Cherry Pickin'

When you begin using coupons, you want to get every good deal there is and build up your stockpiles.

Since we moved here in June, that is what I have been doing. Getting everything that I felt was a good value for the money.

This weekend, as I got busy scouring my grocery ads, one word came to mind: dissapointment!

There is just nothing that SCREAMS, pick me up and take me home!! LOL

At most I have 5 items in each store.

So all of my meals this week will be made from items in my pantry & freezers.

When you stock up and build your own stockpiles, you will get to this point also. It is referred to as "cherry picking". Because you are able to just pick the deals you want.

If you are just starting out on your coupon journey, keep building up your stockpiles. You will get to this point too.

If you have been at it for awhile, I encourage you to eat out of your stockpiles! Pull things from your pantry, or freezer. Try a new recipe. Use those bargains!

I will be sharing my menu later today.

** Make sure to get more than one newspaper today! There is only one small insert but it does have some good coupons. You always want more than one, in case of a good BOGO sale!

Freezer Cooking Friday- produce

(step 1, chopping 'em all up)
(step 2 lay 'em out and put them in the freezer to flash freeze)


(step 3 throw 'em in a labeled ziploc bag/container)


(step 4, sucking the air out. Maybe I should ask Santa for a vacum sealer?)

(step 5)

Did you get a great deal on produce this summer? Berries, peaches, peppers... I love summer time produce. Don't let your deals get wasted!

Berries can EASILY be made into jams, or mixed berry muffins!

Or of course, they can head for our best friend, the freezer!

How to do it in 5 easy steps:

1) chop your produce (I had some peppers that I needed to do something with!)

2) lay them out on a baking sheet.

3)Place them in the freezer to flash freeze, about 2 hours.

4) Label your bag(s)!! Put your produce in.

5) If you don't have a food sealer like your good friend Marie, you do it the old fashioned way! Place a straw in your bag and suck as much air out as you possibly can.

6) OK so technically it is 6 steps but...put it in your freezer!

Later these can be used for stir fry's, frittata, fajhitas, etc. You could also throw in some onions.

**Make a dinner kit by using a basket/bags/gladware and put in a bag of chicken, tortillas (bought on sale/day old bread store)and your peppers are you are all set for fajhitas!

Is there any other "dinner kits" you could put together? Let me know!