World's Cutest Cookies!

Last week my daughter made these melted snowmen cookies and I think they are absolutely adorable!! I just ate the last one and they are also pretty yummy!!You can make some, too, if you want. There is a great step-by-step tutorial at Stacey's Sweet Shop - step 1, step 2, step 3, step 4.

Fun Family Christmas Day

Yesterday, we spent a nice day together as a family doing some Christmas things. First, we went to brunch at a buffet that is running a discounted price for the holidays. Then we went to a Christmas Arts Festival and browsed all the fantastic arts and crafts. They even had live artisan demos like blacksmithing and pottery. After that, we went to see A Christmas Carol in 3D - wow, 3D sure has advanced since the last time I saw one!! A little later, we went to a couple of train displays. These are permanent G gauge trains displays in people's yards!! Some of them have spent years and thousands of dollars on these displays! And during the Christmas season, they open their yards to the public to come and see (and collect donations for Children's Hospital). Some are just a normal size yard, but one that we went to was at a multi-million dollar home and must have cost ten of thousands of dollars!! The amount of trains he had filled 1/2 of a 4 car garage on racks stacked to the ceiling!

All in all, it was a nice family day! My kiddos aren't small anymore, so it isn't easy to find Christmas activities that they will enjoy. But they are good sports and we had a great time together!

Fantastic Cracker Deal!!

I don't usually buy too many boxes of crackers because they are so expensive. But this deal I just had to share!!

Yesterday, I collected all my Nabisco coupons (Smartsource 11/8 $1 off 1, Smartsource online $1 off 2) and went to Safeway. They are running a promo where if you buy 5 boxes of Nabisco crackers, you get $5 off, and they are on sale, too! So this makes them between $0.99 and $1.99 per box for Ritz, Wheat Thins, Triscuits and more. I bought 10 boxes, used 2 $1 off 1 and 4 $1 off 2 coupons and paid $10.40!! Then I mailed in my rebate form (click on link on the right side that says "Coupons") and will get $10 back! That makes a total cost for 10 boxes of crackers exactly $0.40 plus the postage stamp!!! OK, can you beat that deal????

Breakfast Burritos

I spent two hours this evening making breakfast burritos to put in the freezer for the mornings I just don't feel like making breakfast this month. I made whole wheat tortillas from freshly ground wheat while the potatoes (5 lbs for $0.58) were baking in the oven. Then I cut up two packages of bacon ($1 each) and cooked in a skillet while I peeled the skin off the potatoes and cut them into cubes. When the bacon was cooked, I quickly sauteed the potatoes in the same skillet, then tossed into a large bowl with the bacon. Then I scrambled and cooked 2 dozen eggs ($1/dozen) which I then added to the bowl along with a can of diced jalapenos ($0.25). I tossed with an 8 oz. bag of shredded Habanero Cheddar cheese ($0.99). Then I place a scoop of the mixture into each tortilla and rolled up, wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a large ziploc bag.

Total cost for 25 burritos = less than $6.00!!! That comes out to less than $0.24 each!! And when we want to eat them, we just warm them in the microwave for about 2 minutes and voila!! Fresh, wholesome, homemade breakfast burritos! And if I didn't make the tortillas, it would have only taken about 45 minutes.

I think this will be something I will try to do once a month or so. I am going to also try to find some other ideas like this that can be made ahead and put into the freezer. If you have any suggestions, let me know!!

The Ups and Downs of Black Friday

I am not a morning person. So for MANY years, I didn't even consider getting up to join the crazy crowds to get the good deals. That is, until 2 years ago. With finances as tight as they are and were, the only way I could get my hubby a decent camera for Christmas was to get up and join the thousands of others who brave the early, early morning to get the best deals. My first year was also my great aunt's first year and she was 73 years old!!! We got up at 4am and got in line at Walmart in order to buy a Sony Cybershot for my hubby. We went to a few other stores, had breakfast and returned home by about 8am. Well, the rest of the day we spent napping. It is HARD to recover from that early of a morning when you are no spring chicken:-)

Then last year, my hubby was working at the Walmart in San Luis, AZ. We got permission to bring our RV the night before and spend the night in the parking lot. When my hubby went into work around 4am, he called and let me know that the lines were starting and we may want to come in and get in line. There were a couple of items we wanted to buy for our kids, so I put one kid in one line and another kid in another line (they were 12 and 14 yo), while I went in search of still another deal. We got all the items we wanted and then went back to the RV and crawled back into bed to sleep until my hubby got off work. It was a great way to do the deals shopping!!

Well, this year we now live back in the US of A and I was all set to make a big morning of it. BUT....the items that my kids (and hubby) wanted were not going to be on sale anywhere!! What a letdown! However, I found out that the malls here start their Black Friday deals at midnight on Thanksgiving!! And they were offering a $50 Amex gift card if you spend $100 in the mall between midnight and 3 am!!! Well, we decided to go see if one of the items we needed to buy (Ipod Nano) was perhaps available at one of the stores there so we could get the $50 gift card. Best Buy was not opening until 5am, but perhaps Radio Shack would be open and have it. We arrived about 5 minutes after midnight and went straight to Radio Shack. They had the Ipod Nano and when we checked out, it was $15 LESS that they thought - which then equaled the best deal we had seen at Amazon.com!!! My daughter and I then went to stand in the line for the $50 gift card - a very long line already at 20 minutes after midnight!!! There were rumors that they only had 200 cards and we were at least 100 ppl back!! Would it be in vain? Well it turns out, after an hour in that line, that we were number 161 of 200!! Woo hoo! We got the gift card, my hubby and son had wandered all over the mall checking out any other deals (none we were interested in), so we went home around 1:30 am.

I got in bed, but then began to think about the deal that Kohls was offering on a hard-anodized pots and pans set (normally $199, on sale for $99, plus a $40 mail-in rebate=$59). My husband then said that maybe I should consider it and use the $50 gift card we just got at the mall, plus the $10 coupon from the paper. He went to sleep. I went online trying to determine the quality of the set vs. Calphalon (the BEST!!) and thought and thought about it until around 3am when I decided to go. I told my hubby I was going to stand in line at Kohls for their 4am opening to get the deal. He said ok and went back to sleep:-)

Off I went in the middle of the night to stand in line with about 100 other strangers to get the best deals at Kohls!!! I stood in line for 45 minutes and it was a little chilly. By the time the doors opened at 4am, there were at least 400 people in line! I went right in, found the set (they only had about 12 total!) and checked out with my gift card and $10 coupon, paying $47.01! I was back in my car by 4:07 am and back home shortly afterward. I didn't get to sleep until 5am!! And I will be getting my $40 rebate making the total cost to me for a $199 set = $7.01!!
I think that was worth it!

And the day wasn't as bad as when I got up so early the years before. I am a night owl, so I would MUCH rather stay up really late and sleep in than get up early! I slept until 11am and then took a nap in the afternoon. So that is my story - how did you take advantage of the Black Friday deals?

A Thanksgiving Funny

Twas the Night of Thanksgiving

Twas the night of thanksgiving,
But i just couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards,
I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned -
The dark meat and white,
But i fought the temptation
With all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So, i raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.
Gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
'Til all of a sudden, i rose off the ground.
I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky,
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.
But, i managed to yell as i soared past the trees....
Happy eating to all - pass the cranberries, please.

May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes 'n gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious.
May your pies take the prize,

May your thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs!!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area - Week Before Thanksgiving

This week, there are still alot of great deals on things you will need for your Thanksgiving Dinner, so don't miss out!

