Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Bargain guide, week beginning March 31st, and fat-free potato chips

Sunday is Easter. Ham prices have been (I’m sorry, really) cut to the bone. Strawberries are suddenly available by the flat.

April is to be, entirely superfluously, National Food Month. (I thought every month was food month?) It is also National Florida Tomato Month, National Grilled Cheese Month, National Soft Pretzel Month and National Soy Month. Good Friday is National Hot Cross Buns Day (it is said that if you keep a hot cross bun from one Good Friday to the next, your house will not burn down that year); Easter is National Baked Ham With Pineapple Day as well as being the official close of the chocolate season. April 2nd is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. April 4th is National Dandelion Day – a bit late for us here in Arizona as the dandelion greens are decidedly past their prime by now – and the first Monday in April begins National Bake Week.

Today is Tater Day (that’s the way they spell it – don’t blame me), so at the end of this entry is a recipe for fat-free microwave potato chips. They can also be made with sweet potatoes (the first Monday in April is National Sweet Potato Day).

Nibble the ears off and tell your child it’s a chocolate Easter hamster.



Albertson’s:

Beef prime rib roast, bone in, $3.97/lb
Beef ribeye steaks, bone in, $3.97/lb (boneless $5.99/lb)
Beef eye round roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
Beef cross rib roast, $2.99/lb
Beef tenderloin roast, $8.99/lb
93/7 ground beef, 5 lbs or larger, $1.67/lb
Hormel spiral sliced ham, bone in, $1.17/lb
Cook’s ham, shank portion, bone in, $1.19/lb (butt portion $1.39/lb)
Pork shoulder roast, $1.49/lb
Pork loin roast, whole in bag, $1.99/lb
Leg of lamb, boneless, $4.99/lb
Whole chickens, 99¢/lb
Tyson game hens, 20 oz, 2/$5
Rockfish fillets, wild caught, family pack, $2.99/lb
Atlantic salmon portions, farm raised, $3.99 ea
Tilapia/catfish/pollock/swai fillets, family pack, $2.99/lb
Honeysuckle White or Norbest frozen turkeys, 69¢/lb
Honeysuckle White turkey breast, bone in, $1.29/lb
Honeysuckle White fresh turkeys, $1.29/lb
Store brand butter, 2/$3
Sargento sliced cheeses, 8 oz pkg, $2.99
Sargento cheese shreds, 5-8 oz, $2.99
PictSweet frozen veggies, 1 lb bag, 77¢
Libby’s canned veggies, 2/$1
Deli: Jennie-O turkey breast, $4.99/lb
Kretschmar Virginia ham, $4.99/lb
Joseph Farms cheeses, $4.99/lb
Margherita pepperoni/hard salami/Genoa salami, $5.99/lb
Classico pasta sauces, 2/$5
Crystal Light, 10-12 qt tube, $3.49
Smart Ones “Bistro Selections”, 2/$6
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$5
Strawberries, FOUR pound flat (make jam), $3.99
Other berries, 5.6-6 oz box, $3.99
Mini watermelons, $2.99
Pineapples, 2/$5
Fresh Express bag salads, 2/$5
Seedless grapes, red/green/black, $2.99/lb
Red or gold yams, 99¢/lb
Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
Asparagus, $2.99/lb
Vine tomatoes, 14 oz, 2/$5
Hass avocados, medium, 99¢
Green beans, 12 oz bag, $3.99
Pears, Anjou/Bosc/red, 99¢/lb
Earthbound Farms box salads, 1 lb, $4.99
Mixed cut up fruit, 2 lb, $9.99
Veggie tray, 2.5 lb, $9.99
Fresh herbs, $1.99 and they may just take root if you try



Bashas’:

Beef top sirloin steaks, value pack, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef tenderloin, whole in bag, $4.97/lb (cut into filet steaks free)
Beef crossrib/bottom round/sirloin tip roasts, boneless, $3.49/lb
80/20 ground beef, value pack, $1.67/lb
Sugar Tree spiral sliced ham, bone in, 97¢/lb
Leg of lamb, semi boneless, whole or half, $6.99/lb
Norbest frozen turkeys, 77¢/lb
Chicken back quarters, 59¢/lb (10 lb bag)
Sea scallops, wild caught, $8.99/lb
“Red Rock” (rockfish?) fillets, $3.99/lb
Stokely’s canned veggies, 2/$1
Dole canned fruit, 99¢
Pam cooking spray, 5-6 oz, $2.99
Green Giant frozen veggies, 5/$5
Flav-R-Pac frozen veggies, 5/$5
Dole bag salad “Classic Iceberg”, 99¢
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 99¢
Roma tomatoes, 99¢/lb
“Mini peeled” carrots, AZ grown, 1 lb bag, 99¢
Cucumbers, 99¢
Large artichokes, $2.49
Red Delicious apples, 99¢/lb
Hass avocados, 99¢
Earthbound Farms box salads, $2.99
Romaine hearts, organic, $2.49



Fresh & Easy:

Beef rib eye roast, boneless, $4.99/lb
Beef New York steak, boneless, family pack, $6.99/lb
Ham shank or rump portion, 77¢/lb
Spiral sliced ham, $1.47/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.97/lb
Jennie-O fresh turkeys, 99¢/lb
Pepsi products incl. Diet, 12 packs, 3/$7.98
Store brand cheeses, 6-8 oz block or shreds, $1.99
Store brand sour cream incl. Light, 16 oz tub, $1.15
Store brand canned veggies, 10/$5
Store brand canned pineapple, crushed or slices, juice pack, 99¢
Store brand frozen veggies, 1 lb bag, 99¢
Strawberries, 4 lb flat, $4.99
Asparagus, 1 lb pkg, $1.79
Pineapples, $1.99
Fresh & Easy bag salads “European Blend” or “Crunchy Beet”, 2/$4
Large avocados, 3/$1.98 (multiples of 3)
Fresh green beans, 1 lb bag, $1.34
“Berry medley”, 14 oz cup, $4.99
Cantaloupe OR watermelon chunks, 10 oz tub, $1.99



Food City:

Beef chuck steak, boneless, $1.99/lb
Beef top sirloin roast, boneless, $2.49/lb
Half ham, shank portion, bone in, 99¢/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.49/lb
Flounder fillets, $2.49/lb
Whole tilapia, 99¢/lb
Navel oranges, 4 lbs/$1
Mexican papayas, 3 lbs/99¢
Avocados, 3.99¢
Radishes OR green onions, 4 bunches/99¢
Green chiles, 2 lbs/$1
Cabbage, 3 lbs/$1
Jicama, 3 lbs/99¢
Mexican key limes, 2 lbs/$1



Fry’s:

Beef rib roast, bone in, $6.99/lb
Beef tenderloin roast, whole in bag, $9.99/lb (go to Bashas’)
Beef t-bone steaks, family pack, $3.97/lb (smaller pack, $4.97/lb
Beef chuck roast, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef chuck steak, boneless, $2.99/lb
Beef bottom round or sirloin tip roast, $2.99/lb
Pork crown roast, bone in, $3.99/lb
Frenched rack of pork loin, bone in, $3.99/lb
Cook’s half ham or spiral sliced ham, $1.27/lb
Private Selection spiral sliced hams, $1.99/lb
Hillshire Farms spiral sliced hams, $2.49/lb
Leg of lamb, boneless, $6.99/lb
Jennie-O fresh hen turkeys, $1.29/lb
Private Selection frozen turkey, 88¢/lb
Butterball frozen turkeys, $1.19/lb
Whole chickens, 88¢/lb
Sockeye salmon, wild caught, $4.97/lb
Cooked shrimp, 31-40 ct, $5.97/lb
Kroger cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk or shreds, $1.77
Fry’s eggs, AA large, dozen, $1.49
Land O Lakes butter, 2/$5
Kraft mayonnaise incl Light, also Miracle Whip (yecch), 30 oz, $2.49
PictSweet frozen veggies, 1 lb bag, 77¢
All Pepsi products incl. Diet, 4/$10
Fry’s canned fruit, 88¢
Kroger canned pineapple or mandarins, 88¢
Broccoli OR cauliflower, 88¢/lb
Radishes OR green onions, 2 bunches/$1
Del Monte pineapples, 2/$3
Strawberries 1 lb box, 2/$5
Blackberries, 4.4 oz box, 2/$5
Asparagus, green or white, $1.99/lb
Yams, red or golden, 89¢/lb
Mandarins, 3 lb bag, $3.99
Navel oranges, $1/lb
Minneola tangelos, $1/l
D’Anjou pears, $1/lb
Bananas, 49¢/lb
Apples, Cameo or Granny Smith, $1/lb
Roma tomatoes, $1/lb
“Mini peeled” carrots, 1 lb bag, $1
Celery, $1
Private Selection fresh herbs, organic, $1.89 and these too may take root
Dole bag salads, 2/$5



Rancho Grande:

Beef flap meat, $3.89/lb
Whole pork leg, 99¢/lb
Chicken drumsticks, family pack, 69¢/lb
Whole tilapia, cleaned, 89¢/lb
StarKist chunk light tuna, 59¢
Oranges, 6 lbs/99¢
Cucumbers, 7/99¢
Mexican papapas, 3 lbs/99¢
Hass avocados, 7/99¢
Cilantro, 8 bunches/99¢
Mexican limes, 3 lbs/99¢
Radishes OR Mexican green onions, 4 bunches/99¢
Pineapple, 2 lbs/99¢



Safeway:

Beef chuck crossrib roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
Beef tenderloin, whole in bag, $9.99/lb (cheaper at Bashas’)
Beef ribeye steaks, bone in, value pack, $4.97/lb
93/7 ground beef, $1.97/lb
Store brand hams, whole or shank half, bone in, 97¢/lb (butt half $1.17/lb)
Store brand spiral sliced hams, bone in, whole or half, $1.27/lb
Leg of lamb, semi boneless, $3.99/lb
Chicken thighs or drumsticks, 99¢/lb
Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, $4.99/lb
Tilapia fillets, farm raised, $6.99/lb
Deli: Primo Taglio ham, $5.99/lb
Primo Taglio havarti, $6.99/lb
Turkey OR honey ham OR Virginia ham, $4.99/lb
Coke OR Pepsi OR 7-Up products incl Diet, 12 pks, $2.69 (must buy 4)
Eating Right frozen entrees, 5/$10
Bumble Bee chunk light tuna, 2/$1
Fresh Express OR Eating Right bag salads, $1.97
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 97¢
Large Hass avocados, 88¢
Eating Right “baby cut” carrots, 2 lb bag, 2/$5
Apples, Gala or Granny Smith, $1.29/lb
Radishes OR green onions, 2 bunches/$1
O Organics fresh herbs, 2/$3, and again try rooting them
Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
Green seedless grapes, $2.99/lb
Vine tomatoes, $2.69/lb



