tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44822019739137543562024-03-12T23:58:20.688-04:00Stocking the LarderFilling my Cupboards on a BudgetMeredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-51205430140330810932009-06-11T11:43:00.002-04:002009-06-11T12:35:50.917-04:00Ontario Food Deals for June 12 - June 18, 2009I promise I won't rant today, especially as at least one of <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/06/ontario-food-deals-for-june-5-june-11.html">my conspiracy theories from last week</a> has been proven wrong. The Foodland and No Frills flyers both arrived today, with my other flyers!<br /><br />I will probably head over to No Frills, because they have a great deal on Catelli Healthy Harvest. I think this is the cheapest I have ever seen whole wheat pasta.<br /><br />I also have the opportunity to try out Superstore's "Lowest Price Guarantee" this week. Their flyer says that "if you find a lower price we will beat it by 10%". The fine print says "Applies to front page and Price Lock items with this symbol/slogan. Refundable at Customer Service only. See back page for full details." The only thing on the back page that seems applicable is that they reserve the right to limit the quantities. My guess is that Superstore will see the Price Chopper flyer and immediately lower their listed price to match, but I could be wrong. I will head over there tomorrow and let you know how it goes!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price Chopper</span><br /><ul><li>Black Diamond cheese bars, 500g, selected varieties, including old for $3.97</li><li>Maple Leaf bacon, 500g for $2.99 (common sales price, lowest price I've seen is $1.96)</li><li>Shopsy's all beef wieners, 450g for $1.99</li><li>Silani Feta cheese, 200 g for $2.99</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Frills</span><br />Having a Secret sale with up to 60% off on a $9.99 doorcrasher. Starts Friday June 12. While supplies last! Limited quantities per store. Store reserves right to limit quantities per customer. No returns refunds or rainchecks. $9.99 doorcrasher compared to a $24.99 manufacturer's suggested retain price. Full details instore. If anyone finds out what this is, let us know!<br /><ul><li>Chicken breasts, bone-in, skinless, fresh for $1.97/lb</li><li>Catelli Healthy Harvest or Smart pasta, selected varieties, 300-545 g for $0.99. Best price I've seen on whole wheat pasta, if you buy the heavier (545 g) packages.</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zehrs (Loblaws)</span><br /><ul><li>Green Giant vegetables, 750 g still $1.99 (price locked)</li><li>Gay Lea sour cream, 500 g for $1.49</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Superstore</span><br /><ul><li>Black Diamond cheese bar, 500 g, selected varieties for $4.44 with a lowest price guarantee... humm, do you have a Price Chopper flyer? We should be able to get their price of $3.97 beat by 10%, so for $3.57 per bar! </li><li>Spalding sliced bacon, 500 g for $1.99. Considerably cheaper than the Maple Leaf bacon at Price Chopper, but is it as nice? I'll give it a try!</li><li>Danon creamy or silhouette yogurt, 650/700 g for $1.99</li><li>Heinz baked beans, 398 mL for $0.79</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Foodland</span><br /><ul><li>Schneiders Bacon, regular, salt reduced, thick, 500g for $2.99</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food Basics</span><br />Equality sour cream, 500 mL for $1.49Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-21799278207368780952009-06-04T16:35:00.004-04:002009-06-09T10:31:50.161-04:00Have you heard of Swagbucks.com?A few weeks ago I finally looked into <a href="http://swagbucks.com/refer/Merry">Swagbucks.com</a>. I had read about it on several blogs, but I didn't pay much attention. I also assumed it was only open to Americans.<br /><br />A little investigation, and I discovered that it is open to Canadians, and by using their search engine, which is powered by Google, you periodically win points or Swagbucks. After you collect Swagbucks, you can use them in their special online store to buy all sorts of things. The most appealing prize to me is the $5 <a href="http://amazon.ca/">Amazon.ca</a> gift card, for 45 Swagbucks. There are all sorts of other prizes, ranging in price from 1 Swagbuck to thousands of Swagbucks. I registered on May 11 and redeemed 45 points for a gift card on May 31st, about 3 weeks later.<br /><br />The <a href="http://swagbucks.com/refer/Merry">Swagbucks.com</a> search engine gives similar, but not identical results to a Google search. Some of the search results are sponsored, and clearly marked as such. <a href="http://www.siteground.com/google_sponsored_search.htm">Google as sponsered results too</a>, although they show up separately from the main results. Most of the time, I find using Swagbucks to search works as well as Google. I added <a href="http://swagbucks.com/?cmd=sb-plugins">Swagbucks as a search engine option in the top right corner of my Firefox window</a>. I can type my search terms in there and if I don't like the results, I can just change the choice of search engines to Google and search again, without having to re-type my search terms.<br /><br />I have already got in the habit of typing the name of the pages I go to regularly into the <a href="http://swagbucks.com/refer/Merry">Swagbucks</a> search box. The search finds the page I want, and I click through. Some of the time, I end up with a Swagbuck or two. It does take one extra click if you ususally type your URLs straight into the address bar, but it doesn't seem to slow me down.<br /><br />I will let you know I have a little ulterior motive in telling you about <a href="http://swagbucks.com/refer/Merry">Swagbucks</a>. If you use my referral link, then if you win any Swagbucks, I will get some too, up to your first 100 Swagbucks. My brother said "Oh! A pyramid scheme!" when I told him about it. I will point out that I won't get Swagbucks when you get Swagbucks indefinitely. It is only for the first 100 points, which so far doesn't look like it will take long to collect. Since I redeemed my 45 points, I have collected another 20 Swagbucks already! That makes 65 Swagbucks in less than a month.<br /><br />If you decide to join Swagbucks based on my recommendation, I would appreciate if you would <a href="http://swagbucks.com/refer/Merry">consider using my referral code</a>! Thanks!Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-87374577426096401442009-06-04T09:12:00.003-04:002009-06-04T10:11:46.966-04:00Ontario Food Deals for June 5 - June 11, 2009I apologize in advance. This week's flyer deals has turned into this weeks rants and conspiracies! There are so few deals this week I think I will try to skip the stores all together and just buy milk at the drug store and fruit and veggies at the farmers market! Maybe that has put me in a bad mood, leading to all my ranting?<br /><br />The No Frills and Foodland flyers didn't come this week. Those stores are a little farther from my home, in a nearby small town, only worth driving to for really great deals or if I am headed that way anyhow. I wonder if they have decided we are too far away? The other possibility is that the big new Walmart that is between my larger town and those stores is sucking away some of their business. Sending us the flyers only makes it easier, because <a href="http://walmartstores.com/FactsNews/7659.aspx">Walmart will price match</a> from flyers. Just rambling: I admit I don't have particularly strong views on Walmart, one way or the other. By the way, if there are any flyers you don't get but want to see, you can check them out at <a href="http://flyerland.ca">flyerland.ca.</a> You can find the link for <a href="http://flyerland.ca">Canadian Online Store Flyers</a> on my side bar, under "Useful Websites".<br /><br />Watch out again this week for "deals" that aren't really deals. The Sockeye Salmon (wild red pacific) is on sale for $2 for a standard (213 g) can at Price Chopper this week. The add says "save up to 99 cents". I guess that may be true, but the very same Clover Leaf salmon is pretty easy to find for $2 a can. That was the price it was "locked" at in April at No Frills, and may still be. I wait until I can find it for $1.50 a can to <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/stocking-up-getting-best-deal-on.html">stock up</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food Basics</span><br /><ul><li>Green Seedless Grapes, product of Mexico, $0.99/lb. Be aware, these are on the <a href="http://www.foodnews.org/fulllist.php">dirty dozen list </a>of fruits and veggies to think of buying organically because of their high pesticide load.</li><li>Breyers double churn ice cream (1.66 -1.89L) for $3.99. Last time I bought Breyers, I discovered it wasn't really ice cream when I got home, it was a "frozen dessert". I find that kind of off-putting. This is more expensive type of Breyers, but seems to really be ice cream!</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price Chopper</span><br />The $1, $2, $3 Sale continues<br /><ul><li>Chicken leg quarters, $1/lb</li><li>Kellogg's cereal, Jumbo boxes for $3. Mini Wheats (850g), Special K red berry (700 g), corn pops (515 g), foot loops (580 g), just right (1.02 kg), corn flakes (1.35 kg), selected varieties. (Just so you know, there is no way in a million years I would buy a giant box of foot loops, or even corn pops for that matter, but I figured I would type it all out, as listed in the flyer!)</li><li>PEI potatoes, 10lb bag for $2. Just so I can fit in one last little rant, these aren't local to us here in Ontario, and Ontario grows lots of lovely potatoes!</li></ul>Wow! I had better stop now! See you all next week.Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-59670517264390628942009-05-30T21:52:00.009-04:002009-06-01T08:34:03.550-04:00Menu Plan - June 1, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0E18rsJlLWk/SiPKsWwpCaI/AAAAAAAAACo/M2I2cYfAdLw/s1600-h/greenmpm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 139px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0E18rsJlLWk/SiPKsWwpCaI/AAAAAAAAACo/M2I2cYfAdLw/s320/greenmpm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342336446364191138" border="0" /></a><br />Monday - <a href="http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2009/05/easy-dinner-idea-in-the-crock-pot-grass-fed-barbecued-beef-on-homemade-buns.html">Barbecued Beef</a> on <a href="http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/02/recipe-for-easy-homemade.html">homemade buns</a> with veggies (Make extra buns for Friday)<br />To Do: Soak beans all day and cook beans in slowcooker overnight.