Albertsons
Honeysuckle White Premium Turkey $0.43/lb limit 1
Asparagus, Green Beans, Broccoli or Cauliflower $0.99/lb
Minute Maid Premium or Simply Orange Juice 2/$4
Gold Medal FLour or Albertson's Butter 2/$3
Pictsweet Vegetables 14-16 oz. $0.77
General Mills Cereal $1.77
Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese 5/$5
Albertsons Dips 5/$5
Hormel Little Sizzlers 12 oz. 5/$5

Bashas
Granny Smith or Red Delicious Apples $0.49/lb
Milk $1.49/gallon
Flav-R-Pac Classic Vegetables (frozen) 16 oz. $0.69

Food City
Sweet Potatoes or Yams 3 lbs/$0.99
Mrs. Cubbison's Stuffing 2/$3
Celery $0.69
Cucumbers 4/$1
Cilantro 4/$1

Fresh & Easy
Mrs. Cubbison's Classic Seasoned Dressing $0.99
French's Original French Fried Onions 6 oz. $2.49
Farmer John Half Ham $0.77/lb
Cool whip $0.99
10 lb bag Russet Potatoes $1.98
Mrs. Smith's Pies $1.99

Pro's Ranch Market
Honeysuckle Turkey's $0.37/lb with $25 purchase
10 lbs potatoes $0.99
Pork Chops $0.87/lb (6 lbs or more)
Celery 3/$0.99
Mrs. Cubbison's stuffing or dressing $0.99 w/coupon
Springfield Whole Kernel Corn 3/$1 w/coupon
Hass Avocados 3/$0.99
Yam 4 lbs/$0.99
Navel Oranges 2 lbs/$0.99
Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese $0.99

Safeway
Turkey $0.39/lb w/$25 purchase (limit 2)
10 lb bag Russet Potatoes $0.97
Barilla Pasta 10/$10

Sprouts
Pineapples $0.97 each
Walnuts Halves and Pieces $2.99/lb
Large Navel Oranges 3 lbs/$1
Broccoli $0.88/lb
Celery $0.88/bunch
Extra Lean Ground Beef or Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts $1.97/lb
Raw Almonds $3.99/lb
Fancy Pecan Halves $4.99/lb
Fresh Free-Range Turkey $1.47/lb
Shredded Mozzarella, Cheddar or Monterey Jack $2.99/lb

WalMart
Turkeys $0.40/lb
Green Giant Canned Vegetables $0.50
Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce $0.88
Green Beans $0.98/lb
Campbell's Cream of Mushroom or Chicken Soup $0.58
Swanson Chicken Broth 14 oz can $0.45
Great Value Butter $1.50/lb
Nestle Tollhouse Morsels 12 oz. $1.78
Minute Maid OJ 64 oz $2

Hope you find all you need and want for your Thanksgiving dinner! I won't be doing the sales ads next week - you will just have to dive into Black Friday on your own:-)

Have a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving with your friends and family!!!

Baking and Preparing for Thanksgiving

I spent the day yesterday baking 8 dozen dinner rolls in order to take them to Sunshine Acres Children's Home in Mesa, AZ. Then today we toured their facilities. Wow! What an amazing place for children in tough situations! They have 125 acres with 6 separate homes for 10 children each, as well as other buildings for housing, dining, administration, health, school, etc. I was very impressed with their staff, facilities and their heart for these kids, as well as the staff who care for them. Having established and run a teen boys home for several years in Mexico, I understand exactly what they are dealing with and appreciate the lengths that they have gone to in order to make a difference in the lives of these children.

My heart was incredibly touched and it brought back to my mind the boys that we worked with and loved while we were in Mexico. I don't know if God has this type of work in our future again or not, but it really touched my heart to see Sunshine Acres and how they are doing what they do with such excellence. They also have a Boutique where they sell items in order to bring in additional funds. I was very impressed with the quality and prices of items there. If you live in the area, you should go check it out for Christmas gifts and decorations. They are located on Higley Rd. just south of the northern loop of the 202.

We are looking forward to the opportunity to volunteer and help in some way at Sunshine Acres in the near future. They have many needs and many areas in which you can volunteer, so if you are looking for a place to help out, there just may be a niche that you can fill at Sunshine Acres. And if you have never visited, I urge you to take the time to visit and tour the facility. It will fill your heart with joy to see how they are helping this kids have a stable, loving, Christ-centered childhood.

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area - Preparing for Thanksgiving!!

Now is the time to stock up on those items you need for your Thanksgiving (and Christmas) meal!! Some great deals this week, so pay attention!

Albertsons
Honeysuckle White Premium Turkey $0.43/lb (limit 1)
Premium Spiral Sliced Ham $1.57/lb
Clementines 3 lb bag 2/$5
Bottom Round Roast $1.88/lb
93% lean Ground Beef $1.67/lb (5 lbs or more)
DelMonte Vegetables 2/$0.88 (limit 6)
Breyer's Ice Cream $1.99 (limit 2)
Albertsons Butter $1.99/lb

Bashas
Boneless Cross Rib Roast $1.88/lb (first 4)
80% lean ground beef $1.38/lb (first 2)
Basha Milk 1/2 gallon $0.88 (first 2)
Food Club Jumbo Flaky Biscuits $0.88
Food Club Cheese, 6-8 oz. $0.99

Food City
Chicken Leg Quarters $0.49/lb (10 lbs bag)
Bananas 3 lbs/$0.99
Mangos 3/$0.99
Cilantro or Mexican Green Onions 4/$1
Del Monte Canned Vegetables $0.59
Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce $0.99
Tilapia Fillets $1.99/lb
Green Cabbage 3 lbs/$0.99

WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Beef Back Ribs $0.79/lb

THURSDAY ONLY:
White Onions 5 lbs/$1
Lemons 3 lbs/$0.99

Fresh & Easy
Jennie-O Premium Basted Frozen Turkey $0.37/lb STILL BEST DEAL!!! (limit 2)
Farmer John Half Ham $0.77/lb (limit 4)
Boneless Beef Chuck Roast $1.99/lb
Mrs. Smith's Pies $1.99
F&E Cream Cheese $0.99
F&E Bagels $1.99/6
Pillsbury Crescent Rolls or Cinnamon Rolls $1.65
F&E Frozen Hash Brown Patties (10 ct) $1.89
F&E Canned Vegetables 10/$5
Mrs. Cubbison's Seasoned Dressing $1.49
F&E Butter $1.99/lb
Libby's Pumpkin 29 oz $1.99
Carnation Evaporated milk 12 oz. $0.99
Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce $0.99
$3 off $30 purchase and $5 off $50 purchase coupons

Frys
Accepting All Grocery Competitors Coupons!
All Manufacturer's Coupons Now Worth $1!!
Jennie-O Turkey $0.43/lb (limit 1)
Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts $1.57/lb
Clementines 3 lb bag $2.47
Bananas $0.39/lb
Blue Bunny Ice Cream 56 oz. $1.99 (first 4)
DelMonte Vegetables 20/$10
Duracell Batteries $1.88
Large Eggs $0.97 (limit 4)
Kroger Value Sugar 4 lb $0.97 (first 2)
Land O Lakes Butter $1.99/lb
Kroger Cream Cheese 10/$10
Carnation Evaporated Milk $0.99
Fry's Powdered or Brown Sugar 2 lbs 2/$3

