Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you all know about TLC's newest reality show, Extreme Couponing and the buzz that has come from it. I've been waiting a bit to share my opinion on the show, only because it requires a longer stretch of uninterrupted thinking time than my four kids usually allow me! I seriously must be one of the only bloggers and coupon commentators out there who love the show (or else will actually admit to it). I think it's great! Yes, it's dramatic and yes, it's a bit unrealistic. But I am so excited that the show has brought what I call strategic couponing to the reality-show-lovin'-public. And I'm thrilled that you all Keep Reading
Extreme Couponing: My thoughts and a bit of a surprise…
Making couponing work: How I fit deals into my week
The most commonly asked question asked at my Strategic Couponing class is this: How do you practically plan and execute shopping trips? It's very difficult for beginners to visualize how to do multiple transactions and how to make this work during their week. I thought it might be helpful to give you a quick glimpse at my "deal" trips this week. First, it's important to note that I make a distinction between "deals" and "regular" shopping trips. My "regular" trips are usually to WinCo and I am buying only what I will need in the next four weeks at the most. I buy generic and typically don't use many manufacturer's coupons as WinCo's generic prices Keep Reading
Menu Plan Monday
This week's menu is brought to you by Kimmy: I live in Portland with my hot hubs and am a SAHM of two wonderful, wild kids. I love to play with family and friends, go on dates with the hubs, cook, coupon, read, play violin, watch movies, and travel. I have a food blog: www.kimmykitchen.blogspot.com. MONDAY: Mexican Lasagna, Southwest Rice and Bean Salad TUESDAY: Beef Stroganoff, Roasted Veggies - sliced parsnips, carrots, zucchini, summer squash, and mushrooms. Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. Season with seasoned salt or garlic salt and pepper. Cook at 400 for 20-30 minutes depending on how soft you want Keep Reading
Menu Plan Monday: The vegetarian edition!
This week's menu is brought to us by Jessica, a Portland native, former teacher, now stay-at-home mom to 2 girls, ages 2 and 4. They are a vegetarian family, who manages to buy almost exclusively organic produce for less than $80/week, thanks to menu planning and avoiding processed foods most of the time. Jessica loves to cook, and is busy tending her 50+ tomato seedlings for her home garden this summer! MONDAY: Mashed potatoes, garlic green beans and cornbread (I omit the jalapenos) TUESDAY: Tacos -I use a box of mexican Rice-a-roni, doctored with a diced onion, diced red pepper and some chopped cilantro (add just before serving), Keep Reading
The Spring Garden: Journal & Germinate
The Spring Garden Wasn't that 24-hour slice of sunshine wonderful? I know, I know. We're back to good ol' Oregon rain today, but for a brief break we had a glorious taste of spring/summer. My kids played in the yard. I poked seeds into the ground. We lost all track of time. My husband came home. Dinner was... scrambled eggs and toast. Back to those seeds, though. As you know from last week's post on spring gardening, I am determined to expand my growing season on either end of the summertime. I want to tuck seeds in earlier in the spring and harvest plants later in the fall. I have peas, spinach, and lettuce seeds in our raised beds right Keep Reading
Menu Plan Monday
This week's menu is brought to you by Bethany, who lives in Wilsonville, Oregon with her great husband and three stinkin' cute kids. Her time is spent homeschooling two of her kids, blogging, reading, being involved at her church, couponing, and doing all the various things that come with the titles of wife, mom, and homemaker. MONDAY: Chicken brocoli quiche/green salad TUESDAY: Always Taco Tuesday (including yummy crockpot beans & some kind of taco meat with homemade seasoning, both from the freezer) WEDNESDAY: Lentil & ham soup (crockpot) & whole wheat drop biscuits THURSDAY: Cracked wheat & rice pilaf/veggie stir fry Keep Reading
Menu Plan Monday
This week's menu is brought to you by Marissa from Newberg, Oregon. Marissa is a relatively new blogger of 3 months (www.marissasmenu.blogspot.com), going on 12-year wife to husband, a.k.a. Mr. Wonderful, and mother to 3 rambunctious boys. Loves GNO (Girls Night Out) with fun friends, karaoke, pilates, and hot dates with the aforementioned Mr. Wonderful. Does NOT like cooking, but does it anyway. :) Also happens to be gluten-free, as is every recipe. MONDAY: Italian Sausage Soup. Fan favorite. Serve with green salad. Only dirty one pot!! TUESDAY: Yummy Chicken and The Best Ever Green Beans. Close contender for fan favorite. Serve with rice Keep Reading