<br /><br />Tuesday - <a href="http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2008/11/homemade-baked-beans.html">Homemade Baked Beans</a> with <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Boston-Brown-Bread-104112">Boston Brown Bread</a> and raw veggies<br /><br />Wednesday - <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/high-five-recipe-creamy-mac-and-cheese">Macaroni and cheese</a> with veggies<br /><br />Thursday - Leftovers<br /><br />Friday - Hamburgers with Homemade buns and raw veggies<br /><br />Saturday - Lamb chops with potatoes and veggies<br /><br />Sunday - <a href="http://blog.cooklikeyourgrandmother.com/2009/02/how-to-make-pork-chops-with-pan-sauce.html">Pork chops from pork tenderloin</a> with potatoes and veggies<br /><br />For more meal plans, visit the <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2009/05/menu-plan-monday-june-1st-giveaway.html">Organizing Junkie</a>!Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-12838058480514231162009-05-29T20:00:00.003-04:002009-05-29T20:43:16.359-04:00Ontario Food Deals for May 29 - June 4, 2009There really isn't anything to get excited about this week, other than the <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/bulk-barn-coupon.html">deals at Bulk Barn</a> I posted earlier in the week.<br /><br />I'll make a trip to Zehrs (Loblaws) to get some frozen peas because they are a quick and healthy veggie that my kids love. The whole wheat pasta is also a pretty good price this week, so I will get a few boxes. The sales price should be better than the regular store brand whole wheat pasta, but if is important to check carefully because the different pasta shapes have different weights. Some shapes are better deals than others!<br /><br />The other nice deal this week is the yogurt at No Frills, but it is too far out of my way to go just to save a quarter on yogurt. Oh well!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zehrs</span> (Loblaws)<br /><ul><li>Green Giant frozen vegetables (peas, corn, etc.) 750g for $1.99 (lowest price I have seen them is $1.88, so not bad at all. We might get some peas as we are out and they are a favourite around here. Don't need as many frozen veggies as the weather gets nicer though.</li><li>Catteli Healthy Harvest pasta (whole wheat) (300-454 g) at 3 for $4.00 (about $0.29 per 100 g for the heavier boxes)</li></ul> <span style="font-weight: bold;">No Frills</span><br /><ul><li>Astro yogurt (650/750 g) selected varieties, $1.88 (best price I've ever seen)</li><li>Asparagus, product of Ontario, $1.49/lb or $3.28/kg</li></ul> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sobey's </span><br /><ul><li>Life, Oat Squares, Corn Bran or Cap'n Crunch (350 - 730 g) for $2.99 (plus 10 bonus Sobey's points). If the box is regular size (540 g), this is a pretty good deal on Corn Bran. Last time I got a good deal on it, I paid $2.37 a box. The normal sales price is $3.69.</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price Chopper</span><br />$1, $2, $3 Sale<br /><ul><li>Seedless cucumbers, product of Ontario, 2 for $1</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-11511116799087012732009-05-27T20:44:00.007-04:002009-05-28T13:11:31.859-04:00Bulk Barn Coupon (May 30 to June 12, 2009)I just got a <a href="http://www.bulkbarnfoods.com/ver_html.htm">Bulk Barn</a> flyer in the mail box, with a coupon to save $3 when you spend $10 before taxes. The flyer and coupon are good for two weeks, from Saturday May 30 to Friday June 12, 2009.<br /><br />The coupon reads:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Save $3.00 on your total purchase of $10.00 or more before taxes available at any Bulk Barn. Coupon effective from Saturday May 30 to Friday June 12, 2009. Limit one coupon per store visit. This offer excludes the purchase of gift cards. While supplies last. We reserve the right to limit quantities. All applicable taxes shall be payable on the full value of the merchandise. Coupon cannot be used in conjunction with the 10% Seniors' & students' discount. No mechanical reproductions accepted.</span><br /><br />In the past I have found that Bulk Barn prices are usually higher than my local independent bulk store (<a href="http://www.goldbook.ca/goldbook/waterloo/Bakers-Supplies/ayresbaking.html">Ayrs Baking Supplies</a>, if anyone is interested), but with the $3.00 off coupon, you are basically getting a 30% discount on $10.00 worth of food. If you are very careful to only spend just over the $10.00 minimum, especially if you buy things that are also on sale, it can be worth it.<br /><br />You do need to be careful because their are some items that are actually more expensive to buy in bulk than to buy at the regular grocery store. A <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-make-price-book-and-slash.html">price book</a> can really make a difference. Last time I was at the Bulk Barn, I noticed that the regular price for whole wheat pasta is $0.61/100 g. Even with the coupon, that would be $0.43/100 g. If I head over to Zehrs (Loblaws) and buy their house brand whole wheat pasta at regular price, I will only pay $0.34/100 g. If I find a sale, the difference is even more. I have often paid as little as $0.26/100 g for whole wheat pasta.<br /><br />Another peril of the Bulk Barn is all the sweets and treats. We try not to buy these things, but we (the kids and I) find Bulk Barn very tempting! Make sure you do not go when you are hungry or feeling snackish!<br /><br />When you go to the Bulk Barn to use your coupon, it is harder than you might think to spend only $10.00. You need to weigh each item to determine how much your bag will cost. I suggest you bring a paper and pencil and a calculator. Make use of the scales located around the store to weigh your items. You can also use <a href="http://www.veg-world.com/articles/cups.htm">this handy chart</a> to get an idea how much a cup of different items weigh. For example, a cup of brown sugar weighs about 110 g and a cup of almonds weighs about 225 g and a cup of raisins weighs about 100 g.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some of the good deals:</span><br /><br />I have included the price per 100 g if you make use of the coupon, but remember that only applies if you spend the $10 before the discount! Also, it only applies on your first $10.00. If you spend more, you just get the regular sales price!<br /><ul><li>Natural Almonds (California) $5.89/lb, or $1.30/100 g ($0.91/100 g with coupon)</li><li>Sunflower seeds, hulled (roasted, salted or unsalted) $2.89/lb or $0.64/100 g ($0.45/100 g with coupon)</li><li>Walnut halves or pieces (California) $5.39/lb or $1.19/100 g ($0.83/100 g with coupon)</li><li>In-shell peanuts (dry roasted, salted or unsalted) $1.79/lb or $0.40/ 100 g ($0.28/100 g with coupon)</li></ul><ul><li>Large Prunes (pits removed) $3.49/lb, or $0.77/100 g ($0.54/100 g with coupon)</li><li>Sultana Raisins $1.89/lb 0r $0.42/100 g ($0.29/100 g with coupon)</li><li>Turkish Apricots $3.79/lb or $0.84/100 g ($0.59/100 g with coupon)</li><li>Dried Cranberries (assorted flavours) $6.19/lb or $1.37/100 g ($0.96/100 g with coupon)</li><li>Dried blueberries or Dried cherries 20% off (probably a good deal... where else do you buy these?)</li></ul><ul><li>Brown Sugar (Golden yellow or dark brown) $0.75/lb, or $.17/100 g ($0.12/100 g with coupon)</li></ul>Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-54889370186462798992009-05-27T08:30:00.001-04:002009-05-27T09:13:09.647-04:00Canning RhubarbI have three big clumps of rhubarb growing in my garden. They were there when we moved in. Since we moved in, I have harvested a little, and even got some in the freezer last year, but a lot ended up in the compost heap because it had become so old and overgrown by the time I got to harvesting it. This is not the frugal option!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3524538924_00c4e35e0e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3524538924_00c4e35e0e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This year I decided that I really want to preserve as much of my own garden produce as possible and the rhubarb is first! Although it takes time, and a small cost, preserving my own produce is the best way to <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/stocking-up-getting-best-deal-on.html">stock up</a>. After doing some research and some thinking I decided that canning the rhubarb would be the ideal way to preserve it. Canning doesn't take up any room in my freezer, which is only so big. I already own all of the canning equipment, and I was delighted to discover it wouldn't be much more work then to prepare it for the freezer. Because of the high acidity, canned rhubarb only requires a <a href="http://sharonastyk.com/2008/07/17/water-bath-canning-101/">hot water bath</a> to make it safe (not <a href="http://sharonastyk.com/2008/07/24/pressure-canning-101/">pressure canning</a>, a whole other kettle of fish!)<br /><br />I love rhubarb, but if you aren't sure about it, try reading this post about a <a href="http://teaandcookies.blogspot.com/2009/05/rhubarb-revelation.html">reluctant rhubarb eater</a> who recently discovered how yummy it can be!<br /><br />In my quest for a canned rhubarb recipe, I started with my favourite food preservation book, <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Stocking-Up-Americas-Classic-Preserving/dp/0671693956/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242760236&sr=8-1">Stocking Up</a>. This book is great because they don't use any sugar in their recipes, even in the jams and jellies! As a side note, apple jelly made with honey is the most amazing thing I have ever tasted.<br /><br />The canned rhubarb has only a little sweetener, and the recipe is <a href="http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/how/can_02/rhubarb_stewed.html">very similar to many I found online</a>, replacing the sugar with honey, and reducing the amount of sweetener.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stocking Up Canned Rhubarb</span><br />Wash and trim the rhubarb. Discard all leaves - they are poisonous. Cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Add 1/4 cup of honey to each quart of rhubarb and let stand 3 to 4 hours to draw out the juice. Bring to boiling. Pack hot, with 1/2 inch head space. Process in a hot water bath for 15 minutes for pint or quart size jars.