Day 30: Childhood Poverty Statistics

Day 30 Vitals:

Weight:  269 lbs.
Mood:  Awesome it's game night
Water Consumed:  2 Nalgenes
Breakfast:Peanut Butter/Jelly Granola Bar
Lunch: Orange, Pasta with Broccoli
Dinner: Taco Salad
Hangry Thought of the Day: My YouTube queue is getting to big...

Part of Table for One's mission is to raise awareness about Childhood Poverty in Minnesota.  Childhood Poverty is one of those issues we should all be uniting together on.  Whether you are a liberal or a conservative, an atheist, agnostic, or theist.  The fact that there are Children that have to worry about food, instead of playing and being happy, is something we can work on together to end.  We might disagree on how to get there, but we should all WANT to come to the table to talk about it!

Before we get into the statistics, there is something you can do about it today!  Join the fight and donate to the FINNEGANS Community Fund, and help support our project.  It's a 501(c)(3) organization, and your donation is a tax write off!

My statistics today come from the website of the Minnesota Department of Health.  The most up to date statistics is 2011.  Over the last decade these metrics have been trending up, so there is a good likelihood they are even worse today.

First off let's talk a little bit about why you should care.  Even if you are the most self centered person, you should still care about children in poverty, because you are paying for them, and more then just SNAP benefits.  Children in poverty are more likely to need hospitalization for asthma, lead poisoning, and heart disease.  YOU end up paying for those visits by increased health premiums and bills from when you need to visit the doctor.  

Poverty has been increasing in Minnesota.  As of 2011 it was up to 12% for all ages, which is up five percentage points from 2000.  In comparison, we are still well below the national average which sits at 15.5% for 2011.

Poverty is highest among children.  18% of children under the age of five live in poverty, children under the age of 18 are at about 15%.

Childhood poverty is centered around Central Minnesota, north of the cities.

Thanks for supporting our blog, we hope that these numbers help shed some light on children living right here in our home state.  Please help out, and let's put an end to childhood poverty!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!

Day 29: Target Week

Day 29 Vitals:

Weight:  269 lbs.
Mood:  Awesome it's game night
Water Consumed:  1 Nalgenes
Breakfast:Orange
Lunch:  Canned Salmon on Toast
Dinner: Butter Noodles and Frozen Mixed Veggies
Hangry Thought of the Day: My YouTube queue is getting to big...

We are quickly approaching week 5 of Project Table for One.  This weeks groceries are coming Target.

Thanks to last weeks trip to COSTCO I got to spend the majority of my budget on food groups I have been lacking in.  So here are my big wins from Target.  

• 8lb Bag of Oranges for $5.00.  Whole Foods (Week #2) was the last time I had fresh fruit in my pantry.  No I have 8lbs of citrus goodness.
• 1lb of Ground Beer.  Normally $4.49, this had a $1.00 reduced price sticker on it, so it was a steal at $3.49
• 1lb. of Shredded Coconut.  For $2.52 I will be using this to flavor oatmeal, and make cereal bars.  Plenty of uses for this tasty treat.
• 1sm Can of Black Olives $1.29:  I didn't need this, but I was making taco salads this week, and I wanted this.  Since I saved the $1.00 on the burger, it was an easy fit.

Shopping at Target was fairly easy and straightforward.  Stick to Market Pantry when you can.  It s generally between 15% to 20% cheaper, and is probably the highest rated private brand in the United States.  Target is also a good place to go for dairy product like yogurts, and shredded cheese.  Check for good meat specials, because when they are on sale, it's a steal.  Produce can be a little higher here, but it's not horrible.  The biggest downside to Target is that they don't have the largest assortment of items due to the size of the grocery section.  But on a SNAP budget it's usually about the cheapest option, not the variety.  Some targets also have a discounted/close dated food section.  I have seen large bags of flower in there for a GREAT price.  Unfortunately, it seems like my Target got rid of that section this week.

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!

Day 27: A Little Bit About Me

Day 27 Vitals:

Weight:  269 lbs.
Mood:  Awesome it's game night
Water Consumed:  1 Nalgenes
Breakfast: Eggs
Lunch:  Burger and Fries (company lunch)
Dinner: Chicken Wing
Hangry Thought of the Day:  80 degrees in May!  Where is the snow?

