FREE Grilled KFC Dinner

*Updated 5/7: coupon is no longer available to print.
**Updated 5/8: KFC unable to redeem the free coupons but will offer a "Rain Check".


Alright, I'm not one for KFC and most of you know that. It's just TOO greasy. But now, they're offering grilled chicken. And from May 5-19 you can get a free meal from KFC!! However, the coupon is not valid on Mother's Day. Click here to print your coupon for a free meal of grilled chicken, two sides and a biscuit from KFC!!

Thanks to:
* We Are THAT Family for her frugal Works-For-Me Wednesday tips (Seriously, head over there today, there are a ton of great tips!!)
* Colored With Memories for the link to this great deal
* The Oprah Show for partnering with KFC to feed America

Works-for-Me Wednesday: Meal Planning

Well, I've been promising to put up a post about my meal planning. It really isn't too complicated.

First, I made a list of our favorite meals, main dishes and side dishes. I included the cookbook and page where they can be found, or if the recipe is on a recipe card in my box.

Second, I created a weekly calendar that hangs on my refrigerator door. It has a section at the bottom for "next weeks grocery list."

Third, I created a spreadsheet for the grocery store by aisle. I put all of our "usuals" on the list and nothing "special." That way, I don't get sidetracked and focus on the things we need instead of the things we want. (I'll see the things I want anyway.)

Fourth, I fill in the dates on the calendar and add any evening events that may affect our meal schedule.

Here's the process:

Sunday - usually homemade pizza and a side salad. We have church stuff most of the day so it's an easy homemade meal for us in the evening that doesn't require a lot of time or work.

Wednesday - the little boys and I will have breakfast. We'll choose something like omelets, waffles & bacon, etc. Dad has youth club that evening so he isn't home for dinner. I like to make something easy. And I'll usually do a double batch of Bisquick items (waffles, pancakes, etc) to put in the freezer for another week.

Thursday - date night. My husband and I usually go out on Thursday nights to give me a break from the kitchen. We don't spend a lot when we go out but we make it a priority. Anyway, I'll have leftovers or sandwiches ready for the kids, or some nights they'll get something "special" like hotdogs (since we rarely ever have those around because of my food allergy).

So, those nights are covered. That leaves Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Not too bad.

Next, I'll look at the calendar and see if we have anything going on the rest of the evenings. Twice a month we have small group on Tuesday, so either I'm cooking for a large group, or we eat at their house. And if there's a sports event for the middle school or high school I'll factor if we have to eat early, take something along, eat there, or eat when we come home. That determines how much time I have to cook something. And if there's anything else going on that will change a meal-time, I'll add that to the list.

Then I look at our tried-and-true recipe list. I try to vary the beef and the chicken. Sometimes it's vegetarian and sometimes it's fish. About every week or every other week I add in something new (probably a recipe out of my Food Network Magazine, Cook's Country Magazine, or from one of your blogs). That way, we don't get too sick and tired of the food we eat at home.

Then I fill out the master grocery list. I put on all the meat, most dairy, some fresh, and all of the non-perishables. Then I look at the weekly needs and add it to the bottom of my weekly calendar that hangs on the fridge. I can add items that we need to that list throughout the week, if we run out of cinnamon for example.

This is what it looks like for the next two weeks:

Sunday, February 22
Side: dessert
Main: appetizer x2 (layered taco dip, Chex and City Mix)
Veggie:
Oscar's Party

Monday, February 23
side: potato chips
main: BBQ sandwiches (cook the roast on Saturday and shred the meat)
veggie: cole slaw
AMS BB 8th 4:30p
Jess TCHLTB meeting at 6:30p

Tuesday, February 24
side:
main: leftovers
veggie:
Jess gone for baby shower

Wednesday, February 25 - new recipe
side: breadsticks-Mrs. D's recipe (freeze half)
main: penne w/ white beans and baby spinach-Short Stop's recipe
veggie:
Youth Club
Hubby's mom in town

Thursday, February 26
side: "potato ole's"
main: tacos
veggie:
Hubby and I gone until Saturday 1pm
Grandma to sit

Friday, February 27
side: chips
main: hotdogs
veggie: veggie sticks (celery, carrots)
Hubby and I gone until Saturday 1pm
Grandma to sit

Saturday, February 28
side: breadsticks (in freezer)
main: spaghetti
veggie: side salad

Grocery List for Next Week:
potatoes
P's apple sauce

-----------------------------------

Sunday, March 1
side:
main: homemade pizza
veggie: side salad

Monday, March 2
side: baked potato
main: porcupine meatballs
veggie: dilled corn
meal delivery (double batch for dinner)

Tuesday, March 3
side:
main:
veggie:
meal at growth group

Wednsday, March 4
side: toast with homemade strawberry jam
main: omelets
veggie:
Youth Club

Thursday, March 5
side: cheesy potatoes
main: baked ham and cheese buns
veggie: peas
Date Night

Friday, March 6
side: baked sweet potatoes
main: beef wellington
veggie: fresh green beans with toasted almonds

Saturday, March 7
side:
main: leftovers
veggie:
TCHLTB - Jess gone

Grocery List for Next Week:
sweet potatoes
onion
celery
carrots
milk

As for saving money during this process, I just save by sticking to my list. I'll also check the ads before I get to the store to see if anything I want on the list is on sale or if there's a coupon. If there's a really good deal, I might stock up on something (10# 93% lean ground beef for $2.79/#). Sometimes I might alter my list if there's a good deal and change things around. I always make my list in pencil so I can move meals around if I want to or add something different.

