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Over the past month we have added a number of improvements to the site, but with the holidays and just being busy haven’t had the chance to blog about them. With the new year we are starting fresh with this update on some of the new free features and improvements we have made for blogs and websites.

Why tools for blogs? Say Mmm is about making planning and grocery shopping easier for people, and by extending our tools to work on other sites, it’s a win-win-win situation. Bloggers can increase reader engagement with features that only bigger recipe sites have, Say Mmm gets more opportunities to show off its tools, and the blog readers and Say Mmm users get better ideas and easier ways to plan meals and shop for groceries.

Designed to be easy-to-use and flexible, the features work for different blogging platforms and websites without any installation. By using links with codes in them, similar to how Google Docs or YouTube work, bloggers can add dynamic printable grocery lists and printable recipes as easily as copying and pasting a link. This service is free for blog readers, who don’t even need to have a Say Mmm account to create, modify, and print these lists and recipes. It’s also free for bloggers to use these features on their site, and bloggers just need to have a free Say Mmm account to manage their recipe links and grocery lists and get the code they need.

Here is a quick overview of the blog features, and more information on each feature is available by following the links.  

Printable grocery lists for blogs – Allows readers to just click to view and print out an organized shopping list for one or more recipe. Many bloggers post weekly meal plans so we have added a new feature that lets you create a single link for a combined grocery list of recipes in the plan.

Easy recipe index – A recipe index is something every blog with recipes should have, but sometimes it can be hard to organize and update. With Say Mmm bloggers can easily categorize all their recipe links and generate an organized list of links that is easy to copy and paste into a blog page.

Printable recipe links – Some blog platforms don’t make printing individual posts easy, so bloggers can use the printable recipe feature to add a link to a printable version of the recipe.

Posted by Brian

We like to make things simple for people, and we are happy to be working with Home Ec 101 on making meal planning even simpler for their readers and our users. Say Mmm has free planning and grocery shopping tools, and Home Ec 101 has a lot of great recipes that are healthy and easy to make.

By combining these two, we are making it easier for Home Ec 101 readers to just click to get a grocery list for their weekly meal plan or for individual recipes. The first weekly plan with grocery lists is out, and there is a shopping list page where readers can click to get shopping lists for individual recipes, and these can be combined into one list. Shopping lists are still being added to this index, but most of the main dishes and sides are there, and readers can also click to create grocery lists from individual recipe posts. The goal is to help readers save time and be more engaged with Home Ec 101 recipes, and people can use the site as an interactive meal planning resource without even logging in or having a Say Mmm account.

For Say Mmm users, we have added the Home Ec 101 recipes to our “Recipe Ideas” area, so that they can click to add them to their account and use them in meal plans and shopping lists. One of the things we like a lot about Home Ec 101, whose motto is “Real Skills for Real People with Real Lives”, is the recipes are simple and straightforward, so they are easy for anyone to use in their everyday lives. We share similar goals, and strive to make Say Mmm useful and simple for real people with real lives.

The Say Mmm shopping list tools are flexible enough to create any type of description for shopping items, so if you want to replicate ingredients like most online shopping lists do, you can have shopping lists with things like “2 cups of carrots, sliced thinly,” you can. We think it’s easier though to have what you need in a store, like “4 carrots” and we format this as “Carrots [X4]” so the grocery item names are easy to scan. We also don’t think you need spices and common pantry items like “1 teaspoon of paprika” cluttering up your main list, so these items are simplified and separated out as items to check before going to the store. The result is a simpler list that is organized for you. And since lists are dynamic you can click “Edit” and easily delete, add, or modify items before printing, or just make notes once you print it out.

Here is how the printable weekly grocery list looks.

And by clicking edit you can just click to delete items or meals, move items from the “Check” column to what you need to get, and even add in new items. Then just click “Print” again to see and print the changes. You can save your list with a free Say Mmm account so you can manage multiple lists and save the links to the recipes.

