Typical Monday

...except as we're all aware, it's raining!

It feels as if fall has finally gotten here with this first soggy weekend. I like putting on my sweater and socks.

I did my shopping today for the third week of the food stamp challenge. My list was so short I found myself looking for things to add, and I was still under by $4.23!

This exercise has been teaching me some important lessons.

•The first is I tend to purchase the same things week in and week out.

•A list and a calculator are imperative. I also make certain I look for specials as I'm going along and check the ads before starting to shop.

•I don't roam around the store. I know where everything is located, and don't spend much time browsing. If I have to go into unfamiliar territory (aka: the interior of the grocery store) I only head down the aisle that houses what I'm seeking.

•It's important to go grocery shopping when you have time. Rushing in is the best way to go over budget. It's nice to slow down once in awhile, why not at the grocery store?

•It pays to do the math. Today, I had almond milk on my list. One brand was on sale for $2.79. The competing brand wasn't on sale, but there was a coupon for 55¢ off. It was $3.29 before the coupon. After the coupon it was $2.74. Guess which one went into my cart?

•The scales in the produce department are nearly useless! My calculations on six of the bulk items I purchased were off. I had calculated high which is why I didn't spend the full amount this week.

Next week is the last week I'll be shopping on the budget I've given myself. I realize $33.50 per week is not much money to spend on food, but it can be done. I suspect once this personal challenge has come to an end I'll likely continue limiting the amount I spend on groceries.

In other Monday news....

My precious kitty had a visit with the vet today. He's hyperthyroid and has gotten quite thin. Today he weighed in at 8lbs. 11oz! He gained four ounces since his last visit. In human terms that's not much, but in cat terms it's pretty good. The vet was pleased, and depending on his thyroid levels we may adjust his medication. She's also hopeful that with this slight weight gain we may be able to get some lean muscle back onto his scrawny frame.

I sure hope so, he's rather knobby.

Time to go make salads for the week... and since I've had a few people inquiring about them, here's an illustration I found which explains how to make them::

Image source:: http://www.bureauofbetterment.com/blog/salad-in-a-jar/

A Chance Encounter

The weather has been so beautiful that I've been walking to the shop for the past few weeks.  Last night, on my stroll home, I had a chance encounter with one of our neighborhood turkeys!

There is a flock of them the roam the area around my house.  The other morning, my sweetheart encounter seven of them crossing the road on Main Street.  He said they seemed unconcerned with the traffic.

When I reviewed the video, I couldn't help chuckling.  The turkey was crunching through the leaves.  I guess it was enjoying the lovely fall evening, too.

Did She Make It?

Since I know the burning question on everyone's mind is whether or not I had a successful trip to the grocery store today... NOT! I know you all have much more interesting things to ponder than my personal challenge.

Just in case you're curious... I did it! I was under my budget of $33.50 by $1.12, which means I could have treated myself to the avocado I didn't put on my list because I'd added a bell pepper and knew it was going to be expensive.

When I first entered the store I made certain to check the circular that is always available to see if anything on my list was on sale. Sure enough, canned tomatoes were 2 for $1.00 with a coupon, so I gleefully tore it out and decided to get four cans instead of two. I now have tomatoes to last the rest of the month.

While I was at the store, I purchased freezer bags. The split pea soup I made last week is freezing. I cooked up ground turkey for one of the two salads I make ahead for the week. I froze half of it for next week. There are seven salads in the refrigerator for lunch this week. I also took the time to make the black bean and quinoa dish I wrote about last week.

As promised here is the recipe. I only had a list of the ingredients I use with no measurements. I paid attention (kinda) to what I was doing while I put it together so I could share.

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Carol's Black Bean and Quinoa {aka:: BeanWa}

1 1/2C cooked black beans (or a drained 14oz. can)
2C cooked quinoa
1/2C sliced leeks
1C packaged broccoli slaw or coleslaw
cumin
dried basil
salt
fresh ground pepper
2T olive oil

In a large saute' pan heat olive oil. Add leeks and slaw. Salt and pepper lightly, cook until veggies are translucent. Add quinoa to pan, stir in veggies, continue cooking. Add beans to mixture, stir well. Season with basil, and cumin. Be generous! Add salt and pepper to taste.

