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.

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!

It's Official

Fall arrived today.

The rain, the gray clouds, and the glorious leaves against dark skies made me yearn for one thing... Split Pea Soup!

There's a big pot of it simmering in the kitchen as I type. It will take days to eat it all. If I were smart, I'd freeze some for another gray day.

While I was at the grocery store I found myself in the side dish aisle. This is the aisle with the brightly colored boxes designed to appeal to the under 20 demographic. As I looked at all the different offerings of Macaroni and Cheese all I could think was, "it's official, I'm getting old."

I remember when Kraft Macaroni and Cheese was less than 20¢ per box. Now it's 93¢ per box. Heck, I can remember it going on sale, and you could get an obscene number of boxes for $1.00. The only noodle shape was elbow. Do spiral noodles taste different than shell noodles, or SpongeBob noodles, or elbow shaped noodles? They're all flour, eggs, and water.

Sheesh, SpongeBob shaped macaroni noodles. Whodda thunk it?

At least I can be secure in the knowledge that split peas will always be little, round, and green... and just the best thing on a cold, damp autumn night. They are still green, right?

Made It!

There's a little cat in my life with a very big meow! He can squawk unlike any kitty on the planet. I call him Rick the Relentless. Last night he was determined to prove me right. If he wasn't yelling in my face, he walking around my head, stepping on my hair as he crossed my pillow. When none of them would work, he'd leap onto my body from the tall dresser.

I didn't get much sleep. My challenge today has been staying awake.

At first, I thought I'd do the things I usually do on Monday. I gave it my best effort. I got the deposits ready to go to the bank. I paid bills, wrote the grocery list, finished laundry, then completely ran out of steam.

Lunch didn't improve the situation, so I gave up. I decided the only thing left for me to do was take the day off.

I've watched a couple of movies, messed with digital jigsaw puzzles, baked (and consumed) Pumpkin Spice Bread, and wandered around Pinterest.

Is 6:42 too early for bed? Nah, I'm tired.

Hopefully, the cat will let me sleep.

Another Rearrange

This summer Cara Davis-Jacobson traveled to New York City on business. Cara is a customer, and a sweetheart. While she was in New York she visited a bead shop a few doors down from her hotel and shared a couple of pictures with me. Seeing the way the shop in Manhattan is filled, how every possible inch is utilized makes me realize... there's a whole lot more usable space at Dancing Beads than meets the eye!

These pictures were taken at a bead shop called Beads on Fifth. I wonder how they reach the items near the ceiling? Stepladders perhaps? I really like the feather boas!

When I come across a website for another shop the first thing I look for are interior shots of the store. Some of my best ideas have come from looking at what other shop owners have done to solve their display and storage dilemmas. It was while I was looking at another shop's site that I noticed how they'd arranged their strands, and how nice it looked. Everything was organized by bead type, rather than just by color. It looked wonderful!

Hence, our project today. The strand wall is going through a major overhaul, and it's looking pretty good. It's also going to be much easier to find just the right beads. We should finish tomorrow... I can hardly wait for you to see it!

Sixteen Inches

...went a long way to making me a very happy person today!

For the past few months the walls of the shop have been closing in around me. Even with the addition of the seed bead room, it seems as if the inventory is constantly outgrowing the space. Any time we have an event there is a major shuffle to get ready. Our little closet under the stairs begins to resemble Fibber McGee's, and I find myself constantly reorganizing it.

Recently, J-me and Guy from Wild Things Beads gave me a display rack they thought I might want to use. My first inclination was to use it to hang bead strands, but the more I looked at it, the more I realized it would be a great display for finished jewelry. The only problem was placement.

That's where the sixteen inches comes in.

Jeff and I moved the bead cabinets, and the large columns sixteen inches closer to the classroom today. We also moved a couple of cases. The display rack for the jewelry is now at the front of the shop sporting some earrings, and waiting for more jewelry. The best part of moving everything is that we can now open the front door completely! It no longer bumps into the column.

The space feels larger, and balanced. I'm looking forward to feedback, and spending time observing how it functions for all of us. There is still some fine tuning to do, but for the most part, I'm really pleased with the changes we made.

Five Things To Do Before Autumn Ends

Take a walk through crunchy leaves.

Don't forget to take your camera! Remember:: "Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." Albert Camus

Bring some of the color indoors with a beautiful autumn inspired bouquet.

Make S'mores... and don't forget the cocoa!

Get ready for the holidays at a local holiday bazaar.

Project Accessory... One Beaders Opinion

Last week a new show premiered on the Lifetime Network that is right up my alley. It's called Project Accessory, and is based on the same premise as Project Runway.

Thank goodness the full episodes are going to be running on the Lifetime Network website, because this bead loving gal doesn't have a TV!

So, lets get to it. If you didn't watch the episode, you can watch it here. We were introduced to the designers, and learned a little bit about each one. They're a diverse group, some of them have experienced a modicum of success in their design careers, others are just getting started.

