Eat One Dollar A Day

Chipotle Giveaway!

2010-03-03T20:46:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone. So, tonight Chipotle offered free food for Cal Poly students and faculty during their grand opening. I stopped by to get in on the free burritos, but the line was already a mile long at six o'clock! I figured that writing my senior project paper was more important so I decided to drive home. Did anyone take advantage of this opportunity? I hope so!

The Day After

2010-03-02T00:20:00.000-08:00

Today I enjoyed a nice Subway sandwich for lunch. I ordered the sub of the day: a turkey and ham sandwich. I had the worker pile as many veggies as he could. Eating that sandwich was a nice way to begin life as it was before my project. I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow and buying lots of fruit and veggies to make a really delicious salad. KSBY did a story on my project for their news show tonight. Here is the link to the story: http://www.ksby.com/player/?video_id=2729&zone=1&categories=1. Thank you everyone for supporting me! :)

The Last Day!!!

2010-03-01T14:13:00.000-08:00

I did it. Today is my very last day of my project. I didn't know if I would make it or not. The only remaining food were two cups of rice, two potatoes, one tbsp of jelly, one egg, and two cups of green beans. I didn't think I would have any food left over at the end of the month. Also, if anyone signs up with Woodstocks e-mail program, they will receive a coupon for a free pizza. My friends and I went to Woodstocks to celebrate the end of my project. They ordered a Hawaiian and I used the coupon to order a Garlic Bird. We all shared the pizza equally. This project proves that people are able to eat off of one dollar a day and there is free food available in San Luis Obispo. People should take advantage of those coupons that come in the mail, Costco samples, special business deals, and club meetings at school. Dumpster diving is an extreme option, which I never fully participated in, but I'm sure that if I was desperate enough I would have dug through trash. I would like to thank all of my friends, family, boyfriend, senior project adviser, and all of you followers for supporting me through this project.

Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
Two eggs: 108 calories and 66 calories are from fat
One orange: 45 calories

Lunch:
One cup of rice: 720 calories

Dinner:
Two slices of Hawaiian pizza and two slices of the Garlic Bird pizza: 520 calories / 162 calories are from fat
and 580 calories / 200 caories are from fat

Total calories: 1973 calories and 428 calories are from fat

Costco Samples / Dumpster....Looking? / Day Twenty-Seven

2010-02-28T18:31:00.000-08:00

Going to Costco and eating some samples is one great way of eating for free. After I made a couple of rounds I felt really full. Also, I let my cousin sleep at my apartment for the night in exchange for some sushi.
Finally, my boyfriend, Robert and I went to the Trader Joe’s dumpster to try to find food. I took one look and said, “There is no way I’m going in there. There wasn’t anything but bags of disgusting trash and it was all wet from the rain. I’m wondering how often people find edible food when they go dumpster diving. Here is what I ate during day twenty seven:

Breakfast:
Four oranges: 180 calories
One egg: 54 calories and 33 calories are from fat
Two potatoes: 220 calories

Lunch:
Two veggie chip samples: 75 calories and 30 calories are from fat
Two salsa and tortilla chip samples: 70 calories and 30 calories are from fat
Three Flax Plus samples: 130 calories and 45 calories are from fat
Two sandwich thins and roast beef sample: 50 calories and 10 calories are from fat
Two salami samples: 120 calories and 80 calories are from fat

Dinner:

One crunch roll: about 365 calories
Edamame beans: 100 calories and 25 calories are from fat

Total calories: 1364 calories and 253 calories are from fat

Day Twenty Six: I'm Almost There!