<br /><br />This turned out well, but it is a little too tart for me to eat straight out of the jar. I will be able to use it in cooking or over something very sweet, like ice cream. I am looking forward to experimenting with this in my cooking. I am imagining it could replace applesauce in many baked goods, like <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/healthy-treat-for-today-applesauce-bread">applesauce bread</a>. I am imagining combining it with a variety of fruit to make a lovely fruit crisp in the fall. I suspect with some other fruit (maybe strawberries?) it would make a great pie filling too! I will post recipes results as I try them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2478/3546758594_bf72cd528b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2478/3546758594_bf72cd528b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I decided what I really want is a rhubarb sauce. Something just a little sweeter that the first canned rhubarb. Something that I could use over pancakes or plain yogurt, straight from the jar. Something like a tart and runny rhubarb jam.<br /><br />I decided to try doubling the honey in the original <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Stocking-Up-Americas-Classic-Preserving/dp/0671693956/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242760236&sr=8-1">Stocking Up</a> recipe. I am very careful about mucking around with canning recipes. There are potential risks in canning, and you don't want to mess around. As I already know that most jams are safe to can, I decided that adding extra sweetener should not alter the food safety. In fact, as I understand it, the sugars add to the food safety, making it harder for bacteria to grow. More importantly, the acidity of the rhubarb is what makes hot water canning safe, and sugar alters the flavour, but not the acidity. Also, the other canning recipes I found used more sugar than I had used honey! (I can't find anything on the web or in a book to back me up. Does anyone have any information?)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meredith's Simple Rhubarb Sauce</span><br />Wash and trim the rhubarb. Don't forget to discard the poisonous leaves. Cut into 1/2 inch pieces.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3524548374_3ef85ee32e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3524548374_3ef85ee32e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />For each quart (4 cups or 1 liter) of rhubarb, add 1/2 cup of honey. Let it sit 3 to 4 hours, then bring it to a boil.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3523741017_b2c626be92.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3523741017_b2c626be92.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Fill clean, hot jars leaving 1/2 inch of head space. Process for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3523740783_1c692cef6d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3523740783_1c692cef6d.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />If you have hard water, don't be afraid of the white powder all over your jars when they come out of the canner. When they are cool and sealed, you can wipe it off with a damp cloth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2481/3546751824_7b99ca311e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2481/3546751824_7b99ca311e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The result is still tart, but sweet enough that I can eat it straight out of the jar. I am looking forward to trying it over pancakes. Yum! I think I could use it as a substitute for the first three ingredients in these <a href="http://deweystreehouse.blogspot.com/2007/05/upside-down-rhubarb-muffins.html">rhubarb upside down muffins</a>, although I haven't had a chance to try it yet.<br /><br />Keep in mind that my recipe is not a "tested" recipe, but I can't see any reason why it shouldn't be as safe as any other home canned produce. I am going to store it in my cold cellar and enjoy it all winter. I should get another harvest of rhubarb, and I will make some more. Yum!<br /><br />A note about quantities: I made three different batches, two of the Stocking Up canned rhubarb and one of my own rhubarb sauce. When I used 3 quarts of rhubarb, I got 4 pint jars of canned rhubarb. When I used 4 quarts of rhubarb, I got 5 and 1/2 pint jars of canned rhubarb. I used 4 quarts of rhubarb to make my sauce, and ended up with 8 half pint jars, or 4 pints total.<br /><br />How much rhubarb makes up a quart? Well, I weighed several of my quarts, and got different weights each time. The average weight was 524 g or just over a pound.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3545951335_c34d6655fd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3545951335_c34d6655fd.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />For more ideas on what to do with fresh rhubarb, visit <a href="http://www.tammysrecipes.com/node/3395">Tammy's Recipes</a>.Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-60823635464587516532009-05-24T21:45:00.009-04:002009-05-25T21:44:25.573-04:00Menu Plan - May 25, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0E18rsJlLWk/Shn7-eSIilI/AAAAAAAAACg/KYBjvbWIpyI/s1600-h/greenmpm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 139px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0E18rsJlLWk/Shn7-eSIilI/AAAAAAAAACg/KYBjvbWIpyI/s320/greenmpm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339575883924015698" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday</span> - Pasta with meat sauce<br />To Do: Defrost beef<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday</span> - <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/make-ahead-meals-cheesy-beef-and-rice"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Cheesy Beef and Rice</strong></a> with veggies (make a double batch and freeze one.)<br />To Do: Defrost sausage<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday</span> - Sausages with mashed potatoes and onion gravy and veggies<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday</span> - Leftovers<br />To Do: Make <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/whole-wheat-hamburger-buns">hamburger buns</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday</span> - Hamburgers with potato salad and raw veggies<br />To Do: Defrost lamb<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday</span> - Lamb chops with baked potatoes with veggies<br />To Do: Defrost pork<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday</span> - Pork tenderloin on the bbq with mashed potatoes and veggies<br /><br />For more menu plans, please visit the <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2009/05/menu-plan-monday-may-25th.html">Organizing Junkie</a>.Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-5032842939243239402009-05-23T20:39:00.004-04:002009-05-23T20:46:40.780-04:00Extra Food Deal: Apple JuiceI just noticed in the <a href="http://ktz.ca.flyerservices.com/cached_banner_pages/publication.aspx">Rexall/Pharmaplus flyer</a> that Rougemont apple juice is on sale this week. It is a really great bargain at $0.69 for a 1.2L can (standard size). Normally, this goes on sale for $0.88, so this is a deal indeed if you want 100% juice.Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-88686719403669258472009-05-21T10:40:00.002-04:002009-05-21T10:46:05.709-04:00Growing Food: PotatoesThe idea that you can <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5202849/grow-100-lbs-of-potatoes-in-4-square-feet">grow 100 lbs of potatoes in 4 square feet</a> sounded impressive, but we decided to go with the original plan and use the <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/gardening-101-planting-potatoes-in-a-container">garbage pail method</a>.<br /><br />I know I said it was going to be my project, but it just didn't work out that way. My husband did a great job putting this together from an old garbage pail (and even took photos for me!). I will just have to keep an eye on my pail and add more soil when needed. I am excited to see how many pounds of potatoes we get from the three we started with!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3524535044_fbd66fc975.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3524535044_fbd66fc975.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3524535400_2ec82db694.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3524535400_2ec82db694.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3524535890_7c12b620e6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3524535890_7c12b620e6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3523729505_ca63e17649.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3523729505_ca63e17649.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Our seed potatoes came from a bag of regular eating potatoes that had started to grow in the cold cellar. I am glad we will get good use out of them!Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-11170341515971422822009-05-20T20:56:00.005-04:002009-05-20T22:31:31.026-04:00Ontario Food Deals for May 22 - May 28, 2009The most exciting thing this week is the $1, $2, $3 sale at Food Basics. There are a few good deals, which I pointed out below, but there are also some things that have actually been rounded up to go with the sales theme. Their sales price on mayonnaise is usually under $3, but has been rounded up to $3 this time! Don't forget, you need to <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-make-price-book-and-slash.html">know your prices</a>!<br /><br />I will also make my way to the Superstore to look at the big box of granola bars on sale. These make a good snack I can keep in the car for the kids, saving me money on trips to Timmie's with "starving" children.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>I may also pick up some bacon. We are running low in the freezer. I have seen bacon for as little as $2 per package for good quality, and the sales this week are $3 per package. Was the extra low sales price a fluke, or part of the regular sales cycle? Looking in my price book, I saw the lowest price in March, when I last stocked up. Bacon was available at $3 per package in February, and again over the last two weeks. This is where stocking up takes experience, thought, planning and a little luck. It may be that the "new normal" sales price of bacon is $3 or it may be that I should wait longer for the next good sale. We will see!