Wow this is ridiculous!

[Sebastian]

So yesterday was a sad day for me because I had run out of Lentils soup the night before. I'm following Jacob F's ERE system and going to town with Lentil soup. I actually really enjoy it, it's pretty tasty and more importantly super cheap!

Anyways, I didn't have any kind of lunch prepared so I said screw it I'll go out to lunch tomorrow, whatever. It has been probably 3 or so months since I have been out to eat for lunch during a work day. So I decided to "splurge" a little bit and go to Chipolte.

I got a burrito bowl I wanted chicken but they were out. So I got steak instead... they were almost out of that too so I got a tiny little half ass bit from the bottom of the tub. Then I decided to go with some chips to use with my burrtio bowl.

$8.55 for this crappy meal!!! Are you kidding me?? 8.50 for some crappy meat and rice with a little salsa? It wasn't even that filling. Dear lord that rustled my jimmies.

How do people afford to eat out everyday? I didn't even get that much.. imagine if I got a soda or some other snacks?? People who eat out every day are crazy!

Fortunately I have a big bowl of lentils soup and basmati rice waiting for me in the fridge. Where I can sneak off to a quiet place and read to learn about investing and not be bothered by which basketball team is advancing in the playoffs.

Ahhh the simple things in life :)

[brewer12345]

You realize that this could be easily read as a parody of the whole ERE/MMM thing, right?

[Sebastian]

I guess. But I wasn't thinking that at all. I truly meant what I said. That's why I've been reading MMM/ERE non stop because I finally feel like I have found my place.

In short, I am not a troll.. if that's what you were thinking.. I just wanted to share my experience and how my perspective of the world is changing rather fast.

Does anyone else feel this way?

[I Love Cake]

And not only the cost but for health reasons why would anyone eat out everyday? Restaurant meals are usually not the healthiest.

I knew a guy who ate fast food every day. EVERY DAY!!! I feel for his arteries.

[limeandpepper]

Eating out - you're not doing it right.

I've never been to Chipotle (we don't have it here in Australia, I don't think) - but I can think of delicious things that I can get with $8.50 - I'd probably spend it on something like a hot, fragrant bowl of pho from the local Vietnamese. Or go to the local burger joint - their patties are made from grass-fed wagyu, so juicy and tender...

Not that I'm advocating eating out often, of course. But if you're going to do it, you should do it right. ;)

[lifejoy]

I ate out for lunch yesterday, too. $8.36 for some very unimpressive, unhealthy, overpriced chinese food. :(

Lesson learned!

[Spork]

I'm not advocating eating out.  I do it pretty seldom...  but my experience of Chipotle was quite different.  In general my choice is (a) overeat or (b) one serving is 2 meals.  (Unfortunately, I probably choose A most of the time.)

...and get the pork.

[Roland of Gilead]

The fast food like Chipotle isn't bad compared to eating out at a steakhouse or even some place like Red Robin.  $40 to $50 for two people would be a very common tab.

I sometimes eat out for things that would be very hard to fix at home.  Korean bibimbap is one such dish.  We actually bought the stone bowls and have made it at home, but it takes a LOT of prep work.  Easier to pay the $8 to $9.

[Spork]

The fast food like Chipotle isn't bad compared to eating out at a steakhouse or even some place like Red Robin.  $40 to $50 for two people would be a very common tab.

I sometimes eat out for things that would be very hard to fix at home.  Korean bibimbap is one such dish.  We actually bought the stone bowls and have made it at home, but it takes a LOT of prep work.  Easier to pay the $8 to $9.

This is our method exactly.  Combine "some celebration" with "that particular thing is a pain in the ass".

And yes, steak is the ultimate in lunacy to eat out.  It has 4 ingredients: meat, salt, pepper, fire.  It's probably the easiest thing on the planet to prepare.

[Rural]

The fast food like Chipotle isn't bad compared to eating out at a steakhouse or even some place like Red Robin.  $40 to $50 for two people would be a very common tab.

I sometimes eat out for things that would be very hard to fix at home.  Korean bibimbap is one such dish.  We actually bought the stone bowls and have made it at home, but it takes a LOT of prep work.  Easier to pay the $8 to $9.

This is our method exactly.  Combine "some celebration" with "that particular thing is a pain in the ass".

And yes, steak is the ultimate in lunacy to eat out.  It has 4 ingredients: meat, salt, pepper, fire.  It's probably the easiest thing on the planet to prepare.

Agreed on the steak, but we're probably going to do it soon with an unsolicited thank-you gift card. It's good for Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and a steak place. I'm dangerously allergic to seafood and it's fifty miles to an Olive Garden. There's a franchise of the relevant steak place about a mile from where I work, and we carpool, so we can both go without going more than a mile out of our way. It's going to irk me to spend it , though, even though it's not my money.

[Sebastian]

I'm glad I have people here that understand where I am coming from. Co workers just think I'm nuts. "Soup again? Is that all you eat?!" ... all the while I'm thinking "fast food really? again? that's all you eat! at least i'm saving money and eating healthy" :)

[limeandpepper]

I sometimes eat out for things that would be very hard to fix at home.  Korean bibimbap is one such dish.  We actually bought the stone bowls and have made it at home, but it takes a LOT of prep work.  Easier to pay the $8 to $9.

Bibimbap is awesome. Especially the ones in stone bowls with that lovely crispy rice at the bottom!

[Rural]

I'm glad I have people here that understand where I am coming from. Co workers just think I'm nuts. "Soup again? Is that all you eat?!" ... all the while I'm thinking "fast food really? again? that's all you eat! at least i'm saving money and eating healthy" :)

You know, with your love of lentils, you should consider experimenting with dal over rice. It would be different enough to help you avoid burnout. All assuming you like Indian food, of course.

[jamccain]

Care to share your recipe? 

[Mayan]

Or injudra - it's ridiculously simple, cheap and tasty

http://vegweb.com/recipes/injudra

[Sebastian]

Care to share your recipe?

I got the original recipe from here. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/lentil-soup-recipe/index.html good ole alton brown, but I've really just started making my own variation.

I take 3 cups of dry lentils and 1 cup of dry black beans. Put them in a pot and let them soak over night. Then I follow those instructions but use a lot more of everything haha. It's pretty tasty but to achieve maximum tastiness add a lot of Siracha!

Mayanway - thanks for sharing that recipe i have got to try that out!

[-JR]

First mistakes was Chipotle. You want cheap and are used to lentils, I'd have gone for a couple bean burritos from DelTaco. $2 and filling.

For anything meaty I generally hit a Chinese joint. $3 and tax will get you any side dish. Most places heap it in those little containers.

[jpo]

You realize that this could be easily read as a parody of the whole ERE/MMM thing, right?

That's how I read it too.

[SkinnyGreenMan]

I know - prepared food is outrageous when you compare it to homemade, price-optimized stuff!  The fun part though is when you add up how much you're saving by not going out regularly.

One of the first things I did when I got my job was arrange with my officemate to clear space for a mini-fridge.  I usually cook a large pot of something on the weekend and cart it in Monday and just leave it in that little fridge for lunch throughout the week.  Though I have been guilty of forgetting to bring it occasionally on Monday and having to make do with Subway or Chipotle…

For variety, here's another simple recipe made from beans/rice:
http://www.ahealthyjalapeno.com/2011/05/brown-rice-with-black-beans-jalapenos.html

though if you store it and reheat it you're probably better off keeping the lime juice and cilantro separate and just adding them in post-microwave.

[Tami1982]

Not to hijack the thread - but since y'all seem so familiar with lentils I have a question.  I have had a pound of RED lentils in my pantry for near a year.  Whenever I see lentils in a recipe it tends to not be for red ones.  Anyone have a favorite red lentil recipe so I can get these things out of my cupboard?

[Rural]

Here's a daal recipe that looks good and doesn't call for fancy ingredients. I generally don't cook from recipes, so I can't really give you mine, but what I do is similar. I can tell you I'd omit the fresh cilantro and substitute lime juice from a jar unless fresh limes were on sale, and I'd use frozen cauliflower, not fresh. Actually, I'd probably use broccoli since I already have some.

http://www.food.com/recipe/lentil-dal-456

This recipe would be good with red lentil, by the way, though it doesn't specify.

