Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Here's Colleen's Chicken Wild Rice Soup


5 2/3 cup water
1 pkg (4.3 oz) Rice-a-Roni Long Grain and Wild Rice Mix (I also use the Uncle Ben's version)
1 envelope chicken noodle soup mix (I normally use a can or two of cond. Chicken noodle soup)
1 celery rib, chopped (I'm substituting celery seed tonight since I don't have any celery and I'd have to pick it out before my family would eat it)
1 med carrot, chopped
1/3 c chopped onion (optional)
1 can cond. cream of chicken soup
2 cups cubed cooked chicken

Note:  I'm using one pkg of my chicken mix (see Haystacks recipe) so it's combining the chicken and carrots

In a large saucepan, combine water, rice with contents of seasoning packet and chicken noodle soup.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in the celery, carrot and onion.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in the cream of chicken soup and the chicken.  Cook 8 minutes longer or until the rice and vegetables are tender.

Deals for 3/24 - 3/30/10

Here are some deals for this week...

Dillons deals From Money Saving Mom...
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MoneySavingMomStoreDealsDillons/~3/bN6Neg01dzI/dillons-deals-for-the-week-of-march-24-30-2010.html

Dillons deals From Frugal Fritzie
http://www.frugalfritzie.com/2010/03/24/dillons-deals-324-330/
Price Cutter deals from Frugal Fritize
http://www.frugalfritzie.com/2010/03/24/price-cutter-deals-324-330/

You may also see some coupon matchups for this week at Dillon's from Stretching a Buck but her deals don't always match what's on sale in our region.

Since Dillon's is continuing the deal from last week (Buy 8 participating items, get $4 off), many of the deals I posted last week will still work.

I will add any additional deals I find from my shopping to this post - add your own finds in the comments or email them to me and I'll update the post.

Monday Meditation - Mosiah 4:16-18

I really struggle with this scripture.  It's not that I disagree with it, like I struggle with some other scriptures I've discussed.  I struggle to implement it.

And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in van, and turn him out to perish.
Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punshiments are just--
But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.   Mosiah 4:16-18

Add to that:

And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perisheth not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.  Mosiah 4:22

I'm thinking this is one of those laws/commandments that there are different degrees to which you live it.  One is action - just giving is the first step.  At a higher level is attitude - we've given in the past with attitude (that the person didn't deserve it) but now we're giving with true charity, the pure love of Christ.

I wanted to expand on that thought - Christ doesn't give forgiveness only to those who deserve it, where the cause of their sin wasn't their choice.  Of course, the only times I can think of a sin not being by choice would be injuring another in self-defense or a lack of knowledge of the commandments.  And are those really "sins"?  Christ's only requirement is for someone to ask for forgiveness with a true heart.

So applying the knowledge of Christ's example and this scripture, we can't judge who "deserves" our help if they are asking.  Fortunately, we also have Heavenly Father's example in answering our prayers as to how we help.  Heavenly Father doesn't always give us exactly what we ask for, He knows what we truly need and grants us those needs.  So if someone is asking for help and asks for money, we don't have to give them money.  If they are in need, we can provide food and in some cases, provide funding directly to the creditor (mortgage company, utility company, etc).

We give as we can, normally through the Fast Offering.  Much of the time we fall under the exemption (Mosiah 4:24-25) because there is not much extra to impart to another.  But the exemption does NOT apply to the attitude.  If we do not have extra, we may not be able to give money, food, clothing, etc., but we CAN give Charity, the true love of Christ.  Which means we do not judge others that they "deserve" the struggles they are going through and don't deserve help.

One final thing we are not exempt from is that if another is in need of a skill we have, even if we do not have extra substance, we can teach.  For example, our household budget doesn't have much extra in it, but I can (and do) share with others how to stretch a budget.  I think we do okay with this part of the commandment.  Now on to improving my attitude of Charity.

Easter Bunny on Saturday?

