tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2506132537766137842024-02-06T18:58:44.736-08:00The $25 ChallengeIllinois Food Bank Association is participating in Hunger Action Month as part of a nationwide effort to engage communities to take action to end hunger. From September 22-28, the eight executive directors of IFBA, community leaders and members of the media will be taking the $25 Challenge to highlight the struggle that families in Illinois face in accessing nutritious food. This blog documents the emotional and physical struggles of the $25 Challenge in their own words.Illinois Food Bank Associationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05708719551972662710noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-50130678355072180642008-10-02T13:19:00.000-07:002008-10-02T14:00:36.854-07:00The Leftovers are goneI must admit that I missed two days of following the $25 Challenge due to business commitments. WOW! Was I glad that I had those activities scheduled because they provided me some variety in my otherwise bland and constant diet of carbohydrates and limited food choices.<br /><br />To compensate for the days that I missed, I extented my participation in the Challenge until the food I had purchased was consumed. I ate the last of my chicken and pasta last night...and, now I will not have "Chicken Tonight" as my dinner time theme or menu. I could rehash the meals I had during the Challenge, but that part of doing the Challenge is of little importance other than the lessons the menu taught me, which included recognizing how easily one can become trapped into eating foods that are low in nutrition value, allowing yourself to eat more calories to supply the energy you need rather than eating foods that would produce that same energy with less calories, and most of all realizing how fragile your existence is when you have a fixed income in the world of constantly rising prices.<br /><br />The final leftover from my Challenge is my commitment to work harder than ever to bring more nutritious food through the Food Bank system to those in need and to constantly work to get benefit levels increased.<br /><br />If you read any of these blogs and have a question about any of the collective statements...try the Challenge for yourself and you will understand what motivated the words.H. Dennis Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575559205165680495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-76348134842183968672008-09-29T09:30:00.000-07:002008-09-29T09:35:37.134-07:00Challenge for Sure!Well, my week didn't change much in terms of eating on my alloted $25 worth of groceries. While I enjoyed the meals provided at my meetings and dinner events throughout the week, my awareness was most certainly elevated to a new level. We certainly take our access to groceries for granted. At each meal this week, I was aware that more and more people would be struggling to make ends meet and keep food on the table, much less healthy, fresh food.<br /><br /><br />I'm grateful for this experience and will be ever mindful of how paltry our safety net benefits are.<br /><p>Kathy Ryg</p><p><br /> </p>State Rep. Kathy Ryghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189625056485540523noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-80291346680722872062008-09-29T05:31:00.000-07:002008-09-29T05:34:13.314-07:00"It's Over"The challenge officially ended yesterday, Sept. 28. Thanks for the eye-opener.<br /><br />But, before I bring more awareness to the issue of whether or not $25 per week is enough food for one person who is on government assistance in Illinois, I will put a fork full of pancakes in my mouth for breakfast. I will have a hearty lunch -- maybe.<br /><br />For dinner, well, just read my last post. I detailed what I would be looking forward to.<br /><br />I can't wait!!!<br /><br />Thanks again for the opportunity.Kathy Chaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942486867247436839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-34336089857356648172008-09-28T19:56:00.000-07:002008-09-28T20:07:04.134-07:00"Final Countdown!!!"I have absolutely no idea how I [barely] pulled it off.<br /><br />I knew I could do it, however, it's not something that I would want to practice. I am very thankful that I'm fortunate enough to not have to survive on $25 per week on food. It's a great saver, however, it's just not for me.<br /><br />Taking this challenge reminded me -- not that I needed one -- how fortunate I am to be able to afford what I have and can provide for my family.<br /><br />There are too many scratching and surviving on less than $25 per week for food.<br /><br />I was born and raised in Chicago, but foodwise, I was raised on southern cooking. My maternal grandmother is from Georgia and I have enjoyed southern cooking all my life. She taught me my culinary skills and my children are being raised on southern cooking.