Fast forward to Day 5

Time certainly does fly! And it seems I have a habit of thinking about things instead of actually doing them. Note to self for future reference ...

I said I'd let you know how things went with the dinner on Saturday. The dinner itself was a spectacular success, if I say so myself. Appetizers included two kinds of corn chips (thin, and blue) with guacamole and mango salsa. The main was an incredibly nutrient-dense chili, served over brown rice. Dessert was a rough apple pastry topped with vanilla mousse. My guests all seemed to enjoy their meals, and while everyone left with a full stomach there was a good amount left over - which was a wonderful thing, since my trip to the grocery store was an epic fail.

I went intending to purchase just what I needed for the dinner party and live on what was left for the balance of the challenge. I thought that stretching my grocery dollar was one of the skills I had retained from the old days. Turns out, not so much. Not only do I not track the mounting total very accurately, but I have a habit of throwing in random items that aren't on the list but might enhance what I'm planning, or come in handy some other time. Like the half-price toilet paper screaming at me the minute I walked in the door. Who can say no to that deal? We all need it, right?

So when I got the check-out I was disappointed - but not overly surprised - to have spent my entire allowance essentially on the one meal. The good news is that there was enough chili left over to feed me - and another member of my household - for the remainder of the challenge. Lunch at work, and dinner at home.

Thankfully yesterday's challenge wasn't really a challenge - my favourite (and rich!) auntie offered to take me out to lunch, so I had a pass from the budget. Talk about a gift - the leftover chili was getting a bit low, so that allowed me to stretch it into today.

I'll admit I'm a bit tired of the stuff at this point, but I've been covering all the food groups. My recipe includes a whole bunch of veg, a ton of fibre, lots of complete protein, and not a whole lot of carbs (which I typically try to avoid).

Final score? Budgeting 0, nutrition 10. Also, exercise 10. I've been faithfully doing my podcast yoga workouts every morning, and between that and my new diet I'm beginning to feel like I might be shaping up a bit. Bonus!