Wren's bargain guide, week beginning April 23rd:

Due To Circumstances Beyond My Control …  well.  Sorry about missing tonight's meeting.

Fooducate has a short but sweet takedown of Snapple's new line of punches in cans.  79¢, 190 calories, and enough high-fructose corn syrup to equate to twelve teaspoons of sugar.  As one of their users points out, when the numbers get that big you change to the next measurement up:  each can contains four tablespoons of sugar.  Drink four, not a difficult task on a summer afternoon in Arizona, and you are consuming one cup of sugar.

Andrew Weil has a good article on cooking with whole grains;  Marion Nestle covers the war between POM and Coca-Cola, owner of Minute Maid, over whether Minute Maid labels are deceptive (the bottle says “100% Juice”, which is accurate, but it also says POMEGRANATE BLUEBERRY on a product that's 99% apple and grape juices).  Yoni Freedhoff continues his series on the myths of weight loss:  this week we have "Don't eat until you're hungry", which can lead to less than ideally wise choices:

... the notion that "you can outrun your fork" by exercising until you throw up, the idea that "cheat days" are wise (he's deploring here not the idea of indulgence, but that of telling yourself, "I don't have to ask myself whether this choice is worth it because today's my Cheat Day!"), and the entire concept of forbidding particular foods.    And at Grist, the extraordinarily cool idea of undercover urban beekeeping!

Recipes!  Chow.com has kimchi made from Brussels sprouts, two dozen different ways to use up your leftover Easter ham/lamb/hardboiled eggs, and tips on what to do when the garlic sprouts.  (Eat it, if you like the taste.  If not, plant it.)  Thekitchn.com roasts asparagus, as who would not?  (I have tried it and it is freaking delicious.)  At Simply Recipes we find eggs mimosa – that's a very pretty and far-less-mayonnaise take on deviled eggs, artichoked.  And from Snack Girl a different but also reduced-mayo deviled egg, DIY breakfast sausage, and a collection of recipes designed to be Weight Watchers-friendly!

Tomorrow is National Pigs-In-Blankets Day, anybody remember those?  Saturday is National Pretzel Day.  And one week from today is National Raisin Day, National Oatmeal Cookie Day (this can hardly be a coincidence), and National Mr. Potato Head Day, that classic toy having made its debut – in its original form, smoking a pipe and sans plastic potato – that date in 1952.


April 23rd:  National Picnic Day, National Jellybean Day, National Cherry Cheesecake Day
April 24th:  National Pigs-In-Blankets Day
April 25th:  National Zucchini Bread Day
April 26th:  National Pretzel Day
April 27th:  National Prime Rib Day
April 28th:  National Blueberry Pie Day
April 29th:  National Shrimp Scampi Day
April 30th:  Mr. Potato Head Day, National Raisin Day, National Oatmeal Cookie Day


Albertson's:

    Beef chuck, crossrib, eye/bottom round, sirloin tip roast, boneless, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Beef ribeye/t-bone/New York steaks, bone in, family pack, $8.99/lb
    Beef petite sirloin steaks, boneless, $9.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    85/15 ground beef, $3.29/lb (3 lbs or more)
    93/7 ground beef, $4.49/lb
    Assorted pork chops, bone in, $1.88/lb
    Center cut pork chops, bone in, $6.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.49/lb
    Sanderson Farms chicken drums/thighs/leg quarters, jumbo pack, $1.29/lb
    Alaska cod fillets, wild caught, $7.99/lb
    Sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $9.99/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $6.99/lb
    Rockfish fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
    Albertson's milk, gallons, $1.99
    Albertson's eggs, AA large, 18 ct, $2.28
    Deli:    Charlie's Pride Italian roast beef, corned beef, beef pastrami, $6.99/lb
        Stella Swiss, Provolone, Muenster cheeses, $6.99/lb
        Dietz & Watson hams, turkey/chicken breast, cheeses, $7.99/lb
        Margherita hard or Genoa salami OR pepperoni, $5.99/lb
    Oroweat breads, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, $2.99
    Essential Everyday veggies or tomatoes, 14-15 oz cans, 50¢
    Essential Everyday pasta, 12-16 oz boxes, 50¢
    Hunt's pasta sauces, 24 oz cans, 75¢
    Chicken of the Sea chunk light tuna, 5 oz cans, 10/$10
    Ro*tel tomatoes, 10 oz cans, $1
    Lean Cuisine frozen entrees, $1.67 (buy 3)
    Essential Everyday frozen veg, 14-16 oz bags, 10/$10
    Red Delicious apples, 99¢/lb
    Mini seedless watermelons, 2/$5
    Mangos, $1 ea
    Roma tomatoes, $1/lb
    Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, OR iceberg, $1 ea
    Cucumbers, 69¢ ea
    Sweet corn, 50¢ ea


Bashas':

    Beef t-bone steaks, value pack, $5.87/lb (regular pack, $1/lb higher)
    Ground beef sirloin, fat content not listed, $3.99//lb
    Center cut pork chops, boneless, value pack, $4.99/lb
    Pork loin country style, value pack, $2.49/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
    Sanderson Farms whole frying chickens, 87¢/lb
    Bashas' chicken leg quarters, 87¢/lb
    Ahi tuna loins OR swordfish loins, wild caught, $9.99/lb
    Swai fillets, $2.99/lb
    Food Club cheeses, 6-8 oz shingle pack, 2/$5
    Food Club butter, $2.99
    Bashas' cottage cheese, 16 oz tubs, $1.89
    Food Club veggies, 14-15 oz cans, 69¢
    Francesco Rinaldi pasta sauces, 23-24 oz jars, 4/$5
    Food Club pasta, 12-16 oz boxes, 10/$10
    Whole seedless watermelons, 19¢/lb
    Sweet corn, 6/96¢


