Groceries for 2/23-2/28

I was gone all weekend at a ladies retreat so had to rush my menu planning sunday afternoon when I got home. I was going to LV anyway for a "home engineering" class, so needed to do groceries quickly while we were there so I didn't have to make another trip. Only had time for Winco. Here's what I picked up while my son grinned his cheesy grin at all the employees and other customers.

Sorry, no picture, I'll try to do better next week. I actually feel pretty good about the total this week, and I didn't even get to the liqidator stores where I could have gotten a few things cheaper. I'm pulling a 20 lb turkey out of the freezer this week we got for free from the in-laws so that will go toward most meals. YAY!

Be sure to check out Grocery Cart Challenge where I got the idea to post this kind of stuff in the first place!

Viva paper towels 1.98 (making my own baby wipes this week, so wanted to try a quality brand)
off brand paper towels .58
Cottage cheese 1.83
butter x2 3.96
Yoplait yogurt x8 4.32 (haven't been buying yogurt lately (to much sugar and hormones in yoplait) but it was something different for husband's lunch this week)
till swiss cheese, sliced 2.48
2 jars of baby food 1.32 (it was dinner time... was rushing. I usually make all my baby food)
hunts spagetti sauce .98 (I forgot the one I had at home for the class!)
Ghir chocolate/peanut butter squares 1.49
buttermilk 1.38
4.81 lbs bananas 2.79
2.97 lbs yams 2.61
1.26 lbs bulk old fash oats .53 (making granola bars again!! yum yum)
1.02 lbs bulk ww spagetti noodles .81
.69 lbs bulk ww rotelle .71
1 lb lunch meat (ham) 2.01
1 lemon .48
Lettuce 1.48
green onion .48
2.97 lbs bulk ww flour 1.10
bread 1.38
ww english muffins .98
1.31 lbs broccoli 1.02
.44 lbs roma tomato .43
.14 lbs bulk black pepper .26 (just noticed my receipt says cayenne pepper...)
2.73 lb cantelope 1.86
.04 lbs bulk minced onion .14
.54 lbs yellow onion .26
.02 lbs bulk paprika .08
.02 lbs bulk garlic powder .05
.05 lbs bulk yeast .15
1 bulb garlic .38
5 doz eggs 6.18
1.58 lbs braeburn apples 1.39

SAFEWAY
2 gallons lucerne milk 3.98


TOTAL 52.06

Granola Bars

I found this on recipezaar.com. I'd been wanting to make my own granola bars for a while now, since my husband always needs different things to make his lunch interesting. I love the fact that I know what's in these and they have mostly healthy ingredients. They're a hit with everyone that's tried them so far! I think I'm going to have fun with this recipe, experimenting with different ingredients in the future.


GRANOLA BARS
4 cups oats (old fashioned) I used quick.
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup flax seed meal
1/2 cup oat bran
1/2 cup chopped dates or mixed dried fruit (or combo of both
1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, whatever you prefer)
1/4 cup margarine
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 T flour
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup honey
1/2 t ground cinnamon

1. In a large mixing bowl combine oats, sunflower kernels, coconut, flax seed meal, oat bran, dates, fruit and nuts.
2. In a small sauce pan, melt margarine (or butter) over med-low heat.
3. Add corn syrup, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and honey; stir to combine.
4. Increase heat to med and stir occcasionaly.
5. Meanwhile, spray a 13x9 baking pan with non-stick spray.
6. Measure out a sheet of foil large enough to cover pan.
7. Spray foil with non-stick spray and set aside.
8. Cook corn syrup mixture until it comes to a full boil; let boil for one minute.
9. Remove from heat and pour over oat mixture.
10. Stir to combine (mixture will be very stiff).
11. Transfer mixture into prepared pan.
12. Cover with foil and PRESS FIRMLY.
13. You want the mixture to be as compact as possible.
14. I've even used a small cutting board to help press the mixture firmly and evenly (don't be afraid to stand on it!)
15. When mixture is as firm and even as you would like it, remove foil and let mixture cool.
16. Cut into bars.
17. Note:don't be afraid to add, remove and/or sub ingredients, such as chocolate chips, wheat germ, raisens, anything goes.

Check out Grocery Cart Challenge for more great recipes!