by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
Let me tie up a few loose ends of my Challenge experience. As you know, I discovered yesterday that my husband had been a Challenge participant and I hadn’t realized it by looking at the items he’d been consuming. By Sunday morning he’d dropped out of the challenge again because I saw cupcakes wrappers and traces of other non-Challenge foods in our trash.
After church on Sunday I had my heart set on eating tomato soup with a piece of toast for lunch. However, by the time my husband ran all of his after church errands I didn’t have time to fix it so had to settle for two PB&J sandwiches. Can I tell you I am sick of PB&J? Normally I’m not a big bread eater so eating all this bread was a bit much for me. By Sunday the bread wasn’t even still fresh and soft. I think the only thing that helped me make it through the day was knowing that it was the last day of the challenge. For dinner last night I had my mac & tuna salad. Even eating more of that was a bit challenging. I ended up throwing a little bit of that away as well. I can’t wait to cook a real meal that is satisfying and nutritious for my husband and I.
I truly hope that after this that policy makers are "challenged" to seriously consider increasing the food stamp grants. I believe that everyone should have an opportunity to purchase healthy food and drinks for themselves and their families. Over the last seven days I’ve been able to get a laugh here and give a laugh there but for many this is no laughing matter because this is how they live and the challenges they face on a daily basis. The Food Stamp Program is supposed to help 26 million low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health each month. I believe that when you have to choose between eating healthy or eating daily because you only have $3 a day, most people would choose to eat daily. The Food Stamp grants need to be increased for needy families everywhere. Thanks for following my Food Stamp Challenge Journey. I must admit - I’m glad it’s over.
Showing posts with label Yolanda Dockery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yolanda Dockery. Show all posts
Monday, March 17, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
I Survived! I Survived!
by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
I am happy to report that I made it through my leadership meeting today where they were serving food and it was a rather painless experience. I was much easier than I thought it would be. I took my can of fruit cocktail, a bowl and my water bottle with me the the meeting. Once we arrived at the church I changed my mind about actually taking the fruit cocktail in with me. There were 400 people in attendance. I figured if I really wanted it I would go out and sit in the car and eat it. I didn't want to draw attention to myself. I just took the water bottle in. Well once we registered for the meeting we were given our food tickets. I said to my husband at the time "You can have my ticket and eat my food because you know I can't eat it."
I nearly fainted when he said "I can't eat it either I'm with you on this." I replied "With me on what?" and he said "The Challenge." I couldn't help but think to myself "where had he been on Mon - Fri when I was starving & struggling" and he was eating oatmeal, fried chicken, biscuits, pizza, drinking turkey hill orange drink and tea?" You know I had to ask him. He's so funny - he replied something about him needing to stick to his $21 allotment. I then remembered he initially did say he'd do the challenge with me when he was with me or something like that.
Here's how I got through the meeting: When one of the teachers that was teaching a class entered the dining room I agreed to go set up her class while she ate breakfast. She was a senior citizen so she thought that was a fabulous idea. So, my husband and I quickly ran off from the dining room with the smell of eggs, bacon, croissants, juice, coffee and other breakfast goodies in the air to her classroom down the hall and set it up. We just made it because as we left they were calling our table to the buffet. By the time we returned most were done eating and we didn't have to answer any questions about why we weren't eating.
After the meeting I decided to go visit my friend at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Her sister came in with lots of fresh fruit for my friend. She had pineapple, mango, green grapes and papaya. I love fruit and I hadn't had anything to eat all day. I never would take a patient's food but I really thought about it. I was asked if I'd like some, and I hungrily said "no thank you" and continued drinking my water.
I ended up visiting with my friend for about two hours. By then it was two o'clock when I got back to the car, and I could get to my fruit cocktail fast enough. I offered my husband some of the fruit cocktail and he refused, saying he wasn't hungry. I had to ask him if he'd been somewhere eating hamburgers and french fries while I was visiting my friend. He said he had not, but I guess I'll never truly know.
We finally got back home at 6:00. I was thinking all the way home what I could eat that would fill me up. I decided on oodles of noodles. I cooked two packs this time because last time I was still hungry after eating one pack. I wanted to save my tuna mac with the evaporating mayo for my special Sunday meal. So, I ate two packs of oodles of noodles and five lemon cookies. I wanted to rush up to the computer after eating to update you on my Saturday.
Did anyone see my husband at any fast food joint between 1-3 pm yesterday near Sinai Hospital eating hamburgers, french fries or pizza?
I am happy to report that I made it through my leadership meeting today where they were serving food and it was a rather painless experience. I was much easier than I thought it would be. I took my can of fruit cocktail, a bowl and my water bottle with me the the meeting. Once we arrived at the church I changed my mind about actually taking the fruit cocktail in with me. There were 400 people in attendance. I figured if I really wanted it I would go out and sit in the car and eat it. I didn't want to draw attention to myself. I just took the water bottle in. Well once we registered for the meeting we were given our food tickets. I said to my husband at the time "You can have my ticket and eat my food because you know I can't eat it."
