Monday's Meal Plan- SOUP

Its sooooo cold here right now... nothing like hot soup and fresh bread on a snowy day!  Homemade soup is not only the ultimate comfort food, but it is usually very inexpensive and can be frozen for an additional meal later.  Many of the recipes I'll be using call for chicken broth as a base.  If you have read along with me for a while, you know that I make my own and keep it in the freezer along with all of my chopped up chicken in individual baggies.  I have lots of canned tomatoes and cheese from the mega event at Kroger, so those will come in handy for a few meals this week.

We started the week with some delicious beef stew- here are the remainder of the days:

Monday: Chunky Potato Soup and Sweet Dinner Rolls
Tuesday: Chili and cornbread
Wednesday: Beer Cheese Soup and french bread
Thursday: Corn Chowder
Friday: Chicken and White Bean Chili


What is your favorite soup for a cold day?

$25 Kroger Gift Card Giveaway!

We are snowed in today here in Tennessee- even church was cancelled!  So I thought I'd start the week off for us with a great giveaway!  How about a $25 gift card to Kroger?!  Thanks to General Mills for providing me with a gift card, info and giveaway through MyBlogSpark!

Here's the scoop.  I'm sure most of you have heard of Box Tops for Education.  Its a fabulous program that allows you to redeem marked box tops for money that will go directly to the school of your choice.  Well they have made it even easier- go HERE to sign up with your Kroger or Kroger affiliate shopper's card. (it's quick)  When you buy specified items, you will earn electronic box tops that will go directly to the school of your choice- and you'll get 5 box tops just for signing up!

You can enter the $25 Kroger gift card giveaway up to 3 different times to win to better your chances. (leave a separate comment for each entry)  The winner will be selected (using random.org) on Thursday, February 4! 

1. Share how Box Tops for Education has helped your child's school OR some basic needs your child's school has that could benefit from this program.
2. Share your favorite money or time saving tip.
3. Subscribe to Seed to Sow or become a fan on Facebook (you'll get 1 email a day with a summary of blog posts- if I don't post that day, you won't get one)  If you have already done this, just let me know!

Babies R Us- $5 e-gift card 1/28 Only!

Go HERE to become a fan of Babies R Us on Facebook and receive a $5 gift card, today (1/28) only!

Thanks Darcy!

$.50/1 Eggland's Best Egg Coupons

Go HERE to see how to get (2) $.50/1 Eggland's Best egg coupons!  This is only valid through midnight tonight (1/24).

Thanks Ambra!

Kroger Deals- Mega Event!! 1/24

The Deals at Kroger this week are really great!  There is a mega event happening which is a "buy 10 (mix and match), get $5 off your order" deal.


Here are a couple of my favs (final cost with offer listed):


Kraft Bars or Shreds, 6-8 oz- $1.49
Sargento Cheese Shreds or Slices, 8 oz- $1.49
$1/2 Kraft Cheese Printable
$1/2 Kraft Cheese in 1/24 SS insert
$.40/1 Sargento Cheese in 1/3 SS2
Final Price: Kraft- $.99
Final Price: Sargento: $.69


Hunts Canned Tomatoes, 12-15.25 oz- $.50
Rotel Tomatoes, 10 oz- $.50
$.45/3 Hunts Tomatoes in 1/24 SS insert
$1/4 Hunts Tomatoes in December "All You" Mag
$.30/1 Rotel Diced Tomatoes in 1/24 SS insert
Final Price: Hunts- $.60 for 3 cans
Final Price: Rotel- FREE plus possible overage (depending on your Kroger)


Birds Eye Frozen Veggies, 12 oz- $1.49
$.50/1 Birds Eye in 1/10 SS insert
Final Price- $.49 ea


Go HERE for more Kroger deals!

Huggies Sunscreen- $3 at Franklin Kroger

Check your Kroger stores for marked down sunscreen.  At the store in Franklin on Murfreesboro Rd, there is a whole bin of Huggies sunscreen for $3 in the Manager's Special section at the front of the store!  There is both the spray and rub on kinds.  I checked the expiration dates and they will for sure get us through the summer.. Great deal!

