Last day today, and I am almost sad that the challenge is completed, although I am really looking forward to my bucket of tea tomorrow morning.

Started this last day off with pancakes and bacon.

Then drove down to Bexhill to DD2’s, with, amongst other things, a pizza on a baking tray intended for my lunch. Didn’t take a picture, but it was similar to this one from yesterday’s dinner, only smaller.

Didn’t have my daily ration of 2 scones until I got back home at 6pm.

Then dinner was a glorious potage of everything that was left. The last 80g of bacon, half an onion, tiny bit of carrot, the last wedge of cabbage, 80g or so of lentils, 100g of tomato and the last of the soft cheese. It made a strange looking bowl, but it tasted really good.

I’ve learnt quite a bit more about frugal eating during these last 5 days and I will be using some of what I’ve learnt in future meal plans.

One of the things I learned was that it works well to work out a basket of goods to whatever amount you want to spend, for however many people, and however many days. Making sure there is a good mix of protein, veg and carb etc. and enough calories. Then eat that up over the next x number of days, a 7 day week perhaps, safe in the knowledge that there is enough veg, calories etc no matter what combination you cook up. Like my seeming over consumption of white flour and jam. Because I had worked out my basket had plenty of veg, protein and fibre, and not much fat, white pancakes and scones with jam every day were acceptable.

It has been interesting too from a dieting standpoint. Having worked out the shopping basket and that it was 2000 calories a day, if I wanted to use this way of shopping (and the budget could be whatever I wanted it to be, £5, £10 etc) all I would have to do is eat only those things that I had bought, and nothing else, and the dieting level, whatever that is, would be achieved with very little effort on working out calories.
Goodness, that was a long sentence wasn’t it! The calorie level could be whatever you want it to be of course, 1200, 1500, 1800 etc.

It’s been an interesting few days. Hopefully you have enjoyed the adventure too, and if you feel the effort and time involved deserve reward, maybe you could donate a few pounds to ActionAid, link on the sidebar. Or here

I, ActionAid and the women and girls helped by them would all appreciate it. 🙂