Archive for January 2013
Posted on: January 31, 2013
Click the link at the top to see the USDA Thrifty Food Plans. I think this chart is very insightful. It was put together by the USDA to illustrate food budgets for households and to have a baseline for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, what they call food stamps these days.) The budgets range from “thrifty” to “liberal” and take into account your household makeup by sex and age. The current pop culture debate is whether or not people can live on a food stamp budget or whether people can even afford to eat well and make better choices.
I’ve never closely tracked my food purchases, but I do see myself as a “thrifty” shopper while still bringing home a wide variety of fresh produce and whole foods. For my family size, my monthly food budget should be anywhere from $677.30 (thrifty) to $1318.63 (liberal, I WISH!!!)
Currently I try to stay around $100/week for groceries, not including incidentals, diapers, dog food, etc. I’m pretty sure I blow that out of the water but I will follow my shopping habits for a few weeks and see where they are and how I can improve. After all, my motto for the year is Be Happy with Less. I’d love to only spend $400 a month on groceries and still maintain my healthy staples.
I can’t tell you how many times I hear people tell me “I’d eat better if I could afford it.” But you can! Check back for some upcoming posts on how to eat better for less. No couponing, I promise!
2013!
Posted on: January 24, 2013
Helllloooo New Year!
I’m committing to a few things.
First off, I don’t really do “Resolutions” for the New Year because I can’t stay motivated and constricted (I mean, REALLY! Who can go a whole year without fast food or biting their finger nails?) I do however like to pick a theme upon which I will reflect upon. 2013 is the year to be HAPPY with LESS. Have LESS of everything so that you can experience MORE. This is a good blanket theme that can go towards obvious and not so obvious goals like Weight, Clutter, Stress, Anxiety, Self-Doubt, Lack of Energy, etc.
Just had a birthday, so the ever present “what am I doing with my life?!” questions have been popping in my head. Long story short, I am going to:
- Verbalize
- Visualize
- Realize
I honestly don’t know where all these positive feelings and energy are coming from, I certainly have not been a well of sunshine at ALL. But whatever, maybe I’m having a mental breakdown, BUT AT LEAST IT’S A HAPPY ONE!
Started keeping bad carbs in check, have gone down 6 or 7 lbs since the start of the New Year. Not bad, not bad.
I’ve been a big fan of Smoothies lately and I can even get the kids to eat them. I’ll post one soon.
It’s good to be back.
TigerFIT 