An Experiment or For Real - Lifestyle Changes are For REAL

Arrival of eggs - 24 hours in transit

Almost a year and a half ago, I set out to lose a little weight - for real.  I was beyond what type of diet would work best to drop a few pounds quickly and I really needed to drop a few pounds forever.   I chose the low carb way because it was recommended by my doctor and after a few weeks of doing it, it was EASY.

A lot of things in life we do because they are easy and quick.   A lot of times, when we set out to do things in that manner, we do them unprepared.  That unpreparedness leads us to sporadic and likely not lasting results.  My 20 lb weight loss goal moved to be a 47 lb goal after I had managed to make the diet a lifestyle change.  Now at a 50 lb weight loss, I do have the feeling that I can achieve anything.

Unpacking - Did they make it!?

I can change my life in some pretty drastic and unimaginable ways and be successful and HAPPY.   It all depends upon how I set out to define both the successful and the happy.  Weight loss is great. Not having a job is not so great and now, I'm redefining myself in a way I did not think would be possible or in a way in which I could possibly be happy.

One of the goals I have is that I am only going to do things I truly enjoy for the next 15 years.   That's quite the statement when I have two kids who are in Jr. High and Elementary school.   I realized the only way I was going to be happy in my career would be to surround myself with those efforts.  I was never ever going to be able to replace my past position which was incredible in allowing me to do all relatively good things with an extremely exceptional and wonderful community of like minded folks.

What this means for me is an extreme hit to the bottom line.  After an analysis of my personal costs and what I had access to, I realized I wasn't so bad off and if I did a few key things in the right way....I'd be fine, maybe even happy.  I just didn't know if those that have no option but to follow me would think so.  I'm going to share just one of the major efforts I've undertaken to change my overall lifestyle.  The food budget.

Why the heck is there a picture of bubble wrapped eggs on this particular blog?  It's because I brought them with me on my vacation.  A vacation planned YEARS before I ever set out to lose a few pounds.  A vacation that was essentially paid for and perhaps today, doesn't fit my new lifestyle but one I am determined to make not only a great vacation - but one which will lead the way for how I live my life going forward - No matter how poor or wealthy I may find myself.

Looking good....

Since we had 1 free bag check per flyer...I thought what the heck...I 'll packed the eggs in my checked luggage.   Yep, 18 eggs.  Along with almost everything else in my fridge and freezer at the time.  Where we are staying - we have a full kitchen and inside laundry.  I figured if they didn't make it...I'd be doing a lot of laundry.  I had looked into buying groceries at our destination and it would be pretty expensive and more importantly would take away time from our experience.  I planned we would bring enough for breakfasts, most dinners and the occasional lunch. By the time I was finished, I had two luggage bags full of 80 lbs of food.

Thus...the eggs in my luggage.

 With my new low carb lifestyle and my process of reinventing myself and only doing good things, I find myself with a limited and one could say, stretched budget.   My grocery budget is $500 a month.  It sounded do-able.  I looked back at what I had been spending on groceries before my reinventing ...and that was about it.  What I didn't look at was how often we ate out.

They look amazing!  

Oh...I failed at first.  And now I'm starting to gain ground.  The first month - I missed the grocery budget by almost $500.  I was still buying boxes, I was still even though we weren't eating out, we were eating fast-food at home.  I realized that really is what processed boxes are - a relatively fast-food and very expensive.  I also started using our freezer for something more than decorative ice cubes and ice cream.  I freeze lots of things and I buy in bulk now.  I rarely go to supermarket, I find myself pulling out the recipe box and lining up recipes I have items on hand for.

I recently dreamed about my grandmother.  She passed away in 1999 at 98 years old.  She experienced years of drastic economic crisis living through both World War I and World War II and the depression.  She had a big purse.  Inside that purse she carried a small picnic, an arsenal of bathroom tools; clippers, tweezers, kleenex, bandaids, chap stick and toothpicks at all times.  I remember being on a trip with her and complaining because I was hungry and we were nowhere near or stop for lunch.  She pulled out of her purse a baggie with a pickle and butter sandwich in it.  That was the best sandwich I have ever had to this day.  She was so happy to share it with me. I'm trying to be more like her.

This little exercise of bringing my groceries on vacation, which involved 24 hours in transit which included at least five hours of driving, two domestic flights and not including the at least hour it took me to carefully wrap the eggs box covered with bubble wrap and shipping tape inside box covered with bubble wrap and shipping tape....was one step in that direction of being more like my grandmother.

One small crack but still usable!

I always wondered why she had pickle and butter sandwiches?  I know now, it's because both items won't spoil, regardless of temperature in a purse for at least 24 hours and they were relatively cheap items at those times and pickles were usually made at home - in fact all the items could be made at home.  I may even try to make my own pickles.  That will be right after I build the chicken coop and the greenhouse....

Happy Carb Counting and Budget Pinching!