You all know by now that I LOVE ALDI. I've been shopping there for years--even before I had kids. It's a budget shoppers dream store and you can really find some gems there.  Their season section is always fun to browse.  Like I always say: you can get MOST of your groceries there, but not all.  I like to go there first to knock of most of my list before heading to Meijer or Costco.

Let's Chat About: Grocery Shopping at Aldi

I'm going through some of my older posts and I realized I really need to update my Aldi one! It's still visited quite frequently, but I have MANY more tips!

If you aren't an Aldi shopper (and there's one in your area!), you really should check it out!  They offer healthy foods, gluten free, organic and more at rock bottom prices!

Quick starter tips:

• Bring a quarter.  It's for the cart and you'll get it back!
• Bring your own bags.  You can also purchase them there. After checkout, you will be bagging your own items.  
• Come with an open mind.  I always have a "try anything" mentality when shopping there--although, we aren't too brand loyal anyways.
• They don't accept coupons, but it's okay! Prices are so low, it doesn't matter!  Occasionally, the Sunday paper will have a $5 off store coupon to use.
• No credit cards are accepted! Only debit, cash or Snap. 

Part of shopping on a budget means keeping a stocked pantry! I like to keep a running list of items we need on my phone, categorized by store.  (It's the Reminder app on my iPhone)  When we run low on rice, I know it's cheapest at Aldi so it goes on that list.  Totally helpful!  

One thing to realize is you can't buy EVERYTHING at Aldi, but you can knock off at least 50% of your list....usually more!

They have a health focused brand called Fit & Active.  Most of those items will be lower in fat, sugar, sodium, etc.  This is the main brand I buy there. Favorite items: rice cakes, jelly, ground turkey, meatballs, yogurt.  There are also gluten free and organic brands they recently introduced!  

Aside from their store brands, they have some main-stream brands also.  The selection depends on the store

My favorite items to buy at Aldi:

• Lunchbox fillers/Snacks: granola bars, crackers, nuts, bread, lunch meat
• Baking items: flour, sugars, spices, corn starch, salt
• Pantry fillers: tomatoes, stock, beans, tuna, rice, seasoning packets, oil, vinegar, coffee
• Frozen items: Fit & Active meatballs, frozen boneless thighs, whole chickens, veggies, Fit & Active whipped topping
• Dinner helpers: thin pizza crusts, gnocchi, whole grain pasta, rice
• Produce/Dairy: almond milk, milk, egg beaters, eggs, yogurt, lettuce, cheese
• WINE: My favorite right now is Intermingle...it's a red blend that is the same as Cupcake Red Velvet, but $3 cheaper!  The knockoff Corona is tasty too.  

Keep in mind: some items are seasonal, others aren't always in stock.  When you find something you love, it's smart to stock up.  When I see my favorite ranch rice cakes, I get a few bags!  

Produce is usually at great prices, but the selection can be hit-or-miss.  No matter what you can get bananas, potatoes and onions, but items like avocados, berries or peppers might not be in stock.  When there's a super low price on a produce item, it's best to go early in the week!

When browsing the meat section, if you see red stickers, the $ off amount is the markdown.  For instance, if a roast has three red $1 stickers, it's $3 off!  They count EACH sticker on there! We don't eat much beef, but I do like to grab pork chops and ground turkey there!

My biggest tip is to TRY EVERYTHING.  I really don't have any items that I steer clear of at Aldi. Many people have a bad impression of the store and they've never even set food inside!  For people who are on a budget, but can't find time to coupon, Aldi is a perfect option for you.  

I suggest you browse the aisles and check out all they have to offer! The stores are usually small, but packed with tasty looking food!  In the seasonal section, I can always find something new--I even found my hand weights and yoga mat there! Not sure where your local Aldi is? Use the store locator! 

