Fast and Cheap

Sound like a typical movie plot lately? Well, that's not what I meant here.

I am talking about the whole meal I made that only cost me LESS than $3.00! It fed all 4 of us, plus leftovers!

BRAISED BEEF RIBS w/ ROOT VEGGIES over GARLIC COUSCOUS

I found the great looking meat on Manager's Special corner in Kroger yesterday. It had a higher MS price tag of $4.63 than the original $2.56 so I inquired at the Butcher Shop and lo and behold, gave it to me for $1.53! Since I don't use a lot of meat, total score!

I needed and bought broccoli, milk, apples, marshmallows and bread. I spent a total of $10.62!

Braised Beef Ribs w/ Root Veggies

1 lb. beef ribs

3 med potatoes, peeled and cut into big bite pieces

1-4 small carrots, peeled and cut same as potatoes

1/4 large onion

Saffron

Beef Broth- 1 can

Basil, Oregano, Garlic powder, Paprika- 1 tsp. each

2 cups water

1 T veg. oil

1/2 lime juice

Worstershire sauce- 2 tsp

S&P

Nutmeg-pinch

In a deep pan or dutch oven, brown ribs on both sides. Then set aside.

Assemble ingredients for broth. Do not add nutmeg, potatoes and carrots yet.

Put ribs back in and braise for 45 minutes on Med High.

Adjust salt then add in the root veggies and nutmeg.

Braise for another 15 minutes until sauce is reduced.

Garlic Couscous

2 cups of water

Saffron-pinch

S&P

Garlic powder, turmeric- 1 tsp

Butter or margarine- 1 tbsp.

2 cups of couscous

Boil water and spices. Add in couscous, mix in well.

Put lid and kill heat. Wait 5-8 mins and fluff.

So let's see how PRAYS played its part in this wonderful meal.

I only PURCHASED what I needed and can afford.

By REPURPOSING the existing veggies I have, I was able to create a dish I didn't have to fuss over.

ASKING the kids for input helped round out the meal. Kids love to give ideas on food.

In saying YES to their input, we put together a great meal that's already in our kitchen.

SUGGESTING and hinting that you need help with dinner often makes for a better meal plan.

Can you find a great meal in your pantry?

Just Do It!

Happy MET MONDAY to all! Yay, I get to join in again today!

Thanks much to our host Susan of Between Naps on the Porch and for all of you for stopping by.

Oftentimes, it's easier to find a pro or expert to get the job done.

But honestly, where's the fun in that? First, you blow all that money away and all you get to do is choose and wait until it's all done. (Ok, I know that's fun and easy, but you can't outdo being your own Michaelangelo or Rembrandt of your landscape.)

I've been gardening-both indoors and out. But with summer being still too hot, I have to wait until the cover of night to get things done. The other hold up, bugs!

But, gardening takes PLANNING, RESEARCH, ASSESSMENT areas of YARD and once you've done all that, you can then START your vision of your desired landscape!

Here's the BEFORE picture of our front door. See the purple? Totally F-A-K-E!!! The previous owners did not really tend to the yard and often blamed the wind for the dead plants they often end up with. The ground cover is some climbing vine that over run the area and choked the soil.

Also, the main plants around were crepe myrtles, bush and trees alike, pinks- 3 shades! I think enough is enough don't you?

My vision started with wanting a Tropical Landscape; so what's more of an obvious landscape emblem?

Hibiscus of course! I found these big pots of red ones at Walmart for $3, yep, $3! I got two...

My urns were first there and I got these Ixoras at Lowe's a few months ago and are barely holding their own. In the Philippines, a SE tropical country, Ixoras are called Santans and I loved picking these flowers as their nectar is quite sweet.

And so far, here's what my entry looks like. What do you think? Am I headed in the right direction? I did all of these myself. I have the sweat, dirt and back pains to prove it!

I can't wait to add some spider plants, ferns, succulents and some climbing vines.

Start envisioning and with all that savings from not needing extra labor, you can start to enjoy some great accessories and a congratulatory drink! In my case, a nice cold pina colada!

What are your gardening projects?

Kroger Deals- Something FREE

Have you a Kroger grocery store where you are? If so, you are lucky. Why, because they do this "Buy these Get these FREE" promos on a weekly basis.

This week, the deal was Buy a Fajita meat and Caesar Salad kit for $8, get Real bacon bits, a reusable bag, a baguette and croutons for FREE- total $7

So for only $15, I only had to pay $8 and I have a real meal or two to make, but in my case, about three.

-Beef Fajitas and Rice with black beans
-Spaghetti with baguette, Caesar Salad and croutons
-Omelette with bacon bits and spinach

Since I already had all these other ingredients in my pantry and fridge as staples, all these dishes still will just cost me, $8!

PRAYS execution:

PRICE the value of the deal. Will it be a good fit to your normal menu line-up?
ROTATE new purchase with ingredients on hand for the weekly menu.
ASK yourself if this deal can work again. If not, don't get it next time.
YOU should use the new ingredients soon for taste testing with the family.
SET ASIDE the money you saved, put the money in a jar and let those savings rack up!

Eye On Deals

Tonight, though still recovering from major travel fatigue and lack of sleep, we hit the grocery stores to replenish our milk and fruit supplies.

But, as you know, with school just around the corner, deals are everywhere! Such as this:

Kraft Cheeses- Buy 5 Save $5 (You get $5 off next shopping trip)

Kroger Promo- Buy 10 Save $5 (Regularly $2.38 each; Buy 10-$1.88 each)

Right in front of the cheese aisle was the auto coupon dispenser for $1 off 2 pkgs. of Kraft items

So, I bought 10 bags. Here, cheese goes fast so it was already a great deal.

Let's calculate our savings shall we?

$1.88 x 10= $18.80 - $5 coupon= $13.80-$10 NST coupons= $3.80 / 10= .38 (cents) a bag!

PRAYS execution:

PAY attention to the in-store deals. REDISTRIBUTE grocery budget to accommodate unexpected but great deals. Meaning, if you borrow extra money, take off that amount from your next grocery trip. ALIGN your menu to incorporate extra food items bought. YEARN no more for those dishes that can use what you bought. Use and indulge. You were able to afford it this time. STRETCH the deal further by mixing up your menu with items you already have on hand.

Another post up, another dollar saved. Gotta love that!