Bargain meal of the week

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This week's Hy-vee bargain meal of the week.

I was walking around the hall at work today when I recipe idea came to me today. This is easy and tasty. I apologize I didn't write down the source of this recipe...

Taco Skillet

1lb hamburger, browned ($1.99)

1/2c salsa ($2.50 for entire jar)

1/4c water (free!)

12 tortillas - cut into 1 inch squares ($1.28)

1 can tomato soup

After hamburger is browned, combine all ingredients in skillet. An easy way to cut up the tortillas is to use a pizza cutter. Also I'm pretty certain I just use a package of tortillas, whether that is 8 or 12 (I think the whole wheat ones I usually buy come in packages of 8).

For more Bargain Meal ideas, head over to $5 dinners.

House of Germs

What a week we had here! Bodie started off last week (a week and a half ago now) running a low temp, prompting us to get calls from school on Wednesday and Thursday about him, and having him sent home on Thursday. He didn't act sick beyond a fever so we let it go and, although he was very well behaved, he kept losing his appetite and sleeping a lot. So on Monday he went to the doctor and was diagnosed with strep throat. Curt mentioned to the pediatrician that he also wasn't feeling well and the doctor had a look at Curt's throat, then suggested that Curt visit his doctor as well. Later that afternoon Curt go the same diagnosis as Bodie. Then Tuesday afternoon I started not to feel well and Wednesday morning I learned my fate was the same - strep. Barrett had been fussy and eating less but we knew he was teething (it has been going on for months now). Wednesday and Thursday his teachers called to tell us that he had thrown up (although they didn't think it was illness related) and on Thursday he was also running a fever of 101.4. So back to the doctor we went, and Barrett had an ear infection. So we were 4 for 4 this week. Thankfully we are all into our courses of antibiotics and everyone is feeling much better. Barrett was so happy today, it is nice to see him getting back to his old self. He did throw up during dinner (after coughing). The pediatrician thought the vomiting was due to a combination of not feeling well and teething. We go back on Friday for his 9 month appointment(!) so we'll talk to him about it then if it isn't better.

On the teething front, Barrett has gone from 0 to....wait for it...3! teeth in one short week. He has one of the middle bottom one and the outer top ones (like a vampire). No wonder the poor guy was so miserable.

Independence Day

Last night we were outside enjoying a beautiful evening. Bodie was standing at the door whining about something he wanted inside and couldn't get the door open. I kept ignoring him until he started playing with the PediPaws, when I had to go stop that and see what he wanted. I realized he was saying he wanted bread, so I opened the door and let him inside. I followed him into the kitchen, where he promptly turned around and tried pushing me out of the room, declaring "I do it myself". Well, OK then. I stood in the doorway while he got a chair from the dining room, pushed it to the kitchen counter, opened the bread package, grabbed the slice I'd tried giving him at dinner which he decided he didn't want at that time, closed the package, and headed back outside. I guess he just doesn't need his mama like he used to.

Bargain meal of the week

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I'm glad that an actual recipe came to mind as I flipped through the Hy-vee ads this week. But of course I cannot find the recipe, so here is my improvised version of it.

1 package chicken ($0.88/lb)

1 bottle bbq sauce ($1.28)

Put ingredients in crock pot and cook on low 6-8 hours. You can also add a package of onion soup mix or a can of pineapple (which was the recipe I was looking for). I'm pretty sure with the can of pineapple I add the pineapple and then about half of the juice mixed with a little brown sugar. But plenty of times we have just done chicken topped with barbecue sauce in the crock pot and it is very easy and tasty.

For more Bargain Meal ideas, head over to $5 dinners.

