22k Mile Scoot for Peace from Alix Bryan on Vimeo.

My friend Jacob sent me a studio copy of his beautiful song, Backroads, to put on the DVD version of this video–it’s a submission for grad school.

In the future, I would like to rework some of my footage into a movie that features his song, and less voice overs.

The video covers most everything about the trip; the concept, interviews, scenery, scooter community, elements of nature, mishaps and the godawful process of packing/unpacking everyday. There is a big shout out to the scooter community near the end. Yes, you’ll have to watch it all, mwuah ha ha.

It started a project for my grad school application–Mass Communications–emphasis in Multi Media.

I went through about 15 hours of footage and worked on it for 3 days. I have no real experience making a movie this long but with software these days, it mainly takes patience. That, along with tech geek forums helped me produce an okay video detailing the trip. I learned a lot this round and hope that I can integrate that knowledge into some future projects. I used iMovie and had to shuffle clips between computer and external hard drive. Before compression it was 28 Gigs. Basically, it was really feckin annoying to do.

Feedback welcomed.

The 545 People Responsible For All Of U.S. Woes

This article was first published by the Orlando Sentinel Star newspaper

*hat tip to Takasara

Updated: I have joined Twitter–FOR WORK. It’s great!

I don’t Twitter. The idea of joining flits through my mind on occasion. Especially when I see friends of mine posting Twitter feeds on their blogs. I fully embrace social networking and I’ve seen its immediate benefits in my life. Quite honestly I see the nations love affair with Twitter as nothing new. Before 140 character messages, there were just as many people with nothing important to say.

The time for me to Tweet has really passed. When I started P.E.A.C.E Scooter in ‘07, Tweeting might have alerted people to my website.

Then again, I write long blogs and that frightens people. One suggestion I heard from people repeatedly was, “write short posts,” or “don’t use too many big words.”

Really? So let me get this straight–if I want an even bigger audience, I have to dumb my posts down? What a tough spot to be in, as my ride was meant to involve everyone–we are all responsible for creating peace, after all. If you want to know where I am, well, check my website. I have a facebook group for P.E.A.C.E Scooter, facebook, myspace,  and a WEBSITE. Oh, and a fragmob account. I met a girl in San Diego who told me about fragmob. And it was fun! I could post a new photo to my website using fragmob. Kinda like a photographic Twitter.

I’ve postponed any deep resentment towards Twitter until I noticed the amount of Congressmen/women texting, during the Presidential address. How rude! Checkout this video from The Daily Show, where Old Man Stewart shakes his fist at this new technology and reports on some of the Senatorial Tweets that went through from the address.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Twitter Frenzy

Daily Show Full Episodes
Important Things With Demetri Martin

Political Humor
Joke of the Day

Christmas found me employed temporarily as a UPS driver’s helper. Kinda like an elf, I guess. Not sure if it was hard work, because I have a high threshold for pain and enjoy a challenge. The driver I worked with seem to think I was really good, and that yes, it is very hard work that few people can do.

I often surprise myself with the things I can accomplish. Yet when I place my accomplishments against my day to day mundane routines, I feel pretty inferior. When I’m really passionate about something, immersed in an environment, facing a deadline, or have a manager, I work hard. I shapeshift into a superhero if I need to, or if YOU need me to. It’s challenging for me to set certain goals and then do the necessary incremental work. I can easily distract myself and produce a justification to avoid something that just 24 hours prior meant the world to m

We had an daily average of 168 runs on our UPS route. That is 168 stops where I climbed out of the truck to walk a package up your driveway. Let’s not forget about the other 168 times that I jumped back into the truck. Not counting bathroom stops, wrong addresses and lunch breaks, I traversed those three steps at least 336 times in ten hours. Since Maine is similar to the North Pole in late December, we rode with the doors closed. So, with my right arm, at least 336 times, I opened and closed those doors that just can’t take enough grease. The door wasn’t THAT heavy, nor the steps too many. But at the end of the second day, I was doing heavy yogic breathing to open it. The repetition hurt muscles I have never used, nor likely to use ever again. I wonder if UPS drivers arm wrestle with their left arms?? After a couple of days, the pain went away.

I strengthened the muscle responsible for completing the repetitive motion of opening and shutting the door. My buttocks felt great. Eventually, I had a little energy at the end of each shift.