Fry's:

    Beef chuck roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
    Beef NY strip steaks, bone in, $7.99/lb
    Pork loin chops, center cut boneless, family pack, $3.79/lb
    Pork sirloin roast, boneless, whole in bag, $1.79/lb
    Pork sirloin chops, boneless, family pack, $2.49/lb
    Foster Farms chicken, 50% off
    Kroger 85/15 ground turkey, $3.49/lb
    Corvina or tilapia fillets, $5.99/lb
    Fry's milk, gallons, 2/$5
    Private Selection bread, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, 2/$4
    Green Giant veggies, 14-15 oz cans, 10/$10
    Ro*tel tomatoes, 10 oz cans, 10/$10
    Kroger fruit, 15 oz cans, 10/$10
    Simple Truth organic variety (non-baked) beans, 15 oz cans, 10/$10
    Kroger veggies, 10-12 oz frozen bags, 10/$10
    Simple Truth organic fruit, 10 oz frozen bags, $2.99
    Lady Alice apples, $1.88/lb
    Red or black seedless grapes, $2.99/lb
    Mini seedless watermelons, 99¢ ea
    Vine tomatoes, 75¢/lb
    Organic cherry tomatoes, dry pint, 2/$6
    Sweet corn, 2/99¢
    Cucumbers, 2/99¢
    Cilantro, 2 bunches/99¢
    “Mini peeled” carrots, 1 lb bag, AZ grown, 88¢
    Artichokes, 4/$5
    Broccoli, 99¢/lb


Safeway:

    Beef bottom round roast, boneless, $3.29/lb
    Beef t-bone steaks, $9.99/lb
    Beef chuck 7-bone roast, $3.99/lb
    Open Nature beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, $8.99/lb
    80/20 ground beef, value pack, $3.99/lb
    Pork sirloin chops OR country style ribs, boneless, $1.79/lb
    Assorted pork loin chops, bone in, $3.99/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken breast, 4 lb IQF bag, $7.96 ($1.99/lb)
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, value pack, $7.99/lb
    Tilapia fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
    Pacific snapper fillets, wild caught, $6.99/lb
    Lucerne cheeses, 2 lb chunk or shreds, $7.49
    O Organics butter, $4.49
    Lucerne cheeses, 6-8 oz shingle pack, $2.99
    Nature's Own “100% Whole Wheat” bread, 20 oz long loaves, 2/$4
    Open Nature breads, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, $2.49
    Filippo Berio olive oil, 25 oz bottles, buy 1 get 1 free
    Hunt's tomatoes, 14 oz cans, 10/$10
    Eating Right whole grain pasta, 12-13 oz boxes, 99¢
    O Organics veggies, 16 oz frozen bags, $2.49
    O Organics fruit, 16 oz frozen bags, $4.49
    Lean Cuisine “Simple Favorites”, $1.99
    Skinny Cow ice-cream novelties, 4-6 ct, $3.99
    Whole cantaloupes, 2/$5
    Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$3
    Blackberries, 6 oz box, 2/$3
    Gala apples, $1.99/lb
    Mangos, 10/$10
    Red seedless grapes, $2.99/lb
    Whole pineapples, $2.99 ea
    Whole seedless watermelons, $5.99 ea
    Tomatoes, $1.99/lb
    Organic zucchini, $1.99/lb
    Sweet corn, white, 2/$1


Sprouts:

    All pork or chicken sausage, bulk or links, $3.49/lb
    Beef London broil OR eye round roast OR flat cut brisket, boneless, $5.49/lb
    Beef New York steak, boneless, $9.99/lbfs
    Assorted pork chops (2 center cut, 2 end), bone in, $1.99/lb
    Pork shoulder roast OR country style ribs, bone in, $2.99/lb
    Pork tenderloin, $4.99/lb
    Whole/split/cut up chickens, $1.69/lb
    Chicken breast tenders, $2.49/lb
    Sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $8.99/lb
    Alaskan sole fillets, wild caught, $6.99/lb
    Tilapia fillets, farm raised, $6.99/lb
    Strawberries, 1 lb boxes, 98¢
    Red grapefruit, 3/$1
    Mangos, 3/$1
    Apples, Granny Smith or Jonagold, 98¢/lb
    Navel oranges, 98¢/lb
    Organic Cameo apples, 2 lbs/$3
    Organic Bartlett pears, 2 lbs/$3
    Whole seedless watermelons, 3/$1
    Red seedless grapes, 2 lbs/$5
    Sweet corn, white, 3/$1
    Vine tomatoes, $1.88/lb
    Organic leaf lettuce, green or red, 2/$3
    Cucumbers, 3/$1
    Eggplant, 98¢ ea
    Bell peppers, red/yellow/orange, 98¢ ea
    Broccoli crowns OR cauliflower, 98¢/lb

Wren's bargain guide, week beginning April 16th:

A very important piece at Fooducate this week, about the FDA's rule that food additives don't have to be regulated, or even tested, if they're “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS).  In 1958, when this ruling was passed, there were only 800 chemicals used as additives.  Today there are more than ten thousand – and manufacturers can on their own decide, with no testing whatsoever, whether an additive falls under the GRAS umbrella.  “Stearoxysorbylate sodium anagraxanathicthon?  Don't worry, it's Generally Recognized As Safe!”

