We gave up the challenge.
Last night we had a long discussion before dinner and decided to lose, or withdraw. The main reason is that with the plumbing the way it is at present (deplorable) there is no room to make things from scratch (bread, etc) nor time since I am working a full time job and I am not starting at 5.30 PM to make 2 loaves of bread that will be done near midnight. The breadmaker is acting up so I don't trust it. We've also kinda been living on our food storage and I think we would have been ok if I didn't run out of butter on the first day and we were already out of milk. I have very few clean dishes (which should be rectified tomorrow when I get out on the porch and clean the wash basins) and have been washing things piecemeal as we need them- the sinks still drain but very slowly.
Things we have learned: I need to stock butter powder and/or butter. Powdered milk will not work with instant pudding. We need to have a heavy supply of applesauce and possibly spaghetti sauce. Canned chili would be a good idea to stock (for Derek). We do not like Brunswick or Van Camp's tuna. I can live without cheese and milk but I am not happy about it. Pancakes for dinner are a bad idea, especially when your favorite toppings are butter and powdered sugar. I need that freezer. Derek gets REAL cranky if there is no meat. Or Pepsi.
I have no doubt I could survive on my food storage if I had to. We've done it before. I can cook decent meals from practically nothing. However, clean utensils and counter spaces would be an ideal thing to have.
However, I am still disappointed with myself for caving. Last night we took out from Sushi Yumi and I pigged out on sushi (my new comfort food). Went to bed not exactly sick but uncomfortable. Because there was nothing in the fridge (condiments not included!) but 2 packs of tortillas, a block each of mozzarella and organic white cheddar (both bought on markdown), some grits, eggs and a whole lot of soy sauce packets from days of sushi past, I WAY overspent grocery shopping today. And on a full stomach, I may add.
Well, goodnight all.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
10.13.10 Day 3
I have come to the conclusion that A) powdered milk will only work for me in dry form for baking, b) I can live without fresh milk but I don't have to like it and c) it is EXTREMELY difficult for me to live without butter. I am almost foaming at the mouth. Margarine is NOT an option if I can help it.
Todays menu: Lunch for Derek- two chicken sandwiches. His breakfast was a bowl of applesauce and granola with a banana- mine was a banana. My sugar level was too low so I was forced to purchase a $.50 oatmeal breakfast bar once I got to work. I had planned on oatmeal but it never set up and then it burned- I think I got the ratios wrong. I was running around like a headless chicken, as always for a Wednesday (it's trash day). My lunch was the remainder of the chicken on saltines. We are running low on bread and I have no time to bake- also the bread maker is acting as weird as the last one so I'm not sure what's going on. Dinner for me was half a cup of cream of mushroom soup- Derek had the rest. He had a bowl of chili when I came home. I do not eat chili. He also had the remainder of last night's sausage. We were going to have stroganoff but it was 9.30 PM by the time we finished "discussing" our electric bill and the fact we got locked out of our po box because I forgot to pay it so we are going to have that tomorrow night.
So the only food purchased this week are some Pepsis and this morning's breakfast bar. I am gritting my teeth. I HAVE to have some butter. I have no idea what I am going to do for lunch tomorrow- likely soup for me again. Fortunately I have Friday off so we'll see what happens.
So far I think we are good with the food storage and can manage off it- however, if I can get my parents to get the freezer to me (hint hint) I'll definitely stock up on butter. We'll see where we are on Friday.
Ciao folks!
Todays menu: Lunch for Derek- two chicken sandwiches. His breakfast was a bowl of applesauce and granola with a banana- mine was a banana. My sugar level was too low so I was forced to purchase a $.50 oatmeal breakfast bar once I got to work. I had planned on oatmeal but it never set up and then it burned- I think I got the ratios wrong. I was running around like a headless chicken, as always for a Wednesday (it's trash day). My lunch was the remainder of the chicken on saltines. We are running low on bread and I have no time to bake- also the bread maker is acting as weird as the last one so I'm not sure what's going on. Dinner for me was half a cup of cream of mushroom soup- Derek had the rest. He had a bowl of chili when I came home. I do not eat chili. He also had the remainder of last night's sausage. We were going to have stroganoff but it was 9.30 PM by the time we finished "discussing" our electric bill and the fact we got locked out of our po box because I forgot to pay it so we are going to have that tomorrow night.
So the only food purchased this week are some Pepsis and this morning's breakfast bar. I am gritting my teeth. I HAVE to have some butter. I have no idea what I am going to do for lunch tomorrow- likely soup for me again. Fortunately I have Friday off so we'll see what happens.
So far I think we are good with the food storage and can manage off it- however, if I can get my parents to get the freezer to me (hint hint) I'll definitely stock up on butter. We'll see where we are on Friday.
