Utah Food Co-Op

One commonly-used method for saving money on groceries is joining a local food co-op. We've only got one in Salt Lake (some places have many!) - The Community Food Co-Op of Utah. I decided to give it a try this month. Co-ops have a rotating menu with different food packages or shares that you can purchase each month. You pay the co-op for your desired share and then pick up your food at your neighborhood distribution center on the day of the co-op. So simple!

This month's standard share ($23) included:

• 1lb. Top Sirloin Fajita Strips
• 2 lb. Package of Chicken Drumsticks
• 2 lb. Sirloin Pork Roast
• 1 lb. Lean Ground Beef
• 1 lb. Rice
• 1 loaf Artisan Wheat Bread
• 5 Fuji Apples
• 5 Pears
• 5 Oranges
• 1 Romaine Lettuce
• 3 Red Bell Peppers
• 5 Tomatoes
• 2 Avocados
• 1 2lb. Bag of Carrots

What a deal! The retail value was $46 + tax for the standard share. Now I'm off to work on my menu plan using some of these items!


How does the co-op provide food at such low prices?
By ordering in quantity and utilizing local farmers/growers.

Who can join?
Anyone! If you eat, you qualify.

Is the food good quality?
The food comes from the same wholesalers that supply the local grocery stores, so you can expect the same quality. No seconds or bruised items here. It's all fresh, excellent food.

How can I find a local food co-op near me?
www.coopdirectory.org

How do I find recipes to cook with the ingredients I've got?
Use www.recipezaar.com! Type in an ingredient and it will give you recipes that use it!

Yesterday's Shopping Deals

Target
10 Southbeach Diet bars $2.33 each
3 Kotex pantiliners $2.79 each
-$2 Southbeach MFQ x 10
-$1 Kotex MFQ x 3
-$2 Kotex TQ x 3
= $2.67 + tax (Saved 32.96!)



Smith's
3 Suave Lotion $1.00 each
1 Milk $2.00
3 Kraft Mayo $2.99 each
6 Green Giant Steamers $1.50 each
1 Philadelphia Cream Cheese $1.50 each
1 Birdseye Veggies $1.99
2 Crab Classic $2.99 each
-$5 Mega Event savings
-$1.00 Suave MFQ x 3
-$0.75 Mayo MFQ x 3
-$0.50 Green Giant MFQ x 6
-$2.00 Birdseye Veggie MFQ
-$1.00 Crab Classic MFQ x 2
= $15.19 + tax (Saved $31.04!)

Monday Drugstore Deals

I went to Rite Aid Monday morning but skipped out on Walgreens because I didn't need anything there. Some people have been asking me for a little more detail on how my drugstore runs work, so here's what I got....with a little more detail.

(Don't mind the crockpot and rice cooker on the counter from Monday's dinner.)

Purchased
$19.99 Onetouch Ultra Mini Glucose Monitor (to be donated)
$2.00 GE lightbulbs
$2.49 Skintimate shave gel
$2.49 Skintimate shave gel
$0.99 Softsoap
$0.99 Softsoap
= $28.95

Coupons Used
$5 off $25 Rite Aid purchase coupon
$19.99 Onetouch Ultra Mini Glucose coupon (V 1/4/09)
$1.50 in-ad skintimate Rite Aid Coupon
$1.50 in-ad skintimate Rite Aid Coupon
$0.35 softsoap coupon (SS 1/4/09)
$0.35 softsoap coupon (SS 1/4/09)
= $1.98 + tax

And I'll get back a $2 SCR for the lightbulbs. Savings this trip: $34.98.


Total spent this month: $110.89
Total saved this month: $1065.88

Menu Plan Monday

Monday:



Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

(adapted from Fix, Freeze & Feast)

8 chicken breast halves

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil

1 1/2 tsp minced garlic (4 cloves)



Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and oil in a small bowl, stirring until dissolved. Line crockpot with chicken and pour marinade evenly over the top. Cook on low for 6 hours. Serve over rice.





Wednesday:



Beef Stew (my Mom's recipe -- as good as they come!) ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

2 lbs Rump roast (or top round)

carrots

potatoes

sliced onion

mushrooms

(any other favorite veggies you're craving)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 Tbsp (heaping) beef gravy powder( or lipton onion soup mix)

1 bay leaf

salt & pepper to taste





Cut meat into 1 1/2 inch chunks. Put in a ziploc bag with a few tablespoons of flour, some salt and pepper, and shake until coated. Then brown beef in a hot skillet with olive oil. Add meat and veggies to roaster or crockpot, and stir in cream of mushroom soup, gravy powder, bay leaf and salt & pepper. (It will look like there is not enough liquid but don't add more! The veggies and meat will cook down and add juices.) Cook in oven at 300º for 5 hours or in a crockpot on low for 5-6 hours. Serves 6-8.



I'm going to serve this with salad, rolls, and homemade twinkies for dessert (I'm taking dinner into a friend who had a baby last week).







Friday:



Crab Rangoon (link) ♦

2 packages crab classic

2 packages cream cheese 8 oz brick

2 cloves minced garlic

1 package wonton skins

salt and pepper to taste

butter



Put imitation crab in a food processor and process until you have small pieces. Dump into a bowl and mix other ingredients except wonton skins. Line a cookie sheet with the wonton wrappers. Place 1 tsp mixture in the center of the wonton wrappers. Wet all edges with water and fold end over into a triangle. Next, tuck all corners under so you have a little pillow. Do this with all remaining wrappers. Line them on a cookie sheet without touching each other. Brush tops with melted butter. Bake at 400º for 12-14 minutes until golden brown. If you have left over mix, spread on halved english muffins and broil till tops are brown...yummy!



I'm going to serve this with leftover rice from Monday and salad.