Tuesday, April 14, 2009

The Food Stamp Challenge

Thank you for your interest in our virtual fund raiser. Use this blog page, and chect it frequently to stay current with what is going on with the event participants. We encourage you to actively comment on your experience as you go through this challenge. We think the experience will do three things: First, gives you first hand experience with what it is like trying to feed yourself for about $4 a day; Second, it allows you to be part of the solution in helping out the less fortunate; Third, you raise awareness about hunger and malnutrition in the community; and Fourth, you raise some money to help the Food Bank in its mission to alleviate hunger and malnutrition. Thank you for participating and for your generous and charitable involvement. To read or post comments, click here.
~ José Martinez, Food Bank Executive Director.

43 comments:

  1. I had a bit of trepidation in getting involved with the Food Stamp Challenge. I guess it wasn't so much the idea of the budget, as it was in knowing that I was going to be limited in this way, when I'm not really used to having this kind of limitation. I was wondering how this would affect everyone in the house, especially the kids, because they might not understand the reasons for this and what's to be gained by doing this. I think that when they start to understand how many people actually are REALLY restricted by this kind of financial constraint, that it might make them think a bit more before taking things for granted all the time. That's my hope, anyway. I know this much.......       we'll see.

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  2. Guess who won't get to eat anything at his own State of the City address banquet tomorrow!??! But it will only be day one, so hopefully I won't collapse on stage from a lack of energy.

    It is definitely possible to get enough calories to survive on $4/day by eating lots of sugar and saturated fats. The real challenge is eating a good balance of macronutrients (not just simple carbs and nasty fats, but protein and good fats, too) and micronutrients/vitamins/minerals. You can't get there by eating dollar meals at the fast-food drive-thru.

    Total caloric intake becomes an issue because (1) healthier foods are mostly not very energy-dense, (2) those of us who are very physically active need a lot more calories than the average USDA-approved diet, and (3) you shouldn't be losing weight while doing this challenge. The latter should be an obvious guideline, since if you were actually depending on a food-stamp budget for more than a few weeks, constant weight-loss is not a sustainable lifestyle.

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  3. So here's my basic strategy going into this. First, I'm going to try to do all of the shopping on one day and at just one store: the West Sacramento Grocery Outlet. The store is locally owned and operated, and offers pretty consistent deals. The fresh fruits and vegetables section doesn't match the city's other grocery stores, but I not going to able to afford a cornucopia anyway (we don't have a real farmer's market or CSA drop-offs in West Sac yet). I know the WalMart Supercenter also has low prices, but I'd like to keep as much of the profits here locally.

    Second, I'm going for just nine items: milk, broccoli, frozen chicken, oatmeal, bananas, eggs, cheddar cheese, peanut bars or butter, and canned tuna. I can produce a very healthy diet with those items, though I definitely won't break the 2,000-calorie/day mark. But that wipes out virtually all insulin-spiking simple carbohydrates, while ensuring a good balance of protein, slow-burning carbs, and healthy fats. Which is good, because I don't like to eat tofu or cook pinto beans, the staples of the Yamada-Rexroad challenge last Fall.

    We'll see later today whether I can actually get all nine items for no more than $20.

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  4. Grocery Outlet run was a success. Bought what I had planned, except substituted 10 apples for 6 bananas and didn't have enough to buy cheese. I was fortunate that the store employees didn't have me escorted out for loitering, as I must have stared at the aisle for hours in frustrated disbelief that I couldn't afford cheese.

    A typical day during the week will look like this:

    Meal 1: Cup of oatmeal, milk, and an apple.
    Meal 2: Two eggs and two tablespoons of peanut butter.
    Meal 3: Tuna (plus cheese if I can find it for $1.10) and an apple.
    Meal 4: Chicken breast and broccoli.
    Meal 5: Milk and two tablespoons of peanut butter.

    That's about 2,000 calories, and includes pretty decent amounts of protein, fiber, and essential fats.

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  5. Day 1: Three eggs for breakfast, with a delicious combination of salt and pepper. Washed down with Davis's finest blue dolphin (tap water).

    Current Status at 8:49= I could eat

    So far: the current benefits of the challenge are the ravenous pack of wolves that live at my house (my five male roommates) who already have inhaled the perishables I couldn't eat in time.

    If they so much as think about "borrowing" one of my eggs there is going to be a rumble.

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  6. Saturday, April 18th
    It was weird, but all day I kept thinking about how I had to really eat up this weekend because as of Monday I was on the Food Stamp Challenge.
    Sunday, April 19th
    I emailed some friends and I caught myself telling them that I was going to eat my last real meal on Sunday, because of the Food Stamp Challenge. I typically don't think about food or meals that way. I eat when I'm hungry and snack throughout the day (of course, if the opportunity presents itself, I can also pig out, but I don't think about it I just do it. Now I find myself thinking about pigging out because I feel I won't be able to eat a decent meal for a week).
    Sunday, April 19th
    My wife won't be on the challenge with me so I have to actually go out and shop for myself for the next 5 days. Ordinarily, I am bad about pricing food when I shop for food. Now, there I was looking at prices, comparing prices, and calculating in my head each item that I could get. Who ever said poor people don't know how to budget has never been poor. Try budgeting all your meals on a limited budget!

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  7. Yesterday I ate my stew of top raman, fresh spinach, and tomatoes.

    This morning I had a banana. I brought a banana and three peanut butter sandwiches to work with me today.

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  8. For some reason I am hungry earlier than usual. I am already down one peanut butter sandwich. It is not even 11am yet.

    I am thinking about this too much.

