Breakfast: I had two eggs over medium and two pieces of toast, my husband had one egg and one piece of toast
Lunch: I had leftover gumbo and my husband had a frozen dinner
Snack: a few bites of leftover broccoli and squash casserole
Supper: I had vegetable soup made with frozen vegetables, tomatoes and chicken broth. My hsuband had a frozen dinner and rice. For dessert I indulged in the Reese's cups that I bought yesterday.
Let's start this post by saying that not being able to indulge in free food nearly killed me today. Members of our church provide refreshments after church services for fellowship. Today, there was a FEAST. I did not cheat, but boy was I tempted! Coffee cake, veggie trays, fruit trays, fresh watermelon, Panera bagels...It was so tempting! We came home from church, had lunch, then went grovery shopping for this coming week. There were samples on every isle. Again, I continued to shop without eating. I had to pass up samples of coffee, jelly sandwiches, fresh fruit, and cookies.
This leads me to my next question. How do people on food stamps survive without partaking in free food whenever and wherever possible? I'm thinking food banks and free samples in stores. Do people working several jobs have access to food bank services? I'm curious to know if food banks have hours of operation that would interfere with people's ability to take advantage of the food bank.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Day 6
Breakfast: 2 fried eggs over medium and 2 slices of toast (my husband had the same)
Lunch: I had leftover gumbo while my husband had a frozen dinner
Snack: chocolate pudding
Supper: My husband and I each had 2 chicken legs, rice and broccoli. I jazzed up my broccoli with squash from the garden, 1 slice of toasted bread (crumbled) and a little bit of shredded cheese on top.
My husband and I went and spent the little bit of money that I had left over in the budget. We spent every penny of that budget too. He got 3 frozen dinners (all of which were under 90 cents each) and we also got one package of Reese's cups!! I haven't had any sweets or junk food for the duration of the challenge. When I realized that the chocolate was only 50 cents, I nearly cried. It's sad but true. I can only imagine how it will taste tomorrow when I indulge!
My husband did not participate in the challenge until last night (he was out of town and unable to control what he ate). At first, he was excited about joining me in the challenge, but I caught him *almost* cheat with a pumpkin spice Hershey kiss. After asking him what he was doing, he said he was thinking about cheating. He ended up not cheating, but admitted that this challenge was very difficult. We both have a very active sweet tooth, and this challenge is testing our resolve!
Lunch: I had leftover gumbo while my husband had a frozen dinner
Snack: chocolate pudding
Supper: My husband and I each had 2 chicken legs, rice and broccoli. I jazzed up my broccoli with squash from the garden, 1 slice of toasted bread (crumbled) and a little bit of shredded cheese on top.
My husband and I went and spent the little bit of money that I had left over in the budget. We spent every penny of that budget too. He got 3 frozen dinners (all of which were under 90 cents each) and we also got one package of Reese's cups!! I haven't had any sweets or junk food for the duration of the challenge. When I realized that the chocolate was only 50 cents, I nearly cried. It's sad but true. I can only imagine how it will taste tomorrow when I indulge!
My husband did not participate in the challenge until last night (he was out of town and unable to control what he ate). At first, he was excited about joining me in the challenge, but I caught him *almost* cheat with a pumpkin spice Hershey kiss. After asking him what he was doing, he said he was thinking about cheating. He ended up not cheating, but admitted that this challenge was very difficult. We both have a very active sweet tooth, and this challenge is testing our resolve!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Almost there
Breakfast: breakfast sandwich on honey wheat with egg, and cheese
Lunch: Frozen dinner (chicken fried rice)
Snack: three slices of cheese
Supper: 2 chicken legs, steamed broccoli, and rice
I'm not sure why, but I was cranky all day today. It could have been the cake that was in the lounge during lunch, or it could have been that I walked away from lunch today hungry. Hungry! I walked away from lunch ready to eat again (and the cake did not help matter!). I have about $3 that I may have to go spend tomorrow to get either something sweet or salty...or better yet, a combination of sweet AND salty.
In reflecting over the past few days, I'm not sure how people manage a budget at all. I have had my toilet stop working (long story short, there is a large hole behind the toilet, but it's fixed), mortgage was due today (and so was the remainder of fall tuition). How on earth can you manage a budget with only $21 per person for food? You have to factor in that the food stamps don't cover cleaning supplies or school supplies or paper products, or even personal hygiene items. These are often quite expensive, high ticket items. Laundry detergent, toilet paper, sanitary napkins/tampons...the list goes on and on. I know that in our text, Angie budgeted $75 per month for household needs. With the amount of people living in her house, I would be surprised if she was able to supply everything that was needed. (and don't even get me started on how/if cigarettes and alcohol fits into this picture!)