This dish is great warmed on top of salad. It's a nice side dish, and makes a good wrap in a spinach tortilla with cheese and salsa. I enjoy the texture of the quinoa, and the sweetness of the cabbage/broccoli in this dish. Plus I suspect it's pretty good for you.

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Now for something completely unrelated to my challenge.

I had a conversation with my next door neighbor this afternoon regarding a very large tree we share between our properties. It's a silver leaf maple. It stands over 40' and is a great source of shade for our west facing homes.

This winter, during a gusty night, a large branch came out of the tree and took out a couple of lines to my neighbor's house. They had a well respected Arborist take a look at it. This was the same gentleman I would have called for a second opinion.

The diagnosis for the tree is pretty grim. It has a fungal rot occurring in the root system. Additionally, a large portion of the tree is a sucker branch that has grown up to constitute more than half the tree. That part of the tree is dangerous in its own right. With the disease process going on it is only a matter of time before the tree comes down and does major damage to one or both of our homes.

My neighbors will be losing a large part of their landscaping when the tree comes down. It has been a shade source for two large rhododendrons, a couple of camillas, a Japanese maple, and many shade loving bedding plants. They're researching quick growing trees to plant in the maple's place, and will put in the largest one they can afford before the end of autumn. They're going to pay for the removal of the tree.

With a heavy heart I've agreed to let them proceed. I've asked they let me know the tree's removal date so I'm not surprised by the sound of chainsaws at a ghastly hour of the morning. Perhaps taking out the maple will let my very tall and columnar Gingko tree start spreading out at the top. It has always competed with the maple trees spreading branches.

As I told my neighbor I guess this is one way to avoid raking up all those leaves this year!

Week One - Done

The first week of my challenge is done.

I haven't quite made it in the posting every day portion, but I knew that would probably be the case. Busy, chatter-filled days can leave me feeling drained and without any more words to share. To refuel for the next day, I have to be quiet or I have nothing much left.

Tomorrow will find me back at the grocery store shopping for the week. As I've been running out or running low on items I've been noting them on my fridge master list.

Here is my shopping list for the upcoming week::

• Coffee
• Ground Turkey
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Cabbage
• Tomatoes
• Bell Pepper
• Mushrooms
• Leeks
• Dried Basil
• Taco Seasoning
• Canned Tomatoes
• Garlic
• Pasta
• Banana
• Apples or Oranges
• Yogurt

Looking at the list, I have a feeling I'll just make it. I've checked my coupons and find I have some that will take $3.00 off my total.

This past week I've become acutely aware of how much food I eat and how wasteful I can be in my storage of left-overs.

When I got home from the grocery store on Monday I cleaned out my refrigerator. The amount of bad produce and little containers of mystery food I threw out was embarrassing. I've added freezer bags to my list so I can properly save the larger left-overs I make.

I had an 'oh crap' earlier in the week when I cooked up a pot of black beans. I thought I'd cooked them long enough. I used them to top some pasta for a meal, and they were not done. I ended up moving the beans to the side, eating what I could, and throwing the rest down the garbage disposal. It made me sad to have wasted them.

Thankfully, beans don't mind being put back on the burner even if it is a couple of days later. The rest of the beans are now fully cooked, and ready to go into a concoction I created a few years ago that I call 'BeanWa.' It's a flavorful little dish made up of black beans, quinoa, veggies, and seasonings. It's terrific on salads, as a side dish, or in a wrap. I'll share the recipe and some pictures tomorrow after I've made it.

I've noted some good things at the end of week one. I'm sleeping better, and my energy level seems to be on the upswing. I've had no cravings. I'm just fine eating smaller portions... and my clothes are fitting better.

Best of all, I've enjoyed talking about my challenge with others. They may not go to the extreme I've taken, but I'm learning that many people are looking for ways to reel in their expenses at the grocery store, too. I'm grateful for their insights, ideas, and encouragement.

Image from:: Brenda Ferguson

Priorities Matter

Last night, I decided sleep was more important than writing. It was a long and fun-filled day!

This morning I've taken some time to look around the interwebz to see if I could find information from other people who've taken a challenge similar to the one I've laid out for myself.

There have been many people doing this for quite some time... and they've been more extreme than I'm being.

One person was eating on $1.00 per day by doing some extreme coupon clipping. I applaud him {yes, him} for what he did, but after looking at the selection of food he had purchased, and what he went through to acquire it, I find myself unwilling to follow his lead. I don't want to take the time, nor do I want to subsist on peanut butter and banana tortillas washed down with Capri Sun fruit drinks. Blergh!

