If you haven't already noticed, there is a food spending poll on the left sidebar. Take the poll when you get a chance. It is anynomous. I promise!
I'm trying to figure out if I am spending more than average family of 4-5 on groceries each month. I'm a little perplexed because it appears I am, but, there are so many things I do not buy, that I know a lot of other families do (I'm not picking here, I just cook from scratch, mostly and I know most people do not have as much time as I do, or desire). I don't buy bread (as in, I think I've bought two loaves of bread and a few artisen loaves from the bakery since we moved here in late July), cookies, boxed mixes (aside from organic mac and cheese for the kids when I'm sick, they are with a sitter, etc), canned food (aside from organic coconut milk and tuna), salad dressings, juice, soda (aside from the occasional Kombucha drink - but, I brew my own now) or ice cream (I make my own for about $3/quart and it has just a few ingredients in it - currently: eggs, cream, raw agave, dark chocolate and peppermint extract-cream is the most expensive ingredient). I keep my cereals to one - an organic cheerios knock-off which, typically, lasts three weeks a box.
Now, I have been "stocking up" on various flours and baking/cooking ingredients. So, that may explain our recent higher bill. But, man, Matt and I think that with all the scratch cooking I do, we'd be saving so much more money. The key is to get on top of meal planning, and track the exact food expenses better - which I plan on doing. But, holy moly! Maybe Matt and I are both unrealistic as to how much it cost to feed a family?
I feel like I really stretch the dollar. I mean, that $14 free-range, local farm chicken I bought supplied over four meals for the family (I made tons of chicken broth-still not used up-and used the left-over chicken for a chicken curry dish).
Each loaf of bread I make costs about $1. Buying the equivalent in the store (but, not really, because it isn't fresh), is $3 a loaf.
I am, currently, spending more on produce. But, you just can't beat a fresh, local tomato in taste. There is no comparison. In fact, it kills me to see people buying a Mexican green pepper at the commissary when the farmer's market is taking place a mile down the road and the peppers are plentiful.
What do you all spend? Tips, tricks (Since I cook mostly from scratch - coupons don't really work. I think I've come across two or three coupons recently - for our peanut butter, nitrate-free deli meat and mac & cheese)?
Showing posts with label Poll. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poll. Show all posts
Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Picky Eaters Poll
When I first met my husband, he warned me that he was a picky eater. He hated peas, tuna, Thai food, most Chinese food, chowders and many miscellaneous other foods. He also stressed that he didn't share food and would appreciate it if I kept my fork off his plate. From frog legs (yummy) to oysters on a half shell, I'll eat, or at least try, just about everything. I was a bit disappointed and pictured us forever eating at steakhouses.
Five years and two children later my husband is, what I'll call, a Recovering Picky Eater. While he still doesn't like to share food with me (aside from dessert), he will let Olivia eat off his plate if she refuses to let him put some of his food on her plate. Hey, it'll prevent a tantrum in a restaurant.
While living in Columbus, Georgia, I dragged him to a Thai restaurant insisting that he could just eat rice (he loves white rice). Starving, he decided to try a rice and beef curry dish. If he didn't like it, I'd eat the left-overs for lunch the next day. Well, it wasn't long before he was trying other curry combinations. He was hooked.
Recently, he was "tricked" into eating chowder. I made fish soup. And, my husband loves fish. I made it with potatoes, onions, chicken broth, milk, bacon and halibut. I mashed up some of the potatoes to make it thicker, more chowder-like. He eyed it suspiciously and took a bite. After his second bowl he exclaimed, "This is chowder, isn't it? I knew it tasted funny." A couple of weeks later, he ordered clam chowder on a sea life wilderness day cruise we went on with the girls. I did a double take when I heard him order and he looked at me and said, "Well, you tricked me into liking it."