Lunch: Frozen dinner (chicken fried rice)
Snack: three slices of cheese
Supper: 2 chicken legs, steamed broccoli, and rice
I'm not sure why, but I was cranky all day today. It could have been the cake that was in the lounge during lunch, or it could have been that I walked away from lunch today hungry. Hungry! I walked away from lunch ready to eat again (and the cake did not help matter!). I have about $3 that I may have to go spend tomorrow to get either something sweet or salty...or better yet, a combination of sweet AND salty.
In reflecting over the past few days, I'm not sure how people manage a budget at all. I have had my toilet stop working (long story short, there is a large hole behind the toilet, but it's fixed), mortgage was due today (and so was the remainder of fall tuition). How on earth can you manage a budget with only $21 per person for food? You have to factor in that the food stamps don't cover cleaning supplies or school supplies or paper products, or even personal hygiene items. These are often quite expensive, high ticket items. Laundry detergent, toilet paper, sanitary napkins/tampons...the list goes on and on. I know that in our text, Angie budgeted $75 per month for household needs. With the amount of people living in her house, I would be surprised if she was able to supply everything that was needed. (and don't even get me started on how/if cigarettes and alcohol fits into this picture!)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Day 4 or 7
Breakfast: breakfast sandwich on honey wheat with egg and cheese
Lunch: frozen dinner with two slices of bread
Snack(!): three slices of cheese
Dinner: Wheat linguine with tuna and tomatoes. (kind of like shrimp scampi...except with tuna and tomatoes). I know it sounds gross, but it's cheap and fairly good.
I have no idea how peolpe do this 24/7, 365 days a year. I know that $21 per week is pitiful, but I can't imagine doing it with children. What about pregnant women? Always hungry, but unable to provide even the most basic of things. I didn't think to buy milk for the week, but that would have taken a few dollars from the budget.
Lunch: frozen dinner with two slices of bread
Snack(!): three slices of cheese
Dinner: Wheat linguine with tuna and tomatoes. (kind of like shrimp scampi...except with tuna and tomatoes). I know it sounds gross, but it's cheap and fairly good.
I have no idea how peolpe do this 24/7, 365 days a year. I know that $21 per week is pitiful, but I can't imagine doing it with children. What about pregnant women? Always hungry, but unable to provide even the most basic of things. I didn't think to buy milk for the week, but that would have taken a few dollars from the budget.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
And the Challenge gets harder...
Today's menu:
Breakfast-breakfast snadwich on honey wheat with egg and cheese (do we see a pattern yet?!)
Lunch-frozen dinner and yogurt (purchased with the little bit of money left over)
Dinner-gumbo and rice. The gumbo was made with fresh veggies from the garden. Lima beans, tomatoes, purple hull peas, corn, okra and garlic!
I really feel good at this point (and that could be from the two bowls of gumbo that I had for supper), but I am truly happy that I will be able to complete this challenge without eating any ramen noodles!! Today at our staff meeting was difficult, but I made it through without cheating. The snack that was provided today was soft granola bars with chocolate chips and rice krispie treats dipped in chocolate. Sometimes, you just need chocolate...and today was one of those days (that and a glass of wine!!!). I could have killed someone for a bite of chocolate. I settled for a glass of water...<sigh>.
My mother came over for supper. She actually ended up cooking supper while I finished up some readings for grad school (awesome!). I made sure that she understood the rules for the challenge (and she stuck to them). We had enough food for at least a small army. Mom had a decent sized portion, I had two portions and there is still enough for at least two more generous adult supper portions. Love that!
Breakfast-breakfast snadwich on honey wheat with egg and cheese (do we see a pattern yet?!)
Lunch-frozen dinner and yogurt (purchased with the little bit of money left over)
Dinner-gumbo and rice. The gumbo was made with fresh veggies from the garden. Lima beans, tomatoes, purple hull peas, corn, okra and garlic!
I really feel good at this point (and that could be from the two bowls of gumbo that I had for supper), but I am truly happy that I will be able to complete this challenge without eating any ramen noodles!! Today at our staff meeting was difficult, but I made it through without cheating. The snack that was provided today was soft granola bars with chocolate chips and rice krispie treats dipped in chocolate. Sometimes, you just need chocolate...and today was one of those days (that and a glass of wine!!!). I could have killed someone for a bite of chocolate. I settled for a glass of water...<sigh>.
