Bargain guide, week beginning July 28th

According to an article at Consumerist, a federal judge has ruled that the Coca-Cola Company's "vitaminwater" beverage

will not, as its labels promise, keep you "healthy as a horse." Nor will it bring about a "healthy state of physical or mental being". Instead, Vitaminwater is really just a sugary snack food; non-carbonated fruit coke disguised as a sports drink. Because it's composed mostly of sugar and not vitamin-laden water, judge John Gleeson held that Vitaminwater's absurd marketing claims were likely to mislead consumers.

The Champagne seedless grapes are finally available at AJ’s Fine Foods and some Costco stores. They’re not quite as sweet this year as they have been before, but still quite good although pricey ($4.98/lb).

Today has been National Milk Chocolate Day. Tomorrow – July 29th – is, or so I am informed, Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day. I have repeatedly tried to find out exactly what Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day may mean, imply, or entail; my sources only repeat that unless it involves mousetraps, they have no more idea than I what Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day is. The 29th is however also National Lasagne Day, so you might decide that is an appropriate way to sacrifice some cheese.

August, coming up soon, is National Peach Month, National Sandwich Month and National Goat Cheese Month as well as many other perhaps not quite so healthful things such as National Brownies At Brunch Month and Eat Dessert First Month. August 3rd, next Tuesday, is National Watermelon Day – watermelon and peaches are both healthy two-Point snacks and Filling Foods, so knock yourself out. In fact, if they are your dessert you can legitimately eat your dessert first without departing from Plan!

The 3rd is also Grab Some Nuts Day: celebrate that in whatever manner strikes your fancy.

July 28th: National Milk Chocolate Day
July 29th: Cheese Sacrifice Purchase Day
July 30th: National Cheesecake Day
July 31st: National Raspberry Cake Day, Cotton Candy Day, Jump for Jelly Beans Day
August 1st: National Raspberry Cream Pie Day
August 2nd: National Ice-Cream Sandwich Day
August 3rd: National Watermelon Day, Grab Some Nuts Day
August 4th: National Lasagne Day, National Chocolate Chip Day, National Champagne Day

Oh, and July 31st is Always Live Better Than Yesterday Day, so let’s.



Albertson’s:

Buy 3 Pepsi 12-packs, get a bag of Tostitos free.
Buy 10 Gatorades, get 5 Propel fitness-waters free.
Buy 1 Smucker’s strawberry jam, get Jif peanut butter and Albertson’s bread free.
Buy 2 jars of Herdez salsa, get 2 bags of Mi Ranchito tortilla chips free.
Buy 2 Fresh Express Salad Blends, get 1 Litehouse salad dressing free.

Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, family pack, $6.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef petite sirloin steaks, boneless, family pack, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef chuck steaks or roasts, boneless, family pack, $4.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef xhoulder steaks or roasts, boneless, family pack, $4.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef sirloin tip steaks or roasts, boneless, family pack, $4.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
93/7 ground beef, 5 lbs or more, $1.88/lb
Assorted pork chops, bone in, family pack, 97¢/lb
Pork sirloin chops, boneless, family pack, $3.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Pork loin chops, center cut, bone in, family pack, $3.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Whole frying chickens, 88¢/lb
Chicken drums/thighs/leg quarters, 88¢/lb
Deli: Charlie’s Pride roast beef/corned beef/pastrami, $5.99/lb
Kretschmar honey or baked ham, $5.99/lb
Deitz and Watson turkey OR cheese, $5.99/lb
Prego pasta sauces, 23-24 oz jar, $1.49
Chicken of the Sea chunk light tuna, 69¢
Betty Crocker brownie mix, 4/$5
(Hungry-Girl.com suggests mixing this with two cups of canned pumpkin, baking it at 350° for 35 minutes, and calling the resulting substance “fudge”. De gustibus non est disputandum.)
Knudsen “Cottage Doubles”, 10/$10
Lean Pockets, $1.88
Blueberries, 18 oz box, $1.88
Bartlett pears, $1.29/lb
Bing cherries, $3.99/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$5
Seedless grapes, red/green/black, $1.99/lb
Navel oranges, $1.99/lb
Pluots, $1.99/lb
Seedless watermelons, whole, $4.99/lb
Vine tomatoes, AZ grown, 2/$4
Hass avocados, 99¢
Cilantro, 3 bunches/$1
Cucumbers, 99¢
Hearts of romaine, 3 pk, 2/$4
Earthbound Farms box salads, 1 lb, $4.99
Iceberg, 2/$1



Bashas’:

Beef New York steaks, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef top or bottom round roast, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef bottom round steak, value pack, $2.49/lb
Beef top round steak, boneless, value pack, $2.99/lb
Beef London broil, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef cube steaks, $3.99/lb
90/10 ground beef, value pack $2.99/lb
Pork shoulder steak, bone in, value pack, $1.99/lb
Sanderson Farms chicken breast, bone in, buy 1 get 2 free
Keta salmon, wild caught, whole or half, $2.99/lb
Alaskan true cod fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
Nature’s Own bread, buy 1 get 1 free
Bashas’ milk, half gallons only, buy 1 get 1 free
Bashas’ cottage cheese or sour cream incl. Light, 24 oz tub, $1.79
Land O Lakes sweet cream spread, 15 oz tub, 99¢
Silk soymilk, half gallon carton, $3.39
Dannon Activia yogurts, buy 1 get 1 free
Flav-R-Pac frozen veggies, 12-16 oz bag, buy 1 get 1 free
Food Club olive oil, 17 oz bottle, $3.99
Bertoli pasta sauces, 15-24 oz bottle, 2/$5
Hunt’s pasta sauces, 26 oz can, 10/$10
American Beauty pasta, 16 oz pkg, 10/$10
Ronzoni Smart Taste pasta, 12-14.5 oz pkg, 10/$10
Strawberries, 1 lb box, buy 1 get 1 free
Peaches, $1.49/lb
Green or red seedless grapes, $1.99/lb
Bananas, 48¢/lb
Iceberg, buy 1 get 2 free
Cucumbers, buy 1 get 1 free
Vine tomatoes, AZ grown, $1.99/lb
“Mini peeled” carrots, AZ grown, 1 lb bag, buy 1 get 1 free
Green bell peppers, buy 1 get 1 free
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, buy 1 get 1 free



