Easy Online Recipes and Meal Solutions

Are you looking for meal solutions and recipes? And at a great price for the food? Grocery Guide does both at the same time.

Grocery Guide has the best recipe and meal solutions while comparing prices!  Grocery Guide matches those recipes with your favorite store and shows the items on sale! It can't get easier to fix a good, nutritious meal at a great price than that.  And it's just fun to browse the recipes!

Go to Groceryguide.com and click on Cheap and Easy Recipes at the bottom of the page. You can sort recipes by category (such as chicken, beef, etc). Then select the store or choose multiple stores to search for recipes. The items that are in bold are the items on sale at the store.

No stress meals in no time. Happy Cooking!

Shape-Up Your First Aid Kit

This is the time of year to shape-up your first aid kit! First Aid products are on sale everywhere!

We're well into spring, and with summer coming up, we're cleaning the house, working in the yard, fixing lawnmowers, and fixing sprinklers. For the lucky ones, boating, camping, hiking, BBQ'ing, and swimming are calling us to enjoy the warmer weather. Oh yeah....then there's the kids playing in the backyard pools, swingsets, and, of course, tripping on the patio. All sorts of ways to get hurt!

So we ask, Is your First Aid Kit ready for this season? It is time to take it seriously. Take inventory of yours. Write down those items you need and use, and get it ready before its too late.  You don't want to have to dash to the store to get first aid products after there's been an accident. Especially if going to the store isn't an option.

Through Saturday (June 12th) Target is helping you get started on your first aid kit. Buy any three participating Benadryl, Neosporin or Band-Aid items and get a First Aid Case FREE! Participating Products are Neosporin Pain Relief Spray for $3.89 and Band-Aids 20ct for $1.89. Buy three of these items and get the FREE Case!

To compare the prices of these items or to match manufacturer coupons and pay less, go to Groceryguide.com.

Did you know? People have long believed the myth that keeping minor cuts and scrapes uncovered to let them air out helps them heal faster. Extensive research has proven this belief untrue! Check out the Band-Aid website for other tips on wound healing.

Take a look at the Food Networks new Cooking Channel

Ok, maybe some of you have already discovered their website as they have been posting to their blog since April 22 and they have their Twitter and Facebook channels going and links on Foodnetwork.com and of course, spots on the Food Network channel. For those that have not heard about this new venture, take a moment.

The Cooking Channel replaces the Fine Living channel on cable and satellite networks beginning May 31. It is "A new network for Food People, by Food People." The announcement made here on the Cooking Channel website. "So it's official—Fine Living is now Cooking Channel and we're glad you're here. You can expect the same best-quality food and drink shows, plus chefs you've loved on Fine Living and more. Welcome, and enjoy."

Here's what Michael Smith, General Manager of Cooking Channel had to say about their plans. "We’re so excited to have you along for the upcoming launch of an exciting new TV network. Together we’re going to find more ways to explore food and cooking, including the unconventional, how-to, global cuisines, wines and spirits, international travel, history and hidden gems, and even some classic favorites."

I really am interested in how the programs will be received. Given the huge popularity of the Food Network's programming will this offer more of the same or new and unique content. From what I have been seeing on their website I really think they will impress loyal Food Network fans and attract new viewers also.

Their program lineup promises to be both edgy and eclectic. With shows titles like Two Fat Ladies and Food Jammers there should be something in this new effort for everyone. They even plan a little retro programming with reruns of Julia Child and the Galloping Gourmet. Cooking Channel programs

So best-of-luck to the Food Network and I'll be watching!

Consumers say they will continue the savings habits on food and meals

While the recession forced millions of Americans into the kitchen and to develop an eat-at-home mindset, a new survey released today by ConAgra Foods one of North America's leading food makers, shows that despite the ease on economic conditions, Americans are not soon to let go of their new habits. In fact, while many experts say the recession is over, four-in-five Americans (79 percent) say they do not feel like it is and seven-in-10 (71 percent) say they will continue the savings habits they developed during the economic downturn.

The survey shows that the recession continues to impact the way people shop for and prepare food, and even as tough times subside, consumers find their new frugal habits hard to break. In fact, of those who made changes to their food shopping or preparation habits, most of those changes will continue into the coming year.

• In the past year, 75 percent of Americans have cooked more meals at home and they say they will continue to do so. Two-thirds (68%) say cooking has brought their family together and three-in-five (61%) say they enjoy cooking more.
• Four-in-five (79%) say they will continue to focus on saving by using coupons, store specials or a budget, and two-thirds (63%) will continue to cut back on premium purchases.
• Two-thirds (67%) of those surveyed say they have enjoyed becoming more of a bargain hunter.
• Half (49%) of those already making cutbacks will freeze more meals, and two-in-five (38%) will continue to stretch meals.
• About one-third of consumers have sought to save money by stretching out meals with water or canned foods, or by buying more frozen or prepared meals.