And, just the other day, I caught him placing a Portuguese tuna-dip on his bread. I let him eat several bites before informing him that there was tuna in it. Since it didn't smell like tuna, he insisted it must be some other kind of fish. But, I love tuna and I'm certain that's what was in it. It was then that I realized that my husband isn't really a picky eater. I doubt he ever was. He just thought he was. And, I don't think it was the fault of his mother or father. I think he was (still is) strong-willed and refused certain foods for such a long time, everyone thought he must really not like them.
As I watched Olivia eat spinach pizza the other day, it occurred to me that she has a broad palate. She'll eat calamari, chowders, salad, peas, broccoli (her favorite veggie) more varieties of fruits than I do, all kinds of fish, stews, tofu, etc. You name it, she'll usually eat it and since we arrived here in Portugal, her palate has expanded even more. I'm amazed at some of the things our two-year-old will eat.
However, often, she'll exclaim that she doesn't like something and she'll even go on for weeks that she doesn't like a certain food (yogurt, for example). I'll continue to serve it and, eventually, she'll start eating it again.
And, even though Olivia was "underweight" and at least two doctors insisted I bring her in for weight checks because they were concerned (I never went in because I wasn't concerned), I've never allowed Olivia to eat junk (okay, unless I'm sick or 9-months pregnant) because she didn't like what was being served. She just went to bed hungry. I've been pretty strict about this; following the advice of my parents and a few friends who have, pretty much, the same rules. I just don't think it's possible for toddlers to starve themselves to death. And, if a toddler isn't eating much, there's those yummy things most toddlers like called vitamins.
Of course, I'm not talking about children who have health issues or developmental issues. Many children with food allergies refuse certain foods. It's their body's way of protecting itself. Those children are picky for good reason. And, I'm not talking about children liking everything. We all have foods we don't like and that doesn't mean we're picky.
So, what am I getting at? Well, I've recently read some questions posed by parents about their children being picky eaters. My favorite, "Dear doctor so-and-so, my toddler will only eat frozen pizzas. How do I get him/her to eat a better variety of food such as fruit and veggies?"
The doctor always responds with something like, "How did your child begin eating frozen pizza's in the first place? And, don't give up on your child yet! It may take 10 or more tries for your child to like something placed in front of him/her. " The doctor will then go on with tricks for getting your toddler to eat this or that.
However, I wonder if picky eating is more of a behavior thing (as implied by many doctors) that parents let slip through the cracks. Could a strong-willed, smart child who suddenly gives up his love for peas and starts gagging when offered them be going through a stage? Do we as parents just give up offering peas because we think our child truly doesn't like them, therefore, as an adult, they (like my husband) insist they've never liked them. Do parents panic too much about their children being too thin and, therefore, allow dangerous eating habits to set in (such as the child who only eats frozen pizzas)?
Is it possible that sending Olivia to bed with nothing to eat after she decides that she doesn't like what we're eating for dinner, damaging her emotionally? Or, am I helping prevent a picky eater, setting boundies, etc.?
While Olivia appears to have a very big palate, I do have to get creative at times. I've put pumpkin puree into pancakes. I've put almond flour (for protein) into pancakes and whole-grain muffins. I've put bananas in her peanut and jelly sandwiches. Snuck sweet potato into stews and extra fruit in her yogurt. A few times I've even allowed her to eat half a bag of orange-flavored craisins when she's refused fruit all week. Just yesterday she ate a banana, two peaches, two plums, craisins and oatmeal. And, that's all she ate all day. She refused to eat peanut butter and jelly for lunch, so I saved it for dinner. She refused it at dinner and ate oatmeal instead (I didn't cook a proper dinner because I had class to go to and Matt was at a formal dinner for work). I thought she may wake up in the middle of the night starving. But, she woke up at her normal time, happy as a lark, asking to play with Lila.
I'd like to know what you all think about picky eaters. So, write in with your comments and take the poll.
Five years and two children later my husband is, what I'll call, a Recovering Picky Eater. While he still doesn't like to share food with me (aside from dessert), he will let Olivia eat off his plate if she refuses to let him put some of his food on her plate. Hey, it'll prevent a tantrum in a restaurant.
