A reasonable family meal plan begins with having a plan and shopping right. Consumer Reports May 2012 cover story has the results of more than 24,000 member (One-third of subscribers surveyed in their 2011 Annual Questionnaire ) survey of popular supermarkets and their ratings.

{photo credit:Consumer Reports}

It’s a great resource for us frugal-moms and includes several great tips and some trivia.

The biggest gripe overall: Not enough open checkouts, followed by congested or cluttered aisles and advertised specials that were out of stock. Who came in first at the top of the list? Check out their smart shopping video to find out and make the most of your meal plan dollar.

The stores rated include Trader Joes, Wegman’s, Whole Foods Market, Costco, Winco and Wal-Mart.

I’ve done a few Great American Bake Sales in the past during the school year and summer months for the Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry Campaign. Today, I came across these very cute (and FREE!) Printables over at Anything But Perfect that are perfect for my next bake sale. Aren’t they just adorable?

Here are a few best family deals for the new Raley’s ad this week. You can also find these deals available at  Nob Hill and Bel-Air stores.

Coupon Deals

Each week, Raley’s offers electronic coupons (eCoupons) that you print-out from their website once you register. You are even able to stack eCoupons with manufacturer coupons to save even more. When you register, be sure to sign-up for Raley’s weekly email called “Table Talk” to be notified of new coupons.

You can read about Raley’s very generous coupon policy over here. I never have an issue using manufacturer coupons along with their store coupons. If you find a great deal feel free to share it in the comments section.

This week, Raley’s is offering  two boxes of one La Mexicana Salsa 16 oz. FREE! when you spend $20 or more. Limit 1 per eCoupon. Offer valid this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (June 29-July 1, 2012).

Fresh Meats Coupon

( My personal  second Preferred Department - Raley’s online users are allowed to choose two Preferred Departments. This will show you the best deals available to you. Simply log into your account and choose your preferred departments.)

$1 off Any package of Fresh Ground Beef or Ground Beef Patties with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 3 packages. Limit 1 coupon per customer Discount taken at register.

$1 off ANY package of Raley’s Black Angus Beef  with purchase of $4 or more with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 3 packages.

Family Meal Time Deals

Raley’s Natural Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs -$1.99 lb.

BOGO! (Buy One Get One) FREE! Pork Spare Ribs St. Louis Style – Single item $4.99 lb.

Jennie-O Turkey Store Fully Cooked Homestyle or Italian Turkey Meatballs 24 oz. frozen – $3.99 with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 4

Jennie-O Turkey Store Boneless Turkey Breast 2.75 lb. – $9.99 with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 2

Buy 1 Kraft Fresh Take Cheese & Breadcrumb Mix (6 oz.) –  Get $1.00 Off Any fresh meat purchase of Chicken, Pork or Fish with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 2

Johnsonville Bratwurst or Italian Sausage 17.63 oz. to 19 oz. selected varieties – $3.99
$1/2 Johnsonville Brats or Sausage, 16-19 oz, sold frozen 
Final Price: $3.49 each wyb 2

Bar-S Jumbo or Bun Length Meat or Chicken Franks 16 oz. – $0.99 with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 4

Advance Fast Fixin’ Fully Cooked Beef Meatballs 28 oz. frozen – $3.99 with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 4

Hormel Sliced Pepperoni Regular, Turkey, or Mini 5 oz. to 7 oz. – $1.99 with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 4

Jennie-O Turkey Store White Meat Turkey Burgers 16 oz. – 2 for $6.00 with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 4

Buy 2 Heinz Ketchups 9.5 oz. to 64 oz Get 1 Ore-Ida Grillers 20 oz. Free! with Raley’s eCoupon.

Lloyd’s Fully Cooked Pork Baby Back Ribs, Spareribs or Center Cut Beef Ribs 36.8 oz. to 37.4 oz. – $9.99
$2.00 off LLOYD’S Barbeque Ribs
Final Price: $7.99

Extra Grocery Savings

Dole 100% Juice 59 oz. – $2.50
$1/1 Dole 100% Juice, 59 oz 05/13/2012 RP Insert (exp 07/08/2012)
Final Price: $1.50

Hillshire Farm Rope, Link, Gourmet Creations or Cocktail Sausages 12 oz. to 14 oz. – 2 for $7
$0.55/2 Hillshire Farm Rope Smoked Sausage 06/17/2012 RP Insert (exp 08/13/2012)
$1/2 Hillshire Farm Rope Smoked Sausage 06/17/2012 RP Insert (exp 08/13/2012)
Final Price: As low as $3.00 each wyb 2

Buy 2, Get 1 Free! Amazing Taste Seasonings 0.75 oz. to 1 oz. with Raley’s eCoupon.

