My Zaycon Experience

A couple of days ago I picked up 40lbs of chicken from the Zaycon Chicken Event that came to Hinesville.  The price was to good to pass up at $1.89lb before tax for fresh all natural hormone free boneless skinless chicken breasts.  It comes in 40lb increments, meaning it is a lot of fresh chicken.  The process was pretty painless.  You register here and place an order for an event in your area (next up is bacon and sausage).  On the pick up day I went to the Liberty movie theater off of Ogelthorpe Hwy and parked in the small section behind Krystal's.  The pick up said between 1 and 1:15 and I arrived at 12:55.  I parked in that area because many others were sitting in their cars, so I figured that was where I needed to go.

The truck didn't arrive until about 1:10 but traffic happens and that wasn't that far off.  The white box truck pulled into the main section of the parking lot and everyone started their cars and proceeded to line them up in a line leading to the truck.  The delivery driver armed with a tablet would walk up to the vehicle, get the name, and then check off the person from his list and get the order out.  I didn't even have to get out of my car.  He very nicely loaded my box into the back and we were on our way.  My total time from my house and back was less than 45 minutes and 15 to 20 minutes of that was the drive.

When I arrived home, I opened the back of the car to get my box and this is what I found.  1 box placed on top of a plastic garbage bag just in case their was any leaking.

I carried the 40lb box into the house and took a look.

It was all sealed in a thick blue plastic bag.  Once I cut it open, I could see the huge breasts and several smaller bags in the box.  I set out to package them with my food sealer so they could be frozen.  Each breast weighed about a pound or more, so I decided to do individual breasts in the vacuum pack to hopefully make it easier later on.  Unfortunately as I set to work, aside from the bag full of juice and the fact I hate handling raw meat, I found they still required quite a bit of trimming for fat, some skin, and even a little cartilage and bones.  It ended up being a lot of work and all of that juice was very cold and even a little on the slushy side.  I didn't take a picture of the stuff I trimmed off but I was left with 3lbs of liquid and leftover yuck.  I weighed just the waste without the juice because that was to be expected and it was 2lbs.  So overall my cost was 38lbs of chicken for 77.87 after taxes for a total of  about $2.05lb after tax.  That is still a really good price for chicken.

I ended up with 30 individually vacuum packed breasts and 4 1lb vacuum packed bags of chunks of chicken after they were trimmed.   I am not skilled at trimming meat and had quite a few pieces that were good cuts of meat tossed in a bowl that was chunked and measured out for those 4 bags and some of the breasts are a bit misshapen or have rough cuts to them.  

vacuum packed frozen

vacuumed sitting on spiral notebook for size

I have only gotten to use one of these breasts so far and it was enough for this entire dish. Which made enough for 2 adults, 2 kids, and I had a bowl for my lunch today.  Overall it is financially a good deal but the chicken event  definitely isn't for everyone.

Pros:

• Great Price
• Bulk Buying
• Natural Hormone Free Chicken
• Large Breasts
• Simple Ordering
• Simple Pick up
• Juicy - I didn't save the juice in the box but the one I thawed out for dinner had plenty of juice in the package as well.
• Flavorful

Cons:

•  Limited Pick Up Window
• Time Consuming To Package
• Had A Lot of Waste To Trim
• Used An Entire Roll Of Food Saver Bags
• Handling Lots Of Raw Meat And By Products

So the question is would I order again?  I'm honestly not sure.  I think it will depend on how we feel about the flavor as we eat it.  Even with the food saver bags it is cheaper than I can get for pumped full of hormone meat here and far cheaper than the natural hormone free but it is time consuming.  It took my entire afternoon to process it and I really don't like handling raw meat.  If there had been no additional trimming needed, it would be a definite yes.  Lets face it, sometimes convenience wins out and if you have young children to care for or are very busy this may not be possible to deal with.  Fortunately, I have enough chicken for many meals and there is no rush to decide if I will participate in the next one.  I will let you know if I plan to jump in again.  I will say the delivery was so easy, I am considering the drive to Pooler to try the bacon and sausage event that is next month.