I nearly fainted when he said "I can't eat it either I'm with you on this." I replied "With me on what?" and he said "The Challenge." I couldn't help but think to myself "where had he been on Mon - Fri when I was starving & struggling" and he was eating oatmeal, fried chicken, biscuits, pizza, drinking turkey hill orange drink and tea?" You know I had to ask him. He's so funny - he replied something about him needing to stick to his $21 allotment. I then remembered he initially did say he'd do the challenge with me when he was with me or something like that.
Here's how I got through the meeting: When one of the teachers that was teaching a class entered the dining room I agreed to go set up her class while she ate breakfast. She was a senior citizen so she thought that was a fabulous idea. So, my husband and I quickly ran off from the dining room with the smell of eggs, bacon, croissants, juice, coffee and other breakfast goodies in the air to her classroom down the hall and set it up. We just made it because as we left they were calling our table to the buffet. By the time we returned most were done eating and we didn't have to answer any questions about why we weren't eating.
After the meeting I decided to go visit my friend at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Her sister came in with lots of fresh fruit for my friend. She had pineapple, mango, green grapes and papaya. I love fruit and I hadn't had anything to eat all day. I never would take a patient's food but I really thought about it. I was asked if I'd like some, and I hungrily said "no thank you" and continued drinking my water.
I ended up visiting with my friend for about two hours. By then it was two o'clock when I got back to the car, and I could get to my fruit cocktail fast enough. I offered my husband some of the fruit cocktail and he refused, saying he wasn't hungry. I had to ask him if he'd been somewhere eating hamburgers and french fries while I was visiting my friend. He said he had not, but I guess I'll never truly know.
We finally got back home at 6:00. I was thinking all the way home what I could eat that would fill me up. I decided on oodles of noodles. I cooked two packs this time because last time I was still hungry after eating one pack. I wanted to save my tuna mac with the evaporating mayo for my special Sunday meal. So, I ate two packs of oodles of noodles and five lemon cookies. I wanted to rush up to the computer after eating to update you on my Saturday.
Did anyone see my husband at any fast food joint between 1-3 pm yesterday near Sinai Hospital eating hamburgers, french fries or pizza?
Friday, March 14, 2008
It's Friday - Just 2 More Days Remaining
by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
I'm a little late with my blog post today. I had lots of things I needed to do. Well, I didn't get to eat my applesauce until 12 noon today and that was supposed to be breakfast. I was able to drink lots of water again today while I awaited the opportunity to eat. I ate one of my two PB&J sandwiches that I made for lunch as I was driving in the car. I'll save the other for a mid day snack since I ate my breakfast really late today and it's already made and in my car. The first thing I noticed when I woke up this morning and opened our refrigerator is that my husband's tuna mac salad was gone. I immediately feared mine would now be in danger of disappearing. I'd better find/cook something additional for him and QUICK! or the end result could be HUNGER FOR ME!!! if may salad disappears. I was amazed that the first thing I looked for as I reached for the PB&J to make my sandwich was my long awaited/desired tuna mac salad.
I think tomorrow is going to be my largest challenge because of the leadership meeting at church with food. I think I'll combat the temptation by taking a can of fruit cocktail with me to the meeting for breakfast along with my bottle of water. I have one can of fruit cocktail remaining. I only purchased two cans and I've used one for my jello/fruit cocktail "breakfast combo". I think I still may sit in the hall while the meeting attendees eat or that could be the "DEATH OF MY CHALLENGE". I'd hate to have one day left and fall off and get run over by the wagon! Sat. and Sun. both may be hard simply because normally that is when I cook the really nice meals. I think I'll use a portion of Sat. and Sun. to run around to all my grocery stores and pick up all my favorites for next week. I noticed when I'm busy running around I don't think about food as much. I'm satisfied simply by drinking my water.
Last night I had tomato soup for dinner and the remaining jello with fruit cocktail for a snack. Tonight I'll have either more of my tuna mac salad or oodles of noodles. I'll have to see how I feel at dinner time. Speaking of tuna mac salad something "really weird" happened to my tuna mac salad between Weds. night and lunch on Thurs. I think all of my dollar store pasta drank up all my dollar store mayo because my salad was pretty dry when I had it for lunch yesterday. It was much more moist when I made it and tried it on Weds. night.
I went to the dollar store last night as a do every week and the cashier asked me "if I was still doing that thing for work"? She was talking about the FS Challenge. I told her yes and told her I was glad she remembered and that I would put her in my blog. She knew about the Challenge because I'd done a portion of my shopping there and I'd mentioned the forthcoming challenge to her. I was so surprised that she remembered.