I'm posing a question.  I don't know who exactly who reads this blog but I expect answers!  I have 12 subscribers on Google Reader, plus 5 followers through Blogger.  Plus all those of you who just read it whenever you want (but I'll tell you I love subscribing on Google Reader so that I don't have to keep checking the blogs I like).  So please post a comment with your thoughts on the following question....

Several of our friends have asked the Easter bunny to come on Saturday instead of on Easter Sunday so that Easter is spent focused on the Savior.  We've never done this but I've been thinking of bringing it up to Adam to discuss it.  And then I had the thought if the Easter bunny distracts from the sacredness of Easter, what about when Christmas is on Sunday?  Should we ask Santa to come on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas?  But I'm not sure I want to do that.  If I do Easter, do I HAVE to do Christmas the same way?

Your thoughts please!

My Dillon's Deals 3/18

So if you haven't heard, Dillon's is doing an AWESOME sale this week called March to Savings.  Mix and match the participating items in quantities of 8 to take an additional $4 off (50 cents per item).


Here are the successful deals I got today!!
Kraft 8 oz shredded (and bars) (the 2% cheeses are 7 oz) $2.17 (minus 0.50 for deal, minus $0.55/2 coupon doubled to $1) = $1.17 each

Right Guard 3 oz clear gel deodorant $2 (minus 0.50 for deal, and $2/2 printed coupon no longer available) = $0.50 each  <<<< Note after I got home today, I was able to print a $1/1 Right Guard Total Defense coupon from SmartSource.com and a $1.50/1 Right Guard Total Defense coupon from coupons.com.  I believe saw this product in a 4 oz for on sale $2.99 so $2.50 with the deal.

Sargento 8 oz cheese (includes shredded and deli slices) $2.17 (minus 0.50 for deal, minus 0.75/1 Dillons mailer coupon - doubled to $1) = $0.67.  <<<< Frugal Fritzie says there were coupons in the 1/31 but I'm not finding them in my 1/31 flyers)

Daisy Sour Cream 16  oz $1.89 (minus 0.50 for deal) = $1.39

Motts 64 oz 100% apple juice $1.49 (minus 0.50 for deal) = $0.99 each

 Wheat Thins (small box) $2.49 - 0.50 = $1.99  (minus $1/2 Nabisco mailer coupon) = $1.50 per box

Gold Medal flour $1.99 minus $0.75/1 coupons from coupons.com (print twice) = $0.99 for 5 lb bag

Pam Cooking Spray $2.99 minus 0.50 deal and 0.35/1 coupon (1/24 flyers) doubled = $1.79 for 6 oz can.

Betty Crocker Frosting $1.49 minus 0.50/1 coupon (2/7 flyer) = 0.49 each

Smart Balance (small tub) $1.99 minus 0.50/1 deal and 0.55/1 coupon from Dillons mailer (doubled) = 0.50 each.


Deals I will be going back to do.....

Irish Spring 3 pack
      Per ad, after deal, the 3 pack is $1.  The 3/14 SmartSource coupons have a 50 cent coupon off 2 multi-bar packs - making each pack 50 cents.

Whisker Lickins - 5/$5.00 (only had Crunchy kind in tuna flavor) - B1G1 coupon, plus 50 cent off each from deal = FREE cat treats!


Smart Balance - $1.99 minus 0.50/1 deal, and coupon below = $1 each
follow link to $1/2 coupon here

Hellmann's 22-30 oz for $2.99, minus 0.50 deal, minus .75/1 coupon from Dillon's mailer = $1.49 each

You may find some other leads on deals from Frugal Fritzie.

Monday Meditation - Personal Revelation and Scripture Study

I had an a-ha! moment last Wednesday that I will share, with some background.

Here's the background....

Last summer, I decided to change how I was doing my personal scripture study (basically reading and pondering the scriptures, going straight through).  I decided one morning that I wanted to study the life of Christ using an Institute manual.  So I grabbed the manual and started.  Very quickly, I started gaining a greater insight into the 4 Gospels.  As I learned things and pondered them, I wrote them in my journal.