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>Although I blew my <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/100-grocery-challenge-week-3.html">$100 challenge this month</a>, I still want to keep my spending as low as I can. Still, it doesn't make sense to pass up good deals when they are around, unless my store cupboards are already overflowing with those items.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Food Basics</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">$1, $2, $3 Sale</span><br /><ul><li>Saporito Vegetable Oil, 3 L for $3</li><li>Chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, frozen, seasoned for $2 per lb or $4.41 per kg</li><li>Marc Angelo Italian Sausage, hot or mild, 500 g for $2 (I have never tried this brand, but it is a pretty good price)</li><li>Italian home bakery Calabrese style bread, 675 g for $1</li></ul>If you are in Kitchener or Waterloo, there is a <span style="font-weight: bold;">new Food Basics</span> open at 600 Laurelwood Drive in Waterloo. There are a few extra deals in town, available only at the Food Basics located at 600 Laurelwood Drive, 851 Fischer-Hallman Road and 370 Highland Road West only. <ul><li>Black Diamond cheese, selected varieties, 500 g for $3.99, limit 2 (This is actually a few cents more expensive than a similar cheese at <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/ontario-food-deals-for-may-15-may-21.html">Walmart last week</a>. Still a decent deal though.)</li><li>Piller's Black Forest Style Ham, smoked and cooked, 900 g for $3.99. This comes to $0.44 per 100 g, much cheaper than buying it pre-sliced at the deli counter.</li></ul> <span style="font-weight: bold;">No Frills</span><br /><ul><li>Pork side rib portions for $1.97 per lb or $4.34 per kg (Not a bad price if the good weather has you in the mood for ribs!)</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Superstore</span><br /><ul><li>Unico tomatoes, still price locked at $0.79 per 796 mL can</li><li>Nature Valley crunchy granola bars, club size (1.12 kg) for $8.79. I think this is a good deal, but I don't know how many bars are in this box. You can get a regular size box with 5 double bars for $1.99 at Zehrs (their ongoing semi-permanent sales price). That works out to just under $0.40 per bar. If there are over 23 double bars per box, it is a good deal! Do keep in mind that each individual sleeve contains 2 bars. I think this is clear from the packaging, but make sure there are over 23 pouches of double bars if you are looking for the best deal. I think these jumbo packs are usually in the $10 range. Also, each box contains a variety of flavours, so if your family won't eat all the flavours, it isn't a good deal! I will post when I have more details.<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price Chopper</span><br /><ul><li>Asparagus, product of Ontario, $1.49 per lb or $3.28 per kg</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sobey's</span><br /><ul><li>Kellogg's Cereal (Mini-Wheats or Raisin Bran, Froot Loops or Frosted Flakes, selected, 275 - 475 g), 3 for $5</li><li>Schneiders Bacon, regular, salt reduced or thick, 500 g for $2.99 (Good deal for name-brand bacon!)</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Foodland</span> <ul><li>Maple Leaf Bacon, 500 g for $2.99. Similar deal to at Sobeys</li></ul> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Zehrs (Loblaws)</span><br /><ul><li>Asparagus, product of Ontario, $1.77 per lb or $3.90 per kg (It is a bit cheaper at Price Chopper, but if Zehrs is more convenient, go there. Just don't forget to eat your local asparagus while you can!)</li></ul>Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-37717240543443427432009-05-19T16:37:00.003-04:002009-05-19T17:02:20.901-04:00$100 Grocery Challenge: Week 3I did something last week and this week that you should never do when trying to stick to a budget. I sent my husband to the store and then I went to the store hungry!<br /><br />On Friday, my husband went to the grocery store to get the milk, eggs and sugar. He ended up spending almost $20.<br /><ul><li>Regular chips at $0.99 + $0.13 tax</li><li>Other chips for $0.99 + $0.13 tax</li><li>Onion soup mix for $1.49 (to make dip with the sour cream)</li><li>Eggs for $1.97</li><li>Sugar (2 Kg) for $2.03 (Interesting side note, sugar is cheaper at the grocery store than at either of the local bulk stores. It always pays to <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-make-price-book-and-slash.html">compare prices</a>!)</li><li>Frozen blackberries (600 g) for $2.99 A good deal, but not as good as the $1.49 I was paying for frozen fruit with my coupon. He saw everyone else grabbing them and fell into the trap of believing it must be a great deal.</li><li>Pickles for $3.89 I have no idea what he was thinking. We have lots of pickles in the cold cellar!</li><li>Milk (4 L) for $3.97</li><li>mini carrots for $0.99</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOTAL</span> = $19.57</li></ul>Today I went to the grocery store because we were out of milk, and my bread machine is broken, so we are out of bread. We also needed cat food. Rather than going right after breakfast, we procrastinated and went right before lunch when I was hungry. I was just as bad, spending nearly $20 myself.<br /><ul><li>Cat food (1 kg) for $1.59 + $0.21 tax (I bought a small container beause it is a new kind I am testing on the cats)</li><li>Yogurt for $2.89</li><li>Milk (4L) for $3.97</li><li>Cucumber for $0.99</li><li>Ham (300 g) for $3.17</li><li>Artichoke dip (my favourite indulgence!) for $2.99</li><li>Bakery bread for $1.69</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOTAL</span> = $17.50</li></ul>Total this week = $37.07<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total spent to date = $99.20</span><br /><br />I am SO disappointed! There is no way we are going to make it to the end of the month without buying anything else. I am going to keep on trucking though, and do my best. I am definitely motivated to try again next month. I should be able to buy only milk and eggs next week, but I will probably buy some local asparagus too. It would be a shame to miss out on the short season.Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-74042408139837049002009-05-17T22:47:00.004-04:002009-05-17T23:07:56.865-04:00Menu Plan - May 18, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0E18rsJlLWk/ShDMZ-81mqI/AAAAAAAAACY/NOcPLpOS9LI/s1600-h/greenmpm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 139px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0E18rsJlLWk/ShDMZ-81mqI/AAAAAAAAACY/NOcPLpOS9LI/s320/greenmpm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336990305201003170" border="0" /></a>I was sick Sunday night and didn't do a menu plan last week. It has reminded me why menu planning is SO important, even though I <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/stocking-up-getting-best-deal-on.html">don't buy my weeks groceries based on my menu plan</a>. We ate lots of soup and canned beans this week, and ate out a couple of times, all because I didn't know what to cook. I didn't get the advanced preparations done, and that makes a huge difference.<br /><br />Monday - Steak with baked potatoes and vegetables<br />To Do: Soak lentils<br /><br />Tuesday - <a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2009/03/sweet-and-sour-lentils.html">Sweet and sour lentils</a>, with rice and vegetables. I made these lentils a few weeks ago and they were GREAT.<br />To Do: Defrost ground beef<br /><br />Wednesday - Spaghetti with meat sauce. I will make a big batch of sauce so I can use leftovers to make chili and also have some to freeze.<br />To Do: Soak dry kidney beans<br /><br />Thursday - Leftovers<br />To Do: Cook the kidney beans<br /><br />Friday - Chili with <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/cornmeal-muffins.html">cornmeal muffins</a><br />To Do: Defrost pork<br /><br />Saturday - BBQ'ed pork tenderloin with potatoes and veggies<br /><br />Sunday - I will be out for supper at a scrapbooking event. I think the boys will probably have hamburgers with carrot sticks (if I remember to cut them ahead of time!)<br /><br />For more menu plans, visit the <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2009/05/menu-plan-monday-may-18th.html">Organizing Junkie</a>.Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-32647516337864099602009-05-14T21:51:00.008-04:002009-05-19T10:50:17.674-04:00Ontario Food Deals for May 15 - May 21, 2009Lucky for me and my <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/can-i-spend-only-100-on-groceries-in.html">food challenge</a>, there isn't much to excite me this week. I have lots of peanut butter, so don't need to <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/stocking-up-getting-best-deal-on.html">stock up</a>. I'll probably buy some asparagus, because it is in season now, and doesn't last long. It should be easy to stay under $15 this week.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />No Frills</span><br />The Half Price Sale continues. The deals <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/ontario-food-deals-for-may-8-may-14.html">listed last week should still be good this week</a>, according to last week's flyer! Additionally:<br /><ul><li>Kraft peanut butter, selected varieties, 750g or 1kg. This may include Kraft's natural, 100% peanut butter, which comes in the 750g size <span style="font-weight: bold;">for $1.99</span><br /></li><li>Kellogg's Raisin Bran (675 g), Mini Wheats (540-555 g) or Rice Krispies (525 g), selected varieties, $2.49</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zehrs (Loblaws)</span><br /><ul><li>Europe's Best frozen vegetables (300 g - 600 g) for $1.99 - <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/coupons-i-found-today-april-28-2009.html">$1.00 in-store coupon</a>, as promised in <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/ontario-food-deals-for-may-8-may-14.html">last weeks flyer.