My Shopping Trip

Yesterday was my grocery shopping day! I went to Top Foods, my usual store, and tried to combine their sales with my coupons to create menus for the next 5 days. Take a look at what I got:

The real challenge was buying small amounts of items since I'm only eating for five days. I'm also not used to just feeding one person. I'll let you know what I do with the items and my total spent as the week progresses.

Great Way to Get Involved!

Did you know the local PCC stores hold bulk food packing events on a regular basis to benefit local food banks? Dates, times, and locations vary (note: they are not held at the PCC stores but at a nearby location). I noticed that there will be three packing events held during Hunger Action Week. It's an easy way to get involved and make a difference.

Events next week all starting at 7 pm: Edmonds, 3/19; Seward Park, 3/20; Fremont, 3/21
Here are the details and locations including all 2012 events:  PCC Food Bank Packaging Work Parties

I'll be at the Edmonds event, come and join in the fun!

Welcome to my Hunger Challenge Blog!

I'm taking the Hunger Challenge to see what it would be like to live on food stamps for five days. It's a lesson in empathy and a way to create an awareness of hunger in our community.

The Challenge is from March 19-23, 2012 and is sponsored by United Way of King County. Check out their website for lots of ways to get involved with Hunger Action Week. Anyone can participate, I encourage you to give it a try!

The basic rules:

1. Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, spending only $7 per day.

2. Factor in seasonings (except salt and pepper), cooking oils, condiments, snacks, drinks, etc.

3. Don't use food you already own.

4. Don't accept food from family, friends, co-workers and others. No free samples!

5. Try to include fresh produce and healthy protein each day.

  
Pre-Challenge: I've been thinking about possible menu options for the week but will wait to make final decisions until my Sunday, March 18 grocery shopping trip. I'll be looking for sale items and ways I can use coupons to stretch my dollars.

Have you heard of the Environmental Working Group's Shopper's Guide? They list the "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean 15" fruits and vegetables. I'll be using this guide to make purchases of organic and non-organic produce. You can check it out here:http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/guide/

Great Resource:

The United States Department of Agriculture has a very helpful website ChooseMyPlate.gov with lots of tips on healthy eating on a budget. Remember the food pyramid? Here's the newest version: