husc2003

[husc2003]

First Post - Hayden Mezick

Food SNAP Challenge Shopping List

Alabama Yams (5lb bag) – $1.98

Lettuce Head - $0.99

Goya Kidney Beans - $2.33

White rice long grain enriched (5lbs) - $3.10

Great Value Eggs (18pk) - $2.76

Great Value Finely Shredded Cheese - $2.56

Roma Tomatoes $0.88

Rutabaga (3.16lbs) - $2.79

Sanderson Farms Chicken Breast (3.8lbs) – $3.93

Broccoli Crown (1.9lbs) - $1.86

Great Value White bread - $1.28

Great Value Ketchup - $0.92

Great Value Peanut butter natural (16oz) - $2.95

Total with tax: $30.88

My experience shopping went well as I am already on a limited college student budget. The one change I did have to make to my typical purchases at Walmart is that I could not buy as many meat sources as usual. I typically like to buy some form of fish and beef along with my chicken, but the $31.50 allotment for the week limited those purchases.

[husc2003]

Third post

Mon Breakfast 2 eggs scrambled egg sandwich Lunch - 2 cans tuna mixed with 2 boiled eggs and miracle whip Dinner- chicken breast and broccoli  Tues Breakfast- 2 hard boiled eggs 1 banana Lunch- (2) turkey, cheese sandwich Dinner- chicken breast and blended vegetables  Wed  Breakfast- 2 eggs scrambled  and 1 banana  Lunch- 2 cans tuna with 2 boiled eggs and mayo mixed together  Dinner- chicken breast with broccoli  Thur  Breakfast- 2 hard boiled eggs and 1 banana  Lunch- (2) sandwich turkey and cheese sandwich Dinner- chicken breast with blended vegetables  Friday  Breakfast- 2 hard boiled eggs and 1 banana  Lunch- 2 cans tuna with 2 hard boiled eggs and mayo mixed together  Dinner- chicken breast with broccoli  Saturday  Breakfast- 2 scrambled eggs and 1 banana  Lunch- 1 can tuna mixed with 1 hard boiled egg and mayo. 1 turkey and cheese sandwich  Dinner- chicken breast with blended vegetables  Sunday- 2 hard boiled eggs and 1 banana  Lunch- 1 can tuna mixed with 1 hard boiled egg and mayo. Several slices of turkey wrapped around cheese  (you ran out of bread) Dinner- chicken breast with rest of broccoli and blended vegetables 

My overall experience was very eye opening and it made me realize what some people have to go through. I hope I never have to go through this. Me and my family are very fortunate and blessed to not to ever have to go through this. I enjoyed this experience because it was very different and a great challenge that we all should try. I definitely learned that some families go through this not because they are lazy but because they might have had to go through a tragedy or a lost in some point in their life. 

Brett Wright

[husc2003]

mid week experience

During this week of me doing the food challenge the meals were very boring and I didn't enjoy it very much. I felt like I wasn't eating enough food to keep me energized to get me through school, workouts, and practice. I had an empty stomach after lunch and dinner. Now that I have 2 days left of this challenge im going to finish strong.   Brett Wright

[husc2003]

grocery shopping experience

My shopping experience was a lot different that I am used to. It was a lot harder to find the foods at the cheapest price and it took way longer to buy it all than it usually would for me to go to the grocery store. It was pretty stressful to find good healthy foods that are in my diet as an athlete. This experience opened my eyes on how some people have to figure out a way to feed their families with food stamps I could imagine it being very hard for them.

Brett Wright

[husc2003]

grocery list

Grocery list 4pk great value tuna fish    $2.96 4 pk great value tuna fish    $2.96 18 ct great value large eggs   $1.44 12 ct great value large eggs    $1.08 Miracle whip $3.18 Great value wheat split top bread $1.63 3lb bag boneless skinless chicken $6.98 14oz bag great value broccoli $1.44 16 oz great value baby blend vegetable bag $1.98 3lb bananas (7) $1.32 Premium oven roasted turkey breast 1 lb pkg $3.98 Great value mild cheddar cheese sliced 8 oz $2.22

[husc2003]

First Post - Thomas Hester - Shopping list and experience

Shopping List

Bananas - $.62

Grapes - $2.49

Hot Dog Buns - $1.59

Hot Dogs - $1.59

Eggs - $1.59

Ketchup - $2.02

Granola Bars - $2.49

Spaghetti o's (3 cans) - $3

Soup (3 cans) - $2.67

Milk - $3.00

Bread - $1.99

Jelly - $1.99

Peanut Butter - $2.19

Total with tax : $29.41

I thought doing the shopping with this budget was hectic but not a hard task. I chose some of the cheaper options that can last you for a few days like hot dogs and grapes. I also decided to buy some peanut butter and jelly to stretch my budget out even further. I did not think it was a hard to find the right items to stretch my budget out but if you are looking for healthy options then my list is not the one you are looking for. I have some fruits on my list but I am lacking vegetables or real meat of any kind. I am happy with this list for a week but if I had this budget on a regular basis I would try to find cheap healthy options.