</a></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price Chopper</span><br /><ul><li>Kellogg's Raisin Bran (675 g), Corn Pops (345 g), Rice Krispies cocoa (420 g), All Bran (525 g), $2.49</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sobey's</span><br /><ul><li>Asparagus, Product of Ontario, $1.47 per lb, weather permitting</li><li>Chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, value pack, $2.99 per lb or $6.59 per kg</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Real Canadian Superstore</span><br /><ul><li>Post cereal, selected varieties (Shreddies and Honeycomb are pictured) (400-620 g) for $1.99 (price lock)<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Walmart</span><br /><ul><li>Cracker Barrel cheese (500 g) for $3.97</li></ul> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Food Basics</span><br /><ul><li>Gold Seal pink Salmon, skinless, boneless (170 g - smaller than normal), $0.99. This is cheaper for salmon, but my understanding is <a href="http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/513771">pink salmon isn't as good as red salmon</a>. Also, <a href="http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=16960">wild salmon is better for the environment</a>. As this is not labeled wild, it isn't! The <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/ontario-weekly-grocery-flyer-deals-for.html">wild red salmon I bought two weeks ago</a> was about $0.70 per 100g and this is $0.58 per 100 g. You decide on the best balance for your family between taste, price and environmental impact.</li></ul>If you are in Kitchener or Waterloo, there is a <span style="font-weight: bold;">new Food Basics</span> open at 600 Laurelwood Drive in Waterloo. There are a few extra deals in town, available only at the Food Basics located at 600 Laurelwood Drive, 851 Fischer-Hallman Road and 370 Highland Road West only.<br /><ul><li>Irresistibles white meat chicken strips or nuggets (908 g) for $3.99</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-13787969785303907182009-05-13T23:08:00.003-04:002009-05-14T00:31:02.409-04:00$100 Grocery Challenge: Week 2Last week, I spent $33.14. I was hoping to stay under $20 on my second week of grocery shopping, so I have $50 for the rest of the month.<br /><br />Thursday I went to the farmer's market and picked up two bunches of fresh Ontario asparagus for $5.00 and a loaf of fresh bread reduced to $2.00. On the way home we stopped at Food Basics because we were out of milk ($3.97), and faced one of the perils of making extra shopping stops: the extra purchases! We grabbed another bag of cookies, still on sale for $1.99.<br /><br />Thursday total: $12.96<br /><br />Friday I went to Food Basics and picked up my potatoes, and while I was at it I got a few more things:<br /><ul><li>White potatoes, 10 lb bags, 2 for $3.00 = $3.00</li><li>Bananas = $2.28</li><li>Lemons and limes, reduced for quick sale = $.79</li><li>Lemons (nice, shiny, new, 3) = $0.99</li><li>Food Basics TOTAL = $7.06</li></ul>Today I went to Zehrs to pick up the <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/quick-and-easy-europes-best-stir-fry.html">Europe's Best vegetables</a> and bought a couple of other things:<br /><ul><li>Europe's Best Frozen Vegetables, 4 for $1.99-$1.00 each = $3.96</li><li>Bread (50% 0ff) = $1.34</li><li>Sour Cream = $1.99</li><li>Snap lids for canning = $1.49 + $0.19 taxes</li><li>Zehrs TOTAL = $8.97</li></ul>Oh, and I think my mother is worried I am going to deprived my kids. She bought us 8 liters of milk, a dozen eggs and several bunches of lovely asparagus when they visited this weekend. Thanks Mum!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total spent this week, $28.99</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total spent to date = $62.13</span><br /><br />Humm... this isn't looking good for <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/can-i-spend-only-100-on-groceries-in.html">my challenge</a>! Especially as I just ran out of baking powder and sugar (white and brown)....<br /><br />One thing I am realizing is that I tend to buy extras on each shopping trip. I had read that reducing your shopping trips reduces spending. I think this is one reason meal planning saves you money. I made 4 stops this week on three different days. I spent about $10 on "extras" this week. Many of those purchases were reasonable purchases, and none were particularly extravagant, but it was extra!<br /><br />Next week I am going to try doing all of my shopping on one day, even if it requires multiple stops. I feel that this may reduce my chances of spending as much on extras.<br /><br />If I am lucky, there won't be any <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/search/label/Weekly%20Flyer%20Deals">good deals in the flyers</a>!Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-67207531841456826662009-05-11T23:46:00.008-04:002009-05-12T00:30:51.642-04:00Quick and Easy Europe's Best Stir Fry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3524530458_a96422b835.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3649/3524530458_a96422b835.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />If anyone was wondering why I am so excited about the <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/ontario-food-deals-for-may-8-may-14.html">sale on Europe's Best vegetables</a> this week, it is because of their Zen Garden vegetables.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3524521988_0a03a89025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 331px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3343/3524521988_0a03a89025.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> I paid only $0.99 for 600 grams of frozen veggies. The ingredient list is simply and delicious:<br /><br />Snow peas<br />Yellow carrots<br />Orange carrots<br />Water chestnuts<br />Red pepper<br />Baby corn<br />Bean sprouts<br /><br />For a quick meal, combine the frozen vegetables with some cooked protein (leftover chicken, pork or beef are all nice) in a hot pan. I used leftover <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/high-five-recipe-popcorn-chicken">popcorn chicken</a> this time. Cover for 3-5 minutes, so the veggies can thaw. Take off the lid and continue to cook while stirring until it is hot, another few minutes. Throw in some kind of Asian sauce. I like <a href="http://vegetarian.about.com/od/glossary/g/HoisinSauce.htm">Hoisin sauce</a>. Add a little soy sauce if you need more seasoning.<br />For a complete meal serve with rice!<br /><br />One word of caution here, if you are into the <a href="http://100milediet.org/">100 mile diet</a> or worried about food from China, you might want to avoid Europe's Best vegetables. These ones are a product of China. For me, at this point, it is worth it! You will have to make your own choice, but I felt I should offer full disclosure in my review!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3524527992_74fe712887.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3524527992_74fe712887.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Also, I wonder if I should consider adding <a href="http://www.grouprecipes.com/47010/homemade-hoisin-sauce.html">Hoisin sauce</a> to my <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/price-of-store-bought-vs-homemade.html">homemade convenience challenge?</a>Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-42083324708231767322009-05-07T08:48:00.008-04:002009-05-07T10:40:51.587-04:00Ontario Food Deals for May 8 - May 14, 2009I am most excited by the Europe's Best frozen vegetables that have been reduced to $1.99 at Zehrs! With my coupons, I will get them for $0.99! I LOVE the Zen Garden mixed veggies for a quick stir fry. I'll head over to Price Chopper to stock up on some apple juice.<br />We need milk, eggs, yogurt and fresh veggies this week, but I should have an easy time staying within my budget for my <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/can-i-spend-only-100-on-groceries-in.html">$100 challenge</a>. I'll post pictures and let you know how I did, probably on Friday.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zehrs</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> (Loblaws)</span><br /><ul><li>Europe's Best frozen vegetables (300 g - 600 g) for $1.99 - <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/coupons-i-found-today-april-28-2009.html">$1.00 in-store coupon</a>. According to the flyer (We've checked, lowered and <span style="font-weight: bold;">locked</span> prices on items you buy the most)</li><li>PC soft drinks on sale for $0.99 for 2L (Okay, <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/homemade-soft-drink-replacements.html">I'm joking! I'm not buying it</a>!!)</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Frills</span><br />Half Price Event, Flyer Prices are effective for 2 weeks, Friday May 8 to Thursday May 21, 2009)<ul><li>Colgate toothpaste (regular), 75 mL for $0.41</li><li>Suave shampoo or conditioner, 444 mL for $0.99 (I will need to test the smell. Sometimes cheap shampoo is really stinky and I can't use it!)</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price Chopper</span><br /><ul><li>Cashmere toilet paper, 24 single rolls or 12 double or 12 ultra rolls, for $3.97. This is about $0.33 per double roll. The cheapest I have bought toilet paper is $0.25 per double roll, with a coupon. This seems to be the lowest price that "nice" toilet paper regularly goes, without a coupon. I think if you don't care about your toilet paper, you can get it cheaper, but my husband is picky!</li><li>Pork tenderloin, fresh for $2.79 per lob or $6.15 per kg. I bought it a month ago for $1.99 per lb at Superstore. It was frozen, but I don't care. I would just freeze it when I get home anyhow!</li><li>Maple leaf or Shopsy's wieners (hot dogs), 450g for $1.66</li><li>Oatmeal Crisp or Fiber 1 cereals (425-505 g) for $3.49. Buy 2 and get a free box of Nature Valley granola bars (160g-230g). I don't honestly know if this is a good deal for the cereal. I have found those granola bars on sale for $1.99 per box, if that helps you decide. Also, this cereal is priced at $4.49 at Sobey's this week. They have a similar deal, buy 2 boxes of either, and get a free box of Fiber 1 cereal.</li><li>Rougemont apple juice, 1.2L can for $0.89</li></ul> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Foodland</span><br /><ul><li>Maxwell House ground coffee, 925 g tin for $4.44</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sobey's</span><br /><ul><li>Campbell's cream of mushroom, tomato, chicken noodle or vegetable soups, 284 mL condensed, 2 for $1.00 (or $0.69 each - make sure you buy multiples of 2 only!)</li><li>See also the Oatmeal Crisp/Fiber 1 deal, listed under Price Chopper</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Superstore</span><br /><ul><li>Mr. Clean all purpose cleaner, 800 mL for $1.99 - coupon from paper (buy 2, get $2 off).</li><li>Teddy's Choice soft touch baby wipes, 560-575 for $10.99. Includes one tub and 6 refill packs, I think.</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food Basics</span><br /><ul><li>Black Diamond cheese (Including old cheddar), 500g block for $4.44</li><li>Schneiders Oktoberfest sausages, frozen, 450 g fro $1.49 (great on the BBQ!)