Coupons – Every Little Bit Helps

These days, every little bit helps.  I’m still amazed at some of the coupon deals that I’ve found.  And, to be honest, still feeling a little naive for having paid full price for so long.  I picked up these deals at Fred’s.  On Saturday’s, Fred’s will double coupons up to .70 cents.  I had six Ajax Dish Liquid coupons for fifty cents each.  So, that was a $1 off.  Well, the bottles only cost a $1 each.  The net was ten cents each bottle for the sales tax.  The Gain Fabric Softener Sheets, Original Fresh, 120-count were $4.30 each, but I had a $3 coupon.  The net cost was $1.70 each with sales tax. The whole trip cost $4 for a total savings of $12! In this week's sale flyer, the fabric sheets are on sale for $3 a box, so I could have gotten those for free if I had waited another week. But, I'm still happy with this shopping trip.
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How did you save money this week?$ 

Sliced Baked Potato

 

When I first saw this potato, I had to try it. I cannot say that this is a faster way to make a baked potato, but it definitely makes it more interesting. At least I thought so until my brother said they looked like bugs. But, if you have little one in your house, I suppose you could decorate these instead of just adding cheese. I changed this a little from the original recipe - click here to see the original.
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Sliced Baked Potato
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4 baking potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash Onion and Herb Seasoning Blend
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Pre-Heat oven to 450 degrees. Wash & scrub potatoes. Slice potatoes, but do not go all the way through - so that the potato looks like an accordion. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake at 450 degrees for 1 hour or until tender. Sprinkle with Mrs. Dash and a tiny bit more olive oil. Bake another 10 minutes or until herbs begin to brown. Serve plain or add your favorite toppings.

Simple Curry Chicken

 

You’ll notice salt is not listed in the ingredients of this recipe.  I don’t normally add salt to this and just sprinkle a little on at the dinner table.  But, if you want, start by adding about a 1/4 teaspoon with the other spices.  Once this mixture cools and you re-heat it, the spices really seem to come alive and I find that salt really isn’t missed at all.  Oh, did I mention it’s great to make ahead of time?  It’s one of those dishes that just gets better with time. And, I see no reason why you could not use leftover chicken.

Simple Indian Curry

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 chicken breasts (boneless)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons Simply Organic Curry Powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger 
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 3/4 cup Coconut Milk
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Cut chicken into bite size pieces and set aside.  In large non-stick skillet, heat oil  over medium heat.   Sauté onion and chicken until onions are tender.  Add garlic, curry powder, cinnamon, paprika, ginger, cayenne pepper and sugar.  Continue to cook another minute, stirring constantly.  Stir  tomato paste, yogurt, and coconut milk together.  Add to skillet. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 25 minutes.  Serve over Jasmine Rice.

 

Free ACCU-CHEK Aviva Meter Coupon

I have two coupons for a Free ACCU-CHEK Aviva meter with purchase of any ACCU-CHEK Aviva test strips (any size). The coupons expire 5/29/2011. If you're interested, please leave a comment below or e-mail me at simplecookery@aol.com. I'd like to see these coupons go to someone who needs them rather than my trash can.
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Also, if you are interested in trading coupons, please contact me. I have several grocery/personal care products/pet food coupons that I'm not going to use.
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Thanks for the repsonse everyone - I've given out all the coupons and don't have any left.

Foodie News: Chopped All-Stars begins March 6th

CULINARY ‘ALL-STARS’ ENTER ‘CHOPPED’ KITCHEN FOR $50K CHARITY PRIZE

Five-Week Primetime Series Premieres on Sunday, March 6th at 9pm ET/PT

NEW YORK – February 1, 2011 – A Chopped event like no other, Chopped All-Stars features unbeatable drama, a $50,000 charitable cash prize and 16 celebrated chefs familiar to Food Network fans. In this fierce five-part competition hosted by Ted Allen, premiering Sunday, March 6th at 9pm ET/PT, four chefs go head-to-head in each round with an unthinkable array of mystery basket ingredients. The champion from each round advances to the finale for a chance at taking home the prize and coveted title. From teething biscuits and rabbit kidneys to dried hibiscus flowers and cobia, these chefs must crank up the heat and get creative to avoid the chopping block. Competitors include Food Network stars like Anne Burrell and Duff Goldman, former contestants from The Next Food Network Star, recurring Chopped judges, and renowned chefs like Anita Lo and Jacques Torres. Judges for this special series include Chopped favorites Alex Guarnaschelli, Marcus Samuelsson, Marc Murphy, and Chris Santos. For more information visit: www.foodnetwork.com/chopped.


“This fierce ‘All-Stars’ competition will feature some of the country’s top celebrity chefs along with viewer favorites from shows like The Next Food Network Star and The Next Iron Chef,” said Bob Tuschman, General Manager and Senior Vice President, Programming & Production, Food Network. “With the stakes so high, these chefs will do whatever it takes, and all for a good cause.”


