Food Stamp Challenge

[YummieSprite]

I know many people rely on food assistance and are able to eat very well, just as many people rely on food assistance and may not have the ability to eat whole foods or access to some more nutritious options.

The author of this website is undertaking an experiment to document eating well on a very low budget for a month. I think it's worth a look at--I know I'm planning to see if I learn anything from her.

Food Stamp Challenge

[EarthyFreeSpirit]

Thanks for posting this! This looks really interesting. Our FS are going to be going down to $357/month in October. And I'm trying really hard to feed us a whole foods diet.

[YummieSprite]

Ya know, I pretty much gave up on an entirely whole foods diet. Mainly b/c of the preparation time and the fact that Da Man frequently forgets to plan meals until later in the day if I don't do it or remind him. Still, we eat well. Tonight we had bean and cheese tostadas--cheap, quick and something everyone will eat. Lunches are the hard meals for us--I'll frequently take some fresh veggies to steam but Da Man and Da Kids will eat scrambled eggs or mac and cheese quite often.

I'll be watching to see what she does and how she handles some of the challenges.

[EarthyFreeSpirit]

Lately I've been eating a lot of farm eggs with raw cheese and ketchup. There is a little farmer's market place in my town that takes FS. They don't have produce though, just animal products, bread and pastries. I'm trying to increase my protein. I don't think I'm eating enough. I have some more WIC farmer's market vouchers that I need to use up soon too. Maybe this Saturday I'll make it into town.

[MamaCass]

It's hard to remember to plan meals in advance ()
I try, and it works for a couple of weeks, then something happens to mess up my schedule and I'm done for...

Usually it's bad planning on my part

[YummieSprite]

What I have finally started doing:
Maintain a pantry of common meal components that most of the family will eat most of the time. That is interesting with my family--I will eat meat occasionally, Da Man eats meat almost every day, Mr T will not eat anything that's obviously fruits or veggies, Poozer does not eat meat except for a rare hot dog or meatball () and Ms. Diva eats anything but really prefers fresh produce.

Most of the time we can whip up a quick, reasonably healthy meal on little notice. Tonight it was a can of refried beans, left over taco meat (specially seasoned by Da Man), cheese, tortillas. We have apples, oranges, and grapes for produce. Simple, filling, and fast.