It's impossible to go into this experiment and believe that we're going to eat the same way we always have. We know it's going to be radically different. I'm sure we'll eat a few meals like we normally do, but not only are the meals going to change, but the rationale behind the meal will change too. No longer will dinner be throwing together something at the last minute, No longer will Scott "Just pick something up on the way home." Meals will be planned. Meals will be orchestrated. Meals will be agonized over. Meals might become ordeals.
We know, that going into this month that we're going to be giving up some things without a doubt. They are not core to a streamlined budget, they are not found on food pyramids, and some of the them are barely considered food. Here's what we know we're going to do without.
Bottled water. Scott and I drink one bottle each and every time we go to the gym. We also carry a bottle whenever we head out as a family. An additional bottle of water usually sits alongside our bed for nocturnal parched-ness. We will finally put to use the metal canteen thingy-s that Scott regularly brings back from ocassional out-of-town business seminars. I have tried to use one in the past, but couldn't get past the weird-feeling plastic nozzle. Well I guess I have a choice, the metal canteen or the drinking fountain.
Bottled juice. If Scott and I are drinking bottled water, the kids have a cup with apple juice. I always dilute it 50%-50% with tap water, but I know that the American Academy of Pediatrics specifically recommends that children Grant's age only consume 4 ounces of juice per day. I am certain both boys are consuming way more than that. So I guess giving up the juice by necessity is a good thing.
Fancy coffee. Scott and I have never been coffeehouse people. We don't know our Venti from our Grande, but on weekends, we love to brew big pots of coffee and use flavored cream and other goodies. Since coffee can't be consumed by our kids, we'll do without. Bye, bye International Delights, see ya next month, Splenda.
Takeout. When your daily food budget is the same as one meal at even the most modest fast-food restaurant, fast food is definitely off limits. And really, all dining outside of the home will pretty much break the bank, so that's off limits too.
Condiments. Scott and I are condiment connoisseurs. We love sauces, spreads and seasonings. At one time, we had seven different kinds of mustard in our refrigerator. Under our budget, we will be flavoring our meals with Ketchup, plain yellow mustard and possibly one bottle of ranch dressing. I will weep for lack of blue cheese and Frank's red hot sauce, but I will survive.
Soda. Scott and I usually have one diet soda per day with lunch. At 50 cents per can, I think we'll need that in our budget. Besides, water is better for us anyway.
Ice Cream. Ice cream is our favorite dessert. Ice cream is singlehandedly responsible for most of my belly roll.
Snacks. Chips, pretzels, cookies, pop-tarts (Connor's favorite breakfast). None of these foods seem like they fit in this restricted budget plan. I will buy a box of Goldfish for Connor and Grant because they did not ask for a drastic diet change and I want to have one comfort food available for snacks.
In reading this, it seems like we drink a lot of unnecessary fluid and eat a lot of garbage. Maybe getting rid of this stuff will more than save us money, maybe it will save our lives.
Tomorrow's post: Labeling the pantry
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