The $25 Food Project: Day 5

I’m attempting to feed my 6-foot, 205-pound fiancé for one week for $25. This is our story.

I suddenly understand why Ma fed me PB&J sandwiches from kindergarten clear through junior high. Because Day 5, my friends? Was brought to you by peanut butter.

We cleared the 2600 minimum by more than 200 calories, thanks to six tablespoons of Jif Extra Crunchy spread among various dishes. (Er, plus an enormous brunch - picture to the right.) The Husband-Elect loves him some peanut butter, especially on banana bread, so he didn’t mind one bit.

He does mind the lack of grazing. “I feel good,” he says, “but I miss the simple pleasures of snacks and random eating.” When we started this, I didn’t realize how often we take food when we want it, as opposed to when we’re allowed. Now, I have a lot more sympathy for people who don’t have that option.

There are two more days to go, but this is already an eye-opening experience. Looking forward to sharing with yis all on Wednesday.

In the meantime, have a lovely night, and here are Sunday’s numbers.

DAY 5 TOTALS: 2824 calories, 123.3 g fat, 26.8 g fiber, $3.27
GRAND PRICE TOTAL (SO FAR): $17.73

BRUNCH
2 jumbo eggs: 191 calories, 12.8 g fat, 0 g fiber, $0.41
2 tablespoons peanut butter: 190 calories, 16 g fat, 2 g fiber, $0.13
1 piece Light Banana Bread: 197 calories, 3.3 g fat, ~1.7 g fiber, $0.20
1-1/3 potato’s worth homefries: 209 calories, 0.3 g fat, 4.9 g fiber, $0.15
2 ounces Tasty Kitchen Puerto Rican Pork: 153 calories, 5.8 g fat, 0 g fiber, $0.30
1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil: 192 calories, 21.7 g fat, 0 g fiber, $0.14 (1/2 for eggs, 1/2 potatoes, 1/2 for pork)
1 apple: 77 calories, 0.3 g fat, 3.6 g fiber, $0.17
TOTALS: 1209 calories, 60.2 g fat, 12.2 g fiber, $1.50
PREP TIME: 30 minutes, mostly to roast the homefries

SNACK
1 serving Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream: 216 calories, 8.4 g fat, 4.5 g fiber, $0.30
1/2 tablespoon mini chocolate chips: 35 calories, 2 g fat, 0 g fiber, $0.07
1 Snickerdoodle: 150 calories, 6.8 g fat, 0.5 g fiber, $0.10
TOTALS: 401 calories, 17.2 g fat, 5 g fiber, $0.47
PREP TIME: 5 minutes

DINNER
2 ounces Tasty Kitchen Puerto Rican Pork: 153 calories, 5.8 g fat, 0 g fiber, $0.30
1/2 tablespoon peanut oil: 60 calories, 7 g fat, 0 g fiber, $0.06
6 oz pasta: 631 calories, 2.6 g fat, 5.4 g fiber, $0.25
1/4 serving Vegan Peace peanut butter sauce: 305 calories, 24 g fat, 3.2 g fiber, $0.42
2/3 cup Earthbound Farms mixed baby greens: 5 calories, 0 g fat, 1 g fiber, $0.20
1/2 tablespoon olive oil: 60 calories, 6.7 g fat, 0 g fiber, $0.06
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar: 0 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g fiber, $0.01
TOTALS: 1214 calories, 46.1 g fat, 9.6 g fiber, $1.30
PREP TIME: 20 minutes, mostly waiting for the pasta to cook

NOTES

• Try the Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream. It's just bananas and peanut butter, and it’ll knock your face off.
• Will you LOOK at that brunch tally? Who knew that eggs and meat fried in oil could have so many calories?
• The uncontrollable apartment heater fused my mini chocolate chips into one big chunk. There’s a metaphor in there somewhere.