Click here to sign up for a FREE sample of Burt’s Bees Sensitive Daily Moisturizing Cream.

(Thanks The Centasable Shoppin!)

You may have read here about our recent Zaycon Foods purchase of 20 pounds of ground beef.

We also purchased 15 pounds of bacon. Purchasing the meat in large quantities enables us to spend less per pound. Preparing the meat ahead of time enables me to have quick and easy meals on the table without much effort.

So here’s a look at what we did with all that meat.

DAY 1

Step 1-Chop a whole lot of onions.

Rather than doing hours of work on one day, I prefer to break up my freezer cooking. On Day 1 (in preparation for “cooking day”) I enlisted my teenage son to chop 5 medium yellow onions and two small red onions. Once the onions were chopped, we placed them in a closed container in the refrigerator.

(Note: Unless you are a true fan of onions, be prepared with a couple of boxes of baking soda to counteract the lovely aroma in your fridge.)

DAY 2 

Step 2- Prepare Bacon (skip this step if you are only preparing ground beef).

We have a family of six and usually eat two slices of bacon in one meal, so I divided the bacon into twelve slice stacks and put the stacks in a freezer zipper bag. I put four stacks in each bag because I wanted the bacon to freeze separately so that I could remove each stack easily when I am ready to use it.

The bacon strips were actually too long for the bag, so I cut off the ends and fried them to use in Crustless Quiche (recipe here) later in the week.

Step 3- Brown the ground beef.

I sauteed the onions in oil and added the ground beef when they were just translucent. I can cook 5 pounds of meat at a time in this skillet, but I had to stir it often to get it all browned. I also added 1/2 tablespoon salt.

(Note: The onions and ground beef may or may not have been cooked in aforementioned bacon grease, but because bacon is not politically correct I may or may not confess whether or not this actually did occur.)

(note to self: clean stove before taking picture.)

I came up with this contraption to drain the ground beef. You can read more here.

Step 4- Package the ground beef.

Once the ground beef has cooled, I place it into a freezer zipper bag, remove all the air and roll it flat with a rolling pin. (You can watch a video here to see how I do this.)

I place the flattened bags on a cookie sheet so they freeze flat, which enables me to stack them in my freezer to conserve space.

For dinner, I break off half of the ground beef in the package, allow it to thaw for an hour to an hour and a half, then cook it with taco seasoning for recipes like taco salad, oven tacos and beef burritos. I can add it to spaghetti sauce to serve over pasta or to make lasagna, or I can make a quick breakfast scramble with eggs, ground beef and cheese or make a pot of Crockpot Chili.

For only a couple of hours of work, I now have most of the prep work done for about 8 meals. That’s Easy Meal Planning!

Check back tomorrow to see what happened on Day 3 with the other ten pounds of ground beef, as well as some easy ground beef recipes!

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Easy Valentine Ideas!

In case you missed this earlier, click to print a $1.25 off one Alexia item coupon. Use this coupon at Target for this deal:

Buy 1 Alexia Sweet Potato Fries or Onion Rings for $3.09
Use the $1/1 Target coupon plus
Use $1.25 off one Alexia item coupon
$.84 per bag after coupons

You can also use these two coupons at Publix if Target is a competitor in your area.

(Thanks, My Frugal Adventures!)

Click here for more great coupons!

Click here to get an adorable Tiny Prints Valentine for just $.99! 

You can choose the “Send it to me first” shipping option and receive the card for only $.99cents or choose “Mail it directly to the recipient,” for a small fee of $.44 for postage. Use promo code DODVDAY at checkout.

This deal is valid until midnight tonight 2/7/11!

Click here to get your card! 

*You can also get 20% OFF V-DAY COLLECTION (INCL. GREETING CARDS). Just click the link and use promo code: LOVE20. This promotion also ends today.

Note: I have received some reports that this offer has expired, but others have been able to get it, so you may want to try.

Click here to request a FREE Subscription to ‘Better Homes & Gardens’ magazine! To register you will need to enter your employment information, but there is a ‘homemaker’ option (choose ‘Other’, then select ‘Homemaker’). Be sure to select “No Thanks” for the special offers.

(Thanks Freebie Shark!)

photo credit: CookiesandCups.com

Shelly from Cookies and Cups just posted this adorable idea for a Valentine’s party! Click here to get all the directions.

