Saturday, February 11, 2012

Letter writing, grocery shopping and a recipe.

First let me thank dd for re-designing my blog.  After telling me my blog was ugly and pointing out other problems with it, I gave dd the passwords and told her to get on with it.  Any issues please complain to her!!!  I am actually very pleased with how it looks now.  She does this type of thing for her job, so it's easy peasy for her.  So thank you dd, I owe you one, or do I?

This week's mini challenge over at Carla's was to write a letter to someone.  I have to say this was a simple challenge for me, as I had to send a birthday card to a friend in England and was going to enclose a letter, so I have managed to complete another challenge.  I do type my letters on the computer, but always sign them in pen.
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On Friday I went grocery shopping at No Frills, as I had errands to run in "S" town.  So armed with a list and flyers to price match with I got what is below.  If you remember I mentioned last week I went over my $75 weekly budget, so wanted to only spend $65 this week.  Below is what I got and I paid..........
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$55.90 or 35 pounds and 49p or $56.17 USD  I used $9.79 in coupons and I think my best deal was the 8 packs of Activia yogurt.  They were on for $3.99 and I had $2 off coupons, so only paid $1.99 each.  Also the milk (4 litres or 1 gallon) was only $3.99 as I price matched with Zehrs.

As always it's not a nutritionally balanced shop as I have things in the house from prior weeks shopping that I will use to make meals.

Dh was told by the doctor to have more fibre in his diet along with vegetables, so that's my goal this week.  Also I am lacking in iron so I made a new to me recipe on Friday night that covers both these issues.

Mixed Bean Stew with Cottage Dumplings.

Cottage Dumplings:

1 cup shredded, reduced fat cheese (4 ounces)
2/3 cup cooked, fresh, frozen (thawed) or canned (drained) corn
1/2 cup all-purpose/plain flour
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/3 cup bread crumbs, either white or whole grain
1/3 cup cornmeal
2 egg white.

Mix all the ingredients together.

Mixed Bean Stew:

2 cups cooked great northern beans or 1 can (around 15 ounces) great northern, cannellini or navy beans, rinsed and drained.
2 cups or 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained.
1 cup chopped red bell pepper, around 1 medium
2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can (around 15 ounces) tomato sauce

Heat the above ingredients to boiling in a saucepan; reduce heat.  Shape dumpling mixture into 12 balls and carefully slide balls onto beans in simmering stew (do not drop directly into liquid.)

Cook uncovered for 10 minutes.  Cover and cook for a further 10 minutes longer or until dumplings are firm.

Serves 6


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Sorry about the photo, it's not the best.  I will say however this recipe is a keeper.  I don't think it will feed 6, 4 is more realistic.  Even dh enjoyed it, although I cooked a couple of sausages with his.  I also didn't have cornmeal so I used couscous instead and that seemed to work.

24 comments:

Kaisievic said...

New blog design looks great - your DD is very clever.

hugs, Kaye xoxox

Cathy said...

And that little lot would have cost you $52.10 AUSD. Not bad at all!

Getting the fibre without it being stodge is always a problem - I might try that bean stew one day - will have to look up great northern beans tho as I've never heard of them. I’m sure I’ll find an alternative somewhere.
I have read many over here use polenta or couscous as a substitute for cornmeal so I’m sure it will turn out ok.
Take care
Cathy

Fran said...

That looks good and definitely comfort food. That's my dinner tonight sorted! Xxx

Fran said...

Forgot to say, I love the new layout and commenting is so much easier now x

Valerie said...

I like the new blog. For a minute I thought I'd landed in the wrong place. Dd made a good job of it. As for letter writing, I do the same as you. I type the letter and sign my name. Tell the truth I find handwriting a bit laborious after all the years of speed typing.

Angela said...

A brilliant shop! I have made a dumpling casserole for the weekend- we had half last night and will have the other half tomorrow.

The blog looks VERY classy now!!

weekend blessings x

Debby said...

I need to get my DD to spice up my blog, just to much for this old lady to learn!! I have a letter to write as well today I think I will also type it as my spelling is so bad, the PC makes things readable!!! I get more fiber in hubby's diet with home made granola, he loves it for snacking and its good for him. I posted the recipe a couple of weeks ago here http://myblog-nannysplace.blogspot.com/2012/01/make-do-day-12.html

Cindy@NorthofWiarton said...

Absolutely love the new design, shall I send your dd my email and p/w? Amaziang shopping trip; I just found out you could take flyers and price compare at other stores. The recipe sounds exactly what "I" would love, thank you for sharing, Gill. Stay warm the wind is blowing and snow drifted here ... br.

Poor to Rich a Day at a Time said...

Yum looks delicous!

DD did a nice job, the new blog look is wonderful!

beagleAnnie said...

Your new blog layout is really stylish, Gill. Especially I love the background color.

~Carla~ said...

I said yesterday how much I loved the blog, your daughter did an amazing job!! Kudos to her!! :)

Great job with the letter writing, I like that you use a computer then sign it, that's what i'd like to do as well! :)

Jane and Chris said...

I get flustered with any change on my blog...your new design has required me to lie down and rest .....just to get used to the hip, modern design!
Jane x

Meri said...

Great shopping, will be trying the recipe for sure.


The new blog lay out is so nice and bright. easy to use.

Piece by Piece said...

Your new blog layout looks great. My son is in the business, maybe I should talk to him, lol.
Patricia

Rose said...

I do like your new layout...I meant to tell you the other day that I liked it when you had the rotating photos in your header....I like hearing about your shopping expeditions...

Unknown said...

Great new blog design, wow!

HAVE NOMINATED YOU FOR A VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD

Sft x

Maggie said...

Love, Love, Love the new blog design! Such a cleaver DD you have :-)

Good haul of shopping for the amount you paid. I'm only just going to be in my £50 budget this week, but i have bought DH some supplies to take back with him on Monday too, so not so bad really.

Have a good week :-)

DaxingCujo said...

Gill...Love the new layout it is very stylish and bright...good job to your daughter!
I'll have to try this recipe it sounds quick and delicious

Jane said...

Brrrr, it got pretty cold didn't it? Your new blog design is very spiffy - I love the rotating photos.
One thing we do now to save a wee bit of $$ is buy large bags of dried beans/legumes to use in our recipes - you just have to remember to soak them or preboil them for an hour before use - no sodium added either! Cheap and they last a loooooong time!

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm impressed that you had $2 coupons for yoghurt!

I like your new blog design. DD did a great job!

Canadian Saver said...

Your DD did a great job, I find the blog really neat and tidy, love the colors too :-)

Karine said...

DD did a lovely job with your blog! Good for you saving all that money at the grocery store :o)

Anonymous said...

I love the look of your blog! It was nice that your daughter was able to fix things up for you, she did great! You got lots of stuff for a great price ... I love when I can use coupons, I have to pay more attention to price matching. I know Walmart here does it, not sure about No Frills though.

I NEED to try that stew recipe!! I wouldn't be able to eat the dumplings, but the stew itself sounds delish!! Thanks for sharing Gill! :)

Iris said...

This is fantastic! Big kudos to DD!

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