I'm a little late with my blog post today. I had lots of things I needed to do. Well, I didn't get to eat my applesauce until 12 noon today and that was supposed to be breakfast. I was able to drink lots of water again today while I awaited the opportunity to eat. I ate one of my two PB&J sandwiches that I made for lunch as I was driving in the car. I'll save the other for a mid day snack since I ate my breakfast really late today and it's already made and in my car. The first thing I noticed when I woke up this morning and opened our refrigerator is that my husband's tuna mac salad was gone. I immediately feared mine would now be in danger of disappearing. I'd better find/cook something additional for him and QUICK! or the end result could be HUNGER FOR ME!!! if may salad disappears. I was amazed that the first thing I looked for as I reached for the PB&J to make my sandwich was my long awaited/desired tuna mac salad.
I think tomorrow is going to be my largest challenge because of the leadership meeting at church with food. I think I'll combat the temptation by taking a can of fruit cocktail with me to the meeting for breakfast along with my bottle of water. I have one can of fruit cocktail remaining. I only purchased two cans and I've used one for my jello/fruit cocktail "breakfast combo". I think I still may sit in the hall while the meeting attendees eat or that could be the "DEATH OF MY CHALLENGE". I'd hate to have one day left and fall off and get run over by the wagon! Sat. and Sun. both may be hard simply because normally that is when I cook the really nice meals. I think I'll use a portion of Sat. and Sun. to run around to all my grocery stores and pick up all my favorites for next week. I noticed when I'm busy running around I don't think about food as much. I'm satisfied simply by drinking my water.
Last night I had tomato soup for dinner and the remaining jello with fruit cocktail for a snack. Tonight I'll have either more of my tuna mac salad or oodles of noodles. I'll have to see how I feel at dinner time. Speaking of tuna mac salad something "really weird" happened to my tuna mac salad between Weds. night and lunch on Thurs. I think all of my dollar store pasta drank up all my dollar store mayo because my salad was pretty dry when I had it for lunch yesterday. It was much more moist when I made it and tried it on Weds. night.
I went to the dollar store last night as a do every week and the cashier asked me "if I was still doing that thing for work"? She was talking about the FS Challenge. I told her yes and told her I was glad she remembered and that I would put her in my blog. She knew about the Challenge because I'd done a portion of my shopping there and I'd mentioned the forthcoming challenge to her. I was so surprised that she remembered.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
MY NOSE IS TELLING ME IT'S TIME TO EAT
by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
Okay, It was 10:00 am. and I had not eaten my applesauce yet. I was trying to hold off as long as possible. All of a sudden it hit me. My Exec. Director (Mr. McGuire) was in a meeting in a conference room just off from my office with his Directors behind CLOSED DOORS and the sweet aroma of a "juicy pink grapefruit" started seeping from underneath the door. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT I COULD SMELL HIS GRAPEFRUIT FROM BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR? WELL I COULD. I must be hungry so I decided it was time for my breakfast. I'm now enjoying my applesauce. I'm starting to think that when you are food deprived your sense of smell is amplified. I've been having similar experiences all week.
Okay, It was 10:00 am. and I had not eaten my applesauce yet. I was trying to hold off as long as possible. All of a sudden it hit me. My Exec. Director (Mr. McGuire) was in a meeting in a conference room just off from my office with his Directors behind CLOSED DOORS and the sweet aroma of a "juicy pink grapefruit" started seeping from underneath the door. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT I COULD SMELL HIS GRAPEFRUIT FROM BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR? WELL I COULD. I must be hungry so I decided it was time for my breakfast. I'm now enjoying my applesauce. I'm starting to think that when you are food deprived your sense of smell is amplified. I've been having similar experiences all week.
