$2.19 ........that is gone and more
Saturday we took a day trip up to see my sister and family in the Chicago area. I realized after stopping at a gas station convenience store and spending $7.50....we had gone over our SNAP allowance, the rest would have come out of our bill payment money if we were actually living on SNAP. Did Frank and I really NEED to share a teriyaki beef jerky, Gardetto's rye crisps and peanut M&Ms? But hey, what is a road trip without snacks? But, we could of brought snacks from home. We had packed up the "leftovers"- 1 1/2 chickens and the pasta from last night's dinner, along with a fresh salad and homemade balsamic vinaigrette that Frank had put together in the morning, along with the last few pieces of Spanakopita that I knew my sister would love. We wanted to share this with my family for lunch. It was 2 hours until lunchtime.
NEED and WANT, two very different desires. For myself, Frank and as far as I can see this is true for most of the people we know- WANT is the driver for us all. We shop with money that we may be able to afford to spend on basically whatever we WANT. Our bellies are always full and over the years, overfilled. Our houses have more electronics than actual plug-in outlets. Our closets and drawers are stuffed with so many clothes (in my case a few different sizes), that some people actually rotate them each season. Our kids and grandkids have every toy, book, game and snack food imaginable.
What we WANT may not always be the best choices that we make for ourselves. When it comes to food, our WANTS might not be the most nutritious, healthy or best value. How many people have I known over the years, maybe even some now, have spent money on credit cards, at restaurants, and at the end of the month not paid off the balance? (Myself included in this group years ago) 9% up to and over 20% added onto the price of that meal we WANTED. Reality is cold hard dollars and sense. When our WANT desire kicks in, our reality which should be our guide clicks off. Whether it is spending more money than we should, or eating food that do not help our bodies to be as healthy as could and should be. Would of, could of and should of......what we all say at times after the fact.
We were discussing SNAP yesterday at my sister's house. I think the statement my nephew made brings home the above, "I would never be able to do what you are doing. I have to have my Sushi."
What do any of us really, "have to have"? For our own healthy life choices, Frank and I are trying to determine the difference between NEED and WANT.
This is the start of Week 4.....Last week we started working on comparing foods we may buy already prepared, like frozen entrees, with food made at home. Frank is going to keep that going this week. We are still trying to add more fruits into our meals and snacks, while continuing to add more vegetables.
Frank had bagged up and froze the rest of the marinara sauce, plenty left for several meals
Saturday breakfast-Sautéed Spinach, mozzarella cheese, eggs mixed with marinara wrapped in tortilla
Lunch was the left over pasta and chicken with side salad and Spanakopita
Dinner-Frank and I used a gift card we received for Christmas to Charleston's Restaurant after driving back last night from Chicago. We had the spinach and cheese dip appetizer, then we split a grilled chicken sandwich topped with spouts, avocado, cheese, tomato and honey mustard dressing and French fries on the side. Nice treat after a busy day!
Saturday we took a day trip up to see my sister and family in the Chicago area. I realized after stopping at a gas station convenience store and spending $7.50....we had gone over our SNAP allowance, the rest would have come out of our bill payment money if we were actually living on SNAP. Did Frank and I really NEED to share a teriyaki beef jerky, Gardetto's rye crisps and peanut M&Ms? But hey, what is a road trip without snacks? But, we could of brought snacks from home. We had packed up the "leftovers"- 1 1/2 chickens and the pasta from last night's dinner, along with a fresh salad and homemade balsamic vinaigrette that Frank had put together in the morning, along with the last few pieces of Spanakopita that I knew my sister would love. We wanted to share this with my family for lunch. It was 2 hours until lunchtime.
NEED and WANT, two very different desires. For myself, Frank and as far as I can see this is true for most of the people we know- WANT is the driver for us all. We shop with money that we may be able to afford to spend on basically whatever we WANT. Our bellies are always full and over the years, overfilled. Our houses have more electronics than actual plug-in outlets. Our closets and drawers are stuffed with so many clothes (in my case a few different sizes), that some people actually rotate them each season. Our kids and grandkids have every toy, book, game and snack food imaginable.
What we WANT may not always be the best choices that we make for ourselves. When it comes to food, our WANTS might not be the most nutritious, healthy or best value. How many people have I known over the years, maybe even some now, have spent money on credit cards, at restaurants, and at the end of the month not paid off the balance? (Myself included in this group years ago) 9% up to and over 20% added onto the price of that meal we WANTED. Reality is cold hard dollars and sense. When our WANT desire kicks in, our reality which should be our guide clicks off. Whether it is spending more money than we should, or eating food that do not help our bodies to be as healthy as could and should be. Would of, could of and should of......what we all say at times after the fact.
We were discussing SNAP yesterday at my sister's house. I think the statement my nephew made brings home the above, "I would never be able to do what you are doing. I have to have my Sushi."
What do any of us really, "have to have"? For our own healthy life choices, Frank and I are trying to determine the difference between NEED and WANT.
This is the start of Week 4.....Last week we started working on comparing foods we may buy already prepared, like frozen entrees, with food made at home. Frank is going to keep that going this week. We are still trying to add more fruits into our meals and snacks, while continuing to add more vegetables.
Frank had bagged up and froze the rest of the marinara sauce, plenty left for several meals
Saturday breakfast-Sautéed Spinach, mozzarella cheese, eggs mixed with marinara wrapped in tortilla
Lunch was the left over pasta and chicken with side salad and Spanakopita
Dinner-Frank and I used a gift card we received for Christmas to Charleston's Restaurant after driving back last night from Chicago. We had the spinach and cheese dip appetizer, then we split a grilled chicken sandwich topped with spouts, avocado, cheese, tomato and honey mustard dressing and French fries on the side. Nice treat after a busy day!
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