Another person challenged herself to eat for a week on $30.00 and not touch anything in her pantry. Um, nope, not going to do that either. It's there, I'm going to utilize it. Perhaps, that would be considered cheating by some, but to me letting it sit there seems wasteful, especially the items that are in my fridge.

I thought about my theory of meal importance vs. cost only to realize the expense will likely remain the same, it will just shift.

The one thing that has jumped out at me as I've been perusing the internet for information is the number of people saying they're able to eat healthy and then share a shopping list of processed food! I'm unable to believe they're feeling healthy when many of the important pieces of good eating are nowhere on their lists.

Only one person had purchased a variety of vegetables and she was feeling remorseful for doing it! I'd feel remorseful for NOT buying those veggies.

I guess it comes down to priorities.

Don't Leave Home Without It

There are reasons it's said breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Thanks to my mom, I formed the breakfast habit early in life. I have no problem skipping a meal as long as that meal isn't breakfast. If I don't get that first meal of the day within half and hour of rising, watch out! I'm not nice to be around.

Breakfast is sacred to my well-being. My routines and rituals about the beginning of the day are directly tied to that first meal. It's usually pretty simple. A bowl of cereal, or oatmeal, a banana, and a cup of black coffee. Simply going through the motions of preparing to eat are important... to me and my cat. The cat always eats first, otherwise he becomes a tripping hazard in my bleary-eyed, waking up world.

Breakfast gets my day off to a good start. I don't rush to make it, and I don't rush to eat it. It helps me wake up, and I can feel my energy rising shortly after I'm done. I begin feeling more alert, the ideas start flowing, and if I have a project to work on I can get to it with a clear head.

I think breakfast plays an important role in weight control. When I'm not famished, I make better food choices throughout the day.

As I've been contemplating food over the past few days I've been thinking about the order of importance for meals. There's a connection between cost and importance.  I like that breakfast is the most important yet least expensive meal of the day. Lunch is second, then dinner.  The cost also follows along the same line with lunch being less expensive than dinner.

Why am I thinking about this? If I'm going to maintain my health and commitment to eating well this month on a food stamp budget then I'm going to change how I'm eating and spending in order to meet the goals I've set. It doesn't mean skipping meals, it just means changing meal priorities to reflect my objectives.

It's getting late, so I'll let this rest for the night. After breakfast tomorrow I'll give these thoughts the attention they deserve.

Food for Thought

One of the things I've considered about recording my progress of eating on a food stamp budget is that it really doesn't have much to do with beads... or does it?

Food is what drives our engines. Our brain consumes 20% of the calories we take in daily yet is only 2% of our body weight! To function at its best, the brain needs a constant supply of glucose. Without it you start feeling foggy, sluggish, and your memory starts to lapse.

Is it any wonder why children who are in households that struggle to keep food on the table have a harder time in school?

So, perhaps there is a connection between my project and beads. In order to be creative, learn new techniques, and remember where in the world things are, it will be necessary for me to eat well and keep my brain fed.

Yes, it's only day two, but I'm starting to become a little food obsessed. This morning before I left for the shop, I was certain to have my lunch packed, and my dinner planned. I also decided that a little cooking ahead was in order because I have two evenings that will keep me at the shop late this week.

Here's a picture of some of the salads I like to make in mason jars. I found this idea on Pinterest, and it has to be one of the best time savers I've ever come across. What I really enjoy about making salads for the week is that they're as good at the end of the week as the day I make them. It's so nice to reach into the fridge, grab my lunch, and scoot out the door knowing I'll have something fresh and good to eat.

This evening, I'm cooking ahead. There's a pot of split pea soup bubbling on the stove, and a pan of black beans soaking. I'll cook them up tomorrow to use in a terrific black bean and pasta dish I enjoy.

See... I am a little food obsessed, but then I can be a little bead obsessed, too. Oh well, it's all good.

Two Challenges

During a conversation with my mom last week we found ourselves on the topic of the rising cost of food. She shared with me that she's been having an email exchange with a good friend debating whether it is less expensive to feed one person, or to feed a family of four. She contends it costs less to feed more people. Her friend isn't convinced.