So I have been talking about recipes, and interviews with Finnegans, and grocery shopping tips.  I thought I would take a night and let you guys know a little bit about myself.  I talked about my family in my first post, so this will focus on other lesser known facts.  So here are some neat little tid bits:

• I am a big Doctor Who fan.  Even since I was a kid I have been watching that great Sci-Fi time travel show.  I even play in a role playing group for the series, every other Friday.
• I like beer, like a lot.  But I don't drink as much as everyone thinks I do.  For me beer is about the experience of flavor, and trying something new.  I write for a blog at Beerploma.com.  I also dabbled a little in homebrewing.
• I am an Eagle Scout.  I also earned my Vigil Honor, and Founder's Award.
• I have been in the Grocery Industry for almost twenty years now.  I started out bagging groceries.  And currently I am a Certified Category Analyst for a packaged food sales and marketing company.
• My wife is from Germany, and we travel back there about once a year to visit family.  I speak a good amount of Germany, but I am not quite fluent yet.
• I love to cook, especially smoking and grilling.
• My prized possession is a radio passed on to me from my Dad that is an old whiskey barrel converted with a kit.
• I LOVE road trips to small towns I haven't visited before.

I will talk about some more at a later date.  But I go to get running for game night.  Thanks for reading!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!

Day 26: Over Worked

Day 26 Vitals:

Weight:  268 lbs.
Mood:  So So
Water Consumed:  1 Nalgenes
Breakfast: 2 Hard BoiledEggs
Lunch:  Chicken Wing, Hot Dog Bun, Tomato Sauce, and Broccoli
Dinner: Chicken Wing, Hot Dog Bun, Tomato Sauce, and Broccoli
Hangry Thought of the Day:  What are you Hangry about today?  Leave us a comment!

Sorry gang, not much for today.  I have two new clients to on board for.  Thanks Matt!

Day 25: Beef Stroganoff

Day 25 Vitals:

Weight:  270 lbs.
Mood:  So So
Water Consumed:  1 Nalgenes
Breakfast: Scrambled Egg with Onion
Lunch:  Hot Dog Bun with Pasta Sauce and Mixed Vegetables
Dinner: Chicken Wing, Steamed Broccoli, Hot Dogs Bun with Pasta Sauce
Hangry Thought of the Day:  Did anyone else see Cruz's rant on Twitter?  Someone get that guy a Snickers, because HE is Hangry!

So for today's article I want to talk about one of the best recipes I have cooked in the three weeks I have been on this project:  Beef Stroganoff.  And once again Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown is supplying the recipe!

Now beef stroganoff and I have a long history, and it is perhaps my favorite food.  My Dad used to cook his stroganoff for me on my birthday and other special occasions.  His was much different then the recipe below (he used ground beef, which in hind site, I probably should have done too).  And the sauce for the below recipe is more "homemade".  I loved his stroganoff.  In fact I know when he finally gave me the recipe on his death bed that the end had truly caught up with him.  He had a couple of close calls before, but not stroganoff worthy I guess.   I have tried to make it several times, but it often doesn't taste the same.  Maybe I will adopt this one as "mine"!

On to the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1lb. of Beef cut up into chunks
• Salt and Pepper to Taste
• 2 tbsp Butter
• 2 Onions Chopped
• 2 Large Carrots sliced or chopped
• 1 tbsp Flour
• 2 tsp of Paprika
• 1lb of Egg Noodles or Pasta cooked to direction
• 3 Cloves of Chopped Garlic
• 1lb of Mushrooms (I used 8 oz)
• 1/2 Cup Sour Cream
• 3 tbsp Mustard

Directions:

Season beef with salt and pepper.  Melt half the butter in a pan on medium high heat.  Toss in beef and brown on all sides.  Add the carrots and onions and cook until the onions are translucent.

Sprinkle flour and paprika, then cover mixture in four cups of water and let simmer for two hours, or until there is about one cup of liquid broth left.

Meanwhile melt the remaining butter in a pot.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant.  Toss in mushrooms and cook for about five minutes.  Take beef mixute, mushroom mixture, mustard, sour cream and mix in a bowl.

Serve over noddles.  You can also add a little dill is that is your thing!  The yield on this recipe is pretty sizable too.  It can easily feed a family of four.  I got three meals out it, and I wish I had more!

