The Hunger Action Week challenge starts on Monday (April 20), and I’ve been cleaning out my fridge and freezer, using up stuff, and thinking about how to plan a menu. In preparation, I’ve collected a few resources in the form of several trusty cookbooks, some blogs, online recipe sites, and advice from my Sissy.
It’s strange to be planning for a week of pretend poverty, and something about it makes me feel uneasy. Honestly, it’s been emotional and slightly aggravating because it stirs up a lot of old stuff. Uncomfortable memories of ED among other things, like cleaning out my mother’s refrigerator and freezer. *shudder* Still, I think it will be an interesting opportunity to discover a few things about myself.
I tend to plan menus on the fly, a day or two at a time maybe, according to what’s on hand or what’s on sale at the store. Menu planning is nothing new, I just haven’t done it in a while. It’s the money part. It’s that nagging feeling of desperation that creeps up on me because I’m facing subsistence level existence again (temporarily, and by choice, but the feelings are the same). Keep your head above water and swim . . . it’s that kind of feeling.
It’s put me into a familiar state of avoidance. As if something bad is about to happen, and nothing is going to stop it, so I just kinda check out and hope I can deal with it when it gets here. Ignoring the problem doesn’t make it go away, I know. It’s just an interesting observation about my response to stress.
So, yeah, for me, this experiment is already worrying me, and I haven’t done my shopping for the week yet. I’ve been cleaning out my fridge instead (using up all my leftovers and veggies to make a clean slate). Ginger Man isn’t looking forward to my beer & wine ban, and I’ve told his friends not to feed him. It’s only five days. I assured him he won’t starve, but his puppy-dog face always weakens my resolve, dammit. I’m making him go shopping with me.
Want to see how other particpants are doing? The King County United Way has a blogroll featuring Hunger Action Week participants.
5 responses so far ↓
curiousdomestic // April 19, 2009 at 7:42 pm |
Menu Planning Note: Spices are going to have to be bought gradually (one or two a week at best), and it’s really hard to budget in oil, butter, flour, sugar, and other staples in any kind of money-saving size on a one-week budget. Realistically, I’d pool my resources for a couple or three weeks and stock up on bulk staples. Maybe I’ll go to the dollar store and see if they have spices.
Nurit - 1 family. friendly. Food. // April 20, 2009 at 3:31 pm |
Hi,
I’m taking this challenge as well. I share your feeling of uneasiiness but for other reasons.
Good luck!
Nurit
ericriveracooks // April 20, 2009 at 7:09 pm |
I think it’s great that you’re participating in this.
Thanks for sharing,
Eric
Debbie // April 20, 2009 at 8:09 pm |
Great ideas! You can also find lots of free stuff at JacksPerks.com.
alice // April 21, 2009 at 6:28 am |
I really love reading your post today. Its amazing how something like the Hunger Challenge can stir so many feelings and emotions. I’m looking forward to reading your posts this week.
Alice