I have finally gotten back to meal planning. Here's what we are planning on eating this week:
Monday - Baked Potato Soup
Tuesday - Pizza
Wednesday - Crockpot roast beef and baked potatoes
Thursday - BBQ beef sandwiches and mac & cheese
Friday - Chicken fajitas
Saturday - waffles
Sunday - hamburgers and chips
Sunday, January 9, 2011
My Gatorade deal
Quick stop at CVS today to get some Gatorade and Superbowl snacks. We also bought a Snickers Almond (buy for $0.89, get $0.89 ECB back), but that didn't make it home for the picture. The rest of the items were buy $20 get a $10 ECB back.
Total OOP = ZERO ($5.20 on GC)
Total saved = $39.03
ECB earned = $10.89 total
Total OOP = ZERO ($5.20 on GC)Total saved = $39.03
ECB earned = $10.89 total
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Thundercloud Subs Review
We have run the Turkey Trot in Austin on Thanksgiving almost every year if James wasn't working since moving here. On the back of our race numbers there is always a coupon for a Buy One Get One (B1G1) sandwich at Thundercloud Subs, a major sponsor of the run. This year we actually kept the coupons and today used one for the first visit ever.
Thundercloud Subs is a locally owned and started company in Austin and thus is a restaurant that we are able to eat at in accordance with our 2011 Challenge. They claim to slice all their meats and cheese fresh, make their own sauces, and have bread made and delivered fresh daily.
James and I both picked hot sandwiches to try today.
James had what was listed on the menu as a Hot Roast Beef Sandwich, but was called a Philly sandwich on the receipt. There were two sizes to choose from and he picked small. He said that the sandwich tasted fine and had good flavor, but wasn't anything exceptional. He did like that everything seemed to be hot and fresh.
I ordered the small Meatball Sub. I had my choice of American or Provolone cheese - Provolone, of course! I also had the choice of white or wheat bread. I opted for the wheat bread. The sandwich was made of two huge meatballs, Provolone cheese, marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese on the wheat roll. It was an okay sandwich. I really liked the bread, it was soft and very flavorful. The marinara sauce had a nice blend of flavors and textures. I did not like the meatballs much. I would have preferred several smaller, easier to eat, meatballs. I also didn't like the texture of the meatballs. They didn't taste homemade, but instead tasted like something bought from Ben E. Keith.
I ordered the small Meatball Sub. I had my choice of American or Provolone cheese - Provolone, of course! I also had the choice of white or wheat bread. I opted for the wheat bread. The sandwich was made of two huge meatballs, Provolone cheese, marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese on the wheat roll. It was an okay sandwich. I really liked the bread, it was soft and very flavorful. The marinara sauce had a nice blend of flavors and textures. I did not like the meatballs much. I would have preferred several smaller, easier to eat, meatballs. I also didn't like the texture of the meatballs. They didn't taste homemade, but instead tasted like something bought from Ben E. Keith.
We both had small drinks which were $1.59 each. James sandwich was $4.69 and mine was $3.49. Our total was $8.52 after our B1G1 coupon.
The decor of the restaurant was mostly made up of clean lines and art depicted local Austin features. It was very clean and comfortable. The music was played a little too loud for my taste but it wasn't enough to ruin my experience. It did seem fairly busy as a steady stream of customers came in while we were eating.
After talking about it James and I decided that it was an okay meal but if we didn't have another B1G1 coupon available to us, we probably would not go back. Next time we will try some of the cold cut sandwiches to see if we like the options better.
The decor of the restaurant was mostly made up of clean lines and art depicted local Austin features. It was very clean and comfortable. The music was played a little too loud for my taste but it wasn't enough to ruin my experience. It did seem fairly busy as a steady stream of customers came in while we were eating.
After talking about it James and I decided that it was an okay meal but if we didn't have another B1G1 coupon available to us, we probably would not go back. Next time we will try some of the cold cut sandwiches to see if we like the options better.
Quick 2010 Reading Review
I am a complete nerd. Just going to preface that before telling you that I keep track of the number of books and magazines I read each year. I just like to see the totals. I will tell you that the numbers went way down this year because I've worked more and spent more time on the computer (BAD!)
