Spring Cleaning P&G Greatest Hits Giveaway!

The weather is starting to feel like spring and that means that Spring Cleaning is around the corner.

Food on the Table knows that shopping and cooking is half the battle.  It’s the cleaning up part that is a challenge, too.

That’s why we’ve put a box together with some of your favorite household cleaning products.  Here are some items to look forward to:

  • Downy UnStopables, in was scent booster
  • Cascade Complete pacs
  • Olay 2-in1 daily facial cloths
  • Olay Body Bars
  • Febreze Spray
  • Febreze Air Effects
  • Ivory Body Wash
  • Tide Detergent
  • Olay Regenerist Moisturizer
  • Swiffer Dusters
  • Pantene Pro V Damage Repair
  • and more….

If you think this bounty (no pun intended!) would work in your home, all you need to do is comment on this post and tell us:

What is your least favorite household chore?

For an extra entry, comment on our Facebook post.  The giveaway ends February 28 at midnight.  The winner will chosen at random and contacted via email or Facebook.

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of February 20

Menu Plan Monday Logo

It’s going to be unseasonably warm, so I’ve planned some things on the grill this week.  My favorite comfort food is green chile cheese grits, so they’ll make an appearance on the menu this week.

  • Monday:  Italian Sausage Lasagna with roasted vegetables
    I’ll make this lasagna on Sunday night so I can pop it in the oven on Monday when we get home.  I bought some nice looking vegetables at the farmers market on Saturday, so I’ll roast them with a little kosher salt and EVOO.
  • Tuesday:  Grillled Flank Steak with green chile cheese grits and salad
    Green chile cheese grits are a favorite in my house since I grew up in New Mexico.  I usually mix up mild and hot chiles so it’s not too hot.  They’re also good for breakfast too!
  • Wednesday:  Apple Glazed Pork Chops with grilled sweet potatoes
    Every grocery store I go to has apples on sale.  It’s a great time to incorporate these into our meal plan!
  • Thursday:  Steak Quesadillas with green salad
    I’ll use the flank steak from Tuesday and put it in quesadillas.  No one notices they’re eating leftovers.
  • Friday:  Night Out
    Some friends got a sitter and we’re all going to our favorite sushi restaurant.
  • Saturday:  Pizza Night
    We have two parties to attend on Saturday afternoon and evening.  We’ll snack on food there, but my real goal will be to manage the sugar intake.
  • Sunday:  Salmon and Swiss Chard Quiche
    I can’t wait to try this quiche recipe.  It looks so healthy and delicious.  I can’t think of a more powerful health combo than salmon and Swiss chard.  Maybe I’ll throw some blueberries in there for more antioxidants…. Haha!

This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday at I’m an Organizing Junkie.

Frugal Friday: The Deal on Dough

There’s much more to dough than bread and butter. In fact, there’s much more to bread than, well, bread.

Save some dough on dough this month, and make use after use after use of premade, store-bought breads. From sweets to savories, the money-saving powers of bread are aplenty, and this list is only a starting-off point.

Plus, using these quick-to-prepare dough delicacies will save you more than just money — you’ll spend less time in the kitchen slaving away at kneading, rolling, waiting and cleaning.

Doughnuts

Yes, you can with canned refrigerated biscuit dough. These tubes work wonders when it comes to fluffy delights whether going the traditional biscuit route or the guilty-pleasure doughnut route.

Simply separate the biscuit rounds after popping open the tube, and poke a hole through the centers. Deep fry until golden brown, and enjoy sans toppings or let the family in on the fun with a customized topping fest. Just don’t forget to make fresh berries or banana slices an option.

Empanadas

Take a trip south of the border, and try out some mouthwatering Mexican pastry pockets using refrigerated piecrust. Piecrust is a base that can be used for many more foods than the name implies. Because premade crusts are intended to complement a variety of pie fillings, the crusts themselves can have a variety of uses since they’re so basic.

Go meatless or meatful with these. There’s the traditional route of chicken or beef, but don’t be afraid to experiment and make sure to get the family’s input. But word to the wise — you should probably avoid using graham cracker crusts for empanadas.

Quiche

And for piecrust inspiration No. 2, try your hand at whipping up a quiche. Quiche fillings are seemingly boundless, so stuff this savory pie with a stuffing of your liking. From spinach and feta to crab to potato and artichoke to broccoli and ham, there’s practically a quiche recipe for any family.

Use a 9-inch pie crush, and serve in slices. It’s as simple as cake — er, pie.

Straws

We’re not talking about the drinking kind but the eating kind. From the sugary to the salty, bread straws are a delightful finger food ripe for entertaining guests or satisfying the family. Whether cheese or cinnamon-sugar, these twists are a hit for good reason.

