by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources
This is the last day of the Challenge! I still have two conferences left to go and a business lunch as well.
I had a grapefruit, toast with marmalade and a big glass of water. I arrived at the first conference just as they were serving a continental breakfast. Oh, I can just smell the coffee. In fact, all I did was smell the coffee and look at the fruit salad, four different types of juice (orange, grapefruit, cranberry and apple), bagels and croissants galore as well as assorted danish. I found a seat and drank some water from a pitcher and passed on the bowl of candy at my table.
Next was a business lunch except that yours truly didn't have lunch. If that wasn't bad enough I needed to enter the second conference by the buffet lunch. If that wasn't bad enough dessert was cheesecake, carrot cake and black-and-white cookies. I don't know if I wanted to laugh or cry.
Showing posts with label Kevin McGuire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kevin McGuire. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Sunday - Is it Over Yet?
by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources
I am still at the conference and there is yet another luncheon meeting! This time I can get a glass of water. I made a decision to not eat at these meetings and to just eat at home or not at all. Today I decided to just hold off until dinner. Everything was going fine until the break when they served ice cream! I really had to question taking the Food Stamp Challenge. I will be glad when this is over tomorrow. However, the challenge of having enough to eat will not end for over three hundred fifty thousand of my fellow Marylanders tomorrow. For them, the struggle continues to plan meals and eat healthy for not much while we live literally in a land of plenty.
Well, I finally got out of the conference and went home. My wife told me that she was making lasagna so I better make something if I was going to eat. So I went ahead and made up some spaghetti with meat sauce. Lucky for me I just love pasta and could eat it every day. Unfortunately, I didn't buy any eggs or cheese or I would make spaghetti pie with the leftovers.
I am still at the conference and there is yet another luncheon meeting! This time I can get a glass of water. I made a decision to not eat at these meetings and to just eat at home or not at all. Today I decided to just hold off until dinner. Everything was going fine until the break when they served ice cream! I really had to question taking the Food Stamp Challenge. I will be glad when this is over tomorrow. However, the challenge of having enough to eat will not end for over three hundred fifty thousand of my fellow Marylanders tomorrow. For them, the struggle continues to plan meals and eat healthy for not much while we live literally in a land of plenty.
Well, I finally got out of the conference and went home. My wife told me that she was making lasagna so I better make something if I was going to eat. So I went ahead and made up some spaghetti with meat sauce. Lucky for me I just love pasta and could eat it every day. Unfortunately, I didn't buy any eggs or cheese or I would make spaghetti pie with the leftovers.
Attending a Conference & Continuing The FS Challenge
by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources
I am still in the Challenge. Saturday was really bad. While breakfast went well (grapefruit, toast with marmalade and a glass of milk), lunch was a challenge. I went to a conference and attended a lunch which consisted of shrimp and a tilapia filet crusted with almonds and a lemon butter sauce served with asparagus on a bed of risotto. I had some real problems with passing this up as they served whole wheat rolls and coffee. I thought I was going to lose it when the cheesecake with whipped cream arrived. I couldn't even have water as the water pitchers were filled with iced tea and the only water available was in bottles. Dinner was better. I made up a really big bowl of pasta with a meat sauce that also included carrots and onions. I included a lot of black pepper with this and wound up having a real spicy and filling dinner. Later on I had a grapefruit for dessert.
I am still in the Challenge. Saturday was really bad. While breakfast went well (grapefruit, toast with marmalade and a glass of milk), lunch was a challenge. I went to a conference and attended a lunch which consisted of shrimp and a tilapia filet crusted with almonds and a lemon butter sauce served with asparagus on a bed of risotto. I had some real problems with passing this up as they served whole wheat rolls and coffee. I thought I was going to lose it when the cheesecake with whipped cream arrived. I couldn't even have water as the water pitchers were filled with iced tea and the only water available was in bottles. Dinner was better. I made up a really big bowl of pasta with a meat sauce that also included carrots and onions. I included a lot of black pepper with this and wound up having a real spicy and filling dinner. Later on I had a grapefruit for dessert.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Meatless Friday
by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources
Wow, it is Friday and I am still on the Challenge. Last Night I had two burgers on bread with a whole lot of broiled onions (no fries). I topped that off with a large glass of milk.
