Thursday, February 19, 2015

40 Days of Change

Ah, Lent. 

While very meaningful religiously it's also an opportunity for a second go at New Year's Resolutions for those of us who fell off the wagon. I didn't make any resolutions this year with too much uncertainty rolling around in my world, but I suppose I've subconsciously made steps forward in loving myself, taking better care and getting in touch with the good ones. 

Something I've been wanting to introduce back into my life is my passion for meal prep. I used to be so great with it but over time I've lacked the kick in the pants to do it. Plus - with a cafeteria at work that serves magnificence like this, that kick in the pants probably wouldn't even make a difference.


Rather than picking something I know I can't do, or at least would struggle with (like no instagram, no selfies, no gum, no phone in bed, two hands on the wheel while driving to name a few) - I chose to give up the cafeteria at work for 40 days.

This might not seem like much, but where I work they serve everything from breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, smoothies, ice cream, beer - actually anything. I'm often found there 2-3 times per day getting my daily coffee, daily sausage + eggs breakfast and most-daily $5 bunless cheeseburger combo - and sometimes even second coffee in the afternoon.

To drop the cafeteria is a true lifestyle change. It means organization, meal planning, food prep, creativity, a strong tupperware game, a strong dishwasher game, a strong bragging about how much I love bringing my own food from home game and obviously a ton of will power to not swipe my card a single time at work until April 6th.

As a result of my Lent goals my house smells like bacon and my fridge is full of cooked meats, vegetables and easy staples for me to throw into tupperware. It's a wonderful feeling to be organized and fully decisive about your nutrition, and I'm sure it'll also be a wonderful feeling once I realize how much money I'll actually save in the process.

Are you observing Lent? What could you never give up for 40 days?

This was my "I could never give these things up" post from last year. All still true. And you still get Rick Rolled.

Keep it 100, you guys.

16 comments

P!nky said...

TWo hands on the wheel, ha, that had me rolling.

I'm trying to really eat clean, since January, so I'm not giving up anything food related. I'm choosing to take something on, a new book my church is reading, instead.

I want to be able to give up carbs. never gonna happen!

You've got this lady!

Katie Qué said...

Girl, you are going to save so much money! I was addicted to the dining hall at work, too, and even thought it was cheaper than any restaurant in the area, I still spent over half of what I would spend on a whole week's worth of groceries just on lunch. I also now make my own coffee which not only saves me a lot of money but also tastes WAY better. Good luck!

Kathy@MoreCoffeeLessTalky said...

we have a full cafeteria at work too; hell, there's even a starbucks and tim hortons in there! that said, i haven't bought lunch there in like 4 years and i used to buy my breakfast there but since the breakfast lady got moved to the afternoon shift and the new bfast lady sucked licked major bag, i started bringing my bfast instead. not only was that awesome in terms of calories but it saved me a TON of cash....as in i'd take out $100 for the week and i'd still have my $100 but for weeks since i never spent any money during the weekday!

DeborahYanni said...

"Strong tupperware game" is a must!! ahhahahaha You're hilarious! I'm not giving anything up. I don't have the will power. Give me all the things!

JMO said...

I love this- you can totally do it! The paragraph about upping the tupperware and dishwasher game is SO true though- I bring bags of crap to work and have to remember to bring it back home to re-pack! ha I've never done lent but now I'm brainstorming...

Katie Elizabeth said...

You can do it!! And think of how much money you'll save!

Helene in Between said...

I really like this idea. I think you will totally rock it and it also teaches discipline!

Kenzie Smith said...

This will definitely save you money that you can put into your meal prep or protein shakes! Or more exercising :D I know you can do this Jessi!

BLovedBoston said...

You can totally do it!! We have a very similar cafeteria and the lunch options are so good it's just bad LOL! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston

Sarah :: Plucky in Love said...

We don't have a cafeteria, but we are walking distance from Pei Wei, Jimmy Johns, Starbucks and, of course, since I work in an office full of women, we ALWAYS have snacks and baked goods in the kitchen. I've been trying to avoid the kitchen and the Jimmy Johns, though also subconsciously. I'm so jealous of people who can meal prep! It seems like a wonderful, time-saving, healthy endeavor! You go, girl!

Melissa Nicole said...

i eat at the cafeteria across the street far too often. maybe i should consider this too...

Kay R. said...

I started cooking a lot more and stopped purchasing lunch everyday and man it did wonders for my pocket. I should try it for 40 days straight!

Kristen said...

good luck! if we had that cafeteria it would be hard for me to give up too.
the money i waste on lunch is embarrassing. i suck at meal planning though. i keep trying though!

Nadine said...

I love your goal! I only eat out once a week for lunch, usually on Fridays. The other four days I bring it. My husband and I usually only go out to eat once or maybe twice on the weekends, otherwise I cook at home every night :)

lil desiqua said...

This is a great idea. I started doing this in the last year or so and was amazed at how much I saved, and also how much better and more organized I felt! I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what to do this year though.

Amanda - Voyage of the MeeMee said...

Dude. The cafeteria at our work is the BOMB. They make these DELICIOUS breakfast sandwiches and you can even get them put on a CROISSANT. GAHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Good call with this one.