Bargain guide, week beginning January 26th

Eating Bird Food, a healthy-eating blogger who is not a Weight Watchers member, gave a wonderfully positive review to the PointsPlus system and the new cookbook! She says that the cookbook offers “Around 500 recipes filled with nutritious and wholesome lean meats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables so you’ll stay fuller, longer”, and likes the ingredient-swapping tips, measuring pointers, and nutritional information.

The latest from Consumerist: DiGiorno's is marketing a new combo pack, a single box containing frozen pizza and chocolate chip cookies. Not a combination that would have occurred to me, but de gustibus etc. Another combo pack will involve pizza and something called "Boneless Wyngz" {sic} {sic, sic, sic}. Also, Taco Bell is being sued by someone who claims their "ground beef" taco filling is only 36% meat.

This is the last week of January, so diet products are still fairly well promoted but are being swiftly displaced by large displays of red heart-shaped boxes.

January 26th: National Pistachio Day
January 27th: Chocolate Cake Day
January 28th: National Blueberry Pancake Day
January 29th: National Corn Chip Day
January 30th: National Croissant Day
January 31st: Brandy Alexander Day
February 1st: National Baked Alaska Day
February 2nd: Heavenly Hash Day



Albertson’s:

Beef petite sirloin steaks, boneless, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 2 free
Beef t-bone roast, $3.29/lb
Beef London broil, boneless, $3.99/lb
93/7 ground beef, 5 lbs or more, $2.19/lb
Pork sirloin chops, boneless, $1.99/lb
Cook’s ham, bone in, shank portion, $1.49/lb
Whole frying chickens OR drums/thighs/leg quarters, 88¢/lb
Alaskan cod OR pollock fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
Tilapia or swai fillets, farm raised, $3.99/lb
Deli: Jennie-O turkey breast, several varieties, $5.99/lb
Jennie-O honey or baked ham off the bone, $5.99/lb
Deli Fresh muenster cheese, $4.99/lb
Charlie’s Pride roast beef varieties, $5.99/lb
Shamrock Farms cottage cheese incl. Light, 16 oz tub, $2.39
Barilla pasta sauce, 24 oz jars, 2/$5 and get 2 boxes of Barilla pasta free
StarKist chunk light tuna, 69¢
Hunt’s tomato sauce, 8 oz cans, 39¢
Kellogg’s Special K cereals, $3.49 – buy 3, get a gallon of milk free
Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$4
Cantaloupes, $1.99 ea
Del Monte pineapples, $2.99 ea
Jonagold apples, $1.29/lb
Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
Large tomatoes, $1.99/lb
Large cucumbers, 79¢ ea
Fresh Express “Salad Blends”, 2/$5
Earthbound Farms box salads, $2.99
Bok choy OR Nappa cabbage, 69¢/lb



Bashas’:

Beef crossrib or bottom round roast, boneless, $1.97/lb (steaks, $2.99/lb)
Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, value pack, $5.99/lb
Beef top round roast, $3.99/lb
Pork shoulder roast, bone in, $1.79/lb
Pork sirloin chops, boneless, value pack, $2.99/lb
Sanderson Farms boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.69/lb
True cod fillets, wild caught, $4.99/lb
Bashas’ milk, $1.69
Bashas’ eggs, AA large, dozen, 99¢
Daisy sour cream OR cottage cheese incl. Light, 16 oz tub, $1.99
Nature’s Own bagels, 2/$3
Nature’s Own bread, $1.99
Bumble Bee solid or chunk white tuna, 99¢
Navel oranges, AZ grown, 99¢/lb
Minneola tangelos, AZ grown, 99¢/lb
Bing cherries, $4.99/lb
Peaches or nectarines, $1.99/lb
Blackberries or blueberries, 6 oz box, 2/$5
Roma tomatoes, 88¢/lb
Asparagus, 99¢/lb
Broccoli OR cauliflower, AZ grown, 99¢/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, AZ grown, 99¢ ea



Food City:

Beef crossrib roast, boneless, $2.49/lb (steaks, $2.99/lb)
Sirloin cut pork chops, bone in, value pack, 97¢/lb
Whole frying chickens, 69¢/lb
Flounder fillets, $2.79/lb
Food Club canned fruit, 99¢
Valu Time canned whole tomatoes, 99¢
Pineapples, 3 lbs/99¢
Granny Smith apples, 3 lbs/99¢
Avocados, 4/$1
Brown onions, 5 lbs/$1
Tomatillos OR Mexican grey squash, 2 lbs/98¢
Green bell peppers, 3/99¢



Fry’s:

Massive buy-10-participating items, get-$5-off sale
Beef New York strip steak, bone in, $4.77/lb
Beef ribeye steak, bone in, $5.97/lb
80/20 ground beef, $1.77/lb (3 lb chub)
Whole frying chickens, 57¢/lb
Alaska cod fillets, $4.99/lb
Yoplait yogurts, 44¢
Healthy Choice frozen entrées, $1.88
Red seedless grapes, 97¢/lb
Mangos, 77¢ ea
Del Monte pineapples, $2.99 ea
Blackberries or blueberries, 6 oz box, 2/$5
Navel oranges OR Minneola tangelos, $1/lb
Bing cherries, $3.99/lb
Grapefruit, 2/$1
Organic “mini peeled” carrots, yellow or orange, 1 lb bag, 2/$3
Dole bag salads, 2/$5
Red bell peppers, $1 ea



Rancho Grande:

Beef chuck roll steak, boneless, $2.59/lb
Beef liver, 89¢/lb
Pork steak bone in, $1.69/lb
Chicken drumsticks, 59¢/lb
Hickman’s eggs, AA large, 18 ct, $1.89
San Marcos whole jalapeños, 2.6 oz can, 99¢
Ragu pasta sauce, 26 oz jars, 2/$3
Bananas, 2 lbs/99¢
Papayas, 2 lbs/99¢
Roma tomatoes, 2 lbs/99¢
Tomatillos, 3 lbs/99¢
Chayote squash, 6/99¢
(Trivia: In Australia chayote are used as an extender in apple pies.)



Safeway:

Beef loin t-bone steaks, value pack, $4.97/lb
Beef New York strip steaks, bone in, $4.97/lb
Beef chuck roast, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef London broil, boneless, $3.99/lb
Beef round tip roast, $3.99/lb
80/20 ground beef, $1.99/lb
90/10 (value pack) or 93/7 ground beef, $3.99/lb
Pork sirloin chops, boneless, $2.99/lb
Eating Right boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.99/lb
Alaskan cod fillets, $5.99/lb
Lucerne yogurts, 10/$4
Lucerne sour cream incl Light, 16 oz tub, 2/$3
Lucerne cheeses, 2 lb chunk or shreds, $5.99
Lean Cuisine frozen entrées, 4/$10
Campbell’s Select Harvest soups, 99¢
Safeway diced tomatoes, 14 oz can, 79¢
Barilla pasta, 12-16 oz box, 10/$10
Safeway Select olive oil (healthy!), 17 oz bottle, $4.99
Braeburn apples, 49¢/lb
Red grapefruit, 4/$1
Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
Green or red seedless grapes, $2.49/lb
Clementines, 3 lb bag, $4.99
Red bell peppers, 99¢
Eating Right “baby peeled” carrots, 1lb bag, 99¢



Smart & Final:

Chicken thighs or drumsticks, family pack, 99¢/lb
First Street canned veggies, 2/$1
Fuji apples, 3 lb bag, $1.47



Sprouts:

All vitamins, supplements, health & beauty products, 25% off
Beef chuck roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
Pork loin roast, boneless, $1.97/lb
Chicken tenders, $1.97/lb
Whole or cut-up frying chickens, $1.39/lb
Mangos, 99¢ ea
Pinova apples, 77¢/lb
Navel oranges, 49¢/lb
“Rio Red” grapefruit, 49¢ ea
Seedless grapes, green/red/black, $2.99/lb
Nectarines, peaches, red or black plums, 2 lbs/$3
Blackberries, 6 oz box, 2/$4
Jonagold or Golden Delicious apples, 97¢/lb
Asparagus, 99¢/lb
Bell peppers, red/gold/oranges, 88¢ ea
Cucumbers OR green bell peppers, 49¢ ea
Cabbage, 49¢/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 99¢
Roma tomatoes, 77¢/lb

Bargain guide, week beginning January 19th

Tomorrow is National Buttercrunch Day, and more healthily (is that a word?) National Granola Bar Day and National Cheese Lovers’ Day. Monday is National Peanut Butter Day, the official holiday of Debi. This fourth week of January is National Meat Week and National Irish Coffee Week, whichever is your preference.

January 19th: National Popcorn Day
January 20th: National Cheese Lovers' Day, National Granola Bar Day, National Buttercrunch Day, National Coffee Break Day
January 21st: New England Clam Chowder Day
January 22nd: National Blond Brownie Day, National Soup Swap Day
January 23rd: National Rhubarb Pie Day
January 24th: National Peanut Butter Day, Lobster Thermidor Day
January 25th: National Irish Coffee Day
January 26th: National Pistachio Day

Pork, for some reason, is at very good prices this week; and of course, this still being January, any and all diet products.