<br /><br />With that said, I can't wait until tomorrow so I can enjoy some greens, sweet potatoes with brown sugar, turkey and dressing, with gravy, corn muffins, peach cobbler and iced tea. I will pass up my usual Dr Pepper for some Georgia-style sweet tea.<br /><br />Oh, I did lose one pound. After my soul food dinner tomorrow, it will be back.<br /><br />Happy eating!Kathy Chaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942486867247436839noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-60341492190507428072008-09-27T15:18:00.000-07:002008-09-27T15:38:16.025-07:00From "Start" to "Almost Done"Last Sunday I took my $25 and found the store that I knew would give me the most for my money...Aldi's.<br /><br />I have a family of four and thought I would make sure that $25 of food would do for the entire family of four for the week. I planned it out so that it COULD work, if we were extremely disciplined.<br /><br />I bought a whole chicken, a loaf of bread, a bag of salad, a box of rice, a bag of egg noodles, a gallon of milk, a box of grapes, a 24-pack of bottled water, a box of deli turkey for sandwiches, a bag of cheese and a 30-count package of eggs...all for $24.88.<br /><br />The chicken would be baked and portions would be used one day in homemade chicken noodle soup and one day in fajitas.<br /><br />My husband and I rarely eat breakfast and sometimes if we don't get a chance to eat lunch, because we are so busy in the field, we will just eat dinner.<br /><br />Yeah, no breakfast and sporadic lunches...<br /><br />Considering all of that, I said that although it's supposed to be $25 per person, my family of four could do it with just $25.<br /><br />Boy, I am starving and my husband said to count him out after day one. And, my hungry-jack girls (ages 9 and 5) began to wonder why they were getting less snacks between meals than before.<br /><br />I didn't have the heart to tell them that I included them in mommy's food challenge. So, I let them off the hook about four days into the challenge.<br /><br />So now it's just me...and...I'm glad the end is very near.<br /><br />It has saved me about $30 this week from eating lunch , but I need to get on a scale to see if the little weight I have is diminishing.<br /><br />Until tomorrow...the last day of the challenge.Kathy Chaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02942486867247436839noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-65195553731676539832008-09-26T12:49:00.000-07:002008-09-26T13:34:51.795-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJismmaKDIUT5BfxoAs1OTX3M5Pu23Z8sKW8OxB8-sgOcBu2eP_Du3fNg5FUBp8c9BuiqXl2mNLRg4OHZzPmfY7vQ3acj2g29n9zbgd3Z8rtXXyhg3es8dQkBSS_z1E2IK6ePphCCbmws/s1600-h/IMG_0967.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250430146691819890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJismmaKDIUT5BfxoAs1OTX3M5Pu23Z8sKW8OxB8-sgOcBu2eP_Du3fNg5FUBp8c9BuiqXl2mNLRg4OHZzPmfY7vQ3acj2g29n9zbgd3Z8rtXXyhg3es8dQkBSS_z1E2IK6ePphCCbmws/s200/IMG_0967.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well I'm gearing up for another dinner of ham & beans. It got me through the week and on budget. So what did I learn by going through this exercise? </div><div></div><br /><div>It's hard to stay upbeat and on top of your game when your hungry. When you don't have the money to grab a snack (whether it's a candy bar, a piece of fruit or something else) it's hard to keep focused on the job at hand. Your mind and stomach continually wander back to wanting something to eat.</div><div></div><br /><div>There is food all around you, all the time, but you can't eat it. There are fast food places on every corner, advertising on the radio, coworkers snacking at work. It seems everyone else has more than enough and you're on the outside looking in. </div><div></div><br /><div>Forget nutrition. When shopping the only thing that matters is price. I didn't look at any of the labels or ingredients, cheaper is better. I spent my last dollar on cheddar cheese gold fish crackers. I wanted to have something that would fill me up - and crackers hit the spot (for twenty minutes) and only cost 95 cents.</div><br /><div></div><div>The most important thing I learned is how difficult it would be for a parent to feed a child on food stamps. It's just not possible to provide a healthy diet. And, if nothing else, that's something every child deserves.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Frank Finnegan</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-111611966498221762008-09-26T06:56:00.000-07:002008-09-26T07:36:23.040-07:00I long for a slice of Chicago-style pizza...My meals have been fairly consistent during the day this week...granola bar for breakfast and two hard-boiled eggs for lunch. My dinners have varied from pasta to chicken nuggets. However, I have tried to stay as true to the Challenge as possible. Whereas, many in the Challenge have taken hand-outs, I have been declining anything offered. I do not fault those who are taking the hand-outs. In fact, I had a great conversation with Senator Pamela Althoff yesterday about how people do things to get by. Those faced with this Challenge on a daily basis will do whatever it takes to have a meal. On the other hand, there are some out there who may be too ashamed or do not want to seem like they need the food out of being prideful. I am trying my best, but have a feeling I will fail by the end of the week.<br /><br />Nearing the end of Day 4, I hopped on the train to commute home. My usual procedure is to sit down, put on some mellow instrumental music (Jazz, classical, etc.), and then start reading whatever book I have in my bag. I tried and failed. I have lost a lot of concentration and patience due to the Challenge. I have become extremely agitated for no decent reason. Last night when I came home, my girlfriend asked me what I would like for dinner and said I wanted something I bought off my list. She said fine, but proceeded to fancy up the dinner by adding some things to it. My tone came off negative as I told her I could not have the fancied dinner because of what she was adding was not within my $25. I'm not sure if I was just grumpy because I hadn't eaten much, but I did not like it. After I ate, I was cheerful again. It's a weird conundrum.<br /><br />When I rode the bus this morning to get to my train, I looked at those sitting around me. How many of them are being challenged every day? How many of them receive assistance from organizations like my food bank? How many of them have trouble making it through the day with a stomach that won't stop making noise?<br /><br />For their sake, I hope none of them.Chris Strupphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668821583339396380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-73988205512400021532008-09-26T06:39:00.000-07:002008-09-26T06:59:07.737-07:00We are out of milk.My family of 4 decided to take on the challenge this week. With my background as the youngest of 7 children with a single parent for a portion of my life and starting out our marriage in a bitter financial state, I though we would be very resourceful with the challenge. Having the four of us to pool our funds together made the challenge much easier on us than a single person with only $25 - I'm not sure even the most clever economist can figure that out. <br /><br />We all worked together to plan our menu (a lot of carbs, leftovers, and pb&j), collect coupons, and find the best sales. We between 2 coupons we had, a brand deal, and a store discount we actually got 6 boxes of cereal for free! However, at the store, when we had to stay away from our organic, whole grain, carbonated fruit juice all natural soda, and anything at all convenient the challenge began to be less of game and sunk in for real. We were terrified as our sub-total climbed and we still had meat, dairy, and produce on the list.<br /><br />As the week has progressed, I feel an overwhelming sense of failure and guilt for not providing for my family. I cannot help but to think of the families who face this every week.<br />Now we are out of milk and fresh fruit. We have 6 boxes of cereal to eat, but no milk...Beckyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05369640291070499932noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-38418783057709698842008-09-25T18:47:00.000-07:002008-09-25T18:56:07.726-07:00A new lowI am a banana snob - I only like bananas that on the "green" side of yellow and have spent years turning up my nose at sub-standard bananas. Today, however, I came face-to-face with a yellow banana riddled with brown spots. The banana had been purchased two days before from a discount grocery store - and looking at the spots I understood why. But I was really, really hungry. Furthermore, I had an event after work and knew it would be hours until dinner. So, I did it. I ate that banana. It was so nasty - but so necessary. I followed it with 3 glasses of water - and felt full for the first time in 3 days. But the feeling was fleeting. It's 9:00 pm - dinner is done, dishes are washed, kids are in bed. And I am hungry again.<br /><br />KateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957466401858079350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-29705598774133602682008-09-25T14:37:00.000-07:002008-09-25T15:19:51.770-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP_dE1yYLB2YW3Mwquy1q05EVbkBz5FRr-AJubY5N41Vz2O2c8Xct1-oQkDt2q_Qb3WeloRpqihf4jSuf6EP1zIVnCvPebgTp2Rv3i7dlN_BV6PRw38Sox5M2VQl1ZuWPpHumJiFMwE0/s1600-h/IMG_0967.