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  9. This morning I had a bowl of oatmeal (I purchased bulk at the food co-op, cheaper and I can buy only what I need for the week). I ate it dry. Typically I eat with soy milk, but that is too expensive, but I can do dry for a week). Yesterday I cooked some pinto beans yesterday, enough for the week. I brought some for lunch today. I was going to have them for dinner, but now I have to figure out dinner later. All this talk about food, I'm getting hungry, of course, I haven't had any snacks this morning.

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  10. 4/20, Monday - 6 p.m.

    This is my first opportunity to check-in.

    Completed my shopping Sunday evening following a large meal at Congressman Thompson's "Wild Blue Yolo" event at the county airport.

    Spent $19.30 and purchased the following:

    one box of Cheerios
    1/2 gallon fat-free milk
    1/2 gallon orange juice
    one loaf butter-topped wheat bread
    one package of oven-baked turkey breast
    4 1bs of bananas (overripe, $.39 per pound)
    1 package frozen stir-fry vegetables
    2 chicken half-breasts
    1 6-pack Top Ramen
    5 6 oz. containers of fat-free yogurt

    As I did during our previous Food Stamp Challenge, I gave up coffee for the week as it did not fit into my budget. If we had additional time (that is, a budget for 7 days) I believe I could have purchased a half-pound of coffee and still stayed within the $4 per day budget.

    Matt gave up Diet Pepsi last time and stayed off. I will give up coffee this time, but can already imagine my fingers wrapped around a strong cuppa joe on Saturday morning coming up. We'll need it since we'll be at the California Democratic Party State Convention by then!

    So far, I have had a banana, a yogurt, and some Cheerios (as a "parfait") today. I did get a drink of water from the fountain outside my office door here at the Capitol today, and so far, am feeling fine.

    Signing off for the day. Mariko

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  11. P.S. Oops, forgot to add that I also purchased one carton of tofu.

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  12. Tofu? I certainly did not get any tofu.

    I have been off Diet Coke for six months now. Still chugging along.

    Here is what I bought on Sunday...
    1 bunch of fresh spinach --- $1.49
    2.48 pounds of tomatoes (10 tomatoes) --- $3.58
    Loaf of french bread -- $0.99
    Spaghetti - $1.35
    Marachan Noodles (10 packets) -- $2
    Spaghetti Sauce -- $0.98
    Peanut Butter -- $1.98
    2.55 lbs of Bananas -- $1.73

    Total spent is $14.08. I still have $5.92 left to spend.

    If I were to eat each day --
    2 Top Ramans with spinach
    2 peanut butter sandwiches
    2 Tomatoes
    1.3 Bananas
    and a little spaghetti with meat sauce I will be fine.

    I still have more than 25% of my money in reserve.

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  13. You folks are awesome! I love tofu, why didn't I think of that for some variety. After my initial shock on Sunday when I did some of my shopping (oatmeal and pinto beans), I did the rest of my shopping yesterday after work. I went back to the food co-op because I can buy in bulk and stretch my budget somewhat. My list of stuff is as follows:
    Oatmeal
    Pinto beans
    Cottage cheese
    Plain yogurt
    Whole wheat pita bread
    Rice
    Bell pepper
    Onion
    Garlic
    Lean Ground beef
    Tomatoes (3 small ones)
    Banannas (4)
    Apples (4)

    The veggies I'll use in the rice and the beef stir fry. The beef I'll also use in the beans. My meal plan is oatmeal and a bananna for breakfast; I'll alternate beans and stir fry for lunch and dinner. The apples for either a snack or dinner.

    Total: $19.34 (I'm celebrating, I still have 66 cents left!). What I had to give up is my fruit smoothie I make every morning. Although I could still use the bananna, I couldn't afford the berries, the protein powder, the juice, and the bran I put in for fiber. I also will give up my cups of green tea.

    Thursday I have an all day meeting in Sacramento, at which lunch will be provided, but I will have to pass on the lunch. I plan to take one of my apples and maybe a bananna, or one of my pita bread pieces. Ah, such a luxury.

    Matt, 25% of your budget left! I guess that Top Raman is saving you money. You rock.

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  14. Ah, I forgot that to mention that some of my dinners will be yogurt or cottage cheese and pita bread. The other thing I didn't mention is the time it takes to shop when you have to account for every cent and think ahead about what you want to eat. Imagine a single parent, with kid in tow because you can't afford a baby sitter, trying to juggle the kid(s), thinking (what and how are we going to eat this?), and calculating (can I afford this, and how am I doing budget wise so far?). My admiration grows.

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  15. Thought about food much more yesterday than I normally might. I want food more when I know I can't have it, but that's just my inner teenager.

    I wasn't ever hungry, though, and ended the day forgetting to eat one egg and one tablespoon of peanut butter that had been in my daily plan. Guess I can really splurge today, or, more likely, bank one of those items for later in the week in case of willpower emergency.

    As anticipated, the toughest part of the day was when the plates of salmon started appearing on the table at my State of the City address, and then when I chose to pass up the post-speech dessert reception. But having just talked to the crowd about my community reaching an 18% unemployment rate, skipping dessert didn't seem like much of a burden.

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  16. I had a tough day yesterday (Monday). I went running like I usually do with my friend and we usually do 3-4 miles, I went 2. Although the distance I ran was undoubtedly effected by my mental state, I believe I suffered physically as well. I'm hungry, and am thinking about food once every ten minutes or so. I can't wait for my chicken tonight, even though I had chicken for lunch, yum... chicken.

    -Nutritionist

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  17. I was in Napa yesterday, and it was difficult to watch my coworkers drink lattes while I drank my tap water. But I stayed strong, even at a presentation when raisins, cookies, and other 'free' items were offered. Why is it that we who don't need free food, always seem to have access to it? Coffee and treats at work; food at meetings, receptions and conferences; and being invited to lunch/dinner by co-workers or friends.