2010-02-27T00:11:00.000-08:00

With only two more days to go, I only have six potatoes, five eggs, maybe two tbsp of jelly, four oranges, and two cups of rice. I know I can make it! This challenge has been difficult. Also, living with roommates who have lots of tempting food is more difficult. I try to keep mysef busy so I don't think about food. Oh, and today I walked into the my apartment's office and they had free candy. I totally forgot about this opportunity. I grabbed three different bite-sized chocolates from their bowl. They were so good. Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
Four oranges: 180 calories

Snack:
Bite-sized: Twix: 80 calories and 35 calories are from fat
Snickers: 99 calories and 45 calories are from fat
Milky Way: 40 calories and 15 calories are from fat
Lunch:
3/4 cup of rice: 540 calories
One chicken thigh: 95 calories and 54 calories are from fat

Dinner:
3/4 cup of rice: 540 calories
One egg: 54 calories and 33 calories are from fat

Total calories: 1628 calories and 182 calories are from fat

Oranges: Day Twenty Five

2010-02-26T10:50:00.000-08:00

Today I went to my friend Nessa's house to pick more oranges from her backyard. They are so good. Ask your friends. See if anyone you know has an orange tree. My bet is that your friend will be more than happy to let you pick some.

Breakfast:
One egg: 54 calories and 33 calories are from fat

Lunch:
Two servings of top ramen: 380 calories and 140 calories are from fat
2 oranges: 90 calories

Dinner:
One chicken thigh: 95 calories and 54 calories are from fat
Two potatoes: 220 calories
3 oranges: 135 calories

Total calories: 974 calories and 227 calories are from fat

I know I didn't eat much today, but I wasn't hungry. The oranges really helped me stay energized. Try getting your sugar from fruit rather than your sugar cup. Fruit is a great option for a snack when you are hungry. According to "My Pyramid", as a 22 year old woman, I need two cups of fruit each day. One small orange equals half of a cup.Click on the link above. See how much fruit you need each day.

Day Twenty Four

2010-02-25T00:23:00.000-08:00

I am so excited. I found two chicken thighs that I had purchased that were stuck behind other things in the freezer. I counted my remaining food. I have eight potatoes, three cups of rice, one package of Top Ramen, one cup of green beans, two chicken thighs, and seven eggs. I think I can make it until Sunday!

Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
One egg: 54 calories and 33 are from fat
One slice of toast: 120 calories and 15 calories are from fat

Lunch:
Two servings of Top Ramen: 380 calories and 140 are from fat

Dinner:
One cup of rice: 720 calories
One slice of toast with two servings of jelly: 220 calories and 15 calories are from fat

Total amount of calories: 1494 calories and 203 calories are from fat

IHOP FREE PANCAKES / Day Twenty Three

2010-02-23T18:18:00.000-08:00

I met up with a reporter from the Mustang Daily, Leticia, for some free pancakes at IHOP. Other Mustang Daily people were at her table when I arrived. I was glad to see that they were taking advantage of the free pancakes. (They heard about the idea through me. Telling people about opportunities like this is one of the reasons why I'm doing this project. I want people to see that there are ways to eat for free out there and also there are ways to spend less on food.) Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast: 2.5 IHOP Buttermilk pancakes and approx. 4tbsp of syrup. I took off the butter: 675 calories and 23 calories are from fat

Lunch: One slice of toast with jam: 170 calories and 15 calories are from fat

Dinner: One cup of rice and 2/3 cup of frozen veggies: 790 calories
One egg: 54 calories and 33 calories are from fat

Total amount of calories: 1689 calories and 71 calories are from fat

Day Twenty Two

2010-02-23T09:05:00.000-08:00

Only five more days after today. I am running low on bread now. I have a sufficient amount of potatoes, rice, and eggs. Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
Two eggs: 108 calories and 66 calories are from fat
One slice of toast with jam: 170 calories and 15 calories are from fat

Lunch:
One cup of rice: 720 calories

Dinner:
1/2 cup of rice: 360 calories
Three potatoes: 330 calories
One chicken thigh: 95 calories and 54 calories are from fat