[dragoncar]

Chiple is not the best deal, but it's decent if you know how to work the system.

Step 1 is "oh you are out of chicken? I'll wait"

Usually they will then comp the meal and throw in a drink while you wait.  They typically have good customer service, but of course YMMV.  If your mileage varies too much, however, corporate is often very responsive.

[Sebastian]

You realize that this could be easily read as a parody of the whole ERE/MMM thing, right?

That's how I read it too.

Sorry you guys feel that way. Rest assured you both are over analyzing it. For proof I'll take a picture during lunch today to show you!

Here's a daal recipe that looks good and doesn't call for fancy ingredients. I generally don't cook from recipes, so I can't really give you mine, but what I do is similar. I can tell you I'd omit the fresh cilantro and substitute lime juice from a jar unless fresh limes were on sale, and I'd use frozen cauliflower, not fresh. Actually, I'd probably use broccoli since I already have some.

http://www.food.com/recipe/lentil-dal-456

This recipe would be good with red lentil, by the way, though it doesn't specify.

This looks really tasty! Thank you for sharing.

Not to hijack the thread - but since y'all seem so familiar with lentils I have a question.  I have had a pound of RED lentils in my pantry for near a year.  Whenever I see lentils in a recipe it tends to not be for red ones.  Anyone have a favorite red lentil recipe so I can get these things out of my cupboard?

Hijack all you want! I'd love to learn about some more cheap lentil recipes!

Or injudra - it's ridiculously simple, cheap and tasty

http://vegweb.com/recipes/injudra

This looks great too! Thanks for sharing.

[Zikoris]

Not to hijack the thread - but since y'all seem so familiar with lentils I have a question.  I have had a pound of RED lentils in my pantry for near a year.  Whenever I see lentils in a recipe it tends to not be for red ones.  Anyone have a favorite red lentil recipe so I can get these things out of my cupboard?

I like this one. It gets used a lot when we go overboard on grocery spending early in the month. http://budgetbytes.blogspot.ca/2009/12/mexican-lentil-stew-923-recipe-077.html

[wepner]

I have never heard a Chipotle burrito described as not filling before. My mind is blown, a burrito from Chipotle was two meals for me even back when I was fat.

[spider1204]

Not to hijack the thread - but since y'all seem so familiar with lentils I have a question.  I have had a pound of RED lentils in my pantry for near a year.  Whenever I see lentils in a recipe it tends to not be for red ones.  Anyone have a favorite red lentil recipe so I can get these things out of my cupboard?

I usually cook pretty simple things, but I've never had a problem using red and brown lentils interchangeably or even mixed.  You do have to be careful though since the red lentils cook faster.  I actually prefer the red but the indian store is much further away :/

[tuyop]

Dude you could have just skipped lunch, that's what I do in your situation. You don't shrivel up and die if you go four hours without food.

[mushroom]

I love red lentils and have like 6 pounds of the stuff sitting in my pantry. They're great for making lentil patties and especially good in soups.

Here's a link about the different types of lentils: http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-brown-gre-111139

[spider1204]

Dude you could have just skipped lunch, that's what I do in your situation. You don't shrivel up and die if you go four hours without food.

Now we really have ourselves a parody, not that I wouldn't do the exact same thing.

[anastrophe]

Red lentils: damn fine curry, or a different kind of lentil soup.

I also go out to eat specifically for things that are difficult to prepare at home, or use exotic ingredients I'm unlikely to find or use for anything else.

My coworkers all eat frozen weight watcher's type meals. They crow about how healthy and inexpensive they are and I try not to choke on my delicious leftovers.

[galaxie]

This is pretty close to how we make dal at my house:  http://www.7spice.net/sides-n-snacks/gujarati-daalpegion-pea-soup/ 

It has a nice sweet & tangy flavor that's common in the area my in-laws are from.  Of course, they'd be shocked if we JUST ate dal and rice for dinner.  You've gotta have the roti, and a couple of vegetable sides, and pickles....

Chalk up another one in the "one meal from Chipotle is two meals for me" column.

[hybrid]

I have never heard a Chipotle burrito described as not filling before. My mind is blown, a burrito from Chipotle was two meals for me even back when I was fat.