"Consumers are saying loud and clear that the effects of the recession are lingering," said Phil Lempert, Supermarket Guru, in collaboration with ConAgra Foods. "Over the past 20 months shoppers are heading back to shopping lists and looking for real value. When they are in the store, they are shopping in more locations, especially in the center of the store. Many are turning to canned or prepared products, which can offer both cost savings and convenience for those who are cooking and eating at home more."

Recession Inspires Newfound Love of Cooking in Young Americans

While economics drove many consumers into their kitchens, a newfound love of cooking may keep them there post recession. Half of Americans (52 percent) say they expect to cook more in the coming year than they did last year, and among younger consumers, the trend is even stronger. Seventy-two (72) percent of those ages 18 to 34 say they will cook more.

Seventy-one (71) percent of younger Americans have started cooking new dishes, although 59 percent say they don't always know what they're doing and that they'd like to be better cooks. Still, they enjoy cooking more so than the general population - 75 percent compared to 61 percent.

One reason may be that younger consumers believe cooking increases quality family time. Eighty-one (81) percent say cooking is bringing their family together, compared to just 68 percent of the general population.

Walmart is inviting families to its national “Free Ice Cream Sundae” celebration

This Memorial Day, three out of four moms plan to purchase ice cream for their family celebrations, making the cool confection second only to meat for the grill as one of the top items on summertime grocery lists.¹ To help families share good times with America’s favorite cool treat, Walmart is offering ice cream at an unbeatable² price all summer long. Beginning today, moms can go to Walmart.com for an assortment of easy, delicious recipes featuring ice cream, including many that can be created for $.99 or less per serving.

To kick off the ice cream high season, Walmart is inviting families to its national “Free Ice Cream Sundae” celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 22, at more than 2,000 Walmart stores nationwide.³ Families can try free samples of ice cream flavors available only at Walmart and tasty toppings for a delicious sundae experience. The “Free Ice Cream Sundae” events will give moms some sweet inspiration topped with even sweeter savings. With many sundae staples each under $4, moms can enjoy Rollback prices on cool treats and toppings,⁴ including:

• Breyers® All Natural Grasshopper Pie Ice Cream
• Breyers® All Natural Vanilla Caramel Brownie Ice Cream
• Blue Bunny® Strawberry-Banana All Natural Frozen Yogurt
• Hershey’s® Chocolate Syrup
• Reddi-wip® Original

“Ice cream brings families together, so we’re excited to help moms scoop up savings this summer with Rollbacks on favorite sundae staples,” said Tyler Lehr, senior director for Walmart's frozen foods. “By shopping at Walmart for ice cream and toppings, moms will save significantly over taking their families out for ice cream. Sundae night can become a favorite activity for the family that doesn’t break the bank.”

Four celebrity moms will also join the fun by sharing their favorite sundae recipes with Walmart ice cream enthusiasts. Melissa d’Arabian, mother of four and host of Food Network’s Ten Dollar Dinners, will reveal her signature creation online May 23. Sundae aficionados can visit walmart.com/icecream each Sunday through June 20 to discover the latest star-studded sundae recipe and recreate it at home.

“I’m a busy mom and making sundaes is a fun and creative activity for my entire family to spend time together,” said Melissa d’Arabian, celebrity chef and mom. “My favorite sundae is Salty Crunchy Caramel, but I hope families can develop their own signature sundae with each member contributing their favorite flavor and topping. From chocolate sauce to cherries, families can find endless possibilities on ice cream and toppings without spending a lot at Walmart.

Stop by your nearest Walmart to get unbeatable savings on ice cream treats -- or visit Walmart.com/icecream to check out recipes, deals and celebrity ice cream creations.

¹ Data taken from Walmart customer insights, April 2010
² Our stores will match the price of any local competitor's printed ad for an identical product. Not applicable to Walmart.com. Restrictions apply. See store for details
³ While supplies last
⁴ Prices may vary by date or location.

Kraft to Cut Sodium Levels by 10 Percent

Over the next two years, Kraft, the largest foodmaker, who makes cheese, macaroni & cheese, Oreos, and Velveeta will cut its sodium content in its foods by at least 10 percent. Kraft is one of the latest food manufacturers to rethink their products as pressure mounts to address health concerns.

The company plans to reduce sodium in a number of products by more than the 10 percent average. For example, some flavors of Easy Mac Cups are scheduled to be reduced by 20 percent and Oscar Mayer Turkey in a resealable pouch will be reduced by at least 30 percent.

Kraft Foods also offers lower sodium alternatives to consumers who are concerned about sodium. The company offers more than 100 products that are either low, reduced or no sodium including lower sodium Oscar Mayer Bacon, Planters Lightly Salted Nuts and Hint of Salt crackers including Triscuit, Ritz, Wheat Thins, and Premium.

