May 25th - May 30th

Finally, I am getting to my menu and shopping list this week!  The cupboards are bare!  I normally do this on Wednesday or early Thursday, but this has been a challenging week for me! Yesterday was crazy and included a fire alarm in a waiting room! And we were told to NOT OPEN THE DOOR!  So, you don't want us to evacuate then??  It was strange haha.  When I told my sweet husband I had a rough day, he agreed we should eat out, and he met me at Outback.  It was nice to sit and relax and UNLOAD my day on him!  poor guy - I don't think he knew what hit him!  Our waiter was wonderful - which helped to make our night out even better! If you ever get out to Outback in Palm Bay, be sure to ask for Adam! He will give you superb service - and he's cute too!

Memorial day is on Monday. Freedom isn't free! Remember to thank the service men and women, along with their families. They sacrifice so much for our freedom! Remember the fallen who gave everything - may they rest in peace.

Here is a small portion of a beautiful Memorial Day Poem by CW Johnson

For this Memorial Day

To the names upon these crosses

I just want to say,

Thanks for what you've given

No one could ask for more

May you rest with God in heaven

From now through evermore

Friday - Burger Patty with salad (I am eating low-carb - so no buns tonight for us) For the burger patty I season the meat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. I chop up some fresh basil and toss it in there too. Shape the patties and then cook them in butter in a pan on mid-high heat. I let them cook for 5 mins and then flip them. Don't move them around. Once you put them in the pan let them sit there and cook. When I flip them I like to cover the pot for a few minutes to steam them - this keeps them really juicy! This is cheap, easy and quick!

Saturday -Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches with Cilantro Slaw (I saw this recipe on the Pioneer Woman site this week, and I had to add it to the menu. It looks too good! NOTE - for the cilantro slaw in the recipe I am using a 16oz bag of Publix Coleslaw Mix instead of buying and chopping up the cabbage)

Sunday - Chicken breasts with bacon, tomato, and cheese with a salad. I have some boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the freezer from when they were on sale a couple weeks back, so if you don't have them on hand, be sure to add them to the list if you plan on making this tasty, low-carb treat! Follow these directions to make pan-seared chicken breasts. While the chicken is searing, cook the bacon (1 slice per chicken breast or more if you like). Slice up some tomatoes and heat them in the pan when the bacon is done. When your chicken is done, top it with bacon, tomatoes, and cheese (the cheese should melt from the heat, but you can put it under the broiler if needed to melt it) - I like to use swiss, but use whatever you like best.

Memorial Day Monday -Pork spareribs are on sale for $1.99/lb so I recommend enjoying some great BBQ ribs this Memorial Day. Pair it with the best coleslaw ever and some corn on the cob (Corn is on sale 12 for $3) - you've got a great party that won't take up a lot of your time! 12 pack Pepsi products are on sale buy 2 get 2 free and Publix Bakery pies are on sale too!

Tuesday - Take a break from cooking and have leftovers tonight or enjoy a night out - We deserve it!!

Wednesday - Roasted Chicken Breasts and a salad (Publix salad bags on sale 2 for $4)

Planning ahead:  I added a Boston Butt Roast to the shopping list as they are on sale this week, and I plan to make Pulled Pork next weekend when Madison is home. Also, I added Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce as it is on BOGO Free sale this week and I will need it for the pulled pork next weekend. Picking up root beer as well for the pulled pork

Shopping List

Bakery

Hamburger Buns x2 (on sale 8-count for $2.29 - you'll need some for the bbq chicken sandwiches and also for pulled pork on the menu next week!)

Produce

Salad bags x2 (Publix Salad Blends on sale 2 for $4)

2 (16oz bags) Coleslaw Mix

2 onions (Sweet onions are on sale for $.99/lb)

Garlic x3 heads (you don't need that much, but I ran out this week-which shocked me! I never run out of garlic! So I'm stocking up, because I go through garlic like nobody else!!)

tomatoes (Vine ripened tomates on sale for $1.29/lb)

Peeled and cored pineapple is on sale for $2.99 (I always buy this when it is on sale - we are big pineapple fans!)

Cilantro

Corn on the cob (on sale 12 ears for $3)

Dairy

Whole Milk (you'll need a 1/2 cup, so if you don't normally buy this you can get a small one like I do)

Cheese slices (I buy swiss, but get whatever you like best)

Extras

Ketchup (Heinz is on sale 2 for $4)

Chili Sauce

Mayonnaise (Kraft is BOGO Free - buy a mayo and a miracle whip)

Salad Dressing (Kraft is BOGO Free. I like Publix brand Caesar and also the Publix Champagne dressing in the produce section)

White Vinegar

Worcestershire Sauce

Hot Sauce

Miracle Whip 2/3 cup (BOGO Free - Kraft)

Vegetable Oil

Sweet Baby Ray's Sweet and Spicy BBQ Sauce (on sale for BOGO Free)

Rootbeer

Pepsi products are on sale buy 2 get 2 free, so it is a good week to stock up

Coke Products are on sale buy 3 get 2 free

Publix Iced Tea is on BOGO Free sale

Spices

Brown Sugar

Salt

Pepper

White Sugar

Dried Oregano

Cayenne Pepper

Meat

at least 2 bone in skin on chicken breasts (On sale for $1.99/lb - so stock up and save)

• 4 pounds Pork spareribs (on sale for $1.99/lb) this should serve 6-8
• • • 1 (2-3 pounds) Boston Butt roast
    • 1 to 1.5 lbs ground chuck on sale 3.49/lb
    • Publix Thick Sliced bacon
    • 1 Whole Cut Up Fryer Chicken