While living in Columbus, Georgia, I dragged him to a Thai restaurant insisting that he could just eat rice (he loves white rice). Starving, he decided to try a rice and beef curry dish. If he didn't like it, I'd eat the left-overs for lunch the next day. Well, it wasn't long before he was trying other curry combinations. He was hooked.
Recently, he was "tricked" into eating chowder. I made fish soup. And, my husband loves fish. I made it with potatoes, onions, chicken broth, milk, bacon and halibut. I mashed up some of the potatoes to make it thicker, more chowder-like. He eyed it suspiciously and took a bite. After his second bowl he exclaimed, "This is chowder, isn't it? I knew it tasted funny." A couple of weeks later, he ordered clam chowder on a sea life wilderness day cruise we went on with the girls. I did a double take when I heard him order and he looked at me and said, "Well, you tricked me into liking it."
And, just the other day, I caught him placing a Portuguese tuna-dip on his bread. I let him eat several bites before informing him that there was tuna in it. Since it didn't smell like tuna, he insisted it must be some other kind of fish. But, I love tuna and I'm certain that's what was in it. It was then that I realized that my husband isn't really a picky eater. I doubt he ever was. He just thought he was. And, I don't think it was the fault of his mother or father. I think he was (still is) strong-willed and refused certain foods for such a long time, everyone thought he must really not like them.
As I watched Olivia eat spinach pizza the other day, it occurred to me that she has a broad palate. She'll eat calamari, chowders, salad, peas, broccoli (her favorite veggie) more varieties of fruits than I do, all kinds of fish, stews, tofu, etc. You name it, she'll usually eat it and since we arrived here in Portugal, her palate has expanded even more. I'm amazed at some of the things our two-year-old will eat.
However, often, she'll exclaim that she doesn't like something and she'll even go on for weeks that she doesn't like a certain food (yogurt, for example). I'll continue to serve it and, eventually, she'll start eating it again.
And, even though Olivia was "underweight" and at least two doctors insisted I bring her in for weight checks because they were concerned (I never went in because I wasn't concerned), I've never allowed Olivia to eat junk (okay, unless I'm sick or 9-months pregnant) because she didn't like what was being served. She just went to bed hungry. I've been pretty strict about this; following the advice of my parents and a few friends who have, pretty much, the same rules. I just don't think it's possible for toddlers to starve themselves to death. And, if a toddler isn't eating much, there's those yummy things most toddlers like called vitamins.
Of course, I'm not talking about children who have health issues or developmental issues. Many children with food allergies refuse certain foods. It's their body's way of protecting itself. Those children are picky for good reason. And, I'm not talking about children liking everything. We all have foods we don't like and that doesn't mean we're picky.
So, what am I getting at? Well, I've recently read some questions posed by parents about their children being picky eaters. My favorite, "Dear doctor so-and-so, my toddler will only eat frozen pizzas. How do I get him/her to eat a better variety of food such as fruit and veggies?"
The doctor always responds with something like, "How did your child begin eating frozen pizza's in the first place? And, don't give up on your child yet! It may take 10 or more tries for your child to like something placed in front of him/her. " The doctor will then go on with tricks for getting your toddler to eat this or that.
However, I wonder if picky eating is more of a behavior thing (as implied by many doctors) that parents let slip through the cracks. Could a strong-willed, smart child who suddenly gives up his love for peas and starts gagging when offered them be going through a stage? Do we as parents just give up offering peas because we think our child truly doesn't like them, therefore, as an adult, they (like my husband) insist they've never liked them. Do parents panic too much about their children being too thin and, therefore, allow dangerous eating habits to set in (such as the child who only eats frozen pizzas)?
Is it possible that sending Olivia to bed with nothing to eat after she decides that she doesn't like what we're eating for dinner, damaging her emotionally? Or, am I helping prevent a picky eater, setting boundies, etc.?
