Nourish the Thought

Our Five Cents - The Economy

It doesn’t appear that the economy will be improving much in the near future. So, if you’re like many of us, finding ways to save are becoming more apart of everyday life.  Cutting the ever-growing grocery bill is a challenge with the rise of food prices.  As I mentioned last week, the government raised its projections for how much the price of food will go up this year to five percent. Meaning, a typical household may soon pay about $350 more for the same cart of groceries.

And while there is a vast amount of resources out there helping you live lean during these tough times, I’d like to share a few of my favorites:

The Economides – America’s Cheapest Family

Watch their plan of attack for buying groceries:

30 Day Gourmet - The Leader in Freezer Cooking

2008 Coupon Insert Schedule - Know when the different coupon inserts are scheduled to appear in your Sunday newspaper

Our Five Cents - Recycling. The Votes Are In

For those that voted, the results show that the office environment is where most of the recycling is taking place.  I am going to guess, that just like me, many people support recycling when it is made easy for them. Meaning there are clearly marked bins for paper, cans and bottles and easy enough to dump your stuff in appropriately.  At home is another story. For me, I have the best intentions at home, but not the best set up and therefore I don't recycle.  Poor excuse I know.

On another note, I became more aware of the commitment of recycling within our organization this past week. An associate came to me expressing her passion and commitment to recycling and asked very politely if I too would support the cause by not printing so much. If you recall in my initial post, I admitted I do tend to print a lot. 

I can't promise I will change overnight, but I will admit that I am more conscious of my printing and it's effects and plan to do as much as I can to change/decrease my habit.

Our Five Cents - My Last Supper

I've had a few days to soak in the stories and photos of this book and contemplate just what my last ideal meal would be.  As one thinks about their last meal, you sort of have to get philosophical.  What do I want this meal to say about me or does it matter?  Do you want it to be filled with dishes that you find comfort in or ones you never tried?   

A proclaimed non-foodie and creature of habit, I'm not an adventurous eater by any stretch of the imagination and live my life according to daily routines.  Many might find such existence too boring and uneventful, but it suits me.  That being said, I would obviously not pick dishes that I had never tried before - what if I didn't like them and then my last meal would be a failure?  I would choose comfort foods, including several from my mom, all sure to make my last meal a soothing experience filled with memories.

So here's my last ideal meal:

A bleu cheese bacon hamburger, where the bleu cheese crumbles have been melted under a few swiss cheese slices with crisp, thick applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion straws and chipotle mayo on lighted toasted buns.  My mom's version of a dinner salad and for dessert, chocolate peanut butter ice cream with my mom's homemade brownies.  The beverage of choice would be a tall glass of soda with just the right amount of crushed ice.

As you thought about your last ideal meal, I hope you learned as much about yourself as I already knew about me.

Our Five Cents - Soda or Coffee?

More than half of you agree with me; soda in the morning, not coffee.  But why are so many of us choosing this cold, caffeinated morning beverage?

Could it be rebellion?

If you grew up in a house similar to mine, Mom had the final say, and it was never, "Make sure and drink your soda in the morning."

Now I can have soda whenever I want.

Young adult phenomenon?

Harry Balzer, an NPD executive vice president who has studied American eating habits for more than 25 years, said the growth of soda for breakfast is probably related to the fact the heaviest consumers of soda are the 18 to 25 year old group.

In all actuality, it shouldn't be too surprising that soda as a breakfast choice is rising.  According to a study commissioned by a milk group, nearly half of the U.S. population 4 years and older, consumes soft drinks on any given day.

And yet, despite this growth in popularity of soda for breakfast, both Coke and Pepsi have formed alliances with coffeehouses.  Pepsi distributes Starbucks products and Coke has partnered with Caribou Coffee, the nation's second largest coffeehouse chain.

So it seems no matter your beverage of choice in the morning or your reasoning for drinking it, the debate over which is better to have will continue.

Our Five Cents - Col-Pop Good vs. Evil

In the past days since writing about Col-Pop, I have been contemplating reasons why it just might succeed in America. 

First, the American consumer has to be more money conscious than any time in the last two decades and this in turn will make the need for cheaper meals.  These consumers will be frequenting fast food restaurants, so the battle for the "fast food dollar" will heat up and creative packaging will just be another weapon in an operator's arsenal.

Second, at the same time the consumer is watching their wallet, they are also on the go.  This is where Col-Pop finds it niche.  The new marketing buzzword is "Cupholder Cuisine" which could not be truer.  From hectic business men and women to moms running around their kids to school and practices, more and more meals will be eaten in automobiles.  The Col-Pop has, and any future packaging will have to, take this into consideration.

Because who wants to spend that extra dollar on a french fry and ketchup mishap when they need that money to drive the car.  We live in interesting times so why shouldn't the packaging be interesting and functional too.