Here are some recipes I have based on Aldi shopping:

• Baked Brie
• Chicken & Dumpling Soup
• Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats
• S'mores Black bean Brownies

Update: After receiving a few questions on FB and Twitter, I took it upon myself to ask Aldi directly about allergens in their food.  All items are clearly labeled and it's safe shopping for you! Here's a statement from Aldi:

Thank you for contacting us regarding the labeling of allergens on our products. 

 

In accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, ALDI product labels indicate any ingredients that contain any of the eight major allergenic foods and food groups:  milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat or soybeans.  All of our manufacturers adhere to this standard. 

 

Thank you for shopping at ALDI.

 

Sincerely,

 

ALDI Customer Service

Now let's chat! What are your thoughts on Aldi? What do you buy there?  

App in a Snap! Baked Brie

Can you believe it's almost 2015?! 

I would love to say that we have some elaborate fancy NYE plans, but not quite....and I'm actually not too sad!  I swear I have the curse of the awful New Years Eve.  One year, I swear we walked 7 miles all around freezing Madison chasing parties that were all lame.  UGH! No bueno!

Ricky always works until 11-ish and the little ladies and I have a girls night.  It's actually my favorite thing ever.  I totally love to make different appetizers and bust out Disney movies.

I know everyone makes this simple baked brie and it's always a party hit...but I have a little secret trick to make it PERFECT! No one wants gummy crescent rolls at the bottom!

Here's what you need:

• 1 package of crescent rolls (regular or reduced fat)
• 1 package of brie 
• I found brie at ALDI for under $3! Such a steal!
• Fruit preserves of choice- NOT jelly! About 3-4 tablespoons
• We used strawberry & orange marmalade mixed
• Apricot is always tasty, also blackberry!
• 1 egg white, for brushing 
• To dip: crackers, apples

My tips:

1. Gently scrape off the white case around the brie...no need to make it perfect.
2. Prepare and bake the brie on parchment paper--this is THE best way to cook it.  The paper creates a completely stick free barrier from the pan and helps the bottom cook. 
3. Brush with egg whites for that drool-worthy golden crust.

Let's bake!

1. Preheat the oven to 375.
2. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet.  Arrange the crescent rolls in a star fashion (see photo above) to encase the brie.  Dollop 2-3 tablespoons of preserves below the brie and more on top. 
3. Close the crescent roll star, trying to fully cover the brie.  Liberally brush with egg whites. 
4. Bake until golden brown, around 20 minutes.
5. Serve warm with crackers or apples. 

Any big plans for NYE?  I hope you've had a wonderful holiday season so far!!

Grocery Prices Rising: How to Save Your Budget!

Guys, I'm kinda freaking out here.  The price of food is getting ridiculous.  Or maybe it's the lack of sales and good coupons.   I swear there is an extreme couponing shadow at my local Meijer store that clears the shelf minutes before I get there.  Save some for everyone else, shadow!

I know that everyone around the country is feeling their grocery budget stretch a bit.  There have been various reasons: rise in gas prices, bad growing seasons, etc etc.  No matter what it may be, it's time to take action!

Clip more Coupons
This is kind of obvious, but it's worth your time to spend ~20 minutes a week searching for coupons online.  This can be by clipping coupons on websites, reading deal blogs in your area, using digital coupons...whatever you chose.  I also recommend buying Sunday papers!  Depending on the week, we will get 2-5 papers.  It's worth the investment!  With extra coupons, you can stock up on a deal. At Discounted Newspapers, you can get up to 80% off! I love getting the Sunday and Thursday papers delivered--I never miss out on any deals!

Shop early on Fridays.
I'm not a huge fan of shopping on weekends, because it's CRAZY, but early Fridays seem to work well for us.  Why? Usually any weekend sales start on Friday, so you'll get bonus savings.  Plus, the shelves will be stocked up for the weekend shoppers.  I tend to find the most selection and markdown meats, also.  Since you have the whole week to research any deals, you can make sure you have yourself organized to hit up whatever you want to buy.  It's easier to stick to a list if you have your coupons all together!

