Slow-Cooker Baked Potato Soup

Does anyone still read this? Probably not since I update rather sporadically. Sorry! Well, if you are still tuning in, I found a really awesome slow-cooker recipe for Baked Potato Soup! The recipe comes from HERE, so I can't claim it as my own - though the picture below is my soup! This is super easy and great for a cold night. It's a whole meal in itself - we didn't have any side dishes and we were all full! 

Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup Ingredients:

• 5 pounds russet potatoes, washed but NOT peeled. Diced into 1/2 inch(ish) cubes
• 1 medium/large yellow onion, diced
• 10 cloves of garlic, minced (if you use jarred, it's a 5 teaspoon equivalent)
• 64 ounces (8 cups) chicken stock or broth
• 16 oz cream cheese, softened (I use low fat)
• 1 tablespoon seasoned salt (I didn't have any, so I just used regular salt)
• optional garnishes: crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, green onions

Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup Directions:

1. Add potatoes, onion, garlic, seasoning, and chicken stock to slow cooker.
2. Cook on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours.
3. Add the softened cream cheese and puree soup with an immersion blender until the cheese is incorporated and about half the soup is blended. (Alternately you could remove half the soup and the cream cheese to an upright blender, then re-incorporate).
4. Stir well, top with your choice of garnishes & enjoy!

*Notes* This makes ALOT of soup, so I would either scale it down or plan on having leftovers later in the week. Also, I happen to have an immersion blender so this was super easy for me! If you plan on doing it in a regular blender you may have a mess on your hands...

Free Milk coupon!

Ok, so I don't normally post about a single coupon because no one needs to know about each individual coupon I find awesome. However, pretty much every one buys milk and it is RARE to see a coupon for it. I found out about this on Hip2Save (a sweet savings blog you should follow), and rather than writing it all out I will just direct you over to her page. You can score a free gallon of milk with the purchase of 3 breakfast items!

CLICK HERE

*note* I assume breakfast items can be boxes or cereal and oatmeal... but maybe even eggs and bacon... stuff you're going to buy anyway!

Target Apparel Coupons

If you are a frequent Target shopper (like me), you may want to click HERE to check out the coupons on their site! They have several apparel coupons (seen below) that can let you save a couple bucks. You can even use these on clearance merchandise to get a super awesome deal.

There are lots of other coupons there as well (household, grocery, ect) - so check 'em out! One of the great things about Target coupons is that you can stack them with Manufacturer coupons to get double savings. For example, if Target has a coupon for $1 off Campbells Soup, and there is a 50cent Manufacturer coupon in the Sunday paper, you can use both at the same time to get a total of $1.50 off!

A great website to get the scoop on individual Target deals (sales, coupon matchups, etc) is TotallyTarget.

Feta and Bacon Stuffed Chicken

One things I love about the weekend is that I actually have time to cook a dinner that requires a little effort. Our lives are so busy during the week that I try to make things that take 30minutes or less, since I usually don't get home until 6:30ish. However, on Sundays - it's game on! I found this recipe on Pinterest (originally on Allrecipes.com -link HERE), and had been wanting to give it a try. It really wasn't that hard and it has a great presentation!

(Food photography is not a skill of mine)

 

This is essentially what it says online, but I tweeked it a little to make it a little less unhealthy:

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces (I used turkey bacon)
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese (I used low-fat)
• 3 tablespoons sour cream (you can use the light version)
• 1/8 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 (4 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup dry bread crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned but still soft. Reserve the bacon grease in the skillet, and cool the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cool, mix the bacon together with the feta cheese, 3 tablespoons of sour cream, oregano, and black pepper in a small bowl; set aside.
2. Lay a chicken breast flat onto your work surface. Use the tip of a sharp boning or paring knife to cut a 2-inch pocket in the chicken breast. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts. Spoon the bacon mixture into the pockets. Pour the flour, egg, and bread crumbs into separate, shallow dishes. Gently press the chicken breasts into the beaten egg, then press into bread crumbs.
3. Reheat the bacon grease over medium heat. Brown the chicken breasts on both sides in the hot fat, about 2 minutes per side. Place the breasts on a baking dish, and bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink and the filling is hot, 20 to 25 minutes.

