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automan
blasted chipmunk


Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 8,272
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How Little, Really?
#18382339 - 06/07/13 09:49 AM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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I am starting an experiment today to see just how little I can survive on money-wise, in terms of food.
My Requirements:
- I must get at least 1200 calories a day
- Lunch must include a meat course at least five days a week
- Dinner must include a meat course at least six days a week
- I may accept a free meal (someone offers to take me to lunch or a Sunday dinner at my family's house) no more than once a week
Exceptions:
- Balanced, healthy meals are not a requirement in this experiment.
- I may use foods in my pantry that I already have. I have a few cans of cream of mushroom soup, 4 cans of black beans, a can of enchilada sauce, 2 cans of green peas, 3 cans of crowder peas, a small jar of peanut butter, some pancake syrup, a quarter jar of grape jelly, olive oil, non stick PAM, 2 sicks of butter, soy sauce, spices, a bag of tortillas, 2 frozen chicken breasts, and flour... that's it. When I have to replace them, those prices are included in this experiment
- Alcohol. The price of alcohol won't go towards this experiment, but neither will the calories
- Kids' food. My children's meals will not count in the monetary total, but they will also not eat from my cache.
I am taking $25 to Walmart today to see what I can get for it. My idea is to get the biggest bag of rice that I can find, red potatoes for boiling, chicken for cooking and freezing, and oatmeal for breakfast. I'm staying away from Ramen for now. They are just too high in sodium for me.
For lunches, I plan on steaming a big pot of rice and putting 200g into zip lock bags with 100g of cooked chicken. For lunch, I will empty one into a skillet with some hot olive oil going, add a bit of soy sauce, and make fried rice. For dinners, I'll premake boiled red potatoes and cooked chicken, putting 250g potatoes and 100g of chicken into tupperware containers with some english or crowder peas. Breakfast will be oatmeal.
I'll update this main post as I go. This experiment will end August 1st.
**************************************************************************************************
$25 almost exactly spent
Food Purchased and lunches made for today, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
Purchased

Started 2 cups of dry rice with almost 4 cups of water

I cut up 2 of the smaller chicken breasts and put the rest in zip locks

I froze the ones I'm not using. In this system, I'll pull from the right and put new chicken in on the left.

I put the cut chicken in the skillet with Mrs Dash Rotisserie spice and pepper

I covered it to cook. I won't ever flip it.

Here the chicken in cooked

I finished at the same time as the rice

Layed everything out with the scales I'm using

I want 200g of rice and 100g of chicken

Here are lunches for the next 3 days

I didn't want to waste the juices left over from cooking the chicken so I added the remaining rice and chicken and made fried rice for today's lunch

It turned out delicious!

Next up it to boil some red potatoes and cook more chicken to make dinners for the next few days
***************************************************************************************************
I just finished making the dinners.
Boiling the potatoes

Cooking more chicken

After doling everything out, I put it all in the bottom of the fridge. The lunches are in bags and the dinners in containers
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TheBoomking
I really am Bret McKenzie



Registered: 01/21/11
Posts: 836
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: automan] 1
#18382379 - 06/07/13 10:00 AM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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seems like a cool scientific experiment, just for fun?
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NWlight
Just look


Registered: 01/12/10
Posts: 18,686
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lots of bacon and eggs. Cheap and great source of protein/ calories.
bananas are cheap too
--------------------

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gg2013
Traveller


Registered: 05/17/13
Posts: 44
Loc: United States
Last seen: 8 years, 9 months
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: NWlight]
#18382390 - 06/07/13 10:06 AM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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I tried something similar awhile back..I couldn't do it tho, by mid afternoon I'd be starving and miserable at work haha
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automan
blasted chipmunk


Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 8,272
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: NWlight]
#18382395 - 06/07/13 10:08 AM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
TheBoomking said: seems like a cool scientific experiment, just for fun?
Just curious, yeah
Quote:
NWlight said: lots of bacon and eggs. Cheap and great source of protein/ calories.
bananas are cheap too
Bananas are $0.59/lb here. I want to buy one soon and weigh the actual banana outside of the peel to see the real cost of one. I'll definitely be getting eggs soon. They are great in fried rice.
-------------------- No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
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ModestMouse
IM WALKIN ON SUNSHINE



Registered: 05/06/13
Posts: 19,227
Loc: Upstate
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: automan] 2
#18382453 - 06/07/13 10:26 AM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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Pb&J and sunflower seeds.
-------------------- Anyone got a lowpass filter in this biiiiash?
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Sell Your Soul
Nutmeg shaman