Total # of books read = 85
Total # of magazines read = 115
Total # of books read = 85
Total # of magazines read = 115
Paper towels and laundry soap
While we have cut back on our paper towel usage, we do still use them for little messes. We just opened our last roll the other day and I wondered how long I would have to wait for a sale. Not long apparently,
Total OOP = ZERO (on GC = $8.35)
Total saved via ECB, MQ, sales = $40.51
Total ECB earned = $11
Total OOP = ZERO (on GC = $8.35)
Total saved via ECB, MQ, sales = $40.51
Total ECB earned = $11
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Black's Barbecue Review
We visited with my parents and nieces today and decided to try Black's Barbecue in Lockhart. Black's is often listed on the "Best of Texas BBQ" lists and Lockhart is considered the BBQ capital of TX. Today was the first time we had ever eaten at Black's.
The restaurant itself is on one of the streets in old downtown Lockhart. We went early, so there was still a ton of parking, but I could see how during busy times parking might be a challenge. When you first walk in, you are funneled immediately into a line. You are given plates to choose your sides, of which there were a ton and told how the process works. Basically it is like most BBQ joints, each side has an individual price and you buy the meat by the pound.
This was James' first plate. He choose beans, potato salad, a pickle, and a jalapeno as his sides. The pork spare ribs were purchased by the pound and then split up between all of us. James loved the ribs. They were super tender and pulled off the bone very easily. My 3 and 2 year old nieces were able to eat the ribs because they were so tender. He also said the potato salad had good flavor and texture. The beans were awesome! I had some as well and I thought the flavor and texture were both exceptional.
Just thought I would give you a peek at the blissful look James had while eating. This look alternated with one of complete focus on the food.
Here's my plate. I opted for the chopped beef sandwich with Black's BBQ sauce (no pickles and no onions for me, but they usually are included on the sandwiches), macaroni and cheese, and beans. The sandwich was one of the best chopped beef sandwiches I have ever eaten. It did not drip grease or have a lot of fat in it and they gave a generous portion of meat in the bun. The sauce was a perfect complement to the meat. The one downer to the meal was the macaroni and cheese. It was bland and not hot at all. Even salt didn't help the flavor of the mac!
Here's how the meat was served. My dad and James choose to get three types of sausage (original, garlic, and jalapeno), pork spareribs (beef ribs and jumbo beef ribs were the other rib choices) and brisket. James liked all of the meat although he felt that the brisket was a little dry. As far as flavor went, he said that the meat had the perfect balance of spices and smoke.
Like most BBQ joints, the meal was fairly pricey, but the flavor more than made up for it. I wasn't around when my dad paid the bill, so I'm not sure what the total was. I know the sides were about $1.50 each, the ribs and brisket varied in price from $10.98-$11.98 a pound depending on the type, the sausages were $2.19 per link, and the chopped beef sandwiches were $3.89 each. The link at the top of the review will take you to Black's website where you can peruse the other choices and prices that they offer.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is much like all the other BBQ joints...long tables, sauce on the table, wood walls, concrete floors, etc. Everything was very clean though which was nice. Missing was the stink of the smoker because I think they do their smoking outside or in another building that is separated from the dining area - this was a definite plus for me.
We will definitely go back to Black's for another meal. I'll leave you with James' most memorable comment, "I think I have found my new favorite place to eat."
The restaurant itself is on one of the streets in old downtown Lockhart. We went early, so there was still a ton of parking, but I could see how during busy times parking might be a challenge. When you first walk in, you are funneled immediately into a line. You are given plates to choose your sides, of which there were a ton and told how the process works. Basically it is like most BBQ joints, each side has an individual price and you buy the meat by the pound.
This was James' first plate. He choose beans, potato salad, a pickle, and a jalapeno as his sides. The pork spare ribs were purchased by the pound and then split up between all of us. James loved the ribs. They were super tender and pulled off the bone very easily. My 3 and 2 year old nieces were able to eat the ribs because they were so tender. He also said the potato salad had good flavor and texture. The beans were awesome! I had some as well and I thought the flavor and texture were both exceptional.
Just thought I would give you a peek at the blissful look James had while eating. This look alternated with one of complete focus on the food.
