ULTA Deal

For my birthday I got a few ULTA gift certificates!  Today ULTA had buy 2 get 2 free on their ULTA brand products!  I was with my family (hubby and kids)  so I had to hurry up sort of.....but it did not take me long to find something I could not live without ;)  I love it all!!!

These lotions were $9.50 each.....They were buy 2 get 2 free plus the Sunday ULTA ad had a 20% off purchase coupon!  These lotions were $3.80 each!  Score!

Publix Deals

Here are my few Publix Deals!  Publix had a $5 off $40 coupon in the Sunday paper (today) and a $10 off $50 Gas gift card which expired today which is a great deal especially with these low gas prices!  Why not get $10 of free gas!  I am always on board ;)  I got random things that I use regularly and only had a coupon or two.  Listed are the coupon/sale items I got:

UDI's Gluten Free Pizza BOGO $6.99 - $1 off each pizza Manuf Cpn = $4.99 for 2/$2.50 each pizza
Organicsville BBQ Sauce $4.99 (Reg $5.55)
Goldfish BOGO = $1.25 each
Think Thin Protein/Snack bars .83
Sweet baby peppers pack $2.49
$50 gas gift card = $40 ($10 in FREE gas)

Costco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So..I have been debating over a Costco membership for months.  I know they carry amazing Organic good for you items and I finally made my first visit to my local Costco store today and I loved it!!!!  I have had a Sam's Club membership for many many years and rarely ever used it.  I shopped around Costco before joining and found that they offer so many more Organic items for a good price.  Yes I joined and I am so happy I did!  Wish I had joined sooner!  

Here are a few things I got today and the breakdown.  I also listed/compared what I normally pay for these exact same items at grocery stores.

Mostly ORGANIC Items:

Nature Made Organic mac n cheese 12 pack $11.99 -$3 Instant manuf cpn = $8.99 (.75 /box)

***Normally $1.50 a box)***

Organic Frozen Green Beans 5 lbs----$6.89 - $1.50 Instant manuc cpn = $5.39 ($1.08 lb)

24 ct-Cage Free Organic Brown Eggs $6.99 ($3.50 dozen)

Organic Grass Fed Beef $19.99 for 4 lbs = $4.99 per lb

***I usually pay $5.99/lb at ALDI***

Raw Unfiltered Honey 2.75 lbs = $14.89

38.5 oz Organic Pineapple, Coconut, Mango, Tequila Gourmet Sauce  $8.99 - $2.50 Instant Manuf Cpn = 6.49 (Great for fish, chops, etc)

1 lb Himalayan pink salt grinder $4.79

Organic Chicken Thighs $15.62 (6-7 pieces total)

Organic Chicken Breast $16.83 (6 pieces total)

Total $99.98

Seems like a lot of $$ at first, however, buying in bulk these items will last me a while!

Other Items I bought..............

48 count-String Cheese  $10.29-$2.20 Instant Manuf Cpn = $8.09 (.17 a piece or $2.02 a 12 pack)

**I usually pay $2.79 a 12 pack at ALDI)

Jimmy Dean Egg White Delights $12.79 - $3.25 Instant Manuf Cpn = $9.54 (.80 each or  $3.20 a 4 pack) ***Publix price 4 pack $6.71***

40 count Capri Sun $6.79 - $1.50 Instant Manuf Cpn = $5.49 ($1.30 a box of 10 ct)

**Usually pay $1.99 --best sale price at Publix**

9-Pork chops (thick) $16.05 - $3.50 Instant Manuf Cpn = $12.55 

5 pack Sirloin Steaks (thick cuts) $25.24

Salmon $17.18 (5 servings)

Total $78.09

Publix Deals

Here are the Publix deals I got last week...............most of these coupons were in the Publix coupon/magazine ad near customer service :)

4-Capri Sun $3.99 - $2 Publix Coupon = $1.99 each

4-Kraft Mac n Cheese 4 packs $3.33 - $2 Publix Coupon = $1.33 each

2-Gevalia Mocha pods and Coffee pods $8.49 - $3 Publix Coupon = $5.49

10-Yoplait Yogurt $1.20 each - $1 off  5 yogurts Publix coupon - $1 Blinkie off 5 = .80 each

