Hi Friends!
I have some exciting news to share with you guys to kick off the week! As you guys know, I’m a Fitfluential Ambassador and with that comes the opportunity to do some really cool things. One of those cool things is the challenge I’m going to share with you today!
I was selected, along with 9 other Ambassadors to participate in a challenge sponsored by Anytime Fitness. Tomorrow there will be an interview with the CEO of Anytime Fitness published on the Fitfluential blog that talks more about the challenge, but the basic premise is this:
I’m being given $70 to shop for and purchase enough food to feed the hubby and me 3 meals a day for 7 days. That’s $35 a week per person…or $5 a day.
This equates to the average amount you would receive if you were participating in the SNAP program (formerly called Food Stamps). The budget is adjusted for ambassadors based on family size.
We’re being challenged to:
- Stay within our budget
- Share our meals with you via instagram/twitter/facebook
- Show you guys that you can cook healthy, nutritious meals on a tight budget
You guys know I LOVE sharing healthy meals with you and I am SO PUMPED for this challenge! But guess what? There’s a kicker! Anytime Fitness is going to select 2 of the 10 ambassadors as winners of the challenge at the end of the 7 days and they will donate $1,000 to the food pantry of our choice!
Amazing, right?!
Winners will be chosen based on the number of likes, shares, tweets etc they receive via social media, as well nutrition and creativity!
Some of you guys might remember the post I wrote earlier this year called 5 Reasons to Volunteer that included a section at the end about my favorite food pantry in Columbus. I’ve always held a special place in my heart for food pantries and have volunteered at several over the years. I would LOVE to win this challenge and be able to give that $1,000 to the food pantry at the Mid Ohio Food Bank!
But I need help from you guys! The challenge starts Wednesday so I would love your support in liking and sharing my pictures/tweets/etc!
I also want to extend this challenge to all of you!
Do you think you could survive on $35 a week and still eat some healthy, delicious meals? I’d love to have some of you join me in this challenge!!! If you decide to join in, I want to hear all about your journey! Tweet me your thoughts, tag me in your pictures, show me your grocery list…are you up for it?
Tomorrow I’ll be shopping for our groceries for the week! I already have my menu plan mostly figured out… but there are still a few spots I’m working on. Wanna help?! Let me know what you think I should be eating. I’d love to hear your suggestions for cheap and healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners! Do you regularly shop on a strict grocery budget? Do you have any tips for me?
Let’s hear it!
–Lindsay–
OMG!! What a fun/scary challenge!!!!!! I am sure you can do it…can’t wait to hear your updates!
I love this challenge idea!! Everyone always says eating healthy is so expensive. This challenge will be a great way to show people it’s do-able. I like beans, eggs (organic if possible…but they’re more pricey), oats, rice, quinoa, and fresh fruits and veggies from the farmers market. If you have a Publix, their brand is cheaper and guaranteed which is super nice. Stonyfield and I think Express bagged lettuce have coupons online too. 😉 Good luck!!!
Wow! What a seriously cool challenge…I can’t wait to see how you do. I’d like to try that on my own. Breakfasts are easy – oatmeal and such. Eggs are a cheaper dinner alternative and using frozen vegetables.
I LOVE this challenge too. and Im crazy prideful enough 🙂 to think I maybe could do it?
Whew – that would be a challenge! The bf and I buy our groceries separately and we spend just at $50 a week, each. Almost 90% of our haul is fresh produce though so it would be hart to trim it down a lot, but I’m sure we could get to at least $40!
How cool! Rice, lentils, beans, frozen vegies, oats. I think it will hard to have as much variety. Interested to see!!
This is such a fabulous idea but quite the challenge! I would say focus on frozen veggies with no added ingredients! They’re often cheaper! Also bulk nuts and beans are usually pretty inexpensive!
This is amazing!! My advice would be to buy a couple bags of beans… You could get a whole pound for like a buck.. I know you do that anyway, but now would be crucial!! Can’t wait to hear about this and itz awesome about the donations!!
wow, what a challenge! would love to join you but unfortunately, i already went grocery shopping for the week. i’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with though 😀
I have to confess… I saw this challenge and didn’t sign up because I didn’t think I could do it with all the protein I need to training. I can’t wait to see how you manage. Load up on those sweet potatoes!
Can you use veggies from your own garden? What about pantry staples (that you don’t purchase each week)? It would be a fun challenge, I think. I have quite a bit of food already down in the freezer so I don’t always need to buy that much in a week. How do you factor that in?
I was considering signing up for that challenge, too! It would be difficult, for sure. I’ll be curious to see how it goes for you! I second what others have said- eggs, dried beans, rice, oats, bananas, carrots, maybe potatoes? Produce will be tricky. Good luck!
This is a great, realistic challenge. So many consumers could use this experience and the nutritional advice that comes with “eating healthy.” I would say to not buy anything pre-bagged, such as carrot sticks, lettuce mix, etc. Typically, you can get more for less money when you chop it yourself. Also, eggs for dinner is easy and cheap! 🙂 Good luck in your challenge!
