Day one

Last night my family and I were watching a show about people trying to eat local. We began talking and bouncing ideas around about something we could do that would challenge us and decided, as a family, to try to not eat out for one year. My oldest son, Camden, age 11 said he will miss onion rings the most, but was very happy when I said those can be made at home. Sajan, my youngest son, age 6 said he would miss pizza, then said "oh, we can make that, too. Then I will miss the toys from the happy meals." I had to laugh. I know that I won't miss paying $7 for a half edible meal from a fast food restaurant.

I went grocery shopping the other day and fought with myself about spending 30 cents more for a name brand then the store brand but when we talking about our idea of not eating out it hit me like a ton of bricks! I will spend $30 at a sub shop for 4 meals that I could make at home for around $10 but will stand in the grocery store fighting with myself about 30 cents...that is stupid!

I also am usually disappointed when we eat out. My husband and I are good cooks and when we eat out the food is usually mediocre and then I get upset that I spent money on something that just wasn't good and would have been so much better homemade.

So, here are the rules we have come up with.
1. no spending money on food from a restaurant. (restaurant gift cards are usually given to the children for Christmas or at Halloween and we didn't want the children to feel like this is a punishment so those are usable. )
2. no drinks from restaurants at all including coffee.
3. no pre-made meals from grocery store either

I am sure we will modify those rules and change things along the way but...here we go.

Today's meals are, egg cheese sandwiches for breakfast, pb and j for lunches with grapes and veggie beef soup which is being made in the crockpot for dinner tonight with homemade rolls.