~Jennifer

Contribution Day

Today is one of my favorite days.  It is basket contribution day with Bountiful Baskets.  Hinesville Willowbrook Plaza location in Georgia is an A week, so today is the day to contribute for Saturday's pick up.  I can't wait to find out what will actually be in the basket and there are some wonderful add ons to pick as well.  This weeks add on choices are:

 Rainbow Carrots - 25 lb. Product of Arizona-$16.00 ea

Pineapple - Approx 21 Lb. - $14.50 ea

Blackberry - 12 - 6 oz clamshells - $14.25

Asian Pack - This is a fun pack full of Asian-themed items! We're hoping for: won ton wrappers, Napa cabbage, bok choy, basil, cilantro, yellow onion, green onion, garlic, ginger, snow peas, celery, lemongrass, lemons, turmeric, chile de arbol - $12.50

Assorted Tortilla Pack - 2 dz 6 in. Flour, 1 dz 12 in. Flour, 2 dz 6 in. corn, 1 dz 8 in. whole wheat, 1 dz 8 in. flour. - $12.00

Organic Raw FILTERED Apple Cider Vinegar Half Gallon Jug - $11.00

5 Loaves - 1 Garlic Rosemary Baguette, 2 Savory 9 Grain, and 2 English Muffin Bread - $10.00

Cherry Pecan Granola - 28 oz. - Ingredients: Rolled oats, honey, coconut oil, cherries, pecans, pumpkin seeds, flax and more - $10.00

Sourdough Bread - 5 - 20 oz. loaves - $10.00

Hard White Wheat - 25 lb bag from Washington/Idaho - $15.00

ORGANIC Multigrain Bread with Omega-3 - 5 loaves - Contains Wheat and manufactured in a facility with nuts - $12.00

How could you go wrong with choices like that for those prices?  I know I am going to snag some of those blackberries and properly a couple of other things as well.  Make sure you put in your contribution here and we will see you Saturday.

Bountiful Basket for January 18th, 2014

So Saturday the 18th was our first Bountiful Basket pick up of 2014 and wow was it awesome.  First we had almost double the basket we had previously had.  This means there were a lot of people who had never been to the Willowbrook Plaza site and many that had never done Bountiful Baskets before.  Second the basket was absolutely amazing.  Before the addition of case ends, the $15 conventional basket had 8 braeburn apples, 4 artichokes, 2 avocados, 5 bananas, 1lb of brussel sprouts, 1 celery, 5 kiwis, 1 head of romaine, 7 oranges, 7 potatoes, 1 acorn squash, and 1 container of grape tomatoes.  The case ends of course vary from basket to basket as we distribute the odds and ends that are left.  All of the produce is distributed into the baskets.  After all the participants are the ones that paid for all of that wonderful bounty. 

Conventional basket minus 4 artichokes

Then if that wasn't enough of a great way to start of this years contributions, then you have the add ons.  They had:

A Veggie Lovers Pack - Italian Theme - $8.50 ea

A Juice Pack - $8.50 ea
   
A case of Minneola Tangelo - Approx. 38 lb- $22.50 ea

A case of Roma Tomatoes - Approx 25 Lb - $13.75 ea

The Assorted Tortilla Pack - 2 dz 6 in. Flour, 1 dz 12 in. Flour, 2 dz 6 in. corn, 1 dz 8 in. whole wheat, 1 dz 8 in. flour- $12.00 ea

ORGANIC Coconut Oil without scent (more processed) - 1/2 gallon expeller pressed in a glass jar- $18.50 ea
   
The Bountiful Baskets Granola - 28 oz.- $10.00

4 loaves  of English Muffin Bread - This is a loaf bread that is just like English Muffins in texture!- $10.00
   
Sourdough Bread - 5 - 20 oz. loaves- $10.00

ORGANIC 100% Honey Whole Wheat Bread - 5 pack- $12.00 


1/2 Gallon of Organic Raw Filtered Apple Cider Vinegar- $11.00

Conventional basket, 1 juicing pack, 1 Italian Pack, 1 case of Roma Tomatoes

I was left in awe as we unloaded 2 very full pallets from the truck.  The shear volume of food at a great price was astounding.  I am so glad to be part of helping families save money and eat healthy.  The next contribution date is January 27th with pick up on February 1st.  This is going to be a great year.