Total amount of calories: 1783 calories and 135 calories are from fat

Day Twenty One: NO MORE PEANUT BUTTER :(

2010-02-21T23:48:00.000-08:00

I don't have any more peanut butter. I ate the last two tbsp of it today. Peanut butter is important because it is my main source of protein. Now, I only have one chicken thigh to rely on for protein these last six days. Here is what I ate today: Breakfast: Two potatoes: 220 calories; Lunch: One chicken thigh: 95 calories and 54 calories are from fat, Two servings of top ramen: 380 calories and 140 calories are from fat; Dinner: Two eggs: 108 calories and 66 calories are from fat, Two slices of toast with jelly: 340 calories and 30 are from fat, Two tbsp of peanut butter: 190 calories and 130 calories are from fat; Snack: Two tbsp of jelly: 100 calories

Total amount of calories for the day: 1433 calories and 420 calories are from fat

Day 20: Free Subway Coupon

2010-02-20T22:16:00.000-08:00

Today my boyfriends mom gave me a coupon for Subway. Her friend had found it and given it to her to give to me. (Thank you Christine's friend!) So, for dinner my boyfriend and I went to subway and he bought a six inch sub and gave me the free six inch. It was so good! So good that I totally forgot to take a picture us enjoying our meal so that I could put it in my blog. I was pretty hungry and excited to be eating something other than potatoes, rice, or eggs. This week has really been a good one. (Thank you Rob for trading me food and buying a sandwich so I could have a free one.) I found a lot of free food. Also, I traded some more of my pasta in exchange for popcorn and an orange. Here is the breakdown of the calorie intake from today:

Breakfast:
Two potatoes: 220 calories

Lunch:
Leftover pasta: 200 calories
Popcorn: 315 calories and 225 calories are from fat

Dinner:
Spicy Italian Subway: 520 calories and 250 calories are from fat
One orange: 45 calories

Total amount of calories: 1300 calories and 475 calories are from fat

Free Pizza... again.

2010-02-20T22:04:00.000-08:00

This time when I went to Woodstock's for a free slice I brought my friends with me and showed them how to get a free slice. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, all one has to do is write a review on Woodstock's, print it out and show it when one places an order. I gave my boyfriend half of my pasta for an avocado. (Thanks to the Dairy Club I have a whole container of pasta for this weekend.) Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
Three eggs: 162 calories and 99 calories are from fat
One slice of toast: 110 calories and 15 from fat

Lunch:
Pizza from Woodstocks: 181 calories and 63 calories are from fat

Dinner:
Leftover pasta from the Dairy Club meeting: 200 calories
One avocado: 276 calories and 248 are from fat

Total calories: 929 calories and 425 calories are from fat.

It may not seem like I ate much today, but I was never hungry. I guess I was still full from the day before. I've noticed I become fuller much faster than before this project. Also, I am at the same weight I weighed priory to day one of this project. I am not exercising, so I guess that is the reason why I haven't lost any pounds.

Dumpster Dive Fail

2010-02-19T12:01:00.000-08:00

Last night my roommate and I went to Trader Joes around ten. One hour after it closed, but there were still workers in the back. We were unable to go dumpster diving because it would be considered trespassing if they caught us. It looks like I'm going to have to attempt this feat during the early hours of the morning. I will let you know how it goes then.

Also, I went to Farmer's Market and got a couple samples of oranges and candied almonds. My friend let me have four mini doughnuts in exchange for letting her wear an outfit of mine.

Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
One oatmeal raisin cookie: 118 calories and 38 calories are from fat

Lunch:
One peanut butter and jelly sandwich: 530 calories and 160 calories are from fat

Dinner:
Leftover pasta from the Dairy Club meeting: 400 calories

Dessert:
Four mini doughnuts: 270 calories and 122 calories are from fat

Total amount of calories: 1318 calories and 320 calories are from fat

Clubbin' for Food / Day Seventeen Calories

2010-02-18T03:48:00.000-08:00

I went to the Dairy Club with my friend tonight. The first time you go, you eat for free. They had tri-tip, pasta, salad, bread, and cookies. It was so good! Oh, and they give glasses of milk to drink. I haven't enjoyed a glass of milk like that in a very long time. I usually take milk for granted. I hadn't had a glass for more than a week so it was really nice. Thank you Dairy Club for feeding me tonight! Oh, and I would like to also thank Aubrey for taking me to the meeting. It was fun! Not only did I eat a lot at the meeting, but I also was able to take two plates of pasta leftovers home. It's no surprise that I've gained back the four pounds I lost the first two weeks. (I'm back to weighing 151).