What could be different in our lives, if we had the same discipline and gumption to apply towards ourselves as we do to meet the demands of others? Are we willing to accept the initial exhaustion in order to condition ourselves? In our personal lives are we willing to stumble and try again, over and over, until we integrate a new way to speak or a positive habit? Are we willing to identify what is unhealthy for us–physically, emotionally, spiritually and then start eliminating those things? Even if it seems like a small action, step, or movement, do it enough times, and you will see change. For better, for worse.

How much money do you have in your bank account right now?
If it’s like mine, with just enough to pay for the upcoming rent and bills, with just enough left over to buy some generic brand groceries, then perhaps this video will interest you.
If your idea of being broke is asking your personal trainer to visit one less time in the week, well, God Bless and I encourage you to watch this video as well.

Day to day life is hard enough, ya? It’s even harder when all around you is the sound of our economy hitting the toilet bowl. With 3.6 million jobs already lost in such a short time, the job market is now literally an ocean, where super qualified P.H.D sharks and G.E.D, B.S. candidates are swimming together, competing for job positions.

Rachel Maddow has a refreshingly honest, informative commentary on the situation happening RIGHT NOW on Capitol Hill. Now is not the time to just isolate in one’s own daily struggle, now is the time to also be just as involved with what is happening in our politics.
Please watch:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Time for coffee talk.

Quickly percolating in the news is the most recent Consumer Reports taste test. CR pitted 19 coffees against one another to determine the best tasting brew.
Surprisingly, 8 O’Clock Coffee triumphed.

Eight O’Clock Coffee 100% Colombian (at a wallet-friendly $6.28 a pound), was judged the hottest ground coffee of all, winning CR’s “Best Combination of Taste and Price.” Testers raved that the coffee possesses “a complex blend of earthy and fruity, with a bright, pleasing sourness.”

I have an axe to grind here.
Eons ago, I use to enthusiastically start my afternoon with a cup of Folgers or Maxwell House, along with enough cream and sugar to make a quart of ice cream. Then I became more sophisticated, requiring whole beans. So I switched to 8 O’Clock Coffee.

Then I was hired at a local coffee roasters. After two cups of the real high test stuff, I was having trouble sleeping. My horizons totally opened. I couldn’t go back to Folgers or 8 O’Clock beans anymore. Not after trying Guatemalan Antigua, Vienna, Kona, French Roast, Italian Roast, Sumatra. These days I drink my coffee black. When you drink it black, quality is imperative.

I find it hard to believe that 8 O’Clock beans (although it isn’t too bad) would win a taste test, or that McDonald’s coffee was CR’s choice last year. These aren’t blind taste tests, by the way. Sure, CR’s website is advertisement free, but am I really to believe this whole taste test process is full of integrity? Not when McDonald’s coffee triumphs.

So maybe no money is exchanging hands, but what are the credentials of these tasters? Another thing bothering me is that each year, CR demonstrates a bias towards Starbucks. They complain about Starbucks coffees in general, but only sample one of them. Starbucks offers around 20 coffee choices. My point here, is not a defense of Starbucks, but more a critique of CR.

2007

Hoping that consumers are fed up with asking Starbucks for “double-caramel skim half-caf macchiato” before they’ve even had their jolt of joe, Burger King, Dunkin’ Donuts, and McDonald’s have been boosting their coffee cachet.

2009

Java junkies looking for bargains on great tasting joe might want to put that Starbucks Venti Caffe Americano on the back burner for now.

By the way, Venti Caffe Americano is not coffee. It’s espresso.
I don’t think Starbuck’s is the best coffee around. Certainly not. But CR is stepping away from it’s neutral stance and poking hot rods at Starbucks.

There are a few things to consider here. First, what qualities determine when something has the best value? Is it merely a reference to the consumer’s wallet? One mistake we tend to make as consumers is to neglect the long term cost of something.

For instance, coffee and strawberries are among the most heavily sprayed crops. This begets the necessity for organics, as far as I’m concerned. Especially when it comes to something I put in my body daily.
The cheaper your coffee, likely the more pesticides have been used on it. Studies have conclusively shown all of these substances increase free radical production. Your long term health is a factor in the purchase price equation.

Now, as a conscious consumer I also take into consideration the origin of my product. I determine it’s worth not on price alone, but price in addition to the labor source used to manufacture my product.