Because I haven't written enough random blogs

• Yesterday I took Barrett to the doctor for his eczema issues. We were prescribed a higher strength of hydrocortizone (which when I got to the pharmacy found out it was actually OTC). He looked a lot better tonight but of course all the ladies at daycare had their opinions of what is wrong with him: He might be lactose intolerant! He could be allergic to wheat! Definitely an allergic reaction! Maybe it is from Bodie's old clothes you took out of storage! I know that everyone means well. I'm not convinced it isn't some sort of allergy. I did stop eating citrus fruits and stopped giving Barrett mango because I thought our mess started when we both were consuming citrus frequently. However, it is been close to a month now that we've refrained and there isn't much change. We go back to the doctor in 2 weeks for Barrett's 9 month appointment (!) and I'll ask the doctor then what the likelihood it is something he is allergic too. Yesterday he only asked if I noticed it flare up after certain foods, but there doesn't seem to be any pattern that we can find (because it really is always flared up).
• Last night I was in a bit of a hurry to get Barrett's crib sheet on and get Barrett to bed. When I went upstairs to put the sheet on, Bodie followed me upstairs and started messing with the vacuum (undoing the cord, stringing it around everywhere). After I got the sheet on, I turned around to see the mess and under my breath muttered that I had that all put together and he'd messed it up. I wasn't even sure Bodie heard me since I wasn't really saying it for any one's benefit, just for my frustration. Sure enough after I went down to get Barrett and come back upstairs, Bodie had put the cord on the vacuum perfectly. I can't even say how nicely it was done...probably nicer than I usually do it and much nice than Bodie ever has. Made me feel bad for being frustrated in the first place.
• A good friend of Curt's was in a bad motorcycle accident this morning. Sounds like he is going to be ok though. I guess he was "sorting out the cattle" and hit a hole in the pasture. The clutch or handlebar went into his leg, coming about 1/8 inch from his femoral artery. Thankfully his "hired man" was with him and phoned for help. The helicopter came and got him to the hospital just in time. He had surgery today and seems to be recovering. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
• I'm heading for a girl's weekend with some friends over the weekend. I'm having some anxiety over my flying so I'd appreciate any thoughts and prayers that I'm safe. I'm very much looking forward to getting away for a few days and hope Curt survives being a single parent for a few days :).
• I feel there is more but it escapes me. I'll write more random thoughts in the future I'm sure.

Bargain Meal of the Week

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Still not overly impressed with the Hy-Vee, although I haven't been too motivated in the kitchen lately so maybe I'm just not seeing what is there. Hopefully some of the other bloggers have better ideas than mine this week.

This is one of my favorite burger recipes. You can make it with hamburger or it is good with ground turkey as well. Also, it makes a lot (8) burgers so you can cook and freeze them or plan to use them in lunches during the week.

Turkey Spinach Cheese Burgers

2 lb hamburger ($3.18)

1 10oz package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 envelope onion soup mix

1 cup cheese ($0.67)

buns ($0.97)

Mix all ingredients (it is easiest just to use your hands). Form into 8 patties and cook until well done. Serve on bun.

I've found that these really seem to taste better cooked on the Foreman grill, instead of our regular grill. They seem to get a bit crispy cooking on the gas grill.

For more Bargain Meal ideas, head over to $5 dinners.

*sorry for the lack of formatting. Blogger isn't listening to what I'm telling it to do :)

Bargain Meal Recipe Updates

I want to write a quick post about a couple of the recipes I'd posted for the Bargain Meal of the Week, but had never actually tried myself. Thankfully they both turned out to be pretty yummy. Last week we made Beefaroni and Skillet Pork Chops with Potato and Onion.

I was afraid the Beefaroni would be too plain but it was great. The only changes I made was cooking a chopped onion with the hamburger and I added a lot of Italian Seasoning. It was a hit with Curt and I. Bodie seems to be in some sort of anti-pasta phase so he didn't have much, but I'll definitely make it again.

The Pork Chops were also very good. Curt made this so I know that the recipe was followed exactly...he doesn't deviate unless I instruct him to :). I guess we did deviate slightly because we only used 2 pork chops, 2 potatoes, and 1 onion. Bodie is in a pro-pork chop phase so it probably would have been ok to make a 3rd chop, but I had them frozen in packages of 2.

I can now officially recommend both of these recipes. Happy cooking!!