Here are the calories and food I ate today:

Lunch:
One slice of Woodstocks pizza and one glass of pepsi: 181 calories and 63 fat calories (This is only an estimate. It is not completely accurate.) / 80 calories
Two servings of dried top ramen (I like to eat the dried noodles with the seasoning on top. It's also good with lemon juice, but I didn't have any.): 380 calories and 140 calories are from fat

Snack:

10 crackers: 120 calories and 30 calories are from fat

Dinner:

One glass of whole milk: 150 calories

One bread roll: 80 calories and 15 calories are from fat

Two oatmeal raisin cookies: 236 calories and 76 calories are from fat

One tri-tip: 200 calories and 99 calories are from fat

Pasta: 200 calories

Caeser salad: 167 calories and 125 calories are from fat

All of these calories are only an estimate since I had to research how many calories are in a serving size through Google. If I had access to the packaging I could have documented the calories more accurately.

Total amount of calories for the day:

1,794 calories and 548 calories are from fat.

Free Pizza !

2010-02-17T14:35:00.000-08:00

Woodstocks has an unbelievable deal. All one has to do is write a review about Woodstocks on either Google or Yelp! and print it out. When you go to Woodstocks show them your review and you will get a free slice of pizza. It was so good! The review has to be written within the last forty-eight hours and a customer can only use it once a day.
I also was given a free soda. I am finding more and more great deals every day!

Coupons and Good Deals

2010-02-17T01:05:00.000-08:00

A friend sent me to this website for great deals on grocery and restaurant coupons: http://www.redplum.com/. Check it out. There are good deals in there!

Here are some coupons for the SLO area:

http://couponclipper.com/print/biz/FAT-CATS?acnt=2

http://couponclipper.com/print/biz/HUCKLEBERRYS?acnt=2

http://couponclipper.com/print/biz/SUNSHINE-HEALTH-FOODS?acnt=2

Day Sixteen: Will Work for Food

2010-02-17T00:33:00.000-08:00

Today my extended family was in Cayucos and so I went to visit them. In exchange for watching my little cousins my Aunt gave me some salami and a protein drink. Both were very filling. Also, I was able to eat during my babysitting job earlier tonight. They are always generous in feeding me when I work. I made a banana smoothie for me and the kids. My drink consisted of one cup of two percent milk, two tbsp of peanut butter, and one banana. Here are the calories I took in today:

Breakfast:
One potato: 110 calories

Lunch:
Four slices of salami: 308 calories and 216 calories are from fat
One protein shake: 170 calories and 45 calories are from fat

Dinner:
Two eggs: 108 calories and 66 are from fat
Ten crackers: 120 calories and 30 are from fat
One banana and peanut butter smoothie: 425 calories and 209 are from fat

Total amount of calories for the day: 1241 calories and 566 calories are from fat

Day Fifteen: Free Fries: Fact or Fiction?

2010-02-17T00:22:00.000-08:00

I went to Wendy's on my car ride home from Long Beach. I think we stopped in Goleta or something and I asked the Wendy's if they had any old fries they could give me. Their answer was no. I'm wondering if this is only available at night when the fast food restaurant is closing and is going to throw away the fries. Anyway, it was not good because I had only eaten a bowl of frosted flakes without any milk, one apple, and one banana so far that day. It was torture watching my boyfriend eat chicken wraps while I had to pretend like I wasn't starving. He offered to give me one, but I couldn't take it because I already owed him a meal from the night before. My boyfriend said that In and Out gave him free fries near closing time. Has anyone else tried getting free fries and if so what time of the day were you able to accomplish this? Please comment and let me know. Thanks! Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
One bowl of Frosted Flakes w/o milk: 114 calories and 1 calorie comes from fat
One banana: 105 calories and 4 calories are from fat
One apple: 65 calories and 2 calories are from fat

Dinner:
Two eggs: 108 calories and 66 calories are from fat
Two potatoes: 220 calories
One chicken thigh: 95 calories and 54 are from fat
One cup of green beans: 30 calories

Total calories for the day: 737 calories and 127 calories are from fat

Suprisingly, I wasn't too hungry even though I only ate half of the calories I should. I think my body was still full from the day before.

