$3.00 a Day Challenge

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Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Mon May 23, 2011 6:41 pm

Found a nice gift in the mail last night. Coupons from Kroger :D . Had free coupons for green salad mix, frozen fruit, frozen veggies and baby carrots.

Today's menu:

Breakfast
Old-fashioned oats (1 cup dry) = $0.14 300 cal.
Banana = $0.19 110 cal.
Ground flaxseed (1 Tbs) = free 60 cal.
Tea = $0.05 0 cal.
Stevia = $0.09 0 cal.
Breakfast total = $0.47 470 cal.

Lunch
Navy bean and potato soup:
Navy beans (2 cups) = $0.24 220 cal.
Baby carrots = $0.28 42 cal.
Apple = $0.30 90 cal.
Lunch total = $0.82 352 cal.

Dinner
Salad:
1/2 bag mixed salad greens (free with coupon from Kroger) = 40 cal
5 grape tomatoes = $0.19 10 cal.
1/4 of avocado = $0.31 72 cal.
Balsamic vinegar = $0.03 0 cal.
Total $0.53 122 cal
Entree:
Med. Yukon gold potato = $0.15 110 cal.
Green beans (1/2 can) = $0.17 35 cal.
1/4 head cabbage = $0.35 55 cal.
1 tsp chopped garlic = $0.04 5 cal.
Salsa (2 Tbs) = $0.08 10 cal.
Entree total = $0.79 215 cal.

Dinner total = $1.32 337 cal.

Snack
Oatmeal leftover from breakfast = free
Banana = free (they brought donuts to work today. Whenever they bring donuts, I make them also bring a bunch of bananas for those of us who prefer not to indulge) = 110 cal.

Total for day = $2.61 1,269 cal.

Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
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Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Tue May 24, 2011 8:38 pm

Today's menu:

Breakfast
Old-fashioned oats (1 cup dry) = $0.14 300 cal.
Small box of raisins = $0.21 130 cal.
Ground flaxseed (1 Tbs) = free 60 cal.
Tea = $0.05 0 cal.
Stevia = $0.09 0 cal.
Breakfast total = $0.49 490 cal.

Lunch
Navy bean and potato soup (2 cups) = $0.24 220 cal.
Baby carrots = $0.28 42 cal.
Apple = $0.30 90 cal.
Lunch total = $0.82 352 cal.

Dinner
'Taco Salad'
1/2 bag mixed salad greens (free with coupon from Kroger) = 40 cal.
5 grape tomatoes = $0.19 10 cal.
1/4 of avocado = $0.31 72 cal.
Homemade Chili = $0.65 305 cal.
Corn Tortilla = $0.25 60 cal.
Dinner total = $1.40 487 cal.

Snack
Oatmeal leftover from breakfast = free
Banana = free (leftover from 'donut day') = 110 cal.

Total for day = $2.71 cal. 1,439 cal.

Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
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Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Wed May 25, 2011 5:49 pm

Today's menu:

Breakfast
Old-fashioned oats (1 cup dry) = $0.14 300 cal.
banana = $0.19 110 cal.
Ground flaxseed (1 Tbs) = free 60 cal.
Tea = $0.05 0 cal.
Stevia = $0.09 0 cal.
Breakfast total = $0.47 470 cal.

Lunch
Navy bean and potato soup (2 cups) = $0.24 220 cal.
Baby carrots = (free with coupon) 42 cal.
Apple = $0.30 90 cal.
Lunch total = $0.45 352 cal.

Dinner
Brown rice (1/2 cup dry) = $0.15 170 cal.
1/2 bag turnip greens (free with coupon) = 40 cal.
1/2 bag Italian vegetables $0.50 80 cal.
1 tsp chopped garlic = $0.04 5 cal.
Dinner total = $0.69 295 cal.

Snack
Oatmeal leftover from breakfast = free
Air-popped popcorn = 0.12 120 cal.