Regardless of the amount paid, I'm with the sentiment above.  Chipotle has always been a large meal - too large in fact.  And very tasty.  Sounds like perhaps the author caught them on a bad day.

But all in all I'm totally on board with eating lunch from home four days in five.  One day a week I want to grab an $8-10 lunch with friends that work downtown with me.

[PGH]

I have a similar lentil soup recipe, but it calls for a dash or two of lemon juice. I find the acid really helps to brighten up the dish.

I completely get your point on the fast food, but I have to say that I love Chipotle (although it does drive me crazy when people call it Chipolte...I even saw that on the business license issued by the city once...)
My husband and I share a burrito the two or three times a year we go there, so it greatly reduces the cost. It's also the place where my once-picky 3 year old learned to love spicy salsa, so there's that. He's now 11 and he just gave me Scotch Bonnet seeds to start so that he could "eat something with real flavor."

[Sebastian]

Man... either I have an eating disorder (which I don't think I do at 6'2" 175lbs) or I'm just getting really small portions.

Probably doesn't help that I'm an avid weight trainer so I have a crazy appetite anyways. Seriously after lifting legs I could eat 2 burrito bowls no problem lol

[Tami1982]

Dude you could have just skipped lunch, that's what I do in your situation. You don't shrivel up and die if you go four hours without food.

Not to be a nitpicky but I have to eat every three hours. If I wait until four hrs I will have a blood sugar crash.   Seriously, three hours and fifteen minutes is pushing it.

[Rural]

Dude you could have just skipped lunch, that's what I do in your situation. You don't shrivel up and die if you go four hours without food.

Not to be a nitpicky but I have to eat every three hours. If I wait until four hrs I will have a blood sugar crash.   Seriously, three hours and fifteen minutes is pushing it.

I almost said something about this myself, and about the migraine that will happen. I can skip a meal, have done so and have not died. But I'm absolutely useless for the next day and a half.

I also keep "emergency rations" in my desk in case I forget my lunch, or, as happened recently, it gets stolen. Who steals unlabeled leftovers, anyway?

[tuyop]

Dude you could have just skipped lunch, that's what I do in your situation. You don't shrivel up and die if you go four hours without food.

Not to be a nitpicky but I have to eat every three hours. If I wait until four hrs I will have a blood sugar crash.   Seriously, three hours and fifteen minutes is pushing it.

I almost said something about this myself, and about the migraine that will happen. I can skip a meal, have done so and have not died. But I'm absolutely useless for the next day and a half.

I also keep "emergency rations" in my desk in case I forget my lunch, or, as happened recently, it gets stolen. Who steals unlabeled leftovers, anyway?

I'm pretty sure that's psychological or you may be diabetic or something.

http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

[Spork]

Dude you could have just skipped lunch, that's what I do in your situation. You don't shrivel up and die if you go four hours without food.

Not to be a nitpicky but I have to eat every three hours. If I wait until four hrs I will have a blood sugar crash.   Seriously, three hours and fifteen minutes is pushing it.

I almost said something about this myself, and about the migraine that will happen. I can skip a meal, have done so and have not died. But I'm absolutely useless for the next day and a half.

I also keep "emergency rations" in my desk in case I forget my lunch, or, as happened recently, it gets stolen. Who steals unlabeled leftovers, anyway?

I'm pretty sure that's psychological or you may be diabetic or something.

http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

For the blood sugar crash, I was thinking "eat more fat".  I'm not entirely sure about the migraines.  When I have migraines they're usually triggered by some environmental cause.

[Rural]

Dude you could have just skipped lunch, that's what I do in your situation. You don't shrivel up and die if you go four hours without food.

Not to be a nitpicky but I have to eat every three hours. If I wait until four hrs I will have a blood sugar crash.   Seriously, three hours and fifteen minutes is pushing it.

I almost said something about this myself, and about the migraine that will happen. I can skip a meal, have done so and have not died. But I'm absolutely useless for the next day and a half.

I also keep "emergency rations" in my desk in case I forget my lunch, or, as happened recently, it gets stolen. Who steals unlabeled leftovers, anyway?

I'm pretty sure that's psychological or you may be diabetic or something.

http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

For the blood sugar crash, I was thinking "eat more fat".  I'm not entirely sure about the migraines.  When I have migraines they're usually triggered by some environmental cause.