2 Week Pantry Challenge Update and New Recipe

I know you guys think I'm slackin'! :)  My responsibilities changed a bit over the last couple months and I just haven't been able to blog as much.  As you may have read, I am continuing to develop a series class for women which I'm so excited about, among about 50 million other things!

I wanted to continue my post on our Pantry Challenge for Free Range Chicken.  This is a 2 week Challenge- lasting until February 1.  I did well this week- I needed to pick up 6 loaves of bread since I had a coupon that made them $.66 ea.  Didn't want it to expire before I could make it to the store.  Last night I found myself without parmesan cheese- I asked my hubby to pick some cheap stuff up, but he got my favorite kind (4C- it doesn't have anti-caking stuff or preservatives) for $3.56. :) So my week total is $8.14, leaving me with $31.86 to go towards my chicken!!

Got a little over a week left- this is fun!  I'm going to go with a chicken soup and homemade bread recipe tonight for ease.  

I wanted to share a new recipe I used last night- Chicken Alfredo Pizza. it is such a great pantry meal since I always have chopped chicken in the freezer and milk/butter.  Not the most low fat meal ever, but delicious.  I added Spinach and green pepper to the sauce to make it a little healthier.. so yummy!!

Groupon- 5 Barre Sculpt Classes at Seren Motus Fitness Studio for $22!!!

Local folks, here's a great Groupon for you!  My dear friend Suzanne Bowen is the Founder and Co-Owner of Seren Motus, a Fitness Studio in Franklin.  They focus on the "Barre Sculpt" method which combines dance, yoga, pilates and deep stretching- an amazing workout!!  Today only (for only 9 hours after this posts) you can get 5 Barre Sculpt Classes for $22--- Its a $93 value!!

This is for new clients only, so if you have never been- DO IT!! You will love it!

Go HERE to purchase your Groupon!

Borders- 75% off Toys

Thanks to Lillian for the heads up!

Borders has some toys (including Sprig and Alex) for up to 75% off- there aren't a ton left so check it out quickly!  This is the Borders in Cool Springs.

Monday's Meal Plan- 2 Week Challenge for Free Range Chickens :)

Seems like everyone around the frugal blogosphere is doing "pantry challenges" for any given amount of time.. some 2 weeks, some 30 days.  This is when you spend that amount of time eating out of your stockpile you have accumulated through couponing and deal finding.  These types of challenges are great because it keeps you out of the stores for a bit, gives you a break from couponing and causes more creativity to come out in the kitchen.  Honestly after the holidays, I don't have as big of a stockpile as I normally do, but I need to do a form of the "panty challenge" for another reason.

We have always been good about buying organic when we can and keeping things preservative free.  Also buying local meat and produce is so important to us, but we can't always fit that into our grocery budget.  Well, after watching "Food, Inc.", there is definitely one thing we are making a priority.  Free Range Chicken.  We have found a wonderful local farm with very competitive prices ($2.90/lb).  If you are in TN, you are in luck- you can email Top of the World Farm- topoftheworldfarm @ wildblue. net (take spaces out) to place pre-orders.  Chickens are available starting in April.  I received this from them today in an email re: their chickens.

They're as all-natural as we can get them (I say this because our customers just can't afford organic feed.) We do not feed or administer antibiotics or hormones.  We use Purina Sunfresh Chick Starter and a Game Bird feed when they're older.  They stay in the brooder for 2-3 weeks, depending on the time of year.  We then move them into 'drag pens' that are about 12 feet x 12 feet and 5 feet high.  When the birds are older, we move it twice a day to make sure they always have fresh grass to eat and aren't in a nasty environment.

I need these chickens sooner than later.  My tendency would be to pull from another area of our budget to make this happen.  But I'm going to be good and do it the right way by saving up from my food budget.  The challenge I am taking on is to start now and stay out of the grocery store until Monday, February 1.  (2 weeks)  I haven't purchased anything special to make it through, and I don't have a huge stockpile.  Hopefully the only things I'll need to go in for are milk, produce and a block of cheese.  Since I'll be depleting what we have in our pantry, the other part of the challenge is to only spend my $40 budget for the week of Feb 1st and actually be able to stock back up with that.  This will help me start saving money for our chickens! I do have a meal plan, but I'm not going to post the whole thing, but rather keep you updated daily on what we are eating.