As the end of 2009 approached, I pondered my goals for 2010.  I looked at where I was in the Institute manual and thought I could complete it (well, the first course in it) by the end of the year and then I would switch to the Old Testament Institute manual to correlate with the Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class.  then my Dad died and I got sick.  My attention to my scriptures declined but I didn't completely stop.  2010 started.  I set the official goal to read/study the Sunday School lesson before class each week, and also the lessons for Relief Society.  I thought "surely, I can read those scriptures in a day or two each week and then the rest of the week, I'll study from the institute manual."

I also set an unofficial goal of these Monday Meditations.   I started out using those notes I'd made in my journal.  Each Monday morning, I'd start reading the scriptures for the Sunday School lesson.  It took me forever each week, leaving me maybe 1 or 2 days to utilize the Life and Teachings Of Jesus and His Apostles institute manual.  My spiritual a-ha moments were decreasing and I couldn't come up with topics for my Monday Meditations.   I wasn't excited about my scripture time.  But I was doing what I was supposed to be doing - preparing for our sunday meetings.

Last Wednesday morning, during my morning prayer, I had an a-ha moment.  I'm supposed to be focusing on the Savior's life and teachings.  I need to finish studying the institute manual.  So I gave up studying the Sunday School lessons.  I will probably have guilt for a while about this but I know what and how I need to be studying right now.  Once again, after a few months of not, I am excited each morning to study the scriptures and see what I'm going to learn about.  I have to force myself to put the scriptures away to go  make lunch for my husband before he leaves for work.

So as much as we've been counseled to be active in and prepare for Sunday School by studying the lesson ahead of time, I'm following the counsel to seek the Spirit's guidance in all things.  I'm following our Stake President's counsel from a few years ago to study the atonement and come to know Christ better.  I'm learning that I don't have to feel guilty about not following ALL the "rules" when I'm following the Spirit's guidance.

And when I'm done with this, I'm excited to start utilizing the Institute manual for the Old Testament.

My advice to all my friends and "friends" from the blog, have your personal scripture study time be what the Spirit tells you you need to be studying.  Seek out and follow those personal revelations and you'll find a greater love for the scriptures and the Gospel.

Cereal deals - ends 3/9

If you didn't see the ad for this week, Price Cutter has Kellogg's cereal for 50% off this week (ends tomorrow). I just went and got some amazing deals.


First, Frosted Mini-Wheats 24 oz is $2.40 - www.coupons.com has a $1.50/2 coupon making these 1.65 each (6.8 cents per ounce which is amazing for cereal). I also used a $1 off fresh produce when you buy one box of Kellogg's cereal to pay for my 4/$1 grapefruits!

Next Rice Krispies 18 oz is 2.60 and at my small Price Cuttter there's a coupon dispenser above the Rice Krispies with a $1/2 coupon for Rice Krispies - 2.10 per box (not as good a deal as the Mini Wheats but still a good price).

For the sweet tooth - there is a coupon dispenser by the Froot Loops with a 70 cents off 1 box of Froot Loops, Corn Pops, Apple Jacks. Morgan grabbed a box of Apple Jacks for $2.45 (minus 70 cents = 1.75 per box). The coupons in the dispenser say "not subject to doubling" and they didn't. We just got the one box.

Finally I bought 2 boxes of Special K using a $1/2 coupon that I had.

So I just came home with 8 boxes of cereal!

Another deal at Price Cutter - Kid's Zooth toothbrushes are 2/$4 (the ad says also Oral B Kids toothbrushes - these weren't marked but the clerk marked them down for me because of what the ad said - this is the second item I've found this ad that didn't ring up correctly). You can use coupons from the 2/7 P&G coupon insert for $1 off these toothbrushes. So I stocked up on Hello Kitty and Princess toothbrushes for my girls at $1 each!

Tomorrow I'll be heading back to Dillon's (I also went Saturday) to stock up on the General Mills cereal that's $2.99 for the 25 oz box of Honey Nut Cheerios - I have a $1.50/3 GM cereal catalina (the print out at the register). My general rule of thumb on cereal is a great deal is 10 cents per ounce (cheaper than generic cereal). My family wants Honey Nut Cheerios or Mini Wheats everyday so we're stocking up!

