Slim Chickens

 We saw a new chicken restaurant soon to be opened--Slim Chickens. It is right in a stretch several blocks that has KFC, Chic fil A, and Chicken Salad Chick.  Of course, places like DQ are also in the area. We will try Slim Chickens after we try Chicken Salad Chick. "Slim Chickens" is a play on Slim Pickens an actor and rodeo performer. 

My heart hurt when I saw that Five Guys has closed their doors. I love that place even though I rarely ate there. When we ate there, the only time Tommy has been there, the total was around $25. He was shocked. Well, I am not eager to spend that much money on burger, fries, and Coke. Plus, and, more importantly, it is a horrible meal in terms of health. But, I grieve for having lost a chance to eat there in Cullman. 

Watching the news from Ukraine upsets me greatly! I cry about this, some days more than others. It is just too much. 

Speaking of Ukraine, I found out several years ago that part of my family is from Ukraine.  

Monday, when I purchased bananas, I decided to pick up a few more cans of the No Salt Hunt's Tomato Sauce, since I had only bought diced tomatoes. All the cans I have gotten so far, have a date in 2023. 

My right hand finally is fully free of pain when I use it. For several weeks, any slight movement caused great pain. Typing does not seem to really bother me, but I don't pound keys of hit the end of fingers on keys or arch my hand and fingers. However, there is a small knot, a round thing, on the back of my hand. It does not hurt nor does it move. I wonder what it is. 

Today starts a stretch of five days without rain and tomorrow the temperature will be in the 70s for at least six days. I love it. I need to force myself outdoors to sow seeds in some of my planters and plant bulbs. It is so warm now that I don't think I need to sow the flower seeds indoors.

I slept a whole 3 hours last night. If I get a few things done early, I can nap without feeling I am lazy. It is almost 8 am.

Do you watch the develops in Ukraine? Have Hunt's tomato products been on sale in your area?

Prices for Groceries and Gas

 I decided to buy more Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes. When I went to the display up front, there were no tomatoes like I wanted, just other iterations that were left on sale. So, I went to the aisle to determine if any were left there. No, none like I wanted. But, I found one with no sodium. I didn't know this was an option. 

So, I went up front and an employee I have known for about seven years from my shopping there helped me by going through the display for more of the "no sodium" variety. She found one can. Then, we went to the aisle and she found two more by moving a bunch of cans and looking behind them. Too bad. 

Since she remembered helping me the Thursday before, I ventured a question. I asked her if I could trade the ones that were "Petite Diced" for the "no sodium" variety. She agreed if I had a receipt. I did not, so she searched the records for the purchase. She came out and asked a manager if I could return them without a receipt. He agreed. Then, I asked if I could trade them if the sale were off. He agreed. 

When I arrived at home, I still had the cans in a store tote bag. I looked inside, and there was the receipt! So, I am gold. I can trade them with no hassle.

The regular Hunt's Petite Diced Tomatoes had 200 mg of sodium. Hunt's No Salt Added Diced has 15 mg. That is significant difference in sodium. I will still have the other dozen cans with 200 mg of sodium. But, I can use one of each in soup. By using one can of each, I will reduce the sodium from 400 mg to 215 mg. I am overjoyed with any reduction in sodium. By using two cans of NO Salt, I will reduce the sodium from 400 mg to 30 mg. 

I looked at the receipt I could not find but found in the bag. I paid $0.72/can compared to the $0.98/can at Big Box for a saving of $0.26 on each 26 cans. This sale is still on at Publix here and in Cullman. You need to check your Publix for the sale before you go. I bought 26 cans, so my savings over the lowest price was $6.76. 

I also went to another store. After paying $5+ for 18 eggs, I paid $3.59 for the same 18 eggs. I can eat these all or cook with them, so there will be no waste. 

On Friday, Tommy had to pick up a med and said he was going to see where gas was least expensive. He paid $3.12. Saturday morning gas was $3.19. When we went to Cullman on Saturday, gas was $3.14.. Before we left town, the same gas was $3.39. When we got back to Hueytown, most stations were higher than when we left town. It's horrifying. Murphy's, one of the places in Hueytown where we found the $3.12 price was still $3.12 when we came back on Saturday. 

What good deals on grocery or gas have you found lately? Do you try to avoid full-price groceries like I do?

I Found Jars! and other stuff

I lost this post. So, here goes again. 

I went to the Pig for something, forgot what. While there, I looked for Ball jars and rings/lids.  My hands were shaking because of all the jars I found. I had to get help to get them into my electric cart. I was just sure someone would buy them from under me. I bought two boxes of a dozen ball jars and a box of Kerr pints. So, three dozen jars. Kerr is fine. 

Ball quarts were $12.06/12 and Kerr pints were $11.49/12. I had three $3 coupons. So, I saved $9. I really don't know what they are elsewhere.

The dishcloths that are $0.90 for two are great. So, I got three more packages, 6 more dishcloths. The tag says not to wash in cold water or dry on high. But, I did and these are good and a good deal. 

3 5-oz. Hunt's Tomato Paste $0.91 each

Remember the tomato that was about $2. Well, I found four smaller ones for $1. I hope they are worth a dollar. 

Of course, I had to forget some important--bananas, so we ran out to Publix which is about a mile away. I cannot just go in, can I? 

1 5.oz. can Hunt's Tomato Paste-w/ oregano, garlic, and basil. $0.87.

2 cans Campbell Mushroom Cooking Soup @ $.75 each What is this stuff? Have you used it?

Chopped garlic in a jar. I am sick of buying it and paying too much. This was about $3 and much more thrifty, maybe not as good, as what I buy. I need to grow garlic or find some at a Farmer's Market. 

Saturday, I could find no jar rings at two other stores. I did use a coupon to get four tiny Ball jars. They are about the size of a salt shaker but without holes. I also purchased a 16 ounce jar glass jar of vinegar.  This is what I always used when I only used it for cooking and not for cleaning stuff.  I can put this in the shelf in the kitchen and not have to deal with pouring from a half-gallon or gallon jar that hurts me to pour. 

In the summer just when peaches are abundant, canned peaches are always on sale. ARGO is the best commercially canned peach around! (I know home-canned are better.) This 29 ounce can is $1.89 now and will be at least $1 more this winter. Argo canned peaches are sort of ruffled, not smooth on the cut edges or where the pit touched the peach flesh. It makes me think they are seconds, but they are tops in my book. Have you ever had ARGO peaches?

Have you ever used Campbell's Mushroom Cooking Soup? How is it? Good? 

Have you used Hunt's Tomato Paste with oregano, basil, and garlic?