Many years ago we proved that feeding more people does indeed lower the cost of the servings. Every month, my mom, sister, and I would prepare and freeze main courses for four households. I know, sounds like a bunch of people, but two households were singles. Altogether we were cooking for seven. We'd track our cost per serving with our best month coming in under 70¢.

Time, boredom, and burgeoning waistlines caused us to quit after nearly two years.

Anyway, back to the challenge.

I guess my conversation with my mom opened up my consciousness. A few days ago, I came across an article on Yahoo! about the mayor of Phoenix, AZ taking a week-long challenge to spend no more on food than a single constituent receives in his state on food stamps. In Arizona a single person receives $29.00 per week. Then the folks at Food, Inc. linked to the article on Facebook.

The comments on the Food, Inc. link got me to thinking. I've never known a day of hunger in my life. I've paid little attention to what I spend. Would it be possible for me to make it through one month spending the same amount as a person receiving food stamp assistance and eat well-balanced meals?

A challenge was born, because I've decided I'm going to give it a try.

The national average benefit at the end of the fiscal year 2011 for one person receiving food stamp assistance is $33.50 per week. That's $134.00 per month, the same amount I normally spend in two weeks!

After taking inventory of my kitchen I realized I was in a pretty good place for beginning the challenge. There are packages of beans, white and brown rice, quinoa, lentils, and cornmeal in the cupboard. My supply of canned goods needed no restocking. There were veggies for salads, and enough coffee to get through the rest of the week.

Off to the grocery store I went with a small list in hand. Most of the items I wanted were fresh fruits and vegetables. I spent $33.28, just squeaking under my budget.

I purchased a couple of items that weren't on my list. My favorite Greek yogurt was $1.00 each so I bought two, and Mexican cheese that I use on salads was on sale for $2.29. It should last the month. I allowed myself those two indulgences only after I'd found everything on my list and was in budget.

My biggest expense was a whole, organic, free range chicken. It was marked down to $12.61 and took over 1/3 of my budget. After cutting it up I'll get seven meals from that purchase. I'll stretch that bird to last the month.

Next week is going to be more challenging. My produce purchase is going to increase. As I was shopping today, I began to understand why people turn away from fruits and veggies when their buying power is limited. It's hard to determine how much you're spending! Unless an item was marked per piece or with a container price, I was weighing everything I selected. I used my calculator to get an approximate cost. None of the scales available at the store were set correctly further complicating the process.

The second challenge is that I've decided to write about my adventure this month. I'm hopeful I can do it daily. I'm going to share observations, some pictures, and maybe a recipe or two.

I'd love your thoughts, ideas, and input... and if you'd like to join me, that would be terrific!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 11

Today's happiness was brought by food.

Fresh zucchini, cucumbers, and poblano peppers from Sue's garden... although I have to admit... the peppers make a tidge bit apprehensive. Persis braved "Peach-a-polooza" and gave me some super sweet, juicy peaches. Jeff topped of the bounty with cherry tomatoes, and fresh string beads.

Dinner was divine!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 10

Today has been extra-special!

I decided not to work too hard today. This week I've worked until 9:00pm or later every day (including Monday, which is technically my 'day off').

When Amber came in at 1:00 this afternoon, I surprised her by telling her that she wasn't going to be doing any work. Instead, because she's asked me so many times, I was going to teach her how to make earrings. She was so excited!

I placed the giant bowl of Czech pressed glass beads on the table, then gathered the tools, and findings. Amber's eyes got huge when she realized she could pick anything she wanted to use for her creations.

She's a quick learner. Keeping up with her when she's packaging is a challenge. We tell her what we need her to do, and she gets right on it. She works quickly, finds her own efficiencies, and gets the job done.

She took to making earrings as if she's been making them for years. She made my heart soar when she approached a customer, her hands brimming with earrings, and explained how she'd just learn to make them. The customer was impressed, and Amber was happy with the compliments she received.

In two hours, she made 14 pairs of earrings, and she made me very happy!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 9

This evening I'm playing hostess. It's BYOF... otherwise known as Bring Your Own Fun!

From 6:00-9:00 I'll have the pleasure of spending the evening with some great beady peeps and just bead.

I don't get to do bead for my own pleasure very often. I know, hard to believe when I spend the majority of my days surrounded by a shop full of treasures. Most of my beading happens when I teach a class, or when I'm looking for some quiet time at home. I really look forward to the second Thursday of the month. It's fun to get to know everyone who comes in for the evening a bit better, and see what new creation they're working on.