Ciao folks!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
10.12.10 Day 2?
I am losing track of the days and am making this real short as I really need to go to bed.
Day 2 arrived- breakfast was scrambled eggs and the last of the Holland Rusk- still not desperate enough to drink the reconstituted powdered milk. Made Derek 2 turkey sandwiches for lunch. I had chicken noodle soup, carrots left over from some achievement meeting for the regular staff the night before, dry roasted peanuts, wheat thins, hummus (LOVE hummus, strange because until recently you couldn't get me to acknowledge a chick-pea) and a couple of tolerable sugar cookies. Not big on sugar cookies, especially the soft, frosted ones. Not a fan of cookies much, anyway.
Dinner was pancakes, sausage and eggs (Derek only. Not sure I could have done eggs for myself tonight). Did I mention Derek can eat eggs 24/7/365? Drives me nuts. I'm the only one in my immediate biological family that likes eggs. I wasn't a big fan of pancakes until I got married- LOVE French toast but am conserving the remaining bread. Maybe I'll make a batch when I'm off Friday.
Maybe I should find the dog's claw clippers, the camera cord and the software to my printer Friday instead. Gotta mow the lawn, too. Homecoming IS this weekend...
Well, gotta run. Sleep awaits!
Day 2 arrived- breakfast was scrambled eggs and the last of the Holland Rusk- still not desperate enough to drink the reconstituted powdered milk. Made Derek 2 turkey sandwiches for lunch. I had chicken noodle soup, carrots left over from some achievement meeting for the regular staff the night before, dry roasted peanuts, wheat thins, hummus (LOVE hummus, strange because until recently you couldn't get me to acknowledge a chick-pea) and a couple of tolerable sugar cookies. Not big on sugar cookies, especially the soft, frosted ones. Not a fan of cookies much, anyway.
Dinner was pancakes, sausage and eggs (Derek only. Not sure I could have done eggs for myself tonight). Did I mention Derek can eat eggs 24/7/365? Drives me nuts. I'm the only one in my immediate biological family that likes eggs. I wasn't a big fan of pancakes until I got married- LOVE French toast but am conserving the remaining bread. Maybe I'll make a batch when I'm off Friday.
Maybe I should find the dog's claw clippers, the camera cord and the software to my printer Friday instead. Gotta mow the lawn, too. Homecoming IS this weekend...
Well, gotta run. Sleep awaits!
Monday, October 11, 2010
10.11.10 Day one
I caved.
Well, not really caved but I bought Derek some Pepsi. I did not buy milk, butter or orange juice (which we are now out of) and I bought only Pepsi. I was talked into it and for someone who has a rather large daily habit (it's embarrassing how large) it is really really hard for him to quit cold turkey. It's an addiction and when he withdraws, well, it's not pretty or healthy for that matter. So this is my one exception to the challenge and I did not buy anything else this afternoon.
That said, here is the food diary for today:
Breakfast: 2 eggs fried in olive oil each, topped with grits with the last of the butter, parmesan cheese and salt/pepper. Water for me, V8 for him as well as Pepsi.
Lunch: For Derek, 2 turkey and cheese sandwiches. For me, peanut butter and jam sandwiches. I snacked on honey roasted peanuts provided by my job.
Afternoon snack: Derek had the remainder of the celery, cheese, and a bowl of applesauce and granola.
Dinner: Derek had pork steaks, I had cream of chicken soup.
I do not eat pork steaks.
Often Derek and I wind up having two separate dinners as we can't agree on what to have for dinner. I really really think that when you are engaged or dating, one needs to explore the food issues before you consider marrying because that is ALL we fight about. Derek grew up on a farm- he is really big on meat and veggies. He got a lot of meat and veggies and when he was playing football he was encouraged to eat lots of meat. He also ate out a lot once he was on his own (although he is a REALLY REALLY good cook). I grew up with a mother who was constantly dieting and hated to cook and a father who loved to cook but was rarely home. I am addicted to milk products and marachino cherries. I was forced to eat veggies which is probably why I really don't eat them today. You can't get me to eat celery, cucumbers or okra (which was Grandpa's favorite). It took me this long to be able to eat peppers, as well as red and green onions (can't get me to eat white ones at all). So our common ground is this- milk products, beef, spinach, bread (common ground is 2g dietary fiber wheat- I like the heavier stuff and he is Mr. Wonderbread), peanut butter, jam, potatoes, broccoli and Chinese food. We like Sushi Yumi because a) you can take out the buffet and b) they serve Chinese and Sushi. So I wind up with a mixed container of sushi (from which I faithfully pick out the celery) and he winds up with General Tsao's Chicken, Mongolian Beef and green beans in some sort of Oriental sauce. And we're both happy.