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250076325335408210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP_dE1yYLB2YW3Mwquy1q05EVbkBz5FRr-AJubY5N41Vz2O2c8Xct1-oQkDt2q_Qb3WeloRpqihf4jSuf6EP1zIVnCvPebgTp2Rv3i7dlN_BV6PRw38Sox5M2VQl1ZuWPpHumJiFMwE0/s200/IMG_0967.JPG" border="0" /></a> Thursday afternoon and I'm going home soon for more ham & beans. After eating the same thing since Tuesday, this is getting more than a little monotonous. The worst thing about this week has been that gnawing feeling that never leaves. I don't really crave any one thing, I just walk around wanting to eat something, anything. <p>Frank Finnegan </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-34279793401100042302008-09-25T13:16:00.000-07:002008-09-25T13:27:16.041-07:00LeftoversMeal two on Day Four has made me really aware of how little variety I planned into my diet...or weight gain program since far too many of my calories have been from the carbohydrate or fat family of foods. I could bore you with the details of oatmeal, tuna casseroles and salmon loaf, but I've already reported on those scrumptious meals.<br /><br />What I really want to share with you is an observation: the Food Stamp program is changing its name to SNAP--Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. If I had been a member of a "test or pilot group" I would have failed the nutrition rating part. The sad fact is that unless funding gets increased at some point in the future...anyone who must use food stamps as their main source of food will not have a nutritious diet. <br /><br />And we wonder about obesity, type 2 diabetes and other health issues. We can't blame the fast food restaurants for the growth in the percentage of people suffering from food related issues when our federal food assistance programs are as much the culprit as anything.<br /><br />DennisH. Dennis Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575559205165680495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-63289498017502135062008-09-25T12:10:00.000-07:002008-09-25T12:28:42.253-07:00TempationsI went to Normal this morning to meet with a new pantry. They had some fresh apples in a box that a farmer had given them. They offered me one, however, I turned it down. Being more aware of the hunger "thing" I felt a child or senior might need it worse than I. Have you noticed how many restaurants and fast food places there are? I counted 4 Steak n Shakes, 2 Popeye chicken places, numerous pizza places and a bazillion TACO BELL's on my outing!! Am sure they have always been in those same places and I have probably seen them many times before, but I really NOTICED them this morning. Today is Thursday, day 4. I wonder if the mother, child or senior citizen who is hungry counts the days like I have been. I know I only have 3 more to go--they don't know when they can stop counting--it may have become a way of life for them.Barb Shreveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522300458602075788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-26861513603168082312008-09-25T08:44:00.000-07:002008-09-25T08:53:35.151-07:00Random ThoughtsIt's a busy day today, so here are just a few random thoughts.<br /><br />1. Thank goodness for my home economics teacher and my mom for teaching me meal planning and budgeting.<br /><br />2. Even with the aforementioned skills, this challenge is extremely difficult. (That's the point, right?)<br /><br />3. Perhaps I should grow a garden. It should definitely include herbs and spices.<br /><br />4. If someone offers you an apple, take it.Pam Molitorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14967507069003377252noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-87307579802886983442008-09-25T07:18:00.000-07:002008-09-25T07:35:02.889-07:00A surprising turn...Before the challenge started, I weighed myself. I figured that during this week I would either gain a lot of weight or lose a small amount. When I woke up this morning, I weighed myself again. I have lost about 5 lbs since this challenge began. This does surprise me a little considering a lot of the meals are carbs (pasta, granola bars, etc). Much of my weight loss may be a result of the diminishment of my snacking at night. It's Day 4 and it hasn't been any easier. As I told a colleague this morning, I have been going to bed earlier than usual so I can silence the growling sounds in my stomach.<br /><br />Yesterday while contemplating more about what I am doing, two points came to mind. What I would do as a parent on food stamps and how the lack of food may cause me to turn to unethical practices.<br /><br />If I were a parent who had multiple children, would I sacrifice my meals so that my children could eat? Parents have to face tough decisions every day for the health and well-being of their children and some have to go to drastic measures. This was an extremely powerful thought that shook my emotions yesterday.