Registered: 03/15/00
Posts: 40,819
Loc: Over there
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: automan] 3
#18382468 - 06/07/13 10:30 AM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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Quote:
automan said: I am starting an experiment today to see just how little I can survive on, in terms of food.
My Requirements:
- I must get at least 1200 calories a day
- Lunch must include a meat course at least five days a week
- Dinner must include a meat course at least six days a week
- I may accept a free meal (someone offers to take me to lunch or a Sunday dinner at my family's house) no more than once a week
Exceptions:
- Balanced, healthy meals are not a requirement in this experiment.
- I may use foods in my pantry that I already have. I have a few cans of cream of mushroom soup, 4 cans of black beans, a can of enchilada sauce, 2 cans of green peas, 3 cans of crowder peas, a small jar of peanut butter, some pancake syrup, a quarter jar of grape jelly, olive oil, non stick PAM, 2 sicks of butter, soy sauce, spices, a bag of tortillas, 2 frozen chicken breasts, and flour... that's it. When I have to replace them, those prices are included in this experiment
- Alcohol. The price of alcohol won't go towards this experiment, but neither will the calories
- Kids' food. My children's meals will not count in the monetary total, but they will also not eat from my cache.
I am taking $25 to Walmart today to see what I can get for it. My idea is to get the biggest bag of rice that I can find, red potatoes for boiling, chicken for cooking and freezing, and oatmeal for breakfast. I'm staying away from Ramen for now. They are just too high in sodium for me.
For lunches, I plan on steaming a big pot of rice and putting 200g into zip lock bags with 100g of cooked chicken. For lunch, I will empty one into a skillet with some hot olive oil going, add a bit of soy sauce, and make fried rice. For dinners, I'll premake boiled red potatoes and cooked chicken, putting 250g potatoes and 100g of chicken into tupperware containers with some english or crowder peas. Breakfast will be oatmeal.
I'll update this main post as I go. This experiment will end August 1st.
It's possible to get adequate food for a little amount of money, but then you'll end up getting those same items over and over again, you'll get sick of them and want to change, which would increase your spending requirements.
If you really wanted to save money, you could go fishing (catch fish for free), grow a garden (edible vegetables for free other than the cost to plant), etc. Depends how much effort you're willing to put into this.
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automan
blasted chipmunk


Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 8,272
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Quote:
Sell Your Soul said:
It's possible to get adequate food for a little amount of money, but then you'll end up getting those same items over and over again, you'll get sick of them and want to change, which would increase your spending requirements.
We'll see
Quote:
If you really wanted to save money, you could go fishing (catch fish for free), grow a garden (edible vegetables for free other than the cost to plant), etc.
That's not available to me.
-------------------- No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
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TheBoomking
I really am Bret McKenzie



Registered: 01/21/11
Posts: 836
Last seen: 4 years, 9 months
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Quote:
Sell Your Soul said:
Quote:
automan said: I am starting an experiment today to see just how little I can survive on, in terms of food.
My Requirements:
- I must get at least 1200 calories a day
- Lunch must include a meat course at least five days a week
- Dinner must include a meat course at least six days a week
- I may accept a free meal (someone offers to take me to lunch or a Sunday dinner at my family's house) no more than once a week
Exceptions:
- Balanced, healthy meals are not a requirement in this experiment.
- I may use foods in my pantry that I already have. I have a few cans of cream of mushroom soup, 4 cans of black beans, a can of enchilada sauce, 2 cans of green peas, 3 cans of crowder peas, a small jar of peanut butter, some pancake syrup, a quarter jar of grape jelly, olive oil, non stick PAM, 2 sicks of butter, soy sauce, spices, a bag of tortillas, 2 frozen chicken breasts, and flour... that's it. When I have to replace them, those prices are included in this experiment
- Alcohol. The price of alcohol won't go towards this experiment, but neither will the calories
- Kids' food. My children's meals will not count in the monetary total, but they will also not eat from my cache.
I am taking $25 to Walmart today to see what I can get for it. My idea is to get the biggest bag of rice that I can find, red potatoes for boiling, chicken for cooking and freezing, and oatmeal for breakfast. I'm staying away from Ramen for now. They are just too high in sodium for me.
For lunches, I plan on steaming a big pot of rice and putting 200g into zip lock bags with 100g of cooked chicken. For lunch, I will empty one into a skillet with some hot olive oil going, add a bit of soy sauce, and make fried rice. For dinners, I'll premake boiled red potatoes and cooked chicken, putting 250g potatoes and 100g of chicken into tupperware containers with some english or crowder peas. Breakfast will be oatmeal.
I'll update this main post as I go. This experiment will end August 1st.
It's possible to get adequate food for a little amount of money, but then you'll end up getting those same items over and over again, you'll get sick of them and want to change, which would increase your spending requirements.
If you really wanted to save money, you could go fishing (catch fish for free), grow a garden (edible vegetables for free other than the cost to plant), etc. Depends how much effort you're willing to put into this.
good idea, but I don't think thats what the op's going for here. its not so much about saving money as it is about seeing if he/she can do this somewhat of a scientific experiment
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badchad
Mad Scientist

Registered: 03/02/05
Posts: 13,372
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: automan]
#18382583 - 06/07/13 10:57 AM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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Sounds pretty horrible to me. I'd be starving with only 1200 calories/day.
Fasting/starvation diets are no fun at all.
-------------------- ...the whole experience is (and is as) a profound piece of knowledge. It is an indellible experience; it is forever known. I have known myself in a way I doubt I would have ever occurred except as it did. Smith, P. Bull. Menninger Clinic (1959) 23:20-27; p. 27. ...most subjects find the experience valuable, some find it frightening, and many say that is it uniquely lovely. Osmond, H. Annals, NY Acad Science (1957) 66:418-434; p.436
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Distorted Vision
The best. Of the worst.



