Wednesday Whip-Ups ::: Meal-In-A-Box

This one is kind of a no-brainer, as it comes from a box, but I really love eating the Old-El-Paso Taco Bakes!

Here's What You Need:

(1) Old El Paso Soft Dinner Kit = BOGO at Publix this week
(1) lb Ground Beef = $1.99/lb at Bi-Lo this week
(1) Can Busch's Black Beans
(1) 1 Jar Mild Pace Chunky Salsa: BOGO at Publix
(1) Can Refried Beans: Sale at Bi-Lo this week
(1) 8 oz Bag Shredded Cheese: Publix Brand $1.66/ea this week
(1) Breakstones Sour Cream: BOGO at Publix this week

Here's How To Make Them:

1. Cook ground beef and drain
2. Follow directions to add seasoning
3. (My Additions) add 1 can black beans, 1 jar mild salsa, and 4 oz shredded cheese to meat mixture
4. Arrange and cook according to directions
5. Top with sour cream, refried beans, and eat! YUM!

These are really great meals for when you need to whip something up in a hurry.

Wednesday Whip-Ups ::: Strawberry Smoothies

Today's recipe is my very own strawberry smoothie. These smoothies are very healthy compared to purchased smoothies that contain lots of sugary juices and other random stuff.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 Carton Strawberries: $1.50 @ Walmart
• Yogurt (Plain or Flavored) (Cups or Large Carton): Publix Yogurt $.40/ea this week
• 1/2 Crystal Light On The Go Go Drink Mix: BOGO @ Publix this week
  (Or I like the Wyler's brand ($1 every day at Walgreens) Sugar Free Lemon Berry Squeeze)
• 8 oz Water: Free ;)
• Snack Sized Ziploc Bags
• Freezer, Blender, Microwave

Here's how to make them:

• Wash & slice strawberries
• Fill snack sized Ziploc bags about 1/2 full (should make a couple of bags)
• Fill other baggies 1/2 full with yogurt
  (You can skip this step for smaller containers of yogurt- ie 4 oz YoPlus)
• Freeze bags strawberries and yogurt overnight
• Microwave 1 bag strawberries and 1 bag yogurt for 30 seconds
  (If you froze a small container of yogurt, be sure to take the foil lid off first!)
• Contents should be frozen, but slightly softened
• Empty into blender
• Add 8 oz water and 1/2 packet of drink mix
  (I just make the entire packet in a water bottle, and save the other half for the next day)
• Blend until smooth
• Pour and enjoy!

I like to freeze a ton of the ingredients at a time, that way I can enjoy one whenever I feel like it. Add other fruits to satisfy your tastebuds!

Wednesday Whip-Ups ::: Pillsbury Pizza

Hello and welcome to my first 'Wednesday Whip-Ups'!

Meals can be so expensive these days. Many families are trying to eat at home lately in order to save money, but even then it can be quite costly. I try to plan our meals around what is on sale each week, so every Wednesday I'm going to feature a recipe or meal that can be concocted mainly from sale items, and I'm inviting you to do the same.

Wanna' share a recipe or meal idea? Here are the rules:

There is no price limit to your recipe, but the bulk of the ingredients must be on sale. (I'm not going to go as far as saying every spice you use must be 1/2 off or anything, but you know what I mean :D)

Your recipe can be anything - a dessert, breakfast, snack, dinner, whatever!

If you can, please share with us a.) where the ingredients can be found on sale, b.) if there are any coupons that go along with the ingredients, and c.) the recipe!

My meal for this week is really simple and cheap!

Pillsbury Pizza and Salad

INGREDIENTS (all can be found on sale at Publix this week!) (view coupon match-ups HERE & HERE)

Pizza:
1 Can Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Crust ($1.66 w/o coupon)
1 tbsp Dry Basil Leaves
1/2 Cup Ragu Tomato Pasta Sauce ($1.64/jar w/o coupon)
1/3 Cup Kraft Shredded Parmesan Cheese ($1.66/bag)
1 Cup Kraft Shreddd Monterey Jack Cheese ($1.66/bag)
2 Cups Kraft Mozzarella Cheese ($1.66/bag)

Salad:
Et Tu Spinach Salad Kit ($1.25)

DIRECTIONS

	If using classic crust: Heat oven to 425°F. Spray or grease 12-inch pizza pan or 13x9-inch pan. Unroll dough in pan. Starting at center, press out dough to edge of pan. If using thin crust: Heat oven to 400°F. Spray or grease 15x10-inch or larger dark or nonstick cookie sheet. Unroll dough on cookie sheet. Starting at center, press dough into 15x10-inch rectangle.
	Sprinkle dough with Parmesan cheese and basil. Top with provolone, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Drop pasta sauce by spoonfuls over cheese.
	Bake classic crust 12 to 18 minutes, thin crust 10 to 14 minutes, or until crust is deep golden brown. Cut into 4 servings. Serve with salad.

Ok, now it's your turn! If you have a recipe that you would like to share, just leave it in a comment below!