Tonight I was supposed to make either instant mashed potatoes with gravy or cream of mushroom noodles. We wound up snacking on Holland Rusk with sweetened condensed milk, a nasty habit I picked up from my days as a nanny. I am a little hungry but I plan on oatmeal tomorrow- if I can find the butter powder (if I didn't throw it out) I'll use it- otherwise it's raisins and brown sugar. I like eggs but not EVERY day of the week. I am planning on possibly making tuna for lunch and I've taken out beef stew meat for dinner. We'll see how that goes.
Oh, BTW, powdered milk is not a taste explosion. So I will relegate it to cooking only...
Well, not really caved but I bought Derek some Pepsi. I did not buy milk, butter or orange juice (which we are now out of) and I bought only Pepsi. I was talked into it and for someone who has a rather large daily habit (it's embarrassing how large) it is really really hard for him to quit cold turkey. It's an addiction and when he withdraws, well, it's not pretty or healthy for that matter. So this is my one exception to the challenge and I did not buy anything else this afternoon.
That said, here is the food diary for today:
Breakfast: 2 eggs fried in olive oil each, topped with grits with the last of the butter, parmesan cheese and salt/pepper. Water for me, V8 for him as well as Pepsi.
Lunch: For Derek, 2 turkey and cheese sandwiches. For me, peanut butter and jam sandwiches. I snacked on honey roasted peanuts provided by my job.
Afternoon snack: Derek had the remainder of the celery, cheese, and a bowl of applesauce and granola.
Dinner: Derek had pork steaks, I had cream of chicken soup.
I do not eat pork steaks.
Often Derek and I wind up having two separate dinners as we can't agree on what to have for dinner. I really really think that when you are engaged or dating, one needs to explore the food issues before you consider marrying because that is ALL we fight about. Derek grew up on a farm- he is really big on meat and veggies. He got a lot of meat and veggies and when he was playing football he was encouraged to eat lots of meat. He also ate out a lot once he was on his own (although he is a REALLY REALLY good cook). I grew up with a mother who was constantly dieting and hated to cook and a father who loved to cook but was rarely home. I am addicted to milk products and marachino cherries. I was forced to eat veggies which is probably why I really don't eat them today. You can't get me to eat celery, cucumbers or okra (which was Grandpa's favorite). It took me this long to be able to eat peppers, as well as red and green onions (can't get me to eat white ones at all). So our common ground is this- milk products, beef, spinach, bread (common ground is 2g dietary fiber wheat- I like the heavier stuff and he is Mr. Wonderbread), peanut butter, jam, potatoes, broccoli and Chinese food. We like Sushi Yumi because a) you can take out the buffet and b) they serve Chinese and Sushi. So I wind up with a mixed container of sushi (from which I faithfully pick out the celery) and he winds up with General Tsao's Chicken, Mongolian Beef and green beans in some sort of Oriental sauce. And we're both happy.
Tonight I was supposed to make either instant mashed potatoes with gravy or cream of mushroom noodles. We wound up snacking on Holland Rusk with sweetened condensed milk, a nasty habit I picked up from my days as a nanny. I am a little hungry but I plan on oatmeal tomorrow- if I can find the butter powder (if I didn't throw it out) I'll use it- otherwise it's raisins and brown sugar. I like eggs but not EVERY day of the week. I am planning on possibly making tuna for lunch and I've taken out beef stew meat for dinner. We'll see how that goes.
Oh, BTW, powdered milk is not a taste explosion. So I will relegate it to cooking only...
Sunday, October 10, 2010
10.10.10 The Food Storage challenge
Yes, I've been bad. At least about posting. There really hasn't been a lot going on since the last post except to say I had a great visit with my brother and his family and my dad has a volunteer crop of citron melons. I came home with 5- they are still sitting in the kitchen going, "are ya gonna do sumfing wid us?" They're still good- I just have to get the kitchen back under control- this plumbing problem has taken a turn for the worse and even regular cooking has been a bit of an issue. I hesitate to take anything back to the tub to wash as I might create a plumbing problem there as well. So I guess I'm going to have to open tote the dishes on the stove and in the sinks and get the basins from the garage and wash them in the back yard and use the basin method, which I really should have done a while back. In the meantime we've been eating a lot of take-out and tv dinners which is probably why I am really feeling dragged out right now (although I can't say meals at Sushi Yumi aren't the best!).
OK to the point and the title of this blog- the food storage challenge.
As most of you are aware (and you will be aware once this is posted) I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So I am LDS, aka Mormon. One of our peculiarities (for lack of a better word- and this was one of mine even before I joined the church) is the church advises us to keep a year's supply of food on hand in case of unemployment, under employment, natural disaster, etc. So we hold classes, have written books, have booklets and handouts with all sorts of shelf life, ratio of item per adult, etc. Yes I am using etc. a lot as to list it all... well etc. works really well. Otherwise this blog post would be a novel.