That's all for today!  Let me know your thoughts on this recipe, as well as any changes or additions you might have.  Thanks for reading!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!

Day 24: Heading to the Cabin

Day 24 Vitals:

Weight:  271 lbs.
Mood:  On the tired side.  Leo was up all night
Water Consumed:  1 Nalgenes
Breakfast: 2 Hard Boiled Eggs
Lunch:  Pizza Dogs and Mixed Veggies
Dinner: Tin Foil Chicken Wings
Hangry Thought of the Day:  I went to Target, had to use the rest room.  No one tried peeking at my junk.  I think your safe!

The sun is out, the grass is green, and its time to head out to the cabin once again!  Just because I'm on a more restrictive diet doesn't mean I can't enjoy some family time at the lake. 

For food I grabbed the following:

• Canister of Oatmeal
• Left Over Carrots
• Hot Dog Buns
• Hot Dogs
• Pouch of Tuna
• Can of Green Beans
• 3 Tortilla Shells
• Mustard
• Salt, Pepper, and Cinnamon

This was the first time I actually had a pang of regret that I started this project.  Grilling season is probably one of my favorite aspects of summer.  And of course heading to the cabin meant grilling, at least for everyone else.  Yeah, I had my pack of hot dogs, but after eating them all week they are a bit tiresome.

But I mustard through it (quite literally, check out the pick above), and I made it.  It was a lot of fun to spend that time with our kids, my wife, and Mom and her SO.  Felix got super excited to ride his little gator, and of course as a big boy, I got excited to ride the four wheeler.  Got out on the boat, and in general, we enjoyed the weather.  So all in all, this weekend was a bit of a challenge with the limited food, but well worth it to spend time with the family.

So what are your favorite summer time activities?  Let us know in the comments below!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!

Day 23: My $30 at COSTCO

Day 23 Vitals:

Weight:  274 lbs.
Mood:  Seems like a normal day so far...
Water Consumed:  2 Nalgenes
Breakfast: Pancakes
Lunch:  Beef Stroganoff /sans noodles
Dinner: Pizza Dogs
Hangry Thought of the Day:  What are you waiting for peeps!?  Click the link to the right and donate already!

Just a quick update before we get into the article.  I was away this weekend on in impromptu trip to the cabin (more about this tomorrow), and internet was sparse.  So fret not, I have not wasted away yet.  But I am pretty sick of hot dogs.

So for today's article I would like to talk about how I spent my $30 at COSTCO.  I knew going into this week that I was going to have to plan ahead, not only for this week, but for weeks to come.  As a Warehouse Wholesaler most items at COSTCO come in VERY large sizes.  So last week at Wal-Mart I stocked up on extra vegetables for this week so I could concentrate on getting some much needed proteins for the next upcoming weeks.

Overall I ended up really going heavy on the proteins.  I knew for a fact that I wanted the drumsticks.  Six packs for six weeks for less then $15.  That was an easy grab.  My next stop was for some bulk pasta.  During my scouting run the week prior I wanted to pick up a mixed package of pasta that they usually carry for $6.99.  But the thing with COSTCO is because it is there one week, doesn't mean it is there the next.  I was also hoping to pick up potatoes but the only bags available were 20#.  During week 1 I bought ten pounds and it lasted me over two weeks.  I just don't think I could go through twenty pounds without having some spoilage.  But adversity breeds creativity.  I grabbed some eggs which should help lesson the budget for next week, and then I decided to double down on a large pack of hot dogs.  I also found a huge package of buns, which was pretty much the only thing left I could squeeze into my budget.  

My thinking was if I can take my major proteins off my list this should mean I can focus my next two weeks on making better side dishes, and more vegetable and fruits.

So what would you have bought at COSTCO for $30?  Leave a comment below!

Don't forget, if you like this blog please help us in trying to end Childhood Hunger here in the Twin Cities.  Click the link the FINNEGANS logo in the right hand panel, and donate what you can.  Every dollar helps to reach our goal of $2,500 for this GREAT cause where 98% of your dollar will go back to the community!  Thanks for you help!

You can find us on the web at the following places:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tableforoneMN/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/TableForOneMN?lang=en

Please help spread the word of this project!