</li></ul>If you are in Kitchener or Waterloo, there is a <span style="font-weight: bold;">new Food Basics</span> open at 600 Laurelwood Drive in Waterloo. There are a few extra deals in town, available only at the Food Basics located at 600 Laurelwood Drive, 851 Fischer-Hallman Road and 370 Highland Road West only.<br /><ul><li>Kellogg's Corn Flakes (Jumbo-1350g), Corn Pops (Jumbo-775g) or Special K (475g) for $3.99. We don't usually eat these cereals, but the Corn Flakes are a great unit price, if you like them!</li><li>White potatoes, product of Canada, 10 lb bag, 2 for $3</li></ul>Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-64333647860690624532009-05-06T09:46:00.009-04:002009-05-06T12:50:57.308-04:00Homemade Soft Drink ReplacementsMy little <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/price-of-store-bought-vs-homemade.html">epiphany regarding convenience foods compared to making things from scratch, and my goal to make some changes and share them with the world</a> was challenged this morning. I remembered I have guests coming tonight and no pop in the house. Not only that, I haven't had anything to serve my guests for the past 3 or 4 weeks, and I am starting to feel like a very lousy hostess!<br /><br />I could probably find pop on sale somewhere, but that would compromise my <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/can-i-spend-only-100-on-groceries-in.html">$100 challenge</a>. Not only that, but my husband and I are trying to keep pop out of the house for our own health. I tried keeping it around just for guests, but the only success I had was when I bought only root beer, because I hate root beer... but it turns out most of my guests agree with me.<br /><br />My husband made homemade ginger ale a few weeks ago, following <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/ginger-ale-recipe/index.html">Alton Brown's recipe</a>. He enjoyed it, and will probably make it again. I wasn't particularly impressed with the flavour, and it takes 48 hours to make, so it isn't an option for tonight.<br /><br />I found a great solution that I have used before and been very happy with. A lovely cold beverage without too many calories, which can be made easily and quickly and costs very little - Iced Tea!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recipe</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3507215863_9c118dd0f5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3507215863_9c118dd0f5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I use the <a href="http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/perfecticedtea.htm">Hillbilly Housewife's Iced Tea</a> recipe for perfect iced tea every time. It is a great, easy recipe I have used before. I made it with 1/4 cup of sugar, but follow her advice and sweeten it to taste.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price</span><br /><br />On her site, she says she makes the entire batch (8 quarts or 2 liters) for only $0.08. I will have to keep an eye out for cheaper tea bags. My batch cost $0.22 for the tea bags, <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/ontario-weekly-grocery-flyer-deals-for.html">bought last week on sale</a> and $0.03 for 1/4 cup of sugar for a grand total of $0.25 for 2 liters of beverage.<br /><br />A two liter bottle of no name pop usually costs about $1. I think I have seen it for as little as $0.75. If I am being generous with the price of pop, my homemade alternative still cost only a third of the price of store bought soda. I saved at least $0.50, and given that I was going to go out and buy some pop at full price I saved more than $0.75 easily.<br /><br />Over a year, if my family drinks 4 liters a week, I am saving at least $52.00. If you drink more pop, your savings could be even greater!<br /><br />(Please don't remind me that it we just drank the water straight we would save at least $26 more!)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Convenience</span><br /><br />Today, my homemade alternative was more convenient than store bought because I didn't have to make an extra run to the store with two small children in tow.<br /><br />It took about 15 minutes of my time, from start to finish to make the tea, and then some time to cool, although the <a href="http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/perfecticedtea.htm">recipe suggests serving it immediately over ice</a> too. Most of the "cooking" time is waiting for the tea to steep, which is hardly labour intensive.<br /><br />Sure, it is a little more work than opening a bottle, but the effort is minimal, and worth it when you compare taste!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flavour</span><br /><br />I love homemade iced tea. It feels like a special treat and I am proud to serve it to guests. You can adjust the sweetness to taste and experiment with different flavours of tea bags to make all sorts of new beverages. Homemade beats store bought for flavour, hands down.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Environmental Impact</span><br /><br />I made my tea in a reusable drink pitcher I will use over and over again, rather than buying it in 2 liter plastic bottles or aluminum cans. We would recycle these things, or possibly even <a href="http://botanus.com/blog/?p=76">reuse them</a>, but on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waste_hierarchy">waste hierarchy, reduce is the best option</a>, which is what I am doing by not purchasing the bottles.<br /><br />Sure, I had to turn on the kettle, and I use my refrigerator to cool the tea down, but I am certain that the energy the transport trucks use to tote all those bottles of pop around far exceeds my small usage.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients</span><br /><br />It probably isn't entirely fair to compare <a href="http://www.enviroalternatives.com/ingredients.html#Coke">store bought soda pop ingredients</a> with homemade iced tea ingredients, but I don't have an empty iced tea bottle at home, and I do have an empty Diet Coke bottle at home!<br /><br />The Diet Coke contains carbonated water, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramel_colouring">caramel colour</a>, phosphoric and citric acid, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspartame">aspartame</a> (contains phenylalanin), flavour, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_benzoate">sodium benzoate</a>, caffeine, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acesulfame_potassium">acesulfame-potassium</a>. Aspartame and acesulfame-potassium are are only there because it is a diet drink. The regular Coke is probably made with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-fructose_corn_syrup">high fructose corn syrup</a>, which is <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070823094819.htm">full of its own perils</a>. Interesting side note for my fellow Canadians: did you know that the <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/freeheadlines/LAC/20090422/LBECK22ART1832/health/Health">glucose-fructose you see on food labels seems to be the same as the infamous high fructose corn syrup</a>?<br /><br />If there are <a href="http://www.bethecatalyst.org/hollyaprea/posts/220-How-much-sugar-is-in-your-pop-">17 teaspoons of sugar in 20 oz of pop</a>, there is over 1 cup of sugar in 2 liters of pop. My 1/4 cup of sugar is starting to look very healthy! If I decided to use honey instead, I could steer clear entirely of white sugar.<br /><br />There is also <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5281046.stm">some evidence that tea may be a healthy choice</a> of beverages, while I haven't seen any new studies on the health benefits of soda pop!<br /><br />I won't let my kids drink the iced tea, just as I won't let them drink Coke or coffee or hot tea or any other high caffeine beverage, but I think that homemade iced tea will permanently replace the <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/price-of-store-bought-vs-homemade.html">store bought convenience</a> of soda pop at our house. If nothing else, the way your guests eyes light up when you offer them homemade iced tea makes it worthwhile!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/3508027268_de98d734c6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/3508027268_de98d734c6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-61996829934938308882009-05-06T09:00:00.001-04:002009-05-06T13:01:26.606-04:00Price of Store Bought Vs. HomemadeI just read a great <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2216611/pagenum/all/">article comparing the price of store bought and homemade</a> food. She compares bagels, cream cheese, jam, crackers and granola, and overall, homemade comes out cheaper and better tasting. The author seemed a little surprised, but I'm not! I guess I grew up with a bit of a homemade bias. Cakes were always from scratch, and bread always came out of the bread machine. And I just always assumed that homemade was both better tasting, better for you and cheaper. Over at Home Ec 101, <a href="http://www.home-ec101.com/scratch-cooking-the-whys/">Heather agrees with me</a>, but reinforced the idea that saving money isn't the only goal of making food from scratch.<br /><br />Some of my assumptions were turned on their head when I read the Hillbilly Housewife's article about <a href="http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/goodbuyconveniencefoods.htm">"convenience" foods that are worth purchasing</a> rather than making at home. Pasta, frozen veggies and canned beans all make her list of convenience foods. She is right, of course - they are a convenience food compared to what my great grandmother would have used, never mind the fancy stand mixer, the food processor, the rice cooker and the bread machine I have in my kitchen. Go back just a little further, and even <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_stove">my stove</a> starts to look like a convenience item!<br /><br />All of this got me thinking about my own food assumptions and bias. On this adventure to feed my family on a budget, my goal is to make sure we are eating a healthy diet and that we are being mindful of our environmental impact. Additionally, the taste and flavours of the food we are eating has to be at the top of my agenda, if I want anyone to eat it!<br /><br />With this in mind, I am going to try doing some comparisons of the prices, flavours, ingredient lists and environmental impact of some foods I already make from scratch as well as some of my favourite convenience foods.