[husc2003]

Thomas Hester - Food Diary and Overall Experience - Third Post

Sunday

Breakfast - Granola Bar, Milk

Lunch - PB&J, Banana

Dinner - Spaghetti o's

Monday

Breakfast - (2) Eggs w/ Toast and Jelly

Lunch - Hotdog, Grapes

Dinner - Soup, PB&J

Tuesday

Breakfast - Granola Bar, Milk

Lunch - Hotdog, Banana 

Dinner - (2) Eggs, Grapes

Wednesday

Breakfast - Granola Bar, Milk

Lunch - Spaghetti o's

Dinner - PB&J, Banana, Soup

Thursday

Breakfast - (2) Eggs w/ Toast and Jelly, Milk

Lunch - (2) Hotdogs

Dinner - Soup, Grapes

Snack - Granola Bar

Friday

Breakfast - Banana, Toas and Jelly, Milk

Lunch - Spaghetti o's, Grapes

Dinner - Hotdog, Grapes

Saturday

Breakfast - Granola Bar

Lunch - (2) Hotdogs, Grapes

Dinner - Soup, PB&J

Overall Reflection

I thought that I had a good list planned out for the week and that it would nourish me but I was wrong. I had enough food but I had to stretch it to make it work the way I wanted to and make sure it wouldn't be too repetitive.I was lucky enough to choose hotdogs as one of my purchases because they lasted me the longest. The challenge has made me think a lot about people that have to plan out their weeks accordingly to make sure they can survive. It is also very hard for me to put myself in the shoes of the people that have this budget every week because I only completed it for a week. I believe to truly understand the people with this budget you must take on this challenge for longer.

This challenge makes me thing of all the ways that we can help people that live in poor conditions. Whether it be donating or volunteering somewhere their is a lot that we can do in our communities to help the poor. Food should be something that is cheap and accessible for all even if they can afford it. The Food SNAP challenge makes me think of the Alabama Taxes quiz and all of the articles we read. There are unjust taxes hurting the poor in Alabama and other laws hurting the poor in many different states. There are ways that we can also help other countries with donations and actual mission work that isn't just for a week at a time. I enjoyed learning from this challenge and I received a better understanding of how people live on this budget every week. 

[husc2003]

Thomas Hester - Second Post - Mid week eperience

When I started the Food SNAP challenge I did not think it would be as difficult to do as it actually is. I have stayed strong and have so far not cheated on the challenge but I will admit that the first day was the worst day for me. I was very hungry the first day and went to sleep hungry but the second day I was starting to get used to the diet. I am not used to eating such little food during the day and the groceries that I chose are not the healthiest options. So I am already getting tired of the groceries I have chosen and feel like they are not giving me the right amount of nutrition. It is hard for me to believe that people all around the world live on such little food and are able to go to work and do other activities. I have also thought of the women that are pregnant and have this budget for food, their children cannot possibly get enough nutrition from such little amounts everyday. The Food SNAP challenge has already given me a new perspective of hunger and from my experience I believe that the world should be doing more collectively to feed the hungry. I look forward to sharing my overall reflection in a few days and also posting what meals I have been eating.

[husc2003]

Third Post- Food Diary and Reflections

Monday: 

Breakfast- Mixed Berry Smoothie, 1 Blueberry Bagel with strawberry creme cheese, 1 BEC breakfast sandwich.

Lunch- Banana protein smoothie, 1 Tuna Sandwich, 1 chocolate Gatorade protein shake, 1 cup of diced mangoes.

Dinner- 2 Beef Hamburgers, 2 grilled chicken legs with rice, 1 slab of salmon

Dessert- 12 red velvet cupcakes

Tuesday: 

Breakfast- Mixed Berry Smoothie, 1 Blueberry Bagel with strawberry creme cheese, 1 BEC breakfast sandwich.

Lunch- Banana protein smoothie, 2 Strawberry "Uncrustables", 1 chocolate Gatorade protein shake, 1 cup of diced mangoes.