<br /><br />If I were a child living off food stamps, I kept thinking whether I would steal to stop my hunger pangs or to get more food for a younger sibling. People turn to unethical practices, but sometimes it's out of survival. Could you blame them for being that hungry?<br /><br />I am hoping everyone taking this challenge has been thinking deeper about the root of the food stamp situation as I have in the past week.Chris Strupphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668821583339396380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-19795325102779698132008-09-24T13:14:00.000-07:002008-09-24T13:26:44.468-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdaA0X30BWHQUSWs15uEoHq3ZtLpVeRIO8b3zaMPCt3EVc6dllBNvMur5HEyUBBnl_u-3bczxYJwM88xYHcxhH081OlsYtX7t0mA5sMHe0wOfDNCN6zmYeI3pCf9FRccGlmVMLvkhCkM/s1600-h/IMG_0967.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249684055509266146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdaA0X30BWHQUSWs15uEoHq3ZtLpVeRIO8b3zaMPCt3EVc6dllBNvMur5HEyUBBnl_u-3bczxYJwM88xYHcxhH081OlsYtX7t0mA5sMHe0wOfDNCN6zmYeI3pCf9FRccGlmVMLvkhCkM/s200/IMG_0967.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p>Skipped lunch and now someone is making microwave popcorn in the office kitchen. No matter where I go I can smell popcorn. Earlier this morning someone brought Krispy Kreme doughnuts to work. It's like looking through the candy store window but being locked outside. </p><p>More ham & beans tonight but it's only 3:15 now.</p><p>Frank Finnegan</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-84181992009221112232008-09-24T08:40:00.000-07:002008-09-24T08:53:46.679-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E7Redu1iEp013enJDeUHk7RyxIKjschn245lvrn8EPXMATp5u9h5wO9mqj5wd5TQnUS59EA3-qM7KuyuFX_rjXw09acWGOm1Q6Ujmk1Xon34vm94ZRZXSXX1wmGx2YGRhKEuAg-V_YE/s1600-h/IMG_0967.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249613383754254194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E7Redu1iEp013enJDeUHk7RyxIKjschn245lvrn8EPXMATp5u9h5wO9mqj5wd5TQnUS59EA3-qM7KuyuFX_rjXw09acWGOm1Q6Ujmk1Xon34vm94ZRZXSXX1wmGx2YGRhKEuAg-V_YE/s200/IMG_0967.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wednesday morning. <br /><p>Tuesday evening meal of ham & beans and cornbread was delicious! One of my favorite meals and I've made it often in the past. It was so good I sampled it all night. I made it with 2 pounds of dry pinto beans that should last me through Friday. Unfortunately, that's all I'll be eating for lunch and dinner the rest of the week. Already experiencing some "gas."</p><p>Have no idea how a parent could provide a nutrionally balanced diet much less some variety to children on $25 a week.</p><p>Frank Finnegan, St. Louis Area Foodbank </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-69557375970426032842008-09-24T07:55:00.000-07:002008-09-24T08:00:52.560-07:00In Spite of My Best Efforts...Two days into the challenge and I've already blown it! In spite of my best efforts, I'm quite sure I will not meet the challenge but I fully intend to continue to try. Here's what's happened -<br /><br />Sunday afternoon - went to my Target Superstore to buy my store brand staples: loaf of bread, jar of peanut butter, box of cereal, box of macaroni shells, jar of pasta sauce, 4 oranges @ $1 each!!!!, small brick of cheese and bag of frozen spinach leaves. My total bill was $19.53 - figured I could use the milk, jelly and eggs I had at home but if I had to buy them I would be right at the $25.Clearly I was not going to be eating very healthy - the fresh fruit and vegetables would not fit into my budget, neither did frozen or canned. Frozen spinach in a pasta dish and my 4 oranges for a week fall far short of the recommended 5 servings/day.<br /><br />Monday - had several meetings - one out of town so I didn't even use any of the food I bought. So to keep from starving, I did eat the food provided at my meetings but didn't eat nearly what I would have if I weren't feeling guilty about my access to free food as part of my job. As I looked at the spreads of rolls, eggs, bacon, sausage, fresh fruit, salads, beef, potatoes, eggplant, and cheesecakes and pastries I realized that this is the food that is offered for people who work and pay to attend conferences and meetings. If the food weren't offered, most of us in attendance would stop on our way to the meeting and grab a meal to go from any number of fast food or even restaurant carryouts. I could spend my entire $25 on Starbucks some weeks and I didn't even buy coffee to make at home because I couldn't afford it.<br /><br />It was really eye opening to think of how much excess food I have access to and heartbreaking to realize others are going hungry.