Tonight, I'm going to be starting a kumihimo necklace. I'll be donating the finished piece to a fundraising auction to benefit the Southern Oregon Historical Society.

I thought it would be fun to make the piece on the marudai I purchased for the shop last year. Lately, I've been using a foam disk to make and teach kumihimo, but since a necklace is bit more time intensive, the marudai felt like the right tool.

I'm happy I was able to remember to set it up on my own after not using it for such a long time. The necklace I'm planning will be in pewter tones with a matte porcelain bead as a focal. The closure will be a magnetic clasp.

I'll share pictures when it's finished... right now I have a gathering to get ready!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 8

*This graphic made me happy! I found it on Pinterest.

What made you smile today?

*sorry for the especially short post. It's late, and bed is calling my name... loudly!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 7

Sometimes I get what I ask for. Today, I asked for a quiet day, and that's exactly what I got.

Quiet days make me happy. The list of things to do seems to stretch on for days. I treasure quiet days because I can accomplish some big tasks.

I think I'll ask for a party tomorrow!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 6

Two dresses and some new foundation made me happy today! It's been hotter than a blue blazes, and now is the best time to score great buys on summer clothes... and that's just what I did. Two dresses for less than half the original cost of one.

It made my girly heart skip a beat.

... and best of all... I took a class with Claire this evening and have a fabulous new pair of earrings to wear with my new dresses.

Being stylish, cool, and comfortable makes me giddy!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 5

Anyone who knows me, knows I have two speeds. I'm either full throttle or dead stop. There's nothing wrong with either one, other than one of them can have a tendency to wear a body out after awhile.

Today I engaged dead stop. There wasn't much of anything I had to do. The house was clean. It was too hot to spend time outside. I didn't feel like doing anything related to work, so I only did what I wanted to do today.

I noshed on all the great left-overs in the fridge. I wandered Pinterest and Facebook. I chased little beads around the bead mat. My lap made for a nice place for the cat to snooze.

All-in-all it was the happiest way to spend a Sunday.

August Happiness Challenge - Day 4

According to Google the high temperature for today was 108°. No wonder everyone who came into the shop today told me it was HAWT out.

Tonight's dinner was made for a hot day. Grilled chicken cooked outside, fresh corn on the cob, Bruschetta with Mozzarella Fresca on freshly baked French bread, and Three Bean Salad.

...plus ice cream for dessert… now that's a happy meal! Is there anything better than fresh summer food on a hot day?

August Happiness Challenge - Day 3

It's Friday! That's enough to make most people very happy. I hope you have a great weekend planned.

Today I finished everything on my list of things to do.

Getting everything checked off isn't as hard it may seem. I limit the size of my list to five items. Any more than five and I can struggle to get them all done.

It makes me happy to not only accomplish the goals I've set for the day, but also to have a list in the first place.

Do you keep a list or do you just wing it?

I think that's what weekends are all about!

August Happiness Challenge - Day 2

One of the perks of owning a small business open to the public is how much of the day is ruled by serendipity. Sure, you can plan your tasks, but you can't predict who is going to come through your door during the course of the day.

Today a woman came into the shop who was lost. She had driven down from Washington, and was looking for the motel she'd booked for the evening. Somehow she'd managed to get off the wrong exit, and was completely turned around. She'd pulled into the shop's parking lot to make a quick U-turn when she spotted the "Dancing Beads" sign.

She no longer cared that she was lost, she'd found a bead shop and had to come in! As we talked her excitement and sense of adventure made me smile. While she shopped I drew a map for her. When she realized there is no sales tax in Oregon, she was thrilled.

We determined she was supposed to find her way here today. I hope her memories of Medford will be good ones.

Meeting her was a happy reminder that we are where we're supposed to be all the time.

August Happiness Challenge Begins.... Day 1

August is 'Happiness Challenge Month' and has inspired me to begin posting again!

The challenge is to post about something that makes you happy. Anything that made your day a little brighter, your mood a little lighter, or brought a smile to your face qualifies. It's a wonderful way to remember the positive things going on all around us... in our lives, in our communities, and in the world.

Today, I'm happy I took time last night to make salads for the week. It's so nice to reach into the fridge and find a nutritious and delicious lunch waiting for me to enjoy.