    Jose: I also felt the need to splurge on the weekend to 'prepare' for the week ahead. It was like carb loading for a big race. ;)

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  18. I feel much better this time than I did six months ago. Getting rid of the Diet Coke addiction was key.

    I have been eating good food and feel great.

    The hard part is not a lack of food for me. It is what Vallerye mentions above. I have food all around me all the time. I just don't realize it.

    Still am not sure what to do with my $5.92 I have left over.

    Matt

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  19. FYI, Matt and I will be interviewed by Capitol Public Radio, NPR, 90.9 tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., we'll be talking about the food stamp challenge.

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  20. I spent almost an hour at the Safeway, and here's what I bought with $19.59:

    Golden Grahams - $1.99 (Cheapest vegan cereal)
    Tomatoes (16 oz can) - $1.00
    Mocha coffee sticks (8 sticks) - $1.99
    Pasta sauce (sundried tomato & olive) - $2.50
    Black beans (dried) - $1.59
    CA-grown brown rice - $2.49
    Organic soy milk (2 quarts) - $3.00
    Organic whole wheat spaghetti - $2.00
    Bananas (3) - $0.90
    Onion (1) - $0.63
    Organic tofu (1 packet) - $1.50

    My husband just offered me some biodynamically-grown Cabernet Franc, and I sighed sadly as I turned him down.

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  21. So tonight I did the Raman thing with two tomatoes again. It was fine. I am full.

    At this point I am half way to the finish line.

    I am still wondering about what I should do with my $5.92. It might have to be the value menu at Taco Bell...or a couple apples. We will see.

    The hard part tonight at dinner was having other people eat in front of me when my food was not ready.

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  22. Last night I cooked my lean beef stir fry with the rest of the onion, bell pepper, last tomatoe, and garlic. Yummy! I'll also have it for lunch today. Now I'm set for the rest of the week. I still haven't tapped into my yogurt and cottage cheese. I have a Food Bank board meeting tonight, so my dinner when I get home, after the board meeting, will be either yogurt or cottage cheese. My stir fry would have been complimented with a nice Sirah or Merlot. Sorry, had to pass that up.

    Matt, my surplus is more manageable. I know what I'm doing with my 66 cents. I'm treating myself to a candy bar. What else can you buy with 66 cents, that is indulgent, laden with sugar, and of little nutritional value!

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  23. I have failed the challenge. I was scheduled to run a five mile run yesterday, and upon completion, I felt like I was going to pass out. I had no energy and although I treated myself to large amounts of chicken and a nice glass of milk, I felt horrible. As I felt weak and crappy, I was informed that my roommate had been diagnosed with pneumonia yesterday, and that was the final straw. I have done the $3 a day challenge in the past and have completed it but during that time I had cut my physical activity back to a minimal 30 minutes a day. With the extra $1 I believed I could maintain my workout schedule, but obviously this was not the case. In case you were wondering what I purchased, I focused on protein to maintain my workouts.

    2 packs of 3 piece chicken breast with bone at 99 cents/pound ($5)
    18 eggs ($3.50)
    Oatmeal ($3)
    Rice ($1.75)
    (2)Cans of Chili ($2.75)
    2 Gallon Milk ($2.25)

    I was planning to do a piece of chicken with rice for dinner, 3-4 eggs for breakfast, lunch would either be oatmeal, chili, or chicken for one day with oatmeal being my "snack" when I needed one. I tried to gradually reduce my calories in that I was planning on eating more on Monday than on Friday to let my body adjust more smoothly. I also got food that I enjoyed eating with the idea of sustainability in my mind, (I normally buy all of these items), unlike last time where I survived off of Roman and the plain quaker oats oatmeal that I had to choke down. It looks like I bit off more than I could chew, where realistically I should have either sacrificed my workouts, or my taste buds, as I could not keep both.

    If I could go back I would not have bought milk, although I love it, I would have proffered fruits or vegetables.
    Good luck to all of you and please don't let my stopping tempt you to do the same!

    -Mariko, where did you find the overripe bananas at 39 cents a pound?

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  24. Nutritionist - Sorry to hear about your friend and your stamina. I am definitely not running 5 miles a day, so I cannot imagine what it would be like on this diet.

    My dinner last night of black beans, brown rice, and sauted onions was hearty (for me), but I would have enjoyed more vegetables to go with it or some fresh chopped cilantro and tomatoes. And I too would have liked to join my husband in indulging in a glass of wine.

    I may run out of soy milk for my cheap lattes from a stick and golden graham cereal. I need to cut down my soy milk serving size or I won't make it to Friday!!

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  25. Just had lunch - lean beef stir fry, rice, and half pita. I also brought an apple with me today to snack since I won't get to dinner (yogurt) until around 8 tonight. I'm looking forward to that candy bar that is calling my name.

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  26. God Bless Golden Grahams! I may run out of these sweet crispy squares any minute now, but at least they're getting me through the day.

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  27. Still going strong--even have two surplus eggs, one extra apple, and three tablespoons of peanut butter for the final two days, plus a couple of chicken breasts and a can and a half of tuna. So protein is not turning out to be an overwhelming challenge. Missed out on Ludy's BBQ during an Earth Day event today, chorizo and eggs at a breakfast meeting, and of course the salmon and desserts at the State of the City Address. But haven't been hungry or lethargic, and had a decent gym visit yesterday with a more intense training session tomorrow. And still have $1.10 in a case marked "break glass in case of emergency".

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  28. I had a banana this morning for breakfast, peanut butter sandwiches for lunch, and a huge plate of pasta with spinach for dinner. The dinner was very tasty.

    Like Christopher I also feel fine. I still have $6 left and am still considering the value meal at Taco Bell or picking up some apples.

    My kids ate two of my bananas so I will not have one available to me on Friday. The kids will be on Craigs List later if you are interested in picking up a two year old and a four year old at a bargain basement price.

