The most active discussion over at our Skinny Debt Dieters Group over at Wesabe is "Could you NOT eat out at restaurants for 30 days?"
That's a good question to ask because eating out is one of the top areas that suck the cash out of our bank accounts, and adds to keeping or getting to the healthy weight. Just as a small example, in cookies alone, I calculated that I had spent $40 at the Whole Foods bakery in December. Yeah...just for cookies. I know. That's an Internet access bill, phone bill, or credit card payment. I was eating one cookie like almost every day as cookies are my vice. And yes, we've cut that down significantly.
Eating socially and cheaper in the comforts of home
One of the best suggestions that has come out of the Wesabe group is having dinner parties. People have been telling their friends and family that they can't eat out like they used to so they can save money. Many people eat out not just for the convenience but for social needs. However, you don't need to eat out to still be social and have bonding tine with the loved ones. Welcome to "Come eat at my house!"
Lots of people have been doing rotating meals at their house amongst their circle ie. One weekend dinner is at Jenna's house. Next weekend is at mom's place. This Friday is at Jim & Lucy's house. You can do a theme where everyone brings a dish for a buffet style, or the host does all the cooking. I really love the idea of the rotating brunch and dinner. Here's an easy fun theme:
Put A Filling On It {chime in melody Put A Ring On It}
For "Put A Filling On It", you'd have stacks of tortillas corn and wheat, and then everyone could bring a different filling for the tortillas. It's like a taco or wrap buffet basically but with some creative non-traditional fillings. Tell people to get creative and/or give them specifics like someone brings a meat filling, a vegetarian/vegan filling, a dessert filling.
To spark the imagination:
- Fajita'd chicken, beef, tofu, shrimp, or scallops.
- I like doing salad tacos.
- Foodie MattBites likes to put crazy cool things in tortillas like: hot dogs & sauerkraut, Chana Masala, and Peanut Butter, Banana & Honey. See the rest of his tortilla gallery it's amazing!
- Here's Butternut Squash tacos with black beans from digginfood.
- Vegan friendly crunchy blue corn chickpea tacos from Veggie Terrain.
- Here's a gluten-free crunchy pesto, bacon, smoked turkey with lettuce and tomato wrap from Karina's Kitchen.
- From What's For Lunch Honey, this looks so divine to throw on a tortilla: Figs, pear, and bacon. I'd try prosciutto.
So what other fun, creative things have you thrown on a tortilla? I could see "Put a Filling On It" night not only good eating for cheaper than a restaurant but really fun and creative. I can see the kids doing gummy bears with cheese pizza :-D
