*Feed Your Family $10 A Day Challenge*(AT HOME)

[LoveDisney!!!]

I do not think people eat less healthy meals because they have no money (at least not on this thread, where everyone has house/job/internet service/Disney vacations)


They eat less healthy because that is what they choose to do. I can only speak for myself when I say that keeping track of what we eat (including portions) helps me trim my budget and DH's waistline. Is this a bad thing?

That is part of my point. Although people may have plenty of money for all of this, it (at times) looks like people are sacrificing good, healthy meals for cheaper, less healthy ones (while still enjoying internet/WDW/etc).

Everyone should look for ways to reduce expenses, but if you are routinely eating poorly, you may want to examine that.

 

[LoveDisney!!!]

I just saw Beth's post, so I will leave this thread.

I do wish you all luck in your goals, whatever they may be.

 

[punkin]

Everyone should look for ways to reduce expenses, but if you are routinely eating poorly, you may want to examine that.

If you think my family is eating poorly, you should re-read my menus.

 

[dawn1967]

Just came across this dessert and I know a lot of us are watching our waistlines and pockets and this does both.
Think I'll will make this next week for a nice Sunday dessert.
I figured out for me to make this for my family it would cost maybe 3.00 if i had to buy the strawberries and raspberries. Which i don't there in the freezer.

INGREDIENTS
2 egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
Dash salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
3/4 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, halved or quartered depending on size
3/4 cup fresh or frozen whole raspberries
1 Tbsp. superfine or confectioners' sugar (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. In mixing bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar, vanilla and salt until soft peaks form (tips of peaks will curl over when beaters are removed).

3. Beat in sugar a little at a time until soft peaks form (peaks will remain upright when beaters are removed). Sprinkle cocoa over top and fold in gently.

4. Drop meringue by 1/4 cup portions onto parchment paper that has been lightly coated with cooking spray. Indent center of each with back of tablespoon.

5. Bake 45 minutes or until dry to touch. Remove and cool. When completely cooled, store in air-tight container to prevent meringues from becoming soggy before serving time.

6. Just prior to serving, fill center of each meringue with mixture of fruit so berries mound slightly. Lightly dust fruit with sugar to garnish. If confectioners' sugar is used, sift lightly over berries using small strainer and spoon to move sugar through strainer. This technique achieves light dusting desired.

 

[dawn1967]

What is a poor diet?
I'm a Diabetic

If i eat fruit that' worse then candy for me if i eat to many root vegatables that is almost as bad for me.

My diet basically consists of protein. Either tuna or chicken or turkey. And a green leafy veggie. If i eat lets see 3 fruits and 2 veggies. I will be sick If i eat to much grains i will be sick also.
Please before we comment think some of us have diets that we must follow to be healthy. Not all our children eat like truck drivers and right now it's going to be 107 outside my kids last thing they want is food they want liguid wait until winter when my kids become bears and eat everything that's not bolted down. Just sometimes it's not what you think it's what others know.
Really i'm not trying to be argumentative with anyone but before we react we must think. And i must listen to my own words to.

 

[mommiepoppins]

What is a poor diet?
I'm a Diabetic

If i eat fruit that' worse then candy for me if i eat to many root vegatables that is almost as bad for me.

My diet basically consists of protein. Either tuna or chicken or turkey. And a green leafy veggie. If i eat lets see 3 fruits and 2 veggies. I will be sick If i eat to much grains i will be sick also.
Please before we comment think some of us have diets that we must follow to be healthy. Not all our children eat like truck drivers and right now it's going to be 107 outside my kids last thing they want is food they want liguid wait until winter when my kids become bears and eat everything that's not bolted down. Just sometimes it's not what you think it's what others know.
Really i'm not trying to be argumentative with anyone but before we react we must think. And i must listen to my own words to.

my family seems to eat more pasta ect during the winter, so we have different eating patters than summer. I would love to eat where it is great temps all year. I think that is why I gain so much lbs in the winter and during the summer I eat like a bird.
now I do the food program just like school lunches . i have people from the state come in at meal times to see what I am feeding the children and they have always been pleased. so I really do not know either to what people are talking about.

I really like this thread becuase it has been a great way for me to be accountable to what I eat. I do geat great ideas from all of you. so let just have fun

 

[Green Tea]

I saw this recipe somewhere and tried it. Actually pretty good, and a new use for peaches if you have a lot at picking time.

half and remove the pit. Brush cut and back surface with oil(or spray) grill face down until nice char marks appear. Turn and grill skin side while putting a small spoon full of nut & honey flavored cream cheese in the hole. Cook until that starts melting.