    Jim Smith wrote about the FSC in the Daily Democrat today. Jose and I did OK on Capitol Public Radio today. The host was really cool. He has a great voice.

    Looking forward to lunch on Friday.

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  29. Thursday - 1 a.m.

    Hi and sorry haven't had time to post until now.

    Tuesday and Wednesday, had orange juice for breakfast, took Cheerios/yogurt/bananas or turkey on wheat bread for lunch.

    Cooked two chicken breasts and cut them up for topping on Ramen noodles with tofu and frozen mixed vegetables for dinner both nights.

    Miss coffee and dessert but grateful not to have experienced caffeine-withdrawal headaches. Would be nice to have additional variety in meals, but that is not to be this week.

    Nutritionist, I bought 3.82 lbs of overripe bananas for $.39 a lb at Safeway. These are packaged in bags next to the "regular" bananas in the produce section.

    Appreciate Vallerye's observation that we who do not need free food are always around it. For the "Capitol Crowd", there are multiple receptions day and evening throughout the work week, with more food than anyone could possibly eat. I generally do not attend these events, and if I do, don't eat or drink at them anyway so I don't have to report any gifts. So, I must have inadvertently been training to do the Food Stamp Challenge!

    We're on the down hill for the challenge. Nutritionist, you didn't fail, you survived.

    Over and out for now, Mariko

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  30. I changed my mind on dinner last night. I had some cottage cheese and a banana instead of yogurt. Generally, I put out some snack for our board meetings. Since we are all on the challenge, I did not tempt anyone with anything but water last night. So no snacks.

    Things seemed to go ok with NPR as Matt says. I was, I have to admit, a bit nervous, especially when you have this huge microphone in your face. You should see those things, they are elephantile (at least to a novice like me). Matt looked like he was right at home.

    I did receive an email from a listener that thought Matt and I were insenitive to the plight of those on food stamps. I have asked for permission to post those comments on the blog.

    I appreciated the honesty of Nutritionist. On the other hand, it also brought to mind those people that can't just discontinue their economic condition at will. Even though Nutrionist's hardships and challenge were very real, the remedy was immediately available. Poor people don't have that option. Thank you Nutrionist for your courage to own up to the choice you made.

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  31. The third day of the challenge was the hardest so far. I craved a crispy lettuce and tomato salad, with olive oil and balsamic vinager, but I had to settle for beans and rice. The plate was tasteful, left me full, but it did not hit the spot. I'm pretty sure I will make it through day 5, but I feel so fortunate that I can have absolutely whatever I want come Saturday...and I also feel pretty guilty that the 10% of Yolo County's population living in poverty will still be on the limited diet I only struggled with for 5 days.

    I think the fact that Nutritionist had to back out of the challenge highlights the fact that we are all 'surviving' so to speak on this diet, but what about the nutritional value of living off cottage cheese and top ramen?

    Matt - You have 6 bucks left. I think you can splurge and replace those bananas. I had to spend my last few cents on a banana today at the Grocery Outlet since I've run out of my breakfast cereal.

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  32. So today I spent a little over $4 on two tangelos, two bananas, and two apples at the Nugget.

    I had one of each this morning for breakfast. Lunch was some peanut butter.

    Dinner was another great meal of pasta and sauce with spinach. Spinach is now gone.

    I still have more than $2, lots of raman, half my pasta, one banana, one tangelo, and an apple.

    This ends for me at lunch tomorrow since I started on Sunday at 11am. It was much easier this time. I shopped better..that was the key.

    Now I am going to go to some trendy club for a good bye party and not eat/drink anything.

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  33. Yesterday I was at an all day meeting in Sacramento for a statewide committee that I was just appointed to with about 25 people. It was our first meeting and first time most of us had met. Lunch was served with LaBou sandwiches, fresh fruit, salad, soda, and coffee.

    I of course brown bagged it with my apple and banana. Great conversation starter as eyebrows raise: am I on a diet? a special doctors orders? oddball (not articulated, but in a group of 25, it had to cross someones mind)? and an opportunity to promote the food stamp challenge. There appeared to be some interest by a few in possibly participating in May (hunger awareness month).

    For dinner I had more rice and beans. I have enough for one more meal: lunch today. I will add to that lunch a small portion left of beef stir fry, and my last piece of pita bread. I still have a banana, an apple, some cottage cheese, all my yogurt, and 66 cents.

    Tomorrow I'll be back to normal, except for the experience, which will stay with me to continue to remind me how lucky I am that this experience was temporary for me, but a daily reality for millions of my fellow Americans. Armed with this insight should help me continue to discharge the Food Bank's mission with humility and renewed conviction.

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  34. I forgot to mention that I received two more emails from people who heard the Cap Public Radio interview Matt and I did with Host Jeffrey Callison. Both emails were positive and thanked me for discussing the issue. At yesterday's meeting one of the people wanted more information on how the food stamp challenge worked because she wanted to promote it at the nonprofit she is involved with in southern California.

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  35. I've been a bit too stingy with my food over the week, and I didn't realize that my bag of fuji apples contained not 10 but 14 apples (one of which was inedible). So today I'm eating 5 eggs, 4 apples, 1 heaping bowl of oatmeal, 1 chicken breast, 3 broccoli stalks, 5 oz of tuna, 4 tbsps of peanut butter, and 3 cups of milk for his final day of the food stamp challenge. That's about 2,400 calories, including lots of protein and fiber.

    I'll still have a half-jar of peanut butter and about a 10-day supply of oatmeal. Plus $1.10 left for a big impulse splurge sometime today.

    Lots of fancy receptions for social service agencies last night, with some great looking food. I wasn't drooling, but my abstinence was a good conversation-starter, as it has been all week, about hunger, obesity, and nutrition.

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  36. I have about three hours left of this thing. I still have quite a bit of food left -- although I am no planning on eating it today like Christopher.

    Finished off the peanut butter this morning along with the last banana.

    The $4 a day was not that bad. It is really just that my life style does not really work that way. I take food for granted..and I need to stop doing that.

    Like Jose, I got several e-mails from people that heard the radio show. They were all positive.

    Last night was bad. I was the The Mix and watched all the people around me suck down good food while I drank water. That was not fun.

    Thank you to everyone that participated.

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  37. Hi everybody, for those of you who missed the NPR interview, I just uploaded it to the website. You can listen to it on the main page of the website or download the MP3 audio file - whichever you prefer.

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  38. Friday, 6 p.m.

    My challenge continues until Saturday morning since I started Monday rather than Sunday as Matt did.

    Today has been challenging, not because I don't have food left, but because plans changed and I ran short on time and missed my planned lunchtime stop at home between my district office in Vacaville and coming back to Sacramento. I have committments that will take me until late Friday evening so will not get a chance to eat until I get home close to midnight. So, until then, I will be running on the glass of orange juice and a banana that I had for breakfast!

    I have more than a half loaf of bread (ran out of turkey breast yesterday), a cooked chicken breast, some tofu, two more packages of ramen noodles, 1/2 package of frozen vegetables, 1/2 carton of milk, one more glass of orange juice, and 1/4 box of Cheerios leftover when I get in. There is food leftover, but it is the same food from which to make a meal.

    I feel fine and have actually lost a little weight this week since I have given up dessert (I do have a sweet tooth). I am looking forward to a strong, hot cup of coffee in the morning (in time for the California Democratic Party Women's Caucus @ 7:30 a.m.) and have come away from this second Food Stamp Challenge in five months with the same committment to the 26 million Americans for whom this is not a choice.

    Thanks to all who participated this time, and perhaps we will have inspired others to join us next time. Better yet, let's work for the day when our economy provides opportunities for greater self-sufficiency.

    Sayonara, Mariko

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  39. One hour to go, and I am already salivating over the strawberries and grapes that I'm going to eat at midnight, the soy latte I'm going to have in the a.m., and the cold Sierra Nevada beer I plan to drink tomorrow night. I think I must eat more than most of the participants, because I have devoured all of the food that I bought (and the Golden Grahams were long gone by Wednesday).

    I listened to the NPR interview, and I really liked Jose's idea of having actual food stamp recipients tell their stories. I've gotten some mild criticism this week from friends (and my husband) who worry that eating on this diet for 5 days could never truly give me the experience of living like this all year (specifically meeting nutritional needs). So it would be insightful to hear from the recipients themselves. Of course, I also agree with Jose, that the challenge at least lets us walk in others' shoes, if only for a few days.

    After this challenge, I will never look at free food the same way again. I may not always eat it when it's available, but I will be grateful and hopefully it will serve as a reminder of these past 5 days.

    Until the next challenge,
    Vallerye

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  40. First, thank you all for participating both in the challenge and on the blog. Sharing your experience on the blog was a critical part of the effort. I know you all have busy lives, and some of you, if indeed not all, with crushing schedules. I admire your commitment and celebrate your participation. I know that you did not have to do this, it was a choice. I am honored to have shared this moment with you all, which, I think we all understand, is but a speck of the reality that those living on food stamps experience. Thank you!

    I had my final meal on the challenge last night: cottage cheese and a banana. I still have an apple, cottage cheese, yogurt, and one more serving of oatmeal left. I suspect, however, the more representative result is Vallerye's: more month than money (or, in our case, more week than food).

    Today, my wife and I are heading off to the asparagus festival in Stockton. I'm looking forward to trying asparagus both in their natural state and altered states (deep fried yummy: Nutritionist, don't shudder).

    A reminder: May is hunger awareness month. Please think of either participating again or recruiting someone you can sponsor to experience this unique undertaking. Sponsor a policy maker. Policy makers, recruit other policy makers. Anyone expecting to apply for food stamps, I would love to see you participate (I will personally sponsor you) and share your experience from application to use of your EBT.

    Thank you all again,
    José

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    http://www.esl.net/oxford_picture_dictionary.html
    =>
    最右邊 有喇叭的那ㄧ本
    敦煌書局
    The 12 Topic Areas in the Dictionary include:

    * Everyday Language
    * People
    * Housing
    * Food
    * Clothing
    * Health
    * Community
    * Transportation
    * Areas of Study
    * Plants and Animals
    * Work
    * Recreation
    *

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    zycxxcz1234 at 無名小站 於 10:24 PM 發表 | 回覆(16) | 引用(0) | 收藏(0) | 轉寄給朋友 | 檢舉
    [本篇文章引用網址]

    回覆

    *

    1樓

    1樓搶頭香

    我要往
    我要成為台大人 的 願景邁進

    我只求名
    * zycxxcz1234 於 March 3, 2008 10:53 PM 回應 | 檢舉

    *

    謙卑
    * 版主 於 March 3, 2008 10:57 PM 回覆

    *

    2樓

    2樓頸推

    http://tw.f4.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/d29906043
    http://tw.f5.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/e24273880
    * zycxxcz1234 於 March 3, 2008 10:55 PM 回應 | 檢舉

    *

    3樓

    3樓坐沙發

    大聲唸完3000佛
    讀書換氣沒問題
    * 於 March 4, 2008 12:47 PM 回應

    *

    !」
    書名:佛說千佛洪名寶懺(國語 注音)
    戶名:白馬書局有限公司
    註-總流通:白馬書局(佛教文物流通處)
    台北市北平西路六號三樓之二
    電話:(○二)二三七一○九七五
    傳真:(○二)二三六一四○五二
    郵撥:一八八八八一九六
    * 版主 於 March 4, 2008 01:11 PM 回覆

    *

    4樓

    福樓

    高工製圖科 看的起當然

    突端

    http://www.wretch.cc/album/show.php?i=awdx05&b=1&f=1375387473&p=62
    危險動作莫模仿_http://www.wretch.cc/blog/awdx05
    * zycxxcz1234 於 March 4, 2008 12:51 PM 回應 | 檢舉

    *

    5樓

    專業的5樓



    ○不吃肉:
    肉類 Meats
    海鮮 Seafood
    飲料 Beverages
    乳製品 Dairy products

    ○要吃素:
    水果 Fruits
    蔬菜 Vegetables

    ○要放生且恭敬:

    水族 Aquarium
    鳥 Birds
    動物 Animals
    植物 Plants
    昆蟲 Insects
    ,表情動作 Facial expressions and acts
    打招呼 Greetings

    ○做蔬食:
    餐廳 Restaurant
    餐具 Tableware
    烹調方式 Food preparation
    調味料 Seasoning
    味道 Tastes
    菜單 Menu
    (URL
    F6:resource.liveabc.com/resource/p_dictionary/dict_dex.asp)


    * zycxxcz1234 於 March 26, 2008 09:20 PM 回應 | Homepage | 檢舉

    *

    ○Sports 運動:
    球類運動 Sports with balls
    籃球 Basketball
    棒球 Baseball
    游泳 Swimming
    田徑 Track and field
    武術 Martial arts
    體育館 Gymnasium
    樂器 Musical instruments
    Leisure 休閒

    Weather 自然氣象
    顏色 Color
    星座 Signs of the zodiac
    Geography 地理景觀
    職業 Occupations
    家事 Housework
    表情動作 Facial expressions and acts
    * 版主 於 March 26, 2008 09:21 PM 回覆

    *

    6樓

    6樓

    不應喝酒絕對沒錯



    我是在說真ㄉ

    不然會下地獄(戛然而止:歸謬證法仍知道)

    不可以 為酒做廣告
    與當酒ㄉ支持者
    與當 酒ㄉ男女主角(不要販賣武器)


    (

    我最近幾乎一天一瓶黑麥汁,前陣子買水果也買了甜
    柿,是沒一口黑麥一口柿子啦,不過間隔的時間並不會很長,好像也沒中
    毒的現象,黑麥汁跟啤酒不同啦!又不含酒精,如果你仔細看黑麥上的營
    養標示還含有蠻多維他命B群的哦~
    參考資料 自己經驗
    http://tw.knowledge.yahoo.com/question/question?qid=1007121402916
    )
    * qubqub32 於 March 29, 2008 09:09 AM 回應 | Homepage | 檢舉

    *

    主題: omnyouza已回覆您的回應
    留言人: 無名小站客服帥哥 (2008-03-29 09:40:18 來源:0.0.0.0)
    留言內容: 點這裡看omnyouza的回覆 原標題:花有花語 酒有酒語
    請勿直接回覆本留言通知(對方不會看到)
    板主回覆: *

    謝謝您的提醒
    但參考醫學研究
    喝酒有好處也有壞處
    所以我們採保留的態度

    反倒是吃素的壞處比好處少
    多吃點肉吧

    另外 我是信基督的 不太信佛神 謝謝您
    * 版主 於 March 29, 2008 09:40 AM 回覆

    *

    我知道ㄉ

    但是

    不要用排他性ˋˋˋ(因為 他我)
    不喝酒 生生世世 受用(跟下地獄就是有關)
    尊重每一ㄍ人 恭敬每ㄍ人當做老師
    * qubqub32 於 March 29, 2008 09:47 AM 回應 | Homepage
    重點是
    如何用
    蔬食取代 奶類 肉類 補充蛋白質 鈣質
    修改回覆 刪除留言 設為隱藏
    * 版主 於 March 29, 2008 09:51 AM 回覆

    *

    7樓

    7樓

    悄悄話
    * 悄悄話 於 April 12, 2008 09:06 PM 回應

    *

    8樓

    8樓

    悄悄話
    * 悄悄話 於 April 12, 2008 09:07 PM 回應

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    9樓

    9樓

    豆(蛋白質)
    "綠色蔬菜--黃色、紅色蔬菜--無色蔬菜"(鈣質)

    EX:深色蔬菜:包括深綠色蔬菜(如青江菜、芥藍菜、菠菜、甘藷葉、空心



    菜等)不要髮菜 湯(有毒) 要紫菜湯(沒毒) (鈣質 蔬菜)
    http://tw.knowledge.yahoo.com/question/question?qid=1406080308589
    * zycxxcz1234 於 April 15, 2008 09:48 AM 回應 | 檢舉

    *

    不要 奶類(因為 欠人 動物 母乳債)
    * 版主 於 April 15, 2008 09:49 AM 回覆

    *

    10樓

    10樓

    深色蔬菜含有豐富鈣質??
    發問者: 保育動物人士 ( 初學者 4 級)
    發問時間: 2006-08-03 15:19:35
    解決時間: 2006-08-18 15:36:27
    解答贈點: 10 ( 共有 0 人贊助 )
    評價:

    * 正面:100%
    * 普通:0%
    * 負面:0%

    ( 共有 8 人評價 )
    回答:
    3 評論: 0 意見: 0
    [ 檢舉 ]
    深色蔬菜含有豐富的鈣質??是真的嗎??
    那哪幾種菜才算是深色蔬菜勒??
    海帶.紫菜.昆布也算是深色蔬菜嘛??
    * zycxxcz1234 於 April 15, 2008 09:50 AM 回應 | 檢舉

    *

    最佳解答

    * 網友票選

    回答者: 戀戀風城 ( 初學者 2 級 )
    回答時間: 2006-08-03 15:42:19
    [ 檢舉 ]

    ( 1 ) 深色蔬菜含有豐富的鈣質??是真的嗎??



