Wednesday, January 29, 2014

SNAP Challenge Day 3

SNAP Day 3 - Wednesday.

Breakfast

Repeat.  See days 1 and 2.  Today we added a smoothie to breakfast made of one banana ($.30), coconut milk ($.50), and flax seeds ($.25).  Results, drink deliciousness.


Lunch

Zach consumed leftover lentil soup with some freshly made rice. Eating like the rest of the world.

Lydia also enjoyed some of the leftover lentil soup from last night, but scored half of a veggie sandwich as part of a company catered lunch. The soup/sandwich combo hit the spot:


Apparently, there was a catered breakfast at work today too, so Lydia snagged a leftover bagel for Zach; perhaps he will have it for breakfast tomorrow.


Dinner

Zach, once again, was the beneficiary of a generous companion. After explaining to a friend our SNAP challenge and inviting him over for a simple dinner, Zach was instead treated to dinner by the friend who was willing to pick up the tab to ensure Zach stayed within his budget. Dinner at The Kitchen Next Door in Boulder was a treat for Zach - roasted chicken, smashed potatoes and a hoppy, brewed beverage (or 2).  Zach closed his evening with a cup of hot cocoa at the home front; nothing purchased for this item, but costs appx. $.60.

Lydia stayed on the SNAP track, consuming items purchased at Whole Foods on Sunday and making dinner for her friend.  Sauteed two potatoes, roasted cauliflower ($1.95), poached eggs (free from our chix), and 1/4 of a red onion (appx. $.50).  The friend contributed 4 mushrooms that were in dire need of consumption.  Tasty and inexpensive; a theme is developing.

We are now three days into this SNAP challenge, and neither Zach nor Lydia is feeling deprived, hungry, or bored with meals so far this week.  We have observed that participating in this challenge is nothing like being in poverty: friends buy you lunch or dinner; company food is plentiful, esp. when you have access to the executive kitchen and leftover catered meals; and, access to good food at excellent supermarkets (Whole Foods) means that healthy, delicious food can be easily provided at $4.40 per day/person.

We have also noticed how this experience impacts day-to-day relationships (social, professional, and others) that involve food. Lydia has been sharing with co-workers what we are doing this week; co-workers' responses have been to offer food to ensure that we have sufficient food for the week.  A large bowl of pasta salad was offered as a goodwill gesture; it was declined.   Also, friends are willing to tolerate $4.40/day as part of a week long challenge.  What would happen with those friends if this was our norm? I hope that they would still be there, but perhaps the socializing would decline because of an inability to do those things we normally take for granted (a $5 beer at a restaurant or making a delicious meal after spending $20-30 on provisions).

We are grateful for this experience, recognizing the challenges of those living in poverty, when food and money are scarce (and chickens don't run in your backyard).  We are grateful for this experience because it reminds us of all we have to be grateful for and how lucky we are.

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