Albertson’s:

Beef London broil/crossrib/bottom round roasts, boneless, $4.99/lb, buy 1 get 1
Beef t-bone steaks, $7.99/lb
Beef petite sirloin steaks, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
85/15 ground beef, $2.99/lb
Pork picnic roast, bone in, $1.49/lb
Pork silrloin chops, boneless, $1.99/lb
Cook’s ham, bone in, shank portion $1.49/lb (butt portion $1.99/lb)
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.77/lb
Honeysuckle White 93/7 ground turkey breast, 1 lb pkg, $2.99
Alaskan pollock fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
Milk, half gallons, 88¢
Smart Balance spread, 13-15 oz tub, 2/$5
Sargento cheeses, 6-8 oz shreds or slices, $3.49
Deli: Dietz & Watson chicken breast, $5.99/lb
Jennie-O oven roasted turkey breast, $4.99/lb
Kretschmar Virginia ham, $4.99/lb
Deli Fresh cheeses, $5.99/lb
Birds Eye Steamfresh veggies or rice blends, 10-12 oz bag, 10/$10
Swiss Miss cocoa mix, $1 (may or may not include the Sensible Sweets variety)
Albertson’s canned veggies, 69¢
Seedless grapes, green or red, $1.49/lb
Apples: Gala, Red/Golden Delicious, $1/lb
D’Anjou pears, $1/lb
Grapefruit, $1/lb
Navel oranges, $1/lb
Bell peppers, red/yellow/orange, 10/$10
Fresh Express bag salads, 2/$3
Earthbound Farms box salads, $2.99/lb
Roma tomatoes, $1/lb
Broccoli crowns OR cauliflower, $1/lb
Sweet onions, $1/lb



Bashas’:

Beef top sirloin steak, boneless, value pack, $2.87/lb
Beef crossrib roast, boneless, $3.99/lb (steaks, $4.49/lb)
Assorted pork chops, bone in, value pack, 97¢/lb
Pork center cut roast, bone in, $1.99/lb
Bashas’ chicken drums/thighs/leg quarters, value pack, 99¢/lb
Bashas’ milk, $1.67  Best price!
Shamrock Farms cottage cheese incl. Light, 16 oz tub, $2.29
Del Monte tomato sauce, 8 oz cans, 3/99¢
StarKist solid white tuna, 4/$5
Blueberries, 11 oz box, 2/$3
Navel oranges OR Minneola tangelos, both AZ grown, 99¢/lb
Apples, Fuji/Braeburn/Gala/Red Delicious, 99¢/lb
Dole bananas, 59¢/lb
Blackberries, 2/$5
Broccoli OR cauliflower, AZ grown, 59¢/lb  Best price!
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, AZ grown, 99¢
Full Circle organic box salads, $2.99



Food City:

Beef chuck steak, bone in, $1.69/lb (roast, $2.29/lb)
Pork shoulder steak, bone in, $1.99/lb
Chicken breast, bone in, 99¢/lb
Cod strips, $2.99/lb
Pollock fillets, $2.29/lb
Barilla pasta, 12-16 oz box, 99¢
Prego pasta sauces, 23-24 oz jar, $1.99
Tangelos, 3 lbs/99¢
Honeydew melons, 3 lbs/99¢
Cucumbers, 9/99¢
Jalapeño peppers, 4 lbs/$1
Cabbage, 3 lbs/99¢
Bell peppers, red/gold/orange, 3/99¢



Fry’s:

Beef New York strip steak, bone in, $5.77/lb
93/7 ground beef, $2.49/lb
Beef chuck steak or roast, boneless, value pack, $3.79/lb
Beef bottom round roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
“Pork extravaganza”: buy 1 get 1 free (same item)
Spiral sliced or half ham, bone in, assorted varieties, 99¢/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.79/lb
85/15 ground turkey, $1.99/lb
Sockeye salmon, wild caught, $7.99/lb
Kroger cottage cheese incl. Light, 16 oz tub, 99¢
Kroger sour cream incl Light, 16 oz tub, 99¢
Kraft cheeses, 7-8 oz chunk or shreds, $1.88
Starkist chunk light tuna, 49¢
Kroger frozen veggies, 10-12 oz bag, 97¢
Birds Eye “Steamfresh” frozen veggies, 10-12 oz bag, 97¢
Barilla pasta, 12-16 oz box, 99¢
Hunt’s pasta sauces, 26 oz cans, 99¢
Peaches or nectarines (from Chile), 99¢/lb
Blueberries (from Chile), dry pint, $1.77
Apples: Gala, Red/Golden Delicious, $1/lb
Mandarins, 3 lb bag, $4.99
Navel oranges, $1/lb
Minneola tangelos, $1.29/lb
Lemons, 2/88¢ or just leave a note on the blog and I will bring some next week
D’Anjou or Bosc pears, $1.29/lb
Blackberries, 6 oz box, 2/$5
Roma tomatoes, $1/lb
Asparagus, green or white, $2.99/lb
Private Selection box salads, 2/$5
Private Selection “mini peeled” carrots, 1 lb bag, 2/3
Radishes OR green onions, 2 bunches/$1