Hope this helps...as I write it out it seems more confusing that it really is.

For more Works-For-Me Wednesday tips head over to Rocks In My Dryer.

Works-for-Me Wednesday: Reheating Popcorn

We don't go to the movies much anymore. Usually it's hard to find a babysitter so we can eat dinner and see a movie because it gets kind of late. Also, going to the theater is expensive. We do have a "dollar theater" in town that plays movies that aren't in the regular theater and they're not released on DVD yet. It's only $2 to get in, but there's still the time factor. And then if you want popcorn!! YIKES!! That can get spendy fast!

What we've been doing is getting a movie from Redbox for $1 a night, or using the codes for a free movie on Mondays. Then my wonderful husband will stop at Target, if I remind him, to get a bag of popcorn for $0.50 or so. Yumm! It's just like the theater's popcorn. Popcorn is my favorite snack so sometimes I ask him to grab two bags and save one for later in the week. I keep it in the paper sack and then put it in a zip-lock bag. Later in the week, I'll line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, set the oven to 250 degrees and pour my popcorn onto the baking sheet. You bake it for about 10 minutes and Voila! you have that movie theater popcorn all over again. It really is good!!


For more Works-for-Me-Wednesdays head on over to Rocks in My Dryer.

Easy Garlic Bread

There's nothing like having garlic bread with your pasta and salad. This has become our favorite quick and easy garlic bread because it takes no time and it's inexpensive.

Easy Garlic Bread

hot dog buns, frozen
butter or margarine
garlic powder
garlic salt
Parmesan cheese
mozzarella cheese (for cheese bread)

Line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Cut hot dog buns in half and spread with butter. Sprinkle garlic salt, garlic powder and Parmesan cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for about 5 minutes (may have to broil to get edges crispy).

I usually stock up on hot dog buns when they're on sale and keep them in the freezer. This is a great way to make garlic bread because you can make just a few or a bunch. It's a great quick fix!!

Fazoli's Italian Revolution

Do you like free food? I know I do. I was riding past Fazoli's the other day and they had a banner outside that said: Join the Italian Revolution at freespaghetti.com. So I went and signed myself up for a free spaghetti dinner...and all the free breadsticks I want.

Fazoli's is also a great way to eat out frugally. When my husband and I go there, we use our Super Saver's Card that the high school youth group sells for a fundraiser. With that card you get a free side salad or a free lemon ice. We usually choose the free salad and split it. We also split a baked spaghetti and munch on lots of bread sticks. If we're splurging, we'll share a soda. It's a yummy, cheap way to eat out on a date.

Join the Italian Revolution today to get your plate of free spaghetti.

Hobo Dinners

This is something we have for dinner almost once a week. It's good, it's easy, and I usually have all the ingredients on hand.

Hobo Dinners
serves 4

4 large rectangles of aluminum foil
1 lb lean ground beef
Lowry's Seasoning
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 cup frozen peas
4 potatoes, sliced thin
1/2 onion, sliced thin

Season ground beef with Lowry's and form into 4 patties. For each piece of aluminum foil layer: potato, hamburger patty, slices of onion, carrots and peas. Wrap each piece into a little packet. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Yum!

Easy Pasta Casserole

1 lb penne pasta, cooked
4 eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
3 cups Mozzarella
1 jar spaghetti sauce (we like Ragu's Mama's Special Garden Sauce)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs and mix in Parmesan cheese and salt. Pour over hot pasta and mix until all pasta is coated. Pour pasta mixture into greased 9x13 pan. Pour spaghetti sauce over pasta mixture and top with cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes and broil until cheese is golden brown (about 2 minutes).

This recipe can be halved and baked in a pie plate and you have Pasta Pie. You can substitute any kind of pasta for the penne. I use penne because it coats well with the egg mixture and the spaghetti sauce gets down into the pasta better. You can also add 1/4 to 1/2 lb of pepperoni before topping with cheese.

Quick and Easy Chicken and Rice

1 to 1/2 lb chicken breast, cubed
2 cups Minute Rice (brown or white)
2 cups water
1 cup milk
1 stick butter or margarine, melted
1 package dry ranch dressing mix

Preheat over to 375 degrees. Grease 9x13 pan. Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Pour into greased pan and bake for 45 minutes.

This recipe is from my friend, Beth. She served it to us for dinner with a side salad and beer bread. I like this recipe because I usually have all the ingredients in my pantry and freezer. No special trip to the store. Yay!!