Smart & Final:

Cattleman’s Finest beef top sirloin steaks, $3.49/lb
Cattleman’s Finest beef tri tip roast, $3.99/lb
Farmer John spiral cut, half or whole, bone in, $1.29/lb
Bone in chicken breast, 99¢/lb
2.5 lb veggie tray, $8.99
Asparagus, 1.75 lb pkg, $2.99



Sprouts:

“Extra lean” ground beef, $2.99/lb
Beef rib roast or steaks, $6.99/lb
Pork loin roast, boneless, $1.77/lb
Boneless leg of lamb, $5.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, $1.77/lb
Fresh turkeys, free range, $1.49/lb
Sockeye salmon fillets, $8.99/lb
Sprouts eggs, AA large, dozen, 2/$3
Yummy Earth organic candy, 20% off
Cascadian Farms frozen veggies, 1 lb bag, $1.99
All Sprouts brand vitamins, 25% off
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 97¢
Piñova apples, 88¢/lb
Red bell peppers, 88¢
Navel oranges, 49¢/lb
Blueberries, 4.4 oz punnet, 2/$4
Blackberries, 6 oz punnet, 2/$4
Celery, 99¢
Carrots, 2 lb bag, 99¢
Hass avocados, 88¢
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 88¢
D’Anjou pears, regular or organic, 99¢/lb



Fat-free potato chips, made in your microwave oven

Slice three potatoes very thinly – Yukon Gold potatoes are recommended. Use big fat ones as the chips will shrink. Rinse, pat dry, salt, season (pepper, chili powder, Spike, curry powder, Vege-Sal, Bacon Salt, you name it). Spread them on a microwave-safe plate in a single layer. How strong is your oven?

600- to 700-watt oven: Microwave at full power for 8 minutes, cool 3 minutes, turn over, microwave another 6 minutes.

750- to 800-watt oven: Microwave at full power for 7 minutes, cool 3 minutes, turn over, microwave another 4 minutes.

850- to 900-watt oven: Microwave at full power for 6 minutes, cool 3 minutes, turn over, microwave another 4 minutes.

If they’re not brown enough, give them another couple of minutes. They crisp as they cool. I am informed that this also works with carrots and beets, although not with higher-water-content vegetables such as zucchini. I am further informed that sweet-potato chips are very good with a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar instead of salt.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

As I promised last week, I tried the Mystic Red Grapes at Safeway. They’re crisp and very sweet, slightly tough-skinned. Not up there with Champagne or the huge Holiday Seedless, but better than whatever red seedless grapes are most commonly available now.

Fish is still a loss leader at most supermarkets. It’s also still National Frozen Foods Month, and since Passover starts in just under two weeks anything kosher for Passover will be heavily promoted.

Today was St. Patrick’s Day, so drive home carefully as a lot of people have been imbibing a lot of green beer. Or any other sort. Or Irish whisky. Or any other sort. Tomorrow is Oatmeal Cookie Day, and I know there are lots of ways to make those Points-friendly. The 22nd, next Monday, is a celebration of the healthiest beverage: National Water Day.

And a week from the day after tomorrow, March 26th, is Make Up Your Own Holiday Day. I can’t figure out how to post a poll in Blogspot, but post your vote (the Comments button is right down there) for Healthy Snacks Day, Don’t Waste Your Points Day, Add Veggies To Everything Day, or Filling Foods Can Be Delicious Day. Or any other holiday idea you can think of! Other holidays:

March 17th: Corned Beef and Cabbage Day, Green Beer Day (It is also Submarine Day, but that is a celebration of the submersible watercraft, not the sandwich.)
March 18th: National Oatmeal Cookie Day
March 19th: National Poultry Day, National Chocolate Caramel Day
March 20th: Bock Beer Day, National Ravioli Day
March 21st: National Strawberry Day, National French Bread Day
March 22nd: Coq au Vin Day, National Water Day, National Bavarian Crepes Day
March 23rd: National Chip and Dip Day, National Melba Toast Day
March 24th: National Chocolate Covered Raisins Day



Albertson’s:

Beef chuck or bottom round roast, boneless, $1.88/lb
85/15 ground beef, 5 lbs or more, $1.99/lb
Beef t-bone or ribeye (bone-in) steaks, family pack, $6.99/lb
Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, $3.99/lb
Beef tenderloin, boneless, whole in bag, $8.99/lb
Pork sirloin chops, boneless, $1.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.77/lb
Canadian rockfish or Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, family pack, $2.99/lb
Tilapia/catfish/pollock/swai fillets, farm raised, family pack, $2.99/lb
Milk $1.88 <-- Best price!
Deli: Jennie-O smoked turkey breast, $3.99/lb
Cheeses: Swiss, mild Cheddar, Muenster, Provolone, pepperjack, $5.99/lb
Kretschmar ham or chicken, $5.99/lb
Albertson’s “Deli Style” sliced cheeses, 8 oz pkg, $2.99
Green Giant canned veggies, 5/$3
Crystal Light “On the Go”, $2.99
Albertson’s cottage cheese incl. Light, 24 oz tub, $2.49
Yehuda matzos, 5 lb box, $6.99
Manischewitz matzo meal, 16 oz canister, $3.99
Lean Pockets, 5/$10
Healthy Choice frozen entrees, 3/$6
Healthy Choice frozen meals or “Café Steamers”, 4/$10
Smart Ones frozen entrees, 4/$19
PictSweet “Steamers” frozen veggies, 10/$10
Birds Eye “Steamfresh” frozen veggies, 2/$3
Apples: Gala, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Red/Golden Delicious, $1/lb
Clementines, 3 lb bag, 2/$5
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$5
Raspberries/blueberries/blackberries, 5.6-6 oz box, $3.99
Cut-up strawberries, 12 oz cub, 2/$5
Vine tomatoes, $2.49/lb
Avocados, 2/$4
Cara Cara oranges, 99¢/lb
Artichokes, 2/$4
Broccoli, 99¢/lb
Radishes OR green onions, 2 bunches/$1
Mangos, 99¢
Mushrooms 6-8 oz box, whole or sliced, 2/$4
Earthbound Farms box salads, “Spring Mix” or “Baby Spinach”, 1 lb, 2/$4
Crunch Pack sliced apples, 14 oz, 2/$5



