moms.  I need to read that I'm not the only other mom who has let their baby fall off a bed, fall down the stairs or eat their eye shadow (all true).

I hate to admit that before I became a mom, I used to watch mothers in public places and judge their every move.  Little did I realize that being a mother would be the hardest job I have ever done, and the longest. When your child doesn't sleep, you don't sleep.  When your child cries incessantly, you cry.  When your child eats, you don't eat (because you're busy feeding them).  When your child plays, you play with them and then clean up after them.  When your child naps, you take a deep breath, make a batch of cookie dough, read uplifting blogs and write a blog post.  At least that's what I am doing today.

Last night while cruisin' on Bloglovin I ran across Erin at the Blue-Eyed Bride, particularly this post on Let Me Be Singing.  Over the past year I have felt drawn to the song 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman but the lyrics never quite stood out to me until I read Erin's blog last night.  The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning, it's time to sing your song again.  Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes.  What a beautiful thought.

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning, I have a cup of coffee, read my Bible and pray.  I am uplifted, I am at peace, it's time to sing my song again.  As the day proceeds I feel the peace slowly chipped away by the stresses of life and the cries of my child.  That is not the way I want to live and the attitude I want to have.  Instead I want to say, whatever may pass and whatever lies before me, I will be singing when the evening comes.

I love my child, but being a mother is hard.  I love my child, but I can't bear the incessant crying.  I love my child, but I look forward to time by myself.  I love my child, but sometimes I question having another.

I love my child and so I will start every day fresh.  I love my child and so whatever lies before me in a day, I remember that it will pass.  I love my child and so I will sing when the evening comes.

Before I had a child, I did not know what love is.  "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails."  1 Corinthians 13: 4-8

Before I had a child, I never felt so weak and mentally challenged, but I gain hope in the fact that God's grace is sufficient for me and His strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Every day as a mother I am made stronger by God's grace.  I rely on Him more now than I ever have.  At some point we all realize that we can't do it alone and we need God to take the reigns.  It took me 28 years and motherhood to realize this.  Because God holds the reigns now, I know that some day I will look back on this time and smile.  I will forget all the sleepless nights, the times I broke down and cried, even the pain of childbirth.  Instead I will remember my child's first laugh, his first steps, his first words and the sight of him falling asleep as I sing him Amazing Grace.  Let me be singing when the evening comes...

Brioche Cinnamon Rolls for a Crowd

Most people have had a cinnamon roll in their life that sticks out as THE best.  From 1990-2009, THE best cinnamon roll in my life was from my elementary school cafeteria.  I know, I know, hard to believe, but they were better than your average cafeteria and at that time my idea of a cinnamon roll didn't go beyond Grands from a can.  In summer 2010, my cinnamon roll world changed completely.

My husband and I took a road trip to Yellowstone National Park and stayed at the Headwaters of the Yellowstone Bed & Breakfast in Gardiner, MT which sits at the north entrance to YNP.  It is a quaint B&B set along the Yellowstone River with a beautiful mountainside in the background.  The B&B is run by the Reid family.  They are extremely friendly, down to earth and knowledgeable about Yellowstone.  Mr. Reid is a Yellowstone Park Ranger so he knows the park like the back of his hand.  Every morning Charissa (Mrs. Reid) cooks a scrumptious breakfast and everyone sits around the large table with the family to talk about their plans in the park for the day.  During our time, there were also guests from NYC, England and Australia.  It was quite the conversation at the breakfast table that culminated in the idea that Americans don't take enough vacation time (I quite agree).

Although every breakfast we ate was absolutely delicious, the cinnamon roll breakfast was just the best.  I finally came to understand what a cinnamon roll is and what every cinnamon roll should be.  It was moist, full of sweet cinnamon layers.  It had chew, it had crunch, it had everything you could want in a cinnamon roll.  And it did NOT have raisins!  In my opinion, Charissa should never have let her recipe go public, but at the same time, I'm thankful she did. because I can continue to enjoy the best cinnamon roll in my very own home.  

Believe it or not, this recipe is actually possible for the novice baker to accomplish.  I do recommend using a stand mixer but I have done it once by hand and it is possible, just prepare for your arm to be sore the next day.  It's a good recipe to make when you have guests as it makes a lot of cinnamon rolls (if I cut the them to be about 2-3 inches then I can get 12-20 rolls out of one recipe).  It's also convenient that the dough has to rest in the refrigerator over night, because then it doesn't take you as long in the morning to finish it up.  I would say the recipe takes 2 hours total but only 1 hour of hands-on time.  Here are a few tips to help you along the way:

1. Add the yeast to the water then sprinkle the sugar on top.  Do not stir!  I am always tempted too, but trust me, the yeast will activate much better if you do not disturb them.  Those little buggers do not like to be pushed around.  The picture on the left is right after I've sprinkled the sugar on top.  The picture on the right is about 7 minutes later. 
   
2. In step 5, after I sprinkle the brown sugar/cinnamon mixture onto the buttered dough, I rub it around with the back of a spoon.  I think this creates a much more even cinnamon interior so that you get the same great flavors in every bite.
3. If you do not have a warm place for the cinnamon rolls to rest in step 6, you can place the pan on a heating pad set on Low.
4. My cinnamon rolls always tend to bake pretty fast, so I suggest starting to check them after 20 minutes.  This is how mine look when they are done.  Notice the bubbling butter on the side, yum! 
   

Some people might not like icing on their cinnamon rolls (I don't understand people like that) so you can serve them naked with icing on the side.  In my house we prefer icing so no naked rolls here.  Cream cheese icing is our favorite, any will do, as long as it's homemade, don't waste your time on the store bought stuff.  Serve with coffee and enjoy every bite!

Here is the handy dandy printable recipe card.  

Everyone Needs a Farm

I opened the door today and heard the sound of birds chirping.  It was a foreign sound.  I literally said, "Are those birds?".  Has it really been that long since I heard birds chirping?  Maybe they are just starting to make their way back home from a long winter down south.  Maybe my ears have been closed off to the sounds of nature.  I don't know, but I was glad to hear it.  Spring is finally on the horizon, temperatures have reached the 40s, we have spurts of sunshine and there is water dripping and draining in every direction from all the snow melt.  It's a beautiful sight.  

When I think of spring, I think of gardening.  When I think of gardening, I think of the family farms.  They are a place where time stands still, where cell phones don't work, where you can see all the stars in the sky, where you can feel God and where you can think about life and what it really means.  I think this world would be a better place if we all had a farm to escape to every now and then.    

What's your farm?  The place you can relax, be yourself and forget about the stresses of life for a little bit.