Take Ten^TM-Improve your life ten minutes at a time!

“The key to success whether you are trying to lose weight, break a bad habit or save money on your grocery bill is to consistently apply small changes over time.”
p. 27  Save More, Clip Less

One way I incorporate this principle of small changes over time is to choose a weekly project to work on ten minutes a day. Knowing it’s only ten minutes helps me to get started–even if the project seems overwhelming at first. Working on the goal daily helps me to develop discipline (hate the word, love the effects!).

Last week I told you that I would be spending ten minutes a day on my hall closet disaster. I was totally unmotivated to do anything with it, but I did clean and organize my pantry.

I didn’t think to take a “before” shot because it wasn’t the “official” project-haha! Let’s just say it was a jumbled mess.

I added the purple bin (which I emptied in a recent de-cluttering mission) to hold our collection of potatoes. I noticed that they spoiled faster if I left them in the bag, so I am letting them have some room in this bin.

I also added the cardboard box to hold some loose items. It’s not ideal, but until I get a little extra money for some plastic bins it will at least keep things organized.

This week the hall closet will have to wait again because I’ll be spending ten minutes a day getting our tax information organized. It is all in one folder, but I have to pull a few things together.

Would you like to join me in a ten minute a day project this week?

Choose an area you want to change or a project you have procrastinated on starting.  When you decide what your Take Ten^TM project will be, you can leave a comment on this post to let us know what you’re planning–the more the merrier!

*By the way, if you are doing your taxes yourself there are two FREE online resources: Turbo Tax and H& R Block (click to read more).

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FREE Printable Planners

Click to print a coupon for $1.00 off 2 Right Guard TD5 deodorants. This deodorant will be Buy 1 Get 1 Free at Walgreens starting 2/19, so you might want to print it now and save it for the sale.

Click here for more great coupons! 

[I posted this earlier, but I wanted to remind you about the 100 FREE business card deal from Ink Garden. If you order today, you can get these cards in time for Valentine's Day.]

Ink Garden has 100 Business Cards for only $4.99 shipped! Use coupon code: 100FREE for one-sided cards and use code: 100FREE2 for 100 Free double sided business cards.

Choose a fun graphic for the front. Add your child’s photo to the back.

Cut a small slit in the middle of the card & insert a lollipop for fun customized Valentine’s cards! Or tie the cards to a cute candy bag (click here)!

Click here to order, then follow these steps:

(The directions are easy to follow on the site, but for those of you who like step by step instructions read below.)

To Get Started:

*Click the “ARTS, PHOTO & DESIGN” category on the right. A new screen will pop up with pictures of business cards.

*Click a card that has the basic design you want to use (top photo with text underneath, photo on left with text on right, etc. I used the “Photo Double Ring” with Becky Kulka on the card.)

*Click the purple “CUSTOMIZE NOW” Button.

*Choose a design for the back (I chose the option with the photo on top and the text underneath) and a new screen will pop up for you to customize the card.

[Click the tiny icon view of the card (bottom left of card you are working on.) to switch from the front of the card to the back.]

To customize the front of the card:  

*Delete the image on the card and customize. I clicked the Clip Art & Backgrounds Tab on the top left and chose FOOD & DRINK and then BAKED GOODS & DESSERTS for the cupcake logo.)

*Click all text except for  ”Full Name” and click “delete” under the card.

*Type your text and choose your font style and color.

To customize the back of the card:

*Click the “PHOTO & LOGOS” tab on the top left. Upload your child’s photo and drag it to the back of the card.

*Add your text. Change the font style and color using the tabs at the top.

To Order:

*Click “Approve and Order”

*Choose 100 for $11.99

*Use code 100FREE2  in the “Gift Certificate/Coupon” field. Your total should now be $0.00.

*Fill in your information. You will be charged $4.99 for shipping.

Awesome customized Valentine cards for less than you would pay at the store for the regular ones!

(Thanks to Savings Addiction for the original idea)! 

Click here to go to the TUMS Freshers Facebook page. “Like” them to get a FREE Tums Freshers sample.

 (Thanks Freebies for U!)

Click to print a $.30 off 4 oz. or larger HARIBO product coupon. The Haribo Gummies are priced around $1.00 at Walmart, Target and other stores so only $.70 after this coupon!

