Couponing Cuisine

It is a common misconception that you can't shop for healthy foods using coupons. I've also heard people argue that you may save money on side dishes, but not on meats and main courses. So many people are still stuck thinking about coupons the way our moms and grandmothers used them. Truth is, that you can save big time on ALL of your grocery needs if you shop right. And just because you're a money saving momma doesn't mean your menu has to be less than nutritious.

Want the proof? Here's some great menus for feeding your family frugally!

This was my family's meal on Wednesday night: Teriyaki Chicken, Asian Rice, Asian Vegetables.
Ingredients:
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Tenderloins $1.97/lb @ Sam's Club
Uncle Ben's Teriyaki Rice Pouch @ $.99 each
Birdseye Specialty Season Asian Medley @ $1.49 each
Lawry's Marinades Teriayki @ $1.00

Coupons Used:
-$.40/1 Lawry's Marinade Coupon (purchased this summer- I believe the coupon amount was for $.40, though I may be incorrect).
-$1.00/1 Uncle Ben's Rice Product (found in Parade magazine)
-$.50/1 Birdseye Steamfresh Variety Vegetables.
All coupons doubled at Kroger bringing my total to $3.32. Plus, there was still a large portion (about 2/3rds) of the bottle of marinade left over. As a bonus, this meal was cooked and ready to eat in less than 15 minutes!

Friday Night we ate Tuna Casserole with Broccoli and Crescent Rolls:
Total cost of meal:
2 Starkist Tuna Pouches @ $.99 each (Kroger)
2 Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup @ $.49 each (Target)
1/2 Cup of Milk @ $2.99/gallon of milk (Kroger)
1/2 bag of No Yolk Extra Broad Egg Noodles @ $3.49 (Food Lion)
1 Package Pillsbury Crescent Rolls @ $1.66 (Kroger)
1 Bag of Birdseye Steamfresh Broccoli @ $1.49 (Kroger)
1 Bag Shredded Sargento Cheddar Cheese @ $1.49 (Kroger)

Coupons Used:
-(2) $.50/1 Starkist Tuna Pouch Product Printable
-$1.00/4 Campbell's Great for Cooking Soups Printable
-$.75 saved for college wyb No Yolks Egg Noodles (Upromise Coupon)
-$3.49 Mail In Rebate for No Yolks Egg Noodles
-$1.00/1 Pillsbury Dinner Crescent Rolls
-$.50/1 Birdseye Steamfresh Variety Vegetables.
-$.40/2 Sargento Cheeses
Tuna and Birdseye coupons doubled at Kroger. Factoring less than 1/10 of the gallon of milk was used, (or $.20 worth of milk) the total for this meal after mail in rebate was: $1.28 or $.43/person! (And we had casserole left over).

These are just two examples of ways to feed your family a healthy fare on a budget. Plus, watch your coupons. Often times you can come across tear pads or peelies in the store with offers such as "Buy this and get ___ off of chicken". Recently there was a coupon for. There was also a coupon for $1.00 off of Fresh Beef wyb any 2 Mrs. Dash Sesasoning Blends. So, this is how you could use these coupons:

Buy:
(2) Mrs. Dash Seasoning @ $2.49 each
(1) Fresh Beef Product (Something on sale and possibly even manager special)

Use:
(2) $.50/1 Mrs. Dash Seasoning
(1) $1.00 off of Fresh Beef wyb any 2 Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blends

Inside cereal boxes and on the fronts I've found "Save $1.00 on Fresh Fruit wyb ______" Another great way to save! Another great place to look for items like this? Check the beer aisle! I've found so many great bonus coupons and tear pads in the beer aisle!

Plus, during the summer, I always try to shop at the local farmer's markets to purchase things at a great price. This summer I was able to get Zucchini for $.25/lb!

How do you save on meats and produce and such?
Let me know other ways you