An interesting debunking of the common “It only takes 21 days to form a new habit!” meme, along with a look at how long it really takes, what it involves, and how to go about it.  A metareview (covering 26 studies and a thousand people) indicates a strong association between eating legumes – one serving of beans, peas, or lentils a day -- and a reduction in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.  Yoni Freedhoff at Weighty Matters is doing a series of short videos on “The Myths of Modern Day Dieting”:  so far he's covered willpower, the notion that scales measure health, and that dieting has to involve suffering, with more to come in the next several days.  Check them out.

Recipes!  Chow.com has thirty Easter recipes.  Seven involve lamb.  Also how to choose a ham (with categories, flavor analysis, and a “ham-snob score”), and an Easter picnic entirely in jars.  Simply Recipes has how to do a glazed baked ham, and a nice ham-asparagus bake to help you handle the excess.  Smitten Kitchen has baked eggs with spinach and mushrooms, and Snack Girl does her level best to transform Rice Krispies Treats into something healthy.  Bless her heart.

Easter is this Sunday, enjoy.  Tomorrow is National Cheeseball Day, the 19th is National Garlic Day.  And Sunday, the 20th, is also National Lima Bean Respect Day in honor of which I present this 1940 recipe for “Thrifty Lima Loaf”, an classic example of why lima beans get so little respect. 

April 16th:  Day of the Mushroom, National Eggs Benedict Day
April 17th:  National Cheeseball Day, Healthy Kids Day
April 18th:  National Animal Crackers Day ("Barnum's Animals" first marketed this date in 1902)
April 19th:  National Garlic Day, National Amaretto Day
April 20th:  Lima Bean Respect day, National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day
April 21st:  Chocolate Covered Cashew Truffle Day
April 22nd:  Earth Day, National Jelly Bean Day
April 23rd:  National Cherry Cheesecake Day, National Picnic Day (quick, before the heat sets in!)


Albertson's:

    Beef tenderloin, whole in bag, $10.99/lb
    Beef ribeye steak or roast, bone in, family pack, $5.97/lb
    Beef London broil or top sirloin steaks, boneless, $4.99/lb
    Beef chuck/crossrib/bottom round roasts, boneless, $4.99/lb
    Beef petite sirloin steaks, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
    93/7 ground beef, $3.79/lb
    Pork loin roast, boneless, whole in bag, $2.99/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 spiral-sliced ham, bone in, $1.57/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 unsliced ham, boneless, $3.99/lb
    Cook's ham, shank portions, bone in, $1.39/lb
    American Chef boneless ham, 4 lbs, $19.99, buy 1 get 1 free
    Leg of lamb, bone in, $6.99/lb
    Sanderson Farms chicken drums/thighs/leg quarters, jumbo pack, $1.49/lb
    Jennie-O turkeys, 12-14 lbs, $1.69/lb
    Honeysuckle White turkey breast, bone in, $1.77/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
    Rockfish fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
    Tilapia or swai fillets, farm raised, $3.99/lb
    Cod portions, 5 oz, wild caught, $1.99
    Ahi tuna OR mahi mahi portions, 5 oz, wild caught, $2.99
    Swordfish OR sockeye salmon portions, 5 oz, wild caught, $3.99
    Challenge butter, $1.99
    Kraft cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk or shreds, $1.98
    Tillamook cheeses, 2 lb loaf, $7.99
    Oroweat breads, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, $2.49
    Del Monte veggies, 11-15 oz cans, 69¢
    Pam cooking spray, 5-6 oz cans, 2/$4 (must buy 2)
    Bumble Bee chunk light tuna, 5 oz cans, 99¢
    Snow's clams, 6 oz cans, 2/$3
    PictSweet classic veggies (14-16 oz frozen bags) or “Steamables” (10 oz), 88¢
    Strawberries, 1 lb box, 75¢/lb
    Whole cantaloupes, 2/$5
    Gala apples, $1.69/lb
    Red seedless grapes, $2.99/lb
    Cut up watermelon/strawberries/pineapple/cantaloupe, 24-32 oz bowls, $3.99
    Sweet corn, 4 pk, $2.99
    Vine tomatoes, $1.99/lb
    Green Giant green beans, 12 oz bags, 2/$5
    Earthbound Farms organic box salads, 5-7 oz, 2/$5


Bashas':

    Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, $3.88/lb
    Beef tenderloin, whole in bag, $6.99/lb, “cut & wrapped free”
    Beef London broil, $4.99/lb
    Ground beef chuck, fat content not listed, $2.89/lb
    Cook's ham, unsliced, shank portion, 89¢/lb
    Cook's ham, spiral cut, $1.89/lb
    Farmland whole ham, boneless, $2.39/lb
    Hormel Cure 81 ham: “whole or half small, quarter brown sugar or sliced” (??), $4.49/lb
    Pork tenderloin, twin pack, $4.49/lb
    Pork loin country style, bone in, value pack, $2.49/lb
    Leg of lamb, whole or half, $7.99/lb
    Norbest turkeys, 10-22 lb, $1.79/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $6.77/lb
    Mahi mahi fillets, wild caught, $4.99/lb
    Sargento cheeses, 5-8 oz chunk/shreds/shingle, 2/$5
    Bashas' eggs, AA large, dozens, $1.99
    Challenge butter, $2.99
    Nature's Own breads, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, $2.49
    Libby's veg, 14-15 oz cans, 69¢
    Bruce's yams OR Princess sweet potatoes, 29 oz cans, $1.99
    Bumble Bee chunk white tuna, 5 oz cans, 99¢
    Star olive oil, 17 oz bottles, $3.99
    Strawberries, 1 lb box, 87¢
    Whole seedless watermelons, 33¢/lb
    Vine tomatoes, 2 lbs/$3
    Fresh green beans, 87¢/lb
    Green cabbage, 39¢/lb
    Celery OR iceberg, 99¢ ea


Fry's:

    Beef ribeye roast, bone in, whole in bag, $4.88/lb, “sliced & wrapped free”
    Beef ribeye steaks, bone in, family pack, $5.99/lb
    80/20 ground beef, $2.99/lb (3 lb chub)
    Pork loin, boneless, whole in bag, $2.99/lb
    Cook's ham, bone in, shank portion, 89¢/lb
    Kroger spiral-sliced ham, bone in, $1.67/lb
    Private Selection spiral-sliced ham, bone in, $2.69/lb
    Kroger boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.49/lb
    Jennie-O fresh turkeys, $1.49/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $6.99/lb
    Kroger butter, 2/$5
    Kroger cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk/shreds/shingle, $1.99
    Kroger veg, 14-15 oz cans, 5/$3
    Chicken of the Sea chunk light tuna, 5 oz cans, 79¢
    Kroger frozen veggies, 10-12 oz bags, 10/$10
    Smart Ones frozen entrees, 5/$10
    Strawberries, 1 lb boxes, 97¢
    Whole seedless watermelons, $3.99 ea
    “Mini peeled” carrots, 1 lb bags, 4/$5
    Yams OR sweet potatoes, 99¢/lb
    Asparagus, $2.99/lb
    Organic kale, 99¢/bunch
    Broccoli OR cauliflower, 99¢/lb


Safeway:

    Beef ribeye roast, bone in, $5.99/lb (steaks $1/lb higher)
    Beef chuck roast, boneless, $4.99/lb
    Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, value pack, $4.99/lb
    Safeway spiral-sliced half ham, bone in, $1.59/lb
    Open Nature uncured spiral-sliced half ham, bone in, $4.99/lb
    Open Nature leg of lamb, “semi boneless”, $4.99/lb
    Smithfield Premium spiral-sliced half ham, bone in, $2.99/lb
    Safeway frozen turkeys, 8-24 lb, 99¢/lb
    Safeway Select fresh turkeys, 8-24 lb, $1.69/lb
    Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $9.99/lb
    Pacific snapper fillets, wild caught, $6.99/lb
    Lucerne cheeses, 2 lb chunk, $7.49
    Lucerne cream cheese, 8 oz brick, 4/$5
    Lucerne butter, 2/$6
    Nature's Own bread, 20 oz long loaves, 2/$4
    Bush's baked or “Grillin'” beans, 21-28 oz cans, 2/$4
    Dole fruit, 11-15 oz cans, 10/$10
    Libby's veggies, 14-15 oz cans, 79¢
    Safeway Select pasta sauces, 15-24 oz jars, 3/$5
    Strawberries, 2 lb boxes, $3.99
    Whole pineapples, 99¢ ea
    Gala apples, $1.99/lb
    Whole cantaloupes, 2/$5
    Whole watermelons, $5.99 ea
    Fresh green beans, 99¢/lb
    Red bell peppers, $1.49 ea
    Broccoli, 99¢/lb


Sprouts:

    Beef standing rib roast, $7.99/lb
    Beef sirloin tip roast or steaks, $5.49/lb
    Pork loin chops or roast, boneless, $2.99/lb
    Leg of lamb, boneless, $5.99/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken thighs, value pack, $1.99/lb
    Sprouts fresh turkeys, $1.99/lb
    Ground turkey or chicken breast, $3.99/lb
    Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, $7.99/lb
    Sea of Cortez corvina fillets, wild caught, $6.99/lb, “last of the season”
    Strawberries, 1 lb box, 98¢
    Apples:  Gala, Granny Smith, Jonagold, 98¢/lb
    Apple pears, 3/$1
    Navel or Cara Cara oranges, 88¢/lb
    Organic Bartlett pears, 2 lbs/$3
    Organic Cameo apples, 2 lbs/$3
    Vine tomatoes, 98¢/lb
    Fresh green beans, 98¢/lb
    Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 88¢ ea
    Whole seedless watermelons, 10¢/lb

Wren's bargain guide, week beginning April 9th:

Occasional but significant disclaimer – this is MINE.  My hobby, my handout, my blog.  Not WW's, mine.  Not even slightly an official Weight Watchers thing.  So very not.  Just me.

Interesting piece at Fooducate this week – a précis of the most popular zero-calorie sweeteners and what's wrong with them.  (I mean that.  The nicest thing they can manage to say about any of these sweeteners is that stevia-the-plant “is naturally sweet and has been in use for hundreds of years” – but they add that stevia-the-product is extracted “through a complex chemical process”, and that “Not enough studies have been conducted on stevia extracts.”)  Overall, the assessment is that you should just try to eat less sweet which could probably be said of most Americans.

At Grist, an article about teaching small children to cook using tools usually decried as “dangerous”, such as heat sources or sharp blades – according to a study cited here, “children who cook before the age of eight are 50 per cent more likely to prepare at least five meals from scratch a week when they grow up” – and another on cooking roadkill, with an illustration not graphically distressing but still unfortunate.  Marion Nestle touches on the food industry's entertaining new tactic, listing “evaporated cane juice” in ingredient labels as though this makes it something other than sugar.  Monica Reinagel offers quick pointers on how much fiber is in various fruits and veggies, and how to tell if your olive oil is olive oil.  And Yoni Freedhoff looks at the offensive new Jenny Craig ad, with Kirstie Alley croaking that “I'm not, like, circus fat, I just wanna lose twenty pounds!”  As Dr. Freedhoff points out, calling people who struggle with weight “circus fat” is hardly a prudent business decision for a company whose business it is to help people lose weight. 