<br /><br />Tuesday - still on the road but home for dinner. I was hungry as I walked in my house but realized I had nothing to munch on from my $25 grocery supply. Veggies and dip, cheese and crackers - things I take for granted as my pre-dinner snacks, aren't affordable in this Challenge. I quickly got to work so I could eat - boiled the macaroni, heated the spinach and pasta sauce, chopped some onions but realized, they were not in my $25 purchase - another luxury of eating beyond my means. Got me to thinking - if $25 has to pay for the necessities, and knowing how expensive spices, onions, mushrooms, and garlic are - how does one make good tasting food on such a limited budget?<br /><br />Still trying...Kathy RygState Rep. Kathy Ryghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02189625056485540523noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-36657430142689256012008-09-24T07:28:00.000-07:002008-09-24T07:40:44.081-07:00Grumpy and sickI came into work today after being out sick yesterday. My co-workers accused me of staying home and eating take-out all day. Don't I wish! Instead I was at home not feeling like eating or cooking for that matter. Of course I had no choice, I still had to feed my child, so out came the stewed chicken and the flour, eggs and milk for the dumplings. The good thing is that I saved some money by not eating lunch. What I would have given for a delivered pizza. Dennis - can you spare a couple of pieces?<br /><br />Tonight I have a choice - go to my father-in-law's eighty-first birthday dinner and drink a glass of water or stay at home and eat some more chicken and dumplings. Tough choice.Pam Molitorishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14967507069003377252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-59525604275925753762008-09-24T06:48:00.000-07:002008-09-24T08:00:06.858-07:00Yep--my stomach is really growling!!Day 3!! I awoke this morning to my stomach actually growling!! I had some tomato juice (I didn't use all of it (intentially) in the chilli I made on Sunday) this morning for breakfast along with a bowl of instant oatmeal. My son called last night and wanted to know if I was "cheating"?? I said no and proceeded to share with him the thoughts all of us are sharing in the blogs. I visited with my 16 y/o grandson on Monday evening while watching him "wolf" down a foot long subway sandwich. I must have been watching intently every bite he was taking, because he excused himself and went in the other room. He commented he couldn't possibly see how anyone could eat on $25 a week--'gosh gram, sometimes I spend that on a meal'!! I, of course, invited him to take the challenge with me---he pretended not to hear me and I haven't seen him all week. I'm experiencing a bit of indigestion from eating chilli more than twice a week and am finding myself daydreaming about eating fruit and munching on carrots. The teachers I have visited with tell me they can spot a hungry child in their classroom. They don't pay attention, experience sleepiness and don't focus real well. I am relating to that. This challenge has been really good for me. I have been guilty of not appreciating nutritious food and believing it was a matter of "choice" that some people don't eat healthy food. I still believe in many instances that it is a choice for many people but no longer do I believe it's a choice for HUNGRY people. It's a matter of just filling the emptiness in your child's belly and doing the best you can do with the amount of money you have.Barb Shreveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09522300458602075788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-66076568473021329462008-09-24T06:19:00.000-07:002008-09-24T06:28:23.107-07:00A tempting snack...A difficult part of this challenge is being around those who are not participating. While they may know you are doing this, they may not understand exactly what you are feeling. As Kate pointed out in a previous post, "A diet of carbohydrates alone makes one cranky." I haven't necessarily eaten only carbs (a good majority has been), but I have found myself to be a bit edgier and a little more easily annoyed when I am talking to others.<br /><br />On the first night of the challenge, I was on my couch watching television after eating six bite sized chicken tenders and wishing I could follow that up with a snack of chips and salsa. At the same time, my girlfriend starting making popcorn and the smell drove me crazy. She sprinkled some speciality garlic seasoning on it and ate the bag. All I could do was watch as popcorn did not fit into my $25.