Live Below The Line- 31 Day Challenge
Replies
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Day 3
A lot of feedback today, and all is appreciated.
Again, just to clarify, this is simulation, nothing is exact reality because that is literally impossible. I'm not numb to the luxuries I have, and I attempt each day not to take any for granted.
This experiment is not to mock the poor, suggesting with enough planning anyone can eat a balanced diet. I see everyday the obstacles people in poverty face, I work in the homes of people on government health care, people who are too sick to work, people who are mentally ill, with addition, in recovery etc.
My job revolves around teaching, teaching people how to care for themselves and, so far, this challenge is giving me more tools on ideas for teaching good nutrition on limited means. With my existing interest in food and disease process, this has all been such a blessing.
But...this was today...Day 3
Most calories eaten thus far...basially my maintenance.
I will say my husband made the food while I worked and his was much better than mine. Thankful for him!
Breakfast
Oats
Banana
Peanuts butter
Cinnamon
Stevia
Total $.034
Lunch
Homemade Mexican Tomato Soup
Beans
Tortilla
Total $0.39
Dinner
Sam's Rice
Sam's Bean
Tortillas
Tomatoes
$0.42
Snack
Sam's PB oat dessert
$0.18
Total $1.33
Stats: Calories 1834, Fat 49g, Protien 62g, Carbs 295g, Fiber 42g...about 2.5L of water.
The addition of peanut butter was awesome, helps with protien, but ups the calories. Looking forward to eating Sam's meal prep tomorrow and wanted to share his dessert recipe with you all, very tasty.
3/4 C Old fashion oats
4 tbsp peanut butter, unsweetened, salted or unsalted
1 medium banana
1 oz raisins
1 oz peanuts, roasted
40g shredded carrot
Mash together or incorporate in mixing bowl
Should make 4 servings of 1/4c each, can form into whatever shape you wish. Placed in freezer for a few minutes to firm slightly. Good protien, Fat and
enough to take the sweet craving away.
Goodnight all, see you tomorrow,
Leslie5 -
You know what would be beneficial, if you were to post how much of each you actually eat, because I seriously dont see this happening with the cost per meal you are posting.
Can you see my diary? I made it public so you could see portions. I don't know if myfitnesspal allows you to see recipes others have created, as this is how I've been logging, otherwise hand entering each ingredient would drive me crazy lol.0 -
You know what would be beneficial, if you were to post how much of each you actually eat, because I seriously dont see this happening with the cost per meal you are posting.Leslierussell4134 wrote: »Can you see my diary? I made it public so you could see portions. I don't know if myfitnesspal allows you to see recipes others have created, as this is how I've been logging, otherwise hand entering each ingredient would drive me crazy lol.
Along these lines, I was confused about the dessert calories - how many servings does it make? You logged one serving at 219 calories. The peanut butter alone is around 400 calories.
I've made something similar with just oats, PB, raisins, and spices but don't have it often as it is so caloric. I like the idea of adding carrots for bulk at little calories.0 -
The biggest problem with eating cheaply is malnutrition as i am sure you are noticing since you already stated that your taking vitamins before even starting which most low income can not afford. let alone most people who are dirt poor do not have a farm to get there crops which if they did your total income on food could be zero with growing your own. I am glad that your trying to save money though there is no compression.2
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I don't understand why everyone is so argumentative about this.
@Leslierussell4134 - well done. Your heart is in a very good place, you're donating and educating. I don't think it gets much better than that. Oh, and peanut butter. That's as good as life gets, really. ((hug))7 -
@cmriverside because your trying to turn something into something that it's not. It would be like some one saying for a day i want to see what it's like being homeless an spend the day on the street an at night sleep in there house.3
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cmriverside wrote: »I don't understand why everyone is so argumentative about this.
@Leslierussell4134 - well done. Your heart is in a very good place, you're donating and educating. I don't think it gets much better than that. Oh, and peanut butter. That's as good as life gets, really. ((hug))
Personally, while I think the OP means well and is sincere, the whole 'challenge' just seems unfocused and more about the OP than a definable cause. For one thing, the charity aspect, while laudable, was an afterthought. Another statement the OP made that bothered me was that the US poverty level amount was "too easy", which seemed to disparage (hopefully inadvertently) people here in the US who have to make do with that amount.