~Jennifer

Bountiful Baskets for 12-21

Yesterday was a great day for baskets.  The pick up at Willowbrook Plaza is in the afternoon and it was a beautiful 80 degrees.  It was a little windy which add some challenges of volunteers chasing baskets and paperwork but all in all it was great weather for December.  I got there a little early for volunteer time and waited for the truck to arrive.  The driver, George, was on time and cheerful just like always. 

This i a picture of the truck and the first pallet of produce to unload.  The volunteers snap into action as soon as George gets those pallets open and starts to unload.

Once all of the produce is unloaded and we do a count to make sure we have everything, volunteers start placing the wonderful fruit and vegetable bounty into the baskets.  Each basket gets a certain number of each item and we try to look for any bad produce and remove it.  That way the quality of the baskets is good.  After everything is evenly distributed there are always some leftovers that we call case ends.  This is the reason baskets even from the same site vary.  We take those case ends and one by one an item is added to each basket until we run out.  Our site numbers the baskets and participants never know what their number will be until they sign for it and pick it up.  There are 2 baskets for each number 1 with the fruits and one for the vegetables.  We also have a separate table for add ons but I don't have a picture of that set up.  Add ons and organic baskets are kept separate from everything else with an extra checkout sheet.  That way there is no accidental mix ups and everyone gets what they contributed for.

  
This is the conventional basket from this week.  We got romaine lettuce, english cucumbers, green bulb onions, corn, yellow squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, pomegranate, oranges, bananas, blackberries, and red grapes.

I also contributed $8.50 for a Mexican Veggie Pack.  It had cilantro, 10 tomatillos, 4 anaheim peppers, 2 jalapenos, 1 large yellow onion, green onions, 2 grey squash, 4 large dried chilies, 4 chipotle peppers (small shriveled pepper), garlic, 4 avocados.

I got the Hard Squash Pack for $9.50 with 2 spaghetti squash, 3 acorn squash, and 2 butternut squash

 

Last I contributed $26.50 for 1 gallon of organic extra virgin olive oil.  This stuff is a steal at that price for the quality.

My total price for all of this goodness was $66.  It seems like a lot to spend but I dare you to check out the prices at your local store and find this variety for less.

Happy Holidays 

~Jennifer

Holiday baking and a Saturday of Waiting

I am taking a break from the busy pre-holiday things to write about the last couple of days.  We have been busy with crafts, cooking, baking, and decorating.  I have the crown roast for our feast and today I will pick up my Bountiful Basket and add ons.  Sometimes it is hard waiting for our afternoon pick up time but I know it is worth it.  After I see what we got in the basket, I can finish the grocery list and head to the store.  The promise of a great basket today will hopefully give us most of what we need for our holiday dinner.

Yesterday I spent the day baking cookies, making fudge, and a nice big pot of chicken and dumplings.

I was lucky with the cookies to find some red and green holiday chocolate chips.  Hooray for my normal oatmeal chocolate chip cookies becoming Christmas cookies.

This is a slightly modified version of the Quaker Oats container Vanishing Oatmeal  Cookies recipe.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies:

1/2 cup of butter, softened
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3 cups of oatmeal
1 12oz bag of chocolate chips (minus what the kids eat while mixing)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a large bowl beat butter and sugars on medium until creamy and a little fluffy.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla and beat well.
4. Add combined flour, baking soda, and salt and mix well.
5. Add oats and chocolate chips and mix well (supposed to stir in but I just use the mixer).
6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto lined (silicon or parchment) or lightly greased (cooking spray) cookie sheets.
7. Bake about 10 minutes until light golden brown.  Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet before removing to cooling racks.  Makes about 4 dozen cookies.


 The fudge was more of a problem since I needed a double batch and my stove is less than consistent on temperature (the joy of renting).  It made a huge mess as I watched it bubble over but the end result was a 14X11 pan of tasty fudge (and a lot of scrubbing the stove).

 I used this recipe from a friend and  it will probably become a favorite for making fudge.  Because I needed a double batch I will post what I used.  Also be warned this bubbles up a lot and I would recommend a large pot.