<br /><br />However, after the first few days I have grown to accept the growling of my stomach as something that will happen. I still think about food almost every few minutes, it's getting easier. By the end of the week, I may not be saying the same thingChris Strupphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16668821583339396380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-79943465122979818932008-09-23T19:43:00.000-07:002008-09-23T19:48:28.675-07:004 Lessons I Learned Today1. A diet of carbohydrates alone makes one cranky (just ask my co-workers and family)<br />2. One chicken thigh does not a meal make<br />3. Canned green beans are not green<br />4. Don't buy canned salmon (thanks, Dennis, for the warning!!)Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06957466401858079350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-23091824611794810562008-09-23T18:33:00.001-07:002008-09-23T18:34:44.392-07:00Salmon FailureSalmon was terrible. The Salmon I bought for such a low price was low in quality. Imagine eating food you would rather not eat, but had no other choice. <br />DennisH. Dennis Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575559205165680495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-83658646319719788732008-09-23T17:25:00.000-07:002008-09-23T17:43:38.213-07:00Free PizzaHi<br />Well it only took me two days to get off the plan. I am almost glad except that when you read my meals of yesterday and add my two free pieces of pizza today to the carbohydrate count you might see that I may be in danger of dying of carbohydrate overload.<br /><br />Yesterday I had Oatmeal and a tiny slice of margarine for breakfast, a hard-boiled egg for lunch and I made my Mac&Cheese-Tuna Casserole for dinner....It was really tasty...I even had two slices of bread with margarine. I weighed two pounds more this morning than yesterday. I had really tasty food yesterday. Does that mean that good tasting food is good for you?<br /><br />Free pizza aside, I have my dinner cooking, it is a salmon loaf with some left-over chipotle sauce and some of my oatmeal. It is now obvious to me that you can start from scratch and do meals, but, on the other hand, if you do have to start from scratch you will not even eat as well as I am going to eat since I already had some of the seasonings. We forget that you need simple things like Pepper, Salt, Sugar, Mayonaise, Mustard, Ketchup...seasonings...to make most stuff taste good.<br /><br />Is it right for us to think that we provide food to people through special goverment programs, like Food Stamps, and even through the generosity of our Food Banks and our connected agency partners when we cannot guarantee that there is a sprinkle of salt to season a very bland dish of oatmeal.<br /><br />Or, to cover up the really fishy taste of low grade Salmon bought at a drug store.<br /><br />DennisH. Dennis Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03575559205165680495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-32332510060372384512008-09-23T11:27:00.000-07:002008-09-23T11:33:55.254-07:00Thinking About FoodWhat's really hitting home for me as I shop for the Challenge is how much more expensive the nutritious food is than the junk food. I always knew that was true but now I have to live it. Whole wheat bread is more than twice the price as white or the wheat bread that's not whole grain. The same is true for whole grain rice vs. "brown" or white rice. Luckily I was able to buy the HyVee brand whole grain cereal for $1.49 on sale. It certainly seems to be a quality over quantity issue. Unless I fill up on items like non whole grain bread, cereal, mac 'n cheese, etc. I am going to be hungry. Don't think I've ever thought about food so much (that alone is making me more hungry).Tom Laughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07205356156883203944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-250613253776613784.post-77262931627678733032008-09-23T10:02:00.000-07:002008-09-23T10:38:36.977-07:00Executive Director, Tri-State Food BankGoing to the grocery store to purchase food for my family of four, spending just $25 per person, opened my eyes to a very real problem that many low-income families trying to survive on food stamps face. I have a daughter with Downs Syndrome who lives in our household. She is 27 years old and works 3 hours, 5 days a week (min. wage). She needs to prepare her own breakfast and lunch, with very limited cooking skills and cannot use the stove without supervision. Prepared meals that are microwavable took a big chunk of the budget, leaving very little left for the other three members of the household. I can see why families, who are living on a tight budget with special dietary needs, must turn to local pantries to have enough to eat. I do not anticipate making it through the rest of the week without going back to the grocery store. <br />MaryMB at TSFBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04940482397863429753noreply@blogger.com0