Do I want to start my day off with coffee that was harvested from a farm where the production is mostly chemical free and less detrimental to the farms occupants? Yes. Do I want my coffee from a manufacturer that gives to the community which makes the manufacturer rich? You bet I do.

Quite simply, I don’t just happily slurp down a low grade, pesticide ridden coffee from a company that stomps all over farmers in less developed countries. While Starbuck’s might not be the best out there, they have great sustainable programs in place and give back to their farmers. They clean up water sources in the communities and sink money into education. If any pesticides are used, there is a 24 hour restriction before farmers are allowed back on site.

Another disadvantage to all those other coffees (Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, McD’s) is that little of the sales money generated stays in your community. So if you have some dollars to spare, buy from the local shops. And if your budget is tight like mine, I recommend Nature’s Place Organic Dark Roast, at a low $3.35 for 11 0zs.
One of the best deals out there, for price, flavor, and ethos.

Salud!

I arrived home just in time for the dumping of about two feet of quality powder. The flights to and fro were actually rather unmemorable, other than almost missing three of them. I checked my baggage on the return trip, something I haven’t done in years. Or, shall I say, haven’t done since back in the day it was FREE. Now it is $15 to check one luggage.

If you are new here and want to read about the 07/08 trips, you have to dig around in the archives. It is my plan to re-organize this website so that those entries are easier to find and read continuously through.  Procrastinators, the leaders of the future, tomorrow.

Well, this entry is a bit personal. But as with all my writings, I offer it in hopes that it might find anyone who knows they can relate and perhaps provoke a person who needs to relate.

My father passed away January 23, at 4:50pm. The chaplain asked my Aunt and me to share with him some memories of my Dad and then I wound up actually reading at the funeral.

Only 34 years into my life seems quite young to loose a father. We do not predict nor plan for these events; especially not in the carefree, self-absorbed times of youth. Like when I was shark fishing off the pier with my father or hunting shells while at the beach with him.

I feel mortal now. At the same time, I feel free.
The past year brought me closer to my father and for this I give thanks and feel the most peace I could possibly feel, about our relationship.

This past year, traveling cross country on my scooter, I stopped in Jackson to visit him. I met his friends and spent the day with them. I volunteered to serve food at the shelter where he lived. I was asked to lead grace before the meal. I try not to speak in terms of God, but I believe in blessings and community. I looked up from what felt like an awkward grace and saw my Dads face glowing. Perhaps he was not there at many moments in my life, but he was there at some important ones.

It was a gift to care briefly for my father in his illness. It was a relief to know he was at home with my Aunt. His beautiful heart held so much respect for others. He did not seem to have this for himself, sadly, but he genuinely offered it to others.

He always took a moment to express gratitude for his caretakers; myself, my Aunt, doctors and nurses. His eyes expressed love for me. He received my calls with rather surprising joy for a man suffering so much. This lightened my heart.
The last embrace we shared, bending over his hospital bed, he hugged my neck as tightly as possible and said, “You don’t know how much you mean to me.”

But I did. I do. Finally.

One day, caring for him, I noticed a scar on his lower abdomen. That scar resulted in my life. He had a surgical procedure in order to bring into this realm. My mother had told me about this when I was younger and the knowledge made me uncomfortable. I went through a slight nihilist phase, wondering if I should be here–in a sense–without technology–I would not be. As I stared at his scar, recognizing the fragility of his life and the many struggles he failed to overcome–I gave silent thanks.

He gave me a precious chance, a gift. I realized the effort that went into my creation and understood the gravity that I make the best effort I can in this world. It was liberating.

This past summer, after visiting my father, I attended several teaching that the Dalai Lama offered. He spoke of the significance of life, not just measured by the totality of a man’s actions, but measured by his intentions.

My father had an awareness that he must improve his life, that he must stop drinking. It is an irony that over the counter medicine ruined his liver and ultimately killed him. He was taking so much of it to deal with the pain that drinking usually solved.

He had a kindness, a moral character and often helped strangers. He had a deep well of love for his family. He had many shortcomings, many failures. Had I known prior what kind of father he would be, or if I even had a choice in the matter, I might not have chosen him.

But this is Life, right?
I believe, too, that life is a measure of your intentions, your ability to dream, synthesize and intuit. I also believe discipline is an important vehicle.
But without it, the weight of a mans heart is no less, perhaps just his legacy.

