Midwest Money Savers

1. Target Circle: This is Target’s free loyalty program. Members earn 1% on every purchase to redeem at Target later, plus enjoy other perks. Exclusive offers and deals are available only to Circle members, so it’s worth signing up even if you shop at Target infrequently.
2. RedCard: Target’s credit card gives you an automatic 5% off most purchases. A debit version also links to your checking account, so you don’t have to worry about another credit card bill. On top of the 5% savings, cardholders get exclusive offers and early access to special promotions.
3. Price Matching: Target has a price match guarantee. They’ll price match if you find a lower price within 14 days after purchase. This applies to select online competitors as well. Always check online prices for big-ticket items before purchasing in-store.
4. Use the Target App: The Target app often features digital coupons, deals, and promotions not available elsewhere. Plus, it’s a way to keep track of your Circle offers and see current promotions. The app also has a barcode scanner to quickly see if a deal or coupon is available for a product while you’re in your store.
5. Shop the Clearance Sections: Like most retailers, Target has a clearance section where they mark down items, often significantly. These sections are typically located at the end of aisles, and there are often additional markdowns on holiday or seasonal items after the holiday has passed. The “end cap” (the display at the end of an aisle) can be an excellent place to check for these discounted items.

In addition to these strategies, always watch for in-store promotions, special deals on gift cards, and bundled offers, as they can also provide significant savings. Click here to locate the nearest Target store in your area.

Have a beautiful day!

~Kelly

Converting recipes to low-carb versions involves replacing high-carb ingredients with low-carb alternatives and adjusting the cooking methods. Here’s a guide to help you adapt traditional recipes into low-carb versions:

1. Identify High-Carb Ingredients:
   • Start by looking for ingredients like sugars, flour, starchy vegetables (like potatoes), pasta, rice, and other grains.
2. Substitute Sugars:
   • Instead of table sugar, use sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, monk fruit, or xylitol.
   • Watch out for sugar in sauces and condiments, and look for sugar-free versions or make your own.
3. Replace Flour:
   • • Instead of wheat flour, use alternatives such as lupin flour, almond flour, coconut flour, flax meal, or even protein powder. The ratio won’t always be 1:1; each has a unique texture and properties. For instance, coconut flour is very absorbent, so you usually need less.
     • Use xanthan gum or guar gum sparingly instead of flour or cornstarch for thickening sauces.

   Starchy Vegetables and Fruits:

   • Swap potatoes for cauliflower (e.g., cauliflower mash instead of mashed potatoes).
   • Use zucchini or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
   • Opt for berries (like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries) with lower carbs than fruits like bananas and apples.
4. Pasta, Rice, and Grains:
   • Zoodles (zucchini noodles) or shirataki noodles can replace pasta.
   • Cauliflower rice can be a good stand-in for regular rice.
   • Almond flour or crushed pork rinds can replace breadcrumbs.
5. Dairy and Milk:
   • Choose full-fat dairy options over low-fat or fat-free since they typically have fewer carbs.
   • Replace milk with unsweetened almond, coconut, or other low-carb alternatives.
6. Legumes:
   • Beans and lentils are generally high in carbs. Reduce the number of dishes used, or consider omitting them entirely.
7. Be Mindful of Hidden Carbs:
   • Some foods, like nuts, sauces, and seasonings, might have more carbs than expected. Always check labels or nutrition information.
8. Increase Fiber:
   • Since you’re reducing many sources of dietary fiber, incorporate foods low in net carbs but high in fiber, such as chia seeds, flaxseed, and certain vegetables.
9. Modify Cooking Techniques:

• Some low-carb ingredients cook differently. For instance, almond flour can brown more quickly than wheat flour, so you might need to adjust cooking temperatures or times.

11. Taste and Adjust:

• Remember that low-carb substitutes might have a different taste or texture. It may require some experimentation to get it to your liking.

12. Nutrition Tracking:

• Especially if you’re new to low-carb cooking, consider tracking the carbs in your modified recipes to ensure they meet your dietary goals. Apps and online tools can help with this.

By making these changes and being mindful of carbohydrate content, you can adapt many recipes to fit a low-carb lifestyle. Remember that experimentation is vital; perfecting a recipe might take a few tries.

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my

Enjoy!

~Kelly