Recipes!  Chow.com offers made-from-scratch matzoh-ball soup (starting with five pounds of chicken parts), a plethora of other Passover recipes, a lentil salad with fennel and frisée, and some delicious-looking asparagus oven-fries that I can't wait to try!  Smitten Kitchen has vegan chili starting with dried beans – with stove-top, pressure-cooker, and slow-cooker options – and an interesting take on deviled eggs, with spring veggies and not “goopy with mayonnaise”.  At Simply Recipes I find asparagus with a caper vinaigrette, and Italian tomato-and-bread soup.  And Snack Girl's doing sweet-potato fries and sesame asparagus – everyone's doing asparagus this week, including me.  Yum.

This third week of April is Week of the Ocean, nice for those of us who enjoy seafood.  Friday is National Cheese Fondue Day – I genuinely cannot imagine a way to make that PointsPlus-friendly, but if you can more power to you, and if you can't, they're your PointsPlus to spend.  The 15th is National Glazed Spiral Ham Day, which can be PointsPlus-reasonable, and the day after is both Day of the Mushroom and National Eggs Benedict Day which strikes me as an appetizing combination. 

April 9th:  National Chinese Almond Cookie Day
April 10th:  Cinnamon Croissant Day
April 11th:  National Cheese Fondue Day
April 12th:  National Licorice Day, Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
April 13th:  National Peach Cobbler Day
April 14th:  National Pecan Day
April 15th:  National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
April 16th:  Day of the Mushroom, National Eggs Benedict


Albertson's:

    Beef ribeye/t-bone/New York steaks, bone in, family pack, $8.99/lb
    Beef top sirloin steaks OR tri tip roast, $4.99/lb
    80/20 ground beef, $2.49/lb (3 lbs or more)
    93/7 ground beef, $3.99/lb
    Pork loin chops, boneless, buy 1 get 2 free
    Pork loin chops, center cut bone-in, $6.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Sanderson Farms boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, buy 1 get 2 free
    Unbranded (store) boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.99/lb
    Honeysuckle White frozen turkey breast, bone in, $1.77/lb
    Cod, 5 oz portions, 2/$3
    Ahi tuna, wild caught, 5 oz portions, $2.99
    Atlantic salmon (farm raised) OR sockeye salmon (wild caught), 5 oz portions, $3.99
    Halibut, wild caught, 5 oz portions, $6.99/lb “weather permitting”
    Alaskan salmon fillets, wild caught, 1.25 frozen pkg, $5.99
    Rockfish OR Dover sole fillets, wild caught, $6.99/lb
    Flounder fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
    Sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $10.99/lb
    Great American tilapia fillets, 1 lb IQF bag, $9.99, buy 1 get 3 free
    Albertson's milk, gallons, $1.99
    Albertson's eggs, AA large, dozens, $1.48
    Dietz & Watson unsliced cheeses, 7-8 oz chunk, $4.99
    Essential Everyday cheeses, 8 oz shingle pack, 2/$6
    Deli:    Signature rotisserie turkey breast, $5.99/lb
        Dietz & Watson hams, turkey/chicken breast, cheeses, $7.99/lb
        Charlie's Pride Italian roast beef, corned beef, beef pastrami, $6.99/lb
        Stella Swiss/Provolone/Muenster cheeses, $6.99/lb
        Margherita hard or Genoa salami OR pepperoni, $5.99/lb
        Healthy Ones honey or oven-roasted turkey, chicken breast, honey ham, $5.99/lb
    Essential Everyday pasta, 1 lb boxes, 10/$10
    Hunt's pasta sauces, 24 oz cans, 10/$10
    Vlasic pickles, 16-24 oz jars, 2/$5
    Bumble Bee solid white tuna, 5 oz cans, 3/$5
    Smart Ones frozen entrées, 2/$5
    Strawberries, 1 lb boxes, 2/$5
    Cut up watermelon/pineapple/cantaloupe, 24-32 oz bowls, $4.99
    Jonagold apples, $1.29/lb
    Mangos, 99¢ ea
    Sweet corn, 6/$1
    Organic vine tomatoes, $2.99/lb
    Cherub grape tomatoes, 10 oz boxes, $2.99
    Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, 99¢ ea
    Summer squashes, zucchini/yellow/grey, 99¢/lb


Bashas':

    Beef ribeye (bone in) or top sirloin (boneless) steaks, value pack, $5.87/lb
    Beef bottom round steak or roast, $4.99/lb
    Skylark corned beef, point cut, $2.49/lb
    Ground beef round, fat content not listed, value pack, $2.99/lb (regular pack 50¢/lb higher)
    Pork chops, center cut boneless, $4.99/lb
    Chicken breasts or leg quarters, bone in, 97¢/lb
    Dover sole fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
    Swordfish OR ahi tuna loins, $9.99/lb
    Bashas' milk, gallons, $1.99
    Food Club cheeses, 10-16 oz chunk/shreds/string, $3.99
    Land O Lakes butter, $3.99
    Bashas' HomeStyle bread, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, $2.49
    Del Monte veggies, 13-15 oz cans, 69¢
    Del Monte fruit, 14-15 oz cans, 4/$5
    S&W tomatoes, 14 oz cans, 4/$5
    S&W beans, 15 oz cans, 89¢
    Bumble Bee chunk light tuna, 5 oz cans, 79¢
    Pompeian olive oil, 24-28 oz bottles, $4.99/lb
    Full Circle organic pasta sauce, 24 oz jars, 2/$5
    Full circle organic olive oil, 17 oz bottles, $5.99
    Green Giant veggies, 7-10 oz boxes, 3/$3
    Healthy Choice frozen entrees, 5/$10
    Seeedless watermelons, 29¢/lb
    Navel oranges OR Minneola tangelos, 99¢/lb
    Apples:  Granny Smith, Braeburn, Red Delicious, 99¢/lb
    Vine tomatoes, 88¢/lb
    Fresh green beans, 88¢/lb
    Organic cucumbers, 2/$5
    Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, OR iceberg, 99¢