Total for day = $1.73 1237cal.
Now there's a price even Jeff would find tough to beat.
Yeah Coupons! :D

Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
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Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Thu May 26, 2011 5:14 pm

Finished the grocery shopping for next week.
From Aldi's:
2 cans of diced tomatoes @ $0.55 each = $1.10
Bag of frozen "California Mix" = $0.99
2 bags of garden salad @ $0.69 each = $1.38
Bunch of banana (6) = $0.95
2 cucumbers @ $0.59 each = $1.18
Bag of oriental stir fry mix = $2.99
Bag of naval oranges (6 oranges) = $2.69
10# bag of potatoes = $2.89
total = $14.17
From Kroger:
Dole bagged salad = free with coupon
Bag of frozen 3-berry blend = free with coupon
Bag of frozen turnip greens = free with coupon
Bag of baby carrots = free with coupon
Bag of frozen mixed vegetables = $1.00
total = $1.00
from Bulk Warehouse:
2 lbs thick rolled oats = $1.56
Bag of split peas (approx. 1 lb) = $0.89
Bag of lentils (approx. 1 lb) = $1.12
total = $3.51
total grocery bill = $18.68

I'm going to try and keep my menus real simple. A double batch of oatmeal and fruit divided between breakfast and evening snack, bean soup and a potato for lunch with baby carrots and a piece of fruit, a green salad or steamed greens with dinner along with rice (or another grain) and steamed veggies.

Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
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Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Thu May 26, 2011 5:25 pm

Crunched the number for week one of my challenge. Average cost per day = $2.93. Average calories = 1231. I want to try and get the calorie content up next week. Although I'm not losing much weight right now since I haven't been exercising since I broke my wrist. :(
Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Thu May 26, 2011 7:56 pm

Today's Menu:
Breakfast
Old-fashioned oats (1 cup dry) = $0.14 300 cal.
Small box of raisins = $0.21 130 cal.
Ground flaxseed (1 Tbs) = free 60 cal.
Tea = $0.05 0 cal.
Stevia = $0.09 0 cal.
Breakfast total = $0.49 490 cal.
Lunch
Navy bean and potato soup (2 cups) = $0.24 220 cal.
Baby carrots = $0.28 42 cal.
Apple = $0.30 90 cal.
Lunch total = $0.82 352 cal.
Dinner
Brown rice (1/2 cup dry) = $0.15 170 cal.
Stir-fry veggies = $0.75 100 cal.
1/4 head of cabbage = $0.35 55 cal.
Dinner total = $1.25 325 cal.
Snack:
Oatmeal leftover from breakfast
Total for day = $2.56 1167 cal.

Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Fri May 27, 2011 7:58 pm

Today's menu:

Breakfast
Old-fashioned oats (1 cup dry) = $0.14 300 cal.
Small box of raisins = $0.21 130 cal.
Ground flaxseed (1 Tbs) = free 60 cal.
Tea = $0.05 0 cal.
Stevia = $0.09 0 cal.
Breakfast total = $0.49 490 cal.

Lunch
Last of the chili = $0.65. 305 cal.
Medium potato = $0.09 168 cal.
Baby carrots = (free with coupon) 42 cal.
Orange = $0.45 80 cal.
Lunch total = $1.19 560 cal.

Dinner
Green salad = $0.35 30 cal
Cucumber = $0.30 22 cal.
Cherry tomatoes = $0.19. 10 cal.
Balsamic vinegar = $0.03 0 cal.
Brown rice (1/2 cup dry) = $0.15 170 cal.
California Veggies (8 oz) = $0.50 60 cal.
Green beans (1/2 cup) = $0.17 20 cal.
Salsa (2 Tbs) = $0.08 10 cal.
Dinner Total = $1.77 322 cal.

Snack:
Oatmeal leftover from breakfast
Banana = $0.16 110 cal.

Total for Day = $3.61 1482 cal.