Day Fourteen: Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T22:04:00.000-08:00

Today I reaped the benefits of having a complimentary breakfast at the hotel I'm staying at. (I'm not paying for it, so the breakfast is really free for me.) I grabbed two bananas, two apples, and two danishes to go. (mwahhahaa). Also, my boyfriend took us to dinner for Valentine's day so now I owe him dinner tomorrow night from the groceries I have at home. It will probably consist of chicken thighs and potatoes since that is about all I have to choose from. Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
Two bowls of frosted flakes w/ whole milk: 436 calories and 72 calories are from fat
One slice of wheat bread: 110 calories and 15 are from fat

Lunch:
One apple: 65 calories and 2 are from fat
One banana: 105 calories and 4 are from fat
One danish: 230 calories and 90 calories are from fat

Dinner:
One BBQ chicken salad: 697 calories and 64 calories are from fat
Two dinner rolls: 174 calories and 32 calories are from fat

Total calories for day fourteen: 1817 calories and 279 calories are from fat

Day Thirteen: Road Trip... What Am I To Do?!

2010-02-13T22:31:00.000-08:00

I am going to Long Beach this weekend for my boyfriends jiu jitsu tournament. I woke up at six this morning so I could cook my meals for tonight and tomorrow. I plan on sharing a meal in exchange for a meal from my boyfriend. I can't cheat just because it's Valentine's Day weekend, right? So, I cooked two chicken thighs in the oven (they take one hour at 350 degrees) and I cooked two cups of rice and one cup of frozen veggies with a scrambled egg in the pan. I put the food in some containers and viola! Lunch to go for two. I ate some rice and veggies on the four hour car ride. I got really hungry and it was my only option. My boyfriend and I ate it for lunch and in exchange he made me a turkey sandwich and an avocado. I'm going to have to cook him a meal when we get home on monday in exchange for the meal he wants to buy for me tomorrow night. Looks like I'll be cooking us some chicken thighs and baked potatoes because that is really my only option. Oh, and the hotel we are staying at has complimentary breakfast. I'm so excited. I'm definitely going to pack some extra boxes of cereal for the day tomorrow.

Oh yes, and news for all of you. It has been brought to my attention that fast food places give away hour old french fries. Legally, they can't sell them. All you have to do is ask. I plan on using this strategy tomorrow after my boyfriends tournament.

ALSO, GO GET FREE COFFEE AT THAT GREEN GAS STATION ON SANTA ROSA STREET. The coffee was free this last week as a promotion for the gas station. Tomorrow is the last day so get it!! Okay, so here is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
One FREE COFFEE from the "green" gas station on Santa Rosa street right by the park: about 200 calories
One egg: 54 calories and 33 calories are from fat
Two slices of toast: 240 calories and 30 are from fat

Lunch:
1/4 cup of rice and 1/8 cup of frozen veggies: 190 calories
One chicken thigh: 95 calories and 54 are from fat

Dinner:
One turkey sandwich on wheat bread: 240 calories and 45 are from fat
One avocado: 276 calories and 248 are from fat
Two glasses of juice: 220 calories

Total calories for the day: 1515 calories and 410 calories are from fat

Day Twelve: Calories and Food

2010-02-13T22:09:00.000-08:00

It's day twelve and I'm kind of growing tired of potatoes. I really only like dicing them and frying them in the pan. If anyone has ideas for different ways to cook potatoes please let me know! I would love to hear from you. Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
Two potatoes (fried in the pan): 220 calories
One egg: 54 calories and 33 calories from fat