    解答 : 科學家透過對多種菜蔬營養成分的分析,發現蔬菜的營養價值與蔬菜的



    顏色密切相關。顏色深的營養價值高,顏色淺的營養價值低,排列順序



    是"綠色蔬菜--黃色、紅色蔬菜--無色蔬菜"。



    深色蔬菜有些含有豐富的鈣質,如: 莧菜、芥藍菜、芥菜。







    ( 2 ) 那哪幾種菜才算是深色蔬菜勒??



    解答 :



    深色蔬菜含豐富的維生素A和鐵質
    * 版主 於 April 15, 2008 09:51 AM 回覆

    *

    11樓

    11樓

    悄悄話
    * 悄悄話 於 April 15, 2008 09:51 AM 回應

    *

    悄悄話
    * 版主 於 April 15, 2008 09:51 AM 回覆

    *

    12樓

    12樓

    悄悄話
    * 悄悄話 於 April 15, 2008 09:52 AM 回應

    *

    13樓

    13樓

    抗老化 從抗氧化做起
    時報 更新日期:2008/04/15 09:48 【張翠芬台北報導】

     防老抗老觀念已成為全民運動,專家指出,許多研究將老化元凶指向
    「自由基」,壓力、緊張、焦慮、鬱悶等,以及吸菸,酗酒或接觸不當的
    光照射,環境汙染或不正當使用化學藥物,都會使自由基增加,加速體內
    氧化壓力,導致細胞結構和功能損害;專家建議,想要抗老化,就要做好
    抗氧化。

     ■抗老有7步驟

     台北醫學大學蔡翠敏教授表示,抗老有7步驟,第1是增強免疫系統,第
    2是整頓腸胃道功能,第3是適度運動,第4是保持理想體重,第5健康均衡
    飲食,第6適度補充健康食品,第7是補充抗氧化劑。

     她強調,抗氧化劑能夠中和抵銷氧化作用所產生的自由基,防止自由基
    引起連鎖氧化反應,避免對細胞和組織造成傷害。

     蔡翠敏表示,美國農業部曾公布排名前10名的抗氧化食品為:酪梨、莓
    果類、十字花科蔬菜、大蒜、薑、堅果、大豆、全麥麵米食、西瓜、水。
    目前各種常見的抗氧化食品主要成分包括:類胡蘿蔔素、維生素C、維生
    素E、輔脢Q10、硒及多酚類物質;其中類胡蘿蔔素常見的抗氧化成分為β-
    胡蘿蔔素、葉黃素、茄紅素等。

     β-胡蘿蔔素在體內可轉變成維生素A,多吃比直接補充大量的維生素A還
    安全,因為高劑量的維生素A可能引起神經、肝臟的毒性作用。富含食物
    如南瓜、肝臟、蛋黃、牛乳、胡蘿蔔、菠菜、甘薯、黃色或橘色甜椒、木
    瓜、芒果等。

     ■番茄熟食營養佳

     至於要如何選擇茄紅素?蔡翠敏指出,黃番茄為熱門的減肥水果,但黃
    番茄中的茄紅素含量並不高,應選擇新鮮、鮮紅水果,像是番茄、西瓜、
    粉紅色葡萄柚、粉紅色芭樂等。茄紅素為脂溶性,「熟食」比生食更能增
    加茄紅素的有效吸收,而且烹調時不宜去「皮」。攝取上需注意每日建議
    量30-50毫克間,長期攝取過量可能會使皮膚變黃。

     蔡翠敏說,維生素C存在大部分綠色蔬菜中,維生素E普遍存在芝麻、核
    桃、小麥胚芽中,輔脢Q10存在人體粒腺體中,隨年歲增加,身體含量減
    少,成為加速老化的原因。輔脢Q10存在菠菜、花椰菜、堅果、肉、魚類
    中,屬脂溶性營養素,建議與肉類合併食用效果較好。

     蔡翠敏強調,補充抗氧化食品攝取尚應遵守「適量適當」原則,因為個
    人飲食習慣、生活方式、遺傳體質的不同會有程度上的差異;例如Q10不
    適於患有青春痘者,同時它與某種抗凝血藥物有拮抗作用,因此不能併服。
    * zycxxcz1234 於 April 15, 2008 07:48 PM 回應 | 檢舉

    *

    生機飲食救命 罹癌醫多活38年
    聯合 更新日期:2008/04/14 15:30 記者黃玉芳/台北報導

    曾罹患癌症的醫師吳永志,最近出新書,推廣「自然養生法」,他每天都喝六杯以蕃茄、胡蘿蔔、紅色甜菜根為主打成的500cc.蔬果汁,以大量蔬果類為主食,可以強化免疫系統,他也建議癌症患者應該以生機飲食為主。

    現年68歲的吳永志在30歲時,罹患第三期肺癌,開刀時發現癌症轉移,被宣告只剩下幾個月的生命。在萬念俱灰下,決心吃新鮮蔬果與乾淨的水,並且調整生活習慣,天天作陽光浴、快走、多休息、早睡早起、洗冷熱浴等,6個月後逐漸恢復體力,每天三至四次的排便,9個月後體檢報告竟然樣樣正常。

    數十年來,吳永志到處推廣自然養生法,最近他也來台發表新書。吳永志說,蔬果的纖維和種子裡含有「植物生化素」,可抗氧化、消除自由基,因此他每天早上喝兩杯蔬果汁當早餐,午餐前一小時再喝一杯,中午則吃蕃茄、胡蘿蔔、苜蓿芽等作蔬菜沙拉。