Posted by Brian

Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie - A classic pumpkin pie with a little bit of a twist from Baking Bites. Recipe  Grocery list

Bacon and Onion Pan Fried Potatoes - A nice Thanksgiving side dish that is simple to make from Picky Palate. Recipe  Grocery list

Oreo Turkeys - A cute little treat that makes a great Thanksgiving decoration from Our Best Bites. Recipe  Grocery list

Andouille Sausage Dressing - Dress up the cornbread for Thanksgiving with these recipes from Home Ec 101. Recipe  Grocery list

Sweet Potatoes with Pecans and Goat Cheese - Its like a little salad on top of thick-cut sweet potatoes in this creative concoction from Smitten Kitchen. Recipe  Grocery list

Prosciutto Wrapped Artichoke Hearts - A nice looking appetizer from Life’s Ambrosia that doesn’t take much work. Recipe  Grocery list

Pumpkin Pie Dip - Everything you love about pumpkin pie, made into a light and fluffy dip from Skinnytaste. Recipe  Grocery list

The lure of convenience calls to every working family.  None of us have enough time so we reach for little bags of cookies, or big bags of burgers.  But what is this costing us?  We don’t have enough time to prepare, so we spend money on convenience, so we have to work more to make the extra money, so we have less time to prepare, so we spend more money … do you see where I’m going with this?

Who decided that little plastic packages were the be all and end all of food?  Yes, they do save time while packing lunches and running errands with children in tow.  However, what are we really paying for convenience?  Pre-packaged foods cost more than normal food.  And with just a little foresight, you can make your own convenience!

Consider buying in bulk. Instead of buying a box of cookies already broken down into smaller packages, buy a bigger box and break it down yourself. Check the unit price and you’ll see the immediate savings. Not only do you get to control the portion size, you will end up with more packages for less money.

The moment I get home from the grocery store, I take the extra time to break everything down. I look to see what constitutes a serving size. I then make my own pre-packaged convenience.  All of my new smaller bags then go in to a larger bin. My kids can then easily grab one and go.

During sports seasons, we go through a lot of snacks. In fact, I carry a snack-box in my car.  After I’ve taken the time to break everything down into individual servings, the box goes into the car and we’re all set. When the I’m-hungry’s start floating forward from the back seat, I can quickly say, “Grab a snack already!”  I know what’s in the snack box and know that it’s all approved by me.

Pre-packaged salads also seem to be a big trend right now. It’s easy to grab a bag of salad mix at the grocery store, but what is the serving number on that?  Two or maybe three servings?

What I love to do is buy some lettuce – a couple different varieties – plus all the other ingredients I need to make a truly yummy salad. When I get home from the grocery store, I then proceed to make a huge salad – one that will last for 3-4 days. Here’s a quick tip to keeping it fresh longer:  place a couple of paper towels on top.  Every time you scoop out some salad, replace the now damp paper towels with fresh towels. It will help keep the moisture down and make the salad last longer.

And probably the most expensive convenience of all:  fast food.  It is just too easy, isn’t it?  But it is also too expensive for a family on a budget.  My snack box in the car comes in handy for avoiding the drive thru, but the best way to avoid the burger trap is to simply plan ahead.  My kids hate me sometimes, but I do bring homemade sandwiches along when I know we will be out for a while.  They will thank me when they are old enough to care about their college funds.

So, don’t fall for pre-packaged goodies.  You can do it yourself.  And don’t fall for bags of salad.  You can do it yourself.  And don’t fall for the drive thru.  You can do it yourself.  Habits are hard to break – so make good habits!  Your checkbook will thank you, even if your kiddos don’t.

Posted by Robin

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole - Some good comfort food with lots of veggies and a tasty cheese sauce from What Megan’s Making. Recipe  Grocery list

Soft Polenta with Grilled Vegetables - A vegetarian dish flavored by a few simple ingredients from Picky Cook.  Recipe  Grocery list

Twice Baked Acorn Squash - A great way to prepare acorn squash from Made by Francis.  Recipe  Grocery list

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting - A simple and tasty pumpkin dessert from How To: Simplify.  Recipe  Grocery list

Sunflower Sandwich Snackers - Cute idea for a kids snack from Gourmet Mom on the Go.  Recipe  Grocery list

Baklava Crescent Rolls - A variation on the classic Greek dessert from La Fuji Mama that uses crescent roll dough instead of phyllo dough.  Recipe  Grocery list

Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cider Glaze - The secret to cooking good meat is in the sauce in this one from Whipped the Blog.  Recipe  Grocery list