I am thankful that my Fathers pain has been taken. I know he is finally at Peace. As am I, with my life, even my mortality, and my opportunity to learn from all that he taught me.
He is released

Leave a definition of Peace here today. Just click on Define Peace up there at the top.

Happy New President Day! I’ll be ‘Barack’ later with comments on this wonderful day.

Obama is a money machine.  Right now, I’m not interested in hearing about how Obama is attempting to run a public funded Washington. He can do that by raising taxes and saying No to lobbyists. Clears throat.

But PLEASE stop with the emails soliciting money. I gave you a bunch during the election. I volunteered my time. I don’t want to buy a Shepard Fairey inauguration poster, tshirt, or sticker of Obama. Thanks.

Not even if he signs them. And I don’t want to buy TWO at a cheaper price to float one for my friend. I was done when I bought Obama/Biden placards for everyone in the family….and it’s a big family.

I suspect Obama gets to sit on a pretty chunk of that money–we don’t even know how much is raised–do we?

If anyone needs a reminder–our economy sucks. I can’t find a job in Maine. I’m eating beans almost everyday, it helps with the heating bills.  I CAN’T AFFORD TO KEEP GIVING YOU MONEY OBAMA. Give me some!

Thankfully the snow held off as we began the long drive home to Maine from Virginia.

This morning I awoke to a fresh dusting of snow. We all appreciated the “heat wave,” that was underway in VA. We were able to have a nice picnic on the lawn at the McGuffy center in Charlottesville–in shortsleeves, nonetheless.

For now, back home, muddling through stuff to prepare for this exciting New Year ahead. I will post on some things this week, but for now I’m slogging through emails, work and laundry.

This spring Jan and John Atkinson hosted me in San Diego. I just received word from them that their son Rob died last week. He was crossing the road when a car hit him.

I did not know Robert, but I was blessed to share more life experiences with his parents, in just brief moments, than some people I’ve known my entire life. Their love of Robert helped to transmit his “being” to me, and I understood how incredible,  interesting, loving and dedicated this young man was. I even thought about him often and wondered if we would ever meet. I felt some connection to him, that surely had to do with the impression his parents made on me–but it was more than just that.

I hope you will join me in sending peace, strength and blessings to the Atkinsons.  I have learned enough in this life to know this Universe has its own mysterious balance, and many events within it do not seem kind, nor just. What helps us survive all the crazy in our world is our faith, and support from others.

Jan and Jon are the co-state coordinators for the Department of Peace. (DOP) Rob worked with the Student Peace Alliance (SPA)and hoped to work for the DOP. In lieu of flowers, please, consider a donation to the SPA in Rob’s name.

For more about Rob, please visit this memorial page his frat brothers have set up.

I’m dedicating “The Battle of Evermore,” to Rob, a Led Zeppelin song inspired by LOTR The Return of the King. Beautiful lyrics.

The by-ways, highways, routes, lanes, and country roads of America reflect a regions culture;  offer up stories to the traveler that can not be found on the interstates. Sure if you need to zoom along from point A to point B, jump on the slab. You will notice that in America, we share an overarching culture, consumerism. If you want guarantees, take the Interstate.

Familiarity is guaranteed. Off the Interstate’s spine clings all the big box stores, fast food joints and commercial hotels where Pakistani clerks name Joey hand you registration cards. Sometimes these consumerist landmarks are a blessing, when all you want is what you already know;  especially after a 400, 11 hour, scooter ride. On the other roads, people will wave to you from their front porch.

Today, tucked away in my road journal I found this (unused??) sheet of directions. I cringed. Note how I highlighted every other line, to make visibility easier. My poor Richards version of a GPS, secured by a donated map clip. Needless to say, I had a lot of patience with this system. Then Chad gave me his GPS in Seattle, but with only 3,000 miles of the trip left, out of 22,000.

However, in retrospect, the perpetual excitement to discover our country, with it’s many geographical and cultural surprises, far outweighed the irritation of always scribbling (or printing) 34+ lines of directions–just to complete a 150 mile drive.

Not much to say about Day 6 other than there is only one day left!

I’ve already started a new grocery list that will just increase the spending limit by about $5 each, if that. News of worse times ahead is the primary motivation, but I’ve also realized in this week what I can do without. I would much rather cut back on my expensive high octane caffeine intake, get my energy through exercise and have money left over for travel, emergency funds and luxuries. We can also live without the amount of wine/beer/chocolate/nuts that we always seem to buy.

