Couponing for healthy foods.

I've written a little about how I've become a bit of a couponer, saving a substantial amount of money on my weekly grocery bill. Sometimes, though, people will say that they can't coupon because they "don't eat those kinds of foods." Meaning, I guess, that they don't eat Rice-a-Roni and other not-so-very-healthy foods.

I get it. I don't eat those things, either. But that's not a reason to avoid couponing. Believe me, you can get healthy foods using coupons -- you simply need to do a little leg work. Here's some proof for you!

Today, for example, I got some great deals on these regularly high-priced items:

Clementines: My store had a coupon for $1 off a 5lb box of clementines (posted on their Facebook page), which I combined with a $1 off coupon from an insert in my Sunday paper. Total savings: $2 (cost: $3.99 for 5lb box).


Bagged salad: These were on sale for 2/$5. I had a $2 off 2 bags coupon that I downloaded from coupons.com. Total savings: $2 off 2 (cost: $3 for 2 bags of salad).


Organic yogurt 6oz cups: I had a $.50 coupon from the Stonyfield web site that I downloaded. This combines with a $.50 payback from SavingStar that I loaded on to my store loyalty card. Total savings: $1 off 3 (cost: $1.97 for 3).

Organic baby meals: Again, I had a $.50 coupon from Stonyfield. I combined that with a Catalina from my grocery store (the coupons that print out with your receipt) for $.35 and a $.50 payback from SavingStar. Total savings: $1.35 (cost: $1.54 for the 4-pack).

Organic 32oz yogurt: $.50 coupon from Stonyfield and a $.50 Catalina. Total savings: $1 (cost: $2.99).

Organic diced tomatoes: I printed out two $.85 off coupons for any Muir Glen product (from coupons.com). My store doubles coupons, bringing each coupon's total value to $1.70. Total savings: $3.40 (cost: $.58 for two 14oz cans -- only $.29 each!).

Just on those products, I saved a whopping $10.75. These are all products that I regularly use (and, in the case of the yogurt, use a lot!) so I would be buying them anyway -- taking the time to find and use the coupons simply put money in my pocket!

So, there you have it. Not so running-related, but perhaps helpful. Just because you like to serve organic or fresh foods doesn't mean you can't coupon. Take a little time to try it out and it will pay off -- I promise you! Just give it a shot.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone!

~ Felice 

Healthy meals & deals: Garden Delight Pasta!

I've become something of a crazy couponer. No, I'm not going to go all Extreme Couponing anytime soon. But, I have become more organized and diligent about using my coupons -- and that has led me to score some major deals.

If you've ever seen Extreme Couponing, though, you know that those folks tend to stock up on some pretty unhealthy grub (500 packs of Mentos, anyone? How about 150 fried chicken frozen dinners?). And that is totally not my style. I'm trying to use my coupons for good, and good healthy meals.

So . . . I figured I would share my big wins and let you all know about my deals and healthy meals!

First up, Ronzoni Garden Delight!

My 6 boxes o' cheap pasta!

This veggie pasta is a staple in my house. We love it! It's healthy but it is generally a lot pricier than regular ol' white pasta, especially store brand. Last week, my Price Chopper had the Ronzoni Garden Delight on sale for 10 boxes for $10 -- $1 a box. That is a good deal because it is usually around $1.69-$1.89 per box in most stores. I saw the sale price and immediately popped over to the Ronzoni web site and saw a coupon for $.50 of two boxes. My Price Chopper doubles coupons so it turned into $1 off two. I was able to print the coupon 3 times.

I went to the store and bought 6 boxes of the pasta for a whopping $3 -- or $.50 a box! Compared to the regular price of $1.89 (which I often paid before I got into the couponing) that's a super deal!

Couponing Tip: When you see a good deal advertised in the paper, or you plan to buy a specific brand for some other reason, always check the brand's web site to see if they have a printable coupon available. You never know -- you could score a high-value coupon (or 3!).

And now, my healthy and inexpensive dinner!

Garden Delight Pasta with Balsamic Tuna and Peas


3/4 box of pasta (cooked) cost: <$.50
2 cans of solid white tuna (drained) cost: $2
1 c. frozen peas (added to pasta right at the end of cooking) cost: <$.50
chiffonade of fresh basil, some balsamic vinegar, some olive oil, 1 tbs dijon mustard, salt, pepper (whisk vinegar, oil, mustard then add basil, salt, pepper) cost: ? not much -- basil is from our garden

Mix it all together and voila! Easy, inexpensive, healthy dinner!

Dinner!

Using my super deals the total cost for this meal was about $3 and that fed three people! Try it sometime -- I hope you like it!

Do you have a favorite veggie pasta recipe? Link 'em up in the comments -- I love to try new recipes!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

~ Felice


Disclosure: I bought all of the ingredients myself and was not asked to post about them -- I just want to share my deals and meals!