I usually treat myself to Chinese take-out when my family's out of town, so this weekend is a test for me too. I ate breakfast at home, then went to the health food store to pick up some lemons and tea. I semi-cheated and bought a Thai microwave dinner for lunch instead of Chinese. It's not unlike me to push the envelope, but technically I didn't eat out. (There I go, rationalizing again.)
Steve and the kids ate breakfast at his brother's and lunch at his mom's. For dinner, the whole family congregated at Steve's brother's for our niece, Rachel's, 27th birthday party, complete with party food: sandwiches, veggies, chips and cake. My son doesn't like sandwiches, so Steve caved and bought Micah a Happy Meal from McDonald's. Not bad though. Two days down, one to go. Grand total spent on eating out: $3.50.
Saturday, January 17
Friday, January 16
Day 16: Traveling: The Ultimate Test
My husband and kids are leaving today to visit family in Kansas, a six-hour drive. We've been wondering how, and if, we were going to be able to stick to our resolution but decided spending time with family is, obviously, more important than spending $20 on a couple of drive-thru meals. Besides, we aren't trying to be Nazi-like or starve our children on long trips; we just want to challenge ourselves to be creative and take control of the way we use our money.
This morning, we ate a hearty breakfast of whole-grain pancakes and turkey sausage, then packed sandwiches, pretzels, Chex mix, apple slices and bottles of water for the trip. Steve called tonight and said his brother bought pizza for everyone for dinner. What a blessing! This weekend might be the toughest test all month, but so far so good. One day down, two to go.
This morning, we ate a hearty breakfast of whole-grain pancakes and turkey sausage, then packed sandwiches, pretzels, Chex mix, apple slices and bottles of water for the trip. Steve called tonight and said his brother bought pizza for everyone for dinner. What a blessing! This weekend might be the toughest test all month, but so far so good. One day down, two to go.
Thursday, January 15
Day 15: The Wanderer
No temptation to eat out today, but I needed a couple of essentials: stamps (to mail my father-in-law's already late birthday card) and toilet paper. (No one's going to argue with that, are you?) One of the benefits of this challenge is that I'm learning more about myself and my habits, like I did today.
After school, Mackenzie and I stopped in to our neighborhood Walgreen's to pick up the previously mentioned must-have's. The employees are friendly, the store is cozy and the sales are unbeatable. TP was on an end cap, and on sale, right inside the door. Stamps are behind the checkout counter so everything I needed was within five steps of the door. That is the moment I learned that I am a wanderer.
I grabbed the toilet paper and just kept on truckin'. Toward what I don't know. Just "looking", "browsing", "checking out this week's sale items", blah, blah, blah. See how dangerous that can be? I have become so lax that it's automatic for me to get what I need, then continue to shop. Not a good idea, and not healthy for the family finances. I also learned that it really annoys my kids. (That might be the only good reason for continuing to do it. JK)
So, I'm going to implement a new habit, and a new slogan: GIGO. Pronounce it however you want, but implement it ruthlessly: Get In, Get Out. The biggest GIGO perk: I'll not only be saving money, I'll be saving time, a precious resource that none of us can afford to waste.
After school, Mackenzie and I stopped in to our neighborhood Walgreen's to pick up the previously mentioned must-have's. The employees are friendly, the store is cozy and the sales are unbeatable. TP was on an end cap, and on sale, right inside the door. Stamps are behind the checkout counter so everything I needed was within five steps of the door. That is the moment I learned that I am a wanderer.
I grabbed the toilet paper and just kept on truckin'. Toward what I don't know. Just "looking", "browsing", "checking out this week's sale items", blah, blah, blah. See how dangerous that can be? I have become so lax that it's automatic for me to get what I need, then continue to shop. Not a good idea, and not healthy for the family finances. I also learned that it really annoys my kids. (That might be the only good reason for continuing to do it. JK)
So, I'm going to implement a new habit, and a new slogan: GIGO. Pronounce it however you want, but implement it ruthlessly: Get In, Get Out. The biggest GIGO perk: I'll not only be saving money, I'll be saving time, a precious resource that none of us can afford to waste.
Wednesday, January 14
Day 14: Keep the Whoppers
Has it only been two weeks since we committed to not eating out? It seems longer, or at least today it did. This day was crazy! There was the usual stuff: the morning and afternoon school rush and taxi service (three kids at three schools today), violin practice, an after school basketball game Mackenzie just had to go to ("It's my last middle school game, Mom!"), and church. Add to that a Go Green! meeting @ the elementary school, past due reports for one of my part-time gigs and training for another of those gigs, my son's tummy ache and a call from a friend with a very sick child, and this day was packed FULL.
There was no time to eat, let alone cook, or so I thought. A handful of walnuts, yogurt and a string cheese (and that oh-so-tiny candy bar) didn't cut it, but it's all I had time for. I wanted so badly to swing through Burger King (the Whopper is only a $1 right now!) or Taco Bell (Have you tasted those fully-loaded nachos?). Maybe it's pride, maybe it's principle, or maybe I'm finally getting it. Whatever it is, I managed to avoid the fast food joints and keep driving.