3/13/08 Day Four of the Challenge
by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
Well, I learned some new things about myself yesterday. When I am unable to properly nourish myself I can drink a whole two-liter bottle of water in an attempt to make up for the missed food. I was amazed. AND there are 37 cookies in a pack. Yes, I had to COUNT THEM on day ONE of the challenge to ensure that I properly rationed them out so I’d have a few each day. I don’t think I’ve done either thing before in LIFE! At least not that I know of. Okay, I FINALLY had the time to make my much anticipated and desired Tuna/Macaroni salad. Unfortunately my four cans of tuna were not enough to adequately season the whole two pounds of elbow macaroni but I was able to utilize a little over half of the bag. I was sure to boil and taste test the dollar store macaroni BEFORE I put my tuna in it. If the macaroni didn’t taste good I was going back to plan “A” which was to have tuna sandwiches. I only decided to add the macaroni because I thought it would be more filling and allow me to stretch my four cans of tuna. Well, the macaroni tasted fine to me. I ate a little of it for my dinner last night along with my water and a few of my lemon cookies I thought to myself you mean all this time I’ve been paying $1 or more for macaroni and I could have been getting it for $.50 at the dollar store. I’ll have to keep that in mine. I couldn’t believe it. I decided to “share” the remaining pasta up for my very HUNGRY husband who has not had a real cooked meal since the challenge began. I thought cooking might be too much of a “challenge” for me during THE CHALLENGE. So, I have opted not to do it. So, he’s been dining at the “Left Over Diner” all week. Poor, man. You’ve gotta love him! I’ll be sure to cook some fabulous meals starting next Monday. So, needless to say when I was done preparing the salads there were two separate containers of macaroni/tuna salad in the refrigerator. I put one on the top shelf for him. The top shelf version had all the ingredients that should be in the tuna/mac salad. The bottom shelf version which was mine had only the basics that I could afford on my budget, tuna, mac, mayo and relish – no onions, mustard or special seafood seasoning etc. I decided to switch up a bit today and have some applesauce for breakfast. I must admit for the first time ever this week that I’m looking forward to my lunch today. As I was making my lunch this morning I was paying special attention to how much I was putting in my container and thinking at the same time how many days remain on the challenge. Also, I think I’m being “BLESSED” for standing up for such a good cause. I looked at my grocery store circulars last night and all my favorites will be on sale next week. I CAN'T WAIT TO GROCERY SHOP NEXT WEEK! I’ll get my grapes, salad, tomatoes, yogurt, salmon, cracker barrel cheese, Pepsi, Stouffer lunch meals etc. WOW!!!!!!!!! I was SOOOOOOO EXCITTTED. You think if I go to sleep now when I wake up it will be Mon. and the FS Challenge will be over and I can shop and eat normally again????? I’ll be sure to make up for lost time next week. Well, that's all for now.
Well, I learned some new things about myself yesterday. When I am unable to properly nourish myself I can drink a whole two-liter bottle of water in an attempt to make up for the missed food. I was amazed. AND there are 37 cookies in a pack. Yes, I had to COUNT THEM on day ONE of the challenge to ensure that I properly rationed them out so I’d have a few each day. I don’t think I’ve done either thing before in LIFE! At least not that I know of. Okay, I FINALLY had the time to make my much anticipated and desired Tuna/Macaroni salad. Unfortunately my four cans of tuna were not enough to adequately season the whole two pounds of elbow macaroni but I was able to utilize a little over half of the bag. I was sure to boil and taste test the dollar store macaroni BEFORE I put my tuna in it. If the macaroni didn’t taste good I was going back to plan “A” which was to have tuna sandwiches. I only decided to add the macaroni because I thought it would be more filling and allow me to stretch my four cans of tuna. Well, the macaroni tasted fine to me. I ate a little of it for my dinner last night along with my water and a few of my lemon cookies I thought to myself you mean all this time I’ve been paying $1 or more for macaroni and I could have been getting it for $.50 at the dollar store. I’ll have to keep that in mine. I couldn’t believe it. I decided to “share” the remaining pasta up for my very HUNGRY husband who has not had a real cooked meal since the challenge began. I thought cooking might be too much of a “challenge” for me during THE CHALLENGE. So, I have opted not to do it. So, he’s been dining at the “Left Over Diner” all week. Poor, man. You’ve gotta love him! I’ll be sure to cook some fabulous meals starting next Monday. So, needless to say when I was done preparing the salads there were two separate containers of macaroni/tuna salad in the refrigerator. I put one on the top shelf for him. The top shelf version had all the ingredients that should be in the tuna/mac salad. The bottom shelf version which was mine had only the basics that I could afford on my budget, tuna, mac, mayo and relish – no onions, mustard or special seafood seasoning etc. I decided to switch up a bit today and have some applesauce for breakfast. I must admit for the first time ever this week that I’m looking forward to my lunch today. As I was making my lunch this morning I was paying special attention to how much I was putting in my container and thinking at the same time how many days remain on the challenge. Also, I think I’m being “BLESSED” for standing up for such a good cause. I looked at my grocery store circulars last night and all my favorites will be on sale next week. I CAN'T WAIT TO GROCERY SHOP NEXT WEEK! I’ll get my grapes, salad, tomatoes, yogurt, salmon, cracker barrel cheese, Pepsi, Stouffer lunch meals etc. WOW!!!!!!!!! I was SOOOOOOO EXCITTTED. You think if I go to sleep now when I wake up it will be Mon. and the FS Challenge will be over and I can shop and eat normally again????? I’ll be sure to make up for lost time next week. Well, that's all for now.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Day Three of the Challenge
by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
Peanut Butter must be the preferred and "affordable" staple this week. I too had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for mid evening snack last night and I have PB&J for lunch today. This morning I was a little pressed for time and I did not have anything readily prepared for my lunch. I quickly scrambled to make PB&J sandwiches for lunch and still strived to be out the door by 5:40 a.m. I thought to myself how much quicker and easier it would have been to throw a bag of salad in my lunch bag along with a yogurt or piece of fruit as I normally would have done if I wasn't a participant in the challenge. None of the previously mentioned items were affordable this week with my $21 stipend. My co-workers and I agree planning meals that are "some what" desirable and sustainable are not the easiest thing to do on at $21 budget. I had oodles of noodles last night at 10 p.m. for dinner. I've lost 3 lbs. since beginning this challenge. I hope I haven't also acquired high blood pressure from all the sodium that I've been consuming with the soup and oodles of noodles. Hopefully all the water I've been consuming has been keeping my system flushed. WE SHALL SEE! My breakfast remains the same. Jello & Fruit Cocktail. I also have applesauce so maybe tomorrow I'll switch up a bit. I mean variety is the "spice of life" right or does that only apply to people that aren't on food stamps who can make daily choices about their menus. I hope to have time to make my tuna/mac salad for dinner tonight and possibly lunch tomorrow. As I was driving to work this morning I was dreaming about having one of my favorite lunches next week which is a salad of any kind (spinach, regular garden salad). I sure hope the end result of this challenge is a higher Food stamp allotment for needy individuals so that they can make healthier food choices for their families and themselves. If not we could be inadvertently spending less in Food Stamps and more on Medical Assistance. Do we really want to trade one for the other? I must admit, I'll be glad when this is over. I want to eat healthy again. I can't imagine being in a position such as many of our customers where this is what they have to do day in and day out, where is is no light at the end of the tunnel.
Peanut Butter must be the preferred and "affordable" staple this week. I too had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for mid evening snack last night and I have PB&J for lunch today. This morning I was a little pressed for time and I did not have anything readily prepared for my lunch. I quickly scrambled to make PB&J sandwiches for lunch and still strived to be out the door by 5:40 a.m. I thought to myself how much quicker and easier it would have been to throw a bag of salad in my lunch bag along with a yogurt or piece of fruit as I normally would have done if I wasn't a participant in the challenge. None of the previously mentioned items were affordable this week with my $21 stipend. My co-workers and I agree planning meals that are "some what" desirable and sustainable are not the easiest thing to do on at $21 budget. I had oodles of noodles last night at 10 p.m. for dinner. I've lost 3 lbs. since beginning this challenge. I hope I haven't also acquired high blood pressure from all the sodium that I've been consuming with the soup and oodles of noodles. Hopefully all the water I've been consuming has been keeping my system flushed. WE SHALL SEE! My breakfast remains the same. Jello & Fruit Cocktail. I also have applesauce so maybe tomorrow I'll switch up a bit. I mean variety is the "spice of life" right or does that only apply to people that aren't on food stamps who can make daily choices about their menus. I hope to have time to make my tuna/mac salad for dinner tonight and possibly lunch tomorrow. As I was driving to work this morning I was dreaming about having one of my favorite lunches next week which is a salad of any kind (spinach, regular garden salad). I sure hope the end result of this challenge is a higher Food stamp allotment for needy individuals so that they can make healthier food choices for their families and themselves. If not we could be inadvertently spending less in Food Stamps and more on Medical Assistance. Do we really want to trade one for the other? I must admit, I'll be glad when this is over. I want to eat healthy again. I can't imagine being in a position such as many of our customers where this is what they have to do day in and day out, where is is no light at the end of the tunnel.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The Food Stamp Challenge - Lunch, Early in the Week
by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
Well, lunch has come and gone and I'm actually full. I can't believe it. That was NOT the case yesterday after my little bowl of oodles of noodles. Today I had chicken and rice soup with carrots and five lemon cookies. Water continues to be my drink of choice this week, I mean the drink I can "afford" this week. I'm supposed to make macaroni tuna salad this evening for dinner which I'll have a few days this week. If I don't get home in time, I'll have another PBandJ sandwich.
Well, lunch has come and gone and I'm actually full. I can't believe it. That was NOT the case yesterday after my little bowl of oodles of noodles. Today I had chicken and rice soup with carrots and five lemon cookies. Water continues to be my drink of choice this week, I mean the drink I can "afford" this week. I'm supposed to make macaroni tuna salad this evening for dinner which I'll have a few days this week. If I don't get home in time, I'll have another PBandJ sandwich.