Pro's Ranch Market
73% lean ground beef $0.88/lb
Pork Shoulder Picnic Roast $0.88/lb
Tilapia Fillets $1.98/lb
Bananas 3 lbs/$0.99
Seedless Watermelon 7 lbs/$0.99
Special Value Salt 26 oz. 4/$1
Springfield Long Grain Rice 5 lb bag 2/$3
White Onions 4 lbs/$0.99
Medium Yams 3 lbs/$0.99
Red Radishes 4 bunches/$0.99
Minute Maid OJ $1.99
Pilsbury Biscuits and Crescent Rolls 2/$3
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
10 lb bag of Potatoes $0.99
THURSDAY ONLY:
Boneless Chicken Tenderloins Pieces $0.98

Safeway
Boneless Beef Round Steak $1.47/lb
Safeway Turkey $0.43/lb (limit 2)
Asparagus $0.99/lb
Green Giant Canned Vegetables $0.39
Lucerne Butter $1.99/lb
SATURDAY & SUNDAY ONLY:
Tostitos Tortilla Chips $1.69
Quaker Instant Oatmeal 2/$3 (limit 6)
Crisp Gala Apples $0.47/lb
Safeway Hot Dog Buns $0.79

Sprouts
Walnuts halves and pieces $3.99/lb
Large Roma Tomatoes $0.88/lb
Trail Mix Blitz - 25% off
Heartland Spiral Cut Ham $1.99/lb
Virginia Peanuts $1.79/lb
Sprouts Bagels 2/$4 (6 ct)

Some great deals - go get them!! Let me know if you come across anything else spectacular, too! I got some great deals last week at Fry's and Albertsons, so I am looking for some more great deals this week. Stocking up on butter, eggs, turkeys, nuts, pumpkin, roasts, clementines, ice cream and cream cheese for starters!! My pantry is already overflowing, but I will find another closet space to stock up some more. You can't beat these deals and prices, so take advantage of them and stock up. I still have freezer space, so meat and butter deals are fantastic for me right now. Use your coupons and double your savings, especially at Fry's this week with all coupons $1 (use your small ones for sure:-). If you need to know where to find great coupons besides in the Sunday paper, go to Coupons.com, Redplum, Smartsource and check out The Krazy Koupon Lady - she let's you in on on the best deals!!

Christmas Already?

Wow, it seems like Christmas music is played earlier and earlier! And I know quite a few people who have already put up their Christmas trees!! Really??? It is only the beginning of November!! And I saw my first Hallmark Christmas commercial on TV this past week - the first week of November!!

What is going on? It seems like there is almost a desperation this year to begin celebrating Christmas. Perhaps, with the economy the way it is, we all want to just forget the tough stuff and celebrate. I guess that isn't a bad thing, just seems really strange. However, I would like to take time to celebrate Thanksgiving - giving thanks to our awesome God for all He is, has done and will continue to do in our lives!!

I am so thankful that I can find such great deals on groceries so that I can feed my family very well on such a little amount of money each week. I am very thankful for the opportunities and friends that He is bringing into my childrens' lives this year. I am extremely thankful for my dear husband and children - my life would seem so empty without them. I am thankful for the friends that God has brought into my life. I am thankful that I can homeschool my kids, even though it makes the finances so tight. I wouldn't trade it for the best salary in the world! My children and the opportunity to homeschool them means more to me than having the means to buy lots of things or afford a nicer house.

Well, the list could go on and on......I am SO VERY THANKFUL for so many things!! God is amazingly awesome and powerful and deserves all of our praise and glory!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

There are some good deals this week, especially if you stack with some coupons! There are also alot of FREE or discounted turkeys, if you spend a certain amount of money at the store. However, Fresh & Easy has Jennie-O Turkeys for $0.37/lb this week again!!! You will certainly not beat this deal this season, unless you spend $100 at a store and get one for free. Not only do I never spend more than $10-15 at one store at one time, I have NEVER spent $100 at one time since I started being so frugal:-) I only spend on average about $40-$50 per week for all of our groceries (including cleaning products, paper products, pet food, etc.). And that includes stocking up on some items (like turkeys last week - I bought 4). So get the good deals and start stocking up on your baking items now while they are on sale and there are coupons, too!

Albertsons
Ground Beef 93% lean 5 lbs or more $1.67/lb
Boneless, skinless Chicken Breast $1.57/lb
5 for $5 Sale:
Del Monte Pineapples
Roma Tomatoes
Large Eggs
Albertsons Cream Cheese
Farmland Roll Sausage
Heinz Homestyle Gravy
Pepsi 2 liters
Green Giant Steamers
Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce

Save $10 Instantly when your purchase $30 of P&G Products

Bashas
Boneless Top Sirloin Steak $1.99/lb (first 2)
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts Buy 1, Get 1 Free
Navel Oranges $0.39/lb
Large Eggs $0.99/dozen
Milk $1.57/gallon
Tillamook Cheese 8 oz. $1.99
Shocker Coupons w/$25 purchase:
Gold Medal Flour 5 lb $1.28
Food Club Sugar, brown or powdered 2 lb $0.88
Nestle Chocolate Morsels 12 oz. $1.48
Blue Bunny Ice Cream $1.99 when you buy 4
Receive $5 off coupon good for next visit when you buy $20 of any of the items listed in a single purchase (see in ad items list)

Food City
Boneless Beef Chuck Steak $1.99/lb
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.49/lb
Bone-in Country Style Pork Ribs $0.99/lb
Mexican Key Limes 3 lbs/$0.99
Mahatma Long Grain Rice 20 lb bag $7.99
Squirt, RC or 7-Up $0.88 2 liter
THURSDAY ONLY:
Cucumbers 5/$1
Green Cabbage 4 lbs/$1
Fuyu Persimmons 4/$1 (what do you use these for???)
Mexican Squash 3 lbs/$0.99

Fresh & Easy
Jennie-O Premium Basted Frozen Turkey $0.37/lb (limit 2)
Ground Beef 80/20 $1.49/lb
All F&E Spices or Extracts 1/2 price
F&E Canned vegetables $0.69
F&E Butter 1 lb $1.99
Libby's Canned Pumpkin 29 oz. $1.99
Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce $0.99
Mrs. Cubbison's Dressing $1.49
French's French Fried Onions 6 oz. $2.49
$3 off $30 coupon in ad

Fry's
Jennie-O Turkey $0.47/lb (limit 1)
93% lean ground beef $1.97/lb
Navel Oranges $0.47/lb
Kroger Deluxe Ice cream $1.88
Campbell's Chunky Soup or Saltines 10/$10
Milk $1.47/gallon
Kroger Butter $1.88/lb
Fry's Vegetable Oil 48 oz. $1.99
Shelled Walnuts or Almonds $2.99 12 oz.
Mega Event: Buy 10 items, Save $5
Kellogg's Cereal $1.99
Cheez-It $0.99
Coke 2 liters $0.89
Kraft Shredded or Bar Cheese 16 oz. $1.99
Heinz Ketchup 32-26 oz. $1.49
Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce $0.89
Carnation Evaporated Milk $0.49
Nestle Toll House Morsels $1.99
Lay's Potato Chips $1.77
Del Monte Tomatoes $0.49
and much more!!