Our Simple Gluten Free Weekly Menu. You can check out our family’s $100 Budget Weekly Menu here. These are the adjustments we make for my daughter with a wheat allergy.

Don’t forget to enter the Kettle Cuisine Giveaway here!

BREAKFAST

Crustless Quiche, cherries

Veggie Scramble, Easy Baked Apples

Chex Cereal with milk x2

Yogurt with blueberries

French Toast (Udi’s Gluten Free bread), bacon

Oatmeal (Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Pancake Mix)

LUNCH

Turkey Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese, pickle*

Chebe Bread Pizza, green pepper slices x2

Apple Sandwiches, raw carrots with ranch dressing x2

Quesadillas (corn tortillas), apple slices with cinnamon

Turkey Lettuce Wrap, raw broccoli and carrots with ranch dressing

DINNER

Mango Salsa Chicken, rice

BBQ Pepper Jack Bacon Burgers, Home Fried Potatoes

Potato Soup with bacon and shredded cheese

Steak and Peppers, rice (Delicious Steak Marinade recipe)

Oven Tacos, Broccoli Slaw Salad

Pasta with sauce, garden salad (Jovial GF Pasta)

Breakfast for Dinner: Scrambled eggs, bacon

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FREE Menu Planners

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GF Recipes

For more menu ideas, check out OrgJunkie Menu Plan Mondays.

Catch up on some great posts and information from earlier this week while you enjoy your coffee! (Click each purple link to read more!)

GIVEAWAYS

Kettle Cuisine Review (and Giveaway!)

And The Winner of the $100 Giftcard Is…

GET ORGANIZED

Take Ten: More Stuff I Don’t Want To Do

Get Organized: More Time Tips

SAVE MONEY

Deals

Amazon: Charlie Brown Valentine DVD $9.49

Mamasource: National Geographic Traveler Subscription Only $6.00!

Coupons

Play-Doh Mega Pack Coupon Still Available!

High Value $2.00/1 Ester C Coupon and Deal!

$2/1 Good Nites & Garnier Deal!

New Gluten Free Coupon: $1.25/1 Alexia Product!

Easy Valentine Napkin Rings

Freebies

Valentine’s Freebies (including FREE pattern for Heart Napkin Rings!)

sneakpeeq: 2 Free Friendship Bracelets + $10 Credit

FREE Samples: Baby Formula, Pain Relief Gel and more!

Bath and Body Works: Send a friend a coupon for a FREE Travel Size Item

FREE Sambazon Juice or Smoothie!

FREE Burger King Onion Rings Feb. 4th & 5th

Red Box: FREE DVD Rental on Valentine’s Day!

Articles

Three Homemade Cleaners I Will Be Trying

DIY Cleaner Update

$100 Budget Weekly Menu 2/3/12

Have You Heard About Zaycon Foods?

Fun Friday Shopping Totals 2/3/12 (Link Up!)

ENJOY LIFE

Yummy Turkey Avocado Wrap

Pinterest Finds: Valentine Edition!

Um, I Think Something’s Wrong…

Purposeful Parenting: Seize The Moment

Site Update!

Show and Tell Saturday 2/4/12

BBQ Pepper Jack Bacon Burger

GLUTEN FREE

Amazon: Kind Gluten Free Bars $1.06 each shipped!

Simple Gluten Free Weekly Menu 1/30/12

BBQ Pepper Jack Bacon Burger Recipe

FREE Kindle Download: Gluten Free Lunches! (FREE for Prime Members)

New Gluten Free Coupons 2/2/12

Have you joined Pinterest yet?

Pinterest is the virtual inspiration board website. Whatever you find on the web, you can pin to your boards*.

Here are our Pinterest finds from this week:

Easy Cream Cheese Cookies

Valentines Day bingo printable, for free!

Quick vanilla frosting. You could even add food coloring for holiday decorating!

Add a marble or ball of tin foil to make heart shaped cupcakes for Valentines day!

Very original and easy valentine heart garland!

You can see all The Peaceful Mom’s boards here.

Did you find anything interesting? Leave a comment and share it with us!

*Note: Be aware that not all images on this website are family friendly. As with other websites, do not let your children use this one unsupervised.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Posted by Kendra

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