Not-so-happy meals

[Kay/NC]

Just saw a news crawl that said fast-food chains have already figured out a simple way to circumvent the happy meal ban in San Francisco... Instead of giving away the toy with the meal, they are charging ten cents for it. Guess I find myself thinking, "What idiot was too simple to see that coming?". The whole intent of these bans is to prevent the marketing of calorie-, salt-, and fat-laden foods to young children. Taking out the free toy was apparently the only way an entire huge city's legal staff coils think of to thwart these sales?!? Whatever happened to the parents being unable to say "No" to fast-food for their family? I would say that I eat at a fast-food place maybe twice a year, if that. I can see the lure when you are on a vacation, but eating out ought not to be such a habit that a bit of poor nutrition for that single meal would matter all that much. I guess the problem is that these junky foods are becoming the mainstay of many families' diets. This whole year, the only fast-food meal I can recall eating is a chicken sandwich and waffle fries at Chik- fil- A. I could have had a salad, but wanted a bit of comfort food, and a spicy chicken filet is close enough to count. Made me wonder this morning: How often do you eat fast-food, and do you feel you have an affordable alternative, or at least a healthier one?

[suey1973]

I'm not as healthy as you Kay.   But,  we have been improving over the past few years.  We hit McDonalds more often during the return of the McRibs.   When we go to the movies we usually eat at Arbys or Dairy Queen.   Most of the time if we want fast food we eat at Subway.     So I'd say we eat at a "fast food"  resturant about 2x per month  if... we don't count Subway.   During the kids' Jr. High and High School Days we probably were at least once per week.   Simply running after the kids  meant more meals in the car.  

Occasionally,  just have to have some french fries.    They call to me.   

[linda/IL]

Oh, we're guilty, guilty, guilty!!  We've been eating out much too often at fast food places.  In our defense, it's just impossible to fit in the trips for this & that making a drive of 40 min or so; trying to fit in the errands, etc. and make it back home for milking/chores and NOT eat at a fast food joint.  We have a small window of time and that's the way it is. 

What gets me is that for me to eat healthy with a salad w/grilled chicken, I pay almost as much as their meals together.  Salads are always at least $6.  I realize lettuce spoils fast, but gosh, that's a lot.  As far as Subway & deli sandwiches, the sodium doesn't sit real well with me.  When we have time we eat at a "real" restaurant.  Like Suey, I always have to sneak one french fry!  LOL  We've been eating out way too much lately.  Too much running around.  I went shopping on the fly today, at the last minute, and so I grabbed Pizza Hut pizza on the way home.

DH stopped at the locker to bring home some of our meat so I should be able to get out the crock pot now.  All I had in the freezer here were T bones & I like to save them.  I really didn't have much room with all the holiday pies, rolls, etc. that I froze.

[Kay/NC]

We had put some things from the kitchen empty- out on top of the chest freezer until today. That meant we have eaten a lot of ham sandwiches and that BBQ we smuggled home so far this week. Mike finally moved those items off, and asked me for his panini griddle today, so I dug it out of the storage box I had stashed it in. He made excellent pastrami and Swiss paninis for supper. I am planning to use up some cabbage and hot links tomorrow in a soup, I think. One thing about moving out everything in your cooking and food storage area: it will cause you to want to finsh up some of it, instead of having to move it again and then put it all away, for the third time since it was bought. For some reason. this thread is making me crave onion rings....

[turkey feather]

I have always assumed that McDonald's dollar items were loss-leader items like grocery stores have and then they expect the customer to purchase a large drink and other items that have a high profit margin. This evens out their profit. Soda is almost all profit.

I understand why you stop for fast food. We too have to usually drive 20-40 miles to get to town of any size.

[Kay/NC]

" Town" is 22 miles from here, a small " city" another half-hour past that. I used to grab a lot of quick meals, but have started just toughing it out until I get home, or having a small fruit smoothie, or something similar, even a glass of unsweetened tea, for the drive. My worst vice of a quick meal was a Sam's hotdog, but I haven't had one in quite a while.

[linda/IL]

I tried to tough it out yesterday while running from store to store.  Was getting so pooped out I wasn't making good decisions, so when I drove the short distance to Kohls I grabbed a coffee & $.99 jr. cheeseburger & wolfed it down

while driving.  Never do that but it fit the bill & gave me some oomph to continue.  I'm not a good shopper or decision maker on the fly.  Sure wish I was.  DIL has asked for 2 yrs for a V neck sweater without ruffles, etc. at the neckline.  Finding a good quality one that has no extras or diamonds on it or not skimpy at the midriff was a real task.  Ended up with 3 of them from different stores as I wasn't happy with any of them, actually.  I'll be going back & will return the rejects.

And then there's the "problem" with sales.  I love them but sometimes I have an item selected for just the right money and get to the check out to find it's much cheaper.  Then I feel like I need to fill in with more & that's more work!!

[Kay/NC]

Uh-ohhhh!  Buying stuff and then taking it back...sounds familiar!?!

I have been told that there is hardly ever any reason to reutrn a gift we give, but I am starting to give more gift cards and checks, as the kids get older, too.

I swore when I bought this car four years ago, that I would not eat meals behind the wheel.  I think that is a sign of pushing too hard, and we need to take the time to nourish ourselves.  Have had a banana or two while driving, though!

[soilbabe]

On the v-neck sweaters sans ruffles, etc....both Lands End and LLBean have nice ones in a variety of colors and fabrics....the cable knit ones are especially nice.  You also get free shipping and a $10 gift card if you spend more than $50.  I bought two cardigans from Eddie Bauer this fall and don't like the neckline on them at all.....wish I had ordered from LE or LLBean instead.

[linda/IL]

Oh Kay, you got me there on the returns!!  LOL  I know I'll be taking mom next week for her car repair so I was pretty loose buying/making decisions!  On the sweaters, I think I'll let DS#2 give one of them. 

I usually never eat in the car as I usually spill either on the car or myself.  Rare occasion for me.  I'm doing online on Monday, I swear!