*Notes*

So the hardest part for me was making the "pocket" in the chicken breast. You want to insert the knife on the "short" side of the chicken breast, making a deep pocket (as opposed to cutting into the other side and making a long, but shallow pocket).

Also, the stuffing of it - I gave up on the spoon and just did it by hand. It was just easier that way. The chicken breasts get pretty big after being stuffed, and you can just trim off any extra chicken at the end to make it look pretty.

Serve with a veggie and/or mashed potatoes and you've got yourself a restaurant quality meal!

Subway Februany deal!

I realize this month is more than half over but I forgot to post about this! For the month of February you can get ANY footlong sub at Subway for $5! Any kind - even the more expensive ones! This can make for a cheap lunch! If you aren't typically a footlong eater, you can eat half and save the other half for the next day - giving you 2 lunches for $5!

Claires.com 10 for $10 sale!

I don't know about you, but I loved Claires back in my teenage days. They were in every mall and frequently had these "10 for $10" sales back then too. I was a deal-seeker back then, so you know I took advantage.

Currently, for a limited time, Claires.com is hosting an online 10 for $10 Sale where you can get 10 of thier redline items for $10! That's $1 per item! They have a lot of things like gloves, headbands, etc. I am a little old for this stuff now but it's a good time to stock up on cheap gifts for the young girls in your life (Birthdays, Easter baskets, save for next Christmas...)

Keep in mind that your order must be in multiples of 10 and you will have to pay shipping for orders under $45.

Thanks, Hip2Save!

Check out my awesome deal!

Yes, I suck at updating this - I have a lot on my plate at the moment! Anyway, I got an awesome deal and I am excited and wanted to share!

Kohls.com was having an awesome online clearance selection. I scored this:

A Chaps Wool Peacoat (originally $229.00) on clearance for $36.64! PLUS, I had a 20% off coupon code, bringing it down to around $30. Woo! That's $200 off! I was so excited I also bought one for my sister.

 

I also realize I have a problematic obsession with pea coats. I have one in black, grey, pink, white and now - red! Does it help that I got them all at a good price?

 

I'm telling you - the time to get your winter gear is now! As stores are gearing up for Spring, there is winter clearance EVERYWHERE!

 

Winter Clearance!

Here is a helpful shopping tip - be on the lookout for major clearance deals at your favorite stores!

I for one, am a Target lover. However, I walked in last week and was a little scared seeing as they are already putting out bathing suits for summer! Eek! The last thing I want to think about right now is wearing a bikini....

ANYWHO, as stores are gearing up for the new season, there are some drastic markdowns for the old winter stuff! I saw a TON of clothing racks ranging from 30%-70% off - and all departments. So take a look, you may find something for yourself or your kiddos.

Also, the after-holiday toy markdowns have begun! This is a great time to stock up for any upcoming birthdays you may have. Why pay full price when you don't have to!?!

I'm sure similar markdowns are being made at places like Walmart, Kmart, Clothing stores, etc...

Things that are good to stock up on for next Christmas/birthdays:

-Wrapping paper/bags and boxes (solid red or green can work for birthdays too!)
-Kids toys
-Clothes that are a size or two up - they can grow into it by next winter!
-Non-perishable gift sets (like the Axe or Dove sets for men/women)
-Little future stocker stuffers for under $1

I have a "gift trunk" that I have filled with random toys, gift sets, wrapping paper, bags - all purchased at 50%-90% off. It's definitely great to have when a last-minute gift comes up and I don't have to run out and buy a $5 roll of wrapping paper.

Free sample of Prilosec

If you get occasionally get heartburn, you may want to click HERE and request a free sample of Prilosec OTC! Even if you don't get heartburn, it may be handy just to have it around the house in case it creeps up in you or a house guest! I have done this sample (because obviously I can't resist anything free) and I just keep it in my medicine cabinet - you never know when someone might need it!

Free 5-Hour Energy Sample



I know, I know - I suck at blogging. But you can go HERE to request a free sample of 5-Hour Energy! I have actually done this offer before and it really works!