My Food Stamp Challenge Journey
by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
Tuesday 3/11/08
Today is day 2 of the challenge. I’m actually suffering with slight stomach cramps now because I have eaten my breakfast yet and I got in very late last night and only had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner. Under normal circumstances if I got home at 10:00 p.m. or so at night I’d just forfeit dinner and replace it with a late night snack. However, since I’m on the challenge and that was not an option I decided to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead. I was afraid to just go to bed without eating because I hadn’t eaten very much all day and I thought that doing so would set me up for failure today. My menu yesterday consisted of: Jello w/fruitcocktail for breakfast, oodles of noodles for lunch with 4 lemon sandwich cookies and P&J sandwich for dinner. Not too bad. Not too good either but I made it. This morning for breakfast I will have my jello & fruit cocktail again. I decided that in the mornings I’d hold out as long as possible before eating breakfast and that way it wouldn’t be too long between breakfast and lunch. I’ve been drinking lots of water. I REALLY missed all my favorite Turkey Hill drinks and Pepsi yesterday. It’s been water, water and more water. That’s okay though. This morning I put a 2-liter bottle of Pepsi in my refrigerator so it will be nice and cold for next week. J. I haven’t eaten breakfast but I’m already looking forward to lunch. I’m having soup. That should be filling. (I HOPE!) I really tried to put things on my menu that would give me at least a temporary filling. I must admit when making my menu I tried to do whatever I could to stretch my food purchases and have a somewhat fulfilling meal at the same time. Oh my husband is officially out of the challenge. He woke me up last night to ask me if the homemade spaghetti that was in the refrigerator was part of the FS Challenge food. Of course, it was not. Oh yeah, I forgot one thing. My Sister in law told me she was going to participate in the challenge with me. She was all excited she told me how fabulous her menu was and everything. I later talked to her on Fri. I believe at which time she told me she had to go away this week to Atlantic City for her job. I casually reminded her that she needed to take her food and not eat in any of those fancy casinos or restaurants. She told me she didn’t know how she would do that. I haven’t heard from her since. I guess she dropped out. I experienced a similar event myself. I realized that my husband and I have to attend a big leadership meeting at church on Sat. morning where food will be prepared for attendees. I guess I’ll have to sit in the hall and read or work on some assignments. There is NO WAY I can sit in the Grand Fellowship Hall while they eat fabulous meals. I guess my only saving “GRACE” will be if I’ve quit the challenge by then. WE SHALL SEE.
Tuesday 3/11/08
Today is day 2 of the challenge. I’m actually suffering with slight stomach cramps now because I have eaten my breakfast yet and I got in very late last night and only had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner. Under normal circumstances if I got home at 10:00 p.m. or so at night I’d just forfeit dinner and replace it with a late night snack. However, since I’m on the challenge and that was not an option I decided to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead. I was afraid to just go to bed without eating because I hadn’t eaten very much all day and I thought that doing so would set me up for failure today. My menu yesterday consisted of: Jello w/fruitcocktail for breakfast, oodles of noodles for lunch with 4 lemon sandwich cookies and P&J sandwich for dinner. Not too bad. Not too good either but I made it. This morning for breakfast I will have my jello & fruit cocktail again. I decided that in the mornings I’d hold out as long as possible before eating breakfast and that way it wouldn’t be too long between breakfast and lunch. I’ve been drinking lots of water. I REALLY missed all my favorite Turkey Hill drinks and Pepsi yesterday. It’s been water, water and more water. That’s okay though. This morning I put a 2-liter bottle of Pepsi in my refrigerator so it will be nice and cold for next week. J. I haven’t eaten breakfast but I’m already looking forward to lunch. I’m having soup. That should be filling. (I HOPE!) I really tried to put things on my menu that would give me at least a temporary filling. I must admit when making my menu I tried to do whatever I could to stretch my food purchases and have a somewhat fulfilling meal at the same time. Oh my husband is officially out of the challenge. He woke me up last night to ask me if the homemade spaghetti that was in the refrigerator was part of the FS Challenge food. Of course, it was not. Oh yeah, I forgot one thing. My Sister in law told me she was going to participate in the challenge with me. She was all excited she told me how fabulous her menu was and everything. I later talked to her on Fri. I believe at which time she told me she had to go away this week to Atlantic City for her job. I casually reminded her that she needed to take her food and not eat in any of those fancy casinos or restaurants. She told me she didn’t know how she would do that. I haven’t heard from her since. I guess she dropped out. I experienced a similar event myself. I realized that my husband and I have to attend a big leadership meeting at church on Sat. morning where food will be prepared for attendees. I guess I’ll have to sit in the hall and read or work on some assignments. There is NO WAY I can sit in the Grand Fellowship Hall while they eat fabulous meals. I guess my only saving “GRACE” will be if I’ve quit the challenge by then. WE SHALL SEE.
Monday, March 10, 2008
My Food Stamp Challenge Journey
by Yolanda M. Dockery, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Family Investment Administration, Maryland Department of Human Resources
Monday 3/3/08
Today I decided to participate in the Food Stamp Challenge with my Exec. Director and co-workers. This evening I began outlining my menu. I didn’t think I could go to the store and stick to my $21 limit if I did not first have some idea of what I’d like to have.