Farmer's Market Tips
As much as I love to buy local, sometimes farmer's markets can be a strain on the budget.  I have a few tips to help stretch your buck:

• Shop early or at the very end of the day.  
• In the morning, it will be less crowded and the selection will be great.  Since it's less crowded, farmers will be more available to talk to or bargain with. 
• By the end of the market day, farmers will start to load up their trucks.  Ask if there are any gently bruised produce that you can score cheaply.  Last year I got tomatoes for canning super cheap this way! Don't be afraid to ask!
• Browse first, buy last.
• Walk around and take note of prices.  This helps you get the lowest possible prices!

•   Check out the info booth.
• You never know what you might find there!  We have a punch card to get free reusable bags, sometimes they have contests or coupons to use at vendors. It's worth a walk by!

Cut back on meat.
Think about adding different proteins to your diet.  I like to stretch ground turkey by adding other proteins to bulk it up.  Our tacos or enchiladas frequently have black beans added.  Canned or dry beans are MUCH cheaper than meat, you just have to be creative.  That's what Pinterest is for! Lentils are super nutritious fillers too!  If you happen to see a great deal on meat, freeze extras!  This week we have a Buy 1, Get 1 Free deal on pork at Family Fare.  I will get roasts for carnitas or pulled pork and chops for easy grilled meals.


Shop at Aldi first.
I'm pretty Aldi obsessed.  I love how they are growing and changing each year!  Their new organic and natural line is so tasty!  I love Aldi for their prices AND best part: you don't need any pesky coupons!   I do realize you can't get everything there, so I shop Aldi first...then hit up other stores.

New to Aldi? Check out my old post: Aldi for Beginners

What are you doing to help save with the rising prices? Any tips for us?!

Get up to 80% off local newspapers! A great gift idea too!

Chicken & Dumpling Soup {All items from Aldi!}

Now that fall is in full swing, it's time to break out the soup recipes.  I LOVE a good bowl of soup!  This recipe tastes like it has been cooking all day, but can be whipped up in less than 20 minutes.   I like to make a whole roasted chicken on a weeknight and use the leftovers for soup. 

All of the ingredients bought for this soup were from Aldi (you know I love that place!).  You can buy them elsewhere, of course, but you will pay much more!  Their gnocchi is $1.49 and the cheapest other stores have it for is $3.50!  It freezes well, so we stock up during our monthly shopping trip.  Even with a sale at Meijer, it's hard to find a whole chicken for $0.89 per pound!

TIP: After the chicken is roasted, I boil the whole thing in water.  I remove the meat and then save the broth for soup.  It adds a great flavor, although sometimes I still need to add bouillon cubes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of shredded leftover chicken
• 1 package gnocchi
• 1 can of Fit n Active Cream of Chicken soup
• Milk (fill the soup can after empty)
• 2 cups chicken stock 
• If using leftover stock from roasted chicken, add 2 bouillon cubes for extra flavor
• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled & chopped
• 1 stalk of celery, chopped (save the leaves for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons flour
• Salt & Pepper, to taste
• Dash of nutmeg

Let's Cook!

1. Heat oil over medium heat.  Add carrots, onion and celery.  Cook 3-4 minutes until tender.  Season with salt and pepper.
2. Create a little circle in the middle of the pan, add butter to melt.  Sprinkle flour and mix everything together.  Cook for 1 minute.
3. Slowly pour chicken stock into pan, letting thicken.  Add cream of chicken soup, then fill the can with skim milk.  Allow to thicken.
4. Add a dash of nutmeg (shhh, it's my secret ingredient).  Allow to bubble for 4-5 minutes.
5. Finally add gnocchi and chicken.  If too thick, add a splash more chicken stock.
6. Garnish with celery leaves, or parsley. 

 Are you an Aldi shopper?  What's your favorite item?