Registered: 07/30/09
Posts: 4,292
Loc: Indiana
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: badchad]
#18382916 - 06/07/13 12:18 PM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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I dont know how much bananas are here, but when I buy 5-6 good sized bananas its around 1.60 or so.
--------------------
"Yo yo just here to spread my clit and show ya'll what a wonderful and free being we are all inside lets take the acid and turn inside into the outside come on over baby lets smell the roses ohh ohh come on we're about to get lit show my undies to your baby I'll hug it down three times go around frown come on we aint a nice clown kiss me upside down down down come on sorry if you cant handle my wokeness come on lets take her panties off write shroomery on my asshole and taste it lick it make if feel like we was 1978 come on baby lets do the locamotion"-Twig dude
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automan
blasted chipmunk


Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 8,272
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The main post has been updated
-------------------- No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
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automan
blasted chipmunk


Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 8,272
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: automan]
#18383064 - 06/07/13 12:53 PM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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So I did the math. It looks like I should be able to get almost a month and a half out of this bag of rice. That'll give me breathing room to make a casserole dish full of enchiladas next week!
-------------------- No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
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automan
blasted chipmunk


Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 8,272
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: automan]
#18383279 - 06/07/13 01:45 PM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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Just updated again. All the meals through Monday have been made.
-------------------- No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
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Distorted Vision
The best. Of the worst.



Registered: 07/30/09
Posts: 4,292
Loc: Indiana
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: automan]
#18383289 - 06/07/13 01:49 PM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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Goodluck man!
--------------------
"Yo yo just here to spread my clit and show ya'll what a wonderful and free being we are all inside lets take the acid and turn inside into the outside come on over baby lets smell the roses ohh ohh come on we're about to get lit show my undies to your baby I'll hug it down three times go around frown come on we aint a nice clown kiss me upside down down down come on sorry if you cant handle my wokeness come on lets take her panties off write shroomery on my asshole and taste it lick it make if feel like we was 1978 come on baby lets do the locamotion"-Twig dude
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zpores
MycoAngelo~



Registered: 11/30/10
Posts: 224
Last seen: 10 years, 5 months
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I would be curious as to your stats, I mean doing this as a 300 pound man is totally different than doing it as a 125 pound man with no muscle.
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Murph

Registered: 04/06/13
Posts: 1,678
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: zpores] 2
#18383308 - 06/07/13 01:57 PM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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Damn that seems like a recipe for severe constipation if you don't add some fruit, veg or beans in there.
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automan
blasted chipmunk


Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 8,272
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: zpores]
#18383309 - 06/07/13 01:57 PM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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That's a very good point.
I'm 6'4", maybe 230lbs, and relatively strong. I haven't been on the scales in a very long time, though.
-------------------- No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
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Sophistic Radiance
Free sVs!



Registered: 07/11/06
Posts: 43,135
Loc: Center of the Universe
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Re: How Little, Really? [Re: automan]
#18383313 - 06/07/13 01:58 PM (10 years, 7 months ago) |
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Big difference between limiting calories and limiting nutrients. If you're adequately supplying yourself with fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, calories become somewhat moot. In fact, recent studies show that regular "calorie restriction" extends lifespan. I tabbed it up recently and I know myself I almost never eat my daily recommendation of calories, but I'm careful to get my nutrients so I'm pretty damned healthy. I don't know why we even have calorie requirements, I get the impression those are made-up as an excuse to tell somebody who eats a good diet they'd be healthier if they ate a candy bar. 
This should not be taken as an endorsement of absurd "fasting cleanses" like that lemon juice shit. People who do that are crazy, they deserve everything that's coming to them.
-------------------- Enlil said: You really are the worst kind of person.
Edited by Sophistic Radiance (06/07/13 02:03 PM)
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Tripsurfer
Bring Back Asante!



Registered: 08/01/12
Posts: 7,129
Loc: West of Windward
Last seen: 3 months, 27 days
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You should get some Sambal. Dry rice is the worst!
-------------------- Ach en wee ben ik de klos, met mijn boog schoot ik een albatros... A philosopher is a person who knows less and less about more and more, until he knows nothing about everything.

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