Food City:

Beef chuck steak or roast, bone in, value pack, $1.98/lb
Beef neck bones, $1.39/lb
Half shank ham, bone in, 98¢/lb
Pork chops, boneless sirloin cut, $1.99/lb
Chicken thighs or drumsticks, value pack, 88¢/lb
Flounder fillets, $2.49
Pagasa pasta, 7 oz pkg, 7/$1
Hunt’s pasta sauces, 26 oz can, 99¢
Bartlett pears, 3 lbs/99¢
Nectarines, 3 lbs/99¢
Jalapeño peppers, 4 lbs/$1
Brown onions, 3 lbs/99¢
Italian squash, 3 lbs/99¢
Broccoli, 59¢/lb
Mexican green onions, 3 bunches/99¢



Fresh & Easy:

80/20 ground beef, 2 lb pkg, $3.98 ($1.99/lb)
Santa Maria seasoned tri-tip roast, $3.99/lb
Smoky garlic seasoned pork tenderloin, $4.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.97/lb
Milk, gallons, $1.98
Fresh & Easy pasta, 1 lb pkg, 99¢
Fresh & Easy tomato-basil marinara sauce, $1.79/lb
Seedless grapes, 79¢/lb
Yellow peaches OR nectarines, 2 lb pkg, 98¢ (49¢/lb)
Bing cherries, 1 lb box, $2.99
Bell peppers, 2 pk, 98¢
Grape tomatoes, 7 oz pkg, 98¢
Iceberg, 98¢
Avocados, 98¢
Fresh & Easy bag salads “European Blend” or “Crunchy Beet”, 2/$4
Zucchini (3 ct) or yellow squash (2 ct), 2/$3
Peaches/nectarines/white peaches/plums, singles, 5/$4
Sweet corn, 3 ct, $1.99
Vine tomatoes, 20 oz pkg, 2/$5
Cut up watermelon or cantaloupe, 10 oz bowl, $1.99



Fry’s:

All coupons from other grocery stores now accepted.
All manufacturers’ coupons now == $1.00.

Beef t-bone steaks, family pack, $4.77/lb (regular pack $5.77/lb)
Beef crossrib steak, boneless, family pack, $4.77/lb
Beef crossrib roast, boneless, family pack, $2.99/lb
Beef New York strip steak, boneless, $7.99/lb
Pork sirloin chops, bonelsss, family pack, $2.19/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast/thighs/tenderloins, $1.77/lb
Ground turkey, extra lean, $1.99/lb (3 lb pkg)
Kroger sour cream or cottage cheese incl. Light, 88¢
Kroger cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk or shreds, 2/$3
Milk, half gallons only, 88¢
Eggs, AA large, dozens, 88¢
Bumble Bee chunk light tuna, 2/$1
Hunt’s pasta sauces, 26 oz can, 10/$10
Ronzoni pasta, 12-16 oz pkg, 10/$10
PictSweet “Steam’ables” frozen veggies, 11-12 oz bag, 10/$10
Kroger frozen veggies with sauce, 10/$10
Smart Ones frozen entrées, $1.88/lb
Cantaloupe, AZ grown, 88¢/lb
Navel oranges, 88¢/lb
Green or red seedless grapes, organic, $1.79/lb
Sweet corn, 3/99¢
Peaches/nectarines/plums, $1.89/lb
Minneola tangelos, $1.69/lb
Dole bag salads, 2/$5
Mangos, 88¢
Red or yellow bell peppers, 88¢
Hass avocados, regular or organic, 88¢
Kroger “mini peeled” carrots, 1 lb bag, 88¢
Roma tomatoes, 88¢/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 88¢



Rancho Grande:

Beef flap meat, $3.99/lb
Pork steak, bone in, $1.49/lb
Chicken breast, bone in, $1.49/lb
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, family pack, 99¢/lb
Sweet corn, white, 4/99¢
Valencia oranges, 6 lbs/99¢
Papayas, 2 lbs/99¢
Whole pineapples, 2 lbs/99¢
Pasilla, güerito or jalapeño chiles, 69¢/lb



Safeway:

Beef 7 bone chuck steak or roast, value pack, $1.59/lb
80/20 ground beef, value pack, $2.49
93/7 ground beef patties, $3.99/lb
Beef top round London broil, boneless, $4.49/lb
Beef chuck crossrib roast, $1.99/lb
Pork loin chops, “assorted”, value pack, $1.29/lb
Whole pork tenderloin, boneless, whole in bag, $4.79/lb
Chicken drums/thighs/leg quarters, bone in, value pack, 99¢/lb
Jennie-O turkey sausage, 19.5 oz pkg, 2/$7
Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, $4.99/lb
Milk, gallons, $1.68 <== Best price
Lucerne cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk or shreds, 2/$3
Smart Ones “Classic Favorites” frozen entrées, $1.50
Birds Eye “Steamfresh” frozen veggies, $1.49
C&W frozen veggies, $1.49
Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, 20 oz box, $1.99
Nature Valley granola bars, 2/$5
Green seedless grapes, 78¢/lb
Yellow or white peaches, 88¢/lb
Mini seedless watermelons, $1.99
Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
Green bell peppers, 3/99¢
Walla Walla sweet yellow onions, 99¢/lb
Cantaloupes, 2/$4
Bing cherries, $3.99/lb
Strawberries, regular or organic, 1 lb box, 2/$5
Radishes OR green onions, 2 bunches/$1
Vine tomatoes, AZ grown, $1.99/lb
O Organics box salads, 2/$6