Here's my plate. I opted for the chopped beef sandwich with Black's BBQ sauce (no pickles and no onions for me, but they usually are included on the sandwiches), macaroni and cheese, and beans. The sandwich was one of the best chopped beef sandwiches I have ever eaten. It did not drip grease or have a lot of fat in it and they gave a generous portion of meat in the bun. The sauce was a perfect complement to the meat. The one downer to the meal was the macaroni and cheese. It was bland and not hot at all. Even salt didn't help the flavor of the mac!
Here's how the meat was served. My dad and James choose to get three types of sausage (original, garlic, and jalapeno), pork spareribs (beef ribs and jumbo beef ribs were the other rib choices) and brisket. James liked all of the meat although he felt that the brisket was a little dry. As far as flavor went, he said that the meat had the perfect balance of spices and smoke.
Like most BBQ joints, the meal was fairly pricey, but the flavor more than made up for it. I wasn't around when my dad paid the bill, so I'm not sure what the total was. I know the sides were about $1.50 each, the ribs and brisket varied in price from $10.98-$11.98 a pound depending on the type, the sausages were $2.19 per link, and the chopped beef sandwiches were $3.89 each. The link at the top of the review will take you to Black's website where you can peruse the other choices and prices that they offer.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is much like all the other BBQ joints...long tables, sauce on the table, wood walls, concrete floors, etc. Everything was very clean though which was nice. Missing was the stink of the smoker because I think they do their smoking outside or in another building that is separated from the dining area - this was a definite plus for me.
We will definitely go back to Black's for another meal. I'll leave you with James' most memorable comment, "I think I have found my new favorite place to eat."
2011 Challenge
We started thinking about our 2011 Challenge a couple of months ago. We tossed around several monetary ideas, but decided to try something new. As previously discussed in the 2010 Challenge Review, we love to eat out...it is our only vice. We wondered if we could still eat out, but challenge ourselves in some way.
For 2011, we will support the local businesses and eat at only locally owned eateries. Here are the caveats:
1.) The restaurants we eat at CANNOT be a national franchise. This means restaurants such as Carino's, Taco Bell (yes, that one is going to hurt me), Fuddrucker's, Carl's Jr., Red Robin, Fire Bowl Cafe, Culver's, Chili's, etc., are out.
2.) We can eat at local franchises. Local to either our city, the major city we are near, any city in the state, or any franchise/chain that was started in Texas, and is still only a mostly Texas-based restaurant. For example, Rosa's Cafe and Tortilla Factory started in San Angelo, Texas and has spread to several areas of the state.
3.) If we are given a gift card for a franchise we will allow ourselves to use it.
4.) While we will express our challenge to our friends and families, we will not impose our challenge on others. If our friends or families choose the restaurants, we will go wherever they choose.
5.) We are allowed to eat anywhere on vacations or trips, but will try to eat locally if we have ample time to do research.
There it is, our 2011 Challenge. We are excited about the possibilities! I will try to blog about each of the restaurants we support. We'll keep you updated on how we do!
** We do have a budget for both groceries and eating out, but the focus of the 2011 Challenge is on where we spend our money, not what we spend it on. **
For 2011, we will support the local businesses and eat at only locally owned eateries. Here are the caveats:
1.) The restaurants we eat at CANNOT be a national franchise. This means restaurants such as Carino's, Taco Bell (yes, that one is going to hurt me), Fuddrucker's, Carl's Jr., Red Robin, Fire Bowl Cafe, Culver's, Chili's, etc., are out.
2.) We can eat at local franchises. Local to either our city, the major city we are near, any city in the state, or any franchise/chain that was started in Texas, and is still only a mostly Texas-based restaurant. For example, Rosa's Cafe and Tortilla Factory started in San Angelo, Texas and has spread to several areas of the state.
3.) If we are given a gift card for a franchise we will allow ourselves to use it.
4.) While we will express our challenge to our friends and families, we will not impose our challenge on others. If our friends or families choose the restaurants, we will go wherever they choose.
5.) We are allowed to eat anywhere on vacations or trips, but will try to eat locally if we have ample time to do research.
There it is, our 2011 Challenge. We are excited about the possibilities! I will try to blog about each of the restaurants we support. We'll keep you updated on how we do!
** We do have a budget for both groceries and eating out, but the focus of the 2011 Challenge is on where we spend our money, not what we spend it on. **
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