Tuna Melts with a Twist

This dish is inspired by Rachel Ray's Baked Jalapeno Poppers . . .
Tuna Salad
2 cans chunk light tuna, drained
1 Tbsp Spice Smuggler's Kitchen Herb
Garlic salt, to taste
2 Tbsp Pecorrino Romano
2 Tbsp Parmesan
3 Tbsp Light Mayo (I like Kraft's Light mayo made with olive oil)

Mix Well and set aside, to allow flavors to meld

If you do not have Spice Smuggler's Kitchen Herb, use oregano, garlic, ground pepper and onion powder to taste.  It's not the same, but it is still yummy!

Pre-heat toaster oven to 300 degrees.

Wash peppers. Cut of stem ends, remove pith and seeds. Cut off a small portion from top to tip (about 1 cm high) to make boats. Save these strips to serve with the meal.

Line toaster oven pan with foil and spray with olive oil pan spray.
Fill pepper "boats" with Tuna Salad.

Place on pan.  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until tuna is heated through.

Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese, bake for another 5 minutes so cheese can melt.

Sprinkle with a bit of garlic salt if desired.

Serve & Enjoy!

Couponing at Target

I keep hearing all of these crazy stories about people saving uber amounts of cash at the grocery checkout! So I asked some of my friends on Facebook, "What's up with that and how do I find out how to do this!??"

They quickly turned me on to The Krazy Coupon Lady

I then found several other sites myself.  I see a lot of these people serve nothing but processed food to their families, which is how they can feed a family of 5 for $80 a month.  So, I am doing this, but not as extreme as some.  I still buy fresh fruit and vegetables (supplementing with frozen as needed), but I am saving enough to pay for my pet food and produce!

I have been shopping at Target for staple items since 2007.  Let's be honest, they have good deals. 

Unfortunately, we do not have a Super Target (like my cousins' in Philly) here in NEO.  We do have an AMAZING family run market around the corner, awesome produce (local in season) at delicious prices, a deli counter, fresh baked bread and "butcher" section. Note: the owner's Mom makes THE best stuffed grape leaves I have ever had!
Chuppa's Marketplace

As you know I make our yogurt, which saves us $20 a month.  I also just got my Donvier Yogurt Cheese Maker. Which makes homemade yogurt into a cream cheese like spread . . . delightful on english muffins, bagels and toast!

Target lets you use 1 manufacturer's coupon and 1 Target Web Coupon per item! They also give you $0.05 credit for each bag you bring!  So bring those re-usable bags folks! They are easy on your wallet & the environment!

So beforehand, I spend about 45 minutes clipping and matching up coupons, while making my list.
Target also likes to match up their web coupons with weekly mail inserts ( RedPlum, Procter & Gamble and Smart Source) and Sunday paper inserts.  So keep track of those! 
The Krazy Coupon Lady also gives pointers on coupon matching for many stores, including: CVS, Target and Walmart.
This week alone, I saved $38 (a three month supply of my dog's food is $37.70 w/ tax when it is on sale) . . . .

Happy Couponing!
Cheers!

Robeks-like smoothies

Inspired by a post in Pintrest, Jamba Recipes!, I made my own smoothie this morning . . .

I'd had 2 lbs of perfectly ripe bananas on my counter last week and sliced them up, placed them in ziploc bags and froze them.  I also keep bags of organic frozen berries in the freezer for when I make Oatmeal in Mason Jars . . . The only thing I didn't have was the Enlighten Blend . . .

One of my favorite smoothie shoppes is Robeks . . . or "lunch in a cup" as we used to say at work!

So here's what I did, in a Mason Jar, yes a Mason Jar ( Using Mason Jars on your Blender):
1/2 cup plain yogurt (my homemade of course)
1 scoop Vanilla Whey Powder
1 packet of Acai Energy Powder
1 Tbsp Chia Seeds, organic (High in fiber and EFAs)
1/2 cup of frozen berries (I had an open bag of mixed berries; blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and raspberries)
1/2 cup of frozen banana

About 1/4 cup of water.

Placed blender base on mason jar & Voila!

Keep an eye out for a more detailed tutorial . . . these are going to become a staple for me!