Pro's Ranch Market
Bone-In Chicken Breasts $0.98/lb
Tomatoes 3 lbs/$0.99
Bone-In Pork Steak $0.98/lb
Coke 2 liters $0.87
Ground Chicken $1.49/lb
Hunt's Spaghetti sauce $0.99
THURSDAY ONLY:
Marinated Chicken Fajitas $0.98/lb
Pork Spareribs $0.98/lb
Boneless Lean Pork Cushion Meat $0.98/lb
Green Cabbage 5 lbs/$0.99
Brown Onions 5 lbs/$0.99
Medium Yams 3 lbs/$0.99
Cilantro 4/$0.99
Greens (Collard, Mustard, Texas, Turnip) 2/$0.99

Safeway (all coupons worth $1)
Pork Shoulder Country style Ribs $0.99/lb
Safeway Turkey $0.43/lb w/$25 purchase
HoneySuckle White Turkey $0.79/lb w/$25 purchase
Lucerne Milk $1.49/gallon
Saturday & Sunday, If you Spend $50, you can get the following FREE (w/in ad coupons):
1 dozen Large Eggs
64 oz. 100% Orange Juice
Safeway Bacon 12-16 oz.
Safeway Raisin Bread or English Muffins
Get a $5 Reward Coupon when you spend $25 or more in participating products in a single transaction (see ad for list of items)
Buy 4, Save $4 Mix n Match sale (see sales ad for item list)

Sprouts
Hass Avocados 3/$1
Rocky Jr. Whole Chicken $0.99/lb
Navel Oranges $0.77/lb
Lettuce (red, green or romaine) $0.88 each
Cauliflower $0.99 each
Roasted Almonds $3.99/lb
Cheese Fest: Colby Jack, Sharp, Pepper Jack and cheddar $2.99/lb

Well, that's the best for this week that I can find. Have a happy shopping trip and use those coupons, too! It's amazing some of the deals you can get, if you take a moment to use the coupons on top of the sales.

Happy Grocery Shopping!

The Truth About Bread

I have been asked to put together some information about bread, whole wheat, and why I grind my own wheat into flour to make my own bread. So I thought this would be a good forum to share some of this information.

First of all, we have to understand that bread (made from the whole wheat grain) is almost the perfect food. Of the 44 known essential nutrients needed by our bodies and naturally obtained from foods, only 4 are missing from wheat - vitamin A, B12, and C, and the mineral iodine.
As long as bran is intact and grain kept relatively cool, dry and rodent or bug free, these “seeds” will store indefinitely with no nutrient loss. Once broken open, as in milling, many of these nutrients, now exposed to oxygen, are lost by oxidation. In fact, once milled, as much as 45% of nutrients are oxidized in first day alone. In 3 days, 72 hours later, 90% of nutrients are lost to oxidation alone.

In 1876, the first light white French rolls were exhibited in France. The Governor of Minnesota was in attendance and determined to bring this to America. White flour is where they have separated the bran and germ, leaving only the endosperm. This new white flour was storable and could be shipped long distances without becoming rancid.

Disease and illness related to vitamin deficiencies rapidly increased. Beriberi and pellagra (2 vitamin B deficiency diseases) and anemia became so prevalent that health officials urged the milling industry to return the bran and germ to the flour. However, millers had developed a lucrative market for the “by-products” of the milling process - chicken and cattle feed! So instead, they chose to “enrich” the long lasting white flour.

But here is the fallacy of enrichment: when you compare whole wheat bread to enriched bread, you can see that they failed miserably with replacing most of the nutrients. Because I don't know how to adequately add a chart to my blog, you will have to look at the numbers following each nutrient. The first number is the quantity in Whole Wheat Bread (made from freshly ground wheat), the second in White Unenriched Bread, and the third is White Enriched Bread.

Nutrient Whole Wheat White Unenriched White Enriched
Calories 400 455 455
Protein (g) 16.0 13.1 13.1
Fat (g) 2.4 1.3 1.3
Carbohydrate (g) 85.2 95.1 95.1
Calcium (mg) 49 20 20
Phosphorus (mg) 446 109 109
Iron (mg) 4.0 1.0 3.6*
Potassium (mg) 444 119 119
Thiamin (mg) 0.66 0.08 0.55*
Riboflavin (mg) 0.14 0.06 0.33*
Niacin (mg) 5.2 1.1 4.4*
(Source: USDA Handbook No. 436 *From added nutrients)

Only riboflavin reaches or exceeds original content. Refined white flour is missing up to 80% of the nutrients found in the original wheat kernels. The contents of 22 vitamins and minerals is diminished by 70-80%, and the fiber content is only 7% of original amount. Although protein content is only slightly affected, the nutritional value of that protein is greatly reduced because the essential amino acid lysine is lost. What little vitamin E is left after refining is destroyed when flour is bleached to make it “whiter than white”. Four nutrients - iron and 3 B vitamins, niacin, riboflavin and thiamin - have been artificially added to the refined white product, but some 25-30 have been either drastically or completely reduced.When I bake bread, I use only 6 ingredients: freshly ground whole wheat flour, water, honey, yeast, salt and oil. All of these ingredients are good for your body and your health. There is plenty of good fiber in this bread to aid in your digestive system. I grind my flour immediately before baking bread, so there is protein and all these wonderful nutrients for your body. And best of all, it is light, soft and oh, so yummy!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

Sorry for the lack of postings! I am not convinced that there is really enough interest in this to keep it going, but since a few have mentioned not getting their grocery deals these last couple weeks (and I got my ads early today!!!), I will go ahead and post the deals for this week.

There are a few really good stockup deals, so don't miss this opportunity to get ahead for the upcoming holidays.

Albertsons
Sanderson Farms Whole Fryers (limit 4) $0.48/lb
Pork Loin Chops Family Pack $0.88/lb
Bananas $0.39/lb
Pepsi 12 pack 4 for $8 when you buy 4
Lay's Potato Chips $1.99
Hansen's Natural Apple Juice 64 oz. (limit 2) $0.99
General Mills Cereal 2/$4 and $2 catalina for next visit

In-Ad COUPONS:
John Morrell Meat Wieners (limit 4) $0.49
Top Valu Bacon 12 oz. (limit 2) $0.99
Red or Granny Smith Apples 3 lb bagged (limit 2) $0.99
Reese's, Kit Kat, Baby Ruth, BUtterfinger, Nestle Crunch or Hershey Snack Size 10.5-12.5 oz. $1.88 (limit 2)

Bashas
Boneless Cross Rib Roast (limit 2) $1.87/lb
Split chicken breasts (bone-in) (limit 3) $0.87/lb
Honey Crisp, Red or Gold Delicious, Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith or Gala Apples $0.87/lb
Slicing Tomatoes $0.77/lb
Lay's Potato Chips or Cheez-It Snacks $1.88
Kellogg's Cereals $1.88
SHOCKER COUPONS (with $25 purchase):
Pepsi 2 liter $0.49
M&M/Mars or Hershey's Fun Size Candy Bars $1.48
Langers Apple Juice or Cider 3 liter $1.48

Food City
Boneless Bottom Round Roast $1.99/lb
Boneless Beef Stew MEAT $1.99/lb
Boneless Beef Short Ribs $1.99/lb
Raw Shrimp 61-70 ct. $2.99/lb
Cucumbers 4/$1
Sweet Potatoes or Yams 2 lbs/$1
Avocados $0.49 each
Bosc Pears $0.69/lb
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Beef Back Ribs $0.79/lb
Boneless Beef Bottom Round Steak $1.79/lb
Tilapia Fillets $1.99/lb
THURSDAY ONLY:
White Onions 5 lbs/$1
Green Cabbage 5 lbs/$1
Lemons 3 lbs/$0.99

Fresh & Easy
Pantry Select Hot Dog Buns $0.88
Jennie-O Premium Basted Frozen Turkey $0.37/lb (limit 2)
100% OJ $1.99 64 oz.
Butter $1.99/lb

Fry's
MOONLIGHT MADNESS SALE:
Thursday, Oct. 29th 3pm-9pm
Doritos $1.48 (limit 2)
Nestle, Butterfinger, Crunch or Baby Ruth or Mars Fun Size (first 3) $1.88
Langer's Apple Juice 64 oz. $0.88 (limit 2)
Wonka Candy $1.67 (limit 3)
Gala Apples 3 lbs bag $0.99 (limit 4)
Bar-S Bacon $0.97 (limit 4)
Kroger Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips 12 oz. $0.97 (limit 2)
10 ITEM MEGA EVENT:
Buy 10 Items, Save $5
Kraft Shreded or Bar Cheese $1.99
Brown n Serve Sausage $0.89
Lay's Potato Chips $1.77
Cheez-It or Fudge Shoppe Cookies $0.99
Bumblebee Tuna Pouches 2.5 oz $0.49
Chips Ahoy Cookies $1.99
Kleenex $0.99
Kellogg's Cereal $1.99
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix $0.79
Ricola or Halls Cough Drops $0.50
And MUCH more!!