Creamy Coconut & Butternut Squash Soup with Sugared Pistachios - The pistachio garnish gives a nice sweetness to this gently flavored soup from Running with Tweezers. Recipe  Grocery list

Pork Rouladen - A traditional German dish with bacon, onions, and a pickle wrapped in pork from Mommie Cooks. Recipe  Grocery list

Beef With Snow Peas - A simple stir fry that can be adapted different ways from the Pioneer Woman. Recipe  Grocery list

Chicken Tetrazzini - This recipe from Two Southern Girls is a popular pasta dish that was originally named after an Italian opera star. Recipe  Grocery list

Italian Sausage and White Bean Stew - A warm bowl of deliciousness that could be what Italian chili might taste like from A Dash of Sass. Recipe  Grocery list

Huevos Rancheros Salad - Based off a Mexican breakfast dish, you can make this recipe from Noble Pig for lunch or dinner as well. Recipe  Grocery list

Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms - These vegetarian appetizers from Aggie’s Kitchen are full of flavor and look great on a plate. Recipe  Grocery list

Raise your hand if you have ever walked into a grocery store and spent the next hour trying to remember what it was you went in there for in the first place. (Did you really raise your hand?  If so, good for you!)

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It’s hard enough to shop in the limited time we have. Adding in children and other distractions while trying to focus on what we need, plus making sure we get the best bargains and … well, it’s virtually impossible at times to make sure we’re using our grocery money wisely.

I love my shopping list and rarely do I show up at a store without it.  If I do try to wing it, I inevitably arrive home to find I have forgotten at least one thing. We all know how frustrating that can be!

My grocery list starts at Say Mmm.  This reminds me to buy things I normally buy, and to pull weird things off my meal plan.  Then I check out the running list that is stuck to my refrigerator.  If my husband wrote down that he is in desperate need of Doritos, then I add that to the list.  Then I check to see what I have for coupons.  I am far more likely to use my coupons if I align them with my list before I ever head into the store. 

Using the grocery store flyers to create your list is another good method. If I am going to make stops at multiple stores, I will create a list for each. I also try to make sure all my shopping occurs on the same day. While this may take more time, it saves in the long run. I’m not running out each day to shop thus I save time and gas money.

When I shop with a grocery list, it helps me keep my spending within budget.  On those weeks when I really have to cut it close, my list doubles as a budget.  I know approximately how much everything will cost, and I write the prices directly on the grocery list. There is also a Say Mmm Plus feature that helps track and add up prices.  When I add up the prices, I can check to make sure my list isn’t bigger than my paycheck.  If it is, then I can pare it down at my kitchen table, not in the checkout line. 

With a list, I’m also less likely to nab an impulse item off the shelf. I’m certainly not saying that impulse buying is eliminated completely, but my list certainly cuts down on it. I’m also less likely to make multiple trips to the store (or worse, the local corner convenience store where the aforementioned bag of Doritos costs $1.4 million) since using my list means I’m less likely to forget something.

Shopping with a grocery list isn’t fail-proof. I still arrive home from time to time having forgotten something, but it doesn’t happen often. By shopping with a plan, I save money and that, my friends, is a good thing.

Posted by Robin 

Butter Poached Lobster with Fresh Tomatoes - A nice recipe from Steamy Kitchen to bring out the flavor and delicate texture of lobster with a few simple ingredients. Recipe  Grocery list

Mini Apple Walnut Tarts - An elegant little dessert that is easy to make and easy to pop in your mouth from the Wicked Noodle. Recipe  Grocery list

Shrunken Apple Heads - Add some Halloween fun to your favorite punch with this spooky apple idea and dry ice effect from Laura’s Best Recipes. Recipe  Grocery list

Fudgy Graveyard Brownies - A fun Halloween idea for brownies from Picky Palate. Recipe  Grocery list

Spinach Dip - The great taste of homemade spinach dip from Cook & Be Merry. Recipe  Grocery list

Mummy Wrapped Hot Dogs - A fun Halloween meal for kids from 3 Kids and Us. Recipe  Grocery list

Candy Corn Cheesecake - The ultimate of Halloween sweets from Recipe Girl. Recipe  Grocery list

Say Mmm’s free online grocery lists have several smart features to help take the work out of creating shopping lists. You can click to add popular items or items you get frequently, automatically add all the items you need for a recipe or the meals you have planned, have your list organized by store and area of the store, and more.