Lunch:
One half of a cup of rice and one cup of veggies: 720 calories

Dinner:
Two blueberry pancakes: (the mix came from my second box of jiffy muffin mix): 720 calories and 240 calories from fat

Total calories: 1714 calories and 273 fat calories

Food Tastes Better When It's Free

2010-02-11T23:46:00.000-08:00

My roommates were going to Carl's Jr. and I was so sad because of course, I couldn't go with them and buy anything. Then, Allison pointed out that she had a buy one cheeseburger get one free coupon and that she wanted to give me the free one. I was so excited. You have no idea. That cheeseburger was the best thing I have tasted since I don't know when. Thank you Allison! :) So, if any of you have coupons of buy one get one free, just ask your friends if they are willing to buy the item and give you the free one. Or, even offer to go halfies on the total price.

Here are the meals for today:
Breakfast:
Two slices of toast: 240 calories and 30 are from fat
One egg: 54 calories and 33 are from fat
Two oranges: 130 calories

Lunch:
1/4 cup of rice: 180 calories
One cup of green beans: 30 calories
Two oranges: 130 calories

Dinner:
1/4 cup of rice: 180 calories
Ten crackers: 120 calories and 30 are from fat

Even later dinner (thanks Carl's and Allison):
One famous star: 650 calories and 333 calories are from fat

Total calories: 1714 calories and 426 calories are from fat

Day Ten: Peanut Butter Dwindling & Calories

2010-02-11T11:30:00.000-08:00

My peanut butter is almost all gone. I really depend on this for protein and a quick fix when I'm hungry. I have about 1/4 of the little jar left so I'm going to save it for the last week in case I really need it by then. Also, I picked some oranges from my friends tree. Ask around. See if your friends have an fruit trees in their backyard. Here is what I ate:

Breakfast:
One Egg: 54 calories and 33 calories are from fat.

Lunch:
Two Servings of Spaghetti: 540 calories and 40 calories are from fat.

Dinner:
Four oranges: 260 calories
Two Potatoes: 220 calories
Two slices of toast: 240 calories and 30 calories are from fat.

Total Calories: 1314 calories and 103 calories are from fat.

Listen to This!

2010-02-10T12:30:00.000-08:00

The podcast from KVEC is available on their website. I mentioned that I went to the news radio KVEC in San Luis Obispo last week and was featured on the Dave Congalton segment. Please go check it out! Click on 2/5/10 after you click on this hyperlink. Thank you!

Day Nine: Denny's FREE Grand Slam !!! :)

2010-02-09T22:03:00.000-08:00

Today, for the second year, Denny's gave away free grand slams to the public. I went to the location in San Luis Obispo this morning. It only took me thirty minutes to wait in line, sit down, and eat my free meal. It was so good! This is what I ate today:

Breakfast:
Denny's Grand Slam: 714 calories and 369 calories are from fat ( I didn't eat the two bacon strips so I subtracted that from the calorie count of Denny's Grand Slam.)

Lunch:
Chicken Top Ramen: 190 calories and 70 are from fat

Dinner
Chicken Top Ramen: 190 calories and 70 calories are from fat
One Potato: 110 calories

Total calories: 1204 calories and 509 calories are from fat

Day Seven and Eight: Superbowl Sunday & Bartering for Food

2010-02-09T20:15:00.000-08:00

I was at my boyfriends families house for Superbowl Sunday. I didn't want to accept their food for free, (I feel like that would be cheating) so I exchanged some chips I made out of three potatoes for a sausage and some veggies. Also, I helped around their house for a couple of hours so they gave me a meal to take home for the next day and some fruit.