2-Chicken Breast BOGO $8.77 for 2 packs

1-4pack Boneless Pork Chops $5.79

2-Chips a Hoy $3.29 BOGO - .75 off 2 = $1.27 each pack

2-Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts $2.00 - $1 Publix Coupon = 1.00 each

2-Crystal Light $3.45 - $1 off Publix Coupon - $1 off Manuf Coupon = $1.45 each

4-Steamfresh Risotto/Veggies 50% off = $1.15 each

Shell Gas Gift Card $50 - $10 off Publix Coupon = $40 (Great deal with these low gas prices)

$58.86 in Grocery Items

$40-Gas Gift Card

TOTAL $98.86

Target Deals

Here are some deals I scored at Target!  I had not planned to do any grocery type shopping but could not pass up these finds :)

Yoplait Greek .71 each

Siggi's Greek Yogurt $1.11

Grassfed Steaks $8.49-$3 off Target Coupon = $5.49 each

Chicken Breast pack $6.99 - $3 Target Coupon = $3.99

Josh Chard Wine $12.99 on sale for $10.99 - $3 off when you purchase any meat item = $7.99

Enjoy Life Bars $2.44

Swiss Miss $1.38

TOTAL $31.53

Paleo Fried Chicken

I have posted this recipe before and it is very good!  In fact I make this 1-2 times per week for our family...the kids love it!  I recently made it for my inlaws while they were here visiting and they also loved it!  It's pretty easy and super tasty!  Thought I would share the recipe again :)

Here is the recipe:

http://paleocomfortfoods.com/in-the-kitchen/fried-chicken-worth-a-cover-shot/

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup coconut oil
2 large eggs
1 cup (150 g) almond flour1 tsp. paprika1 tsp. garlic powder1/2 tsp. salt1/2 tsp. black pepper1/2 tsp. dried thyme1 tsp. chipotle powder (optional)2 pounds (900 g) chicken- thighs, drums, breasts (I use breasts and cut them in half length wise)

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Heat oil in large frying pan to 350F (175C) and preheat oven to 400F (205C)
2. Whisk eggs in medium sized bowl
 3.  Combine all dry ingredients in large bowl and mix well.
4. Dip chicken in whisked eggs.
5. Coat/cover chicken in dry mixture and place in hot oil.  Allow both sides to brown (about 2 minutes each side)

6.  PLace drying rack on sheet pan
and assemble check on the rack so ther is space between all pieces.(I just throw them on a baking sheet lined with alum foil).
7. Put chicken in oven for 10-15 minutes.  Remove and serve.

Tonight's Dinner..Crockpot Pork Roast, Steamfresh Risotto, and Home Made Reese Cups

Tonight's dinner was simple and quick!

Pork Roast
2 cups Organic Beef Broth or Stock
1 Onion, sliced
Bag of Baby Carrots
1-2 Sweet Pot sliced thick
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes

Throw everything in the crockpot
Season pork with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes to your liking.
Cook on low for 5-6 hours

Our side was Steam Fresh Veggie Risotto which I got 50% off at Publix.  Just microwave that baby and 6 minutes later it's ready :)

Dessert was Home Made Paleo Reese Cups!  Pretty easy!  Kids loved them!

Here is the recipe!  I used peanut butter since my kids prefer that over almond butter :)

http://simplegreenmoms.com/simple-paleo-reese-cups/

ALDI Grocery Deals

Here are my ALDI grocery deals this week...............

Cleaning Wipes 70ct   Large $2.99
Alum Foil $1.99
Saran Wrap $ 1.49
Salt and Pepper Grinders $1.39
Grape Tom $.99
Bacon $2.99
Mushrooms $1.39
Trash Bags $4.99
Green Onion $.99
Cheese block $1.89
Cheese Sticks $2.69
Flavored Water $.59

Aldi Organic Deals this week!

Here are my Organic ALDI finds this week!  You never know what ALDI might carry!