Rationing butter and cheese has also brought awareness that we can cut back on our intake of those expensive items and still have delicious foods.

I’m still boggled about rising food costs. In Maine food costs are up more than 6.3% because oil price jumped this year. Even though oil prices have dropped, I doubt food prices will follow.

Here is the equation.
My income is < My expenses.
Credit is not available and I haven’t found a good job. Take our current recession into consideration and you can understand my fear and frustration.
Economically, there are tough times all around.  Well, except for John Thain, (and the other merry men of Wall St.) who is asking for a $10 million bonus–indicating his annual income must be over double digits.
Although taking the FSC was a school project, it will become a lifestyle until things improve. I’m not really disappointed, either. What winds up on my table is plenty more than in other countries. Sometimes, less is more.
“The less you eat the longer you live, so the more you get to eat.”

Despite going to the gym I didn’t have much of an appetite all day.

Breakfast
Oatmeal, fried egg

Lunch
Didn’t really have one. Just snacked on a carrot and leftover oatmeal cookies and popcorn.

Dinner
Potatoes and left over kale. Really scrumptious.

Follow this link for an article that claims $1 a meal is too little to live on in a day.

The comments accurately reflect the debate on poverty and government assistance.

The article was published in Maine. Something to consider is that with the price of oil rising so high earlier this year, the price of food has gone up. Here in Maine, we are pretty far away from CA and FL where the citrus and fruits grow in abundance. While oil has fallen, food price is likely to stay up. Food costs have risen by a minimum of 6.3% this year.

Today we had the family photo at the mall. Which consists of 12 people kicking Santa Claus out of his big chair and basically using the Christmas backdrop.   Afterwards, we did some window shopping. We aren’t spending any money this week, other than food, gas and bills. Our own personal motivation for accepting this FSC is to gain awareness of our food cravings and consumer expenses. With tight economic times we want to better identify what is a need versus a desire.

Smells of food cooking a noon filled the mall but didn’t really phase me. I was craving a double shot of espresso, was making rationalizations why I should have it and have it with an apple fritter. I then recognized that my little espresso ritual makes me happy and I don’t want to associate happiness with consumer purchases! So we came home and SHOCKING, I made popcorn. Then we cooked up a leftover black bean soup (it was thick) and spinach quesadilla.

The kid came home with McDonalds that her grandmother bought her (bad purchase). Both of our mothers have been worried about us since finding out that we are eating on a $21 weekly budget. They have both offered us money. It’s nice to feel coddled, and it’s kinda of funny that our moms can’t imagine eating for so little money. We are doing fine. The challenge is almost over.

Tonight was kale, lentils and rice. An argument earlier in the week about the categorization of peanut butter was forgotten when we both realized we could use it to make peanut butter oatmeal cookies. We used 2 TBS of peanut butter to make the cookies.

It was another day of savory food on a teensy budget.

Kale is super nutritious. It is more bitter than spinach, so kids don’t really like it. I use 1/4-1/2 cup of finely minced garlic. I saute the garlic in a blend of olive oil and sesame oil. After about 5 minutes I throw in a whole bunch (literally, a bunch) of kale, stems removed. Next, take sesame seeds and sprinkle them in the pot. It takes a big stockpot to do this. The water remaining on the kale from cleaning it helps blanch the garlic. Quickly throw on the lid and let it pressure steam for a 90 seconds. Turn the kale frequently to fully incorporate the garlic and sesame seeds. When it turns a nice, darker green and wilts down, pull it out of the pot immediately.

Breakfast
oatmeal. reheated potatoes with one egg, shared.

Lunch
Black bean and spinach quesadilla. Remaining Black beans and rice.

Snack
Popcorn

Dinner
Kale, lentils, and rice

Desert
Peanut butter oatmeal cookies.

Today I made black bean soup as our main dish. It was quite the time consuming venture. However, it was absolutely delicious.

Breakfast was oatmeal, of course. We had no official lunch after the gym. We reheated some of the left over potatoes with a fried egg on top. Popcorn, our most excellent staple, was made.

I had forgotten to soak the beans overnight and had to rely on the quick soak method. See cook’s tip at the bottom of the blog.

Friday was a day of cheating and rationalization. I used a stalk of celery in the soup and a jalapeno. At the beginning of the challenge we hid everything that was off limits in the fridge crispers. My recipe for the soup was a hybrid of two different recipes I found online.