Fry's:

    Beef ribeye steaks, bone in, $8.99/lb
    Beef top/bottom/eye round roasts, boneless, $3.99/lb
    93/7 ground beef, $4.99/lb (2 lb chub)
    “Pork extravaganza”:  all fresh pork, 50% off
    Chicken drums/thighs/leg quarters, bone in, 99¢/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken breast or tenders, 3 lb IQF bag, $7.99/lb
    Tilapia fillets, $5.99/lb
    Kroger cheeses, 6 oz shingle pack, $1.99
    Kroger cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk or shreds, $1.99
    Land O Lakes OR Challenge butter, 2/$5
    Fry's eggs, AA large, 18 ct, 2/$5
    Vlasic pickles, 24 oz jars, 2/$5
    Kroger veggies, 14-15 oz cans, 2/$1
    Chicken of the Sea chunk light tuna, 5 oz cans, 79¢
    Dole pineapple, 20 oz cans, 10/$10
    Kroger fruit, 15 oz cans, 10/$10
    Kroger pasta sauces, 24 oz jars, 4/$5
    Nature Valley OR Fiber One granola bars, 5-12 ct, $2.99
    Green Giant veggies, 7-10 oz frozen boxes, 10/$10
    Kroger veggies, 10-12 oz frozen pkg, 10/$10
    Healthy Choice frozen entrees, 5/$10
    Whole seedless watermelons, $1.99 ea
    Black seedless grapes, 99¢/lb
    Apples:  Gala, Granny Smith, Red/Golden Delicious, 99¢/lb
    D'anjou pears, 99¢/lb
    Asparagus, $2.99/lb
    Zucchini or yellow squash, 99¢/lb
    Cucumbers, 2/99¢
    Cilantro, 2 bunches/99¢


Safeway:

    Beef London broil, boneless, $3.99/lb
    Beef chuck 7-bone steak, bone in, $3.99/lb
    Beef chuck or round tip roast, boneless, $4.99/lb
    80/20 ground beef, $3.99/lb
    Pork sirloin chops, boneless, value pack, $3.99/lb
    Eating Right boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, value pack, $1.99/lb
    Honeysuckle White frozen turkey breast, bone in, $1.99/lb
    Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $9.99/lb
    Swordfish steaks, wild caught, $8.99/lb
    Earth Balance spreads, 13-15 oz tubs, $3.99
    Land O Lakes butter, $3.49
    Litehouse blue cheese crumbles, 1 lb bag, $8.99
    Open Nature variety breads, 24 oz wide-pan loaves, $2.49
    Del Monte veggies, 14-15 oz cans, 69¢
    StarKist solid white albacore tuna, 5 oz cans, 4/$5
    Safeway Kitchens variety (non-baked) beans, 15 oz cans, 99¢
    Healthy Choice “Bakes” frozen entrees, $1.99
    O Organics frozen veggies, 1 lb bags, $2.49/lb
    Strawberries, 1 lb box, 2/$5
    Navel or Cara Cara oranges, $1.49/lb
    Organic Bartlett pears, $1.69/lb
    Whole cantaloupes, 2/$5
    Tomatoes, $1.99/lb
    Sweet corn, 3/$1
    Jumbo artichokes, 2/$4
    Organic broccoli, $1.49/lb
    Red or yellow bell peppers, 99¢ ea


Sprouts:

    Beef ribeye steak, bone in, $8.99/lb
    Beef rump roast or flat cut brisket, $5.49/lb
    85/15 ground beef, value pack, $4.49/lb
    Pork shoulder roast OR country style ribs, bone in, $2.99/lb
    Chicken breast scallopini or stir fry, boneless, $2.99/lb
    Ahi tuna steaks, wild caught, $9.99/lb
    Stuffed salmon, 6 oz portions, $3.49
    Strawberries, 1 lb boxes, 98¢
    Navel oranges, 48¢/lb
    Whole seedless watermelons, 3 lbs/$1
    Apples:  Gala, Granny Smith, Cameo, Jonagold, 98¢/lb
    Texas Red grapefruit, 88¢/lb
    Organic Bartlett pears, 2 lbs/$3
    Organic grapefruit or Valencia oranges, 4 lb bags, 2/$5
    Red/yellow/orange bell peppers, 88¢ ea
    Cucumbers, 3/41
    Roma tomatoes, 88¢/lb
    Hothouse cucumbers, 98¢ ea
    Italian squash, 88¢/lb

Wren's bargain guide, week beginning April 2nd:

Fooducate gives a crash course in skeptical label-reading, with an analysis of the new “Mystic Harvest Purple Corn Authentic Tortilla Chips”.  Upshot:  It's a snack.  That they pile on words like “Gluten Free!” and “Contains Antioxidant Power!” doesn't make it anything more than a snack.  TheKitchn.com explores when eating out is worth it, and when it's not.  And a new study from Yale's Prevention Research Center compared various currently popular diets – low-carb, low-fat, Paleo, Mediterranean, you name it – and found that the best thing for you is eating real food.  Oh, shocking.

Recipes!  Chow.com this week has DIY herb crackers (there's also a recipe for nacho cheese crackers, but it involves stealing the cheese-powder packet from a Kraft macaroni dinner and there's got to be a better alternative), Mayan-style pit pork, chicken stuffed with spinach and feta, and vegetarian stuffed peppers.  Smitten Kitchen does chicken fajitas;  Simply Recipes has braised artichokes, seared scallops, herb-roasted chicken thighs, and a super-simple spaghetti with clams.  (Mmm, clams.)  And from Snack Girl oh-god-not-another-take-on-kale-chips, DIY non-fried egg rolls, and a chicken salad that doesn't involve “blobs of mayonnaise”.