Pro's Ranch Market
Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs $0.78/lb
Bartlett Pears 5 lbs/$0.99
Avocados 2/$0.99
Brown Onions 5lbs/$0.99
8oz. pkg Mushrooms $0.99
Kiwi 6/$0.99
Pomegranates 2 lbs/$0.99
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Red Potatoes 4 lbs/$0.99
Bananas 4 lbs/$0.99
Seedless Watermelon $0.15/lb
Mexican Key Limes 4 lbs/$0.99
Cucumbers 6/$0.99 (w/in ad coupon)
Gala Apples 3 lbs/$0.99 (w/in ad coupon)
THURSDAY ONLY:
Chicken Wings $0.98/lb
Pork Spareribs $1.48/lb

Safeway
80% lean ground beef $1.88/lb
Boneless Beef London Broil $1.77/lb
Boneless Skinless chicken Breasts $1.77/lb

Sprouts
Red or Black Seedless Grapes $0.97/lb
Large EZ Peel Raw Shrimp 41/50 ct. $2.99/lb
Large Cantaloupes $0.97 each
Hass Avocados $0.69/each
Acorn, Butternut or Spaghetti Squash $0.69/lb
Gala Apples $0.88/lb
Vitamin Extravaganza 25% OFF
Mixed Nuts with peanuts $3.99/lb
Muenster Cheese $2.99/lb

Proud Football Mom

Yesterday, my son finally received his medical release to play football again - with the promise that if he experienced pain he would stop! Well, it happened to be game day and there he is, #68! He played the second half of the game and had no problems (except he is exhausted because he is a little out of conditioning:-).

If you missed the earlier post, he suffered an ASIS Sartorius Avulsion Fracture to his left hip before half-time of the first game of the season. And now there is only one game left - but at least he is getting to play!! And he is happy!! And that makes Momma happy (and worried, too)!

The Season of Thanksgiving

I want to start a campaign to begin celebrating the "Thanksgiving Season" instead of just one single solitary day when we eat a big meal and "give thanks"! People tend to start the Christmas season so early that they just run over Thanksgiving in a hurry to get to Christmas.

Well, I want to begin the Thanksgiving Season when the weather changes and we put out our fall decorations. We should spend time doing crafts and/or taking time to focus on the things we are thankful for and, more importantly, the One we are thankful to for all He has done and is.

My heart overflows with all the thankfulness that I have for all He has done and who He is and how much He loves us!! I wish for everyone to take the next 6 weeks or so to celebrate His goodness and our thankfulness in whatever way they choose. Each day, play some worship songs focusing on thankfulness, take time at one meal a day to discuss His goodness and our thankfulness, decorate with things containing phrases about our thankfulness to God for all He has done and is in our lives.

What do you think? Could we start a revolution? Post your ideas on how we could celebrate the Thanksgiving season longer, post some song suggestions for others to start with and some decorating ideas. All of us together ought to be able to come up with some great ideas to celebrate the Thanksgiving season over the next several weeks!

GIVE THANKS!!

House Hunting in a Crazy Market!!

For months now we have been looking to buy a house. I can't even tell you how many houses we have looked at, but we have an awesome realtor who knows the distressed housing market and is doing everything he can to help us find and buy a house. The really good deals on nice houses are sold in 5 days or less!! Then there are the ones that need ALOT of work. Some of them are still asking too much for us to be able to afford the 203k rehab loan on top of the FHA mortgage. As soon as a house comes on the market, you have to go see it IMMEDIATELY and then make a decision on making an offer within hours in order to even get in the running. And then you may be one of up to 14 or 15 offers!!! It is crazy!!

We have made offers on at least 5 houses now, and are submitting another offer tonight. We know it is all in God's hands - He will have to make a miracle happen for us to get a house! So when we find one that we like, we make the best offer we feel we can afford, and then just rest in Him. God has a plan and He will reveal and make a way where there seems to be no way in His time and for the perfect house He has for us!!

Anyone else going through this, too? Just interested in hearing what kinds of things you are encountering in other areas.

You, Too, Can Have a Free Family Movie Night Tonight!

This is the first Monday of the month, so you can rent a free Redbox movie!!! Yeah!! We missed the last one:-) Here is the code: QNGJ7KD Now the question is, "What shall we watch?" Here is the list of movies available now at Redbox.

Thanks to the Krazy Koupon Lady for reminding of this!!! And she has great coupon stuff all the time, if you are interested!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

This week, the deals are a little slim, but some to be had. You can stock up on some goodies at Fry's and Bashas and take advantage of the in-ad coupons at Albertsons.

Albertson's
Strawberries $1/lb
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.57/lb
Boneless Pork Loin Roast (in bag) $1.57/lb
Simply Orange OJ 54 oz. $1.99 w/in ad coupon Limit 2
Albertsons Texas Style Biscuits $0.67 w/in ad coupon Limit 4
Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna, canned or pouch, 2.5-5 oz Limit 4 total $0.50 w/in ad coupon
General Mills Cereal, 9.6-12.25 oz Limit 4 total $1.49 w/ in ad coupon
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix, 8-10 ct Limit 3 $0.88 w/ in ad coupon

Basha's
Cantaloupes $0.49/lb
Carrots $0.49/lb
Cauliflower $0.69/lb
Pork Loin Boneless Center Cut First 2 $1.67/lb
Challenge Butter Selected 8 oz First 4 $0.88 (use coupons and get for FREE!!)
Campbell's Soup Chicken Noodle or Tomato 10.75 oz First 10 $0.49
Progresso Vegetable Classics Soups 10 oz First 10 $0.99
Quaker Cereal (Cinnamon Life 15 oz, Life 15 oz, Cap'n Crunch Berries 15 oz, Cap'n Crunch 16 oz, Cap'n Crunch Peanut Butter 14 oz) $1.99

Food City
Cantaloupe .33/lb
Avocados .50
Green Bell Peppers .25
Apples, Gala .49/lb
Grapes, Red or Green .99/lb
Bagged Carrots 1 lb bag .33
Bone In Chuck Steak 1.49/lb
Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs .99/lb
Bone In Country Style Pork Ribs .99/lb
Bone In beef Chuck Roast 1.69/lb
Tilapia Fillets 1.99/lb

Fry's
Red, Seedless Grapes $0.88/lb
Australian Navel Oranges $0.77/lb
Minneola Tangelos $0.77/lb
93% Lean Ground Beef, Sold in 2 lb chub First 4 $1.67/lb
Beef Bottom Round Roast, Boneless First 2 $1.88/lb
Yoplait Yogurt, 4-6oz $0.50 each
Budget Gourmet Entrees, 7.5oz $0.50 each
Cool Classics Ice Cream Sandwiches, 6ct $1.00
7-Up, RC, A&W or Sunkist, 2 Liters $0.79 each when you buy 5
Betty Crocker Cake Mix, 18-18.4oz First 6 $0.77 each (use coupons for even better deal!!)
Campbell's Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup, 10.75oz $0.50
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, 7.25oz $0.50