Bashas’:

Beef chuck roast, bone in, value pack, $1.49/lb (steaks $1.99/lb)
Beef cross rib roast, $2.49/lb (steaks $2.99)
Beef tenderloin, whole in bag, $5.99/lb
80/20 ground beef, value pack, $2.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, buy 1 get 2 free
Pollock fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
Cherrystone clams, 2 lb bag, $5 (Clams Casino. Yum.)
Gorton’s Grilled Fillets, $2.99
Milk, $1.88  Best price!
Bashas’ sour cream OR cottage cheese incl. Light, 16 oz tub, $1.99
Tillamook cheeses, 8 oz chunk or shreds, 2/$5
Fiber One OR Nature Valley bars, 2/$5
StarKist chunk light tuna, 69¢
Del Monte canned fruit, 4/$5
S&W canned tomatoes, 89¢
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$3
Dole bag salads “Greener Collection” or “Classic Iceberg”, $1
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, $1
“Mini peeled” carrots, AZ grown, 1 lb bag, $1
Large tomatoes, AZ grown, $2/lb
English cucumbers, AZ grown, $1
Navel oranges, $1/lb
Hass avocados, $1 (organic, $1.29)
Organic romaine hearts, 2/$5



Food City:

Beef chuck steak, boneless, $2.49/lb (roast, $2.49)
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.49/lb
Fish fillets, 4 oz, frozen, 99¢
Pollock fillets, $1.99/lb
Seafood mix, $2.59/lb
Small avocados, 4/$1
Iceberg, 3/99¢
Green chiles, 3 lbs/99¢
Pasilla chiles, 2 lbs/$1
Mexican grey squash, 2 lbs/$1
Mexican papayas, 2 lbs/$1
Jicama, 3 lbs/99¢



Fresh & Easy:

Beef New York steak, boneless, family pack, $4.99/lb
Beef tri tip roast, boneless, $4.89/lb
Pork end chops, assorted, $1.99
Boneless skinless chicken breast, family pack, $1.97/lb
Store brand cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk or shreds, $1.99
Store brand bag salads, “Bistro” or “Italian-style”, 7-8 oz, $1.99
Yellow onions, 2 lb bag, 98¢
Lemonsandlimes, 2 lb bag, 98¢
Apples, 3 ct, 98¢
Seedless grapes, 78¢/lb
Avocados, bag of 4, 2/$5
Iceberg, 98¢
“Baja Classic” tomatoes, 1 lb pkg, 98¢
Apple slices, 20 oz bag, $2.98



Fry’s:

Beef chuck roast, boneless, $1.97/lb (steak $2.99/lb)
Beef t-bone steaks, $5.97/lb
Beef sirloin tip roast, $2.99/lb
Half pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $1.97/lb
Pork tenderloin, $3.99/lb
Pork sirloin, boneless, whole in bag, $1.49/lb
Pork shoulder butt roast, bone in, whole in bag, $1.29/lb
Pork picnic roast, 97¢/lb
Foster Farms chicken, buy 1 get 1 free
Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $4.97/lb
Alaska halibut fillets, $12.99/lb (Good lord, good lord.)
Alaska cod fillets, wild caught, $5.99/b
Milk, $2.08
Lean Cuisine frozen entrees, $2.17 } buy 8 total,
Del Monte OR S&W canned tomatoes, 49¢ } get $4 off
Mandarins, 3 lb bag, $1.99
Dole bag salads: “Just Lettuce”, “Classic Romaine”, “Greener Selection”, $1
Asparagus, $1.99/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, $2.99
Pears: D’Anjou, red, Bosc, $1/lb
Navel oranges, $1/lb
Minneola tangelos, $1/lb
Red bell peppers, $1 ea
Celery, $1 ea
Broccoli OR cauliflower, $1/lb
Roma tomatoes, $1/lb
Hass avocados, regular or organic, $1 ea



Rancho Grande:

Beef 7-bone chuck steak or roast, family pack, $1.69/lb
Assorted pork chops, $1.27/lb
Chicken drumsticks, 89¢/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.99/lb
Whole blue crabs, $2.49/lb
Small avocados, 5/99¢
Cilantro, 8 bunches/99¢
Mexican limes, 3 lbs/99¢
Bosc pears, 2 lbs/99¢
Carrots, 3 lbs/99¢
Jicama OR pineapple OR papaya, 2 lbs/99¢



Safeway:

Beef chuck roast, boneless, $1.79/lb
Beef round tip roast, $3.49/lb
Beef top sirloin steak, “restaurant cut”, $5.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.99
(Be careful: this is for the store brand. Sanderson Farms are $1 higher.)
Dover sole, $5.99/lb
Ahi tuna steaks, wild caught, $7.99/lb
Sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $8.99/lb
Weight Watchers ice-cream novelties, $3.99/lb
Morningstar Farms veggie burgers, $3.49/lb
Green Giant “Steamers” frozen veggies, 2/$4
Clementines, 3 lb bag, $1.99
Fresh Express bag salads, $1.99
Broccoli crowns, 68¢/lb
Large artichokes, 2/$4
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$6
Gala or Granny Smith apples, $1.29/lb
Eating Right “baby cut” carrots, 2 lb bag, 2/$5
Roma tomatoes, 99¢/lb
Asparagus, $1.99/lb



Smart & Final:

Cattleman’s Finest beef New York steak, $4.99/lb
Whole chickens, 79¢/lb
Cantaloupe, 49¢/lb
Apples: Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, 8 pk, $3.49



Sprouts:

Beef London Broil or stew meat, $3.99/lb
Pork tenderloin, $3.99/lb
Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, $6.99/lb
Alaskan sockeye salmon, wild caight, $7.99/lb
Cascadian Farms frozen veggies, 1 lb bag, 2/$5
Strawberries, 1 lb box, $1.47
Roma tomatoes, 99¢/lb
Fuji apples, 99¢/lb
Navel oranges, 49¢/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 88¢/lb
Italian squash, 99¢/lb
Broccoli, 99¢/lb

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Bargain guide, week beginning March 10th

Today was Pack Your Lunch Day. If you missed it, no one will stop you from packing one tomorrow. I packed chicken sausage and steamed broccoli.

Sunday is 3/14, so bake a pi. Monday is Poires Belle-Hélène Day, which would be easy to make low in Points if you used vanilla frozen yogurt and a reduced-fat syrup. And of course St. Patrick’s Day (which is also National Corned Beef and Cabbage Day and, God help us, Green Beer Day) is a week from today, so every imaginable green thing will be heavily promoted in grocery stores. Green cabbage and green vegetables are healthy and low in Points. Green beer I cannot vouch for.

You may have come here for information on the Full Irish Breakfast. This very traditional meal involves fried eggs, fried bacon, fried pork sausages, fried beef sausages, fried white pudding (a sausage of pork, pork fat, and oatmeal), fried black pudding (blood sausage), fried potatoes, fried mushrooms, fried tomatoes, fried soda bread, fried potato bread, and tea strong enough to stir itself. I estimate that this would come to a Points count of about seventy. The cardiac arrest is a bonus.

March 10th: Pack Your Lunch Day, National Blueberry Popover Day
March 11th: Oatmeal-Nut Waffles Day, Johnny Appleseed Day
March 12th: National Baked Scallops Day
March 13th: Coconut Torte Day
March 14th: National Potato Chip Day, Pi Day
March 15th: Poires Belle-Hélène Day
March 16th: National Artichoke Hearts Day
March 17th: Corned Beef and Cabbage Day, Green Beer Day



Albertson’s:

Beef petite sirloin steaks, boneless, $6.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef London broil, boneless, $4.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef shoulder roast, boneless, $4.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
96/4 ground beef, $3.99/lb
Corned beef brisket, $2.99/lb
Pork chops, center cut, bone in, family pack, $3.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Pork sirloin chops, family pack, $1.99/lb
Pork assorted loin chops, bone in, family pack, 97¢/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $4.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Cod fillets, wild caught, family pack, $2.99/lb
Great American flounder fillets, wild caught, $2.99/lb
Rockfish fillets, wild caught, family pack, $2.99/lb
Tilapia/catfish/pollock/swai fillets, farm raised, $2.99/lb
Irish soda bread, 20 oz loaf, $3.99
Deli: Jennie-O turkey breast, $4.99/lb
Dietz & Watson ham, $4.99/lb
Charlie’s Pride corned beef, pastrami, Italian roast beef, $4.99/lb
Margherita salami or pepperoni, $4.99
Lean Cuisine frozen entrees, 50% off
Bumble Bee chunk light tuna, 79¢
Libby’s canned veggies, 3/$2
Asparagus, 99¢/lb
Large tomatoes, 99¢/lb
Cabbage, 39¢/lb
Red potatoes, 79¢/lb
Cara Cara navel oranges, 99¢/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, $2.99
Gala apples, $1.39/lb
Fresh Express bag salads, “Premium Romaine” or “Green & Crisp”, 2/$4
Butter lettuce, hydroponically grown, roots on, 2/$5
Seedless green or red grapes, $2.49/lb
Jumbo avocados, 2/$4
Earthbound Farms box salads, “Spring Mix” or spinach, 1 lb, $4.99
Carrots, 5 lb bag, $1.99
Yellow onions, 3 lb bag, $1.99



Bashas’:

Beef t-bone steak, value pack, $3.77/lb
Corned beef brisket, point cut, $1.27/lb (flat cut $2.49/lb)
96/4 ground beef, $3.99/lb
Beef London broil, $2.99/lb
Beef top round roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
Farmland assorted pork chops, $1.99/lb
Farmland center cut pork chops, $2.99/lb
Pork shoulder roast, buy 1 get 1 free
Whole chickens, 59¢/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
Steelhead fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
Mahi mahi fillets, wild caught, $6.99/lb
Tilapia OR catfish fillets, $3.99/lb
Raw shrimp, 16-20 ct, $6.99/lb
Cooked shrimp, 26-30 ct, $5.99/lb
Irish soda bread, 1 lb loaf, $2.79
Del Monte canned veggies, 59¢
Del Monte canned tomatoes, 89¢
Beach Cliff canned sardines, 10/$10
Food Club dill pickle spears, 24 oz jar, $1.99
Cabbage, 33¢/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$3
Dole whole pineapples, $1.99
Broccoli, 99¢/lb
Iceberg, 99¢
Large tomatoes, AZ grown, $2.49/lb
Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
Honey tangerines, 99¢/lb
Gala or Fuji apples, organic, $1.99/lb





Fresh & Easy:

Beef New York steak, boneless, family pack, $6.99/lb
80/20 ground beef, 2 lb or larger pkg, $1.59/lb
Chicken leg quarters, 79¢/lb
Milk, $2.19
Bananas, 19¢ ea.
Apples, 3 ct, 98¢
Yellow onions, 2 lb bag, 98¢
Lemon-and-limes, 1 lb bag, 98¢
Store brand bag salad, “Sunshine”, 98¢
“Baja Classic” tomatoes, 1 lb bag, 98¢
Seedless grapes, “selection may vary by store”, 78¢/lb
Clementines, 3 lb bag, $2.98
Strawberries, 1 lb box, $3.29
Mangoes, $1.49 ea
Live basil in a pot, $2.99, easy to grow



Fry’s:

Beef rib eye steak, bone in, family pack, $4.88/lb
Corned beef brisket, point cut, $1.27/lb (flat cut, $2.49/lb)
Beef cross rib roast, $4.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef cross rib steaks, family pack, $2.99/lb
Whole chickens, 88¢/lb
Atlantic salmon, farm raised, $5.99/lb
Green Giant canned veggies, 59¢/lb
Chicken of the Sea solid white tuna, 97¢
Progresso soups incl Light, 4/$5
Kroger cheeses incl. 2%, 6-8 oz chunk or shreds, 3/$5
Green Giant “Steamers”, 12 oz bag, $1.28
Fiber One bars, $2.27
Smart Ones frozen entrees, 5/$10
Deli: Private Selection corned beef/pastrami/Swiss cheeses, $6.99/lb
Cabbage, 4 lbs/$1
Red potatoes, 5 lb bag, 2/$5
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$3
Kroger “mini peeled” carrots, 1 lb bag, 88¢
Mandarins, 3 lb bag, $3.99
Seedless grapes, red/green/black, $1.99/lb
Seeded grapes, red globe, $1.99/lb
Plums, $1.99/lb
Navel oranges OR Minneola tangelos, $1/lb
Asparagus, $2.99/lb
Yellow onions, 3 lb bag, $1.47/lb
Roma tomatoes, $1/lb
Fresh Selections bag salads, 2/$5



Rancho Grande:

Beef shoulder roast or steak, family pack, $1.99/lb
Beef tripe, 69¢/lb
Pork steak, bone in, $1.29/lb
Chicken leg quarters, 10 lb bag, 39¢/lb
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, $1.29/lb
Pollock fillets, $1.89/lb
Jonagold apples, 3 lbs/99¢
Watermelon, 4 lbs/99¢
Mexican green onions, 3 bunches/99¢
Jicama, 3 lbs/99¢
Papayas, 2 lbs/99¢
Jalapeno chiles, 2 lbs/99¢
Cucumbers, 3/99¢



Safeway:

Beef New York Strip steak, bone in, value pack $3.77/lb
Beef top sirloin steak, value pack, $3.77/lb
Beef chuck cross rib roast, $3.49/lb
93/7 ground beef, $1.79/lb
Beef bottom round roast, boneless, $3.49/lb
Corned beef brisket, point cut, $1.27/lb (flat cut $2.49/lb)
Pork loin back ribs, $3.99/lb
Leg of lamb, “semi boneless”, $4.79/lb
Ground turkey, $2.49/lb
Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $5.99
Cod fillets, wild caught, $4.99/lb
Catfish fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
Bertolli olive oil, 17 oz bottle, $5.99
Nabisco 100-calorie packs, 2/$4
Lucerne cheeses incl. 2%, 6-8 oz chunk or shreds, $2.49
Eating Right frozen meals, 5/$10
Smart Ones “Bistro Selections”, 2/$5
Gorton’s “Grilled Fillets”, 2/$6
Roma tomatoes, $1.29/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, $1.28
Eating Right “baby-cut” carrots, 1 lb bag, 99¢
Cabbage, 4 lbs/$1
Asparagus, $1.99/lb
Broccoli crowns, $1.29/lb
Navel oranges, 8 lb bag, $4.99
Sweet yellow onions, 99¢/lb
Hass avocados, 88¢ ea
“Mystic Red Grapes” (your guess is as good as mine, but I’ll try them and let you know), 2 lb box, $4.99



Smart & Final:

Beef chuck roast, boneless, $1.99/lb
Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, $3.49/lb
Corned beef brisket with spice package, $2.39/lb
Chicken thighs, bone in, 99¢/lb
Chicken of the Sea raw shrimp, 31-40 ct, $4.99/lb (2 lb bag)
Quaker chewy granola bars, box of 48, $8.99
Cabbage, 39¢/lb
Sweet brown onions, 3 lb bag, $1.99
“Mini peeled” carrots, 2 lb bag, $1.99
Red seedless grapes, 2 lb box, $2.99



Sprouts:

Corned beef brisket, $2.99/lb
“Extra lean” ground beef, value pack, $2.99/lb
Whole or cut-up chickens, $1.39/lb
Ahi tuna steaks, $6.99/lb
Catfish fillets, regular or Cajun, $3.99/lb
Raw shrimp, deveined, 41-50 ct, $2.99/lb
Bottled juices: L&A, Santa Cruz, Langers, Knudsen, Hansen’s, Lakewood. Fragile Planet, all 20% off
Store brand frozen blueberries, 12 oz bag, 2/$5
Pirate’s Booty, 4 oz bag, 2/$4
Deli: Co-jack cheese, bulk cut, $2.99/lb
Sliced corned beef or corned turkey, $4.99/lb
Asparagus, $1.49/lb
Mandarins, 5 lb box, $2.99
Red or Golden Delicious apples, 88¢/lb
Iceberg, 77¢
Broccoli crowns, 99¢/lb
Cauliflower, 99¢
D’Anjou pears, 77¢/lb
Cabbage, 49¢
Red potatoes, 49¢/lb
Baby carrots, 1 lb bag, 99¢
Cucumbers, 99¢

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Bargain guide, week beginning March 3rd

With all the daily/weekly/monthly food celebrations I mention in these pages, one of the few likely to actually impact your grocery bill is happening now: March is National Frozen Food Month. This is also one of the few such celebrations I can tell you the reasoning behind: food packers want to mark frozen goods down sharply to unload last year’s pack, so there will be room in their packing centers and distribution centers when the new harvests start to come in.

One week from today, March 10, is Pack Your Lunch Day. So do that. I highly recommend bento boxes for portion control.

Fish is still omnipresent and inexpensive. Besides being Lent and Frozen Food Month, March is also National Celery Month, National Flour Month, Maple Sugar Month, National Nutrition Month, National Noodle Month, National Peanut Month, National Sauce Month, National Caffeine Awareness Month, Great American Meatout Month, and (tada!) International Hamburger And Pickle Month.

March 3rd: National Cold Cuts Day, National Mulled Wine Day
March 4th: National Pound Cake Day
March 5th: National Cheese Doodle Day National Absinthe Day (it makes the heart grow fonder)
March 6th: National Frozen Food Day, National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day
March 7th: National Cereal Day, National Crown Roast of Pork Day
March 8th: National Peanut Cluster Day
March 9th: National Crabmeat Day
March 10: National Pack Your Lunch Day, National Blueberry Popover Day


The bargains:

Albertson’s:

Beef petite sirloin steaks, boneless, $6.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef t-bone or ribeye steaks, bone in, family pack, $6.99/lb
Beef shoulder roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
Beef top sirloin steak, boneless, $3.99/lb
Pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $1.88/lb
Pork chops, boneless, $1.99/lb
Pork picnic roast, 99¢/lb
Chicken breast/thighs/drums/leg quarters, bone in, family pack, 88¢/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.99.lb
Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $4.99/lb
Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, family pack, $2.99.lb
Bay scallops, family pack, $2.99/lb
Tilapia/swai/catfish/pollock fillets, family pack, $2.99/lb
Great American flounder fillets, 1 lb bag, frozen, $2.99
Seafood caldo mix, family pack, $2.99/lb
Lean Gourmet frozen entrees, 10/$10
Albertson’s frozen veggies, 20% off
Lean Cuisine frozen entrees, 50% off
Green Giant boil-in-bag or “Steamers”, 10/$10
Whole cantaloupe, 10/$10
Fresh Express bag salads, 10/$10
Seedless grapes, red/green/black, $1.99/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, $2.99
Braeburn or Cameo apples, 10 lbs/$10
Navel oranges, 10 lbs/$10
Hass avocados, 10/$10
Leaf lettuce, red/green/Romaine, 10/$10
Eggplants, 10/$10
Red bell peppers, 10/$10
Fresh spinach, 69¢/bunch
Carrots, 2 lb bag, 88¢
Dole organic bananas, 89¢/lb



Bashas’:

Beef top sirloin steaks, value pack, $1.97/lb
Beef sirloin tip/crossrib/bottom round roasts, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef sirloin tip/crossrib/bottom round steaks, value pack, $3.99/lb
Beef tenderloin, whole in bag, $5.99/lb
Pork tenderloin, 4.99/lb
Turkey breast, bone in, $1.69/lb
Dover sole fillets, wild caught, $2.99/lb
Basa fillets, farm raised, $2.99/lb
Catfish fillets, farm raised, $3.99/lb
Tilapia fillets, farm raised, $3.99/lb
Imitation crabmeat, $1.99/lb
Catfish nuggets, $1.99/lb
Atlantic salmon fillets, farm rasied, $4.97/lb
Rockfish fillets, $4.99/lb
Swordfish steaks, wild caught, $6.99/lb
Nabisco 100-calorie packs, $2.99
Pompeian extra virgin olive oil, 16 oz bottle, $3.99
Food Club chunk light tuna, 69¢
Food Club frozen veggies, 1 lb bag, $1.47
Land O Lakes “Sweet Cream Spread”, 16 oz tub, 5/$5
Asparagus, 87¢/lb
Dole bag salad, “Classic Iceberg”, 99¢
Seedless grapes, green or red, $1.99/lb
Nectarines, peaches, plums (red or black), $1.99/lb
Fresh spinach, $1/bunch
Cauliflower, $1/lb
Broccoli, $1/lb
Celery, $1
Red Delicious apples, $1/lb
Hass avocados, $1
Navel oranges, $1/lb
Earthbound Farms box salads, 5 oz, $2.99
Baby carrots, organic, 1 lb bag, $1.49