This morning I was in a rush and had a grapefruit. I traveled off to Annapolis (again) this morning for a meeting. After that I had lunch which consisted of another grapefruit and a carrot. I expect to have either lentils or pasta tonight (maybe both). I am feeling pretty good and have noticed that I lost a few more pounds. I guess that smaller portions is the trick. I did have one low point today. After my meeting I got a real craving to go have a slice of pizza. Luckily, I had my lunch in the car so I ate lunch right in the parking lot before heading back.
Coming up is the ultimate test as I have to attend a conference in Washington, DC this weekend. I don't know how I will fare will all the free food, luncheon and reception invitations I just received. I guess I will just pack lunch and some snacks. How I will avoid the coffee is another matter altogether.
It should be an interesting weekend.
Wow, it is Friday and I am still on the Challenge. Last Night I had two burgers on bread with a whole lot of broiled onions (no fries). I topped that off with a large glass of milk.
This morning I was in a rush and had a grapefruit. I traveled off to Annapolis (again) this morning for a meeting. After that I had lunch which consisted of another grapefruit and a carrot. I expect to have either lentils or pasta tonight (maybe both). I am feeling pretty good and have noticed that I lost a few more pounds. I guess that smaller portions is the trick. I did have one low point today. After my meeting I got a real craving to go have a slice of pizza. Luckily, I had my lunch in the car so I ate lunch right in the parking lot before heading back.
Coming up is the ultimate test as I have to attend a conference in Washington, DC this weekend. I don't know how I will fare will all the free food, luncheon and reception invitations I just received. I guess I will just pack lunch and some snacks. How I will avoid the coffee is another matter altogether.
It should be an interesting weekend.
NPR Covers the Maryland Food Stamp Challenge
Food Stamp Challenge Highlights Need for Reform
BALTIMORE, MD - Try spending no more than 21 dollars on food and beverages over seven days. That's what people taking Maryland's Food Stamp Challenge are doing this week. This national campaign sets out to raise awareness about living on the average food stamp benefit of three dollars per day. WYPR's Stephanie Marudas reports.
On Day 1 of the Food Stamp Challenge, Kevin McGuire is shopping at Santoni's -- a family-owned supermarket in East Baltimore. Grocery basket in hand, McGuire is Maryland's Food Stamp director. He paces the aisles looking how to spend 21 dollars on food that will last him seven days. (Click here to read the rest of the story...)
BALTIMORE, MD - Try spending no more than 21 dollars on food and beverages over seven days. That's what people taking Maryland's Food Stamp Challenge are doing this week. This national campaign sets out to raise awareness about living on the average food stamp benefit of three dollars per day. WYPR's Stephanie Marudas reports.
On Day 1 of the Food Stamp Challenge, Kevin McGuire is shopping at Santoni's -- a family-owned supermarket in East Baltimore. Grocery basket in hand, McGuire is Maryland's Food Stamp director. He paces the aisles looking how to spend 21 dollars on food that will last him seven days. (Click here to read the rest of the story...)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
My Fourth Day on the MD Food Stamp Challenge
by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources
Well, I gracefully exited the reception and went home last night. I had a good dinner consisting of two large bowls of pea soup with hot dogs, a honeymoon salad ("lettuce alone"), two slices of bread and a large glass of milk. I later had a snack of warm milk.
This morning I had a grapefruit and some water. I knew I had to travel to Annapolis today so I took a couple of carrots and ate them on the way. One other thing to note: I have lost about four pounds so far taking the Challenge.
I miss my coffee and will be glad when this is over.
Well, I gracefully exited the reception and went home last night. I had a good dinner consisting of two large bowls of pea soup with hot dogs, a honeymoon salad ("lettuce alone"), two slices of bread and a large glass of milk. I later had a snack of warm milk.
This morning I had a grapefruit and some water. I knew I had to travel to Annapolis today so I took a couple of carrots and ate them on the way. One other thing to note: I have lost about four pounds so far taking the Challenge.
I miss my coffee and will be glad when this is over.