Dinner- 3 beef tacos, 2 pizza quesadillas with brocolli

Dessert- 11 chocolate chip cookies

Wednesday: 

Breakfast- Mixed Berry Smoothie, 1 Blueberry Bagel with strawberry creme cheese, 2 blueberry protein muffins.

Lunch- Banana protein smoothie, 2 Strawberry "Uncrustables", 1 chocolate Gatorade protein shake, 1 cup of diced mangoes.

Dinner- 18 grilled chicken wings, 4 sticks asparagus and carrots, Grilled cheese sandwich with bacon and onions

Dessert- 16 small brownies

Thursday:

Breakfast: Mixed Berry Smoothie, 1 Blueberry Bagel with strawberry creme cheese, 1 BEC breakfast sandwich, 1 banana.

Lunch- Banana protein smoothie, 1 Tuna sandwich, 1 chocolate Gatorade protein shake, 1 cup of diced mangoes (I really like mangoes).

Dinner- (Leftovers) 2 grilled chicken legs, beef tips with rice, and lasagna.

Dessert- 9 chocolate chip cookies, 2 small brownies.

Friday: 

Breakfast: Mixed Berry Smoothie, 1 Blueberry Bagel with strawberry creme cheese, 1 BEC breakfast sandwich, 1 banana.

Lunch- Banana protein smoothie, 2 Strawberry "Uncrustables", 1 chocolate Gatorade protein shake, 1 cup of diced mangoes (I really like mangoes).

Dinner- (Leftovers) 1 Pizza Quesadilla, 5 grilled chicken wings, 6 boiled shrimp and carrots.

Saturday: GAME DAY!

Breakfast- 2 blueberry bagels

Lunch- 1 Uncrustable, 1 chocolate protein shake

Dinner- Chicken Fried Rice from Fuji- $9.32

Dessert- 1 small brownie, cup of mangoes

Sunday: (I was depressed about gameday)

Lunch- 2 Uncrustables

Dinner- Large Dominoes Pepperoni Pizza

I was still haunted by my past throughout the project. I felt a little better at the end of the week when I was able to eat out, because that is part of my normal routine. It was a busy week so staying awake to eat lunch helped me get my assignments done and study for my lab practical. 

Practice was not significantly better, but I was more aware since I wasn't waking up from a nap. I was able to have more positive interactions with my teammates and staff. I was also able to get the training room and work on my hamstrings. Overall it was a positive week. I would not do it again if I could help it for mental health.

[husc2003]

Post Two- Midweek Experience

I would love to blame this sleep deprivation on my lack of napping, but it should be attributed to the late night studying. The eating routine is similar to the eating routine I have maintained throughout the year. Thanks to the athletic department, I have all the food I could want without wasting money.

Being on food stamps, even for a temporary project, brings up some rather unpleasant memories. I am reminded during this change in routine of how hard it was for my family during those financial struggles. It also reminds me of the stigma I felt while taking advantage of every opportunity for free food. This reminds me of how much food I used to eat during reduced breakfast and lunch at school, so that it could sustain me just in case there wasn't a large dinner that night. I used to take fruit in my pockets so in those instances, I would have something to eat after track practice when my energy was low. 

[husc2003]

First Post (from Word)

As a person who lives in a family who previously lived on food stamps, I know this "challenge" all too well. Living under the poverty line for 15 years taught me to be resourceful. Shopping with $4.50 a day has been done so in order to experience a challenge, I decided to use the money at the end of the week instead of the beginning.

I am, by the grace of Yah, a student-athlete at Auburn University. The athletic department supplies us with enough nutrition to where it would be unnecessary to spend money during the week. We have John H. Watson Field house, our weight room and nutrition station. I made a habit to get several items for me to maintain my high calorie diet to allow me to adequately practice.

9:15 am on MWF, I would go in there drink a mixed berry smoothie and eat a chicken, egg, and cheese biscuit, and one blueberry bagel for breakfast. On Tuesday's and Thursday, I would get the same breakfast but at 10:15 am. 

I would go again to the field house at 12:30 pm. To prepare for practice I would have a strawberry-banana protein shake, and either a tuna-fish sandwich or two strawberry "Un-crustables"

Under my scholarship, I am allowed to have four free meals a week at the Wellness Kitchen on South Donahue Dr. I used those free meals for dinner on Sunday-Wednesday. Each night I also get a to-go plate, filled with my favorite cuisines and place them in the fridge.Therefore, Thursday and Friday, I ate leftovers from the previous days instead of spending money.

I had to change my sleeping schedule to accommodate for the frequent visits to campus. However, that forced me to be awake and more productive. This was beneficial for my studying time.