Smart & Final:

Beef brisket, boneless, whole & untrimmed in bag, $1.79/lb
Beef tri tip roast, boneless, trimmed, $3.99/lb
Chicken breast, bone in, 99¢/lb
First Street canned veggies, 69¢
Ready Pac bag salad, 3 lb, $1.99
Cantaloupe, 5 lbs/$1
Nectarines, 8 ct, $2.99



Sprouts:

Beef ribeye or New York steak, $8.99/lb
“Extra lean” ground beef, $2.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
Sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $7.99/lb
Mahi mahi fillets, $2.99/lb
Sprouts pasta sauce, 24 oz jar, 2/$5
Sprouts organic eggs, AA large, dozen, 2/$7
Sprouts frozen veggies, 1 lb bag, 2/$3 OR –
Buy 1 Sprouts frozen fruit, get 1 Sprouts frozen veggie free
Cantaloupe, 88¢/lb
Blueberries, 6 oz box, 88¢
Seedless watermelon, 3 lbs/$1
Gala apples, 88¢/lb
Bartlett pears, 88¢/lb
Italian or yellow squash, 88¢/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 88¢
Apricots, 2 lbs/$3
Cauliflower, 88¢/lb
Baby carrots, 1 lb bag, 88¢
Yellow or white peaches or nectarines, 88¢/lb
Eggplant, 88¢ ea
Red bell peppers, 88¢ ea
Roma tomatoes, 88¢/lb
Hass avocados, 88¢ ea

Bargain guide, week beginning July 21st

The Holiday and Champagne grapes ought to be arriving any week now. AJ’s Fine Foods has black apricots, which are delicious (as well they should be at $3.99/lb). Grilling season is in full force, as anyone knows who has walked from their door to the mailbox and back barefoot, and so anything grillable is prominently featured – as are salad greens, for seasonality and also possibly because when it’s 110° out the last thing anyone wants to do is cook. Rainier cherries are peaking.

Coming up this week are National Junk Food Day, National Ice Cream Day, National Vanilla Ice Cream Day, National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, National Coffee Milkshake Day, National Crème Brûlée Day, National Milk Chocolate Day, National Tequila Day, and National Scotch Day. This fourth week of July is National Salad Week. And of course, this weekend is the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

July 21st: National Ice Cream Day, National Junk Food Day
July 22nd: National Penuche Fudge Day
July 23rd: National Vanilla Ice Cream Day
July 24th: National Tequila Day
July 25th: National Hot Fudge Sundae Day*
July 26th: National Coffee Milkshake Day
July 27th: National Crème Brûlée Day, National Scotch Day
July 28th: National Milk Chocolate Day

* Apropos of National Hot Fudge Sundae Day, I offer Fuzzy Pink Niven's Law: Never waste calories. Potato chips, candy, whipped cream, or hot fudge sundae consumption may involve you, your dietician, your wardrobe, or other factors. But ... don't eat soggy potato chips, or cheap candy, or fake whipped cream, or an inferior hot fudge sundae.



Albertson’s:

Beef tbone or ribeye steaks, bone in, family pack, $4.77/lb
Beef New York steaks, boneless, family pack, $5.99/lb
Beef ribeye steaks, boneless, family pack, $5.99/lb
Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, $4.99/lb
Pork country style ribs, bone in, family pack, 99¢/lb (boneless $1.99/lb)
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.49/lb
Rockfish OR Keta salmon OR Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, $4.99/lb
Milk, gallons, $1.67  Best price
ALL Albertson’s natural cheeses incl. Light, 25% off
Shedd’s Spread Country Crock, 45 oz tub, 2/$6
Deli: Jennie-O oven roasted turkey breast, $4.99/lb
Charlie’s Pride roast beef/corned beef/beef pastrami, $5.99/lb
Best Foods mayonnaise incl. Light, $2.99
Starkist solid white OR chunk light tuna, 4/$5
Hormel canned chicken or ham, 5 oz cans, 3/$5
Dreyer’s fruit bars, 6-12 ct, $2.99
Cantaloupes, 10/$10
Raspberries, 12 oz box, 2/$5
Peaches, 99¢/lb
Plums, red or black, $1.49/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$5
Bing cherries, $3.99/lb
Honeydew melon, 49¢/lb
Cut up seedless watermelon, 32 oz bowl, $2.99
Fresh Express bag salad “Iceberg Garden”, 2/$3
Roma tomatoes, 99¢/lb
Broccoli crowns OR cauliflower, 99¢/lb
Sweet corn, 2/$1
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 99¢ ea
Jicama, 2 lbs/$1
Earthbound Farms box salads, 5 oz, $2.99
Cut up cantaloupe, 38 oz bowl, $3.99



Bashas’:

Beef round steak, boneless, value pack, $1.69/lb (regular pack, $2.39/lb)
Ground round (no percentage listed), 5+ lb value pack, $1.69/lb
Beef sirloin tip steak, value pack, $2.99/lb
Beef sirloin tip or bottom round roast, $2.99/lb
Pork loin roast, boneless, center cut, $2.99/lb
Whole chickens, 49¢/lb
Red rockfish OR Dover sole fillets, $4.99/lb
Bashas’ eggs, AA large, dozen, 69¢
Sargento cheeses, 5-8 oz shreds, 2/$5
Libby’s OR Stokely’s canned veggies, 69¢
StarKist solid white tuna, 4/$5
Splenda, 9.7 oz granulated OR 200-ct packets, $5.99
Vine tomatoes, AZ grown, 99¢/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 99¢
Blackberries/raspberries/blueberries, 6 oz box, 2/$5
Green or red seedless grapes, $1.99/lb
Peaches or nectarines, $1.69/lb
Bananas, 48¢/lb
Dole bag salad “Classic Iceberg”, 12 oz bag, 99¢
Cucumbers, 79¢
Italian green squash, 99¢/lb
Green or red bell peppers, 79¢



Food City:

Beef bottom round roast, boneless, $2.49
Beef short ribs, boneless, $2.49/lb
Pork chops, sirloin cut, bone in, 99¢/lb
Pork shoulder steak, bone in, $1.99/lb
Chicken breast, bone in, 99¢/lb
Food Club chunk light tuna, 69¢
Peaches OR Mexican papaya, 3 lbs/99¢
Mexican grey squash, 3 lbs/99¢
Kiwifruit, 10/$1
Iceberg, 2/$1
Plums, 59¢/lb
Mangos, 3/99¢/lb



Fresh & Easy:

Beef New York steaks, boneless family pack, $4.99/lb
Lean Pockets, $2.29
Fresh & Easy cheeses, 8 oz chunk or shreds, $2.49
Skinny Cow ice-cream sandwiches or cones, 4-8 ct, $3.99
Lean Cuisine frozen entrées, $2.19-$2.99
Mangos, 98¢
Iceberg, 98¢
Avocados, 98¢
Beefsteak tomatoes, 98¢
Peaches or nectarines, 2 lb pkg, $1.96
Bing cherries, 1 lb box, $2.99
Asparagus, 1 lb pkg, $1.99
Fresh & Easy bag salads: “European Blend” or “Crunchy Beet”, 2/$4
“Arugula”, $1.99
Cauliflower or broccoli florets, 12 oz steamer bag, $1.99
Cut up cantaloupe or watermelon, 10 oz bowl, $1.99



Fry’s:

Beef New York strip steak, boneless, family pack, $4.99/lb (std. pack $1 higher)
Beef top sirloin steak, boneless, family pack, $4.97
85/15 ground beef, 3 lb chub, $4.98 ($1.66/lb)
Half pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $1.97/lb
Pork shoulder blade steaks, bone in, $2.39/lb
Chicken leg quarters, 59¢/lb (10 lb bag)
Yoplait yogurts incl. Light, 20/$10
Kroger cheeses, 2 lb chunk or shred, $3.88
Starkist tuna, chunk white, 88¢/lb
Fry’s canned veggies, 79¢
Fry’s pasta, 1 lb box, 10/$10
Barilla pasta sauces, 24 oz jar, 2/$5
Blueberries, dry pint, $1
Bing cherries, $2.99/lb
Green or red seedless grapes, $1.79/lb
Cantaloupes, AZ grown, $1.99 ea
Mangos, $1
Seedless or seeded whole watermelons, AZ grown, $4.99
Dole bag salads, “Just Lettuce”, “Classic Romaine,” “Greener Selection”, $1
Vine or large tomatoes, $1.99/lb
Broccoli or cauliflower, $1.lb
Walla Walla sweet onions, $1.29/lb
Green or white asparagus, $2.99/lb
Zucchinni or yellow squash, $1.29/lb



Rancho Grande:

Beef shoulder steak, family pack, $1.99/lb
Beef sirloin tip steak, $2.39/lb
Assorted pork chops, family pack, $1.59/lb
Boneless chicken (unspecified), $1.39/lb
Tomatillos, 3 lbs/99¢
Mexican squash, 3 lbs/99¢
Papayas, 2 lbs/99¢
Cabbage, 5 lbs/99¢
Chayote squash, 4/99¢
Brown onions, 2 lbs/99¢



Safeway:

Beef top sirloin steak, boneless, value pack, $2.99/lb
Beef eye of round steak, boneless, $4.99/lb
Beef crossrib steak (boneless) OR flanken ribs (bone in), $3.99/lb
Beef round tip steaks, boneless, $3.99/lb
94/7 ground beef, value pack, $1.97/lb
Pork shoulder roast, bone in, 99¢/lb
Chicken breast, bone in, $1.99/lb
Tilapia or swai fillets, farm raised, $3.99/lb
Mahi mahi fillets, wild caught, $4.99/lb
Dover sole fillets, wild caught, $5.99/lb
Milk, gallons, $1.68  Best price
Progresso canned soups, 5/$5
Pam cooking spray, 5-6 oz can, $2.79
Red Lion nectarines, 69¢/lb
Sweet corn, white or yellow, 5/$1
Vine tomatoes, AZ grown, 99¢/lb
Zucchini or yellow squash, 99¢/lb
Green or red seedless grapes, 3 lb box, $5 (regular packages, $1.99/lb)
Bing cherries, $2.99/lb
Clementines, 3 lb bag, $4.99
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$5
Blueberries, dry pint, 2/$6
Fresh Express bag salads, 2/$5



Smart & Final:

80/20 ground beef, $2.49/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, IQF, 4 lb bag, $6.36
First Street cheeses, 2 lb chunk, $4.49
Seedless red grapes, 2 lb box, $1.99



Sprouts:

All organic beef, 40% off
Beef rump roast (non organic), $2.99/lb
Beef top sirloin steak (non organic), $3.99/lb
Pork sirloin chops or roast, $1.77/lb
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, $1.77/lb
Sprouts cage free brown eggs, AA large, dozen, $1.99
Tasty Bite frozen entrées, 2/$4
All Van’s frozen waffles, 2/$4
Delallo whole wheat pasta, 16 oz box, 2/$4
Red/Golden Delicious or Granny Smith apples, 88¢/lb  Best price
Mangos, 4/$1 ea
Cantaloupes, 88¢ ea
Green or red seedless grapes, 2 lbs/$3
Apricots, 2 lbs/$3  Best price
All other stone fruits except cherries, 77¢/lb  Best price
Vine tomatoes, 49¢/lb  Best price
Iceberg, 88¢
Cauliflower, 88¢
Red bell peppers, 88¢

The HIGHLY HIGHLY UNOFFICIAL NOT EVEN SLIGHTLY AN OFFICIAL WEIGHT WATCHERS PUBLICATION bargain guide, week beginning July 14th

This Sunday, the 18th, is National Caviar Day. Caviar has only 40 calories per one-tablespoon serving, is loaded with calcium, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, is highly anti-inflammatory, and contains in one serving your recommended daily allowance of Vitamin B-12. It is also shudderingly expensive, loaded with cholesterol, and tastes (to my unsophisticated palate at least, and in the inexpensive grades I’ve been able to get from Cost Plus) like a cheap grade of canned sardines mixed with an equal amount of salt. One tablespoon of caviar has a Points count of 1. You can have mine.

And now I think they’re just trying to confuse us, because the 17th is National Peach Ice Cream Day, the 20th is National Ice Cream Soda Day, the 21st is National Ice Cream Day, the 23rd is National Vanilla Ice Cream Day, and the 25th is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day. And the third Sunday of July, which this year falls on the 18th, is Sundae Sunday.

The 21st, one week from today, is also National Junk Food Day, a holiday better celebrated in the breach than the observance.

July 14th: Bastille Day, National Macaroni Day, National Grand Marnier Day
July 15th: National Tapioca Pudding Day
July 16th: National Corn Fritters Day
July 17th: National Peach Ice Cream Day
July 18th: National Caviar Day
July 19th: National Daiquiri Day
July 20th: National Lollipop Day, National Hot Dog Day, National Ice Cream Soda Day, Fortune Cookie Day
July 21st: National Ice Cream Day, National Junk Food Day



Albertson’s:

Beef ribeye or t-bone steak, family pack, $7.99/lb
Beef top sirloin steak, boneless, $4.99/lb
Beef New York steak, boneless, $8.99/lb
Pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $1.77/lb
Pork spare ribs, bone in, $1.77/lb
Pork sirloin or center loin chops, boneless, $2.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.77/lb
Chicken thighs or drumsticks, $1.29/lb
Honeysuckle White ground turkey patties, 1 lb pkg, $2.99
Keta salmon fillets, wild caught, $3.97/lb
Tilapia OR swai fillets, $2.99/lb
Albertson’s cheeses, 1 lb chunk or shreds, $2.98
Albertson’s sour cream incl. Light, 16 oz tub, 10/$10
Deli: Kretschmar honey ham OR baked ham, $5.99/lb
Kretschmar turkey breast OR roast chicken, $5.99/lb
Jennie-O turkey pastrami OR honey smoked turkey breast, $3.99/lb
Eckrich super lean ham, $3.99/lb
Margherita hard or Genoa salami or pepperoni, $4.99/lb
Lean Pockets, 3/$5
Healthy Choice frozen entrées, 5/$10
Nature’s Own bread, $1.99
Star olive oil, 25 oz bottle, $4.99
Albertson’s canned veggies, 2/88¢
Bumble Bee chunk light tuna, 3/$2
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 99¢/lb
Whole pineapples, 99¢ ea
Bing cherries, $2.99/lb
Peaches, $1.49/lb
Raspberries/blackberries/blueberries, 5.6-11 oz box, $2.99
Navel oranges from Australia, $1.99/lb
Whole seedless watermelons, $4.99
Earthbound Farms organic strawberries, 1 lb box, $2.99
Earthbound Farms box salads, 1 lb, $4.99
Fresh Express bag salads “Premium Romaine” or “Green & Crisp”, 2/$4
Asparagus, white or green, $2.99/lb
Red bell peppers, 99¢ ea
Hearts of romaine, 3 pk, 2/$4
Vidalia onions, $1.49/lb
Vine tomatoes, 14 oz pkg, 2/$4
Cut up watermelon, 2 lb, $3.99
Cut up pineapple, 20 oz, $3.99
Cut up mixed melon, 12 oz, 2/$4
Fruit kebabs, 12 oz, $3.99
Asparagus tips, 8 oz, $3.99
Veggie kebabs, 22 oz, $4.99



Bashas’:

Beef sirloin tip, whole in bag (cut and wrapped free), $1.59/lb
Beef sirloin tip roast, boneless, $2.49/lb
Beef crossrib steak, value pack, $3.99/lb
80/20 ground beef, value pack, $2.99/lb
Pork chops, assorted bone in, 99¢/lb
Chicken drums/thighs/leg quarters, value pack, 99¢/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.79/lb
Steelhead fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
Swordfish steaks, $5.99/lb
Bashas’ milk, half gallon, 99¢
Bashas’ eggs, large AA, dozen, 99¢
Deli: Eckrich honey cured/Virginia/reduced sodium ham, $4.99/lb
Tillamook cheddar cheese, medium or sharp, $4.99/lb
Kellogg’s cereals OR Fiber Plus bars, $2.79
Barilla pasta sauces, 24 oz jar, 2/$4
Blueberries, 12 oz box, $1.27
Bing cherries, $2.99/lb
Blackberries/raspberries/blueberries, 6 oz box, $2.99
Bananas, 48¢/lb
Whole seedless watermelons, 29¢/lb
Cantalopue, AZ grown, 59¢/lb
Iceberg, 2/$1
Sweet onions, $1.29/lb
Green asparagus, $2.99/lb
Vine tomatoes, AZ grown, $1.99/lb