April:  National BLT Month, National Florida Tomato Month, National Garlic Month.  The 6th is the anniversary of both Teflon (patented 1938) and TV dinners (1954);  the 8th commemorates the date in 1879 when milk was first sold in glass bottles (prior to that it had been sold as a bulk item, dispensed from a keg into whatever container the customer happened to bring).


April 2nd:  National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day
April 3rd:  National Chocolate Mousse Day (At least one source gives this as National Chocolate Moose Day.)
April 4th:  Chocolate Milk Powder Day, National Cordon Bleu Day
April 5th:  National Caramel Day, National Raisin-and-Spice Bar Day, National Dandelion Day
April 6th:  Fresh Tomato Day, National Caramel Day;  Teflon patented, 1938;  TV dinners released, 1954
April 7th:  National Coffee Cake Day
April 8th:  National Empanada Day, National Milk in Glass Bottles Day
April 9th:  National Chinese Almond Cookie Day


And in honor of National Chocolate Mousse Day, tomorrow, I present the classic 1996 Internet recipe “Hippo Pot de Mousse”:

Melt 16 poounds {sic} of bitter chocolate with 4 pounds of sugar until sugar is dissolved (about 3 days).  Pour 11 gallons of heavy cream into a well-scrubbed kitchen sink;  whip with a small Jacuzzi pump.  Fold in chocolate;  shovel into serving bowls.  Serves 3.

Some versions of this recipe suggest using half white sugar and half brown.  I recommend repeated experimentation until you are satisfied.


Albertson's:

    Beef ribeye or NY steaks, bone in, family pack, $5.97/lb (boneless, $1/lb higher)
    Beef petite sirloin steaks, boneless, $9.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Beef chuck, crossrib, eye/bottom round, sirloin tip roast or steaks, boneless, $4.99/lb
    85/15 ground beef, $3.79/lb
    Pork loin back ribs, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 3 free
    Pork loin chops, center cut boneless, $7.99/lb, buy 1 get 1 free
    Boneless skinless chicken breast, $1.77/lb
    Cod portions, wild caught, 5 oz, $1.99
    Ahi tuna OR mahi mahi portions, wild caught, 5 oz, $2.99
    Atlantic salmon portions, farm raised, 5 oz, $3.99
    Ruby red trout portions, 5 oz, $3.99
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
    Rockfish OR Dover sole fillets, wild caught, $6.99/lb
    Albertson's milk, gallons, 2/$5
    Daisy sour cream, 16 oz tubs, 2/$4
    Albertson's cottage cheese incl. Light, 24 oz tubs, $2.79
    Essential Everyday cheeses, 2 lb chunk or shreds, $6.99/lb
    Essential Everyday cheeses, 8 oz shingle pack, 2/$6
    Deli:    Signature Virginia smoked ham, $3.99/lb
        Charlie's Pride corned beef/Italian roast beef/beef pastrami, $5.99/lb
        Stella Swiss/Provolone/Muenster cheeses, $5.99/lb
        Healthy Ones honey or oven roasted turkey, chicken breast, honey ham, $5.99/lb
        Margherita hard or Genoa salami OR pepperoni, $4.99/lb
        Dietz & Watson hams, turkey/chicken breast, cheeses, $7.99/lb
    Bumble Bee chunk white tuna, 5 oz cans, 4/$5
    Libby's veggies, 11-15 oz cans, 88¢
    Doña Maria nopalitos, 30 oz jars, $1.99
    Bertolli olive oil, 17 oz bottles, $6.99
    Spectrum organic coconut oil, 14 oz jars, $6.99
    Whole cantaloupes, 75¢ ea
    Navel oranges, $1.29/lb
    Bosc pears, 99¢/lb
    Green or red seedless grapes, $2.99/lb
    Iceberg, $1 ea
    Slicing tomatoes, $1.69/lb
    Hass avocados, $1 ea
    Red bell peppers, $1 ea
    Broccoli crowns OR cauliflower, $1/lb
    Celery, $1 ea
    Carrots, 1 lb bag, $1
    Live Gourmet upland cresses, small bag, 2/$4
    Earthbound Farms organic box salads, 1 lb bag, $4.99
    Shasta View organic wheatgrass, 4 inch plastic pots, $1.99


Bashas':

    Beef crossrib/bottom round/sirloin tip roasts, boneless, buy 1 get 1 free
    Beef t-bone steaks, $6.87/lb
    Beef New York steaks, bone in, $7.99/lb
    Ground beef round, fat content not listed, $2.99
    Pork loin end chops, $2.79/lb
    Pork loin country style, bone in, $2.49/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.99/lb
    Chicken drums/thighs/leg quarters, $1.19/lb
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $5.99/lb
    Mahi mahi fillets, wild caught, $4.99/lb
    Cod fillets, wild caught, $3.99/lb
    Challenge butter, $2.99
    Bashas' cottage cheese incl. Light, 16 oz tubs, $1.89
    Ro*tel tomatoes, 10 oz cans, $1.19
    Food Club fruit, 15 oz cans, 99¢
    Pam cooking spray, 5-6 oz cans, $2.99
    Kellogg's Special K bars, 4 oz boxes, 2/$5
    Whole seedless watermelons, 25¢/lb
    Bananas, 39¢/lb
    Braeburn or Red Delicious apples, 99¢/lb
    Navel oranges, 99¢/lb
    Organic Bartlett pears, 2 lbs/$3
    Whole pineapples, 2/$5
    Artichokes, 2/$3
    Roma tomatoes, 99¢/lb
    Eggplant, AZ grown, 99¢ ea
    OrganicGirl box salads, 5-8 oz, $2.99
    Green bell peppers, 77¢ ea
    Organic broccoli, 2 lbs/$3
    Organic grape tomatoes, dry pint, 2/$3
    Organic “baby peeled” carrots, 1 lb bag, 2/$3


