The Challenge is on...Learning how hard it is

I posted a message several days ago about "getting started" and "losing hope." I have come to realize that I was a little pre-mature in getting the food I would need for the week.

Kate Maehr, executive director of the Greater Chicago Food Depository and president of the Illinois Food Bank Association, posted a message that suggested that we buy our food today at today's prices. With inspiration from my wife and admiration for Kate, I decided to start over in my purchase of food for the week.

I will NOT be having peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as I mentioned earlier. I will be having a lot of chicken, tuna and pasta. I was able to get a real good deal on 40 ounces of frozen chicken breats and some canned tuna. I will even have some frozen vegetables...although, if I were not from South Carolina, these vegetables would not be very appealing. However, I like Okra, Black Eye Peas and mixed Vegetables that were on clearance price at $1.00 per package...and the Okra is a family sized pack which will be three or four meals for me.

It was revealing to shop the paper for sale price items and let the lowest prices dictate my menu. I found four cans of tuna and one can of salmon in a Drug Store's ad and went there to buy the food. Fortunately, that store was on the way to my regular grocery store where I spent the rest of my money except for 81 cents. I will look for a bargain on something as the week progresses.

I am going to have oatmeal tomorrow morning for breakfast and a hard boiled egg for lunch. I have to decide on chicken or seafood with pasta for dinner.

The challenge is on.