I took on a similar challenge at in my house & with friends back in January
http://www.veggiegirlcooks.com/2012/01/challenge.html
$4.23 a day
Wow! That sounds tough! Good luck and I can’t wait to read about how you do!
beans, quinoa, veggies…can easily be done 🙂
buy in bulk too, that helps..
Totally going to try this with you! Better stock up on dried beans, oats, rice, and veggies!
I live on a fixed budget because I am a beneficiary of the SNAP program but everything that I buy is healthy food. It is a challenge but it can be done! I really enjoy your posts and pictures. They really help me see that there is a lot that can be done for eating healthy.
My husband and I regularly spend between $50-75 per week. Some awesome tips to keeping the budget to $30-50 or even less?
Rice is your best friend
So are beans.
You can make a lot of meals out of beans, tortillas, rice, lettuce, and some fruit that will last more than a few days (i.e. berries, bananas, apples, etc.).
Good luck! You can do it. 🙂
for sure! good thing we like mexican 🙂
I love this challenge and think that you will totally rock it. Can’t wait to see what you come up with and support you!
The Mid Ohio Food Bank is awesome! When I lived in Columbus & taught, I actually made a couple of trips there with my students to volunteer. I will definitely be tweeting & sharing your posts to help you win! 🙂 Good luck!
I love this post! And believe it or not, our weekly grocery haul is usually between $70-80 for both of us. Closer to $70 now that I’ve been doing a lot more protein shakes for snacks.
totally awesome! you rock!
I LOVE THIS IDEA! I am with ya on this!! GO Linds!
I love the idea of this challenge — food/groceries is the one area where I have a really, really hard time staying on budget but it really comes down to self-control and planning. I am really looking forward to seeing how you do and getting some tips from you. I promise I’ll be <3 all your pics!
thanks girl!
Love this challenge, I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
I am so looking forward to following you and our fellow FitFluential Ambassadors as you take on the challenge. In addition to raising important awareness about the cost of food and the reality of hunger in the US, I am sure we’ll get some great menu ideas from you all. 🙂
so important! i can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!
Such a cool concept! I love this. You get to show people you CAN eat healthy and balanced at a reasonable price. heck, I feed a family of 4 for that much each week.
and that’s why you are THE WOMAN!
This is awesome, Lindsay! I’ll be tuning in, for sure. I spend SO much $$$ on groceries, so I’ll be looking for some tips 🙂
I think it is great Lindsay! I would love to know what a family of 5 would need to survive on? Do kids count for the $35 per week, or do they need slightly less?
This would be a great challenge to try!
i’m not sure what the adjusted numbers but i’m sure some of the bloggers participating will have kids so you should be able to find out!
I don’t know about where you live, but here our local supermarket almost always has at least one brand of pasta on sale for less than a dollar a box. The whole wheat is just slightly more. But a box of pasta, whole or refined, can certainly go a long way in bulking up a veggie-based meal. Rice, too!
I posted twice and now I don’t know how to delete it! Sorry!
I don’t know about where you live, but here our local supermarket almost always has at least one brand of pasta on sale for less than a dollar a box. The whole wheat is just slightly more. But a box of pasta, whole or refined, can certainly go a long way in bulking up a veggie-based meal. Rice, too!
for sure! i think i’m gonna use rice but if i was doing this on a consistent basis i would definitely alternate
I think I have a big advantage on a vegan diet (having seen the price of quality meat, eggs, etc.). I love the $1000 donation! What great incentive.
I will do some of my buying at Costco (including produce) and that works well for me in saving money. I also am one of those people that tends to eat the same thing often.
Are you allowed to use your current ingredients in the house? Or only what you buy that week. I know I would buy oatmeal. 🙂
i love costco!!
This is an amazing challenge!!! I will of course support you and am so excited to see how you do it!!!
thank you!!
Oh, you’ve got my attention on this one! 😉 With me being a SAHM and with us moving out to the country, we’re going to have to survive on fewer grocery runs and I’m trying to cut down on how much $$ we spend! (And couponing. Woo. lol)
I know you can do it. I have actually started cooking really healthy and I have noticed that yes its more expensive, but it last longer. It works! lol Good Luck. Oh and you should totally make black bean burgers, simple, easy, and super cheap. 1 67cent can makes for patties, yes please!
they’re on my list!!
Super excited so see what you come up with!
DANG! $35 is about how much I spend on produce alone, hah! You can do it!!
Advice:
– organic frozen veggies- cheaper, especially things like spinach
– “no salt added” beans- whole foods 365 brand is 89 cents at my store!
– go to Costco/Sams/Walmart for some of your groceries- I usually get my yogurt, milk, oats, tea, cereal, etc. there and it is SO much cheaper- sometimes $1 cheaper for the SAME greek yogurt!
You’re going to do awesome! Can’t wait to see your posts/hear stories 🙂
costco has some GREAT deals for sure!