Over my $3 goal today. Chili is a bit too expensive when made from canned beans. Next time I’ll make it with some of the dried 16 bean mix that's hiding in my kitchen cupboard. And green salads are still a bit costly. I'll be glad when local produce becomes available again. On the plus side, I’ve managed to get my calorie content up to a sustainable level. 1500 calories a day is what I need to maintain my weight. Ideally one should be able to eat for $3 a day and not starve :lol:

Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Sat May 28, 2011 9:13 pm

Today's Menu:
Breakfast
Old-fashioned oats (1 cup dry) = $0.14 300 cal.
Small box of raisins = $0.21 130 cal.
Ground flaxseed (1 Tbs) = free 60 cal.
Tea = $0.05 0 cal.
Stevia = $0.09 0 cal.
Breakfast total = $0.49 490 cal.

Lunch
Navy bean and potato soup (2 cups) = $0.24 220 cal.
Medium baked potato = $0.09 168 cal.
Baby carrots = free 42 cal.
Orange = $0.45 80 cal.
Lunch total = $0.78 510 cal.

Dinner
Brown rice (1/2 cup dry) = $0.15 170 cal.
1/2 bag of mixed vegetables = $0.50 120 cal.
1/4 bag turnip greens = $0.25 25 cal.
1/2 can of canned tomatoes = $0.18 44 cal.
Dinner total = $1.08 359 cal.
Snack:
Oatmeal leftover from breakfast
Banana = $0.16 110 cal.
Total for day = $2.51 1469 cal.

Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Sun May 29, 2011 8:40 pm

Today same as yesterday. Brought enough food with me for holiday to double up on recipes.
Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Mon May 30, 2011 8:14 pm

Today's menu:

Today's Menu:
Breakfast
Old-fashioned oats (1 cup dry) = $0.14 300 cal.
Small box of raisins = $0.21 130 cal.
Ground flaxseed (1 Tbs) = free 60 cal.
Tea = $0.05 0 cal.
Stevia = $0.09 0 cal.
Breakfast total = $0.49 490 cal.

Lunch
Navy bean and potato soup (2 cups) = $0.24 220 cal.
Medium baked potato = $0.09 168 cal.
Baby carrots = free 42 cal.
Orange = $0.45 80 cal.
Lunch total = $0.78 510 cal.

Dinner
Homemade split pea soup:
1 lb split peas: $0.83 1547 cal.
1 tsp. chopped garlic: $0.04 5 cal
1 tsp. bouillon: $0.16 5 cal.
1/2 bag mirepoix blend: $0.50 50 cal
dash hot pepper sauce
Makes 2 cup servings:
$0.26 each 268 cal.
baked potato: $0.09 168 cal.
Green salad = $0.35 30 cal
Cucumber = $0.30 22 cal.
Cherry tomatoes = $0.19. 10 cal.
Balsamic vinegar = $0.03 0 cal.
Total: $1.22 498 cal.

Snack:
Oatmeal leftover from breakfast
Banana = $0.16 110 cal.

Total for Day: $2.65 1658 cal.
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Tue May 31, 2011 7:10 pm

Today's menu:

Today's Menu:
Breakfast
Old-fashioned oats (1 cup dry) = $0.14 300 cal.
Small box of raisins = $0.21 130 cal.
Ground flaxseed (1 Tbs) = free 60 cal.
Tea = $0.05 0 cal.
Stevia = $0.09 0 cal.
Breakfast total = $0.49 490 cal.

Lunch
Split pea soup (2 cups) = $0.26 each 268 cal.
Medium baked potato = $0.09 168 cal.
Baby carrots = free 42 cal.
Apple = $0.30 90 cal.
Lunch total = $0.65 568 cal.

Dinner
Brown rice (1/2 cup dry) = $0.15 170 cal.
1/2 bag of mixed vegetables = $0.50 120 cal.
1/4 bag spinach = $0.25 30 cal.
1/2 can of canned tomatoes = $0.18 44 cal.
1 tsp. chopped garlic: $0.04 5 cal
Dinner total = $1.12 369 cal.

Snack:
Oatmeal leftover from breakfast
Banana = $0.16 110 cal.