    下午也要喝兩杯蔬果汁當點心、晚餐前再喝一杯,並以一小盤蔬菜沙拉、以及由發芽的各種豆類、糙米、南瓜塊或蕃薯塊煮成的豆米飯當主食。每周有六天都以蔬果類為主,星期天才隨意的吃。

    他也說,飲用蔬果汁時,要小口、小口喝,慢慢細嚼,強化兩頰肌肉及刺激唾腺。並且要注意不能單吃一種蔬果,因為每種蔬果都有不同的植物生化素防止疾病,唯有均衡補充才吸收足夠的營養。

    他也認為,癌症患者應該全面大量生食蔬菜和飲用蔬果原汁,不僅較容易消化、改善體質。而癌症患者為維持體力的蛋白質來源,可以用稍微發芽的豆類補足,將豆類洗乾淨,清水略蓋過豆類,以紗布蓋住浸泡一到兩天就可以取出食用,微發芽的豆類也可以避免脹氣的問題。

    吳永志的自然養生法,與不少西醫的觀念也不盡相同,例如他也認為,牛奶因為殘留的荷爾蒙、抗生素驚人,加上牛奶中含有一種人體難消化的蛋白質,所以不是絕對必要,他也建議應改為以杏仁、芝麻、南瓜子等打成的堅果奶、或豆漿代替,補充鈣質。
    * 版主 於 April 15, 2008 07:49 PM 回覆

    *

    14樓

    14樓

    http://www.thvs.mlc.edu.tw/iconphoto/
    這ㄍ網址色彩心理學用再這一篇ㄅ
    * zycxxcz1234 於 April 21, 2008 02:02 PM 回應 | 檢舉

    *

    http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!9EPVfEuBGBLjD09iLnL8Nqc-
    阿盛網站http://sheng.phy.nknu.edu.tw/


    http://hellowish.netfirms.com/cgi-bin/wishtree/wish.cgi?action=post&user=sheng1378
    http://www.hkflash.com/gb/gb.asp?id=lovelyfamily&no=1242
    各色平行板 我要留言

    MEE TOO 遊戲學習http://cqchess.hkflash.com/quiz_hf.asp?qid=big5_chi
    * 版主 於 April 24, 2008 11:00 PM 回覆

    *

    15樓

    15樓

    http://hubpages.com/profile/Marye+Audet/map
    * zycxxcz1234 於 April 30, 2008 02:14 PM 回應 | 檢舉

    *

    我忌諱 所知障
    * 版主 於 April 30, 2008 03:23 PM 回覆

    *

    16樓

    16樓

    舌頭上 對於各種滋味 ㄉ敏感區分別是:
    甜味->舌尖
    鹹味->舌ㄉ前端兩側
    酸味->舌緣兩側
    苦味->舌ㄉ後端(__舌根)
    * zycxxcz1234 於 May 2, 2008 01:47 PM 回應 | 檢舉

    *

    混血兒體質較佳
    * 版主 於 May 2, 2008 04:52 PM 回覆





    ______________________________________________________






    *

    15樓

    15樓

    加油,去嗆爆爛政府
    * Arubacat 於 May 18, 2009 05:30 PM 回應 | 檢舉

    *

    16樓

    16樓

    一家3口,同時改名又改姓
    自由 更新日期:"2009/05/18 04:09"

    〔記者洪美秀/竹市報導〕改名不稀奇!但一家3口同時改名又改姓就少
    見了!光復高中學生留揚順,原本跟著阿嬤的姓叫王賜貴,小學三年級,
    爸爸希望認祖歸宗,他與爸爸和姊姊一起改姓回阿公的「留」姓,於是改
    姓兼改名,一家3口姓名全變,是名副其實的「變身」。

    今年大學繁星計畫錄取彰化師範大學電機系的光復高中學生留揚順,有個
    特殊的「留」姓,但他原本叫王賜貴,為何會改成姓留?還是留不住、留
    學生的「留」,留揚順說,其實「王」是他阿嬤的姓,他的阿公姓
    「留」,因為爸爸是家中排行最小的,當時阿嬤希望小兒子能從母姓,在
    阿公同意下,才跟著阿嬤姓「王」,他說,阿公並沒有入贅到阿嬤家,在
    那個父權的年代,阿公有此雅量,實在不容易。

    爸爸長大、結婚、生子,都一直姓王,留揚順說,他與姊姊出生後也姓
    王,姊姊叫王毓芬,他叫王賜貴,小時候阿姨都叫他「阿貴」,到了小學
    三年級,爸爸因阿公、阿嬤相繼過世,爸爸與伯父等家族討論後,決定認
    祖歸宗,改回阿公的姓「留」,既然要改姓,就順便改名字,於是他們一
    家3口同時到戶政單位改姓又改名。

    換姓又換名,留揚順說一開始確實不習慣,但改姓名時他還小,後來求學
    念書,老師同學都因他的特殊「留」姓印象深刻,就連他參加市運動會跑
    步得獎時,大會人員看他姓「留」,還擅自改成姓「劉」,且不斷問他
    「有沒有搞錯,不是在開玩笑吧?」

    因為姓留,他常被叫「留不住」、「留下來」、「小留學生」等各種綽
    號,今年大學繁星計畫錄取彰化師範大學,留揚順說,希望未來能往高中
    職校的教職發展,為自己「留」下好名聲。













    MP3.com.au 悉怛多缽怛囉阿門證據時效
    生生世世不當師教字輩
    臺北不婚獨子女
    1+-cos(angle)=2cos(半角)平方 2sin(半角)平方 1+-sin(angle)=(sin角
    半+cos半角)^two
    * TANKTESSIE 於 May 18, 2009 05:36 PM 回應 | 檢舉


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  42. I'm doing research on food stamp challenges, and how successful people go through with it. Do you guys think it's harder to live on actual food stamps or on just a food stamp budget (big difference), and why?

    -Imee

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