Rancho Grande:

Beef shank, $1.89/lb
Beef sirloin tip steak, $2.59/lb
Pork loin chops, center cut, family pack, $1.59/lb
Chicken leg quarters, 49¢/lb (10 lb bag)
Springfield long grain rice, 5 lb bag, $1.79/lb
Clamato, 32 oz bottle, 2/$5
Tangerines, 4 lbs/99¢
Kiwifruit, 6/99¢
Mexican green onions, 4 bunches/99¢
Jalapeño chiles, 3 lbs/99¢
Brown onions, 4 lbs/99¢



Safeway:

Beef bottom round or crossrib roast, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef top sirloin steak, “restaurant cut”, value pack, $2.99/lb
Beef 7-bone chuck pot roast, $2.79/lb
93/7 ground beef, $2.19/lb
Pork shoulder blade roast, bone in, whole in bag, 99¢/lb
Pork loin chops, assorted, bone in, value pack, $1.99/lb
Pork tenderloin, boneless, whole in bag, $4.79/lb
Dairy Glen milk, $1.59
Lucerne cheeses, 16 oz chunk or shreds, $2.49
Smart Ones frozen entrées, 5/$10
Campbell’s Select Harvest soups, buy 1 get 1 free
Anthony’s pasta, 1 lb pkg, 10/$10
Navel oranges, 2 lbs/$1
Kiwifruit, 3/$1
Lemons, 2/$1
Fresh Express bag salads, “Lettuce Trio” or “Green & Crisp”, 99¢/lb
Celery, 99¢
Onions, every color except green, 99¢/lb
Eating Right “baby-cut” carrots, 1 lb bag, 99¢



Smart & Final:

Beef loin tri tip roast, $2.99/lb
Pork loin roast, boneless, $2.29/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.99/lb
Apples: Fuji/Gala/Granny Smith/Red Delicious, 8 ct, $2.99



Sprouts:

Beef rump roast OR stew meat, $3.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.97/lb
Pop Chips, 2/$3
Jonagold apples, 77¢/lb
Blackberries, 6 oz box, 99¢
Blueberries, dry pint, $2.99
Navel oranges OR “Rio Red” grapefruit, 49¢/lb
Minneola tangelos, 99¢/lb
Nectarines/peaches/red plums, $1.99/lb
Hass avocados, 99¢ ea
Bell peppers, red/gold/orange, 99¢ ea
Green bell peppers, 49¢ ea
Cucumbers, 49¢ ea
Tomatoes, 77¢/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 88¢ ea
Broccoli crowns, 88¢/lb
Baby carrots, 1 lb bag, 88¢

Bargain guide, week beginning January 12th

The Center for Science in the Public Interest is urging the Food and Drug Administration to put a rotating series of health notices – in essence, warning labels – on sugared soft drinks. The letter has been signed by the American Public Health Association, Shape Up America!, and a number of state and municipal health departments around the country. Suggested notices include “The U.S. Government recommends that you drink fewer sugary drinks to prevent weight gain, tooth decay, heart disease, and diabetes”, “For better health, the U.S. Government recommends that you limit your consumption of sugary drinks”, and “This drink contains 250 calories. Consider switching to water.”

Darya Pino, at the blog Summer Tomato, has developed a witty and startlingly effective flowchart for determining whether what you’re looking at in the supermarket is or is not food.

Today is National Marzipan Day although it is likely all the marzipan treats left over from the holidays have been eaten up. This Sunday, the 16th, is International Hot & Spicy Foods Day, so cook up something flavorful and spicy – and don’t forget that ginger and cinnamon and garlic and mustard are all spices. The 18th is National Hot Buttered Rum day, so butter some.

January 12th: Curried Chicken Day
January 13th: National Peach Melba Day
January 14th: National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
January 15th: Strawberry Ice Cream Day, National Fresh Squeezed Juice Day
January 16th: National Fig Newton Day, International Hot & Spicy Foods Day
January 17th: Hot Buttered Rum Day
January 18th: Peking Duck Day
January 19th: National Popcorn Day



Albertson’s:

Beef bottom round roast or London broil, boneless, $1.99/lb
93/7 ground beef, $1.99/lb (5 lbs or more)
Beef petite sirloin steaks, boneless, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef t-bone steaks, family pack, $7.99/lb
Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, family pack, $4.99/lb
Beef chuck roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
Pork center loin chops, bone in, family piack, $2.99/lb
Pork assorted loin chops, $1.99
Boneless skinless chicken breast, fresh, $2.49
Boneless skinless chicken breast, IQF, $1.59/lb (4 lb bag)
Honeysuckle White ground turkey breast, 99/1 (!!!), 1.2 lb pkg, $4.99
Thresher shark fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
Pollock, wild caught, $3.99/lb
Alaskan cod, wild caught, $6.99/lb, “weather permitting”
Albertson’s cheeses, 2 lb chunk, $3.99
Albertson’s Ricotta cheese incl. Light, 15 oz tub, $2.49
Deli: Charlie’s Pride roast beef varieties, $5.99/lb
Deli Fresh cheeses, $5.99/lb
Jennie-O rotisserie/Honey Smoked/Oven Brown turkey breast, $5.99/lb
Pam cooking spray, 5-6 oz can, 2/$6
Albertson’s chunk light tuna, 59¢
Blueberries, 11 oz box, $1.88
Gala apples, 99¢/lb
Anjou pears, 99¢/lb
Navel oranges OR Minneola tangelos, 99¢/lb
Iceberg, 69¢
Vine tomatoes, 14 oz container, 2/$5
Fresh Express bag salads, 2/$5
Green bell peppers, 69¢
Green or white asparagus, $3.99/lb
Spinach, 69¢/bunch



Bashas’:

Beef New York strip OR boneless top sirloin steaks, value pack, $4.57/lb
Ground round, fat content not listed, $3.99/lb
Beef for stew, boneless, $3.99/lb
Beef crossrib/bottom round/sirloin tip roast, boneless, $3.49/lb
Pork chops, boneless center cut, value pack, $1.99/lb
Bork roast, boneless, center cut, $2.99/lb
Pork shoulder steak, bone in, $1.99/lb
Cook’s spiral cut ham, bone in, 99¢/lb
Chicken breast, bone in, buy 1 get 1 free
Jennie-O Turkey Store turkey, ground/links/patties, 16-20 oz pkg, 2/$6

Green Giant frozen veggies, 10 oz box, $1.19 } these and
Healthy Choice frozen dinners, $2.27 } other items:
Barilla pasta, 12-16 oz box, $1.19 } buy any 10,
Del Monte pasta sauce, 26 oz can, $1.19 } save $5

Food Club cheeses, 2 lb chunk or shreds, $6.99
Daisy cottage cheese incl. low-fat, 24 oz tub, $2.69
Nature’s Own bread, $1.99/lb
Triscuit snack crackers, 12-13 oz box, $3.99
Splenda, 80-100 ct OR 3.8-7.5 oz, $3.99
Gorton’s Grilled Fillets (PointsPlus count still 2 each, 4 for the box!), 2/$7
Progresso soups incl Light, 10/$10
General Mills breakfast cereals, 2/$4
Fiber One OR Nature Valley granola bars, 2/$5
Blueberries, 6 oz box, 99¢
Navel oranges OR Minneola tangelos, AZ grown, 99¢/lb
Cabbage, AZ grown, 2 lbs/99¢
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 99¢/bunch
Broccoli OR cauliflower, AZ grown, 99¢/lb
Spinach, AZ grown, 99¢/bunch
Roma tomatoes, 99¢/lb



Food City:

Beef top sirloin roast, boneless, $2.49/lb
Sirloin cut pork cops, bone in, $1.69/lb
Chicken thighs or drumsticks, bone in, 68¢/lb (in bag)
Food Club pasta, 13-16 oz pkg, 99¢
Del Monte pasta sauces, 26 oz can, 99¢
Bumble Bee chunk light tuna, 69¢
Navel oranges, 5 lbs/$1
Tangelos, 2 lbs/98¢
Fuji apples, 3 lbs/99¢
Kiwifruit, 10/$10
Brown onions, 3 lbs/$1



Fry’s:

Beef ribeye or New York strip steak, bone in, family pack, $4.99/lb
Beef sirloin tip roast, boneless, family pack, $3.99/lb
Beef brisket, flat cut, boneless, whole in bag, $4.99/lb
Beef London broil, boneless, family pack, $3.79/lb
Half pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $1.97/lb
All Foster Farms chicken, buy 1 get 1 free (same item)
Fresh ground turkey, 85/15, $1.99 (3 lb pkg)
Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, $7.99/lb
Yoplait yogurts, 44¢
Kroger cheeses, 12-16 oz chunk or shreds, $2.99
Fry’s canned tomatoes/beans/veggies, 2/$1
Fry’s tomato sauce, 8 oz can, 4/$1
Bumble Bee albacore tuna, 88¢
Barilla pasta, 12-16 oz box, 10/$10
Ragu pasta sauces, 45 oz jar, 2/$5
Bertolli pasta sauces, 15-24 oz jar, 2/$5
Crystal Light, 10-12 qt OR “On the Go” 7-10 ct, $2.99
General Mills breakfast cereals, 9-17 oz box, $2.49
Nature Valley granola bars, $2.49
“Cuties” clementines, 3 lb bag, $2.77
Blackberries OR blueberries, 6 oz box, 2/$5
Navel oranges, $1/lb
Apples, Fuji/Cameo/Braeburn, $1/lb
Minneola tangelos, $1.29/lb
Cara Cara navel oranges, $1.49/lb
Pears, D’Anjou or Bosc, $1.29/lb
Cauliflower, $1/lb
Roma tomatoes, $1/lb
Dole OR Fresh Selections bag salads, 2/$5