My mother came over for supper. She actually ended up cooking supper while I finished up some readings for grad school (awesome!). I made sure that she understood the rules for the challenge (and she stuck to them). We had enough food for at least a small army. Mom had a decent sized portion, I had two portions and there is still enough for at least two more generous adult supper portions. Love that!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Day Two Challenges
Today's menu:
Breakfast: breakfast sandwich with egg and cheese on honey wheat bread
Lunch: Frozen dinner (chicken linguine carbonara)
Supper: leftover lentil soup and 2 chicken legs seasoned with cumin
In a typical day, I normally eat a breakfast sandwich. This breakfast sandwich is on a whole wheat Enclish muffin with egg whites, turkey sausage and cheese. I literally was only eating half of an egg and throwing the rest away. What a waste!
Normally I pack my lunch with a turkey sandwich and lots of things to snack on throughout the day...string cheese, yogurt, apple slices and almonds. Yes, all of that for one lunch. I snack throughout the day so that I don't eat too much right before bed.
My husband and I take turns fixing supper and it varies from grilled cheese with soup to lasagna. It just depends on how much time (and energy!) I have after work.
I never look at prices when grocery shopping. I typically buy the same things week to week and change it up with spices (which is why the lentil soup that I made last night was made with authentic spices from India).
Today at lunch was a hard core challenge! In the teacher's lounge there was a box of sugar cookies and a vanilla pudding cake. SUGAR COOKIES!!! That is my all-time favorite thing on the planet to eat. It took everything I had to sit there and eat my $1 frozen dinner and glass of water. I'm not sure how people do this all the time. Miraculously, I haven't been hungry...yet. Although I could really go for a sugar cookie right about now!
Breakfast: breakfast sandwich with egg and cheese on honey wheat bread
Lunch: Frozen dinner (chicken linguine carbonara)
Supper: leftover lentil soup and 2 chicken legs seasoned with cumin
In a typical day, I normally eat a breakfast sandwich. This breakfast sandwich is on a whole wheat Enclish muffin with egg whites, turkey sausage and cheese. I literally was only eating half of an egg and throwing the rest away. What a waste!
Normally I pack my lunch with a turkey sandwich and lots of things to snack on throughout the day...string cheese, yogurt, apple slices and almonds. Yes, all of that for one lunch. I snack throughout the day so that I don't eat too much right before bed.
My husband and I take turns fixing supper and it varies from grilled cheese with soup to lasagna. It just depends on how much time (and energy!) I have after work.
I never look at prices when grocery shopping. I typically buy the same things week to week and change it up with spices (which is why the lentil soup that I made last night was made with authentic spices from India).
Today at lunch was a hard core challenge! In the teacher's lounge there was a box of sugar cookies and a vanilla pudding cake. SUGAR COOKIES!!! That is my all-time favorite thing on the planet to eat. It took everything I had to sit there and eat my $1 frozen dinner and glass of water. I'm not sure how people do this all the time. Miraculously, I haven't been hungry...yet. Although I could really go for a sugar cookie right about now!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Grocery shopping
Fo the record, I budgeted six extra dollars (my husband will be joining me in the challenge for a total of two days). The grand total I could spend was $27. My actual total was $26.75 after tax! I couldn't believe that I actually made it underbudget without having to put anything back.
Here is what I bought:
1 dozen eggs
honey wheat bread
3 cans of diced tomatoes
1 bag of frozen mixed veggies
1 bag of dried lentils
1 bag of dried kidney beans
2 pounds of rice
chicken drumsticks
1 can of tuna
1 box whole wheat linguine (!)
five frozen dinners
1 broccoli crown
1 box of chicken broth
and a block of cheese
Breakfast today was a breakfast snadwich made with an egg, a slice of cheese and toasted bread. Lunch will be one of those frozen dinners and supper will most likely be soup with lentils, tomatoes, veggies, and chicken broth. Sounds super tasty!
Here is what I bought:
1 dozen eggs
honey wheat bread
3 cans of diced tomatoes
1 bag of frozen mixed veggies
1 bag of dried lentils
1 bag of dried kidney beans
2 pounds of rice
chicken drumsticks
1 can of tuna
1 box whole wheat linguine (!)
five frozen dinners
1 broccoli crown
1 box of chicken broth
and a block of cheese
Breakfast today was a breakfast snadwich made with an egg, a slice of cheese and toasted bread. Lunch will be one of those frozen dinners and supper will most likely be soup with lentils, tomatoes, veggies, and chicken broth. Sounds super tasty!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)