While Olivia appears to have a very big palate, I do have to get creative at times. I've put pumpkin puree into pancakes. I've put almond flour (for protein) into pancakes and whole-grain muffins. I've put bananas in her peanut and jelly sandwiches. Snuck sweet potato into stews and extra fruit in her yogurt. A few times I've even allowed her to eat half a bag of orange-flavored craisins when she's refused fruit all week. Just yesterday she ate a banana, two peaches, two plums, craisins and oatmeal. And, that's all she ate all day. She refused to eat peanut butter and jelly for lunch, so I saved it for dinner. She refused it at dinner and ate oatmeal instead (I didn't cook a proper dinner because I had class to go to and Matt was at a formal dinner for work). I thought she may wake up in the middle of the night starving. But, she woke up at her normal time, happy as a lark, asking to play with Lila.
I'd like to know what you all think about picky eaters. So, write in with your comments and take the poll.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Poll
For those of you wondering about the poll I had posted last week:
Nearly half of you said that families should never get special treatment at restaurants.
The other half said that families should get special treatment.
A couple of you said that special treatment should only be given if the kids appeared in bad moods.
Nearly half of you said that families should never get special treatment at restaurants.
The other half said that families should get special treatment.
A couple of you said that special treatment should only be given if the kids appeared in bad moods.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Bad Service
Recently, Matt and I have had horrible service at restaurants while traveling. It's tourist season in Alaska. Many couples are spending big bucks on their trip here. Picture the setting:
Matt and I walk in with the girls around 5:00pm. We try to time it so that the girls aren't too hungry and/or too tired yet and hope the restaurant is still nearly empty. We get the girls settled. Speed read the menu, pick out what we want, quickly close our menus and wait. And wait. And wait. Olivia is getting mad. The crayons and/or snacks we brought are no longer enough. She wants to eat and she wants to eat now. She's also just hit the wall and fatigue is setting in.
It's now 5:45pm. We've only gotten our drinks and have just barely had our order taken. The couple across from us, who arrived 20 minutes after us, has just received their dinner. Matt and I stare at their food with furious envy. Olivia has just spilt her water. All over Matt's lap. We wave down the waiter who appears to ignore us. We grab napkins from a nearby table.
At 6:00, he comes over and informs us that our food will be another two to three minutes. The table across from us is now finishing up dessert. Most everyone around us is offering their french fries to keep Olivia from screaming (at this point she's been taken outside and/or the bathroom several times) any further. We start to get glares. Our waiter is oblivious and is all smiles and small talk with his patrons who do not have children (potentially high tippers).
Finally, at 6:30pm, our food arrives. Olivia can barely eat because she's so tired. Lila finished the food I brought for her long ago and is starting to cry. As soon as our food is placed on the table, our waiter quickly runs off. We have to ask a waitress to find him at 7:00 because he hasn't reappeared to give us our bill, let alone check on us. He comes by, slaps the bill on the table, mumbles a "sorry" under his breath and tries to leave before Matt can give him is credit card (long ago pulled out of his wallet). Matt has to stand up and walk a few steps in order to get his attention to give him the card. We barely tip him. We probably should have left a penny - but would he have gotten the hint?
It's 7:20pm. We arrived nearly two and a half hours ago. Do I hear the patrons who were sitting near us singing songs of joy that we've left or is that my subconscious?
The above scenario takes place on a regular basis here in Alaska.
Personally, I think waitstaff should pay special attention to families with small children. Get them in and get them out. You'll get thanks and good tips from those families and from those sitting nearby who were able to eat their meals in peace!
Matt's comment--I don't necessarily think we should get special service. However, I do think that, when someone walks up to pour water, bring bread, etc, whether it be after 1 or 20 minutes, and I say "we're ready to order", that should be sufficient to send the message. We've eaten out more than a few times with our kids and have a few unspoken rules:
1. When the waitor comes, we order, regardless of whether or not we've had time to look at the whole menu.
2. If one or both of the kids is likely to put up a fuss that particular meal, I'm sure to tell the waitor right off the bat.