I would die. I spend like $100 a week on just me!
This is such a great challenge! It will definitely help everyone who is trying to better budget their money, yet stay healthy. Processed foods are so much cheaper. I saw my someone using food stamps for the first time. It was frustrating for me to watch this mother choose for her kids to have a mixed bag of chips and pretzels over her putting back a half drank 20 oz Pepsi (still have no idea why they let her not purchase it), bagels, and cream cheese because she didn’t have enough money on her card. I wanted to strangle her and tell her to put that money to better use by buying something so much healthier and more worth her money than what she was buying. Then it got me thinking about how much money they actually got and what I would be able to eat from it–and still be happy/satisfied.
i feel the same frustration in the grocery store! hopefully this challenge will give everyone some good ideas!
This is a great challenge. As someone who has been on SNAP before, I can attest that it is really hard sometimes to make it work! If you have an Aldi near you…hit. it. up. Admittedly, you’re not going to get organic stuff, but they have some of the best produce on the cheap that I have found.
aldi definitely has some great deals!
I can’t wait to see how you do this!!!
Seriously??? $35!!! If you do this, I will be astounded and will need to COPY!! I work for a non profit and money is ALWAYS tight! Oh you have just inspired to me to do my best to keep it down! GOOD LUCK!!
In regards to tips? check the ads for sales on foods that you commonly eat, go frozen and seasonal for vegetables… I try to make as much as i can on Sunday afternoon for easy reheating?? Maybe having meals prepared for the week will reduce how often you go shopping M-F???
i’m definitely doing a lot of prep work tonight to help me get ready!
Great challenge! I was wondering about kids also. Do they still get the $35/week? I look forward to reading your recaps.
i’m not sure what the adjusted amount is for bigger families. i’m sure some of the other bloggers participating will have more than 2 people in the family!
Now that our garden is growing in full force, my husband and I have challenged ourselves to $5 per day for BOTH of us for the month of July (really we’ve only had to buy protein and the occasional extra). So far it’s been challenging to say the least, but my budget is happy and I’m making lots of extra space in my pantry!
that’s amazing! the hardest part for me about this challenge is not being able to use anything from my well-stocked pantry except oil and spices!
Ahhh I just caught up with my reader. I’m doing this too! So excited! Lets cheer each other on 😀 <3
for sure, girl! let’s rock this!
I love this!!! Can’t wait to reach about it!
Read***
I am so excited to follow this series. My grocery bill each week is outrageous. I can easily pop into the store for “a few items” and spend well over $50. I need a redesign and fast.
hope this helps you out!!
What a great challenge! I like the Everyday Food magazine for inspiration for cheap meals.
ooh i’ll have to check that out!
Fabulous idea! Really looking forward to seeing how you get on. I recently did a three part guide on very simply getting the most out of one chicken which might be helpful. With little effort and minimal ingredients, I got four meals – ten portions in total – plus a tray of super-rich chicken stock. Having the choice is wonderful, but every now and then being forced to cut the food budget can make you really creative!
if you eat meat, a whole chicken is definitely the way to go in my opinion! so much cheaper!!
Think this is a great idea – I look forward to following along! As for what to buy, eggs, beans and lentils are always pretty cheap and fairly versatile? And veggies that you can use for lots of different dishes – mushrooms, peppers, carrots etc. so you can keep using them and not get bored! Good luck!
great idea! versatile veggies for the win!
What a challenge … Best of luck to you 🙂
this is a great idea maybe the people administering snap will realize how hard this is one factor you never mentioned was the persons health or special dietary needs. i get snap and am a cancer survivor and diabetic and have high blood pressure too many beans are very gassy for many people. also good luck with your challenge will be following you daily
very true! i’m lucky to have no real dietary restrictions except for the fact that the hubby and i have made the personal choice not to eat meat. It would definitely be more challenging to accommodate dietary restrictions.
I love this idea ! You are perfect for it too and do creative with your foods! Love watching it ‘live’ on instagram!
This is a great challenge! Can’t wait to see how it pans out.
This is a really cool challenge! As a recent college graduate I pretty much live this challenge, but it’s really cool to show people that you can be healthy even on a tight budget!
I saw this and had to put in my 2 cents! I am a college student and provide for myself for the most part, (I pay tuition, food, and basically everything but rent), and when I first started college, I spent way too much on food. I eat pretty healthy for a college student, mostly eggs, lean meats, and fresh vegetables, and I might spend $45 every 2 weeks on food. I shop at Kroger’s ( I’m not sure they have those outside of Texas) and have a customer card and save $5-10 every trip. Yay for healthy food at cheap prices! It can be done, it just takes a lot of planning! Before every trip, I go through the ads I get in the mail and the “digital” coupons online through Kroger and make a pretty specific list and try not to deviate from it. It makes grocery shopping a little longer, but its worth it!
that’s great to hear! i did my challenge shopping at kroger as well. they have some great deals! good for you for eating healthy! keep it up!