Puff pastry shells are perfect for preparing straws, and don’t worry about these being too fragile to contort. Just like any other bread dough, puff pastry comes frozen, meaning just thaw and mold as you would another premade dough. The puffy goodness will come post-baking.

Above all, remember that store-bought doesn’t have to mean store blandness. Add some flair and flavor to economical grocery store purchases by using your imagination. And, of course, some goodies from your smartly stocked pantry.

This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week of February 13

Menu Plan Monday LogoHappy Valentine’s week!  I’m looking forward to celebrating on Tuesday.  I have been informed that I am only going to be in charge of dessert.  Other than Monday, we don’t really have any plans, so it looks like a week of home cooking!

  • Monday:  Avocado and Shrimp Salad with crusty bread
    The nice weather this week has me in the mood for something really fresh.
  • Tuesday:  Valentine’s Day Dinner
    Sweetheart rib eyes, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus with truffle salt, and greens from the garden will make this a special dinner.  I am contributing heart-shaped brownies for dessert with chocolate chip ice cream on top.
  • Wednesday:  Blackened Tuna with five grain rice and roasted broccoli
  • Thursday:  15 Minute Marinated Chicken with sweet potato fries and salad
  • Friday:  Leftovers
    We’ll lounge around tonight and watch the rest of Gone with the Wind.
  • Saturday:  Italian Sausage Stew with crusty bread
  • Sunday:  Michael’s Chicken with green salad and sautéed zucchini
    A little sweet and a little savory, this chicken dish makes plenty of leftovers.  I’ll have some insurance for the week to come.

What’s on your meal plan this week?

This post is linked to Meal Plan Mondays at I’m an Organizing Junkie

Frugal Friday: 5 Steps to a Frugal Valentine’s Dinner at Home

Cupid’s arrow is on the loose again, and this time, he’ll shoot through your heart and not your wallet too.

Instead of blowing your budget on heart-shaped chocolates inside heart-shaped boxes affixed to heart-shaped cards, treat your special someone to something from, well, the heart.

Ditch the overbooked, overpriced restaurant date for a dinner for two from the comfort of your home. This frugal, fun and very doable option will make this Valentine’s Day a happy one indeed for your significant other and your significantly reduced V-Day bill.

Just follow the five-step method below to your happiest, most economical Valentine’s date yet:

  1. Get inspired.
    Look no farther than the wonderful World Wide Web for an assortment of recipe ideas fitted for your date. Recipes catered toward those new to cooking and those willing to slave away at a gourmet entrée reside side-by-side on food blogs and food sites. Plus, food shows this time of year hone in on the V-Day spirit, offering love-inspired meals for couples and friends.  Don’t be afraid to try something new, but on the same token, be realistic. If you’ve only got a few hours to prepare, find a recipe that fits your schedule to avoid a kitchen dinner disaster.
  2. Make a menu.
    As with any meal any day of the year, preparation is key. After sorting through recipes and recipe reviews online, on TV and in, gasp, cookbooks, narrow down your options to what’s delicious and more importantly, doable in a night.
    From a starter to the entrée to the sides to the dessert to the beverages throughout the course of the meal, don’t skimp on a detailed menu. Unless this V-Day din is a surprise for your sweetie, feel free to share the menu and decide together on what to eat and cook.
  3. Write down a shopping list.
    Avoid last-minute grocery store runs and weird, last-resort substitutions when it comes down to the cooking wire. To do so, just make a shopping list before hitting up the grocery store before Valentine’s Day.
    Check on what ingredients you already have, refer to your menu and build the list from there. Shopping with a list is like driving with a GPS — save time, save money and allot for what you’re getting into well in advance.
  4. Hunt for deals and coupons.
    Now that your menu is set, begin to scour through the mail and online for grocery discounts. Seasonal discounts for the holiday are aplenty this time of year, so see what sorts of dinner-for-two deals you can find at your favorite store.  Pay special attention to in-store discounts as well, reading the fine print to make sure that your deal is legit and valuable. For example, buying in bulk for a dinner for two might not be a wise decision unless the bulk can be used in the weeks following Valentine’s Day.
  5. Do prep work.
    Prevent kitchen mishaps by preparing ahead as much as possible without sacrificing freshness. Whether that means slicing veggies, marinating meats or even setting the table (no detail is too small when it comes to this last one), time management is crucial to a successful homemade date.

Do, however, stay flexible. If a dish just doesn’t work out, have a back-up plan. Think along the lines of TV dinners and quick sandwiches. After all, these failed attempts could wind up being quirky and romantic-comedy cute.

This Valentine’s Day, kiss the fancy, shmancy dinners out goodbye and instead, give a little love to home-grown sweetness.

This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.