The migraines are caused by  blood sugar crashing per my blood test several years ago. I don't eat a lot of  fat, true, but I get around the problem by keeping a box of protein bars in a desk drawer for emergencies. Nature Valley makes cheap ones, sold next to the granola bars instead of the expensive health food area. Come to think of it, I'm sure those things are high fat, too.

[Spork]

The migraines are caused by  blood sugar crashing per my blood test several years ago. I don't eat a lot of  fat, true, but I get around the problem by keeping a box of protein bars in a desk drawer for emergencies. Nature Valley makes cheap ones, sold next to the granola bars instead of the expensive health food area. Come to think of it, I'm sure those things are high fat, too.

Every one is different... and "I am not a doctor".  But you might try adding significantly more fat.   It works for me. (I crash, too, if I eat carby stuff.)   I just googled the Nature's Valley things and they're pretty carby and "low fat" in the marketing.  In general, when you see "low fat" in marketing materials, it means "high carb".

[Sebastian]

Dude you could have just skipped lunch, that's what I do in your situation. You don't shrivel up and die if you go four hours without food.

Not to be a nitpicky but I have to eat every three hours. If I wait until four hrs I will have a blood sugar crash.   Seriously, three hours and fifteen minutes is pushing it.

I almost said something about this myself, and about the migraine that will happen. I can skip a meal, have done so and have not died. But I'm absolutely useless for the next day and a half.

I also keep "emergency rations" in my desk in case I forget my lunch, or, as happened recently, it gets stolen. Who steals unlabeled leftovers, anyway?

I'm pretty sure that's psychological or you may be diabetic or something.

http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

Awesome! Glad to see someone referencing leangains. This kind of helps my argument too. If you IF (intermittent fasting) it's pretty easy to still be hungry after a burrito bowl because you aren't snacking alllll day.

[Rural]

The migraines are caused by  blood sugar crashing per my blood test several years ago. I don't eat a lot of  fat, true, but I get around the problem by keeping a box of protein bars in a desk drawer for emergencies. Nature Valley makes cheap ones, sold next to the granola bars instead of the expensive health food area. Come to think of it, I'm sure those things are high fat, too.

Every one is different... and "I am not a doctor".  But you might try adding significantly more fat.   It works for me. (I crash, too, if I eat carby stuff.)   I just googled the Nature's Valley things and they're pretty carby and "low fat" in the marketing.  In general, when you see "low fat" in marketing materials, it means "high carb".

Thanks, but no. I do just fine, and like I said those bars are for emergencies. I eat less than one a month.

 I did, about a decade ago, cut out too much fat from my diet, when I had a significant ulcer and anything fatty would set it off. But at that point, driven by pain, I'd cut fat (and most other things) completely out of my diet. Alarming other symptoms (foggy thinking, dizziness, etc) got better when I added a tablespoon of plain olive oil a day. But like I said, I was eating very little and that little easily digestible. The bigger problem fixed itself, and the ulcer healed, when I was able to eliminate a major stressor, not from any dietary change. I'm happy with a balanced diet and prefer to avoid diets featuring any one food touted as  better than others. YMMV, of course.

[Tami1982]

Dude you could have just skipped lunch, that's what I do in your situation. You don't shrivel up and die if you go four hours without food.

Not to be a nitpicky but I have to eat every three hours. If I wait until four hrs I will have a blood sugar crash.   Seriously, three hours and fifteen minutes is pushing it.

I almost said something about this myself, and about the migraine that will happen. I can skip a meal, have done so and have not died. But I'm absolutely useless for the next day and a half.

I also keep "emergency rations" in my desk in case I forget my lunch, or, as happened recently, it gets stolen. Who steals unlabeled leftovers, anyway?