Fat Boy Ice Cream Sandwiches 6 to 9 count – $2.49 with Raley’s eCoupon.

Bar-S Premium Deli Ham 16 oz. – $3.99 with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 4

$1.00 Off  Raley’s Fresh Vegetable or Fruit Tray 32 oz. to 64 oz. with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 4

2 for $6.00 Hillshire Farm Rope, Link, Cocktail or Gourmet Creations Sausage 12 oz. to 14 oz. with Raley’s eCoupon. Limit 4

Buy 2 Get One FREE! 9-inch Pie selected varieties – $6.99 single item

White Corn – 4 for $1.00
Final Price: $0.25 each

Cantaloupes or Honeydew Melons – 2 for $6
Final Price: $3.00 each wyb 2

Portabella Mushrooms – 2 for $6
Final Price: $3.00 each wyb 2

Ball Park Meat Franks 14 oz. to 16 oz. – 2 for $3
$1/2 Ball Park Hot Dogs 
$0.75/2 Ball Park Franks 06/03/2012 RP Insert (exp 07/15/2012)
$1/2 Ball Park Franks 06/03/2012 RP Insert (exp 07/15/2012)
Final Price: As low as $1.00 each wyb 2

Ball Park Beef Franks 14 oz. to 16 oz. – 2 for $5
$1/2 Ball Park Hot Dogs 
$0.75/2 Ball Park Franks 06/03/2012 RP Insert (exp 07/15/2012)
$1/2 Ball Park Franks 06/03/2012 RP Insert (exp 07/15/2012)
Final Price: As low as $2.00 each wyb 2

Any other great deals you know of at Raley’s this week? Leave a comment and let us know.

Today, we’re starting Recipe Exchange Tuesday. I’m always on the lookout and I love discovering new recipes to try adding to our Master Meal Planning List as I’m sure most of my readers do. It can also be a place where you can share that old recipe you’ve always enjoyed, or maybe find that recipe for using an ingredient you’ve always been looking for!

So if you posted an awesome recipe on your blog this week, link it up here!

If you have a recipe to share and you don’t have a blog just post it for us in the comments! I’ll be hosting this exchange every Tuesday so don’t forget to mark your calendars! Here’s the rules for Recipe Exchange Tuesday:

• The link posted must go directly to the recipe not to a homepage or a search category. All incorrect submissions will be deleted.
• And please link back to the recipe linky so everyone can join in the fun!
• In your linky please post a pic of the food and the name of the recipe.

Any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.

At the end of the day, I’ll pick my favorite recipe that’s linked up and feature it the following week! So make sure you link up lots of recipes and let your friends know so they can too!

Today’s Recipe Exchange Tuesday featured recipe Homemade Energy Bars is from my friend Kathi. Kathi and her family have gone on some wonderful trips camping, hiking and backpacking and who wouldn’t need a boost of delicious and healthy energy snack to get them going on adventurous trips. Thanks for sharing Kathi!

Homemade Energy Bars

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups oats
• ½ c sunflower seeds
• ½ c pumpkin seeds
• ½ c chocolate chips
• ½ c agave syrup
• ½ c peanut butter
• 2 T ground flax
• 2 t cinnamon
• 2 t vanilla
• 1/3 c vanilla whey protein
• 1/3 c wheat germ

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This family favorite recipe is really easy to pull together since it requires no real prep work. It gave me a chance to use the last of the frozen chicken breasts I had on hand in the freezer. I’ve made this recipe a few times in the past mixing up a few different ingredients  and found making it with these ingredients was our favorite and the chicken is nice and moist.

Cheesy Baked Chicken Breasts

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 per person)
• 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• fresh ground pepper
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Place chicken breasts in a small baking dish. Fill the dish with water to cover half of the chicken breasts.
3. Mix together the shredded Cheddar cheese, seasonings and mayonnaise.
4. Cover the chicken breasts with the cheese mixture.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.