Kraft, the largest North American food maker said in March, 2010 that its plans would eliminate more than 10 million pounds -- or more than 750 million teaspoons -- of salt from some of North America's most popular foods.

Two industry groups, the American Beverage Association and the Grocery Manufacturers Association have pledged their help.

To see Kraft products at your local grocery stores, go to GroceryGuide.com

Talkin' Dirty

The next time you cut up chicken, cut it on the cleanest hard surface in your home - your toilet seat according to Charles Gerba, Ph.D., a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona. In fact, there are 200 times more feces bacteria on the average cutting board than on the typical commode. That's because people generally rinse their  rather than wash them with soap and water. The knife cuts in the boards are the perfect homes for bacteria. For some great tips and ideas about caring for your cutting boards take a look at Wikipedia.com or Clorox.com.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers this advice on cutting boards:

"Use smooth cutting boards made of hard maple or a non-porous material such as plastic and free of cracks and crevices. Avoid boards made of soft, porous materials. Wash cutting boards with hot water and soap, using a scrub brush. Then, sanitize them by washing in an automatic dishwasher or by rinsing with a solution of 1 teaspoon of chlorine bleach to 1 quart of water.

"Always wash and sanitize cutting boards after using them for raw foods, such as seafood or chicken, and before using them for ready-to-eat foods. Consider using one cutting board only for foods that will be cooked, such as raw fish, and another only for ready-to-eat foods, such as bread, fresh fruit, and cooked fish."

Let's talk dirty about washcloths and hand towels. Do you realize the filth on your washcloth? Then there's water bottles and watch bands. Have you sniffed your watchband lately? Probably one of these items has made you sick lately. In a recent multi-country study by the public-education group Hygiene Council, about 28 percent of households were found to be heavily contaminated with bacteria which can live on hard surfaces for days and months.

Here are some strategies for reducing and eliminating those dirty little germs (other than bleach):

Washcloths & Hand Towels: Whenever you use one of these, your skin cells slough off and stick to the fabric. Bacteria thrives on wet, damp environments. Change your bath towels and hand towels once a week if you are the only one using it. Change them daily if there's multiple users.

Coffee Mugs: Reusing coffee mugs is great for the environment, but 90 percent of mugs are covered in germs, and 20 percent of mugs have fecal matter, according to Gerba. Wash your mug daily in the dishwasher. Leave the dry cycle on where the high temperatures will kill bacteria.

Sheets: You are never sleeping alone. Studies have found feces, E. Coli, and Salmonella on bed sheets, according to Gerba. Wash your sheets once a week in hot wash water (5 percent of people wash in cold water).

Water Bottles: Environmentally, it is good to reuse water bottles. But they are an amusement park for bacteria. Especially for younger kids. Wash them daily in hot, soapy water. They don't go through the dishwasher very well.

Carpet: Carpet probably contains 200,000 bacteria per square inch making it 4,000 times dirtier than your toilet seat. This occurs because the average person sheds about 1.5 million skin cells every hour not to mention food, pets, and so on. And since a vacuum cleaner's suction and rotating beater brush don't usually reach the bottom of the carpet, you're bound to have communities of germs there.  Hire a company to do a deep steam-cleaning once a year. Consider covering high-traffic areas with area rugs.

Watchbands: Ever wonder why watchbands stink after a few months? It's covered with a bacteria that can cause skin infections. Rubber and plastic are safer than leather. Leather absorbs sweat easier. If you prefer leather, wipe it down once a week with a leather cleaner.

Not-so-dirty things:

Levis: Go ahead and wear them more than one time.

Hairbrush: Nothing has shown that infections come from a hairbrush. So if you don't mind the dried gel in it, leave it alone.

Your Body:  Showering everyday removes oil and bacteria and also some good bacteria.

Procter & Gamble Co. and Dawn Dish Soap Rush to the Rescue

With the BP Oil Spill continuing to gush into the Gulf, P&G is rushing to the rescue of birds and wildlife in that region. They are sending the best product for the job, Dawn Dish Soap, to help. In a 2003 document by the "Best Practices" Document in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they tell  how to clean birds caught in oil slicks:

"The only bird-cleaning agent that is recommended at this time is Dawn® dishwashing liquid (regular, not antibacterial formula) because it removes oil from feathers; is non-toxic; and does not leave a residue. Other methods or products are not recommended for use or testing during an oil spill at this time."

Wildlife rescuers have used Dawn for three decades.

P&G is shipping 2,000 bottles of Dawn to the Gulf region where the oil is expected to hit. P&G is expected to ship more Dawn as needed.

If you go to Dawn's website and register the code from your Dawn bottle, $1 will be donated to save wildlife.

To support Dawn and wildlife, see if its on sale at your favorite store by going to Groceryguide.com. Also, there is a $.25 off coupon for Dawn in the P&G coupon booklet which came in the Newspaper on May 2, 2010.