[husc2003]

Caroline Orr- Third Post

Caroline Orr

Food diary for 7 days (breakfast, lunch, dinner plus snacks) and reflection on the overall experience

I ended up returning to the store on Tuesday to buy smoothies and bananas.

Monday, November the 27th I started the food stamp diet.

-Lunch- Salad with Ranch dressing($1 + $0.17=$1.17)

-Dinner (4pm)- Ramen ($0.25)

-Snack (8pm)- Ramen ($0.25)

Daily total: $1.67

Tuesday

-Breakfast - smoothie and banana ($0.28 + $1.49= $1.77)

-Lunch - Ramen ($0.25)

-Dinner- Salad with dressing and boiled egg ($1 + $0.17 + $0.12=$1.29)

Daily total: $3.31

Wednesday

-Breakfast- banana ($0.28)

-Lunch- Salad with boiled egg and dressing ($1 + $0.17 + $0.12=$1.29)

-Dinner- my roommate brought me free pizza that was left over from an meeting ($0)

Daily total: $1.57

Thursday

-Breakfast- banana and smoothie ($0.28 + $1.49= $1.77)

-Lunch- (I was really busy so I forgot to eat lunch)  ($0)

-Dinner- Free Spaghetti from a church event ($0)

Daily total: $1.77

Friday

-Breakfast- banana and smoothie ($0.28 + $1.49= $1.77)

-Lunch- ramen ($0.25)

-Dinner- My parents came to town and brought me chicken noodle soup because I was sick.

Daily total: $2.02

Saturday

-Breakfast- banana ($0.28)

-Lunch- My friend had an engagement party with snack foods. I had chips and dip and hummus and crackers for lunch ($0)

-Dinner- 2 Tacos from Taco Bell ($2.58)

Daily total: $2.86

Sunday

-Breakfast- banana ($0.28)

-Lunch- My friend went to Moe's Southwest and I ate all of her leftovers. ($0)

-Dinner- Ramen ($0.25)

Daily total: $0.81

Monday

-Breakfast- banana ($0.28)

(added to the total of the monday before)=$1.95

------weekly total=$14.01-----------

      Overall, I found it difficult to stick to the food stamp diet. I ended up coming under budget. I probably could have eaten out more than I did. It was difficult for me to tell my friends that I could not go out to eat with them like we usually do. On my original grocery list, I included chicken. I ended not eating the chicken because I did not have time to cook it. I do not think I could survive on a strict food stamp budget in college. As a college student, I think it is more difficult. Many college students don’t plan ahead and are just trying to survive until the next day, so meal planning is not always our strength. It requires a lot of time to prepare a shopping list, budget, and meal plan. I found it extremely difficult to work around my schedule.

     I have done the food stamp challenge for a class before and both experiences had unique challenges. My biggest challenge this week was an unexpected cold. On Thursday night I became sick with Pharyngitis. I had very little appetite. Usually when I do not have a strong appetite, I will try to eat more by treating myself with my favorite soup. However, I could not afford to do that as much this week. My Mother did bring me soup. I ate mostly ramen.

    I was able to find a few free meals. Many people who are on food stamps learn to find organizations or people that give out free food. On Wednesday night, my roommate brought home some free leftover pizza. Thursday night, I had a free meal the was provided by my church. On Saturday my dad brought me some soup that my mom had gotten me. I put it in the fridge and saved it for later. For lunch, I had some snacks at an engagement party. On Sunday, I had a friends leftovers. I have a lot of resources in my life such as my church, family, and my friends. Some individuals that live on food stamps may have resources like mine, but others may not.

[husc2003]

Caroline Orr Mid Week Experience

This week so far has been more difficult than I thought. I have been eating lots of ramen. I had planned on trying to eat healthy, but I have been very busy and I have not had time to cook the chicken I bought at the beginning of the week. Monday through Friday it was difficult for me to avoid spending a lot on food with my friend Lauren. We usually enjoy sharing a meal together and hearing about each others days multiple times throughout the week. One day we ended up going to taco bell, which I was able to afford. I became sick with Pharyngitis on Friday. Ramen has been very soothing on my throat. I have been using roughly half the seasoning packet to cut back on the sodium. I have been drinking lots of water. I made a good decision buying bananas for breakfast. They have been a great breakfast food and were very cheap. My roommate surprised me one day when she came home from a meeting. She said that there were extra pizzas left over at the meeting and she brought home 8 slices. She told me I was welcome to as many as I wanted. This was a huge blessing. I had been so busy and it was a nice change from eating ramen. There was one day I was able to eat a free dinner at a church event. It was a home cooked meal and it was a nice change from the pizza and ramen. My friend had an engagement party and they had a lot of snack foods. I turned this into my lunch. On Saturday, my dad came to town and brought me some soup and some things from home. I will probably eat the soup he brought for diner tonight. On Sunday, I had a friends leftovers from Moe's Southwest. Throughout the week, I was blessed with a lot of free food. Many people who are on food stamps learn where to find free food. Some people have more resources than others. Nobody knew I was on a food stamp diet, but people gave me food anyway. I am fortunate to have so many resources in my life and people to offer me food.