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Comparisons (A Growing List)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/05/homemade-soft-drink-replacements.html">A Soft Drink Replacement (Iced Tea)</a>Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-64432465994848735182009-05-04T17:00:00.013-04:002009-05-04T18:16:28.129-04:00Can I spend only $100 on Groceries in May?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3501541463_41598ef3dc_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3501541463_41598ef3dc_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I have decided to try to lower my grocery budget to $100 for the month of May. This shouldn't be too hard. I don't buy much in the way of meat on a weekly basis, because we buy our meat in bulk and my <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/stocking-up-getting-best-deal-on.html">cold cellar</a> and <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-i-organized-my-chest-freezer.html">freezer</a> are full of food.<br /><br />My goal is to continue to <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/stocking-up-getting-best-deal-on.html">stock up when I find good prices</a>, with the idea that maybe I can permanently reduce my monthly grocery budget to $100. Budgeting is one of my weaknesses, and I am looking forward to making it my focus. At the end of the month, I will reassess my budget and decided if $100 a month (plus extra for our yearly meat purchase) is a reasonable budget to feed my family of 2 adults and 2 small children. Can I do this while still cooking healthy and tasty food?<br /><br />Now, this idea developed as I was out doing my grocery shopping, so I bought a few unusual treats that were a good price. As the plan is that this will be a permanent change, I'm not going to worry about it.<br /><br />So how did I do? I stuck pretty closely to the <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/ontario-weekly-grocery-flyer-deals-for.html">deals I had found by reading my flyers</a> and checking <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-make-price-book-and-slash.html">my price book</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3501541463_41598ef3dc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3307/3501541463_41598ef3dc.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Foodland</span> </span></span><br /><ul><li><span><span>Clover Leaf Sockeye salmon, Wild red pacific, regular size canned salmon (213 g) on sale 2 for $3 this week. X4 cans = $6.00</span></span></li><li><span><span>TOTAL = $6.00<br /></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Food Basics</span><br /><ul><li>Italpasta regular pasta (450 g) for 2 for $0.99, X8 = $3.96<br /></li><li>Red Rose Orange Pekoe 36 tea bags for $0.99, X1 = $0.99</li><li>Christie cookies, (550 g) for $1.99, X2 = $3.98<br /></li><li>Maxwell House ground coffee, 925 g tin for $4.44, X1 = $4.44</li><li>Brown rice, $1.99</li><li>TOTAL = $15.36<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Frills</span><br /><ul><li>Satin Care shave gel for $1.99 - $2.00 from <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/canadian-online-coupons.html">save.ca</a>, X1 = $1.99 + $0.26 tax - $2.00 = $.25 (See, even FREE things aren't free!)</li><li>Delmonte juice boxes for $1.99</li><li>Cucumber for $0.99</li><li>TOTAL = $3.23<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Walmart</span><br /><ul><li>Yoplait yogurt tubs, 650 g for $1.97 - $1.00 coupon found in last month's Chatelaine magazine. X1 = $0.97<br /></li><li>Always pads (18) for $2.66 - $1.00 coupon from newspaper flyer and <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/canadian-online-coupons.html">online source</a> X2 = ($2.66 X 2) + $0.27 tax - ($1.00 X 2) = $3.59</li><li>4 L of milk = $3.99</li><li>TOTAL = $8.55</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Grand Total of $33.14</span><br />Coupon Savings = $5.00<br /><br />Overall, I think I did pretty well. I went over a $25 weekly budget (for 1/4 of my $100), but I find a <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/stocking-up-some-hints-and-tips_09.html">monthly budget is more practical when stocking up</a>. Depending on sales, I may only buy milk, eggs and yogurt next week!Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-65152461955543610412009-05-03T20:06:00.006-04:002009-05-03T21:56:04.155-04:00Menu Plan - May 4, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0E18rsJlLWk/Sf40aJ_zq3I/AAAAAAAAACQ/oQc9eSfeXzU/s1600-h/greenmpm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 139px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0E18rsJlLWk/Sf40aJ_zq3I/AAAAAAAAACQ/oQc9eSfeXzU/s320/greenmpm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331756632818035570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday</span> - <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/pasta-carbonara.html">Pasta Carbonara</a> with peas<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday</span> - Baked beans with carrot sticks and <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Boston-Brown-Bread-104112">Boston brown bread</a> (I usually leave out the raisins, and cook it in an old fashioned <a href="http://www.nostalgic-images.co.uk/Application/Products/Mason-cash/pudding-basins-1GB.asp">British pudding bowl</a>, rather than an old can, because I am <a href="http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/challenge-defi/bisphenol-a_fs-fr_e.html">worried about contamination</a>)<br /><br />To Do: Defrost chicken<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday</span> - Tarragon chicken with rice and veggies<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday</span> - Leftovers<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday</span> - Homemade quiche with veggies<br /><br />To Do: Defrost ham and potatoes<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday</span> - Ham with <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Scalloped-Potatoes-II/Detail.aspx">scalloped potatoes</a> and veggies<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday</span> - Steak with roasted potatoes and veggies<br /><br />For more menu plans, please visit the <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/">Organizing Junkie</a>.Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-85691168860527669772009-04-30T21:28:00.016-04:002009-05-04T09:56:00.727-04:00Ontario Weekly Grocery Flyer Deals for May 1 - May 7, 2009I will stop by the brand new Food Basics in Waterloo to pick up some of the flyer deals, as well as the special new store deals. I also plan on picking up a fresh mozzarella cheese or two at Price Chopper and some frozen fish at Superstore. I am looking forward to picking up a free shave gel at No Frills, and a tub of yogurt for $0.97 with coupon at Walmart. The large tins of salmon at Shopper's are a pretty good deal too.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span>What is your favourite deal this week?<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span><span><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">UPDATE</span>: Foodland has Clover Leaf Sockeye salmon, Wild red pacific, regular size canned salmon (213 g) on sale 2 for $3 this week. A slightly better deal than the salmon at Shopper's Drug Mart, and a better size, for my family.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br />Food Basics</span><br />$0.99 sale this week. Watch out though, because some things can be found cheaper.<br /><ul><li>Italpasta regular pasta in select varieties (450 g) for 2 for $0.99, while quantities last</li><li>Primo canned beans (540 mL) for 2 for $0.99, selected varieties (I mostly use dried, but I think this is a pretty good deal)<br /></li><li>Fresh chicken legs, quarters bagged for $0.99 per lb or $2.18 per kg</li><li>Red Rose Orange Pekoe 36 tea bags for $0.99</li></ul>If you are in Kitchener or Waterloo, there is a <span style="font-weight: bold;">new Food Basics</span> open at 600 Laurelwood Drive in Waterloo. There are a few extra deals in town, available only at the Food Basics located at 600 Laurelwood Drive, 851 Fischer-Hallman Road and 370 Highland Road West only.<br /><ul><li>Breyers classic ice cream (1.66L to 1.89L) for $1.99</li><li>Lean ground beef for $1.49/lb, sold in 2lb tubes for $2.98</li><li>Christie cookies, selected varieties, large sizes (550 g) for $1.99</li><li>Maxwell House ground coffee, 925 g tin for $4.44</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">No Frills</span><br /><ul><li>Satin Care shave gel for $1.99 - $2.00 from <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/canadian-online-coupons.html">save.ca</a>, making it free!</li><li>Unico vegetable oil, 3L for $3.99</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Price Chopper</span><br /><ul><li>Fresh ground beef for $1.49/lb, sold in 2lb tubes for $2.98 (same price as at the new Food Basics)</li><li>Silani mozzarella cheese ball, 340 g for $2.49 (this is the fresh style cheese. It is yummy, and can be frozen)</li><li>Aunt Jemima waffles, 354 g for $0.99</li><li>Always pads (12-24) for $2.99 - $1.00 coupon from newspaper flyers (available slightly cheaper at Walmart)<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Zehrs (Loblaws Stores)</span><br /><ul><li>Air chilled chicken for $1.64 per lb or $3.62 per kg. (Still not as cheap as a Superstore a few weeks ago, when the chickens were about $1.17 per lb)</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Superstore</span><br /><ul><li>Kraft Cracker Barrel bar cheese, 500 g for $4.44. I bought cheese for $0.66 per 100 g and this cheese is $0.88 per 100g, but still a good price.</li><li>Tide laundry detergent for $11.99 - $1.00 coupons, found everywhere, including this weeks Shop and Save, delivered with newspapers and flyers. (Tide Ultra powder 3.8-4kg or 2X liquid 2.95 L laundry detergent, selected varieties, 48-80 washloads)</li><li>Green Island polar cod fillets, boneless skinless, frozen, 400 g for $1.99. I haven't tried this brand, but the price is good, so I think I will try it this week.</li><li>Unico tomatoes, still price locked at $0.79 per 796 mL can. Last time, I found I could get the unsalted variety at this price.</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shopper's Drug Mart (Sales Start Saturday)</span><br /><ul><li>Gold Seal Pacific Red Sockeye Salmon, large 418 g tin for $2.99</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">Walmart</span><br /><ul><li>Yoplait Source or Creamy Yogurt tubs, 650 g fro $1.97 - $1.00 coupon found in last month's Chatelaine magazine.