Rancho Grande:

Beef sirloin tip steak, $2.69/lb
Beef shanks, $1.89
Assorted pork chops, family pack, 99¢/lb
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, family pack, 99¢/lb
Springfield canned veggie mix, 59¢
Iceberg, 3/99¢
Cucumbers, 9/99¢
Roma tomatoes, 2 lbs/99¢



Safeway:

Beef London broil, boneless, value pack, $199/lb
Beef New York strip steak, bone in, value pack, $4.77/lb
Beef chuck roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
80/20 ground beef, value pack, $2.49/lb
90/10 ground beef, value pack, $3.99/lb
Beef round tip roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
Pork top loin chops, boneless, $3.99/lb
Eating Right boneless skinless chicken breast, value pack, $1.99/lb
Tilapia OR swai fillets, farm raised, $2.99/lb
Lean Cuisine frozen entrées, $1.88
Lean Pockets, $1.69
Nabisco snack crackers, 2/$6
Ragu pasta sauces, 16-26 oz jar, 99¢
Blueberries, 18 oz box, $3.99
Gala apples, 68¢/lb
Pears, D’Anjou or red, 10 lbs/$10
Minneola tangelos, 10 lbs/$10
Mangos, 10/$10
Zucchini, 10 lbs/$10
Beauregard yams, 10 lbs/$10
Celery, 10/$10
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 10/$10
Roma tomatoes, 10 lbs/$10



Smart & Final:

Farmer John pork shoulder butt roast, bone in, $1.49/lb
First Street whole chickens, twin pack, 79¢/lb
Lean Cuisine frozen entrées, $1.69
Gala apples, 59¢/lb (3 lb bag)
Navel oranges, 39¢/lb (5 lb bag)



Sprouts:

Tagged gluten-free items, 25% off
Beef roasts: standing rib/tri tip/rump/crossrib/sirloin tip/top round/chuck, 40% off
“Extra lean” ground beef (fat content not listed), $3.49/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
Chicken thighs or drumsticks, bone in, 69¢/lb
Zacky 93/7 ground turkey, 1.25 lb pkg, 2/$7
Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, $6.99/lb
Rainbow trout, boneless, $7.99/lb
Navel oranges, 19¢/lb
“Rio Red” grapefruit, 19¢/lb
Apples: Gala, Fuji, Braeburn, 99¢/lb
Organic apples: Fuji, Jonagold, 4 lbs/$5
Blueberries, 6 oz box, 2/$3
Minneola tangelos, 99¢/lb
Roma tomatoes, 49¢/lb
Green cabbage, 49¢/lb
Cucumbers, 49¢ ea
Green bell peppers, 49¢ ea
Red/gold/orange bell peppers, 99¢/lb
Eggplants, 99¢/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 77¢
Asparagus, $2.99/lb
Broccoli, 99¢/lb
Summer squashes (Italian/yellow/Mexican), 99¢/lb
Baby carrots, 1 lb bag, 99¢
Onions, red/white/yellow, 49¢/lb

Bargain guide, week beginning January 5th

I should probably make clear first of all that neither the print nor blog version of this are even REMOTELY official Weight Watchers publications. This is the electronic version of my little handout of the bargains and good prices on low-calorie, low-PointsPlus, and otherwise healthy foods that I’ve found in the weekly grocery flyers, along with whatever other tips and trivia strike my straying mind as interesting. And if you run across any bargains I’ve missed, please post them in the Comments section there!

Coming in 2012: nutrition labels on cuts of meat! It’s a year away, but starting next year packages of ground or chopped meat or poultry will have to have nutrition labels like other packaged foods, and raw cuts of meat will have to have the nutrition information either on the package or available at the point of purchase. (As the Fooducate bloggers point out, though, it’s important to keep in mind the distinction between “serving size” as defined by the USDA – in the case of meat, three ounces – and the actual portion size that you put on your plate, which may be twice or three times that.)

And new studies reveal, yet again, that losing weight is much more complex than calories-in-versus-calories-expended. Arya Sharma, chair of obesity research and management at the University of Alberta, points to “studies where people's eating and activity are carefully monitored. They show that some people can eat an additional 1,000 calories per day and not gain a gram, while others would gain five to six kilograms over a six-week period.”