Safeway
Navel Oranges $0.50/lb
Beef Ground 93% Lean $1.99/lb
Beef Roast Round Tip Roast $1.99/lb
Lucerne Milk Gallon First 2 $1.39
*Friday, Saturday & Sunday only!
*Chicken Breasts Boneless Skinless Safeway (sold in 4lb bag) $1.79/lb
*Kraft Singles 14.7 - 16 oz First 2 $1.49

Sprouts
Apples- Gala .88lb
Artichokes $1.25ea
Asparagus $1.25lb
Bell Peppers- Red or Gold .88ea
Broccoli- Organic .88lb
Celery- Organic .88ea
Oranges- Chilean Navel .88lb
Pears- Bartlett or Bosc .88lb
Squash- Acorn, Butternut or Spaghetti .69lb
Tomatoes- Hot House $1.25lb
Watermelon- Seedless $2.50ea
Yams- Red or Jewel .88lb
Chicken, Breast Tenders, Boneless $1.88lb

Sunflower Market
Apples- Gala, Granny Smith & Braeburn .49lb
Broccoli .77lb
Lettuce- Romaine or Iceberg .88ea
Onions- Yellow .33lb
Peaches- Utah .99lb
Pears- Anjoue or Red .88lb
Pears- Sweet Asian .50ea
Potatoes- Baking .33lb
Spinach, Fresh Express 9oz $1.50ea
Squash- Acorn, butternut, spaghetti & kabocha .49lb
Tomatoes- Beefsteak .77lb
Yams- Jewel or Garnet .99lb

Happy Grocery Shopping!!

Raising Teenagers

Today, my baby girl turns 13 years old! Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

Wow, now both my kids are teenagers and I am in the midst of raising teenagers. I have heard so many people bemoan the teenage years as the worst time of their lives, but, although there are new challenges, I am enjoying watching my children grow up and become more independent. They are great kids and I enjoy them very much!

We spend alot of time together since we homeschool, but they also have many friends and are great kids - leaders amongst their peers. I hope to always be close to my kids and to enjoy these upcoming teen years as I watch them become the man and woman of God that He is calling them to be. I intend to enjoy my time with them, making the most of every day because we are not guaranteed any certain number of days. They grow up so fast and change every day!

I loved holding my tiny little babies in my arms! I cherished rocking them to sleep and singing lullabys to them. I enjoyed playing with them when they were toddlers and watching them explore and discover so many things. Through some tears and many joys, I watched them learn to read and then learn to enjoy reading!! I have watched them grow and learn, becoming more and more independent each year of their lives. I have watched them in many different situations and have seen how they are discerning and open to hearing God speak to them in a myriad of circumstances. They have given up many things already to follow God's leading in our lives. They have seen God bless them abundantly for their sacrifice and have watched as God has provided for every need in our lives. They have also been blessed when God has also given them the desires of their hearts.

Life has been an incredible adventure so far already! I am looking forward to many more years of adventure with these incredible gifts God has given me in my children!!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

Well, I have resigned myself to receiving my Wednesday mail and sales ads late!!! Almost 5pm yesterday and my son had a football game (just on the sidelines due to injury) at 6pm, so I never got to post this yesterday.

Albertsons
Skinless, boneless chicken breasts $1.67/lb
Pork Loin Roast $1.67/lb
Lay's Chips or Breyer's Ice Cream $1.99
93% lean ground beef $1.57/lb (5 lbs or more)
Assorted Pork Chops $0.97/lb
Gala Apples $0.69/lb
Fresh Baked Cinnamon Rolls 8 ct $2.99

Bashas
Whole Chickens $0.49/lb GREAT PRICE TO STOCK UP!!
Chuck Roast $1.37/lb
Gala Apples $0.49/lb
80% lean ground beef $1.77/lb (4 lbs or more)
Farmland Bacon $1.99
Del Monte Vegetables $0.58
StarKist Chunk Light Tuna $0.58
Willow Brook Turkey Breast (sliced at deli) $3.99/lb
Del Monte Pasta Sauce 10/$10

Food City
Bone-in Country Style Ribs $0.99/lb
Gala Apples $0.49/lb
FUD Chicken Franks $0.39/each limit 6
Dole Juice Blends $1.99
Boneless Beef Stew Meat $1.99/lb
White Onions 5 lbs/$1
Bartlett Pears 3 lbs/$0.99
Lemons 3 lbs/$0.99
Peaches 2 lbs/$1

Fresh & Easy
F&E Pasta 1lb $0.88

Fry's
10 Item Mega Event - $5 off when you buy 10 mix or match
Kraft Salad Dressing $0.99
Kraft Mac n Cheese $0.49
Nestle Tollhouse Morsels $1.99
Ritz Crackers $1.99
Kraft Shredded or Bar Cheese $1.39
Nabisco Snack Crackers $1.49
and much, much more!!
Charmin Ultra Bath Tissue 4 roll $1.88
Large Eggs 1 dozen $0.77
1/2 gallon milk $0.77
Green Seedless Grapes $0.67
73% lean ground beef $0.99/lb (5 lb chub)
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.57/lb

Pro's Ranch Market
Bone-In Chicken Breasts $0.98/lb
Boneless Beef Bottom Round Steak or Roast $1.78/lb
Cantaloupe 4 lbs/$0.99
Tomatoes 2 lbs/$0.99
Jenny-O Turkey Franks 2/$1
El Campero Long Grain Rice 4 lbs $1.39
La Costena Whole Jalapenos 26 oz. $0.99
Peaches 2 lbs/$0.99
Yellow Onions 5 lbs/ $0.99
Celery 2/$0.99
Kiwi 6/$0.99
Radishes 4/$0.99
Broccoli $0.69/lb
THURSDAY:
Bone-in Beef Shank $0.99/lb
Tilapia Fillets $1.89/lb
Chicken Wings $0.99/lb
Boneless Pork Legs $1.29/lb
FRIDAY:
Sunny Delight 48 oz. $0.69
Iceberg Lettuce 3/$0.99
Red Seedless Grapes 2 lbs/$0.99

Safeway
Navel Oranges $0.88/lb
Red, Green or Black seedless grapes $0.77/lb
Fresh Express Salad Blends Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
Campbells Soup - Tomato or Chicken Noodle 2/$1
72 Hour Sale FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY:
Oscar Mayer Meat Wieners $0.99 (combine w/coupon for FREE)
Hass Avocados 2/$1

Sprouts
Roasted Almonds $3.99/lb
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.77/lb
Hass Avocados 4/$1
Bartlett or Bosc Pears $0.69/lb
Gala Apples $0.69/lb
Empress Plums $0.69/lb
Navel Oranges $0.88/lb
Vine-Ripe Tomatoes $0.88/lb
Large Green Bell Peppers 3/$1
Red, Green or Black Seedless Grapes 2 lbs/$3
Whole Cashews $3.99/lb
Colby Jack Cheese $1.99/lb
Wild Pacific Salmon Fillet $3.99/lb
Chicken Sausage (assorted) $2.99/lb
Wisconsin Blue Cheese $4.99/lb

Happy Grocery Shopping!!

Weaning Off of Crutches....Huh!

This morning, I took my son to see the Orthopedic Specialist who diagnosed his avulsion fracture in the hospital 2 weeks ago (can't really be that long, can it?). He was pleased with the progress over the last few days. You see, just two days ago, my son was able to move his leg vertically for the first time since his injury. And this morning, he forgot his crutches when he got up because his leg was working almost normally!! And the pain is almost gone, too!!

