Eating In Tip: Buy Spinach to Continue Living

The saga continues....below is part two from Christine who is Eating In for an entire month...

Day 6 – June 3, 2008, 10:09 PM

So far, I’ve saved just three George Washingtons short of two Benjamin Franklins, and that is since Thursday. On this coming Thursday, I will fill up my gas tank (roughly $35), pick up some fresh fruits and frozen veggies (this week, since I still have some food from last week, I’m not going to spend more than $30), and continue on this mission.

Due to an increase in the amount of work and that $300 dollar check from the government, in addition to Disney paying me back $86 dollars they unlawfully stole from me because I had too many pieces of costume (…even though I’m not even in a costumed role?!), I am projecting to save close to $750 by next Thursday…and I will only be at the two week mark. Is that unbelievable or what?!

Spinach has become my new best friend. I’ve discovered how you can stuff pretty much anything from tomatoes to manicotti to lasagna to chicken with it.

What’s nice is that you can mix it with all kinds of foods and flavors, from garlic and Gorgonzola to Parmesan and artichokes (or all of them if you’re feeling wild!) to cheddar and red peppers if you want, and those combinations will make for great stuffings.

The following is a recipe for Spinach Stuffing…stuff whatever you want with it.

1. Package Green Giant Frozen Green Spinach or Frozen Creamed Spinach

Some Bread Crumbs

Some Parmesan

Mix together in a bowl. Add any of the following items to flavor/taste: garlic, Gorgonzola, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, ricotta cheese, salt, fresh cracked pepper, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar. Add all of them if you want. Stuff Manicotti, Lasagna, Chicken, or toss with regular pasta and bake until it looks like it’s done. Keep in mind the only item that is measured in this lovely concoction is the Spinach. Add everything to your liking…it’s pretty impossible to mess this one up.

The Days Are All Starting to Blur Together - June 09, 2008, 9:16 PM

So, I’ve been avoiding restaurants, and I’ve been grocery shopping and snatching food from the hot-box at work, but the cravings are starting to hit me, and hit me bad. I just want some Starbucks Venti Unsweetened Black Iced Tea (which I can make for free at my house…but it tastes so much better when it costs $2.24 and someone else makes it for me).

I’m also jonesin’ for a good Sunday Brunch…those are what I miss the most. I could definitely go for a Gorgonzola Bacon Burger from TooJay’s, or a Cobb Salad from Bonefish. PS – do any of the restaurants listed above want me to write about how delicious that particular menu item is when I make my comeback on June 30?

I have managed to save the projected amount : $750, and it’s not even Thursday yet. By then, I’m projecting $1100, since I get paid roughly $350 per week. I think the most exciting thing about this is that I might actually get to pay for my rent and tuition before they send me one of those notices telling me that I have 7 days until they kick me out.