I'm pretty sure that's psychological or you may be diabetic or something.

http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

I'm in diabetic remission according to my a1c, and while I don't have high blood sugar any more, I crash pretty frequently.   I think it might get better with time, but for now, eating small meals every three works best:)

[boy_bye]

red lentils! make the delicious soup that you can get from most middle eastern places. it is super easy and ridiculously nommy.

fry up a shit ton of onions in some oil (i like to use butter or coconut oil).
when they get nice and brown, set half of them aside to use as a garnish.
add garlic -- LOTS -- to the onions and cook on medium for just a few minutes.
add your red lentils -- make sure you rinse them until the water runs clear, which takes a few minutes.
add some broth or water + stock.
cook for half an hour. the lentils will fall apart. nommm.
now use your immersion blender and blend it up until it's smooth.
squeeze a lemon into it and stir, and heat through.
serve with some of the browned onions.

i usually drink this soup like a hearty broth. it's very nourishing, and you can play around a lot with the recipe -- add cumin, or ginger, or coconut milk, or frozen corn, or leftover chicken, whatever you like. i really like it plain with just 5 ingredients though -- onions, garlic, lentils, broth, and lemon.

[iris lily]

...
How do people afford to eat out everyday? I didn't even get that much.. imagine if I got a soda or some other snacks?? People who eat out every day are crazy!

yup, the average Joe can't afford to eat out every day, but he hasn't figured that out. It does amaze me, the people I work with who go "out" for lunch although granted, it is not the majority.

[tuyop]

Awesome! Glad to see someone referencing leangains. This kind of helps my argument too. If you IF (intermittent fasting) it's pretty easy to still be hungry after a burrito bowl because you aren't snacking alllll day.

Yeah I've never felt less like a slave to food than I have since starting intermittent fasting. I've done a few 24-hour fasts now to keep my weekly calories in line and it's incredibly liberating. I can't recommend IF enough.

I'm biking a century this weekend (if I can fix my bike), and then trying a 48 hour fast.

[jba302]

Awesome! Glad to see someone referencing leangains. This kind of helps my argument too. If you IF (intermittent fasting) it's pretty easy to still be hungry after a burrito bowl because you aren't snacking alllll day.

Yeah I've never felt less like a slave to food than I have since starting intermittent fasting. I've done a few 24-hour fasts now to keep my weekly calories in line and it's incredibly liberating. I can't recommend IF enough.

I'm biking a century this weekend (if I can fix my bike), and then trying a 48 hour fast.

In that order? No carb load after?

I love IF for cutting, but for even a nominal weight gain I get stomach aches trying to eat all needed cals in such a short period. Berkham seems to be almost a competitive eater with what he can put down in a sitting.


Am I the only one who looked at 6'2 175 and thought "holy crap this guy needs to add some weight" ? I think I'm understanding why my food bill feels so durn high reading this site lol.

[tuyop]

Awesome! Glad to see someone referencing leangains. This kind of helps my argument too. If you IF (intermittent fasting) it's pretty easy to still be hungry after a burrito bowl because you aren't snacking alllll day.

Yeah I've never felt less like a slave to food than I have since starting intermittent fasting. I've done a few 24-hour fasts now to keep my weekly calories in line and it's incredibly liberating. I can't recommend IF enough.

I'm biking a century this weekend (if I can fix my bike), and then trying a 48 hour fast.

In that order? No carb load after?

I love IF for cutting, but for even a nominal weight gain I get stomach aches trying to eat all needed cals in such a short period. Berkham seems to be almost a competitive eater with what he can put down in a sitting.


Am I the only one who looked at 6'2 175 and thought "holy crap this guy needs to add some weight" ? I think I'm understanding why my food bill feels so durn high reading this site lol.

Yeah I don't roll with that carb stuff.

6'2 and 175 is pretty skinny, but I'm 6' and apparently my "ideal" weight is like 168 so I don't know (I weigh 181 and probably have a bit too much fat on me).

What's your total, SethBahookey?

[mpbaker22]

In that order? No carb load after?

Is it common to carb load after?  I understand his carb levels might be depleted, but I thought they were important before, but not so important after?  Particularly if you aren't planning any major events in the upcoming days.

[Hamster]

In that order? No carb load after?

Is it common to carb load after?  I understand his carb levels might be depleted, but I thought they were important before, but not so important after?  Particularly if you aren't planning any major events in the upcoming days.

Commonly quoted for endurance folks tends to be 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein taken right after prolonged exercise to promote recovery. I don't know that all the various iterations of carb/fat/protein have been directly compared he'd to head.