[husc2003]

Caroline Orr Post 1 addition- Shopping Experience

I just realized that I did not add a good description of my shopping experience to my original post with the shopping list. So here is a better description.

I made my shopping list before I went to Kroger. I wanted to be organized before I got there and I did not want to go over budget. I knew from previous shopping experiences that if I do not make a list before I went, that I would probably spend more than I needed to. I stuck to the list I made for the most part. It was sad walking by some of the items I usually splurge on like cookies and sweets, knowing that I was only buying the necessities. I am used to scanning the prices to find the cheapest of every item. I am also used to buying the store brand of everything. I was hoping to save some money using my Kroger Card, but nothing I bought was on sale for the day. Overall, it was a successful trip. Like I said in the other post, I intentionally planned to spend less than the budget for the trip, and I was successful in doing so.

[husc2003]

Caroline Orr's Kroger list

(2 loaves) Bread from the bakery   $3.00

12 pack of Ramen Noodle Soup   $3.00

Kroger Large Eggs $2.19

Simple Truth Natural Chicken Breast Tenders  $6.29

Ranch dressing   $1.74

Fresh Selections Field Greens Salad Mix   $2.99

I intentionally tried to spend as little as possible in case I have a taco bell craving or if I do not have time to prepare a meal. I spent $19.21 on groceries and I spent 20.75 including 8% tax. I have 10.75 left if needed. 

[husc2003]

Third Post - Food Diary, Overall Experience HDB

Tuesday 11/28

Breakfast: Oatmeal with Blueberries 

Lunch: Tomato Soup

Dinner: Grilled Chicken with Broccoli

Wednesday 11/29

Breakfast: eggs with ham

Lunch: Yogurt with Blueberries

Dinner: Tomato Soup

Thursday 11/30 

Breakfast: Yogurt with Blueberries 

Lunch: Omelet with Ham & Cheese 

Dinner: Chicken & Broccoli

Friday 1/1

Breakfast: Oatmeal

Lunch: Tomato Soup

Dinner: Omelet

Saturday 1/2 

Breakfast: Yogurt

Lunch: Omelet with Ham & Cheese

Dinner: Mac & Cheese 

Sunday 1/3 

Breakfast: oatmeal

Lunch: Omelet

Dinner: Mac & Cheese

Monday 1/4 

Breakfast: Yogurt

Lunch: Broccoli

Dinner: Oatmeal

Tuesday 1/5

Breakfast: Oatmeal

Lunch: Ham & Cheese 

Dinner: Yogurt

Overall Experience:

The materials that were studied in Hunger Studies were practically used in this project. By the time the end of the week came, all my food had been drizzled down. I am so thankful that I had this experience, and opportunity to challenge myself. This project taught me that I can live off of a lot less than I had been budgeting with. I did not buy near enough food for the week, and ate all of the food at the start of the week. I should not have gone to the grocery store without a plan for each meal this week. I just looked at what looked good, and not practically what would last on the budget that was given. I am proud of myself for finishing this project, but excited to get some more food tomorrow.  I see the ideas the book gave acted out. For example, I became tired during the day. This caused me to not have as much energy to do the same things I had in the past. This not only effects one in their work, but also in their health. (Even when taking medication.) Hunger is not just seen in developing nations, but also all around us. 

[husc2003]

Mid Week Post

Mid Week Post 

Haleyann D. Blanchard 

        This has been a lot harder then I thought it would be. I am realizing how much I eat during the week. As the middle of the week came I had a lot less than half of my food left. Once the weekend hit, It became even harder. With friends inviting you to go out to eat with them, and all of the good food around. I am realizing how much I take for granted not having to worry about whether or not my needs will be met. I am know so thankful to have the opportunity to eat, and have my eyes open for others around me. I now have a new heart for the hungry. I ate a lot of eggs this week, and feel healthier for sure. This project was much harder than I thought it would be, you have to have an incredible amount of self control.