The soup absolutely seduced my taste buds. It probably would have been just fine without the celery and jalapeno, but I felt ornery and used them. Our take on this challenge is that no one actually lives on food stamps for just one week. Had we the full monthly budget, we would be able to purchase little things like celery for soup stock. Doing this challenge within the vacuum of seven days is unrealistic–but so far we have (mostly) managed $1 a meal.

For some very savory meals too, I might add.
The soup was served over top of rice and a jalapeno cornbread would have perfectly complimented it.

After dinner we went to J&A’s to play Carcassonne. They offered us chip and pineapple/cream cheese dip. We accepted and ate them with gusto. Had we been at home, we wouldn’t have had them. We honestly didn’t care and believe that low income people probably accept free food. It’s ridiculous to think they wouldn’t.

There was a lot of discussion about the FSC and welfare.  I’ve still thinking my position through. A has worked with people on welfare for years and feel as though the system is abused. She notices a lot of entitlement from people on welfare and doesn’t see the gov’t aid as a catalyst to help people stand on their own, but rather a crutch.
Day3 meals
Breakfast
Oatmeal

Lunch
Potatoes with fried egg

Dinner
Black bean soup over rice

Recipe for black bean soup:
Produce sauteed in this order:
One yellow onion, medium size
4 cloves of garlic
1 carrot
1 celery stalk
1 jalapeno
*All produce finely chopped
I started beans cooking while veggies sauteed, because I was short on time
Transferred veggies after 15 mins., into bean pot
Added 4 TBS. of veggie stock
A bay leave would have been nice, but I didn’t have any
After one hour of cooking I added 1.5 TBS of cumin and chili powder
1TSP. white pepper

The soup took about 3 hours to cook, with a lot of stirring.
I removed 2/3 of the mixture and pureed it in my food processor, then returned it to the pot.
I added 1/4 cup tabasco and a pinch of cardamon.
About 4 TBS of lime juice
Then it simmered until beans were completely soft.

**cooks note**
Quick soak on beans
Cover beans in 3 inches of H2O. Bring to a boil and cook over moderate heat for 3 minutes. Take off heat, cover, and let set for an hour before boiling.

It’s getting late in the night, so this will be brief.
I woke up today really energized, not sure exactly why. I’m adapting to my new coffee brand. The oatmeal hasn’t grown old yet, even though it is longing for some fruit to keep it company.

Snacks and chocolate.
I went to the gym today and pushed myself a little harder than usual. I stopped off to buy some poster board for an art project and felt taunted by all the available chocolate;  so organized, so colorful. Dinner wasn’t ready when I arrived, but I snacked on a healthy carrot. The kid poked fun at us and our “weird” diet;  hers was the only plate with meat and steamed veggies.

I think the boost in energy has to do with the pride that we are doing this project. We are doing it fully, not just cheating behind your backs. I’m learning to let go of false desires. We do not need most of the food with which we stuff ourselves. Freeing myself from this behavior will allow me to be truly full. I don’t think that mindset is accomplished in one week, mind you. Food is both medicine and poison. Urges for it and over consumption of things with no value should be minded. Eating crappy food is the equivalent of bombarding yourself with too much TV.

We’re considering integrating this budget into our lives more permanently, just without all the other rules.
It feels great to put so much thought into what you put in your mouth and body.

D made rice pudding tonight. We were all frantic about having some chocolate, so we used our leftover dollar to buy the 88 cent chocolate bar we already had in our cabinet. Homemade rice pudding with a small piece of chocolate is one of the best desserts! WIthout the chocolate it cost under 1.00 to make about 6 big servings.

We had an arguement today over the status of butter. Is it a commodity or a condiment?
We spent $1.25 buying the half pound of butter.  But is it possible butter is a freebie? We tried to loosely define condiment as anything that you could find at the condiment station in a shop. Regardless, if we don’t refund our money for the butter, then we have reached our maximum expenditures.

We will be fine, though. Actually we will have a leftover surplus of oatmeal, rice, and black beans.

Day 3 meals
Breakfast
oatmeal

Lunch
Scrambled egg, cheese, and spinach burrito with sauteed onions, garlic and some hot sauce.

Snack
Popcorn. We finally got our Braggs Amino Acids back from J&A. If you’ve never tried it, you are missing out.
Carrot
Lentils and Rice

Dinner
Salad
Thinly sliced potatoes seasoned with cumin and dried red chilis. Delicious.

