The alarm went off early again for the last time this week. I dragged myself out of bed (2 snoozes in) and padded wearily downstairs to make pancakes.
Usually Matt is almost out the door before I get up. But he said he's loved having me around in the mornings to chat with before school and will be sad next week when it's back to normal. So I will definitely make an effort to hang out with him over breakfast more often. And actually, the sun was shining, Pulp was on the Radio. It was pretty nice!
Sophie insisted on an 'action shot' of her pancake eating. That child is a delightful eater! I remember once telling her "don't eat your mashed potato with your fingers" so she just stuck her face straight in it! The pancakes were a success anyway. And these only had 1 small egg, flour and water so cost literally pennies.
Sophie didn't want a satuma today. Apparently they taste of lemons, so this was her lunch. Not very healthy, but they seem to have been doing ok on it this week.
Work wasn't bad going today. But I was really cold. I had to borrow a fleece to sit in. In fact, I was so cold in the night last night that I had to sleep in my slippers and dressing gown. My bones ached like crazy, it must be something to do with the diet change or stress. Looking at the menu it seems reasonably balanced. So I'm not sure what it is that makes me feel so rubbish.
Some of the guys went to the pub for lunch but I didn't get asked because of the challenge. To be honest I'd have been happy to (read tolerated) having a water while they ate, but I guess it would likely have put a dampener on the meal. Perhaps I'm not as much fun when I'm poor!
I dropped Matt off at his dad's house with last night's leftover fried rice for tea. On the way I asked him what he'd like to eat next week. Damn kid said pancakes!!! So maybe my days of early morning cooking are not quite over yet.
When I got home I started cobbling together what was left into some semblance of a meal. Sophie has a friend over for tea. Luckily she's a joy because she'll try anything. So here it is, an adventure around the world it seems! Leftover Iraqi iroog, leftover stirfry veg and noodles, lentil falafel, Italian riceballs, crispy chicken skin, eggy bread, beans.
As you can see, there wasn't much left!
The riceballs were great, all I did was cook some rice with a stock cube and a bit of garlic powder and herbs de provence, once it had absorbed all the water, mix in 2 beaten eggs and let the mixture cool. Then form balls, coat in breadcrumbs and fry.
It would be a great way to use up leftover rice. Recipes I saw included cheese and things, but I reckon there's scope to add all sorts. These were tasty just as they were :)
Both girls ate plenty and enjoyed some of the new foods. The only thing left was lentil falafel because it needed a bit more spice and flavour. I have some mixture left so will be experimenting again tomorrow with that!
So that's it, our very last meal! Every year this is challenging, but I have to say we have never been this close to running out of food before. This is what we had left.
I am so thankful to our lovely friends and family who have donated money, but also given support and kind words to help get us through the week. This challenge is 100% not about proving you can live on £1 a day. There is no way I could survive like this long term. It's about recognising that some people have no choice, and no voice. And trying to do something about that. We complain about money, I often feel the pinch at the end of the month. But we have such freedom to make choices about what we buy, where we go. This week the limitation on our choice has been one of the hardest things.
The kids have both said at various points that they have enjoyed the challenge, or that the food has been good. I, on the other hand, had my first piece of fruit all week today, because I wanted to make sure they had enough. I've spent time making the things I know they enjoy, or spending our last 17p on a treat for them. It is heartbreaking not to be able to give your child what they want and need. My heart goes out to those who have to make those choices every day. To go without lunch so that they're kids can have something nice in their packed lunch. To forego a meal to make sure there's something in tomorrow.
And it breaks my heart that this government keep making policies which punish those with little. And that people are again in local elections today, buying into and supporting that government. This isn't really a political blog, but it's hard not to get fired up and angry sometimes at the way some people are forced into living in 2017 Britain. This is my contribution, my mutinous stand for anyone who finds themselves battered my life and adrift. It isn't a lot but it's what I can do. It really could be any of us.
For today though, this is the end of an important journey. I have learnt new skills and recipes, I've learnt how important kind words can be, and I've learnt that 3 cups is the absolute limit for a single tea bag!
Thanks again for sharing our journey. I have loved writing this blog and sharing the ups and downs with you.
Maybe we'll see you again next year!!
If you haven't yet donated please please do.
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/kateraynor1
If you want to know more about the project that inspires us into self-imposed famine do let me know!
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