Today we are also adding a new Checklist feature to our premium Say Mmm Plus service. Checklists work the same way as shopping lists, so they are just as easy to use, but you can also name Checklists and see them in your regular shopping lists, so items can be added from checklists to shopping lists with just a click. And once you set up a checklist you can use it over and over again in your shopping lists and have all your reminders of things to buy in one place.

Checklists help you remember different things and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some examples of checklists you can make:

• Pantry list – Manage all your pantry items in one place, and when you are creating your weekly shopping list you can easily scan the items and click what you need.
• Meals– For things you get often for breakfasts or lunches (lunchmeat, breat, etc.), they can be grouped together for adding to shopping lists.
• People – Whether its baby stuff, school snacks for your 2nd grader, or favorite things your hubby likes, just group them by the person’s name.
• Events – Maybe you go camping often or a birthday party is coming up. Having a checklist can help you remember what to get on these occasions.
• Stores – You can organize items by stores in the regular shopping lists, but maybe there are stores you go to for bulk items, like Costco, where you might want to keep a separate checklist you could refer to whenever you make a shopping list.
• Wish lists – For things you are thinking about getting or maybe waiting for the right sale, just note them in a checklist. 

These are a few examples, but you can use Say Mmm Checklists in various ways and name them as you like to make it easy to find what you need. Checklists can be created and organized on the Shop tab. All Say Mmm users can use one checklist and Say Mmm Plus users can create multiple checklists.

Posted by Brian

Forget Diamonds! Coupons are a Girl’s Best Friend!

Does clipping coupons really save money? Many will answer with a resounding “Yes” while many will shout “No!”  When you do it right, coupons will absolutely save you money. I am no coupon queen, but I typically save about $10 a week on my grocery bill.

I don’t spend hours scanning coupon flyers from the Sunday paper. While I do clip a few coupons on Sundays, I also print several from online sources. There are a number of websites geared just for that. I also get online coupon suggestions when creating my grocery shopping lists on Say Mmm. (Please note: Not all stores accept printed coupons. Be sure to check the store policy before trying to redeem them.)

I do not clip every single coupon either. I only cut or print out the ones I know I will use. I also take the ones for things I might like to try. Then I match those with what I need for the week.

Many serious “couponers” will match their coupons to the local sales flyers. If they have a store that doubles coupons, that’s even better.  I once went shopping with a friend who walked out of the store with eight boxes of muffin mixes, four bags of cereal, six cans of brand name soup and a few bananas to top it off. Her total cost after coupons? A mere $0.15 (that is not a typo). 

Here’s how she did it:  If I have a coupon for a dollar off a product that usually costs $2.29, and this week, that item is on sale for $1.99, then I march my dollar coupon into the store, buy the product, make sure they double my coupon, and end up getting the product for free!  If I was a real penny-pincher, I would demand the penny that they owe me!

Another great source for finding coupons for your favorite foods is the manufacturer’s website. Sign up for their newsletter and coupons will start magically appearing in your inbox.  I receive about six of these each week for brands I know and love.

You can also sign up for free samples, when you see a chance.  (This is a real money-saver with diapers!)  Many times the samples will arrive with a coupon or two attached. There is no limit to how many you can try.

Here’s my favorite:  find the companies you like on the ever popular Facebook. Many companies will have coupon giveaways there as well. If you “Like” a product, you get a coupon!  (Then, if you are embarrassed, you can always “Unlike” after you print your coupon!) 

My organization system for my coupons is simple. I use a 3x5 index card file box. I have dividers inside for the categories that make sense to me. I currently have about three dozen different sections. Behind each section I store the coupons. I pull the ones I need while I write my grocery list.

Another popular method of organizing is using a 3-ring binder with baseball card holders inside or full-sheet page protectors. If using full-size page protectors, you only cut the coupons as you need them while going through the store. They would be filed as complete sheets. Personally, juggling a binder, scissors, and toddlers really doesn’t work well for me, so I stick to my file box. Find the system that works best and stick with it.

Coupons will save you money as long as you do not let them take over your life. Make them work for you and you’ll see the savings at the checkout.

Posted by Robin