You may find more coupons online - I just knew I'd seen the one on Coupons.com (which I didn't print before my trip to Price Cutter so I guess I'll be printing 2 this morning and heading back from the sale ends tomorrow).

Freezer Cooking Day - What I accomplished

Wow!  I am beat!  Totally ready for bed.  Why did I decide that I would start a 5:30 am workout class the day after a freezer cooking day?!

So here's what I accomplished today:

Waffles x3
Bul-ko-kee x2
Chicken Mix for Haystacks (enough for 2 recipes of Haystacks)
Chicken Enchiladas (using remainder of the chicken Mix) - I'll post this recipe from Jasmine soon.
      Originally, I was going to use enchiladas from the freezer for dinner next week but a phone call from my sister-in-law changed that as they'll be here next Monday.
Chicken-n-Gravy with Noodles x2
     I made this through step 1, freezing the broth/carrots separate from the chicken.  When I'm ready to make this, I will defrost it and start with step 2.  I have Reames frozen noodles in the freezer to add in.
Spanish Rice - 4 cups.
     This is a recipe from Ernie Hamilton and I love how simple it is.  Simply replace some of the water you use to make your rice with enchilada sauce.  One problem - I didn't have enough enchilada sauce to make the spanish rice and the enchiladas.  So I also had to make Homemade Enchilada Sauce.  After we eat the Enchiladas and Spanish Rice, I'll have to let everyone know if we liked it.
Taco Meat - 4 lbs
     2 lbs are for us and 2 lbs are for the Ronald McDonald House dinner our ward is providing this week.
Lasagna x2
     Another recipe from my Mom that I will have to share soon.  Instead of making it in the 9x13 like normal, I layered it in an 8x8 and a 9x9 so that it will be for two meals - portion control!
Oatmeal Muffins x2
Tomato Basil Bread - made in bread machine.  I will need to make several more loaves to use up the can of tomato paste I opened.
Sage and Rosemary Pork Roast x1 - I think this came from a South Beach cookbook.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. 

So all together, counting the crockpot pork chops I made yesterday (and had enough leftover to freeze for another day) and not counting the 2 lbs of taco meat for RMH, I have 15 meals in the freezer (had to subtract one of the waffle sets which we ate for dinner tonight).  Plus 12 muffins in the freezer, 12 in the refrigerator, 1 loaf of banana bread and 1 loaf of tomato basil bread!

Bul-ko-kee (Korean BBQ Beef)

Love served his mission in Korea many moons ago but still has a love for the people as well as the cuisine.  Back when I was working at the hospital pharmacy, I became friends with one of the pharmacists and his wife was from Korea.  So one day, when she came to eat lunch with Mike, I asked her if she had a recipe for Bul-Ko-Kee (I poorly pronounced it but she knew what I meant) since that was one dish Love talked about.  She very kindly provided this recipe to me....

Bul-Ko-Kee (Korean BBQ Beef)

1 lb Beef (Boneless top loin or sirloin steak)
1/4 c soy sauce
3 T sugar
2 T sesame oil
1/4 tsp pepper
3 green onions, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped (I usually mince mine because it's easier or I use dried garlic)

Trim fat from beef.  Cut beef diagonally across grain into 1/8 inch slice (for ease in cutting, partially freeze beef for about 1 1/2 hours).

Mix remaining ingredients.  Stir in beef until well coated.  Cover and refrigerate minimum of 30 minutes. (This can be prepared the night before and this will really add flavor to meat).  Drain beef.

Stir fry in skillet or wok over med. heat until lt. brown (2-3 min).  You can grill it over charcoal just be sure to cut beef slices wider so it won't fall through the grill.

Makes 4 servings.


When I made this for my freezer cooking day, I made two sets - one is in the refrigerator marinating for tomorrow night.  The other is in a ziploc bag in the freezer for some future date.