Food City:

Beef crossrib steaks or roast, boneless, $2.49/lb
Beef stew meat, $2.49/lb
Pork ribs, “country style”, 99¢/lb
Pork shoulder roast, bone in, $1.29/lb
Chicken thighs or drumsticks, 88¢/lb
Cantaloupe, 6 lbs/96¢
Valencia oranges, 6 lbs/96¢
Peaches OR nectarines, 69¢/lb
Lemons, 2 lbs/$1
Roma tomatoes, 3 lbs/98¢
Avocados, 4/99¢
Green onions, 5 bunches/$1
Green bell peppers, 4/$1
Cilantro, 4 bunches/$1
Jalapeño peppers, 2 lbs/$1




Fresh & Easy:

Beef New York steak, boneless, family pack, $4.99/lb
Pork chops, assorted end cut, $1.59/lb
Milk, $1.98
Farmer’s Gems eggs, AA large, dozen, 99¢
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$3 (multiple of 2)
Raspberries/blackberries/blueberries, 5.6-16 oz box, 2/$3 (multiples of 2)
Peaches or nectarines, 2 lb pkg, $1.96
Mangos, 49¢
Seedless grapes, $1.28/lb
Iceberg, 98¢
Lemons, 1 lb bag, 98¢
Grape tomatoes, 7 oz box, 98¢
Cantaloupes, $1.49 ea
Clementines, 3 lb bag, $3.99
Live basil in a pot, $1.99



Fry’s:

Beef Texas broil or crossrib roast, boneless, family pack, $1.77/lb
Beef top sirloin steak, family pack, $5.99/lb
93/7 ground beef, $1.97/lb (2 lb chub)
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.77/lb
Ground turkey, 85/15, $1.99/lb (3 lb pkg)
Gorton’s Grilled Fillets, $2.99 } all 50¢ cheaper
Lean Cuisine frozen entrées, $1.99 } when you buy
Green Giant “Valley Fresh Steamers”, $1.99 } 10 or more
Bing cherries, $1.37/lb
Mangos, 2/$1
Peaches OR plums OR nectarines, $1.79/lb
Blueberries, dry pint, $1.99
Strawberries/raspberries/blackberries, 4.4-16 oz box, 2/$5
Seedless or seeded watermelons, $4.99 ea
Sweet corn, 2/$1
Seedless grapes, red/green/black, $1.99/lb
Cantaloupes, $1.99/lb
Sweet onions, $1.49/lb
Rainier cherries, $3.99/lb
Dole bag salads, 2/$5
English cucumbers, AZ grown, $1
Vine tomatoes, AZ grown, $1.99/lb



Rancho Grande:

Beef shanks, $1.79/lb
Sirloin tip steak, $2.49/lb
Pork leg meat, family pack, $1.49/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.99/lb
Chicken drumsticks, family pack, 59¢/lb
Cucumbers, 5/99¢
Chayote squash, 4/99¢
Roma tomatoes, 2 lbs/99¢
Whole seedless watermelons, 7 lbs/99¢
Papayas, 2 lbs/99¢
Pink Lady apples, 2 lbs/99¢



Safeway:

Beef London broil, $1.99/lb
Beef top sirloin steaks, $6.99/lb
Beef t-bone steak, value pack, $7.99/lb
80/20 ground beef, $2.49/lb
Eating Right boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.99/lb
Jennie-O lean ground turkey, 20 oz box, buy 1 get 1 free
Sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $8.99/lb
Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, $4.99/lb
Milk, $1.88
Lucerne “Natural Slices” cheeses, 8 oz pkg, $2.99
Ragu pasta sauces, 16-26 oz jar, 4/$5
Anthony’s pasta, 12-16 oz pkg, 99¢ (must buy 4)
Del Monto diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz can, 10/$10
S&W beans, 10/$10
Safeway frozen veggies, 1 lb bag, $1.19/lb
Deli: Primo Taglio chicken breast, $5.99/lb
Jennie-O turkey pastrami or “corned beef turkey” (??), $2.99/lb
Primo Taglio Havargi cheese, $6.99/lb
Red seedless grapes, 78¢/lb
Blueberries, dry pint, 2/$3
Hass avocados, 88¢
Fresh Express bag salads, “Spinach” or “Green & Crisp”, 99¢
Mangos, 2/$1
Walla Walla onions, $1.29/lb
Iceberg, 99¢
Large tomatoes, $1.99/lb
Heirloom tomatoes, organic, $3.99/lb
O Organics grape tomatoes, 2/$6
Vine tomatoes, AZ grown, $1.99/lb



Smart & Final:

Beef New York steak, bone in, $4.99/lb
Chicken thighs or drumsticks, value pack, 99¢/lb
Zacky Farms ground turkey, 20 oz pkg, $2.49
Lean Cuisine frozen entrées, $1.77
Quaker Chewy Granola bars, 48 ct, $8.49
Wheat Thins, family size, $3.99
Foster Farms chicken franks, 3 lb pkg, $3.49
Iceberg, 2 pk, $1.49
Blueberries, 18 oz box, $2.49
Tomatoes, 6 ct, 99¢
Plums, 8 ct, $2.99



Sprouts:

Beef tenderloin, whole in bag, cut and wrapped free, $8.99/lb
Beef filet mignon steaks, $10.99/lb
Beef sirloin tip roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
Pork loin chops or roasts, boneless, $2.99/lb
Whole chicken legs, 99¢/lb
Sockeye salmon fillets, $8.99/lb
Whole watermelons, seedless or seeded, 9¢/lb
Vine tomatoes, 77¢/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 88¢
Broccoli, 88¢/lb
Green or red seedless grapes, 99¢/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$4
Blackberries or blueberries, 6 oz box, 2/$4
Peaches or nectarines, 88¢/lb
Italian or yellow squash, 88¢/lb
Pineapples, 2/$3

Bargain guide, week beginning July 7th

Oh, dear: we missed National Canned Luncheon Meat Week. (Lovely Spam! Wonderful Spam!) This is, however, National July Belongs To Blueberries Month, which should put paid to any notions you might have harbored that I make these holidays up -- I don't have that much imagination. The 10th is Pick Blueberries Day, and so you’ll have something to do with them, the next day is Blueberry Muffin Day.

