Johanne's Journal, 05 November 2013

ugh, that sucks. Sorry Johanne. 

Gee whizz! Mine were cut, too. Not looking forward to wharf next month brings. Are there food pantries around you? There are several in my area that people in my building go to when they are short on food. I haven't had to for quite a while, but who knows what's next. Trips to Winco's bulk bins for staples, inexpensive meals like split pea soup or scrambled eggs with salsa. Creative cooking. Keep your chin up, you're a strong person. 

Thanks ladies. Kat, unfortunately, food pantries aren't amenable to gluten free/no processed food issues. They give you dirty looks when you say no to sugary fruit juices, fruit in heavy syrup, hamburger helper, etc. I just have to get back to my brown rice and beans. Quinoa is definitely off the menu. LOL. More and more canned foods are coming out salt and sugar free. I'll be fine. It was just the initial shock. 

Its getting bad all over..I hate this for you...Hugs...:O) 

Bren, this is happening to all the food stamp families in the country. The Tea Party strikes again. Think of all the families who won't be able to afford decent nutrition for their children. Food pantries aren't noted for fine foods and a lot of these families will be forced to rely on them. But, congress gets their huge salaries, automatic, lifetime pensions and only the best healthcare. It's sickening. OK, so I'm in a totally rotten mood. Sorry. I'll be better tomorrow. Iiiiiiiiiiiii PROMISS. LOL! 

I couldn't eat most of the food from food pantries when I started eating more healthy, I know what you mean. White bread? Day-old pastries, potato chips; gag! :oD 

Oh yeah, the Winco I go to has quinoa, other whole grains, almond flour, tapioca. & potato starches; all in their bulk bins at reasonable prices. No guarantees against cross-contamination with gluten, but the grains are in the dispenser bins not the open ones. Just sharing an idea of an option...best of luck. 

Holy crap, $15 a month? That's barely more than a couple of days of food. I'm angry about our dysfunctional government taking care of their cronies and lobbyists and basically screwing over the rest of us! 

So sorry to hear this, I don't know how anyone survives. It's hardly worth the money to print the coupons! 

Thanks Kat. We don't have Winco here. I've never heard of it. The only places I know that have bulk food bins are health food stores like Natures Pantry. They're very expensive. Walmart, where I usually shop, is the cheapest I can find here. I will check with my friends and see if we have anything like Winco that I just haven't heard of yet. @Coco, $15 seems like a joke. I worked at The General Accounting office in D.C. I saw, first hand, the waste that goes on in the agency that is the "watch dog" for all the other gov agencies, yet, their idea of budget reform is to hit the most vulnerable people in the country. @Is, they don't actually print stamps anymore. We have a card, like a cash card, that the money is deposited to each month. But, I'll bet it costs more to transfer that small an amount than the amount itself. Thanks for the sympathy ladies. I had really bad "survival" dreams last night/this morning. I woke up pretty upset and asking god to make me grateful for what I DO have. I've never actually woken up talking to god before. It was a bit unsettling. 

So sorry to hear about the food stamps, I know a family with a new baby due this month who uses them. I haven't talked to them since the cuts started but I didn't know it was going to be this bad. You might try the churches there they help a lot the Lord says we are suppose to help the needy. It's really scary what's happening to our government. 

Thanks Addie. The cuts start Nov 1. Everyone is being hit. Unfortunately, the churches and community center here, which do help with food, can't deal with my special issues. It's mostly bread, processed foods and canned goods with a lot of salt and sugar added. Even most soups, salad dressings and bar-b-que sauces, etc. have gluten in them. Who knew? Hugs 

My food budget is realy skinniy--i eat healthy-lots of beans, legumes, veggies-the ethnic stores and city market are cheaper than the chains, Hardy ever go to them except Aldis and the little thrift way at the corner-they have good sales. Made a butternut squash and lentil soup yesterday will make about 8 healthy meals for abt $3.00. It's a beachbody recipie. really good and filing. low in calories-no gluten.  

Best of luck to you  

Bonnie, I am so mad about this that I could spit!!! Let them try to survive on $15 a month...that would buy a package of Ramen a day...that's it! Know that I am talking a lot to God about this as well and will be sure to mention you in my prayers! 

I did add a grill cheese sandwich tonite with my soup cause I was really hungry and had enough calories in my day to spare. Had planned a small salad. $15.00 from $80 is a big cut and would take a chunk out of a tight budget-- won't buy much.  

Bonnie I am just flummoxed that all you will get is $15.00! I don't know how you did it with only $80.00! That makes no sense to me at all. How do they base this? I don't know how anyone makes it these days with the prices of food.  

Hi WFN. I haven't bought meat on a regular basis, for years. I also do lots of beans/legumes and brown rice. But I also try to include a lot of veggies and fruit (frozen because they're cheaper). Now, I won't be able to afford the fruit and veggies. I live in a small town We don't have ethnic stores and city markets. Your soup sounds delicious! 

Stef, it's a joke. I think a requirement for running for office should be, candidates must live on the present minimum wage for a minimum of 5 yrs before running. They are SO out of touch with reality, especially for those of us below the poverty level. But, we just need to get our butts out of our chairs and go get a lucrative job. What's wrong with us? We're just LAZY. Sorry . . . I'm feeling so angry. Thanks for the prayers. 

Sandy, they base this on my huge income of $815 per month. That should be enough for ANYONE to live on, right? Rent, utilities, auto insurance, taxes, gasoline, household and personal products . . . who needs food (or clothes)? Oh well, trying to be healthy, once more takes a hit.