Organic Cheddar Popcorn $1.79

Organic Tortilla Chips $1.99

Organic Pancake Mix $1.99

Organic BBQ Chips $1.99

Organic Salsa $1.89

Almond Butter $4.99

Paleo Crock Pot Cashew Chicken

1/4 cup arrowroot starch ( I  accidentally used Tapioca Flour and it was good)

1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 lbs. chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces

1 tbs coconut oil

3 tbs. coconut aminos

2 tbs. rice wine vinegar
2 tbs. organic ketchup (tomato paste would work also)
1/2-1 tbs. palm sugar (I used organic coconut sugar instead)
2 minced garlic cloves
1/2 tsp. minced fresh ginger
1/4-1/2 red pepper flakes
1/2 cup raw cashews

Place starch and black pepper in a large Ziploc bag. Add chicken pieces and seal; toss to thoroughly coat meat.

Melt coconut oil in a large skillet or wok. Add chicken and cook for about 5 minutes until brown on all sides. Remove and add to crock pot.

Mix coconut aminos through red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Pour mixture over chicken and toss to coat. Put lid on crock pot and cook on low for 3-4 hours.

(I cooked on low for 5 hours and burnt some of my chicken so cook for 3 hours only)

Stir cashews into chicken and sauce before serving.

I steamed/sauteed some fresh broccoli with coconut aminos to serve with my chicken!  Pretty tasty!

Whole Foods Deals

Here are my Whole Foods deals from 12/31.  They had a $10 off $50 coupon so I used it twice that day before it expired.  Here is what I got.............

Trip #1

Organic baby carrots $1.69 (best price I have seen around town)
Organic Brown  Eggs $3.99
2-Cans Kidney Beans  @ .89 each
Coconut oil $5.99
Tortilla Chips $2.50
Organic Strawberry Balsamic Dressing $2.99
Izze Sparkling Juice BOGO $4.99 = $2.50 each 4 pack - $1 off each 4 pack = $1.50 each 4 pack (I got 4 packs and my kids love these as a treat)
Organic Romaine Lettuce $2.99 (not a bad price and the heads of lettuce are HUGE)
Milk Gallon $4.15
Large pack of Jam Jerk Chicken Thighs from Meat dept $8.46
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs $8.49

$10 off $50 coupon = $39.71 total

Trip #2

Take and Go Mexican Tex Salad $2.50
Take and Go Honey Mustard and Chicken Nuggets $2.50
Take and Go Leaning Tower of Pepp Pizza $5.99
Large Bucket of Spicey Wings (about 25 ct) $10.00
Green Mountain Salsa $3.99
5-Brown Cow Greek Yogurt $1.00 each 
Large pack toilet tissue $5.99
Raw Coconut Amino's $5.99
Pack of Boneless Pork Chops $8.87

$10 off $50 coupon = $41.48 total

Paleo Crockpot Balsamic Roast Beef and Spinach Parm Quinoa

Tonight's dinner was pretty good!  Here is the recipe!

**The Spinach Parm Quinoa is not Paleo, but it was my side dish and was yummy!

Ingredients

• 3-4 pound roast (I usually use a chuck roast, but any roast works!)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced Garlic
• sliced baby carrots
• sliced bell peppers
• 1 cup chicken or beef stock or broth
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp coconut aminos
• pinch or 2 of red pepper flakes
• sea salt and pepper to taste

1. Place your whole roast in a crockpot fat side down.
2. Add remaining ingredients over the top of the roast. Add additional salt and pepper to the top of the roast.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. You know it is done when the top is browned and the meat shreds very easily with a fork.
4. Remove the roast from crockpot.
5. Blend remaining juices and onion/garlic in the crockpot with an immersion blender for your gravy until you reach desired consistency.
6. Serve gravy with roast beef. If I happen to have chives or parsley growing in my garden, I'll usually snip some off to serve on top of the cooked roast, too.
7. Enjoy!

Spinach Parmesan Quinoa

• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• salt and pepper
• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 2 handfuls baby spinach
• 1/2 cup grated paremesan

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan.  Add onion and saute for 5 minutes.  Add garlic and saute for 1 more minute.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add quinoa and saute for about 2 more minutes.

Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for about 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed.

Add Spinach to quinoa and stir.  Once spinach starts to wilt, stir into quinoa and stir in parmesan.  Serve immediately.

ENJOY :)