Menu Review Monday

We're still going strong with the Eat From The Pantry Challenge, and while it's been fun I'm looking forward towards the end of the month when I might have to be a bit more creative with our meals. I posted my original month-long plan here, but we've had to make a few adjustments here and there. Here's what we ate this last week:

1/4: We had lefse for breakfast, leftovers for lunch, and tacos with mexican rice for dinner (as planned).

1/5: Breakfast was oatmeal and lunch was peanut butter tortillas with carrots. I made "BBQ" chicken in the crockpot (bone-in breasts with bbq sauce poured in), salad, and cheesy garlic mashed potatoes.

1/6: We made blueberry muffins and cereal for breakfast, then had sandwiches for lunch (pb for toddler, tuna for husband and I). Dinner was a beef stew (made from cheap steaks and the veggies I had on hand) and some homemade bread.

1/7: Breakfast was cereal and lunch was chili (from a can). We had Spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, and the leftover bread.

1/8: Breakfast was eggs and toast then for lunch we had baked potatoes. I had a long day of teething baby and toddler tantrums/potty training so after the husband got off work we took a drive and grabbed some fast food. It was a menu plan fail, but the break was wonderful!

1/9: Waffles for breakfast, mac and cheese from a box for lunch. We took my mom out for dinner to celebrate her birthday (Famous Dave's- yumm!).

1/10: Cereal/oatmeal for breakfast and tuna sandwiches for lunch. We decided to invite some people over for dinner (the husband had to run out for more of the same cut of steak and picked me up a bag of black beans- $6). We had steak (marinated in a garlic/balsamic/Cabernet sauce) and grilled with Hashbrown Casserole and a salad (brought by the friends). It turned out to be a pretty good dinner.

Redbox: FREE rental code (through Monday)

For a limited time only, enjoy a FREE one-night rental when you use promo code RBXLUV10 at any redbox nationwide. Hurry — this offer expires at 11:59 PM Central on Monday, January 11, 2010. To see what movies are currently available, or to find a location near you, visit Redbox.com.

La Victoria Salsa

EDIT: It has come to my attention that the way in which we obtained this coupon is not the way in which La Victoria meant for us to get it. Please do not try to get more coupons and if you have some you haven't used yet, toss them!

January Shopping Trip 1

In case you all haven't heard yet, I'm participating in a month-long Eat from your Pantry Challenge. So far, it's going really well. Except that as of dinner time tonight we were down to half a gallon of milk, and in this house we can go from half a gallon to NONE practically overnight (no joke- we've run out before between the time I go to bed and the time I wake up). Clearly, we needed to head out before this happened, mostly because the toddler doesn't handle "we're out of milk" well. Both boys were sleepy/cranky so I sent the husband with a list and some coupons- and he did really well!

Safeway: $19.07 spent, $22.90 saved (55%)

• 6 gallons of milk: $11.94
• Seattle's Best Coffee: $3.49 (after $1.50 coupon)
• 4 boxes GM Cereal: -$2.28 (after promo, ecoupons, two $1 printables, and one FREE item coupon)
• Eggs: $2.29
• Sour Cream: $1.49
• Bananas: $1.32

Okay, so the coffee doesn't follow my rules, but the cereal overage almost offset the cost and I'm nearly out. Hopefully, the amount of milk we bought will last for a while- it's easier not to shop when you're not going to the store in the first place!

Garlic Herb Braid

Although I have more crescent rolls on hand then I think anyone needs at once, we decided to whip up another loaf of bread because it's yummy and we (we being the toddler and I) decided it would go well with stew. It tastes best warm, but it's easy to make in the afternoon and stick into the oven to warm right before dinner. The toddler had a great time punching the dough.
Plus, it's super easy! (As in I don't even have a bread machine!). Here's the recipe:

4-4 1/2 cups flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
2 pkgs. quick-rise yeast
2 tsp. dried basil
1 3/4 tsp. dill weed
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
3/4 cup milk (2%)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 egg
1 Tbsp. butter, melted (to brush on after baking)

In a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and seasonings. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, water, and butter to 120-130 degrees. Add to dry ingredients, beat until moistened. Add egg; beat until smooth. Stir in enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough. (As in, start with 2 1/2 cups and then add up to 1/2 cup more if needed).

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic (about 4-6 minutes). Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Divide dough into thirds. Shape each into a 15inch rope (squeezing and pulling worked best). Place ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 25 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until loaf is golden brown. Brush with melted butter.

Buy One, Get One FREE Ski Pass wyb gasoline at Shell

This looks like a great way to save some money if you're planning to head up to the mountains anytime soon! Shell is currently running a promotion in which if you buy $10 worth of gasoline, you'll receive a voucher good for a FREE adult ski lift ticket when you purchase a second adult lift ticket.

The Coupon Project has all the details for you!

PUR Winner

The winner of a new PUR Pitcher, in celebration of Summit on the Summit, as selected by Random.org is:

Poster #4: Heather

I will be emailing you shortly to get your information! Congratulations! Thank you to everyone else who played along and helped spread the word!