FREE Groceries & Box Tops

I am a Box Top Cutter! I love earning money for my kid's school, for buying food that we LOVE to eat! So... when I was offered this GREAT deal, I took it! And so should you (keep reading- you'll love it)!

Now through May 31, 2010- SuperValu and Box Tops are giving you a chance to win 50,000 box tops for your school! That's $5,000!!!! WOW!!! Register at http://www.growinglocallearning.com/ You will earn 5 BONUS box tops just for signing up! (Check their website for official rules.) There are other great things at this site too! Check out their coupons and promotions. There is no excuse. This is such an easy way to earn $$$ for your school!

SuperValu and General Mills gave me a $25 American Express card to go buy Box Tops products (I am giving one away! Keep reading). My local SuperValu store is an Albertson's. Al's has some pretty good box tops promotions, but this week, wasn't as a great a week as I've seen. But I still came away with a deal. Here's what it looks like-

4 bags of Chex Mix Snacks, 1 Cheerios snack bag, 1 24.9 oz. box Cinnamon Toast Crunch, 1 Betty Crocker Blueberry Muffin Mix (the hubby's fav!), 2 pouches Betty Crocker potatoes, 2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights (My Fav!), 1 package Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough, 2 boxes Pillsbury Toaster Strudel (the kid's fav!)

I did go a little over- I couldn't decide which flavor of Chex Mix to buy, so I bought one of each. That put us about $5 over. So I paid the difference with cash.

And.... a catalina printed out for 50 Bonus Box Tops!!! How cool!! So.. I earned 14 box tops from the packages + 50 from the catalina- That's 64 box tops for my school! Not as good as the 50,000 box top sweepstakes, but it's pretty good! I also got a catalina for $5.00 off my next order thanks to General Mills!

Here's that lovely $25 American Express Gift Card! Thanks My Blog Spark, SuperValu, and General Mills!

Here's how you can win a $25 American Express Gift Card (leave a separate comment for each entry):

1. Tell me how many box tops products you think you could buy for $25. Be realistic, but think of those good deals and coupons!

2. Subscribe to my blog e-mails (look to the left). Check your inbox and confirm your subscription, then leave a comment with this entry.

3. Register at http://www.growinglocallearning.com/ to start earning box tops and enter into the sweepstakes. Come back and leave a comment, when you have done this.

4. Receive an entry for every friend who enters and leaves your name! (one entry per friend) So start telling EVERYONE!!

You have until Sunday May 16, 2010 at 12midnight to get your entries in! I will announce the winner on Monday May 17. Thanks for visiting. Wishing you luck on the gift card, the sweepstakes, and all your weekly deals! And thanks again to SuperValu, General Mills, and My Blog Spark.

Couponing

Okay, so I have another obsession in life. But this obsession actually saves me money! I have become a coupon clipper. I never fully understood the meaning of this, until a friend of mine explained how to make coupons REALLY save you money. Check out Franny Frugal and She Saved. They have great tips for saving money, couponing, and other freebies! My other obsession (Pampered Chef), is actually contributing to my new money savvy ways. I use my "i-slice" to clip coupons quickly. And I use our $2/ serving recipes to save more money on food! Who would have thought? I get so excited when I see the ads and look through my coupons and see FREE or close to free deals! You should check it out!

Here's a recipe to get you started:

Mexican Chicken “Lasagna”Recipe

1/4 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese
2 cups (8 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1 medium onion (about 2/3 cup chopped)
1 can (28 oz) enchilada sauce
12 (6-in.) corn tortillas
3 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken
Additional chopped fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

Chop cilantro with Chef's Knife. Place cream cheese in Classic Batter Bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30-45 seconds or until very soft. Add cilantro and 1 1/2 cups of the Monterey Jack cheese; mix well using Small Mix ‘N Scraper®. Chop onion using Food Chopper; set aside. Spread 2/3 cup of the enchilada sauce over bottom of Deep Covered Baker. Pour remaining enchilada sauce into Stainless (4-qt.) Mixing Bowl; set aside.

To assemble lasagna, using Sauté Tongs, dip four tortillas into enchilada sauce in mixing bowl and arrange over sauce in baker overlapping as necessary. Scoop half of the cream cheese mixture over tortillas using Small Scoop; spread using Small Spreader. Top with 1 cup of the chicken and one-third of the onion. Repeat layers one time. Dip remaining four tortillas into sauce and arrange over second layer. Top with remaining chicken and onion. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over lasagna and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Monterrey Jack cheese.

Microwave, covered, on HIGH 12-15 minutes or until center is hot. Let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle with additional chopped cilantro. Cut into squares using Utility Knife; serve using Mini-Serving Spatula.

Yield: 8 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 390, Total Fat 22 g, Saturated Fat 10 g, Cholesterol 105 mg, Carbohydrate 25 g, Protein 26 g, Sodium 710 mg, Fiber 2 g

Cook's Tip: This recipe can be assembled up to one night in advance. Prepare through Step 2; cover and refrigerate. When ready to serve, let baker stand at room temperature 15 minutes. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 21-23 minutes or until hot. Proceed as recipe directs.

Spicy enchilada sauce can be used for more kick.

Shopping List
1 small bunch fresh cilantro leaves

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese

2 cups (8 oz) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 medium onion

1 can (28 oz) enchilada sauce

12 (6-in.) corn tortillas
3 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken

Additional chopped fresh cilantro leaves (optional)