Food City:

Beef cross rib steak, boneless, $1.99/lb (roast $2.49/lb)
Beef skirt steak, marinated, $3.99/lb
Beef stew meat, $2.49/lb
Beef tripe, 79¢/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, $1.69/lb
Tilapia fillets, $1.99/lb
Fish fillets, 4 oz, frozen, 10/$10
Mexican grey squash, 4 lbs/$1
Bananas, 3 lbs/99¢
Mexican key limes, 3 lbs/99¢
Cabbage, 3/99¢
Avocados, 2/$1
Cilantro, 4/$1
Navel oranges, 59¢/lb
Jalapeno chiles, 69¢/lb
Dole bag salad, “Classic Iceberg”, 2/$3



Fresh & Easy:

Beef New York steaks, boneless, family pack, $4.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.97/lb
Yoplait yogurts incl. Light, 10/$5
Farmer’s Gems eggs, large AA, dozen, $1.49
Store brand pasta, 1 lb pkg, 99¢
Store brand marinara sauce, 25 oz jar, $1.79
Pears, 3 ct, 98¢
Lemons and limes, 1 lb bag, 98¢
Green onions, 5.5 oz pkg, 98¢
Carrots, 2 lb bag, 98¢
Bell peppers, 2 ct, 98¢
Navel oranges, 3 lb bag, $2.98
Store brand bag salad, “Gourmet Veggie”, 2/$3
Broccoli florets, 12 oz bag, $1.99
Green beans, 11 oz bag, $2.49
Broccoli/cauliflower/carrot mix, 12 oz bag, $2.49



Fry’s:

Beef chuck roast, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef eye of round OR bottom round roast, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef sirloin tip roast, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef crossrib roast, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef t-bone steaks, family pack, buy 1 get 1 free
Pork loin rib chops, bone in, family pack, $1.88/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.49/lb  Best price!
Sockeye salmon fillets, $4.97/lb
Kroger cheeses incl 2%, 50% off
All Progresso soups incl. Light, 99¢
Smart Ones frozen entrees, 5/$10
Ragu pasta sauces, $1.67
Green Giant “Steamers”, 12 oz bag, $1.28
Red seedless grapes, 77¢/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, $2.99
Peaches or nectarines, $1.99/lb
Green or black seedless grapes, $1.99/lb
Lemons, 39¢
Broccoli or cauliflower, $1
Radishes or green onions, 2 bunches/$1
Large tomatoes, $1.99/lb
Dole bag salads, 2/$5
Navel oranges OR tangelos, $1/lb



Rancho Grande:

Beef flap meat, $2.89/lb
Pork stew meat, $1.49/lb
Chicken leg quarters, 49¢/lb
Oranges, 5 lbs/99¢
Cilantro, radishes, Mexican green onions, 5 bunches/99¢
Tomatillos or jalapeno chiles, 2 lbs/99¢
Papayas or pineapple, 2 lbs/99¢
Tangerines, 4 lbs/99¢
Broccoli, 3 lbs/99¢



Safeway:

Beef bottom round roast, boneless, $1.88/lb
Pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $1.59/lb  Best price!
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.69/lb
Bone IN chicken breast, inexplicably, $1.99/lb
Jennie-O turkey sausage,19.5 oz pkg, $2.99
Store brand canned veggies, 2/$1
Store brand chunk light tuna, 2/$1
Campbell’s Select Harvest soups, buy 1 get 1 free
Birds Eye “Steamfresh” frozen veggies, $1.99
C&W frozen veggies, $1.99
Skinny Cow ice-cream novelties, $3.99
Lean Pockets, 5/$10
Yoplait yogurts incl. Light, 10/$5
Navel oranges, 8 lb bag, $2.98
Asparagus, 87¢/lb
Braeburn or Granny Smith apples, 88¢/lb
Red or green seedless grapes, $1.99/lb
Large tomatoes, $1.99/lb
White mushrooms, whole or sliced, 6 oz box, $1.99
Whole pineapples, $3.99
O Organics box salads, 2/$5
Peaches or nectarines, $1.99/lb
O Organics “mini peeled” carrots, 1 lb bag, 2/$3



Smart & Final:

Cattleman’s Finest beef brisket, boneless, whole in bag, $1.89/lb
Cattleman’s Finest beef tri tip roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
La Romanella olive oil, 1 litre bottle, $6.99
Large salad tomatoes, 99¢/lb
Iceberg, 2 pk, $1.99
Fuji apples, 3 lb bag, $1.99
Navel oranges, 5 lb bag, $2.99



Sprouts:

All ground meats (beef, pork, chicken, turkey), 40% off
Beef sirloin tip roast, $2.99/lb
Chicken breast tenders, $2.99
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, $1.49/lb
Sea Cuisine seafood entrees, 10 oz pkg, $6.99, buy 1 get 1 free
Alaskan coho salmon fillets, $6.99/lb
Asparagus, $1.69/lb
Blueberries, 6 oz box, 4/$5
Tangerines or tangelos, 88¢/lb
Pinova or Braeburn apples, 88¢/lb
Mexican papayas, 88¢/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, AZ grown, 88¢
Red or gold bell peppers, 88¢
Sweet onions, 88¢/lb
Fresh spinach, 88¢/lb