The Food Stamps Challenge

Read about Day 1 on the Food Stamps Challenge here.

For those of you who don't live in the USA, foods stamps are vouchers that you can get from the government that you can exchange for food.

Although, now they are electronic debit cards instead of paper vouchers. They changed the program name to SNAP also, which stands for “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program”.

What is a food stamp/ SNAP challenge?
Oh it’s easy. Pretend you are on food stamps and only buy food on the budget you would have if you were actually receiving food stamps.

How much is that?
For the Houston Food Stamps Challenge, introduced to me by my writing friend, Michy, that is only $4 a day per person.

But I have a tiny advantage. I am actually on food stamps. My family of three gets $526 a month for food and most of the time, that is all we have for a food budget.

I did the food stamps math
$526 a month X 12 months = $6312 a year for food

$632 a year for food / 365 days a year = $17.26 a day for food for three people.

OR $5.76 a day for one person to feed themselves 3 meals a day (assuming you eat three meals a day)

OR $1.92 a meal per person. Hungry yet?

Well good! Because my oldest son and I are going to do the food stamps challenge Houston style. Our meal budget will be $1.33 a meal!



The Food Stamps Challenge Rules
From the Houston Food Bank SNAP Challenge page, the guidelines are

SNAP Challenge Guidelines

1. Each person should spend no more than a total of $28 on food and beverages during the Challenge week.
2. All food purchased and eaten during the Challenge week, including fast food and dining out, must be included in the total spending.
3. During the Challenge, only eat of that you purchase for the project. Do not eat food that you already own (this does not include spices and condiments).
4. You may not accept free food from friends, family, or at work, including at receptions, meetings or parties.
5. Keep track of receipts on food spending, and take note of your experiences throughout the Challenge week.

Considering that we are two people doing this challenge together, our weekly food budget is $56. This includes all drinks and food bought, even eating out. We don’t eat out, so that isn't problem.

So what’s the catch?
Here’s the part that will throw us. We have many food allergies, so we can’t just buy top ramen and call it good. We still have to plan our meals around foods we can eat.

Wait? There’s more?
AND In the spirit of the challenge, we are going to shop only locally. Usually we buy some foods locally and do a lot of our shopping out of town. But I know from my friends around here, that people can’t always afford to drive out of town to buy cheaper food.

We will be shopping at our local stores, on $4 a day per person, and posting our experiences throughout the week with menu plans. 

Who’s with us? Want to try the Food Stamps Challenge?

Almost All Moved In!

I am so exhausted! We have been moving this month and all my blogging went out the window because of it.

BUT by this weekend, we will be fully moved in and I can finally get back to blogging. So next week will look normal again!

And once I find my camera, I can post pictures of my new apartment.

Oh the joys of moving… I am never doing this again!

K**’s Fun Questionnaire

My friend, K**, saw that I was slacking on my blog and sent me a fun questionnaire to fill out and post. It’s 100 questions long. Here it goes…

Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
I don't have a closet

Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel?
No. I am no-pooing it.

Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?
I don't use sheets. They make my skin crawl.

Have you ever stolen a street sign before?
LOL, there was this time that... Wait… Does my local police department read this blog?

Do you like to use post-it notes?
OMG! YES! My desk looks like a piñata!

Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?
All. The. Time!

Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees?
Bees, I would be dead. Bear... I would still be dead. So... BEES! Because I would die faster.

Do you have freckles?
Yes.

Do you always smile for pictures?
Sometimes. Depends on the picture

What is your biggest pet peeve?
I can only pick one? Okay… People who argue over stupid stuff.

Do you ever count your steps when you walk?
Only when doing walking meditation.

Have you ever peed in the woods?
Yes. Yes I have. Several times. Okay, HUNDREDS of times. We lived in the country. Leave me alone.

What about pooped in the woods?
Yes. I have. We lived in the freaking woods... what was I supposed to do? Hold it until we went to the store.

Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing?
You mean you can dance WITH music playing? I have got to try this!

Do you chew your pens and pencils?
You bet! That's called thinking juice!