Has anyone out there done a similar challenge?  I'd love to hear about it!

Let the games begin!

Frugal Organizing Idea

I just read a great idea for organizing drawers inexpensively!  Head over to Sheri's Organized Life to see her post on using cereal and cracker boxes to help bring order to your home.  I'd love to add that you can get some really cute scrapbooking paper over at Hobby Lobby or Ross Dress for Less to custom cover your boxes!

Saturday's Seed to Sow- Help Haiti

The disaster in Haiti has especially grabbed my heart.  Haiti was the first place I ever went on a missions trip to when I was 15.  As we flew over with a team on an old World War II plane, the rumbling engines drowned out everything except for my thoughts as I wondered in anticipation for what the next couple weeks would hold.  I knew my life would never be the same!

As we flew over the island, there was almost a perfect line distinguishing the Dominican Republic from Haiti.  The Dominican Republic was lush and green- Haiti looked brown and dead.  That was my first indicator of the desperateness of the people of Haiti.  We landed on a hot sunny day on a small air strip, and walked out the side of the plane down the stairs towards an open air airport under a hut.  On our way to our "home" for the next few weeks crammed in the back of a "tap tap" (cab), the smell of burning sugar cane was unavoidable.. my sister and I were just talking the other day about how consuming that smell is.. and how we could never forget it!  We saw things and people that will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Sorry for the bad pic.. I couldn't get it to scan so I took a picture of the picture to post :)  We were there for a conference of 300 pastors across the country.  They were desperate for God- desperate for God to move in their churches- and desperate to see God change their country.  My life was changed the instant I saw how joyful the Pastors were despite the challenges they faced on a daily basis.  They worshiped with abandonment totally looking past what they saw in the natural.  I became passionate for missions on that trip- It was the first time in my life that I really was able to look past myself at the needs of others.


All that to say- wow.  There is such a desperate need in Haiti right now.  The earthquake has devastated an already devastated country.  The heart of Seed to Sow has always been to save money and in turn we have more to give.  If you haven't had a chance to give to the relief efforts in Haiti, go grab your last grocery receipt.  Did you save money through coupons?  Did you save money through sales?  Could you give a portion of what you saved to the Red Cross?  Lets join together and sow some seed into a nation that needs it... as we create a culture of generosity in our lives, we'll reap a harvest.. and then we can give more.  Don't you love the way God works?  Go HERE to donate to the Red Cross or text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10.

A Few Fun Websites- Earn Free Seventh Generation Dish Soap and More!

Many of you have read my previous posts about Swagbucks and Ebates, Groupon and a few others...well now I have a few more for you :)

Alice.com- As a new customer you'll get $10 when you have spent $50.  One great thing is that they find the coupons for you and apply them to your orders.. no clipping for you :)  You can shop by the best deals and highest coupon values too.  There is no shipping on any orders- I got a $5 giftcard through Swagbucks for my first order with Alice- I applied it towards toilet paper because we needed it, but there are many other great deals to be had!  Here are a few fav's:

• Glad Flexible Straws- $.42
• Suave Deodorant- $.98

Recyclebank- I just signed up and got 100 points for doing so.  You can immidiately use those points for stuff if you want.  I was able to get a free Seventh Generation Dish Soap and (2) $2/1 Cascadian Farms product coupons!

Kashless Earn 300 points each week for saving searches- then redeem those points for prizes through Recyclebank!

• Get your account set up and then click on "Saved Searches" to start saving things you want to be notified about when someone posts it in your area.  (all items on Kashless are free)  You'll get 10 points for each saved search!
• Go to "Rewards" and link your Kashless account to Recyclebank.  This is how you'll get your prizes!  
• You can also earn 10 points for setting up your profile and a few other things.
• There is a referral program, but its not as easy as some.  Go to the Kashless homepage and scroll down.  You'll see an "Invite Friends" tab. You can earn 20 points for each friend you invite!  If you would like an invitation from me, email me at seedtosowblog @ gmail . com (spaces out) and I'll send you an invite.  Do the same with your friends and you'll earn points fast!