Cocoa Can Fudge

originally from Hershey’s

Ingredients

6 cups sugar
1 1/3 cup cocoa
2/3 teaspoon salt
3 cups milk
1/2 cup real butter, no substitute
 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Line 14X11-or 13X 9-inch pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter foil.
2. Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in heavy 2 gallon or bigger saucepan; stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to full rolling boil. Boil, without stirring, until mixture reaches 234°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into very cold water, forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water. (Bulb of candy thermometer should not rest on bottom of saucepan.)
3. Remove from heat. Add butter and vanilla. DO NOT STIR. Cool at room temperature to 110°F (lukewarm). Beat with wooden spoon until fudge thickens and just begins to lose some of its gloss. Quickly spread in prepared pan; cool completely. Cut into squares. Store in tightly covered container at room temperature.


As for Chicken and Dumplings, this is a family favorite.  I always add a little more salt and pepper and a carrot or 2 when making the stock.  Even when I mess it up and it isn't as great, it is still good.  I should have known something wouldn't go right as I rushed to get dinner done.  Apparently I didn't add enough milk and the dumplings were a little tough but it still received rave reviews from the kids and husband.  Next time I will measure the milk instead of eyeballing it.  Sorry no picture since everyone was starving and it was almost instantly wiped out.

Happy Saturday
~Jennifer

Contributions are open!

Woo Hoo!  I am a day late but this weeks contributions are open until 10pm MST today.  This is the last Bountiful Baskets for the yeart\ and our next contribution date isn't until the 13th of January.  That means I need to get enough to spread it out for 4 weeks.  Luckily they have some great add on choices this week.

 ORGANIC Bosc Pears - Approx 40 lb - $26.50 ea

 Junami Apples - Approx 40 lb-
$31.00 ea

Wrap Pack - 12 in. diameter wraps Approx 10 Count each of Chipotle, Spinach, Tomato & Basil, Garlic & Herb-12.75 ea

 

Case of Pineapple - Approx 21 pounds -$12.50 ea

Hardshell Winter Squash Pack - A variety pack. -
$9.50 ea

Plus:

ORGANIC Olive Oil - From Spain 1 gallon Extra Virgin in a tin-$26.50 ea

Hostess Pack - Hoping for: Grape Tomatoes, English Cucumber, Cranberries, Green Beans, Potato, Yellow Onion, Radish, Pineapple-
$15.00 ea

 Veggie Lovers Pack - Mexican Theme -
$8.50 ea

Round Ginger Cookies - Approx 1 dozen ginger cookies. -$4.50 ea

Pumpkin and Cranberry Loaf Cakes - 1 each -
$10.00 ea

ORGANIC Multigrain Bread with Omega-3 - 5 loaves - $12.00 ea

*Note actual items may vary from pictures. I pulled photos from online and past contributions.

With choices like these it is hard to decide what to contribute for but I wouldn't want to miss out on these deals.  It saves my family so much money participating in Bountiful Baskets and I know the gap in contributions for the holidays is going to be tough but maybe with a couple of add ons and my regular basket I won't have to spend twice as much on produce at the store.  To contribute go to bountiful baskets and participate now

~Jennifer

I want the Cheaper Chicken!

Ha!  If you get the old movie reference good for you and if not, that's ok too.  I recently got an email from Zaycon Foods telling me about a wonderful upcoming deal for Hinesville.  They are having a Chicken Event on February 11, 2014 at 1pm.  You can get a 40lb case of boneless skinless chicken breasts for only $1.89 per pound.  According to their own website:

• 100 % natural chicken with no added hormones, additives or artificial ingredients
• Comes directly from the processor and has never been frozen

So you get fresh high quality chicken for less than the hormone filled breasts from the local stores.  Since it is 40lbs the price looks high but that is about 30+ meals for my family and worth putting into meal sized portions to freeze.  Our grocery bill is our biggest expense (next to rent) and saving money off that bill is a great help. You can sign up here and joining the Hinesville Chicken Event and get notified when other events are being held in this area.  Even if you aren't in Hinesville, check them out.  They have events in other areas as well.

~Jennifer