Fry's:

    Beef NY strip steaks, bone in, family pack, $5.97/lb
    Beef crossrib roast, boneless, $4.49/lb
    80/20 ground beef, $3.79/lb (3 lb chub)
    Pork loin center chops, boneless, family pack, $2.99/lb
    Pork tenderloin, boneless, $3.99/lb
    Foster Farms boneless skinless chicken breast, buy 1 get 2 free
    Atlantic salmon fillets, farm raised, $6.99/lb
    Alaskan cod fillets, wild caught, $7.99/lb
    Fry's milk, gallons, $1.99
    Land O Lakes OR Challenge butter, 2/$5
    Kroger cheeses, 6-8 oz chunk/shreds/shingle pack, $1.99
    Del Monte veggies, 11-15 oz cans, 10/$10
    Del Monte tomatoes, 14 oz cans, 10/$10
    Chicken of the Sea solid white tuna, 5 oz cans, 10/$10
    Kashi GoLean cereal, 13-14 oz boxes, $2.99
    Kroger chicken, 5 oz cans, 10/$10
    Kroger fruit, 15 oz cans, 10/$10
    V-8 or V-Fusion, 36-46 oz bottles, 2/$5
    Kroger veggies, 10-12 oz frozen bags, 10/$10
    PictSweet “Steamables” frozen veg, 6-10 oz bags, 10/$10
    Kroger salad shrimp, 4 oz frozen pkg, 10/$10
    Healthy Choice frozen dinners, 5/$10
    Strawberries, 1 lb boxes, 87¢
    D'Anjou pears, 99¢/lb
    Apples:  Gala, Granny Smith, Red/Golden Delicious, 99¢/lb
    Mangos, 2/99¢
    Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, OR iceberg, 99¢
    Cauliflower, 77¢/lb
    Artichokes, 2/$4
    Broccoli, 99¢/lb
    Cilantro OR green onions, 2 bunches/99¢
    Organic kale, 99¢/bunch


Safeway:

    Beef NY strip steaks, bone in, value pack, $5.99/lb
    Beef NY strip steaks, boneless, regular pack, $7.99/lb
    Beef chuck crossrib roast, boneless, $4.99/lb
    Open Nature grass-fed beef chuck roast, boneless, $5.99/lb
    80/20 ground beef, value pack, $3.49/lb
    93/7 ground beef, value pack, $3.99/lb
    Pork sirloin chops OR country style ribs, boneless, value pack, $2.49/lb
    Pork tenderloin, boneless, whole in bag, $5.49/lb
    Yellowfin tuna steaks, $7.99/lb
    Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught,
    Pantry Essentials milk, gallons, $1.99
    Lucerne cheeses, 2 lb chunk or shreds, $7.49
    Prego pasta sauces, 14-24 oz jars, $1.39
    American Beauty pasta, 1 lb pkg, buy 1 get 1 free
    S&W variety (non-baked) beans, 15 oz cans, 5/$5
    Safeway Kitchens cooking spray, 5-6 oz cans, 2/$5
    Safeway Select olive oil, 25 oz bottles, buy 1 get 1 free
    Kashi frozen entrees, $3.49
    Amy's frozen entrees, $3.99
    Dulcinea mini seedless watermelons, $1.88 ea
    Whole (full size) seedless watermelons, $5.99 ea
    Navel oranges, $1.49/lb
    Red seedless grapes, $2.99/lb
    Gala apples, $1.99/lb
    Whole pineapples, $2.99 ea
    Organic Bartlett pears, $1.69/lb
    Sweet corn, 2/$1 – I wouldn't, it's not time yet
    Jumbo artichokes, $2.99 ea
    Tomatoes, $2.49/lb
    Iceberg, 99¢


Sprouts:

    Beef top sirloin steaks, boneless, $5.99/lb
    Beef chuck roast or steak, boneless, $5.49/lb
    93/7 ground beef sirloin, $5.49/lb
    Assorted pork chops, “2 center and 2 end”, bone in, $1.99/lb
    Chicken drums or leg quarters, value pack, 99¢/lb
    Boneless skinless chicken breast, “all natural”, $2.99/lb
    Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets, wild caught, $12.99/lb
    Mahi mahi fillets, wild caught, $5.99/lb
    Newman's Own pasta sauces, 24 oz jars, 2/$3
    Peanut Butter & Co. peanut butter, 1 lb jars, 2/$6
    DeLallo pasta, 1 lb bags, 2/$4
    Nutiva coconut oil, 15 oz jars, $6.99
    Whole cantaloupes, 88¢ ea
    Navel oranges OR Minneola tangelos, 88¢/lb
    Texas Rio Star grapefruit, 3/$1
    Whole seedless watermelons, 3 lbs/$1
    Gala or Pacific Rose apples, 99¢/lb
    Bosc or D'Anjou pears, 99¢/lb
    Apple pears, 3/$1
    Organic yellow mangos, 2/$3
    Organic Bartlett pears, 2/$3
    Seedless grapes, green/red/black, 2 lbs/$5
    Roma tomatoes, 49¢/lb
    Leaf lettuce, green/red/Romaine, OR iceberg, 88¢ ea
    Organic cucumbers, 88¢ ea