Have fun! :)

Tuesday's Timesaver- Entertaining Part 2

I am so excited about this series because as I write these posts about entertaining, I am in the midst of making changes in our lives to be more hospitable.  If you didn't see my first post, go HERE to get some background on this mini-series.

How many of us can relate to inviting people over.. say.. for Friday.  Well today is Tuesday so you make a plan and go to the store Wednesday because you think you want to make Chicken Lasagna.. Thursday you decide baked chicken sounds better and you head back to the store.. Friday you make a run to get the whip cream you forgot for the apple crisp.. and then you send your husband back out right before the guests show up for butter and beer.  Haha, I have been there so many times!  What a terrible use of time and money!

When we approach a dinner with friends the same way we approach our weekly meal planning, there isn't going to be a lot of time or money wasted at the grocery store.  Start with your pantry!! What do you have that could be the beginnings of a fabulous meal for guests?  And as far as money goes, do you know what?  If salmon isn't on sale, you don't have to serve salmon!  You can still work with your coupons and sales to create a meal that fits within your budget.

Of course, you really want your guests to feel honored.  If you are saving time by going to the grocery store only one time that week, you probably will have a little extra time to add a fun touch to the meal.  If you can get cheese inexpensively with a coupon/sale, make some cheese fondue with apples and bread for dipping as an appetizer.  Or make homemade ice cream sandwiches for dessert... how fun is that?!!  It's amazing how one special touch.. place cards, herbs from your garden to garnish a dish, or even just freshly baked cookies and milk can take a meal over the top.

What simple things do you do to add that "special touch" as you entertain?

Monday's Meal Plan

Monday: Bison Meatloaf (got the bison on mgr. special, yay!), mashed taters and salad
Tuesday: Eggplant Parm with Salad
Wednesday: BBQ Chicken Calzones- making enough for the freezer as well- flash freeze them on a cookie sheet before baking-- then put them in a freezer bag for baking later.
Thursday: Dinner with friends
Friday: Chicken Tetrazzini

Breakfasts: Eggs and homemade toast, hot cereal (we have had SUCH cold weather lately!), smoothies, fresh orange juice (loving all the oranges on sale in the winter time!)
Lunches: Chicken Noodle Soup (made from the frozen broth in my freezer), Chicken Salad on Salad, Grilled Cheese sandwiches, PB&J for school lunches, cut up fruit

Free Samples- Purex, Stayfree and Benefiber

** Edit note- Kotex samples just added!**

Here's a few freebies!

Stayfree Sample


Purex 3 in 1 Sample


Benefiber Orange


Kotex Samples- 3 different links: (thanks Happy Homemaker Cindy!)
Link 1
Link 2
Link 3

Get Your Groupon On- Here's the Scoop

I'm sure many of you have heard of Groupon by now- I really just started checking it out about a week ago and bought my first one a few days back.  This isn't just for Nashville, but for many different cities across the US. I am SO impressed with this site!  Groupon offers great ways to save (usually over 50%) on dining, entertainment and more buy "group buying".  There is always a set number that have to be purchased for the Groupon to be "on", but the good ones always pass that minimum number.

Here's a really cool part.  They have a great referral program!  When you sign up, you'll be given a link that comes directly back to you.  When your friends buy their first Groupon through your link, you'll get $10 in groupon credits!  You can use this to buy future Groupons.. how great is that?!  I had a friend (woohoo Lillian!) recently get $40 credited to her Groupon account in one day!

Here's a link to the Groupon for the next day or so.. A GREAT deal on our local Adventure Science Center and Planetarium.  I'll definitely post about the ones I really like in the future.  Get your accounts going, save some money on things you would normally go out and do and start making some Groupon Bucks!

Saturday's Seed to Sow- KIVA- Loans That Change Lives

If you haven't heard about Kiva, you are going to love it!  