There's a line between being "well-meaning but insensitive" and being exploitative to raise one's own social status, and it seems the OP is right at line or just over it. I think a lot of the other posters here are commenting based on where they see the line, too.8 -
My discomfort with the challenge is that she is posting about it. My understanding is that she wants to challenge herself to eat under the line so that she has a better understanding of the challenges faced by people in poverty. That is certainly a worthy goal that will surely lead to some self-reflection and awareness. But there is no need to post about it. If the goal is to increase self-awareness then there is no need to let everyone know. It is poverty tourism* on a plate.
*Google it for a better explanation than what I can give.9 -
Good grief, tough crowd.7
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kshama2001 wrote: »You know what would be beneficial, if you were to post how much of each you actually eat, because I seriously dont see this happening with the cost per meal you are posting.Leslierussell4134 wrote: »Can you see my diary? I made it public so you could see portions. I don't know if myfitnesspal allows you to see recipes others have created, as this is how I've been logging, otherwise hand entering each ingredient would drive me crazy lol.
Along these lines, I was confused about the dessert calories - how many servings does it make? You logged one serving at 219 calories. The peanut butter alone is around 400 calories.
I've made something similar with just oats, PB, raisins, and spices but don't have it often as it is so caloric. I like the idea of adding carrots for bulk at little calories.
It only made 4 servings, my husband ate all 3 of the others.1 -
bostonjim23 wrote: »The biggest problem with eating cheaply is malnutrition as i am sure you are noticing since you already stated that your taking vitamins before even starting which most low income can not afford. let alone most people who are dirt poor do not have a farm to get there crops which if they did your total income on food could be zero with growing your own. I am glad that your trying to save money though there is no compression.
I stated from the beginning this isn't a comparison, but just to clarify I don't have a farm. I live in a small urban area with above the ground planters and an herb box, I make the most out of roughly 90 sq ft.
To those that have a problem with me posting about this challenge, please understand this isn't my challenge, this has been done by thousands if not 10's of thousands of people before me, just Google it. It's because of them that I've come to have awareness and even thought of questioning my resource consumption, and community service to the impoverished in my hometown. Why does everything have to be about me, it's not, I'm trying to raise awareness, and if even one person see my intention, I've succeeded.
Do all a favor and don't read the thread if it bothers you so, to each their own, but I'm gaining a ton of useful information which will likely alter my life experience going forward.6 -
Day 4
Today was a little rough, long work day and I struggled to get the calories in (made up for it at dinner). Took my a long time to finished my shake, it was so dang hot and I wasn't hungry. Not sure if it's a good thing to force myself to eat, I just don't want to feel crummy under eating or not getting enough protein. Nevertheless, it was a success. I did however change things up and start taking my multi vitamin, as I believe I am lacking in Iron and calcium on this challenge so far. Other nutrients have been good, and I've been supplementing B12 twice weekly since going more plant based in May. I did have to adjust the calcium pricing, as a recent bottle cost more than previous, but I've included them in my daily totals.
Breakfast- see diary for serving sizes
Oats
Carrot
Peanuts butter
Banana
Stevia
Cinnamon
Total $0.32
Lunch
Sam's Beans
Sam's Rice
Veggie Soup
Total $0.57
Dinner
Sam's Beans
Sam's Rice
Veggie Soup
Tortillas
(Gaucamole- Avocado free from neighbors yard, traded for squash from our garden)
$0.66
Supplements
Vega Multi $0.13
Vega Calcium $0.14
Doctors Best B12 1500mcg $0.07
Total $0.34
Daily Total $1.89
Stats:
Protein 49g
Carbs 289g
Fat 32 g
Fiber 42g
Good night all,
Leslie3 -
Leslierussell4134 wrote: »kshama2001 wrote: »You know what would be beneficial, if you were to post how much of each you actually eat, because I seriously dont see this happening with the cost per meal you are posting.Leslierussell4134 wrote: »Can you see my diary? I made it public so you could see portions. I don't know if myfitnesspal allows you to see recipes others have created, as this is how I've been logging, otherwise hand entering each ingredient would drive me crazy lol.