How many people have you slept with this week?
Zero. Unless you count the GYN check up. Then... Yea, no.

What size is your bed?
Couch or chair.

What is your Song of the week?
All my family thinks I'm gay... Bo Burnham!

Is it okay for guys to wear pink?
Well, yea. That was a silly question.

Do you still watch cartoons?
No. I don't watch much of anything anymore.

What's your least favorite movie?
Romance movies.

Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some?
If I told you all, it wouldn't be secret, then when I die, everyone would find it in, like, a day and all my fun would be over.

What do you drink with dinner?
Wine. Blackberry wine is my favorite. But if someone wants to buy me a bottle of Bitch wine, I would be SO HAPPY!

What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
The trash can… I don't eat chicken nuggets.

What is your favorite food?
Weird stuff that makes people gag.

What movies could you watch over and over and still love?
None of them. I would get sick of the movie after round 2.

Last person you kissed/kissed you?
Do my kids count for this? Cuz if you're asking about a man... I haven't had any in YEARS. (Pssst, I'm available)

Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
I got kicked out of Girl Scouts. Does that count?

Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?
If they paid me enough, SURE!

When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?
Uhm, it's been YEARS.

Can you change the oil on a car?
Yes I can because I am AWESOME like that.

Ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Yup. I was flying low through Emporia, Virginia. The cop was really nice though.

Ran out of gas?
Oh yes. Story of my life.

Favorite kind of sandwich?
OH! I love chicken wraps with avocado and Annie's Roasted Red Pepper dressing. THE BEST!

Best thing to eat for breakfast?
Coffee. Oh! You said “eat”. Uhm, coffee beans.

What is your usual bedtime?
Between 2 and 5 in the morning.

Are you lazy?
No. I am motivationally challenged.

When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
What? Like every year? You want me to remember that far back?

What is your Chinese astrological sign?
How the hell am I supposed to know that? Hold on... Google says "Rabbit".

How many languages can you speak?
English, Pirate, Sarcasm, Profanity and some ASL

Do you have any magazine subscriptions?
No. But I do like buying National Geographic.

Which are better Legos or Lincoln logs?
Legos! By far!

Are you stubborn?
Very. When I want to be.

Who is better...Leno or Letterman?
Leno. HAHAHAHAHA! I love that guy!

Ever watch soap operas?
Oh gawd NO!

Afraid of heights?
Terrified.

Sing in the car?
All the time!

Dance in the shower?
Are you kidding me? I'd slip and crack my head open.

Dance in the car?
Really??? HOW!? No really, tell me h... okay, yes, I do. They call it the "Dotchi Dance".

Ever used a gun?
Sure have! Hand gun, revolver, .303 British Enfield and .22 rifle.

Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer?
Oh, way back in, like... 2002 or something like that.

Do you think musicals are cheesy?
Some of them. But I love them for it.

Is Christmas stressful?
I hate that whole month. It sucks. I wouldn't have the holiday but my youngest son celebrates it.

Ever eat a pierogi?
YES! I love those. SO delicious!

Favorite type of fruit pie?
Apple pie made by my best friend, Nikky. (It's gluten-free)

Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?
A bird (I was 5), a race car driver, a writer, a circus clown, a nun, a nanny, a cook and many more.

Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes.

Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?
Yes. And Deja-moo… I think I saw that cow before!

Take a vitamin daily?
When I remember to. Does that count as "no"?

Wear slippers?
Sometimes. But not usually.

Wear a bath robe?
Sometimes, but not usually.

What do you wear to bed?
A smile.

First concert?
Uhm, it was... some 80's singer, I think. I can't remember.

Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart?
Wal-Mart or Costco

Nike or Adidas?
Aussie Dogs.

Cheetos Or Fritos?
Terra Sweet Potato Chips.

Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?
Pecans

Ever hear of the group Tres Bien?
I have now. Thanks.

Ever take dance lessons?
Nope.

Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?
Police Officer... frisk me baby! I've been naughty! Where’s my handcuffs!?

Can you curl your tongue?
Yes

Ever won a spelling bee?
Noep

Have you ever cried because you were so happy?
Yes, it was weird

Own any record albums?
No

Own a record player?
I don't think so

Regularly burn incense?
Asthma attack, anyone?