Holiday shopping at Aldi

I'm in the Aldi ad again this week!  I wish I could change my last name!

I am starting to organize my baking for the holidays.  Ricky likes to make 5-8 different types of cookies, but he doesn't realize that WE are the ones who end up eating them all.  No bueno!  I am going to hold off for a few weeks so I don't gain 15 lbs this holiday season!  I cannot say no to a good sugar cookie!

Have you considered Aldi for your holiday shopping?  They have unbeatable prices on baking essentials, especially sugar, flour and spices.  I found a clearance section last week with spices for $1.25: ginger, cream of tartar and nutmeg.  Have you seen prices at other stores for those?  Over $4!

Other great stock-up items for the holidays:

• Eggs, butter and milk
• Sprinkles, frosting and vanilla
• Cereals: rice crispy, chex and corn flakes 
• Seasonal goodies: Gingerbread waffle mix is AWESOME, also the mint hot cocoa

This time of year they also have a toy section and other inexpensive gifts.  They have name brand and popular items at great prices.  Last year we found some great Fisher Price toys for the twins.  This year I am considering some Disney princess dolls I saw.

I know other grocery stores have sales, but really consider Aldi for a one stop shop for holiday baking and cooking.  In 15 minutes you can get everything you need and be on your way!  Time is precious this time of year.

While you're there, get some tasty ground coffee...you're gonna need it!

How is your holiday baking going so far?  I'm procrastinating, as usual!

 

Check out your Aldi ad this week!

Happy Sunday everyone!

As you know, I love Aldi.   I talk about it all of the time and I have been shopping there for years! Great prices and small stores make your shopping trip quick and easy.

If you check out their weekly flyer, I'm quoted on page 2!  It's paraphrased slightly, but I'll take it!

7/8/2012 Aldi ad, page 2!

If you haven't shopped there before, I have two great posts which help break down the store for you!  If you aren't sure where to find an Aldi, you can use the store locator here.

• Aldi for beginners
• Why I love Aldi

I am so honored to be quoted, I truly think that more people need to give this store a chance!  Thanks Aldi!

Don't forget your quarter and reusable bags!

Aldi for beginners

Happy Saturday y'all!  Are you going grocery shopping today? Read this first!

Aldi is one of my favorite grocery stores.  In the past, I've written an "Ode to Aldi".

I know I can't buy everything I need, but I can get great deals on staples.  As I was strolling down the aisles there yesterday, I saw an Aldi newbie looking confused and excited at the same time.  A huge light bulb went off in my head: I need to break Aldi down!  A lot of people are scared to go there and you really shouldn't be!  Here are my tips!

1. Always keep a quarter in your car.  You will need it for the cart!
• Don't forget your handy reusable bags too! You can also buy them there or find boxes within.
2. Shop here first, you can cross off a lot of your list
3. Don't be afraid to browse or try something new.  Here are my favorite items (just in case you didn't see my last post):
• I am a Kraft mac n' cheese girl, but their version HAS to be the same!  Its super yummy and at least 50 cents cheaper!
• Fit n' Active brand: chicken stock, egg beaters...pretty much everything is great
• Frozen chicken: tenderloin/breast and whole chickens.  Much cheaper than other grocery stores and I feel they are juicier! 
• Ground turkey
• Frozen burger patties.  I know grilling season is pretty much over, but these are great to have on hand
• For the kids: fruit snacks, granola bars, chicken nuggets
• Frozen veggies & fruit
• Bread, especially buns
4. If you really like an item, you may want to consider stocking up!  (Not crazy Extreme Couponing style, but you know what I mean!)
• I fell in love with their ranch rice cakes when I was pregnant and they are rarely there anymore!  If I see them, I buy at least 5 bags. 
5. Although they have sale ads, most of their prices are always the same.  I love this because you always know what to expect. 
• They don't accept coupons, but they really aren't needed anyway!

I could go on forever!  If you have never been, visit your local store!

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