But by late afternoon, my stomach was painfully protesting my low cal day, and I didn't really care what promise I had made. Thank God for Steve, the voice of reason. He had an insane day too, but we brainstormed for five minutes and decided homemade pizza was the way to go. He made the dough while I picked up Mackenzie, and 45 minutes later, we were all chowing down on that hearty crust smothered with tomato sauce and Italian herbs, topped with turkey pepperoni, veggies and tons of cheese. Just the way we like it.
We oohed and aahhed over that simple meal and as the days go by, we continue to be amazed at how pleasant, how satisfying, this month is turning out to be. We wouldn't trade those modest meals shared with the ones we love for all the Whoppers in the world.
There was no time to eat, let alone cook, or so I thought. A handful of walnuts, yogurt and a string cheese (and that oh-so-tiny candy bar) didn't cut it, but it's all I had time for. I wanted so badly to swing through Burger King (the Whopper is only a $1 right now!) or Taco Bell (Have you tasted those fully-loaded nachos?). Maybe it's pride, maybe it's principle, or maybe I'm finally getting it. Whatever it is, I managed to avoid the fast food joints and keep driving.
But by late afternoon, my stomach was painfully protesting my low cal day, and I didn't really care what promise I had made. Thank God for Steve, the voice of reason. He had an insane day too, but we brainstormed for five minutes and decided homemade pizza was the way to go. He made the dough while I picked up Mackenzie, and 45 minutes later, we were all chowing down on that hearty crust smothered with tomato sauce and Italian herbs, topped with turkey pepperoni, veggies and tons of cheese. Just the way we like it.
We oohed and aahhed over that simple meal and as the days go by, we continue to be amazed at how pleasant, how satisfying, this month is turning out to be. We wouldn't trade those modest meals shared with the ones we love for all the Whoppers in the world.
Tuesday, January 13
Day 13: Soup, Heat Lamps and Life Lessons
I had no idea how addicted I am to restaurant food. Whenever I get sick, like today, I crave McAlister's chicken tortilla soup. It's loaded with chunks of chicken and crispy tortilla strips in a thick, spicy cheesy sauce. Yum! It's especially good for clearing the sinuses. But I'm committed to this challenge and I refuse to spend $4.00 for a cup of soup just because I WANT IT, and I WANT IT NOW! (Okay, I feel better...)
The other day our family decided that, as an extra challenge, we should each choose a favorite restaurant food and try to re-create it at home. We've already been able to do that with a few salads and soups. After all, Chinese stir fry is easy, the kids can even make their favorite fast food fare - chicken nuggets and fries, and homemade pizza is the bomb. So, what's the draw? Why do we flock to over-crowded, over-priced, microwave-then-heat-lamp-the-food restaurants? Pretty pathetic when I let myself think about it. I'm hoping this month will be the key to convincing myself, and my kids, that there is nothing "out there" that I can't find in here. Come to think of it, there might just be a larger life lesson buried in there too.
The other day our family decided that, as an extra challenge, we should each choose a favorite restaurant food and try to re-create it at home. We've already been able to do that with a few salads and soups. After all, Chinese stir fry is easy, the kids can even make their favorite fast food fare - chicken nuggets and fries, and homemade pizza is the bomb. So, what's the draw? Why do we flock to over-crowded, over-priced, microwave-then-heat-lamp-the-food restaurants? Pretty pathetic when I let myself think about it. I'm hoping this month will be the key to convincing myself, and my kids, that there is nothing "out there" that I can't find in here. Come to think of it, there might just be a larger life lesson buried in there too.
Monday, January 12
Day 12: Kids Eat Almost Free
Tonight is "kids eat free" night at one of our favorite restaurants. The food is healthful, the service is good and the atmosphere is quiet. As a bonus, they let you combine coupons. Once, we all ate there for less than a dollar. I haven't eaten all day, thanks to the lingering stomach bug, so letting someone else cook sounds like a brilliant idea. But, alas, I'm making chili instead.
Our family had a discussion last week about how much we like Wendy's chili and how cheap it is - only $1.29 per cup. But, when we dissected that argument, we figured out that we can make chili with all-natural beef, seasoning and sauce, veggies, and organic beans for MUCH less than $1.29 per person. This isn't rocket science, so why all the excuses for not eating at home, I wonder? So, tonight my kids ate almost free, at home sweet home.
Our family had a discussion last week about how much we like Wendy's chili and how cheap it is - only $1.29 per cup. But, when we dissected that argument, we figured out that we can make chili with all-natural beef, seasoning and sauce, veggies, and organic beans for MUCH less than $1.29 per person. This isn't rocket science, so why all the excuses for not eating at home, I wonder? So, tonight my kids ate almost free, at home sweet home.
Sunday, January 11
Day 11: Tea Time
I discovered a new way to avoid the temptation to eat out: the stomach flu. I spent the day on the couch, alternately sleeping and sipping peppermint tea. Steve and Mackenzie had a meeting, with lunch provided, right after church, and Maddie heated chicken soup in the microwave for herself and her little brother. For dinner, Mackenzie baked 100% all natural chicken nuggets for everyone, except me of course. What a great compromise; the kids get chicken nuggets, I feel (slightly) better about the quality of what they're eating, and our family saves money (and future heart attacks). :)
Two Sundays down, two to go. Time for more tea...and sleep.
Two Sundays down, two to go. Time for more tea...and sleep.
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