REVIEW: Coolattas at Dunkin' Donuts



We were out and about one Saturday afternoon and decided to stop for donuts. While we were inside ordering, we noticed a sign advertising these coolatta drinks. My husband decided to get the Mt. Dew Coolatta.

At first, I wasn't going to get one. But, I eventually decided to get the Tropicana Coolatta.



These beverages are nothing more than a flavored slushie. I first tasted the Tropicana one. It was absolutely wonderful. It really tasted just like a frozen orange juice. I then tasted the Mt Dew. It tasted nothing like a Mt. Dew. Well, it actually tasted like a flat Diet Mt Dew.

I definitely recommend the Tropicana Coolatta. I actually went back the next day to get another one. I cannot recommend the Mt Dew Coolatta. I did not like it at all.

These drinks come in 3 sizes - Small (16 fl oz), Medium (24 fl oz) and Large (32 fl oz).

Anybody else try these?

Meal Plan: May 20th - May 26th

I'm going to try and start posting my weekly meal plans, plus how much I spent (or what I had on hand) and how much each meal was per person. Please remember that i feed 9 people on each meal!

Friday, May 20^th -- We always do something really basic on shopping days. This week we picked up TV Dinners.

Total -- $21.02
Per Person -- $2.34

Saturday, May 21^st -- "Brinner" (Pancakes, eggs, turkey bacon)

Pancake Mix -- $2.39
Syrup -- ON HAND
Eggs -- ON HAND
Turkey Bacon -- $5.00

Total -- $7.39
Per Person -- $0.82

Sunday, May 22^nd -- We had way too much mix left over, so we did round 2 of pancakes.

Total -- $0
Per Person -- $0

Monday, May 23^rd -- Veggie Penne

Penne Pasta -- $2
Whipping Cream -- $1.88
Green Pepper -- $0.88
Mushrooms -- $1.88
Red pepper -- $1.78
Onion -- $0.09
Flour and seasoning -- ON HAND

Total -- $8.51
Per Person -- $0.95

Tuesday, May 24^th -- Hot Dogs and Beans

Green Pepper -- $0.88
Onion -- $0.09
Beans -- $4
Hot Dogs -- ON HAND

Total -- $4.97
Per Person -- $0.55

Wedensday, May 25^th --Jambalaya

Boxed Jambalaya -- $5
Andouille Sausage -- ON HAND

Total -- $5.00
Per Person -- $0.56

Thursday, May 26^th -- Meatless Chili with Corn Chips

Fritos -- $4.38
Red Beans -- $2.00
Green Pepper -- $1.76
Red Pepper -- $1.78
Onion -- $0.09
Diced Tomatoes -- ON HAND
Tomato Sauce -- ON HAND
Seasonings -- ON HAND

Total -- $10.73
Per Person -- $1.19

Weekly Total -- $57.62
Average Cost Per Day -- $8.23
Average Cost Per Person -- $6.40

Steak and Cheese Sandwiches

I had a chuck roast in the freezer that I had bought on sale last week. I usually use these for roast beef and veggies. I had on my menu plan this week for steak and cheese subs, but could not find a single box of the steak-umms in this city! So, I had to improvise and I must admit that my way is SO MUCH better! It got the vote of everyone.

This picture does not do it justice! This was taken with my cell - phone.

Ingredients

• Chuck Roast (I used 3 lbs for a family of 9)
• Your choice of spices
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 green pepper, diced
• Shredded cheese or cheese slice
• Sub rolls or hamburger buns

Directions

• Season the roast (I used creole seasoning and teryaki sauce. Unique and GOOD). Place in crock pot on High for 4 hours or until meat shreds apart.
• Saute onion and green pepper in skillet. Add the shredded beef and heat.
• Pile on rolls or buns with cheese and enjoy!

Meal Plan: May 13th - May 19th

I'm going to try and start posting my weekly meal plans, plus how much I spent (or what I had on hand) and how much each meal was per person. Please remember that i feed 9 people on each meal!

Friday, May 13^th -- We always pick up TV Dinners or lunchables on Shopping Nights. I was upset so I didn't eat.

