Target has issued "manufacturer" coupons with their logo on them, so which are they? Coupons issued by the manufacturer to be used anywhere or store coupons useable only at Target? Didn't they used to say "Target" at the top and not "manufacturer", and you could use them with manufacturer coupons on the same item. I printed some the other day and one said Target Web Coupon (which I understand to be used only at Target) and the other two said "manufacturer" which I assumed I could use anywhere.
I used the one for Purina Cat Chow at PetSmart, and the cashier didn't even blink. Today I tried to use the $5 off 4 Kellogg's cereal at Wal-Mart, and argued up and down with two cashiers that it was a manufacturer's coupon and not Target-specific even though it had the Target logo on it. That was all they could see, and said they were told not to take coupons with other store names or logos. They wouldn't even scan it to see if it would work. I gave up and told her if I wasn't able to use the coupon, I wasn't buying the cereal.
The point is that a store-specific coupon should not say "manufacturer" on it if you can only use it at that store, and that a true manufacturer coupon should be valid any place that accepts coupons.
Anyone care to share their experiences?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Quote of the Week
I'm a little late getting this one out today.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
- Martin Luther King Jr.
This one goes out to our best friends. This is how they live their lives, and through them I have seen how faith works.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Yogurt...Good and Good For You?
OK, today we're going on a little trip, a health trip that is. Are you a fan of yogurt? The regular stuff that has been around for years or the new, supposedly more healthy versions such as Activia or Dan Active yogurt drink? I don't always jump on any new bandwagon that happens along, but lately, I thought what the heck, let's give it a try, since we eat yogurt anyway. So now what to choose?
Activia is supposed to be good for your digestive health. They even have a money-back guarantee of up to about $12, if it doesn't work for you. Yoplait has their own version called Yo-Plus, and they are offering free Yo-plus for switching from Activia (receipt, completed form and UPC required). Activia comes in a variety of flavors, a light version and a drinkable yogurt.
Dan Active claims to help support your immune system. This product is a drinkable yogurt that comes in a variety of flavors (some in light). Do any of these do all that they claim? Check out their websites, do your research and come to your own conclusions.
I read about both products, and regularly purchase both. Will it make a difference in our overall health, I don't know, but I figure they won't do any harm, and I still get calcium and the good bacteria that we've know for years are good for us. These fancy new products are more expensive, but with sales and coupons you can still get a reasonably good deal. Also, Costco has Activia and Dan Active in bulk packaging. There is yet another way to score a deal on all things Dannon. They have a program called Dannonomics where you buy products, mail in receipts and completed form and receive dollars off coupons. The coupons you get are based on the quantity and variety of items purchased. The program continues through December 31, 2009, so save your receipts, download the form and get up to $15 in coupons.
Dan Active claims to help support your immune system. This product is a drinkable yogurt that comes in a variety of flavors (some in light). Do any of these do all that they claim? Check out their websites, do your research and come to your own conclusions.
I read about both products, and regularly purchase both. Will it make a difference in our overall health, I don't know, but I figure they won't do any harm, and I still get calcium and the good bacteria that we've know for years are good for us. These fancy new products are more expensive, but with sales and coupons you can still get a reasonably good deal. Also, Costco has Activia and Dan Active in bulk packaging. There is yet another way to score a deal on all things Dannon. They have a program called Dannonomics where you buy products, mail in receipts and completed form and receive dollars off coupons. The coupons you get are based on the quantity and variety of items purchased. The program continues through December 31, 2009, so save your receipts, download the form and get up to $15 in coupons.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Garlic Green Beans (a first for me)
Piling on to my previous post, I thought I'd elaborate about one of my side dishes, the garlic green beans. I wanted something green to balance out turkey, stuffing and mac & cheese. I had thought about bacon-wrapped asparagus, but the asparagus was all huge and dried out looking. Yuck! The Brussels sprouts and loose green beans were in much the same condition. Zucchini was out since we had that all summer. I was at a loss until I found a bag of green beans, already trimmed and ready to go. Well almost ready. You always have to look over your produce - even the bagged stuff.
Now, I'd had garlic green beans in a restaurant that I thought were good, so I pondered how one would make those. I came up with cooking them until almost done then sauteing them with garlic. I googled up some recipes and found one from Morton's Steakhouse in Atlanta that sounded like what I was after. I minced 2 cloves of garlic and about half a shallot, and sauteed them in a mix of butter and olive oil. When the garlic and shallots were softened and beginning to brown, I added the beans and tossed until the were done to my liking - tender but not mushy. I'm not one for the crisp-tender vegetables. I'm from the South ya know [grin] . Anyway, the beans were a hit. So pretty on the plate, and they held their green color very well.
Here's the official recipe.
Now, I'd had garlic green beans in a restaurant that I thought were good, so I pondered how one would make those. I came up with cooking them until almost done then sauteing them with garlic. I googled up some recipes and found one from Morton's Steakhouse in Atlanta that sounded like what I was after. I minced 2 cloves of garlic and about half a shallot, and sauteed them in a mix of butter and olive oil. When the garlic and shallots were softened and beginning to brown, I added the beans and tossed until the were done to my liking - tender but not mushy. I'm not one for the crisp-tender vegetables. I'm from the South ya know [grin] . Anyway, the beans were a hit. So pretty on the plate, and they held their green color very well.
Here's the official recipe.
Next Up...Christmas!
Thanksgiving has now come and gone, and we are stuffed like the turkey himself. We had two Thanksgivings and an "eat out" meal right in the middle of it all. Not to mention the post-Thanksgiving pizza I made.
Thanksgiving meal #1 was the traditional turkey with all the trimmings: mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, curried onions (I think I referenced those in an earlier post), cranberry sauce, bread, and pumpkin pie. That was all washed down with Deinhard Green Label Riesling. Pretty tasty stuff, not as sweet as most German Rieslings, and without that dreadful petrol aroma/taste.
Our second dinner was last night with friends. They brought a turkey, and I did the sides and dessert: Mac & cheese, stuffing, garlic green beans and pecan pie served with a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau. It was an all-around success, and a wonderful time as usual when we get together. They also brought cranberry sauce and eggnog. Now I have never tried eggnog, and was a skeptical participant in this holiday ritual. I decided it was OK and tasted somewhat like melted vanilla ice cream. Why not. It's made with the same ingredients. I added a bit of Captain Morgan to mine after I had sampled it straight up. Either is fine, but the rum does give it an added something-something.
Now, Christmas is just 3 weeks away, and we get to turn around and do it all over again. The cooking, the eating, the visiting, and the groaning after we've done too much of the eating.
Thanksgiving meal #1 was the traditional turkey with all the trimmings: mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, curried onions (I think I referenced those in an earlier post), cranberry sauce, bread, and pumpkin pie. That was all washed down with Deinhard Green Label Riesling. Pretty tasty stuff, not as sweet as most German Rieslings, and without that dreadful petrol aroma/taste.
Our second dinner was last night with friends. They brought a turkey, and I did the sides and dessert: Mac & cheese, stuffing, garlic green beans and pecan pie served with a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau. It was an all-around success, and a wonderful time as usual when we get together. They also brought cranberry sauce and eggnog. Now I have never tried eggnog, and was a skeptical participant in this holiday ritual. I decided it was OK and tasted somewhat like melted vanilla ice cream. Why not. It's made with the same ingredients. I added a bit of Captain Morgan to mine after I had sampled it straight up. Either is fine, but the rum does give it an added something-something.
Now, Christmas is just 3 weeks away, and we get to turn around and do it all over again. The cooking, the eating, the visiting, and the groaning after we've done too much of the eating.
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