Today in church, it was announced that the Stake Presidency (the church divides us as first branches, which are the smallest units, then wards, then stkes which is a group of wards, areas which is a group of stakes, regions which is a group of areas- well you get the picture) would like us to live on our food storage for a week. Starting today. Use up what perishables we have and live off the remainder- no grocery shopping, etc. This would end Saturday the 16th after dinner.
Lucky for us we bought meat yesterday but unfortunately ran out of milk and orange juice today.
I came home and told Derek (he's currently not attending due to health issues). Stone face.
"That does not include my Pepsi, right?"
I advised him it most certainly did and the 2 liter in the fridge was all he was getting until Saturday night.
You would have thought I'd told him his entire family was hit by a train.
Two hours of discussion later, he conceded he could do it but I'd have to buy Pepsi after dinner Saturday night. Lots of it. Forget the milk, forget cheese, forget O.J. but Heaven forbid I don't get Pepsi Saturday night.
As far as food goes, we are in a bit of luck. Last week my mom gave us the last of her Y2K food storage in #10 cans- 2 of whole wheat flour, 2 of lentils, 2 of long grain brown rice and 1 of cheese powder. Yesterday my friend Beth came over and gave us a large jar of Hellman's mayo and some celery (Derek has eaten most of it, thank goodness. I can't stand the stuff). I have quite a bit of powdered milk (bought it for the now not quite working bread maker) and a vintage quart jar from the '60's apparently from Carnation that is specifically for making instant milk- so I made some. We'll see how that turns out. I have 7 dozen eggs in the fridge (we go through A LOT) and tons of oatmeal, yeast, some lunch meat, tuna, lots of pasta and soup.
Sooooo, this is our challenge this week, and I am hoping to be on recording progress on it all week. I think we'll be ok. It will give us some time to rotate stock as well and use stuff we don't ordinarily use. And maybe try our hands at new and exciting recipes. Also, I have Friday off (UF Homecoming, I am avoiding downtown like the plague and really looking forward to next Sunday when it's all over) so I plan on, if it's not under control by then, getting the kitchen under control so I can experiment with crackers. I have a recipe for wheat thins I want to try...
OK to the point and the title of this blog- the food storage challenge.
As most of you are aware (and you will be aware once this is posted) I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So I am LDS, aka Mormon. One of our peculiarities (for lack of a better word- and this was one of mine even before I joined the church) is the church advises us to keep a year's supply of food on hand in case of unemployment, under employment, natural disaster, etc. So we hold classes, have written books, have booklets and handouts with all sorts of shelf life, ratio of item per adult, etc. Yes I am using etc. a lot as to list it all... well etc. works really well. Otherwise this blog post would be a novel.
Today in church, it was announced that the Stake Presidency (the church divides us as first branches, which are the smallest units, then wards, then stkes which is a group of wards, areas which is a group of stakes, regions which is a group of areas- well you get the picture) would like us to live on our food storage for a week. Starting today. Use up what perishables we have and live off the remainder- no grocery shopping, etc. This would end Saturday the 16th after dinner.
Lucky for us we bought meat yesterday but unfortunately ran out of milk and orange juice today.
I came home and told Derek (he's currently not attending due to health issues). Stone face.
"That does not include my Pepsi, right?"
I advised him it most certainly did and the 2 liter in the fridge was all he was getting until Saturday night.
You would have thought I'd told him his entire family was hit by a train.
Two hours of discussion later, he conceded he could do it but I'd have to buy Pepsi after dinner Saturday night. Lots of it. Forget the milk, forget cheese, forget O.J. but Heaven forbid I don't get Pepsi Saturday night.
As far as food goes, we are in a bit of luck. Last week my mom gave us the last of her Y2K food storage in #10 cans- 2 of whole wheat flour, 2 of lentils, 2 of long grain brown rice and 1 of cheese powder. Yesterday my friend Beth came over and gave us a large jar of Hellman's mayo and some celery (Derek has eaten most of it, thank goodness. I can't stand the stuff). I have quite a bit of powdered milk (bought it for the now not quite working bread maker) and a vintage quart jar from the '60's apparently from Carnation that is specifically for making instant milk- so I made some. We'll see how that turns out. I have 7 dozen eggs in the fridge (we go through A LOT) and tons of oatmeal, yeast, some lunch meat, tuna, lots of pasta and soup.
Sooooo, this is our challenge this week, and I am hoping to be on recording progress on it all week. I think we'll be ok. It will give us some time to rotate stock as well and use stuff we don't ordinarily use. And maybe try our hands at new and exciting recipes. Also, I have Friday off (UF Homecoming, I am avoiding downtown like the plague and really looking forward to next Sunday when it's all over) so I plan on, if it's not under control by then, getting the kitchen under control so I can experiment with crackers. I have a recipe for wheat thins I want to try...
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