2 lunchables with fruit, no drink -- $4

3 lunchables with drink --              $5

4 lunchables (small) --                   $ 6.67

Total -- $ 15.67

Per Person -- $1.95

Saturday, May^th -- "Brinner" (Breakfast for Dinner: Pancakes, Sausage Links, and Scrambled Eggs)

Pancake Mix -- $1.49
Syrup -- on hand
Dozen eggs --  $0.89
Sausage --       $6.36
Banana Pudding -- on hand

Total -- $8.74
Per Person -- $0.97

Sunday, May 15^th -- Cube Steak w/ Onion gravy, Mozzarella mashed potatoes and corn on the cob

Cube Steak -- $13.51
Onion -- on hand
Gravy -- on hand
Potatoes -- $3.97
Mozzarella Cheese -- $2.00
Butter, Milk, Sour Cream -- on hand
Corn on cob -- $1.83

Total -- $21.31
Per Person -- $2.36

Monday, May 16^th -- Southwestern Pork Tenderloin, Roasted potatoes, broccoli, and orange jello

Pork Tenderloin -- $15.98
potatoes -- On hand
Broccoli -- $3.53
Jello -- On hand

Total -- $19.51
Per Person -- $2.16

Tuesday, May 17^th -- Steak and Cheese Sandwiches, Pasta Salad, chocolate pudding

Steak -- On Hand (FYI -- I bought a roast on sale last week for about $8, cook shred and mix with pepper and onion)
Onion -- $0.79
Pepper -- On hand
Cheese -- $2.08
Rolls -- $2.36
Pasta Salad -- $3.99
Mayonnaise -- $2.72
Pudding -- $2.61

Total -- $14.55
Per person -- $1.61

Wednesday, May 18^th -- Lemon Tilapia or Italian Sausage, Macaroni and Chees, Green Beans and Cheesecake Pudding

Tilapia -- On hand
Sausage -- On hand
lemons -- $0.78
Noodles -- $1.76
Cheese  -- $4.00
Flour, Milk, Butter -- on hand
Green beans -- $6.99
Pudding -- $1.88

Total -- $15.41
Per person -- $1.71

Thursday, May 19^th -- Spaghetti, Jello

Hamburger -- $8.22
tomatoes -- $4.84
Seasonings -- On hand
Noodles -- $1.76
Mozzarella Cheese -- $2.00
Jello -- On Hand

Total -- $16.82
Per Person -- $1.87

Average Cost of this Week's Dinners -- $14.89 a day

Well....

This blog turned out to another one of my "failures". I had intended to share all my recipes with the blogging world. Well, I soon found myself repeating the same recipes over and over. Not really a good way to share. So, I am changing it up a little bit. I have given the blog a new name and a new purpose. I will still share my recipes with you, but I will also be posting about any and all food related topics. I also won't feel pressured to come up with new recipes each and every day just to have something to share. I hope you enjoy the new and improved, The Cookin' {Italian} Bella! 

Day 15: Chicken Noodle Soup

Tonight was my first attempt at Chicken Noodle Soup. Sure, I'm a pro at popping a top off a can and heating soup up. I've been doing that for oh, about 20+ years now. This was my first attempt at home made, from scratch Chicken Noodle Soup. It wasn't that bad. The kids said it was even better than Campbell's.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

• 4- 16 oz containers chicken broth
• 2 lb chicken breasts (you can cut them up before or wait until step 5)
• 1 lb baby carrots, rinsed
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 package Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup Seasoning
• 1 c uncooked egg noodles

Directions:

1. Place Chicken and vegetables in slow cooker.
2. Pour 3 containers of chicken broth over chicken and veggies.
3. Add seasoning mix.
4. Cook on LOW for 6 hours.
5. Take chicken out and cut it up. Return pieces to slow cooker.
6. Continue cooking on LOW for for 2 hours.
7. Add noodles. Use 4^th container of broth to replace liquid as needed.
8. Cook on HIGH for 10 minutes or until noodles are tender.

Day 14: Tony Chachere's Dirty Rice

I usually make Dirty Rice from scratch. But, every now and then I need something quick and easy, requiring little work and that I know my family will eat. So, when I am not in the mood to cut and chop and oversee, I turn to a box mix. I usually buy Zatarain's for this and add  ground beef, ground andouille sausage and extra Cajun seasoning. But, one day I found the Tony Chachere's brand of Dirty Rice on sale for $1/box at Dollar General. I immediately bought all they had.

Tonight was one of those "Mama's tired and doesn't feel like cooking a large made from scratch meal" nights. So, I pulled out those boxes and decided to give it a try. I honestly liked it just as much as the Zatarain's. I usually spice it up extra on my own anyway. Of course, nothing compares to the real deal, but this boxed mix is just as good for a quick meal or a side. I would definitely purchase it again. I do check every time I go into the Dollar General but I haven't seen anymore since.

When I make Dirty Rice as a main dish, I always add extra meat to it. This particular night, I served it with green beans and carrots (for the kids).

Check back for my recipe for home made Dirty Rice. It should be listed soon.

**I received no money, product or service from any company listed. I bought this product on my own and decided to use my opinion in a blog.**