3. I politely ask the waitor to bring out Olivia's food as soon as it's ready.
4. I'm very specific with what I ask for for Olivia.
We get the occassional waitor, usually one who tells us that he/she has small kids, that is on the ball and knows just what to do. Unfortunately, that's not the case with everyone. One of the more frustrating parts is that we don't order the cheapest thing on the menu, and I do tip well. So, basically, I'm not asking for special service, I'm just asking that the waitor recognize that we're putting forth the effort to speed things along, potentially for the benefit of everyone in the restaurant, and he/she put forth the same effort to help us get our food, eat, and get on our way before the witching hour hits.
Matt and I walk in with the girls around 5:00pm. We try to time it so that the girls aren't too hungry and/or too tired yet and hope the restaurant is still nearly empty. We get the girls settled. Speed read the menu, pick out what we want, quickly close our menus and wait. And wait. And wait. Olivia is getting mad. The crayons and/or snacks we brought are no longer enough. She wants to eat and she wants to eat now. She's also just hit the wall and fatigue is setting in.
It's now 5:45pm. We've only gotten our drinks and have just barely had our order taken. The couple across from us, who arrived 20 minutes after us, has just received their dinner. Matt and I stare at their food with furious envy. Olivia has just spilt her water. All over Matt's lap. We wave down the waiter who appears to ignore us. We grab napkins from a nearby table.
At 6:00, he comes over and informs us that our food will be another two to three minutes. The table across from us is now finishing up dessert. Most everyone around us is offering their french fries to keep Olivia from screaming (at this point she's been taken outside and/or the bathroom several times) any further. We start to get glares. Our waiter is oblivious and is all smiles and small talk with his patrons who do not have children (potentially high tippers).
Finally, at 6:30pm, our food arrives. Olivia can barely eat because she's so tired. Lila finished the food I brought for her long ago and is starting to cry. As soon as our food is placed on the table, our waiter quickly runs off. We have to ask a waitress to find him at 7:00 because he hasn't reappeared to give us our bill, let alone check on us. He comes by, slaps the bill on the table, mumbles a "sorry" under his breath and tries to leave before Matt can give him is credit card (long ago pulled out of his wallet). Matt has to stand up and walk a few steps in order to get his attention to give him the card. We barely tip him. We probably should have left a penny - but would he have gotten the hint?
It's 7:20pm. We arrived nearly two and a half hours ago. Do I hear the patrons who were sitting near us singing songs of joy that we've left or is that my subconscious?
The above scenario takes place on a regular basis here in Alaska.
Personally, I think waitstaff should pay special attention to families with small children. Get them in and get them out. You'll get thanks and good tips from those families and from those sitting nearby who were able to eat their meals in peace!
Matt's comment--I don't necessarily think we should get special service. However, I do think that, when someone walks up to pour water, bring bread, etc, whether it be after 1 or 20 minutes, and I say "we're ready to order", that should be sufficient to send the message. We've eaten out more than a few times with our kids and have a few unspoken rules:
1. When the waitor comes, we order, regardless of whether or not we've had time to look at the whole menu.
2. If one or both of the kids is likely to put up a fuss that particular meal, I'm sure to tell the waitor right off the bat.
3. I politely ask the waitor to bring out Olivia's food as soon as it's ready.
4. I'm very specific with what I ask for for Olivia.
We get the occassional waitor, usually one who tells us that he/she has small kids, that is on the ball and knows just what to do. Unfortunately, that's not the case with everyone. One of the more frustrating parts is that we don't order the cheapest thing on the menu, and I do tip well. So, basically, I'm not asking for special service, I'm just asking that the waitor recognize that we're putting forth the effort to speed things along, potentially for the benefit of everyone in the restaurant, and he/she put forth the same effort to help us get our food, eat, and get on our way before the witching hour hits.
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