8 months

Barrett turned 8 months last week. I feel like I never write about him, but in reality Bodie is the one that just does so much these days. Anyway, Barrett now claps and just yesterday he started trying to wave bye-bye as we left school. It was adorable watching him concentrate on trying to move his hand just right. Then at dinner I told Curt about it and he got Barrett to do it over and over again. He isn't crawling yet, which really is making him mad. He'll push himself around backwards and also get up on all fours for a moment, so I have a feeling his time will come soon. He thinks his older brother is about the most entertaining person around. It is amazing to me to watch the two boys together. Bodie is a wonderful big brother. He knows just what to do to make Barrett laugh and also does the silliest baby talk to Barrett. I've never noticed that Curt and I do a lot of baby talk but Bodie will just take some non-sense phrase and baby talk it to Barrett. A common one while we are in the car is "you have my old car seat...you have my old car seat" which is followed by "you laughin...you laughin" all said in smiley, happy baby talk. I try to get this on camera but whenever I pull out the camera Bodie wants on the other side to see the pictures being taken.

Bargain Meal of the Week

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I feel like I've been grasping at straws recently. I guess I need to think more outside the box when it comes to this feature...

Simmering Chicken Strawberry Kabobs
1 cup lemon juice
2 (8 ounce) cans pineapple chunks, juice reserved ($0.98)
salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (3 spices for $2)
3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
1 cup butter, melted (2 8-21oz tubs for $4)
2 tablespoons brown sugar ($1.18/2lbs)
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (3 spices for $2)
24 large strawberries ($1.18/lb)

In a shallow glass bowl combine lemon juice, juice from pineapple can, salt, pepper and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Mix together. Add cubed chicken and marinate for 1 hour in the refrigerator.

Preheat grill to medium heat. In a small bowl combine the melted butter or margarine, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg.

Lightly oil grate. Using metal or soaked wooden skewers arrange chicken, pineapple chunks and strawberries on each stick (approximately 4 to 6 pieces of each item per skewer). Brush kabobs with butter or margarine mixture place on grill and cook, turning on all sides, until chicken is cooked through and strawberries are sizzling. Approximately 8 to 10 minutes.

I sort of feel like I am cheating with this since the kind of chicken breast you would use for this isn't on sale. Maybe you have a pack stored away or you can find a good price on a package in the store.

For more Bargain Meal ideas, head over to $5 dinners.

Bargain Meal of the Week

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First here is my Bargain meal of the week (then I'll have a surprise snack of the week).

We have a cookbook called 4 Ingredient Recipes that I just love. Everything we've made out of it has been really good, and with only 4 ingredients it is very easy also.

Onion Baked Pork Chops

1 Envelope Onion Soup Mix
1/3 c plain dry bread crumbs
4 pork chops, 1 inch thick*
1 egg, well beaten

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. In a small bowl, combine soup mix and bread crumbs. Dip chops in egg, then bread crumb mixture, until evenly coated.

2. In lightly greased 13x9 inch baking or roasting pan, arrange chops.

3. Bake uncovered 20 minutes or until barely pink in center, turning once.

*I have never used 3lbs of pork chops when making this recipe, and it probably wouldn't qualify as a Bargain Meal if you did (at least with the Hy-vee sale this week). I just use the amount of meat I need, which would be 2 or 3 pork chops (Bodie seems to love pork chops lately).

Bonus Snack Recipe...I love this recipe, and could eat it all day long. I am thinking of making it for Easter Sunday since I gave up pretzels and crackers for Lent (seems like an odd thing to give up but with a 2 year old in the house I was always mindlessly munching on things like that).

Pretzel dip recipe

3 pkg. 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 stick butter
1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Original
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese (dry)

Empty cream cheese into large bowl. Wash cream cheese containers, dry thoroughly, grease with butter and dust with coarse ground black pepper**.

Beat above ingredient. Press into containers. Serve with pretzels.

For best results: if dip has been refrigerated, let set out for 5-10 minutes before putting it on a plate - it comes out of the container better when it's not really cold.

**Or to make things easier just mix everything into 1 larger container, no need to grease or put pepper down first.

For more Bargain Meal ideas, head over to $5 dinners.