The challenge for the first episode was for the designers to create a necklace, a belt, and an accessory of their choice from items they gathered during a 15 minute spree in two storage units. I was surprised by the 'stuff' in the units. Crystal chandeliers, pleather coats in pristine condition, yards of string, shells, and silk flowers, it was definitely well staged.

Once the designers began working with their gatherings, the drama started. Nicolina Royale, a self proclaimed Rock-n-Roll designer, had a meltdown over her choice of materials. She'd selected several pieces of luggage, and could not stop comparing her choices with the other contestants. As I watched her tearing apart a fantastic red piece of luggage, I wondered what her problem was. The piece was covered with zippers! The suitcase itself was ripe for cutting into small organic or geometric units. She was so busy watching all her competitors that she blocked herself.

Have you ever done that? I know I have. I'll get so caught up in the 'how' of something, that I'll block the muse who's doing everything possible to show me. That's what Nicolina did, and the result nearly got her booted from the show. She was able to barely pull it out the following morning, and it showed in her pieces. She wasn't the only one. There were several other disasters. Some of the designers were obviously not in their element, and it showed in their work.

I thought the winning designer did a great job. Her pieces were made from an oriental parasol. She spent time constructing components that went together very well. I liked her aesthetic, and use of material.

My only complaint about the show is that there was so little time spent on the construction of the individual pieces. Those of us who make jewelry are interested not only in the final result, but also how everything is put together.

I'll be watching the entire series. I've already chosen my favorite... no, it's not Nina... and will be interested in seeing his future projects.

One more thing, something I really didn't expect, this show has re-ignited my appreciation in accessories other than earrings and bracelets. I've gone shopping in my closet and have started wearing belts and scarves again. I'm not certain where my style falls. It's somewhere between hip old lady, and beady chic.

Thoughts on a Sunday Afternoon

One of my favorite things to do, other than play with beads, is writing. My head can be a busy place. Writing helps me get my thoughts out, and into some semblance of order.

Writing here has been challenging for me lately. There's a part of me which thinks I should be all business, and stay on topic. *yawn* When I get into that mindset, I find it difficult to let go, and well, write.

The flip side is 'hey, this is my blog, I can write whatever comes to mind.' I start writing, and the next thing I know I'm thinking no one will be interested. My life is pretty tame. An adventure is a trip to the grocery store. A thrill is shopping for new shoes. See? Tame.

Today, I've decided to blither.

If you've been in lately, you may have noticed (at least I hope you did) that you're seeing less of me. Thanks to Claire mentioning it, I started The 17 Day Diet on June 13th, and have been enjoying great results! I'm eight pounds away from my goal after dropping an amazing 16 pounds in 27 days! Opening my closet is no longer a nightmare. I'm wearing clothes I haven't fit into for several years. I feel great.

My sweetie decided to join me on the plan. You know guys, they're gung-ho for a couple of days, then they start slipping. Consequently, he's been hit and miss, while I've been Miss Dedicated... and because he's a guy, he's lost as much weight as I have. How unfair is that?

I don't know about you, but when I change my eating habits, I turn into a foodie. I become fascinated with finding ways to stay within the plan, but make something really yummy.

Thanks to this diet, I am now searching for a twelve step group. I'm thoroughly addicted to Fage 2% Greek Yogurt mixed with fresh, organic fruit. It's heavenly! I also learned of a great way to enjoy tacos... iceberg lettuce leaves instead of taco shells... out of this world. Oh, and stir fry is absolutely wonderful served over finely sliced, cold Romaine lettuce.

I think the best part of this way of eating for me is how fast I become full. Perhaps it's because I'm filling up on the right stuff.

Next topic.

A couple of weeks ago I joined a retailer's group on Facebook. We're all bead store owners, with a few yarn shops tossed in for fun. What an amazing group! The depth of knowledge, and experience is fantastic. The members are enthusiastic and open. They've shared some great ideas.

I'm telling you all of this because I don't want you to be too surprised when I start putting some of them into place at Dancing Beads. Most of them have to do with ways we can have fun while saving money, and pursuing our shared love of beads.

Hmmm, Facebook has made me think about comments.*

Let's talk about commenting. OK, I'll talk about it. Comments are those nice little notes you write when you enjoy something someone has shared. I know I haven't been here much lately, but I do know there are a few of you who check in regularly... just in case. I would likely write more if I had some feedback.

I love it when someone calls *ahem, not mentioning any names here Mom* to tell me how much s/he enjoyed something I posted, like oh, say a video of my cat, and honey singing a duet. Please don't get me wrong, the call is great, and so are the comments when you're in the shop. Writing a little note here... well, that would mean a great deal to me.

I was just about to mention I have taken the whole day off, then realized, um no, I haven't. There was paperwork squawking at me this morning, so I paid all the bills, and filed things in their proper places. Tomorrow... oh, never mind, I'm working on web stuff. I'll get myself to stop sooner or later.