I was really excited about the challenge. I touched basis with my mother and mother in law to gain support and momentum. I talked to my father in law who after hearing about the contest told me “Just quit now”. Not exactly the support I was seeking. My mother and mother in law on the other hand assured me that it could be done and even offered me some meal suggestions. I then mentioned the challenge to my husband and told him what my budget was. His reply was “$21 a day – Oh I can do that”. I then had to give him a reality check and say “No $21 a week”. He then replied “Oh I’ll do it with you – When I’m with you” which meant to me he’d be sneaking things that weren’t actually on our menu and in our budget. My mother told me one thing that I’d already realized myself and that is the an actual food stamp recipient might not have the ability to run around and bargain shop as I am doing for a variety of reasons. They may even have to shop at ”corner stores” stores as opposed to actual grocery stores where prices are significantly marked up. I must admit I am a bargain shopper and I always look for sales but trying to maintain a $21 dollar for 7 days limit really tested my bargain shopping and meal organization skills. I had to make decisions regarding what was affordable and what would be filling at the same time. I had to go to at least three stores trying to get the best price on peanut butter and jelly. I finally found it and could afford it at the last store. I purchased the generic brand. I noticed right away that I would not be able to purchase my usual fruits and vegetables or my budget would be exhausted and I wouldn’t have something to eat for three meals for seven days. This evening I spent $15.93. I went to four grocery stores looking for my sale items. I realized I only have $5.07 left. I then realized that some of the things on my menu needed other items to complete the meal such as butter, salad dressing, mayo, relish etc. At one point I realized I needed to purchase approximately 6 additional items and doing so would exceed my budget. At that point I revisited my menu and determined what I could do without. Decisions, and more decisions. I decided to cut the butter, I decided to get rid of the salad because I’d also need dressing for the salad etc. I even contemplated not having one of the three meals that I’d written on my menu each day. Oh yeah, I also noticed that next week I can’t sit at work and drink my Dasani water that I normally drink because that’s outside of my budget. I guess if I don’t buy a gallon of something from the dollar store I’ll be bringing water from my sink at home for my drinks with meals. I also noticed that I’d have to try a lot of generic brands of things on my menu because I can’t afford the brands that I would normally. And who would have ever thought I’d be considering how many pieces of bread were in a loaf to ensure that I had enough for all the meals that included bread on my menu. The things we often take for granted.
Tuesday - 3/4/08
I decided to revamp my menu. I am now selecting something that I can have for two meals as opposed to one meal. I haven’t spent my last $5 yet because I have to make wise choices and some things I need to purchase at the last minute prior to the challenge so they will be fresh such as the bread.
Wednesday - 3/5/08
I contemplated revamping my menu again to get more bang for my buck and hopefully have a more filling meal. I actually went to the dollar store to pick up my last few items. For some reason it was hard to spend my last $5 so I decided to hold off on getting anything additional until I was positively sure regarding what I wanted.
Friday - 3/7/08
This evening I completed my shopping. I was so excited about my last purchase. I was able to get a 2lb. Bag of elbow macaroni, a small jar of mayonnaise and a small jar of relish for $2.50. I was so happy about that purchase that when I went to buy my bread I also picked up a pack of cookies. Now my $21 is gone. I went home a revamped my menu again trying to ensure that I got the biggest bang for my buck and for my stomach.
I got home and added up all my receipts and would you believe all my groceries totally $21.03. I was over budget. Back to the drawing board. Initially I thought I’d cut the cookies but then I decided to cut one of the packs of oodles of noodles. They were .20 each that would bring me within budget.
Sunday - 3/9/08
Today I finalized my menu and ensured that I ate all my favorites since the challenge officially begins tomorrow. I decided that I would combine the jello and the fruit cocktail that were on my menu and I could have that for either a breakfast a few days during the challenge or for a snack. I also filled a 2 liter bottle with tap water to carry to work for the challenge since I will be unable to drink my usual bottled water.
Monday - 3/10/08
Well today is the first day of the challenge. Normally prior to the challenge I would have eaten a piece of two of fruit and probably ate a cup of yogurt. Today, I could have neither. I wasn’t able to purchase them on my budget. So, instead I had jello with fruit cocktail in it. It was pretty tasty but not very filling at all. Now I’m drinking water trying to make it until lunchtime. I’m also used to snacking on all kinds of items such as popcorn, crackers etc. between breakfast and lunch. None of those items were part of my budget either so today it will strictly be ONLY THE ITEMS I PURCHASED FOR MY MEALS. I think with out all my “filler foods & drinks” it’s going to be a LONG WEEK.