Yes, I'm still in the FS Challenge - I have just been busy with many meetings
by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources
On Tuesday 3/11/08:
I woke and had a pink grapefruit, a piece of toast and a glass of water. No coffee! I miss my coffee. The rest of the morning I drank lots of water to just fill me up. Lunch came none too soon and I had a marmalade sandwich and a glass of milk. I snacked on a carrot later in the afternoon along with lots of water. Dinner was two hamburgers, cooked carrots, lettuce (no dressing) and, a slice of bread and a glass of milk...followed by a few more glasses of water. I am certainly well hydrated. However, I am probably drinking water as if I was in the Sahara. Time will tell if I can keep this up.
On Wednesday 3/12/08:
Breakfast was just a slice of toast and marmalade. I have decided today to hold out as long as possible before I eat something substantial. Everything went well until I went to a meeting. As I entered the meeting you could smell coffee and brownies. Oh, the coffee! How I miss the coffee! I realize that I usually spend more for a cup of coffee at Starbucks than what I am spending a day during the Challenge. Now I have to get through a reception before I go home to eat.
On Tuesday 3/11/08:
I woke and had a pink grapefruit, a piece of toast and a glass of water. No coffee! I miss my coffee. The rest of the morning I drank lots of water to just fill me up. Lunch came none too soon and I had a marmalade sandwich and a glass of milk. I snacked on a carrot later in the afternoon along with lots of water. Dinner was two hamburgers, cooked carrots, lettuce (no dressing) and, a slice of bread and a glass of milk...followed by a few more glasses of water. I am certainly well hydrated. However, I am probably drinking water as if I was in the Sahara. Time will tell if I can keep this up.
On Wednesday 3/12/08:
Breakfast was just a slice of toast and marmalade. I have decided today to hold out as long as possible before I eat something substantial. Everything went well until I went to a meeting. As I entered the meeting you could smell coffee and brownies. Oh, the coffee! How I miss the coffee! I realize that I usually spend more for a cup of coffee at Starbucks than what I am spending a day during the Challenge. Now I have to get through a reception before I go home to eat.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Starting Out on the Challenge
by Kevin McGuire, Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Department of Human Resources
Today I started the Food Stamps Challenge. I hope I know what I am getting into. We went out to buy our food at Santoni's Super Market here in East Baltimore. It was a lot of fun. Everyone seemed very nice. We created a bit of a media circus with a reporter from the local public radio station WYPR tagging along. I actually was able to buy what I hope will be enough to eat for the week. I got sixteen items including meat, fruits and vegetables, dried beans, some pasta, spaghetti sauce, powdered milk, bread and a jar of marmalade. It all came out to 20.62 so I still have all of thirty-eight cents left to "splurge". That said it is clear that twenty-one dollars does not offer a heck of a lot of options or variety in one's diet. In addition, I have discovered it is very hard (and time consuming) to plan on something inexpensive, yet nutritious to eat. While I have committed to the Food Stamp Challenge for one week I am all too aware that this is not an option for over three hundred-fifty thousand of my fellow Marylanders who receive Food Stamps. They are "challenged" with having enough to eat every day.
Enough of that. Time to go eat.
Today I started the Food Stamps Challenge. I hope I know what I am getting into. We went out to buy our food at Santoni's Super Market here in East Baltimore. It was a lot of fun. Everyone seemed very nice. We created a bit of a media circus with a reporter from the local public radio station WYPR tagging along. I actually was able to buy what I hope will be enough to eat for the week. I got sixteen items including meat, fruits and vegetables, dried beans, some pasta, spaghetti sauce, powdered milk, bread and a jar of marmalade. It all came out to 20.62 so I still have all of thirty-eight cents left to "splurge". That said it is clear that twenty-one dollars does not offer a heck of a lot of options or variety in one's diet. In addition, I have discovered it is very hard (and time consuming) to plan on something inexpensive, yet nutritious to eat. While I have committed to the Food Stamp Challenge for one week I am all too aware that this is not an option for over three hundred-fifty thousand of my fellow Marylanders who receive Food Stamps. They are "challenged" with having enough to eat every day.
Enough of that. Time to go eat.
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