July 7th: National Strawberry Sundae Day
July 8th: National Chocolate with Almonds Day
July 9th: National Sugar Cookie Day
July 10th: Pick Blueberries Day, National Piña Colada Day
July 11th: National Blueberry Muffin Day
July 12th: National Pecan Pie Day
July 13th: Beans 'n' Franks Day, National French Fries Day
July 14th: Macaroni Day, National Grand Marnier Day

In non-food connections: July 10th is Clerihew Day. A clerihew is a four-line biographical poem, of aabb rhyme scheme and often of irregular meter, something like this:

Debi Allen Duvall
Is the wisest of us all.
Showing great self control
She has five separate times returned to goal.

And one week from today is Bastille Day, so cook something French and healthy. Ça ira!

The latest from Consumerist: A lot of what’s sold in the US as “extra virgin olive oil” isn’t, because (unlike European Union countries) we have no legal definition (as yet) for “extra virgin”, and because what regulations we do have are “voluntarily enforced” so the oil may not even be olive. Only 12% of Americans know how many calories they should consume in a day. And, in a complete obliteration of the line between “content” and “advertising”, the site ScienceBlogs – hitherto devoted entirely to blots about, you know, science – has added to its list of blogs one called “Food Frontiers”, written and purchased by PepsiCo.

If you run across any good bargains that I've missed, or if you write a clerihew, please post it in comments.



Albertson’s:

Beef roasts: bottom round/shoulder/chuck/sirloin tip, bnless, $4.99/lb buy 1 get 1 free
Beef petite sirloin steak, boneless, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Pork loin chops, bone in, $3.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
93/7 ground beef, 5 lbs or more, $1.77/lb
Beef London broil, $1.77/lb
Pork chops, assorted, family pack, 99¢/lb
Milk, $1.67 <== Best price
Albertson’s cheeses, 2 lb chunk or shreds, $4.98
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter, 15 oz tub, 2/$4
Skinny Cow ice-cream novelties, $3.99
Lean Cuisine frozen entrées, $1.59
All frozen food 10 to 40% off:
Blue Bell ice-cream incl. Light, 40% off
PictSweet “Steamables” frozen veggies, 33% off
Birds Eye “Steamfresh” frozen veggies or Rice Blends, 33% off
Eating Right frozen entrées, 20% off
Jimmy Dean “D-Lights” breakfast sandwiches, 20% off
Barilla pasta, 11.25-16 oz box, 10/$10
Hunt’s spaghetti sauce, 26 oz can, 10/$10
Bertolli pasta sauces, 15-24 oz jar, 2/$4
Deli: Charlie’s Pride roast beef, $5.99/lb
Jennie-O rotisserie turkey breast, $5.99/lb
Deli Fresh Gossner or baby Swiss, $5.99/lb
Joseph Farms provolone or mild Cheddar, $5.99/lb
Blueberries, 11 oz box, 99¢
Tomatoes, 10 lbs/$10
Bing cherries, $2.99/lb
Rainier cherries, $3.99/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$5
Seedless green grapes, $1.99/lb
Peaches OR nectarines, $1.99/lb
Cantaloupes, 2/$4
Honeydew melon, 49¢/lb
Mangos, 10/$10
Leaf lettuce OR spinach, 10/$10
Fresh Express bag salads, buy 1 get 1 free
Zuchini OR yellow squash, 10 lbs/$10



Bashas’:

Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, value pack, $1.99/lb (regular pack $1 higher)
90/10 ground beef, $2.99/lb
Beef crossrib steak or roast, $3.99/lb
Beef ribeye steaks, bone in, value pack, $6.99/lb
Pork tenderloin, $3.99/lb
Pork shoulder steak, bone in, value pack, $2.49/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast or breast tenders, $1.77/lb <== Best price
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, $1.77/lb
Norbest turkeys, toms or hens, 79¢/lb
Alaskan true cod fillets, wild caught, $5.99/lb
Milk, $1.77
Food Club butter, $2.39
Healthy Choice frozen entrées, $1.99
Morningstar Farms frozen entrées, $3.99
Ragu pasta sauces, 16-26 oz jar, 4/$5
Food Club chunk light tuna, 2/99¢
StarKist chunk white tuna, 99¢ ea
Oroweat sandwich thins, 2/$5
Green or red seedless grapes, 88¢/lb
Peaches OR nectarines, white/yellow, 88¢/lb
Black or red plums, 88¢/lb
Large slicing tomatoes, 88¢/lb
Hass avocados, 88¢ ea
Green or red bell peppers, 88¢ ea
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 88¢ ea
Cantaloupes, AZ grown, 59¢/lb
Bananas, 48¢/lb
Raspberries/blackberries/blueberries, 6 oz box, $2.99
Strawberries, 1 lb box, $2.99
Dole bag salads, 2/$5
Sweet corn, white, 2/$1



Food City:

Beef bottom round steak or roast,, boneless, $2.49/lb
Beef stew meat, boneless, $2.49/lb
Pork spareribs, $1.79/lb
Pork shoulder steak, boneless, $1.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken thigh/leg meat, 99¢/lb
Seedless watermelon, 10¢/lb
Green or red seedless grapes, 69¢/lb
White onions, 4 lbs/96¢
Grapefruit, 3/99¢
Pineapples, 69¢/lb
Avocados, 3/99¢
Jicama, 2 lbs/88¢
Tomatillos, 2 lbs/98¢
Green chiles, 2 lbs/$1



Fresh & Easy:

80/20 ground beef, $1.99/lb
Beef top sirloin, boneless, family pack, $4.99/lb
Pork chops, assorted end cut, $1.59/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.97/lb
Chicken leg quarters, 88¢/lb
Fresh & Easy chunk light tuna, 63¢
Farmers Gems eggs, AA large, dozen, 99¢
Iceberg, 98¢
Lemons, 1 lb bag, 98¢
Grape tomatoe, 7 oz box, 98¢
Mangos, 98¢
Fresh & Easy bag spinach or “Baby Leaf Spring Mix” salad, 2/$4
Peaches or nectarines, 2 lb bag, $1.98
Bing cherries, 1 lb box, 2/$4 (multiples of 2)
Blueberries, 18 oz box, $4.99
Cantaloupes, $1.49 ea
“Grape medley”, 2 lb box, $3.99
Live basil in a pot, $1.99



Fry’s:

Beef ribeye steak, bone in, family pack, $4.77/lb
Beef chuck/round/top round roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
Beef chuck steak, family pack, $2.79/lb
Pork steak, $1.99/lb
All Kroger frozen chicken, 2 ½-5 lb bag, $4.98
Keta salmon, wild caught, $3.77/lb
Milk, $1.68  Best price
Kroger cottage cheese or sour cream incl Light, 16 oz tub, $1
Kroger cheeses, 12-16 oz chunk or shreds, $2.99
Kellogg’s Special K or Fiber Plus bars, $2.99
Nature’s Own bread, $1.99
Pepsi products, 12 pk, 3/$10
Birds Eye/Steamfresh/Pictsweet frozen veggies, $1
Healthy Choice frozen entrees or “Café Steamers”, $1.99
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 88¢
Dole bag salads “Just Lettuce”, “Classic Romaine” or “Greener Selection”, $1
Bing cherries, $2.99/lb
Peaches/nectarines/plums, 2 lbs/$3
Mangos, $1 (organic, 4/$5
Broccoli OR cauliflower, $1/lb (organic, $1.39/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, $1
Cucumbers, AZ grown, $1 ea
Cantaloupes, AZ grown, $1 ea
Honeydew melons, AZ grown, $2.99/lb
Whole watermelons, seedless or seeded, AZ grown, $4.99
Kroger “mini peeled” carrots, 1 lb bag, $1
Roma tomatoes, $1/lb



Rancho Grande:

Beef for tamales, $2.19/lb
Pork for tamales, family pack, $1.89/lb
Center cut pork chops, $1.89/lb
Whole chickens, twin pack, $1.29/lb
Chicken breast, bone in, family pack, $1.29/lb
Cantaloupe, 6 lbs/99¢
Carrots, 3 lbs/99¢
Papayas, 2 lbs/99¢
Mexican green onions, 3 bunches/99¢
Red Delicious apples, 2 lbs/99¢



Safeway:

Beef 7-bone chuck steak, $1.59/lb
Beef t-bone steak, $4.77/lb
Pork top loin chops, boneless, $2.99/lb
Chicken thighs or drumsticks, 99¢/lb
Jennie-O ground turkey breast, 1.25 lb box, $5.49
Jennie-O turkey tenderloins, 1.5 lb box, $5.49
Ahi tuna steaks, wild caught, $5.99/lb
Deli: Primo Taglio ham, $6.99/lb
Sara Lee brown-sugar ham OR honey turkey, $7.99
Primo Taglio pepperjack cheese, $3.99/lb
Safeway canned veggies, 79¢
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 99¢
Yellow peaches, 99¢/lb
Black plums, 99¢/lb
Green/red/yellow bell peppers, 99¢
Sweet yellow onions, 99¢/lb
Sweet corn, white or yellow, 3/$1
“Red Lion” nectarines, $1.99/lb
Rainier cherries, $4.99/lb
Whole seedless watermelons, AZ grown, $4.99 ea
O Organics boxed salads, 2/$6



Smart & Final:

Beef ribeye steak, bone in, $3.99/lb
Foster Farms whole chickens, 79¢/lb
Post Raisin Bran, Grape-Nuts, OR Shredded Wheat, 3-4 lb box, $5.99
Ready Pac bag salad “Spring Mix”, 1 lb bag, $3.99
Seedless green grapes, 2 lb box, $1.99



Sprouts:

All bulk-bin items, bulk spices, bulk coffee, 25% off
Beef cross rib roast, $1.99/lb
Beef top sirloin steaks, $4.99/lb
“Extra lean” ground beef, value pack, $1.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, value pack, $1.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
Chicken sausage, apple or basil, $2.99/lb (this is very good)
Alaskan cod fillet, wild caught, $5.99/lb
Yellow peaches or nectarines, 3 lbs/$1
Seedless watermelon, 5 lbs/$1
Red mangos, 49¢ ea
Red or black plums, 88¢/lb
Blueberries, dry pint, 2/$3
Cantaloupes OR honeydew melons, 2/$3
Bing cherries, $2.99/lb
Cilantro/radishes/green onions, 3 bunches/$1
Broccoli crowns, 88¢/lb