Dessert
Rice pudding with chocolate

**pics posted tomorrow

Well, with the end of Day 2 approaching, that means I only have 5 more days left drinking horrible coffee. Is that selfish? This is good training for an even worse economic climate or a social upheaval. I like to think I can live a life without dependence on substances–sugar, coffee, smokes, alcohol; things that don’t elevate ones consciousness.

So, the coffee isn’t all that horrible, but for an expert barista and coffee snob, it’s bad.

The food, however, is pretty decent.

I think some of our challenges are psychological. Knowing we can’t have things makes us crave them even more. Apparently, we snack a lot in the day, something to be more intentional about in the future. We decided nuts would have been a good investment, but then again, nuts are expensive. We really could have used a grocery/health food store with good bulk. Then we could have purchased small amounts of many different grains, falafel, hummus mixes and created more variety in our meals.

For hunger pains today we made a batch of popcorn in the hot air popper. A good investment at $20–requires no oil and doesn’t spike the gas/electricity bill as high as the stove top method. I felt famished around 7:30.  We took the kid to the Christmas parade and tree lighting. The aromas from all the restaurants almost rendered our resolve useless. But we conquered our cravings to duck in the local brewery.

Something interesting here.  Our original plan for today, from last week, was to invite the family over for a big chili dinner and then attend the parade together. We canceled because chili for others wasn’t in our budget. Also, D’s friend wanted to buy us a meal, or donate food to our cause. It would have been a great night to go out, I’ve been waiting to meet this particular family since August, and we had all the kids with us. The rules of the FSC state that you can’t accept freebies. Not even enticing, free coffee at the office or an innocent potluck.

Aren’t poor people resourceful? And social? Don’t people supplement food stamps with food banks? If I actually had a $84 budget for the month–you can bet I would be attending art openings, potlucks, soupkitchens and cruising Whole Foods for samples. Perhaps the logistics of social events are harder for low income families to manage?

Maybe the rules were put in place to prevent Congressmen from relying on their fancy luncheons, brunches and catered dinners?

Today I spent more money on the dogs food than I did for my weekly budget. Chocolate would top the night off nicely, along with some wine, but it is good for the spirit to go without. Sacrifice for awareness.

Day 2 meals
Breakfast
Oatmeal. No fruit like usual. Just ginger, cinnamon and clove spices.

Lunch
Hefty salad with cucumber, lentils from last night, carrots, cheese, and onion

Snack
Popcorn with soy sauce sprayed on (pump bottle)

Dinner
Cheese and sauteed spinach, garlic, onion and olive (condiment) quesadillas
Side dish lentils and rice from last night

See, that’s still better eats than millions of people will have. Give thanks!

I spent a lot of time in the grocery store today, making sure I was getting the best deals. I told the produce clerk about the challenge and he said that he spends $160 a month for two people. We discussed that it would almost be easier to do this over a months time, as I could spend more money on bigger quantities. For example, rice and potatoes.

Thankfully, Maine has no food tax;  people on food stamps also don’t pay food tax.

December 2

Breakfast:
oatmeal with cinnamon and brown sugar

Lunch:
Heaping salad and cornbread

Dinner:
Heaping bowl of rice, with matching amount of lentils. On top: sauteed spinach, garlic, and onion.

I’m really quite full. If I get any cravings, I have popcorn and a hot air popper. Not having snacks around will make you fall off the rail faster. Living on this budget can only be done by actually cooking, which is time consuming AND one is prone to have cravings while cooking. Popcorn is a good, cheap solution.

Purchases made for $40.61:

1 lb. bag Black Beans 1.89
1 lb. bag of lentil beans 1.89
8 flour tortillas 1.69
12 eggs 1.59
2 lb bag rice 2.13
42 oz quick oats 2.75
32oz popcorn 1.59
110zOrganic Coffee 3.39
1lb carrots 1.29
5lb potatoes 3.49
2 bulbs garlic 1.58
Cucumber .59
1 bunch of Kale 2.49
1lb yellow onion .99
large container spring mix 6.00
1 lb cheese 3.84
half lb butter 1.25
one apple .49
cornbread 1.73
***this is overestimated. We already had it around the house from Tday and Daphne insisted we eat it. It accounts for milk, egg and cornbread mixture.