</li><li>Always pads (18) for $2.66 - $1.00 coupon from newspaper flyers</li></ul>Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-2367619454655463742009-04-28T18:22:00.005-04:002009-04-29T10:03:04.206-04:00Coupons I found today - April 28, 2009At Sobey's tonight, I found <span style="font-weight: bold;">Europe's Best</span> coupons near the frozen fruit. They are two part coupons, with one half is for $2.00 off any frozen fruit and the other half is for $1.00 off any frozen vegetable. The veggies go on sale for $1.99 and the fruit for $3.49 pretty regularly. See if you can find some coupons and save them for the next sale. These coupons don't expire until March 31, 2010, so wait for a sale!<br /><br />I also found save $1 when you buy two containers of <span style="font-weight: bold;">French's mustard</span>. The coupons were located on a special mustard display, near the bin freezers that normally contain things like pre-made hamburger patties. These expire December 31, 2009.<br /><br />Near the bottled water, I found a coupon for $10 mail in rebate when you purchase a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Brita Pitcher and 1 pack of Brita Filers</span>. If you are thinking of finding a greener alternative to bottled water this summer, these might help!<br /><br />Finally, at the customer service desk there was a Heart and Stroke guide to eating well that contained multiple coupons that are <span style="font-weight: bold;">only</span> good at Sobey's, Foodland and IGA. There were coupons for:<br /><ul><li>$0.35 off Naturegg Omega Pro eggs</li><li>$0.60 off Naturegg Omega Pro liquid eggs</li><li>$0.50 off 375g package of Maple Lodge Farms Chicken Bacon</li><li>$1.00 off Dempster's Healthy Way product (bread!)</li><li>$0.50 off (400g-575g) box of Cheerios</li><li>$0.75 off BlueWater Grilled item</li><li>$0.75 off Astro Zero yogurt</li></ul>Your luck may vary, but keep your eyes peeled for coupons. There are great coupons all over the place!Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-21836004957495932432009-04-27T13:15:00.004-04:002009-04-28T14:16:44.814-04:00How I Organized my Chest Freezer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3468103391_e6b17a07ce.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3468103391_e6b17a07ce.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />If you have a chest freezer in your basement that is a food abyss, a giant mouth you keep feeding, but never actually pull anything out of, then this post is for you!<br /><br />When you <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/stocking-up-getting-best-deal-on.html">stock up on groceries</a>, rather than a standard weekly shop, it is particularly important to stay organized. Before I organized my freezer, I would keep buying and buying anytime I saw a good deal. When it was eventually time to pull everything out to defrost the freezer, or more likely, to find something specific I just knew was buried in there, I would discover that I had 20 bars of frozen mozzarella cheese, but no more butter. This is not the way to wisely spend your grocery budget.<br /><br />I kept putting off organizing because I thought I needed the perfect set of containers that were going to somehow bring organization to the chaos that was my freezer. A thrift store find combined with the inability to make a birthday cake because we were out of butter finally made me decide to just figure it out!<br /><br />The thrift store find was two new freezer baskets. They were $2 for two baskets, and I wasn't sure if they would fit, but bought them anyhow. By a stroke of luck, they <span style="font-style: italic;">just</span> fit. In the picture at the top you can see that I now have 4 hanging baskets in my freezer. Those extra hanging baskets make a big difference and if you can find some, you should pick them up! But as I said, don't wait for the perfect storage containers. The other main tool in my freezer organization was a few cardboard boxes, and a little time and thought.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">TIP</span>: Regular plastic bins can crack easily at freezer temperatures. I did waste some money on dollar store bins that shattered. Cardboard works better and is usually cheaper.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advantages to having an organized freezer:</span><br /><ul><li>You can find what you are looking for (and so can other people)</li><li>You know when you are running out of something<br /></li><li>Less food will be wasted because you won't forget about it, or loose it</li><li>Easier meal planning because you can see what you have</li><li>Easier to defrost or clean the freezer- boxes pull out easily</li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">How I Organized my Freezer</span><br /><br />I emptied everything out of my freezer, getting rid of anything that was clearly not going to be edible anymore because it had been buried too long.<br /><br />I then thought about organization, and discovered I could fit three cardboard boxes in my freezer, and still fit the hanging baskets back in. That left me with four baskets on top, three big sections on the bottom, and two small sections on the bottom, created by the space around the boxes. That gave me nine storage areas in my freezer.<br /><br />I put everything into piles, putting like with like. After a little rearranging to make piles that were the right size for the containers, and to make a system that makes sense for my family, we ended up with nine piles for our nine spaces:<br /><ul><li>Fruit</li><li>Veggies</li><li>Butter and Cheese and Prepared food</li><li>Ground Beef and Bacon</li><li>Beef (roasts, everything else beefy, except the ground beef)</li><li>Lamb</li><li>Pork (except the bacon!)<br /></li><li>Poultry</li><li>Fish and Seafood</li></ul>I loaded up my freezer. On the far left, is a box full of lamb.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3468916342_16060f2336.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3468916342_16060f2336.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Beside that is a box full of pork.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3468103999_a0b6559704.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3468103999_a0b6559704.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Next to that is a box full of beef. Behind the box of beef is a space for poultry and to the right of that box is space for fish and seafood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3468916938_9c1d6a43e0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 331px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/3468916938_9c1d6a43e0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3468103391_e6b17a07ce_m.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 159px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3468103391_e6b17a07ce_m.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>If you look again at my first picture (or again, in small, to the left), you will see that I then have my four baskets on top. In the basket on the left I have cheese and butter and any prepared food. Right now, I think there is a tray of homemade scalloped potatoes in there, and some zucchini bread made from garden zucchini.<br /><br />In the second basket, there is ground beef and bacon. We are running low on ground beef, but have just put in an order with our favourite farmer, to be picked up on Mother's day.<br /><br />The third basket is full of frozen fruit. Right now it is mostly store bought, but I can see the rhubarb coming up in my garden, and I am looking forward to stocking it with homemade this spring and summer.<br /><br />The fourth basket contains frozen vegetables, including some tomatoes from our garden. We got a pressure canner for Christmas and we are looking forward to canning tomatoes this year, giving us more room for other veggies in the freezer.<br /><br />If you are looking at your freezer with despair, may I suggest you find a little time and just organize it. Knowing where to find the butter and the peas has made a huge difference. Not only can I find what I am looking for and see when I am running out of something, but I can send my husband down to get a package of raspberries and he will be able to find them!<br /><br />For more kitchen tips and tricks, please go to <a href="http://www.tammysrecipes.com/node/3334">Kitchen Tip Tuesdays</a> at Tammy's Recipes.Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4482201973913754356.post-79195545748452877672009-04-26T22:37:00.006-04:002009-04-27T08:45:55.597-04:00Menu Plan - April 27, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0E18rsJlLWk/SfUCfnrJFdI/AAAAAAAAACI/2vk_Ir1JU0k/s1600-h/greenmpm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 139px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0E18rsJlLWk/SfUCfnrJFdI/AAAAAAAAACI/2vk_Ir1JU0k/s320/greenmpm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329168476311983570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday</span> - Beef stew with mashed potatoes<br /><br />To Do: Soak kidney beans<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday</span> - Pasta with meat sauce<br /><br />To Do: Cook kidney beans<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wednesday</span> - Chili (made from leftover meat sauce) with <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/cornmeal-muffins.html">cornmeal muffins</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday</span> - Leftovers<br /><br />To Do: Defrost steak<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Friday</span> - Steak with potatoes and veggies<br /><br />To Do: Defrost lamb<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Saturday</span> - Lamb chops with mashed potatoes and veggies<br /><br />To Do: Defrost pork, make tzatziki<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday</span> - Pork souvlaki (made with <a href="http://stockingthelarder.blogspot.com/2009/04/ontario-food-deals-for-april-10-april.html">pork tenderloin, purchased on sale</a>) with Greek salad, tzatziki and pita bread<br /><br />For more menu planning ideas, visit the <a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2009/04/menu-plan-monday-april-27th.html">Organizing Junkie</a>.<a href="http://orgjunkie.com/"><br /></a>Meredithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808209109253142477noreply@blogger.com2