This is or will soon be the second week in January, National Pizza Week. Pizza can be healthy! January is as well National Oatmeal Month, National Wheat Bread Month and National Soup Month as well as a number of other not necessarily quite so healthy things, including National Candy Month, National Egg Month, National Bread Machine Month, National Meat Month, National Hot Tea Month (my beverage of choice), and National Prune Breakfast Month. This coming week includes:

January 5th: Whipped Cream Day
January 6th: National Bean Day, National Shortbread Day
January 7th: National Tempura Day, Fruitcake Toss Day
January 8th: English Toffee Day
January 9th: National Apricot Day
January 10th: Bittersweet Chocolate Day
January 11th: National Milk Day, Hot Toddy Day
January 12th: National Curried Chicken Day, National Marzipan Day

Best deals this month are on beef, pork chops, Chilean cherries, and (it being January) any processed “diet” foods. And, oddly, albacore tuna.



Albertson’s:

Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, family pack, $4.99/lb
Beef petite sirloin steaks, boneless, family pack, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
Beef chuck or bottom round roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
Beef London broil, boneless, $2.69/lb
85/15 ground beef, $2.99/lb
Pork loin chops, bone in, “assorted”, 97¢/lb  Best price
Pork tenderloin, boneless, teriyaki or peppercorn, 18.4 oz, $9.99, buy 1 get 1 free
All Sanderson Farms chicken in tray packs, buy 1 get 1 free (same item)
Boneless skinless chicken breast, “bulk pack”, $2.49/lb
Tilapia fillets, 1 lb bag, frozen, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 2 free
Pollack/cod/thresher shark fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
Albertson’s milk, half gallons only, $1
Albertson’s eggs, AA large, dozens, $1
Shamrock Farms cottage cheese incl. Light, 24 oz tub, $2.99
Deli: Jennie O hickory smoked turkey breast, $2.99/lb
Kretschmar honey or baked ham off the bone, $5.99/lb
Margherita hard or Genoa salami or pepperoni, $5.99/lb
Flav-R-Pack “Steam of the Crop” frozen veggies, 4/$5
Chicken of the Sea solid or chunk white tuna OR pink salmon, $1
Hunt’s diced tomatoes, 14 oz can, $1
Hunt’s pasta sauces, 26 oz can, $1
Del Monte canned veggies, 99¢
Del Monte fruit cups, 4 pk, 2/$5
Jonagold apples, $1/lb
Minneola tangelos, $1/lb
Organic bananas, 69¢/lb
Fresh Express bag salad, “Iceberg Garden”, $1
Bell peppers, red/yellow/orange, $1
Roma tomatoes, $1/lb
Broccoli crowns OR cauliflower, $1/lb
Sweet onions, $1/lb
Collard/mustard/turnip greens, $1/bunch
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, $1
Celery, $1



Bashas’:

Beef round steak, boneless, value pack, $1.67/lb (regular pack $2.17/lb)
Beef ground round, no fat percentage listed, $3.99/lb
Beef sirloin tip OR bottom round roasts, boneless, $3.99/lb
Sanderson Farms whole chickens, 67¢/lb
Bashas’ boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
Bashas’ milk, $1.67
Bashas’ sour cream or cottage cheese incl. Light, 24 oz tub, $1.88
Yoplait yogurts, 10/$4 (must buy 10)
Food Club cheeses incl. Light, 12-16 oz chunk/shreds/string, 3/$10
Lean Cuisine frozen entrées, $1.67
Skinny Cow ice-cream novelties, $3.99
Quaker oats, instant oatmeal, Nutri-Grain, Fiber Plus, or Clif bars, $1.99
Bumble Bee solid or chunk white tuna, 99¢
Bertolli pasta sauces, 15-24 oz jars, 2/$4
Barilla pasta sauces, 24 oz jars, 2/$4
Nabisco 100-calorie packs, $2.19
Slim Fast 100-calorie snacks, 6 pk, $2.99
Slim Fast 200-calorie snacks, 5 pk, $3.99
Bing cherries, $2.49
Minneola tangelos, AZ grown, 99¢/lb
Navel oranges, AZ grown, 99¢/lb
Dole bananas, 48¢/lb
Blueberries, 6 oz box, 2/$5 (11 oz pkg, $3.99)
Fuji or Braeburn apples, 99¢/lb
Dole bag salad “Classic Iceberg”, 77¢/lb
Vine tomatoes, AZ grown, $2.69/lb
Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, AZ grown, 99¢



Food City:

Beef crossrib steak or roast, boneless, $2.49/lb
Sirloin cut pork chops, bone in, 99¢/lb
Pork shoulder steak, bone in, $1.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken thighs, 99¢/lb
Pagasa pasta, 7 oz pkg, 6/$1
Gala apples, 3 lbs/99¢
Tangelos, 2 lbs/98¢
Bosc pears, 69¢/lb
Mexican papayas, 2 lbs/98¢
Iceberg, 3/99¢



Fry’s:

Beef roasts: chuck/top or bottom round/sirloin tip/eyeround/crossrib, buy 1 get 1
93/7 ground beef, $2.19/lb (2 lb chub)
Pork loin chops, bone in, “assorted”, family pack, $2.69/lb
Pork loin chops, boneless, family pack, $3.49/b
Atlantic salmon fillets, $6.99/lb
Yoplait yogurts, 44¢ ea
Kroger cottage cheese or sour cream incl. Light, 24 oz tub, $1.99
Oroweat sandwich thins, $1.99
Kellogg’s cereals, Nutri-Grain or Fiber Plus bars, $1.99
Kashi cereals or granola bars, $3.49 ($2.49 when you buy 4)
Quaker instant oatmeal, $1.99
Barilla pasta, 12-16 oz box, 10/$10
Hunt’s pasta sauce, 26 oz cans, 10/$10
Kroger frozen veggies, 10/12 oz pkg, 97¢
Apples: Jazz/Piñata/Pink Lady/Fuji/Braeburn/Cameo/Jonagold, $1.29/lb
Minneola tangelos, AZ grown, $1/lb
Grapefruit, AZ grown, 2/$1
Bananas, 59¢/lb
Blackberries or blueberries, 6 oz box, 2/$5
Bing cherries (from Chile), $4.99/lb
Del Monte pineapples, $2.99 ea
Dole bag salads, $1
Roma tomatoes, 88¢/lb



Rancho Grande:

“Assorted beef”, $1.59
Pork stew meat, boneless, $1.69/lb
Chicken breast, bone in, family pack, 88¢/lb
Papaya, 69¢/lb
Fuji apples, 3 lbs/99¢
Mandarins, 4 lbs/99¢
Pagasa pasta, 7 oz pkg, 5/$1
Roma tomatoes, 3 lbs/99¢
Cuucumbers, 5 lbs/99¢



Safeway:

Beef 7-bone chuck roast, $1.67/lb
Beef ribeye steaks, bone in, $4.99/lb
Beef chuck crossrib roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
Beef bottom round roast, boneless, $3.99/lb
80/20 ground beef, value pack, $2.49/lb
Pork loin chops, bone in, “assorted”, value pack, $1.29/lb
Pork loin chops, bone in, center cut, $1.99/lb
Safeway chicken thighs/drumsticks, 88¢/lb (leg quarters, 79¢/lb)
Eating Right boneless skinless chicken breast, value pack, $2.99/lb
Alaskan cod fillets, $5.99/lb
Yoplait yogurts, 10/$5
Lucerne “Natural Slices” cheeses, 8 oz, $1.99
Nature Valley granola bars, 3/$6
Healthy Choice “Fresh Mixers” shelf-stable entrées, 2/$6
Nabisco 100 calorie packs OR SnackWells’ cookies, 2/$4
Bumble Bee solid white tuna, 10/$10
Lean Cuisine frozen entrées, $1.79/lb
Lean Pockets, $1.69
Healthy Choice “Café Steamers”, 3/$6
Amy’s frozen veggie meals, 2/$6
Skinny Cow ice-cream novelties, $3.69
Bing cherries, from Chile, $2.68/lb
Clementines, 3 lb bag, $4.99
Red grapefruit, 79¢/lb
Blueberries, 6 oz box, 2/$6
Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
Lemons, 2/$1
Limes, 4/$1
Kiwifruit, 3/$1
Fresh Express bag salads, buy 1 get 1 free
Safeway leaf lettuce “Singles”, green/red/Romaine, 6 oz pkg, 2/$5



Smart & Final:

Jennie-O lean ground turkey, 1.25 lb pkg, 2/$5
Kellogg’s Special K cereal, 37-38 oz twin pack, $6.99
Kellogg’s Special K bars, 25 ct, $8.99
Skinny Cow ice-cream sandwiches, 20 ct, $9.99
Healthy Choice fudge bars, 18 ct, $8.99
Gala apples, 3 lb bag, $1.99
Blueberries, 18 oz box, $3.99
Roma tomatoes, 69¢/lb
Dole bag salads, “Classic Romaine” or “Greener Selection”, 99¢



Sprouts:

Beef sirloin tip roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
Beef NewYork steak, boneless, $6.99/lb
“Super lean” ground sirloin, no fat percentage listed, $3.99/lb
Pork tenderloin, boneless, $2.99/lb
Tasty Bite shelf stable entrées, 2/$4
Kashi GoLean cereals, 2/$7
Muir Glen canned soups, 2/$4
Gala/Golden Delicious/Pinova apples, 99¢/lb
Navel oranges, 49¢/lb
Grapefruit, 49¢/lb
Iceberg, 88¢
Broccoli crowns, 99¢/lb
Cauliflower, 99¢ ea
Eggplant, 88¢ ea
Italian squash OR Mexican grey squash, 88¢/lb
Yellow onions, 49¢/lb