Kiva is an organization that "connects people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty."  They find real people- entrepreneurs who are simply short on money and they connect a lender with that person... or many lenders since the funds are given in $25 increments.  How amazing to take $25 and lend it, get it back and then lend it again to see lives change around the globe?! (you also have the option to withdraw the funds)

We did our first one today- it was so exciting to read through the stories of each person and pick one to loan to so they can get much needed supplies to help their business grow.  This is something that many can do, even on a tight budget because Kiva doesn't ask for hundreds of dollars from one person.  It really gives a sense of unity as we all pull together to impact an individuals' life!

Go HERE to get started!!

Valentine's Day- Heart Wreath Craft

If you are looking for a fun, frugal (and easy!) Valentine's project go HERE for a great idea to make a heart wreath.  My friend Mary made one (shown above)- I love it and can't wait to try one!

Old Navy- 75% off Clearance Sale

Woohoo!  Old Navy has started their 75% off sale!  You can shop online or in the store, but if you are shopping online, shop through a rebate program like Ebates.

Have fun!

Groupon- $30 in food for $15 @ the Daily Dish

Go HERE for $30 worth of food for $15 at a fabulous local restaurant!  The Daily Dish here in Franklin (the grassland area) is one of our favs!

Target Clearance- 90% off

Check your Target to see they have their Christmas clearance for 90% off!!  Ours do here in Franklin- over on Columbia they had a bigger selection than in Cool Springs.

Here's what I got for right around $9!!

• 6.5 ft Christmas Tree
• 2 different things of glass ornaments
• ornament hooks
• 2 nicer individual ornaments (orig. $4 ea)
• 3 gift bags
• peanut m&m's
• window clings
• ribbon
• 2 photo ornaments

Tuesday's Timesaver- Entertaining

I want to take a few weeks and talk about entertaining.  Today's post isn't actually going to provide any timesaver tips, per say, but will be an intro for what is to come :)  I get asked a lot about entertaining- how to fit it into a busy schedule and how to do it in a way that doesn't break the bank.

Being hospitable is a big New Years resolution for me this year.  Six years ago we moved into our house-  Hard to believe its been that long!  With the birth of our second child, my husbands instruments and music related stuff, my office and no storage or garage space, we have quickly outgrown our space.  This turned me off to entertaining- Its harder to host families with children and definitely difficult to host a group!  Well I'm saying "no more" to that.  For so long I thought "soon we'll move".  Well its not happening.. our debt HAS to be paid off first and then we can think about moving!  Its time to be content where I am and accept the quirks and craziness that an older home brings.  Everything needs fresh paint, there seems to always be one toilet out of commission and our kitchen floor is uneven, but that really isn't what relationship with others is about. Ya know, the first step to entertaining is to get the calendar out and plan.  I have chosen to accept where I am and just go for it.  Over the next few weeks I'm going to cover some great tips that will help us all save time and money as we open our homes to others!

Monday's Meal Plan- Starting the Year Off Right

Back to the ol' meal plan!!  December was meal planning chaos, LOL!  Its always the month for last minute get togethers, dinners out, family in town, etc... so I was definitely ok with being flexible.  There is something so comfortable about that meal plan though- Not to mention, its definitely one of the things that will help me save a lot of money and time.  Here's what I'm thinking for this week.  What are you cooking up?


Monday: Chicken Pot Pie
Tuesday: Artichokes, Chicken Rice
Wednesday: Turkey Feta Burgers, sweet potato fries
Thursday: Tacos, homemade salsa and guacamole
Friday: dinner with friends

Breakfasts: French Toast (made with homemade french bread), circle waffles (pancakes to my 3 year old :), cold cereal
Lunches: Leftovers from tonight (baked chicken, mashed taters), pb&j, cut up veggies, taco pizzas (pizza made on tortillas)

Awesome Christmas Lights Display- Franklin, TN

I wish I had known about these lights sooner!!!  At 213 Lipton Court, Franklin, TN 37064 you can experience some amazing lights that are synced to Christmas music on 107.7fm.  My girls LOVED watching the "dancing lights".  Hurry and get over there though because they will come down on January 5th.   Go HERE for more info.