Well, he has to go 4 more weeks before beginning Physical Therapy, but this doctor is a real down-to-earth fellow, and he understands that it is next to impossible to keep an athlete off his feet for very long. He realizes that crutches are a pain to handle all the time and he is a realist. He told my son that he could begin to "wean himself off the crutches" over the next 2 weeks or so. And to let pain be his guide - if he feels pain, he is doing too much, needs to use crutches.

The weaning is very quick and short-lived in this house:-) He is loving not "having" to use the crutches around the house. I will still make him take them when we go anywhere and when he goes to football practice each day (only to watch, not participate:-).

We are very thankful to God for touching his hip and bringing about a quick healing! It has probably been much more traumatic for me, the mom, than for my son dealing with this injury. He doesn't like being incapacitated (who does!), but he is very gracious and undemanding. I have to keep asking him if wants/needs anything. I thank God for the strength and patience to deal with his injury. It has been a little overwhelming to me as the parent. I know he is frustrated and disappointed to be unable to play football right now. That is hard for me, too. I am sure you parents out there understand how hard it is to watch our children walk through tough times. I just pray that God will heal him quickly and teach Him gently those things he needs to learn through this time.

Yummy Baked Apple Pancakes for Breakfast

I tried a new recipe this morning and it was scrumptious! Baked Apple Pancakes! It wasn't very hard, took about 20 minutes to prepare and then 10 minutes to bake. Everyone loved it and said I needed to double the recipe! This is definitely a keeper and one that I will make often. I had some Gala apples I wanted to use, so I just went searching and found this recipe over at Recipezaar. Since this is the season for cheap apples, try it for your family!! And sorry, no pics, we ate it too fast for me to even think about photos.

FREE Homeschooling E-Book!!

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Apologies for Not Posting Grocery Deals

I need to apologize to any of you who count on me for your weekly grocery shopping deals list. I didn't get a chance to post it this week because of several things. First of all, last week my son was injured in his first football game of the season (after working hard for 8 months for this day). His injury will take 6-8 weeks to heal and we have been trying to adjust to dealing with this. The medical name for his injury is ASIS (Anterior Superior Iliac Spine) Sartorius Avulsion Fracture. In other words, the sartorius muscle (which is a rather small thigh muscle that runs from the inside of your knee to the outside of your pelvis) tore a piece of bone from the pelvis. Because of his age, it will heal all by itself (bone growing back to bone). However, in the meantime, he cannot lift his leg at all. That little sartorius muscle is the main one that enables you to lift your leg. So he is on crutches, but even that isn't easy since he can't lift his leg off the ground. And he is in constant pain, however it isn't sharp pain, just an ongoing aching - sometimes worse than others. So that has occupied my time and emotions lately.

Also, I didn't get the sales ads on Wednesday until the evening!! I don't know what the deal is, but Wednesdays are the day that the mail comes the absolute latest! Sometimes I think it isn't coming at all:-) So I didn't get to it on Wednesday and then it just slipped my mind (couldn't do any grocery shopping myself because of tight finances).

I sincerely apologize to any of you who may rely on my to provide the best deals! Please forgive me and I will do my best to get back on track next week.

Here are a couple of things not to miss:

Albertsons:
Milk $1.39/gal
General Mills or Post Cereals $1.50
Red, Green or Black seedless grapes $0.79/lb
Coke 2 liters $0.79
Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce $0.99

Basha's:
Milk $1.39/gal
Eggs $0.88/dozen

Food City:
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.39/lb
Bananas $0.33/lb

Fry's:
Milk $1.37/gal
Raspberries 6 oz/$1
Campbells Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup $0.49
Maruchan Ramen Noodles $0.10
Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna $0.47
Kroger Value Sugar $1.69/4 lb
Vegetable Oil 48 oz. $1.99
Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding 4 pk $0.88
Tomato Sauce 8 oz $0.15
Gala Apples $0.77/lb
Bartlett Pears 2 lbs/$1

Pro's Ranch Market:
Green Grapes 2 lbs/$0.99
Bartlett Pears 3 lbs/$0.99
Plums or Pluots 2 lbs/$0.99

Safeway:
Pork Loin Chops $0.99/lb
80% lean ground beef $1.29/lb
Gala Apples $0.69/lb
Lucerne Milk $1.39/gal
Mission Tortilla chips $0.99 (limit 1 - Fri, Sat, Sun only)
Lucerne Cheese slices $0.99 (limit 1 - Fri, Sat, Sun only)

Sprouts:
Goji Berry Trail Mix $3.99/lb (my favorite - been waiting for a sale:-)
Pepper Jack Cheese $1.99/lb

Remember that WalMart price matches, as long as it is the SAME item. So you don't have to run around to different stores to get the deals necessarily.

Hope you have great grocery shopping deals this week!

$25 Gift Certificate for only $1.00!!!!

Restaurant.com is celebrating 9/9/09 with a first-time-ever offer of 90% OFF!! So you can purchase a $25 gift certificate to the restaurant of your choosing for only $1.00!!! You really can't afford NOT to purchase at least one - JUST IN CASE you ever get to go out and eat!!! It's only a buck and there are lots of restaurant options available. But don't wait!!! Restaurants only offer a limited number of certificates, so don't miss out on your favorites.

These certificates are good for a whole year, so you have plenty of time to use them. You can't use more than one per month per restaurant, but you could print several for your favorites and spread them out over the year.

I already went out and bought 3 certificates for "date night" with my husband!!! Check out Restaurant.com for your area and see what restaurants are just waiting to be experienced!!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area - Labor Day Edition!!

Due to this being the week before Labor Day, there are a number of good deals you may want to stock up with this week! Yeah!!

Albertsons (COUPONS: Double up to $0.50, Triple up to $0.33, Quadruple up to $0.25!!!)
Rib Eye Steak $3.88/lb
Large Cantaloupes $0.99 ea
Blue Bunny Ice Cream 1.75 qt. $1.88
Coke 12 pack of cans $1.88 (4)
93% lean ground beef $1.77/lb (5 lbs or more)
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.57/lb
Large Slicing Tomatoes $0.88/lb
Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage, Hebrew National Beef Franks, Ball Park Angus Beef Franks or Hormel Black Label Bacon Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
8 pc. Fried Chicken $3.99 w/in ad coupon
Nathan's Famous Premium Franks Buy 1, Get 2 FREE w/in ad coupon
Butter $1.99/lb

Bashas'
Fresh Pork Spare Ribs $0.88/lb (2)
Boneless Top Sirloin Steak $1.99/lb (2)
Chicken Leg Quarters $0.38/lb (10 lb bag) (2)
80% lean ground beef $1.38/lb
Whole Seedless Watermelon 12-16lb $1.99 ea!!!!(2)
Russet Potatoes 10 lb bag $0.99
8 pieces Fried Chicken $4.99
Hebrew National, Ball Park and Oscar Meyer 50% off
Food Club Cheese (chunks or shreds) 50% off

Food City
Chicken drumsticks or thighs $0.79/lb
Bone-in Country Style Pork Ribs $0.79/lb
Green Cabbage 3 lbs/$0.99
Avocados 2/$1
Dos Ranchitos corn tortillas (30 ct) $1.49
Cucumbers 4/$1
Broccoli or Cauliflower $0.69/lb
Peaches $0.88/lb
Red or Green seedless Grapes $0.99/lb
Tilapia Fillets $1.99/lb
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Beef Back Ribs $0.79/lb
Boneless Top Sirloin Steak $1.79/lb
THURSDAY ONLY:
White Onions 5 lbs/$1
Granny Smith Apples 4 lbs/$1
Bartlett Pears 3 lbs/$1
Jalapeno peppers 3 lbs/$1
Valencia Oranges 3 lbs/$1
Lemons 3 lbs/$1

