End of a challenge

Well after a month of seeing if I could stick to a "food stamp budget", I did not fully succeed. I was over by $75-but that includes eating out and Food Stamps can't be used in a restaurant so maybe I did :). I didn't put full effort into my challenge and if I would have planned a little better I could have done it easily. I did not buy all generics and I wasn't organized enough to use coupons and this month my work and running my kids schedule did not support trips to Aldis-if I wasn't working this would be a NO brainier! What I did learn is you CAN eat healthy on a budget. You can get enough fruits and vegetables and whole grains-and lean proteins, You CAN'T buy junk food if you want to succeed! I will definitely use this as I help my patients try to succeed.

Food stamp challenge

So I still haven't spent the full amount for my family. We did eat out and I included that amount in my budget even though SNAP recipients can't. I am going to be short by a few days unless we eat PB and J but overall it's doable!

It makes me realize I need to do a better job talking about eating well on a budget to my patients. I also think it changes try views on SNAP.

Great education experience.

Week 2 update and a great website for meal planning

Well, I have made it through almost 2 weeks of trying to feed my family on a food stamp budget.  We have eaten out a few times and STILL MANAGED to stay within the weekly amount you would get for food stamps-- if you divide the average monthly amount by 4 for a family of 4.We ate all whole grain breads and cereals and plenty of fruits and vegetables.  I haven't even been doing well at planning my meals this week and it was still possible.

I also was introduced to a GREAT resource for working moms and dads this week.  Of course there is a subscription fee but I think that the small cost would be worth the time it could save you.  A co-worker of mine uses emeals.com for her weekly menus.  THEY PLAN THE MEALS FOR YOU!  They send you the recipes and a grocery list for the week! AND, they give you the choice of what types of meals you would like-low-fat, low-carb, clean eating, classic, gluten free,  even paleo for those of you on that kick!  They will even give you an approximate cost for some grocery stores which appears for many of the meal plans to be about 80-90 dollars per week! If you feel like you don't have time to figure out what to cook, make your list, grocery shop and fit in everything else in your life, you might want to check it out. I am still debating whether I am going to subscribe but I definitely think it is worth consideration.  I'll let you know my decision.

I will also keep you posted on my budget-Steeler game tomorrow so I am not sure I can stick to it!

Grocery Trip and misc spending :)

So I headed to the grocery store for meal items including fruits and veggies for my meals and found some great deals. My store total was 33.89-Score!!! Unfortunately I did terribly with my lunches this week and will ultimately have spent 12 dollars extra for the week on my lunch. Overall I am doing well though. The average amount for SNAP participants is about 500 a month so I still have money to play with. I am trying to save some so I can make some fun snacks for Halloween. I'll write more after my next store trip!

Day 1 Food stamp challenge

So today was an easy way to start- grab leftover pork from my fridge and 2.39 pack of whole grain buns and some BBQ sauce and I made some sandwiches with veggies I had in the fridge. We also had some macaroni I had in the pantry that I bought on sale months ago.

I really should have gone to the grocery store but I figured if I was going to eat on a budget I should probably not waste food :)

It also gave me a little extra time to hang out with my girls after work and Exercise.

Hopefully the rest of the month is as simple as today!

Eating on a SNAP (food stamp) budget!

With the election approaching soon, we all know a big part of the debate is the economy and as part of that "entitlement" programs. I used to work at a food bank and truly understand the issue of food insecurity. I have seen a man working 3 jobs not have enough to feed his family due to medical bills as his family did not have health insurance. On the other hand, I also cringe when I see people buy Mt Dew and chips with their food stamps.

Instead of judging, I decided that starting Monday I am going to see how hard or easy it is to feed my family (hopefully healthfully) on the avg SNAP (food stamp) benefit for the next month. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

FYI I am not going to include school lunch as if I were getting food stamps I would get free lunches for my kids too :)

My Food Bucket List--Part I-Fayette County

A few weeks ago I read an article on www.statecollege.com called My Summer Food Bucket List. I easily checked off every item from the State College List. If you have been to State College and not eaten Creamery Ice Cream for dinner, you are really missing something. I really could expand that list.

I became a little obsessed with thinking about the idea of a food bucket list. What things have I already checked off?  What is on my list?   I have checked off "real" Philly Cheese Steaks on the street in Philly, North Carolina BBQ, Texas BBQ in Texas, Tex Mex in San Antonio, Fish from Pike's market in Seattle.  I crossed off wine from Tuscany. I ate Parmesan Cheese from a Parmesan Cheese maker in Parma, Italy. I have been really fortunate to try a lot of different foods in different places.

 As I thought about it, I realized I needed to do multiple! One for my hometown, well county anyway, the next for Southwestern PA and then for the rest of the country/world. I might expand an make even more if I have as much fun as I have been trying to put these together too.

So I am starting with my hometown of Fayette County, PA. Some of these foods are ones I have already checked off. Some are foods I have on my list to try.  I will add that I asked for some help via fb and twitter for suggestions. I had multiple recommendations for most of these foods! But would like to thank VT, HGB, and TM for some original suggestions that I felt easily made the cut. If I missed something, please be sure to comment.  Also realize that while I usually write about healthy foods, most of the foods if not all of these foods fall into the "SOMETIMES" category!!! Please note: These are in no particular order!

1. Pizza Wagon Pizza
2. Potters Antipasto Salad
3. Crab Cakes at the Summit Inn
4. Gnocchi at Fabrizi's
5. Cheese Fries at Paradise Pool at Nemacolin Woodlands (Trust Me)
6. Duda's corn
7. Phil's Hoagie
8. Blue Moon Burger
9. Jackson Farm's Chocolate Milk
10. Garbage Plate at Route 40 Diner
11. Smitty's Wings
12. Bud Murphy's Pizza
13. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Torte from Caleigh's (If you didn't try it before they closed it is your loss)-You might still be able to order it for an event!
14. Potter's Greek Western
15. Steak from Hutch's
16.Italian Egg at Rizz's
17. Chicken Nachos at Ye Old Inn
18. Catered "Fire Hall" Wedding Food
19. Mom Maruca's Pizza
20. Dolfi's Pizza and wings
21. Roy's spaghetti
22. Chicken or Veal Parm at Melonis
23. Guiseppe Sandwich at the Italian Festival
24. Funnel Cake at the Fayette County Fair
25. St. John's Pierogies
26. Adrian's Fried Chicken
27.  Pie from Curt's
28. Vinny's ice cream
29. Sun Porch Potato Salad
30. Pasta at the Belmont Inn

My daughter EML wanted to add a few "Kids" items to the list so here are her choices:
1. Pechin's Firehouse chicken strips
2. Boston Beanery Grilled Cheese
3. Myer's Pizza
4. Rumpy's Wings


I will also add that I have a list of 4 for Dining Experience
1. Dinner on the Veranda at the Summit
2. Dinner at Lautrec
3. Phil's Corner Store
4. Eating at the Fayette County Fair

So my first list is complete. I will keep a running list if anyone would like to add to it! Stay tuned as I expand outside of the county to our region!