 

[frndshpcptn]

You paid $10 for a salad...?! I could never live in NYC! (Laughing at myself and views, not you! My salad this pm will have chicken (free range), fresh mozzarella, farmers market veggies, and homemade salad dressing and will cost about $10. And feed 5 of us. And I have boys that are really hollow... Think I'll add a loaf of homemade wheat bread...

Yup - it's crazy I know. But - if I buy all the ingredients and make my own I end up wasting food b/c I can't finish it all before it goes bad.

And crazy as it sounds, it's such a norm in NYC that there is ALWAYS a line out the door of the place to even get a salad at lunchtime. And they are only 1 of about 6 places in my work neighborhood that makes these salads!

For today:

Breakfast:
Smoothie from Jamba Juice - 5.81

Lunch:
Bell and Evans Chicken Cutlet (baked) - 3.00
Parmesean Zuchinni Latkes - 2.80
Diet Coke - .65

Snack:

Corn Soup - 1.24

Dinner:

Bell and Evans Garlic Chicken Cutlet - 3.00
Whole Wheat Pasta - .29
Sauce - .62
Watermelon - 1.40
diet coke - .25

Total: 19.06

 

[smfritz03]

Here's our's for the day.

B/fast:

Toast on 100% whole wheat. (boy that stuff is DRY) $.35
Butter
Cereal w/ 1% milk. $1.00


Lunch:

Kids will be eating at camp.
Me--Left overs from Cheeseburger in Paradise (our anniversary dinner last night)
Dh--Turkey sandwich w/ pasta salad (left over from cookout on Sunday) $.50


Dinner:

Grilled Chicken Brushetta $10
Grilled New Potatoes $2
Spinach $2

_______________________TOTAL $15.85

 

[disneymom3]

yes walmart dose it for produce. I usually get my corn from wal and bring in my Aldi flyer.

Wow! I so did not know that! Okay the only problem is I am not thrilled with the Walmart produce quality. It is not very good here. Their oranges, apples and bananas are okay but forget the rest of the fruit. Grapes--eat em in two days or they are garbage! Of course, who can hurt baby carrots and cut up broccoli! I am going to be shopping with a new eye there!

 

[LuckyMamaInDE]

Dawn, that fruit/meringue dessert sounds yummy! I wish I could make it but the humidity right now would make the meringue all yucky and sticky. I'll have to save it for a nice dry day

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

dawn, that is called a Pavlova, when you have fruit in a meringue. Very delicious! And in general, meringues are a reasonable "diet" dessert/cookie--low in fat, not too horrible in calories. I usually only make them at Christmas, I have a recipe where you add flecks of shaved chocolate instead of the cocoa powder, and then you pipe them in stars on the cookie sheet and bake them. We all love them. My only problem is, I seem to get the sticky meringue everywhere, but I suspect that has to do with operator error!

BTW, you could throw the extra yolks into a quiche or scrambled eggs, if you're looking to use them up. I've heard you can freeze eggs, but have never tried this.

 

[TNKBELL]

Right now with the Target Coupon Generator you can save on Oscar Meyer Lunchables, at many locations they are on sale for $1.25, if you print out the coupon from the generator the price is .25 no limit on coupons, also they have hot dogs for 1.27 so after the coupon it would be .27 per package. ( I know this isn't healthy but an alternative to fast food)

Link to Target Coupon Generator
http://coupons.50webs.org/

Also FREE Gerber Baby Food, on the generator there is a coupon for Gerber Baby food, if you combine that with a coupon for 2.00 off 4 from the Gerber website, you will actually make .12 on this.

Link to Gerber Coupons
http://www.gerber.com/coupons




I also just wanted to add...In response to attacks regarding healthy eating habits...There have been numerous studies that indicate that moderation plays a larger factor in overall health moreso than content. Our bodies are designed (wonderfully by God) to tell us when we need to eat...it's called hunger, if we wait on hunger and don't overeat we will all be much healthier. We live in the land of plenty and it is hard to limit ourselves, but if we as a nation don't stop overindulging it will be our downfall.

 

[mommiepoppins]

Wow! I so did not know that! Okay the only problem is I am not thrilled with the Walmart produce quality. It is not very good here. Their oranges, apples and bananas are okay but forget the rest of the fruit. Grapes--eat em in two days or they are garbage! Of course, who can hurt baby carrots and cut up broccoli! I am going to be shopping with a new eye there!

I agree wal mart is hit or miss with produce. The string beans were a hit . I have bought yellow sqash and it looke like it was used for base ball .

 

[punkin]

The wallmart near me does not have produce. I actually like much of the produce at Aldi's. I got some lovely pineapples, peppers, mushrooms and lemons there today. I have gotten potatoes in the past (hit or miss) and onions (uniformly good) as well as good bananas, avocados and tomatoes. I spent $25 at Aldi's today. Not bad for two huge bags of groceries. The same at my local Giant would have been at least $50.

