Comments on: Eating Well On $1 A Day: Day 25 – Decisions, Decisions

By: Donna

Donna — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:12:40 +0000

I know I’m coming late to the party, but I’ve been truly fascinated with your challenge. I’m sorry that some people apparently haven’t been exposed to the “if you can’t say something nice” rule. I believe you’re doing an amazing job. I was just looking at your pictures and wondering how many people who only have rice and dirty water to consume, or not even that, would love to have a month of these meals. Bravo. You’ve taught me a lot, and you’ve humbled me into changing some of my behaviors.

By: pepsibookcat

pepsibookcat — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:06:12 +0000

In the seasonings department, I find that cumin and chili powder make extreme budget cooking vastly more tolerable and tasty.

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:24:13 +0000

I feel that your meals are fantastic! They seem well-balanced, healthy, and are apparently filling.

I don’t think some people quite understand what “eating to live” really means. You have spices and a variety of options and flavors with your meals. When I was younger, my family truly had to eat to live; I can remember evenings where my mom claimed to be full so that we could eat just a little more. What you are doing is incredible and will help a lot of people who need it, both those at the pantry and those who are learning how to buy more food with less money. I’m astounded that you’ve spent so little with a retail value of over $500!

By: Mel

Mel — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:49:19 +0000

OMG! I was thinking just the opposite of Maxine…I was thinking the meals looked pretty darn good! I don’t like to cook or shop either, so I throw together meals all the time that don’t even look as good as your pics! Sadly, I do this on much more than $1 a day, so I don’t even have an excuse. So when I read her comment I felt someone had insulted my *cooking* too…and started laughing.

By: Carolee

Carolee — Sat, 29 May 2010 03:39:31 +0000

I actually find your meals appetizing. I bought a bag of black beans the other day, because I thought the bean tortillas would be good. (Haven’t made it yet – but one day). But I don’t know if you’re really getting all the servings of fruits/vegetables that you need each day. Even if you’re not, you’re definitely eating far better than some people do.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:38:40 +0000

I love what you are doing and would love to see you continue it. I feed a family of 5 for about $350 a month, and many are shocked by how little I spend. And we eat very healthy, fresh vegetarian meals. Perhaps upping your budget to $2 a day! Imagine the food possibilities.

By: Maxine

Maxine — Thu, 27 May 2010 21:05:04 +0000

I do “get” what you are doing here. And I did not mean to seem to be throwing stones that was never intended I just had to voice what I have been thinking over the past couple of days.

By: jeffrey

jeffrey — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:44:33 +0000

@maxine – I would never suggest that anyone should try eating on $1 a day, at least with the current restrictions that have been put in place on this challenge. The main point I was trying to prove to my sister (and decided to share with all) is that it is possible to eat fairly balanced meals on very little without constantly being hungry. I would encourage you to look beyond what I am actually eating to what you could do on a smaller budget than what you have been spending using the same concepts that I have been.

As for the lack of coupons this week, it will have little effect on this challenge – the grocery stores have already announced their sales through the week so I am stuck with those sales regardless of any new coupons.

That is a huge misconception about coupons. It is matching current sales with coupons which is important, not the new coupons that come each week. Rarely are the new coupons matchable with a good sale the first week. What matters if you want to get the most bang for your buck is the sales that the grocery store has and having saved a good amount of coupons over time so that you can match the sales with coupons.

By: Maxine

Maxine — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:24:11 +0000

You are probably correct in your thoughts about eating better (or healthier) than most of the us. And I do understand that you have not in the past been much of a cook (and it does not seem much interested in food) but to make this more meaningful to the average person my thoughts (and of course we all know ’bout those opinions) are that the food should at be appealing also. From the pictures it has been gross. LMAO. On to another concern: I’ve seen several post on other websites about coupons that this weekend there won’t be any in the newspapers.

By: jeffrey

jeffrey — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:13:27 +0000

@Maxine — Truly sorry that you find my meals uninspiring. All I can say is that I am working within a hugely limited budget which also limits what I can buy. Yes, many of my meals are pretty repetitive, but that is because that is what I have on my shelf. I’m sure that if I continued this, I would be able build more of a base and make the meals more “exciting” as the types of food I had expanded.

That being said, I’m not going hungry (far from it) and eating a decent balance of meals. I am getting my fruits and veggies which was my major concern. I have been eating 100% whole grain breads. I have had a lack of meat, but then I never ate a whole lot before I started this…

I will fully admit that I am no foodie. I have no problem eating the same thing again and again. And as I mentioned already, I am no cook. I barely stepped foot in a kitchen before I started this.

Despite your disgust with my meals, I am actually pretty proud at how well I have been able to do. While it may not be to your taste, my guess is that I have been eating more well rounded meals than a lot of people in the US do…