Month Two, Catch Up

My last post said I was reevaluating my foods for this month. I did and have decided on what I wont eat as opposed to what I will. What I am not eating this month are broken down into categories - kind of. They are: 1. Coke of any kind (not really something I drink normally but on occasion I want one) 2. Snacks, Chips, etc - never realized how much I snack on chips and pretzels until this last week 3. Desserts 4. Comfort Foods - this too is hard because I dont really know what I consider a comfort food until I feel guilty for thinking about eating it. lol 5. Coffeehouses - no mas fraps :0( 6. Pasta - and we eat A LOT of pasta 7. Fast Food - again not something I do a lot of but I figure I will continue this from last month's no spending So, in the last week I did mess up twice. The first time, I didn't even realize it until Randy and I were talking the next day about the 7 categories I wasnt eating in this month. oops The second time was yesterday. We went to a Starbucks and I was going to get a water. Somehow I walked out with a Caramel Machiato. I am still trying to decide if this is a true mess up. When I thought Coffeehouses, I really was just thinking Fraps. But really all you would have to do is add ice and blend and my drink could be a frap, so...... TTFN

Month Two - What We Eat and Aiming Higher

Today is Day Three of Month Two and there have been some changes. Day One was awesome! I only ate from my allowed foods and did not partake on pizza, birthday cake - two opportunities, or spaghetti. What I did experience was awful Acid Reflux. Time to rethink this month. I know that the concept is tied to the theme of "7" but what we have decided is that for us, it was be a focus on what we are eating as much as it will be a focus on what we aren't eating. Meaning, no bread/butter, ice cream, snack foods - pretzel, chips, etc; no dessert or cokes; nothing that is bad for us. Only what is good for the body. We are sticking to water, fruits, veggies, rice, chicken, fish, etc. I have to say that even though Day One was "perfect", I got more joy out of Day Two. I wanted a Coke and did not have one (not something I normally drink, just craving one); I didn't get a cookie/dessert at Panera where I took the kids for a BDay lunch; I didn't eat any birthday cake at the house (and it looks GOOD); I didn't eat any of the super yummy chips they get from Moe's EVERY Tuesday night (I usually eat a couple handfuls before I run out the door). So, for now, we are happy with our choice for this month. Part Two of this month I have yet to work on as I have not really thought about it until now......so, that will come in a post or three. TTFN

Month One Reflections

Now that month one of curbing my spending is over, I still find myself not wanting to spend. Which was the point. One of the main contributing factors to not being too tempted is the fact that we are on a single income that just pays our bills. With our move to FL, we changed some things. One of those is that I am now the bread winner and Randy gets to take some time to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up. I think if I had tried this in VA, it would have been a lot harder. As I think back on the month, I know I would have done somethings differently but really the point was to stop buying just because I can. I have a $20 in my wallet, so I must need to spend it. Thankfully, after 4wks of having the $20 in the wallet and not "needing" to spend it my attitude toward spending has changed. Which, like I said, was the point. We as a society have become too accustomed to the buy now, buy anything, buy as much as you want mentalities. Kids are not generally taught about saving for what they want. Their parents buy it for them - in the middle of the week, for no special occasion. They have no concept of saving for a rainy day or giving to someone else that has less than they do. It is all about me and mine. Somewhere along the way, the giving nature of my generation and the generations before me, has gone to the wayside. Instead of the question being, "what about them?" it is now, "what about me?" Where is Mine? He has more than I do. That's mine. The concept of sharing or giving when you are done with it seems to have taken a detour and hit a dead end road. When are we going to - as a society - get back to helping out one another because we should, not just when it is convenient and costs us nothing? I have two more days to think on this. I'm sure I will have more to say on the matter before I switch gears to food. But, TTFN

Month One, Last Day

Last day for this month's fast and it is turning out to be the hardest....

Month One, Day 19-23

I have discovered in looking back at my original post about this month, that unbeknownst to me I am staying true to Part Two of this months mission. I've had small splurges this month that were calculated and necessary. I have not over purchased anything and given thought to use what I have had on hand. For the first part of this month's "fast", I think I have done very well in curbing my unnecessary spending. There have been multiple times where I thought of getting something and stopped myself because "I'm not allowed." There have been other times where I could have made a purchase but put it off for next month - mostly books and songs from iTunes (even though I have credit on iTunes, so I would not necessarily be spending "money") I think so far, this month has been good. Not just in my following of the rules, but for me in the realization of how much money I spend on things I can do without. My prayer is that when this is over, I stick to the curbing and not spend out because I "can." Only Five more days to go and then we move on to food...... TTFN

Month One, Day 16-18

I guess after Sunday being our day to spend, I was already back in the habit. I am super tired this week as I am helping my little sister with her kids while her Honey is out of time. I needed a sugar kick. I bought a Frap. I did not fall asleep driving. I think that is a pretty good trade off.

Month One, Day Fifteen

Yesterday was the day. I spent money. I went to work at 1pm, forgetting to eat lunch. By 4pm, I was shaking. I had to get something so I did. I felt slightly guilty but knew I had to do it or pass out......