Fresh & Easy
Oscar Mayer Beef Franks $2.59
F&E Canned Vegetables $0.59
Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns $0.88
Grill Pack(4 Pork Sausages, 4 beef patties and 6-8 pieces seasoned chicken $5.99
Green or Red Seedless Grapes $0.88/lb
$3 off $30 purchase coupon in ad

Fry's - COUPONS: competitors plus Double, Triple or Quadruple Coupons!!
New York Strip Steak $3.77/lb
Pork Spareribs $0.97/lb
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.67/lb
Hebrew National Beef Franks $1.97 (4)
Bar S Jumbo Meat Franks $0.57
Kroger Shredded, Bar or Deli Thin Sliced Cheese 6-8 oz $0.97 (6)
Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce $0.88
Popsicle (12 ct) $0.88
Lay's Potato Chips $1.47 (2)
Bounty Paper Towels or Hefty Storage Bags $0.88
Breyers Ice Cream 48 oz. or Klondike $1.88 (2)
Fry's Water 24 pk $1.88 (2)


Pro's Ranch Market
Chicken Leg Quarters 10 lb bag $0.48/lb
Watermelon 7 lbs/$0.99
Bone-In Country Style Pork Ribs $0.98/lb
Potatoes 10 lb bag $0.89
Bar S Jumbo Franks $0.58
White Onions 4 lbs/$0.99
Mexican Limes 3 lbs/$0.99
Small Hass Avocados 4/$0.99
Carrots 1 lb pkg 3/$0.99
Celery 2/$0.99
BEST PLACE TO BUY FRESH TORTILLAS (corn and flour) and CHIPS!!!!
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Strawberries $0.89/lb
Bananas 4 lbs/$0.99
Tomatoes 3 lbs/$0.99
Pasilla Chiles 2 lbs/$0.99
Red seedless Grapes 2 lbs/$0.99
Asian Pears 2 lbs/$0.89
THURSDAY ONLY:
Cornish Game Hens $0.98/lb
Pork Spareribs $1.48/lb
Tilapia Fish Fillets $1.98/lb
FRIDAY ONLY:
White Corn on Cob 4/$0.99

Safeway
(couple of good in ad coupons)
Ribeye Steak or New York Strip $3.77/lb
93% lean ground beef $1.99/lb
Boneless Beef Chuck Steak $1.99/lb
Avocados $0.77 ea
Tomatoes $0.77/lb
Hamburger/Hot Dog Buns $0.89

Sprouts
Avocados 2/$1
Sweet Corn 10/$2
Fresh Green Beans $0.99/lb
Large Vine-Ripe Tomatoes $0.99/lb
Cantaloupes $0.99 ea
Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese $3.99/lb
Raw Almonds or Walnuts 16 oz bag $3.99
Oldtyme Natural Steak Roundup 40% off
Hulled Sunflower Seedss $1.99/lb
Hansen's Natural Soda 6 pk 2/$4 (also coupon in Sunday paper)

Could you please leave a comment if this weekly post is helpful to you in your weekly grocery shopping??? I would sure appreciate knowing that it is being helpful to you!

Happy Grocery Shopping!! and Happy Labor Day!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

Want to get this out to you so you can take advantage of some of the Wednesday Specials, if you want. Not the greatest week for deals, but there are some good ones to take advantage of when you are shopping. Skinless, boneless chicken breasts are the best deals this week, so stock up! Couple of good deals on corn on the cob, too. And the best fruit deal seems to be Bartlett Pears this week.

Albertsons
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.57/lb
Colorado Sweet Corn 6/$1 (limit 6, so you might have to go twice)
Bounty Basic Paper Towels (8) or Charmin Basic Bath Tissue (12 big rolls) $3.99
Breyer's Ice Cream $1.88 1.5 qt.
Lay's Potato Chips $1.49
Pork Spare Ribs, Buy 1, Get 2 FREE ($3.99-$4.99/lb original)
Fresh Baked French Bread 10/$10
Pita Breads 10/$10
Baked Fresh Cinnamon Rolls, white-iced 4 ct. 10/$10

Bashas'
London Broil $1.67/lb
Country Style Pork Ribs $0.97/lb
93% Lean Ground Beef $1.77/lb
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts - Buy 1, Get 2 FREE
Quaker or Post Cereal $1.39
Red, seedless Grapes $0.77/lb
Navel Oranges $0.88/lb
Tomatoes $0.99/lb
Bartlett Pears $0.88/lb

Food City
Bone-in Sirloin Cut Pork Chops $0.99/lb
Bone-in Split Chicken Breasts $0.99/lb
Peaches $0.88/lb
Bananas $0.33/lb
Red or Green Seedless Grapes $0.99/lb
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Bone-in Pork Shoulder Roast $0.69/lb
Boneless Beef Chuck Steak $1.49/lb
THURSDAY ONLY:
White Onions 5 lbs/$1
Red Delicious Apples 3 lbs/$0.99
Bartlett Pears 3 lbs/$0.99
Valencia Oranges 3 lbs/$0.99

Fresh & Easy
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.67/lb
Orange Juice $1.99 1/2 gallon

Fry's
Pepsi or 7-Up 12 pk $1.97
Organic Red Seedless Grapes $0.67/lb
Australian Navel Oranges $0.77/lb
Kraft Shredded or Bar Cheese Buy1, Get one Free
Doritos $1.88
93% lean ground beef $1.57/lb
MEGA SAVINGS EVENT (Buy 10, save $5):
General Mills or Quaker Cereal $1.39
Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.88
and much more!!

Pro's Ranch Market
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Hass Avocados 5/$0.99
Iceberg Lettuce 3/$0.99
White Rose Potatoes 10 lbs/$0.99
New Mexico Hatch Chiles 2 lbs/$0.99
Carrots 1 lbs bags 4/$0.99
THURSDAY ONLY:
Boneless Lean Pork Stew Meat $0.98/lb
Boneless Beef Shoulder Clod Steak or Roast $1.68/lb
Boneless Chicken Leg Meat $0.98/lb
FRIDAY ONLY:
Bar-S Corn Dogs 3 lb. box $2.99
Hickman's Jumbo Eggs 20 ct. 2/$3
While Corn Tortillas 50 ct $0.99

Ground Beef 73% lean $0.88/lb
Gala Apples 3 lbs/$0.99
Chicken Legs or Thighs $0.78/lb
Bananas 3 lbs/$0.99
Brown Onions 5 lbs/$0.99
Mexican Key Limes 3 lbs/$0.99
Peaches 2 lbs/$0.99
Green Onions 3/$0.99
Fresh Ground Chicken $1.69/lb

Safeway
Boneless Beef London Broil $1.77/lb
White or Yellow Corn on the Cob 5/$1 (limit 10)
Bartlett Pears $0.49/lb

Sprouts
Raspberries 6 oz. $0.99
Broccoli Crowns $0.77/lb
Bartlet Pears $0.77/lb
Large Cantaloupe $0.77 each
Hot House Tomatoes $0.99/lb
Sno-White Cauliflower $0.99 each
Beef Back Ribs $1.49/lb

Walgreens
Eggs, 1 dozen Large $0.99
Kellogg's Cereal 2/$3 w/Register Rewards
Nature's Bounty Vitamins, Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
72 ct. Paper Plates $0.99

Happy Grocery Shopping!