These are the "free food" rules I have set up for myself:
1. I may accept free food if it is available for a group of people.
2. I may work for food. (Every person is capable of doing so.)
3. I may exchange my food for other food. (Again, every person may use this strategy and should. It's a great way of making more food out of less.)
4. I may pick from friends orange, grapefruit or other fruit types of trees if they offer. (This food is truly free since it is growing from the ground.)
I don't want to accept people paying for my meals or people offering me free hand outs because I feel like that would be sort of cheating. Although technically, this is free food for myself, I would only be proving that I am capable of mooching off of others and that is not what this project is about. This project is about challenging myself to be more money conscious and to experience a life that is reality for those that are less fortunate than myself. What do you think? Would accepting meals from friends and family without me doing anything in return be cheating? Feel free to comment! I would love to hear from all of you.

Day Seven Calories:

Lunch:
5 celery sticks: 5 calories
2 tbsp of artichoke dip: 300 calories and approx. 80 calories are from fat
10 snap peas: 14 calories
10 baby carrots: 50 calories (5 calories in each).
1 jalepeno and cheese sausage: 160 calories and 110 calories are from fat
1 potato cut into chips and tbsp of vegetable oil : 110 calories and 232 calories and 240 are from fat

Dinner:
Two serving of noodles and spaghetti sauce: 540 calories and 40 calories are from fat

Total Calories from Day Seven: 1411 calories and 470 calories are from fat

Day Eight Calories:

Lunch:
Two servings of noodles and spaghetti sauce: 540 calories and 40 calories are fat

Dinner:
One chicken breast: 142 calories and 28 calories are from fat
One serving of rice: 120 calories
One cup of salad: (Lettuce, tomatoes and avocadoes) 6 calories, 15 calories (half of a tomato) and 1/4 of one avocado: 69 calories and 62 calories are from fat.

Total Calories from Day Eight: 892 calories and 130 calories are from fat

Day Six: Barter for Food

2010-02-06T18:39:00.000-08:00

One way to obtain better food with the food that I already have is through bartering. I exchanged one potato for one avocado. Also, I picked some oranges from an orange tree. The website MyPyramid.gov says to focus on fruits in a daily diet. I'm going to definitely use this technique more through out this project. Here is the daily break down of what I ate today:

Breakfast:
One Egg: 54 calories and 33 fat calories

Lunch:
One chicken thigh: 95 calories and 54 fat calories
Two oranges: 130 calories

Dinner:
One potato (diced and cooked in a pan): 110 calories
One avocado: 276 calories and 248 fat calories

Total Calories: 665 calories / 333 fat calories

Day Five: Food and Calories

2010-02-05T20:18:00.000-08:00

Today I only ate two meals because I slept in until 11 am. I couldn't fall asleep last night. I guess the cause is my change in diet or stress from school. I'm feeling a little bit less entergetic some times. I am drinking a lot more water than usual. It seems to help keep my hunger at bay. Anyway, I ate two meals and two snacks today.

Breakfast:

One egg: 54 calories and 33 fat calories

One piece of toast: 120 calories and 15 fat calories

Two tbs of peanut butter: 190 calories and 160 fat calories

Snack:

One baked potato: 110 calories

Dinner:

1/2 of a cup of rice and 1/2 of a cup of frozen veggies: 360 calories

1 chicken thigh: 95 calories and 54 fat calories

Snack:

Blueberry muffin: 180 calories and 60 fat calories

Total calories: 1109 calories and 322 fat calories

The Dave Congalton Show

2010-02-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

So, I just returned from the Dave Congalton Show 920 KVEC here in San Luis Obispo. It was great meeting with him and talking about my blog. I received great ideas to find free food from callers. Here are some ideas:

1. Food Bank (This is available at Sydney and Johnson at the community church on Saturday mornings.)
2. Cookies at banks on Fridays
3. Growing food
4. Purchasing beans and rice

I may use the cookie idea, but it's too late for me to buy seeds and grow food. That would have been possible if I had planned more. Also, the food bank is great for people who don't have much money and really need the food. I think I would like to save that food for people who need it much more than I do. I thought that it would be good for people to know of some cheap and free food ideas. I really appreciate the callers help on this project!