Ever been in love?
Unfortunately, yes

Who would you like to see in concert?
No. Just no. I want to keep what hearing I have left.

What was the last concert you saw?
1812 Overture and Some orchestra in San Diego on the lawn.

Hot tea or cold tea?
None. Coffee will do.

Tea or coffee?
COFFEE

Sugar or snicker doodles?
WHAT? Where is chocolate chip? What kind of options are these???

Can you swim well?
Yes, very well.

Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?
Uh, yes.

Are you patient?
Sometimes. But not usually.

DJ or band, at a wedding?
DJ... I think. Can we have techno?

Ever won a contest?
Yes I did! ONCE

Ever have plastic surgery?
No. I am all me. Fluff, wrinkles, folds and all!

Which are better black or green olives?
Green with pimento.

Can you knit or crochet?
Both. But I am better at crochet.

Best room for a fireplace?
Living room.

Do you want to get married?
I would have to meet the right person.

If married, how long have you been married?
19 years. We were together for 14 years. We’re separated now.

Who was your HS crush?
Didn't have one.

Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way?
LOL, no.

Do you have kids?
Yes. three boys.

Do you want kids?
I already have kids. I can't have anymore.

What's your favorite color?
Avocado green, burnt orange and pee pee yellow.

Do you miss anyone right now?
Leslie. Always.

Did you watch, Next Great American Band on FOX?
Never heard of it.

So, now that I had fun with that one… email me your questions for the next questionnaire that I will post in about a month. And thanks to K** for starting this

We are MOVING!

I was going to spend this week catching up on blogging and getting some ideas down on paper that I was toying with. Instead, we ended up moving. There are a lot of reasons why. The big one is we are in an apartment building with family and friends now. It’s like a small commune. Just up my alley!

We’ll continue moving in throughout the week and next week will be cleaning up the old apartment. I’ll try to update (with pictures!) by mid next week. I have not fallen off the planet. Just getting into a better place; mentally, physically, and spiritually.

And YES! I got the fun questionnaire from a reader (HI, K**) and I will try to get that posted this weekend during the yard sale.

Happy Blogging!

Dotchi

I am Exhausted! No Sleep for me!

I went to the Sleep Center in Kalispell on Tuesday to be accessed for my sleepwalking. First of all, I am not fond of the doctor I saw but, he set me up for a sleep study to see how my sleeping is.

One problem: I sleep in the morning hours. I have never been able to wake up and stay awake on a “normal schedule” like “normal people” do. I have tried to switch to a daytime wake schedule and I am like a zombie and become very depressed.

Left to my own devices, I fall asleep between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. and wake up between Noon and 3 p.m.

So, this week I have had to have a friend call and wake me up at 6 a.m. every morning. I have to stay awake all day, with no naps, and go to bed at 11 p.m., per the doctors orders, so I can do this sleep test.

I AM EXHAUSTED!

My brain says “I want this sleep test”. My body says “WTF ARE YOU DOING?” I still, even while exhausted, can not fall asleep until 1 or 2 a.m. SO, not only am I not on my schedule, but now I am sleep deprived.

Maybe I just need to ask Dr. Dickhead about keeping a sleep log for him for a month using an app on my phone, called Sleepbot, and just admit that I have Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder.

People keep saying, “OH! You can switch your sleep schedule if you try hard enough.” No. No I can’t! I have TRIED several times. I end up exhausted and end up having no sleep schedule at all and end up depressed.

In the end, I sleep weird crazy hours and times and end up right back on my bodies sleep schedule by the end of the whole thing.

This week, people really piss me off. Lack of sleep isn’t helping and being exhausted to the point that I want to cry about everything isn’t helping either!

There isn’t enough coffee, alcohol and drugs in the world to make me want to sleep on this schedule. It’s not like I have a “real job” and need to get on a schedule. Hell, even when I worked, I worked nightshift.

I am just a night owl. I function better at night. Even being awake at 6 a.m. my brain isn’t function before noon! I miss sleep and just want to cry!