Speaking of later. Claire and I have signed up for two classes with Marcia Decoster in San Mateo next month! We'll be on our beady road trip from August 12th-14th. I've been practicing right angle weave like a crazed woman. The description of the class said 'must be proficient.' Right now, I'm at 'sufficient,' but I'm getting there. Claire on the other hand can do the stitch with her eyes closed as evidenced by the picture to the right. It's one of Claire's clever creations.

I think we're going to have oodles of fun! Road Trip... and four whole days away from work. It will be the longest I've been away from the shop since opening. I'll probably be like a new mother leaving her baby for the first time. It will be good practice for next February (and that's all I'm going to say about it right now).

I have lots of great customer pictures to upload to Flickr. I love taking pictures of the pieces you all bring in to show me. I've been known to demand immediate removal from time-to-time. Anyway, before a grundle becomes too many, I'm going to post them here as a slide show. You'll agree... we're a very creative, and talented group!

Guess that's enough chitty chat for now. Don't forget about those comments.

*nothing like a few well placed links for Facebook, is there?

Funny Later

It's been snowing off and on today. Sitting in the sunroom has been fun as there are windows on two sides of the room. With the space heater blasting away, it's quite snug and pleasant at the big round table.

Watching the snow reminded me of an misadventure I had many years ago that involved snow, and a premonition.

In 1998, I attended the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show for the very first time with my new friend Persis. While there we enjoyed the warm weather of southwest Arizona as only a couple of winter weary Pacific Northwesterners could. While the staff of the motel were huddled in their office with heaters on high, we basked pool side.

Upon returning to Oregon, I also returned to a pretty gnarly snow storm. Driving down from Portland was quite an adventure. By morning the valley floor was blanketed with several inches of snow.

I'm not fond of driving in snow, so I made the decision to walk to the shop.

Bundled up in all the snow-ish gear I could find I started off. Just as I reached a major intersection I saw a solid wall of water coming towards me in my mind's eye. My first thought was "that would suck."

In retrospect, I realize that was the time I could have made a change in my course. Instead, I shook off the premonition and kept walking.

Twenty yards later, my premonition became a reality!

Hurtling towards me was a large, white SUV. At the wheel was a woman on her cellphone with two kids in the back. She was driving far too fast for the road conditions, and when her vehicle was about to pass me, she hit a huge puddle.

I was drenched! I recall standing there for a moment while the water, slush, and road grime dripped down my face. What to do? I was half way to the shop. I thought about turning around to go home and change. Instead, I decided to continue to the shop. There was a dress store in the same building, so I knew I'd find something to wear.

When I began walking, I was furious! I was convinced the woman had hit the puddle on purpose. She was the recipient of lots of scorn in those early moments. As I walked along (growing colder by the minute) I began reliving what had happened, and it was pretty comical. Then I realized that if what had happened was going to be funny later, it was probably pretty funny right then.

I started chuckling, and then found myself laughing out loud. Drivers whizzing past must have thought I was daft, but I didn't care.

The gals at the dress shop helped me clean up when I arrived. My hair and make-up were toast, but I was warm, and dry... and I had a story to share for the rest of the day!

Color

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." Albert Camus*

The changing of the season, especially the transition from summer to autumn, seems to bring color to the forefront of my thoughts. This autumn has been particularly beautiful here in southern Oregon. We've had chilly nights followed by warm, sun-filled days. The sky has been intensely blue, contrasting the glorious spectrum of orange, russet, and gold.

My thoughts about color lead me to the Pantone site where I spent time looking at the colors forecast for Autumn 2010, and Spring 2011.

I found it interesting when viewing the two palettes how similar they are.  How refreshing to have colors that will work in more than one season.  I'm also enchanted by the names given to each color.  Some of them make sense, and in the case of the autumn colors for this year, some make me hungry.




In the next few days I'm going to print these two images, and take a tour around the shop looking for beads, and findings that will work with these new color trends. It will be fun to see what I can come up with... yes, I'll be sharing.



*one of my favorite quotes about autumn. I remember it whenever I see a spectacular tree.

OCBD

... I has it! Obsessive Compulsive Beading Disorder.

Today, in between customers, and well after the shop had closed, I was busily making bracelets. Five of them to be exact... five beautiful, sparkly bracelets. They're kinda like potato chips, hard to stop at one.

Guess that's about it for now, except that I realized this morning I'm no photojournalist. Claire and I had a great time in Klamath Falls visiting Indigo Beads, and I managed to take very few pictures. It sure was fun, and I got some great ideas.

If I can keep my hands off the beads for more than 20 minutes, tomorrow, I'll share some of the pictures I took, and write about Monday's adventure.

.... hmmm, I can probably quit counting now.

Ten-shoku

For the past few days I've been wandering the interwebz gathering information about Japanese lampwork beads. In my roaming, I came across a wonderful word... ten-shoku. It translates to "God-given job."

I think it eloquently touches on the joy I experience every day!