Now my monthly food bills are nowhere near that high, but my pantry and freezer do look like I'm planning for the apocalypse. So, I decided to make this woman's experiment my own.
Almost two weeks ago I went cold turkey on Costco, Peapod, Jewel-Osco, Walgreen and c-stores. I didn't put rules to this experience as the woman on TV did. I can eat out when I want (within budgetary guidelines, of course) and meals don't have to be "balanced." Oh, and I can replenish the coffee supply as needed (I'm curious, not crazy).
Now it's still early in the experiment, so who's to say how it will end, but so far, it's been a fun challenge. I've even discovered hidden treasures in my freezer. In addition to the standards of chicken, beef, and frozen soup, I've found puff pastries, a loaf of Wonder Bread (I have no idea, people) and these really cool--and cold--cucumber patches to put on my eyes when I have a headache.
The regular fridge has yielded fewer surprises, but one major one: potatoes. Lots and lots of potatoes.
Despite my Scot-Irish heritage, I am not a potato eater. I go easy on the fries and never mash, bake or boil potatoes at home. Occasionally, I'll throw them in the stew pot (what is beef stew without potatoes, after all) or make a creamed soup with them if I'm feeling industrious on a Saturday afternoon, but those are both twice-a-winter occurrences.
So how did I get 20-plus pounds of potatoes in my fridge?
And how long have they been there?
I pondered those questions this morning, but I decided not to throw them out (unlike the package of shriveled figs I found behind them). Potatoes keep, and I'm only 11 days into this experiment. By Oct. 9, I may be surviving on potatoes and coffee like my ancestors.