Total for Day: $2.42 1537 cal.
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
User avatar
Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Tue May 31, 2011 7:22 pm

So, two weeks into this challenge and the results for the second week are:
average cost per day: $2.57
average calories per day: 1431

This is a sustainable level of calories for me to maintain my weight. The menu basics are very simple: oatmeal and fruit for breakfast, potato and bean soup for lunch, brown rice and microwaved veggies for dinner, leftover oatmeal in the evening.

Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Wed Jun 01, 2011 5:32 pm

Debbie. wrote:What I find neat is there is even a couple of days where youve been under $3 for the day but over 1500 calories!! Who would of thought someone could eat for so little. Dollar menu, eat your heart out!!

Im sure there would be people who would think youre not eating healthy, but people really do make the dollar menu their meal base. So at the minimum its 3 dollars a meal and wholly defunct of nutrients. Of course no one we would ever talk to in real life would admit to eating off the dollar menu. ;-) :unibrow:


Strictly for my own amusement, I compared my meals from yesterday to three meals from the McDonald's dollar menu. My meals yesterday:

12 gm fat (from oats and flax) 2 saturated fat, 0 cholesterol. 7% of calories from fat.
2300 mg sodium (I used bouillon in my soup)
319 gm carbs, 52 grams fiber
54 gm protein (more than adequate)
469% of RDA for vitamin A
190% of RDA for vitamin C
107% of RDA for iron
45% of RDA for calcium
Cost:$2.42 for 1537 cal.

From McDonald's $1 menu: a sausage biscuit for breakfast, a McDouble for lunch, and a McChicken for dinner:
58 grams fat, 23 grams saturated, 135 mg cholesterol 44% of calories from fat.
2910 mg sodium
107 gm carbs, 6 grams fiber
51 gm protein
6% of RDA for vitamin A
4% of RDA for vitamin C
50% of RDA for iron
36% of RDA for calcium
Cost: $3.00 for 1180 cal.

So my meals are less expensive, provides more carbs, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals and calories. And the food is so bulky with water and fiber that I eat more than enough to be completely satisfied. If I ate $3.00 worth of Mickey D's crap, I would be starved at the end of the day.

Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:08 pm

Did my grocery shopping today. Here's what I got for $21 this week:
2 lbs. generic brown rice: $1.65
frozen mirepoix mix: $1.29 (this is chopped celery, onion and carrot)
frozen spinach: $1.00
frozen mixed vegetables: $1.00
large head of cabbage: $1.61
bag of 6 large navel oranges: $2.69
1 lb. of baby carrots: $1.39
bag of green onions: $0.79
cucumber: $0.59
5 roma tomatoes: $2.39
bag of salad: $0.69
box of green tea: $1.19
jar of mild salsa: $1.79
5 bananas: $1.14
6 pack of raisins: $1.29
2 cans of diced tomatoes: $1.10
Total: $21.59
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
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Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

Re: $3.00 a Day Challenge

Postby Katydid » Wed Jun 01, 2011 6:26 pm

Todays Menu:

Breakfast
Old-fashioned oats (1 cup dry) = $0.14 300 cal.
1/4 cup dried cranberries = $0.38 130 cal.
Ground flaxseed (1 Tbs) = free 60 cal.
Tea = $0.05 0 cal.
Stevia = $0.09 0 cal.
Breakfast total = $0.66 490 cal.

Lunch
Split pea soup (2 cups) = $0.26 each 268 cal.
Medium baked potato = $0.09 168 cal.
Orange = $0.45 80 cal.
Lunch total: $0.80 516 cal.

Dinner
Brown rice (1/4 cup dry) = $0.08 160 cal. (switched from instant to regular brown rice)
2 cups chopped cabbage = $0.27 42 cal
1/4 of large bag of stir-fry veggies = $0.75 100 cal.
Dinner total = $1.10 302 cal.

Snack:
Oatmeal leftover from breakfast
Banana = $0.16 110 cal.

Total for Day: $2.72 1518 cal.

Kate
This diet can save your life - it saved mine! Read my story at:
http://www.drmcdougall.com/stars/cathy_stewart.htm
User avatar
Katydid
 
Posts: 4686
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 8:30 am
Location: Marysville, Mi.

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