Episodes include:


Part 1 (premieres Sunday, March 6th at 9pm) – Brad Sorenson, Debbie Lee, Lisa Garza, Michael Proietti

Part 2 (premieres Sunday, March 13th at 9pm) – Anne Burrell, Claire Robinson, Duff Goldman, Robert Irvine

Part 3 (premieres Sunday, March 20th at 9pm) – Anita Lo, Beau MacMillan, Jacques Torres, Nate Appleman

Part 4 (premieres Sunday, March 27th at 9pm) – Aaron Sanchez, Amanda Freitag, Geoffrey Zakarian, Maneet Chauhan

Part 5 (premieres Sunday, April 3rd at 9pm) – Final showdown featuring one winner from each round


Chopped premiered in January 2009 and returned for its sixth season in January 2011. Hosted by Ted Allen, the fast-paced reality series challenges four chefs to turn mystery basket ingredients into an impressive three-course meal. After each course, one contestant gets "chopped" until the last chef standing claims victory. With more than 65 episodes, Chopped consistently ranks as one of Food Network’s highest rated primetime series with a devoted fan following of more than 20 million viewers per month. Chopped and Chopped All-Stars are produced by Notional Entertainment.

Cart Buster Savings Event Winner

The winner is:

Sunflower Sue said...
I love your site. The recipes are great and the give-a-ways are fun. Keep up the good work!

February 25, 2011 12:34 PM
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Congratulations Sunflower Sue! Please e-mail your contact information to simplecookery@aol.com so I can send you the gift card. Be sure to visit my blog again and let us all know how you used the gift card at Kroger!

My thanks to everyone that entered the contest. Be sure to visit Kroger.com/CartBuster to participate in their "Deal of the Day" promotion! During each day of Kroger´s Cart Buster Savings Event, be one of the first 1000 people to click on the deal link and receive a free load-to-card coupon for the featured daily item.
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The gift card, information, and giveaway were provided by the Kroger Family of Stores and General Mills / Nestle / Proctor & Gamble through MyBlogSpark.
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Cart Buster Savings Event & $25 Gift Card Giveway!

It's no secret to my friends that I love shopping at Kroger. Combining sales and coupons make for some great bargains. In addition, I almost always find new products at my local Kroger before I can find them at other stores. And, I'm not the only one. I was at the hair salon the other day and the customer in the chair next to me was talking about trying to find a new product. The stylist suggested she try Kroger, because if anyone has it, Kroger would!
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I was extremely excited to hear about the Cart Buster Savings Event exclusively at Kroger and the Kroger Family of Stores. From February 27th through March 12th, shop Kroger´s biggest-ever promotion and find the hottest prices around on more than 35 brands, across more than 60 categories from General Mills, P&G, Nestle, Pepsi and Kroger Banner Brands. During the Cart Buster Savings Event, you´ll find great savings in almost every department at the Kroger Family of Stores. You are sure to find bargains near you because the Kroger Family of Stores includes Kroger, Ralph´s, King Soopers, City Market, Dillons, Smith´s, Fry´s, QFC, Baker´s, Owen´s, Jay C Food Stores, Hilander, Gerbes, Food4Less, Pay Less Super Markets and Scott´s Food & Pharmacy.
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I want you to be able to enjoy this great savings event. I have a $25 Kroger Family of Stores gift card that you can use on the great savings available during the Cart Buster Savings Event! Entering is easy:
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1)Leave a comment below & tell me how you love to save money on groceries
2)If you are a follower of this blog, you will automatically receive an additional entry.
3)Link to this blog post from your blog or website for an extra entry
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The gift card, information, and giveaway were provided by the Kroger Family of Stores and General Mills / Nestle / Proctor & Gamble through MyBlogSpark. The giveaway will end at midnight, February 27th and I'll post the winner on February 28th.
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Here's a short list of the brands included in the Cart Buster Savings Event:

Multigrain Cheerios
Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Pillsbury
Betty Crocker
Hamburger Helper
Yoplait
Progresso
Totino´s
Green Giant
Cascadian Farm
Tide
Charmin
Bounty
Pampers
Pantene
Crest
Iams
Febreze
Old Spice
Bounce
DiGiorno´s
Nestle Toll House
Juicy Juice
Coffee-Mate
Edy´s
Stouffer´s
Lean Cuisine
Hot Pockets
Nestle Candy
Purina
and many more!
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Looking for even more ways to add money to your pocket? Visit Kroger.com/CartBuster to participate in their "Deal of the Day" promotion! During each day of Kroger´s Cart Buster Savings Event, be one of the first 1000 people to click on the deal link and receive a free load-to-card coupon for the featured daily item.
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This contest has ended. The winner is:

Sunflower Sue said...
I love your site. The recipes are great and the give-a-ways are fun. Keep up the good work!

February 25, 2011 12:34 PM

Congratulations Sunflower Sue! Please e-mail your contact information to simplecookery@aol.com so I can send you the gift card. Be sure to stop back my my blog and let us all know how you used the gift card at Kroger!