Monday 3/3/08
Today I decided to participate in the Food Stamp Challenge with my Exec. Director and co-workers. This evening I began outlining my menu. I didn’t think I could go to the store and stick to my $21 limit if I did not first have some idea of what I’d like to have.
I was really excited about the challenge. I touched basis with my mother and mother in law to gain support and momentum. I talked to my father in law who after hearing about the contest told me “Just quit now”. Not exactly the support I was seeking. My mother and mother in law on the other hand assured me that it could be done and even offered me some meal suggestions. I then mentioned the challenge to my husband and told him what my budget was. His reply was “$21 a day – Oh I can do that”. I then had to give him a reality check and say “No $21 a week”. He then replied “Oh I’ll do it with you – When I’m with you” which meant to me he’d be sneaking things that weren’t actually on our menu and in our budget. My mother told me one thing that I’d already realized myself and that is the an actual food stamp recipient might not have the ability to run around and bargain shop as I am doing for a variety of reasons. They may even have to shop at ”corner stores” stores as opposed to actual grocery stores where prices are significantly marked up. I must admit I am a bargain shopper and I always look for sales but trying to maintain a $21 dollar for 7 days limit really tested my bargain shopping and meal organization skills. I had to make decisions regarding what was affordable and what would be filling at the same time. I had to go to at least three stores trying to get the best price on peanut butter and jelly. I finally found it and could afford it at the last store. I purchased the generic brand. I noticed right away that I would not be able to purchase my usual fruits and vegetables or my budget would be exhausted and I wouldn’t have something to eat for three meals for seven days. This evening I spent $15.93. I went to four grocery stores looking for my sale items. I realized I only have $5.07 left. I then realized that some of the things on my menu needed other items to complete the meal such as butter, salad dressing, mayo, relish etc. At one point I realized I needed to purchase approximately 6 additional items and doing so would exceed my budget. At that point I revisited my menu and determined what I could do without. Decisions, and more decisions. I decided to cut the butter, I decided to get rid of the salad because I’d also need dressing for the salad etc. I even contemplated not having one of the three meals that I’d written on my menu each day. Oh yeah, I also noticed that next week I can’t sit at work and drink my Dasani water that I normally drink because that’s outside of my budget. I guess if I don’t buy a gallon of something from the dollar store I’ll be bringing water from my sink at home for my drinks with meals. I also noticed that I’d have to try a lot of generic brands of things on my menu because I can’t afford the brands that I would normally. And who would have ever thought I’d be considering how many pieces of bread were in a loaf to ensure that I had enough for all the meals that included bread on my menu. The things we often take for granted.
Tuesday - 3/4/08
I decided to revamp my menu. I am now selecting something that I can have for two meals as opposed to one meal. I haven’t spent my last $5 yet because I have to make wise choices and some things I need to purchase at the last minute prior to the challenge so they will be fresh such as the bread.
Wednesday - 3/5/08
I contemplated revamping my menu again to get more bang for my buck and hopefully have a more filling meal. I actually went to the dollar store to pick up my last few items. For some reason it was hard to spend my last $5 so I decided to hold off on getting anything additional until I was positively sure regarding what I wanted.
Friday - 3/7/08
This evening I completed my shopping. I was so excited about my last purchase. I was able to get a 2lb. Bag of elbow macaroni, a small jar of mayonnaise and a small jar of relish for $2.50. I was so happy about that purchase that when I went to buy my bread I also picked up a pack of cookies. Now my $21 is gone. I went home a revamped my menu again trying to ensure that I got the biggest bang for my buck and for my stomach.
I got home and added up all my receipts and would you believe all my groceries totally $21.03. I was over budget. Back to the drawing board. Initially I thought I’d cut the cookies but then I decided to cut one of the packs of oodles of noodles. They were .20 each that would bring me within budget.
Sunday - 3/9/08
Today I finalized my menu and ensured that I ate all my favorites since the challenge officially begins tomorrow. I decided that I would combine the jello and the fruit cocktail that were on my menu and I could have that for either a breakfast a few days during the challenge or for a snack. I also filled a 2 liter bottle with tap water to carry to work for the challenge since I will be unable to drink my usual bottled water.
Monday - 3/10/08
Well today is the first day of the challenge. Normally prior to the challenge I would have eaten a piece of two of fruit and probably ate a cup of yogurt. Today, I could have neither. I wasn’t able to purchase them on my budget. So, instead I had jello with fruit cocktail in it. It was pretty tasty but not very filling at all. Now I’m drinking water trying to make it until lunchtime. I’m also used to snacking on all kinds of items such as popcorn, crackers etc. between breakfast and lunch. None of those items were part of my budget either so today it will strictly be ONLY THE ITEMS I PURCHASED FOR MY MEALS. I think with out all my “filler foods & drinks” it’s going to be a LONG WEEK.
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