Along these lines, I was confused about the dessert calories - how many servings does it make? You logged one serving at 219 calories. The peanut butter alone is around 400 calories.
I've made something similar with just oats, PB, raisins, and spices but don't have it often as it is so caloric. I like the idea of adding carrots for bulk at little calories.
It only made 4 servings, my husband ate all 3 of the others.
That makes sense, thanks. Looks yummy!1 -
I spent slightly over a year doing this some time ago ... because I had to.
My then-husband and I averaged about $25/week on groceries for the 2 of us.
I have absolutely no desire to go back to that again, and I think it contributed to the fact that I tend to hoard groceries until they're well past their expiry dates now ... just in case.
It's also one of the reasons why I didn't touch eggs for many years. I could get pullet eggs really inexpensively by the flat, so that was one of the main things we ate.9 -
My mom used to say, "It's not really charity if you feel the need to tell people about it."
This can be a tricky situation as some may want to spread awareness and use their experience as an example, while others are looking for a pat on the back for doing a good deed. Not saying OP falls into either catagory.5 -
Leslierussell4134 wrote: »Day 4
Breakfast- see diary for serving sizes
Oats
Carrot
Peanuts butter
Banana
Stevia
Cinnamon
Total $0.32
Can I ask what you're paying for bananas and peanut butter? In the places I shop, bananas are 59 cents a pound, and at roughly 5 to 6 ounces per banana (unpeeled -- you have to pay for the peel, even though you don't eat it
) that's already 20 cents. I don't buy the cheapest peanut butter, but I'm pretty sure even the cheap ones are at least 10 cents an ounce at a "normal" sale price (i.e., not some once-a-year, valid only with $50 purchase, sale price). So that's 30 cents, leaving only 2 cents for all of the other ingredients. 3 -
Did you buy the stevia? or did you have it already in your pantry? It is so awesome that you have a neighbor with an avocado tree. It's a nice way to get some fats in your diet.2
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lynn_glenmont wrote: »Leslierussell4134 wrote: »Day 4
Breakfast- see diary for serving sizes
Oats
Carrot
Peanuts butter
Banana
Stevia
Cinnamon
Total $0.32
Can I ask what you're paying for bananas and peanut butter? In the places I shop, bananas are 59 cents a pound, and at roughly 5 to 6 ounces per banana (unpeeled -- you have to pay for the peel, even though you don't eat it ) that's already 20 cents. I don't buy the cheapest peanut butter, but I'm pretty sure even the cheap ones are at least 10 cents an ounce at a "normal" sale price (i.e., not some once-a-year, valid only with $50 purchase, sale price). So that's 30 cents, leaving only 2 cents for all of the other ingredients.
Absolutely, thanks for asking. So I buy my peanut butter at Winco, they have a peanut grinder there, so you can buy whatever amount you'd like for $2.02/ lb. So it comes out to $0.13 per 30g serving, or 2 Tbsp, I measured to make sure. My bananas are $1.18 for 3 lbs from Sam's club, I bought bunches with 10 bananas making them $0.12 per. I shopped at those two stores for this month's groceries.3 -
L1zardQueen wrote: »Did you buy the stevia? or did you have it already in your pantry? It is so awesome that you have a neighbor with an avocado tree. It's a nice way to get some fats in your diet.
So I did buy the Stevia, as I have some growing at the moment, but I'm letting the plant mature before I start plucking it. The Stevia comes out to $0.02 per 4 drop serving.
Avocados are life for me! Hoping to get some more from the neighbor soon, we may be swapping squash for them from our garden. This was not in our rules when we began, but it makes sense to be fair. I think trade of goods is appropriate in most all circumstances 😉2 -
Leslierussell4134 wrote: »L1zardQueen wrote: »Did you buy the stevia? or did you have it already in your pantry? It is so awesome that you have a neighbor with an avocado tree. It's a nice way to get some fats in your diet.
So I did buy the Stevia, as I have some growing at the moment, but I'm letting the plant mature before I start plucking it. The Stevia comes out to $0.02 per 4 drop serving.
Avocados are life for me! Hoping to get some more from the neighbor soon, we may be swapping squash for them from our garden. This was not in our rules when we began, but it makes sense to be fair. I think trade of goods is appropriate in most all circumstances 😉
Bartering is a good plan.
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