 

[dawn1967]

We neither have a super target or super walmart and i really don't think i would use them for grocery's I hear people that have them near them say the cuts of meat are terrible and the veggies and fruits are a hit and miss. I shop at a local grocer that's been here for over 50 yrs his meat and produce is a mix of 4h and brand stuff. I know if i want a great cut of meat and the freshest produce i get the 4-h stuff. And it's no higher in price then the name brand sometimes cheaper.
I normally stay out of the inner aisles unless i need things like flour and sugar or dry spices or tuna. Those items i can get at the bulk store (it's like a costco but with out the fee) walmart or target i'm sure can not give me those prices.

 

[daisy_77]

I am amazed at how well you all can save money! I am always trying to find ways to save money on groceries since we seem to spend sooo much! I don't think I can do $10 a day but I would definitely love to get the costs down.

I am on Weight Watchers so I try to eat what I love and still stay in my points range. My DH can really get his eat on! He loves to eat and works out at the gym a lot so he gets hungry REALLY fast. DD is only 2 1/2 so she eats hardly anything. Here is what is on the menu today:

Breakfast:
DH-
Grits .25
3 eggs .40
2 slices ham .85

Me-
Nectarine .40
Low Carb bagel w/tomato slice and FF cheese .75

DD and DNeph (1 year old-I watch him during the day)-
Cereal .50
Low fat milk .25
Sliced apples .15
DD had OJ- .30
DNeph had something from home in his sippy cup

Lunch:
DH-
Large Turkey Avocado Wrap (made at home) :
Avocado .44
Turkey 1.25
Tomato .10
Sliced Pepper Jack Cheese .30
Cream cheese .15
Large tortilla .25
100 cal pack Baked Cheetos .33
2 Nectarines .80
Can of Light Lemonade .20

DD and DNeph-
Mickey Mouse Ravioli .74
Chopped tomatoes .10
Sprinkle of parmesan cheese
Sliced carrots .25
Applesauce .42
Milk .50

Me:
Lean Cuisine 1.56
Sliced carrots .25
Applesauce .21

Snack:
DH-Zone bar .76
Me-String cheese .10
DD-Celery w/peanut butter and apple juice .25
DNeph-Gerber Graduates banana cookies and apple juice from home

Dinner:
BBQ Chicken 5.54
Corn on the Cob 1.00
Green salad 1.25
Rolls .88

Total: 19.39 and that is if DH does not come home with an ice cream Snickers bar and Red Bull from the convenience store.

I don't know how you all have the patience to figure all the amounts and prices for each item and then add it all up. This has taken me all morning.

 

[disneyjunkie]

now I do the food program just like school lunches . i have people from the state come in at meal times to see what I am feeding the children and they have always been pleased. so I really do not know either to what people are talking about.

Who oversees this?

I teach kindergarten in a daycare center. The health Department reviews all of our menus.

We are required to serve 2 fruits and/or veggies, X ounces of milk or dairy (varies by age), a starch and some type protein with each meal.

We can't serve any type of canned pasta.(not enough meat) They prefer fresh fruit over canned. We can use canned if it's sugar free. We only use it if a delivery is late.

Most classes are served 1% milk.

A typical lunch at our center would be

spaghetti with meatballs
tossed salad
bread sticks
apples
milk

or

yellow rice with chick peas
baked chicken
tossed salad
broccoli
rolls
milk

or
mac and cheese (homemade, we’re not allowed to use boxed mixes)
carrot salad
garden peas
bread sticks
milk

In home centers here have to follow the same guidelines.

 

[daisy_77]

disneyjunkie---those lunch menus are making me hungry!

 

[mommiepoppins]

Who oversees this?

I teach kindergarten in a daycare center. The health Department reviews all of our menus.

We are required to serve 2 fruits and/or veggies, X ounces of milk or dairy (varies by age), a starch and some type protein with each meal.

We can't serve any type of canned pasta.(not enough meat) They prefer fresh fruit over canned. We can use canned if it's sugar free. We only use it if a delivery is late.

Most classes are served 1% milk.

A typical lunch at our center would be

spaghetti with meatballs
tossed salad
bread sticks
apples
milk

or

yellow rice with chick peas
baked chicken
tossed salad
broccoli
rolls
milk

or
mac and cheese (homemade, we’re not allowed to use boxed mixes)
carrot salad
garden peas
bread sticks
milk

In home centers here have to follow the same guidelines.

lunch and dinner needs to have protein, a bread type (it can be a macaroni) 2 fruits or 2 veggies or a fruit and veggie and milk.. The childrenhave to have milk and it can be any , they prefer skim. I hardly make mac and cheese from a box . I think we have the same regulations, however we can serve from a can (fruit0 I would not want my children haveing any sugar free fruit, due to it prob has fake sugar.