Day Four: Reflection and Calorie Count

2010-02-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

By only eating from the groceries I purchased at the beginning of the month I have no choice, but to eat almost the exact same foods each day. I am really growing tired of peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches, but they keep my hunger satisfied.
My roommates invited me to go to sushi with them. Unfortunately, when people have only one dollar to eat from eating out is not an option. This project is opening my eyes to see how fortunate I am. While not having much food to eat is a reality for many people in the world, it is only going to last one month for me. This makes me very sad to think about and it makes me want to make a difference in the world. Even if it's just something as small as giving a homeless person a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich.

Breakfast:

Two muffins: 280 calories and 80 fat calories
One egg: 54 calories and 33 fat calories

Lunch:

One Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwhich: 530 calories and 160 fat calories

Dinner:

1/2 cup of rice and 1/2 cup of frozen veggies: 390 calories

Total calorie intake: 1254 calories and 273 fat calories

Day Three: Calorie Count

2010-02-03T23:45:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

One Egg: 54 calories and 33 fat calories
Two Muffins: 280 calories and 80 fat calories

Lunch:

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwhich: 530 calories and 160 fat calories

Dinner:

1/2 cup of rice and 1/2 cup of frozen veggies: 360 calories

Total Calories: 1224 and 273 fat calories

My Pyramid

2010-02-03T11:06:00.000-08:00

I met with the president of the nutrition club at Cal Poly, Jaclyn Goldsmith. She introduced me to a website called "My Pyramid". It asks you to enter your weight, height, age, gender and rate of physical activity. It then tells you how many calories you should consume each day. Basically, I need to eat 2000 calories a day and limit my fat calories to 265. Eating 2000 calories a day isn't realistic with just one dollar a day. Jaclyn says that it would be best to eat a small variety of food groups each day rather than just a large amount from one food group.

Day Two: Calorie Count

2010-02-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

It is only day two and I'm already feeling less energetic. I am afraid I may be getting a cold. This is not good. I took some cold medicine so hopefully it won't get any worse. Also, I am not liking water anymore. It's so plain!

Breakfast:

Two Jiffy blueberry muffins: 280 calories and 80 fat calories

1/2 of a bowl of cereal: 145 calories and 35 fat calories

Lunch:

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwhich: 530 calories and 160 fat calories

Dinner:

1/2 cup of rice and 1/2 cup of frozen veggies: 360 calories

2 tbs of peanut butter: 190 calories and 160 fat calories

Total Calories: 1505 calories and 795 fat calories

Day One: Food and Calories

2010-02-01T20:39:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

One bowl of Honeycomb cereal and 1/4 cup of Vitamin D milk. = 210 calories and 45 fat calories

Lunch:

1/2 of a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. = 265 calories and 80 fat calories

Dinner:

1/2 of a cup of rice= 360 calories and 0 fat calories
and
1/2 of a cup of frozen vegetables= 50 calories and 0 fat calories

Total Calories = 885 calories and 125 fat calories

Day One: Clear the Pantry

2010-02-01T14:14:00.000-08:00

I bought twenty eight dollars worth of groceries and I am going to make them last through the end of the month. (Hopefully) I thought that it would be cheating if I ate off of the food I already had so I cleared off my shelf in the pantry and put that food out of reach. The food I purchased will average out to be one dollar a day worth of food. Here are the groceries I purchased:

1. Two boxes of muffins = $1
2. Potatoes = $1.28
3. Top Ramen = $1
4. Quart of Vitamin D milk = $1.29
5. Frozen Veggies = $2.69
6. Green Beans = $1.69
7. Chicken = $3.91
8. Spaghetti Sauce= $1.25
9. Rice = $2.50
10. 2 Loaves of Bread = $ 3
11. Peanut Butter = $2.50
12. Jelly (expired when purchased) = $1
13. Cereal (special sale) = $1
14. 2 Cartons of Eggs (Special Sale)= $1.54
15. Noodles= $1
16. Crackers= $2

Total = $28.65