Extreme Couponing

Tonight there is a new show debuting on TLC called Extreme Couponing.  Several couponers will be showcased.  These people take it to the extreme with their stockpiles (1500 deodorants!) and ways of collecting coupons (dumpster diving!). 

Yes, I am a couponer and yes, I do stockpile some items for my family.  I do this in a much more realistic way than what I think will be portrayed on this show.  I hope that the show does not make people lump all couponers into this category of extreme ones who are more like hoarders. 

Stockpiling is actually smart shopping by buying multiple items at rock-bottom prices (or even free) and saving for future use rather than buying at full price when you need them.  You can shop from your pantry rather than running to the store and paying the full price.  Examples of some of the items I have a stockpile of include toothpaste, deodorant, pasta, peanut butter, cleaning products like Windex, etc.  And my stockpile is nothing crazy...I'm talking a few to several of these items.  Once I start scoring deals on more than that I start sharing with others and donating to food pantries. 

I'm anxious to tune into tonight's show (TLC at 8pm EST).

Salmon with Pecan Crunch Coating

from the archives...This is a good recipe.  I hope you enjoy it.  I am joining in this week's Ingredient Spotlight at Eat At Home.


(photo from All Recipes)

Salmon with Pecan-Crunch Coating
4 salmon fillets (about 1-1/2 inches thick)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1-1/2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper; place skin side down, in a lightly greased baking dish.
Combine mustard, butter, and honey; brush over salmon. Combine breadcrumbs, pecans and parsley; spoon evenly across top of salmon. Bake, uncovered, at 450 for 12 to 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with fork.
Yield: 4 servings

Amanda's Easiest Ever Crock Pot Roast

I am linking this recipe to Your Recipe, My Kitchen this week.  I posted this one a while back so if you are stopping by to see it, I'd love for you to check out some of my more recent recipes too. 
This is a good one...hope you enjoy.  I'll be making this again this week!


Well, life has certainly gotten in the way the past couple of weeks and kept me from posting anything here on the blog.  It's times like this when I am so happy to have really quick and easy recipes to go to that my family loves.  I recently tried a new one and immediately added it  as a new family favorite. 

Amanda at Serenity Now posted a recipe not long ago for the Easiest Ever Crock Pot Roast.  The way I usually make a crock pot roast is really easy but this sounded a little different so I wanted to try it.  I am so glad I did.  Yes, it is super easy and it also is super yummy!  I neglected to take any pictures (life has been crazy for a couple of weeks, remember?) so I am using one of Amanda's pictures.  And be sure to click on the link to go directly to her post for additional pictures and to read her post.

(Amanda's Easiest Ever Crock Pot Roast.  Photo from Amanda's blog, Serenity Now.)

Amanda's Easiest Ever Crock Pot Roast
1/2 cup water
1 packet Italian Dressing Mix  (as info I used Good Seasons)
1 packet Ranch Dressing Mix  (as info I used Hidden Valley)
1 packet Brown Gravy Mix  (as info I used McCormicks)
1 Beef Roast, sized for your crock pot  (I actually used a london broil 'cause that's what I had in the freezer)

Pour 1/2 cup water into base of crock pot and place roast inside. Pour dressing packets and gravy packet over roast. Cover and cook 6-7 hours on low. 

***Amanda's version adds potatoes and veggies to the crock pot after cooking the roast for 4 hours and letting the taters & veggies cook for 2-3 hours.  She uses 2-3 potatoes with the skin on cut into chunks and mixed veggies (she uses a bag of frozen carrots, broccoli & cauliflower). 
I didn't add the taters & veggies to mine this time.  Instead I served the roast & gravy over egg noodles with broccoli on the side. 

Hope you enjoy this easy recipe.  Thanks Amanda!!!

OFFER EXPIRED $5 Off a $5 Purchase at Hallmark THIS WEEKEND

Go here to print this $5 off coupon from Hallmark.  Minimum purchase is $5.  Last year I had a couple of these and scored really nice wrapping paper for free and several cards for free! 

This coupon is good tomorrow, 12/3 through Sunday, 12/5 only.  Print and hurry to Hallmark this weekend!