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A Fast-Food Rampage: The Beginning of the End

taylorrongholt

I am creating this blog to reach people who are like me. People who work all day, and might not have the time, or patience to cook some 5-star meal with fancy ingredients. This is for the person who shops at Walmart, Aldi, or Bi-lo (Stores may vary due to your location). I am, by no means, a chef or food professional. I am just the average 20-something year old trying to save money from stopping the fast-food rampage that my life has become.
I tallied up how much money I have spent of fast-food for the last 6 months. This is not including what I paid in cash.

  • December 2015 – $151.57
  • November 2015 – $179.64
  • October 2015 – $247.43
  • September 2015 – $120.78
  • August 2015 – $237
  • July 2015 – $100.99
  • June 2015 – $261.36

From June 2015-December 2015 I spent $1,298.77. If we wanted to round up and just go ahead and times that by 2.

$2,600 on fast food last year. You’re welcome Mcdonald’s.

It’s crazy to think that all that money could be going to the house I am trying to purchase. Or even a vacation! I dare you to look and see how much you have spent. You could have the same eye-opening experience as I had. I can only imagine how all this fast food has effected my body, and how much of it has contributed to the 50lbs I gained. Now what ways could I fix this? Obviously the best choice is to completely cut out fast food all together. Eat in more. Instead of spending close to $20 on a Large Dave’s Hot ‘n Juicy 3/4 Lb. Triple Meal (Max) and a Large Dave’s Hot ‘n Juicy 1/4 Lb. Single Meal (Me) from Wendy’s, I could spend the same amount for 6 chicken breasts (roughly $13)and then the rest of that assorted vegetables (give or take $7) that could feed us for 3 nights. But I’m sure your thinking the same as me “Oh Taylor, but Chicken and vegetables can’t even compare to the wonderfulness that is a juicy burger from Wendy’s!”. That is true, me. It can not at first glance! What I am going to try and achieve for myself, and everyone who has decided to stick with me on this blog, is to elevate basic stuff with basic ingredients on a basic budget to Wonderfulness. Can it be done? I’m sure it can! Will it be done? Stick along for the ride and I guess you’ll find out!

With love,

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61 thoughts on “A Fast-Food Rampage: The Beginning of the End”

  4. Good luck to you. We cut out all fast food about five years ago. We didn’t eat much to begin with, but with my kids being in their teens then, it was starting to get out of hand. My daughter who will be 20 in a few months is probably the most diligent when it comes to not eating fast food. It definitely takes time, patience, and at times creativity, but it surely can be done. We eat out only two or three times a year and that’s usually with family members that don’t cook and invite us out. Once it becomes a way of life, you’ll be surprised how easy it can be and how stopping for a quick Big Mac won’t even cross your mind. Good luck, I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.

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  6. Thanks for liking my post. I like your blog as well and yes I myself fell for the fast food lifestyle as sucky as it is….but we’re trying to cut down as much as we can 😏. Good luck and come visit me in my blogs once in awhile and I’ll check in here too!

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  7. Pingback: Upcoming for Peas Romaine Calm – Peas Romaine Calm

  9. Hey Taylor,
    I love your idea. Many do indeed not realize that cooking yourself is not only cheaper (gasp, who would’ve thought) but also more rewarding, more nutritious and full of variety. If you think about the fact that those fast foods only taste so good because they’ve got tons of artificial sugars and taste enhancers in them…well I’d rather not think about this too much.
    Good luck with your “basic ingredients on a basic budget”, even with basic ingredients one can have A LOT of fun (and if you treat yourself to some fancy spices it’ll even be better and totally worth the extra money!). I’ll definitely come back to your blog more often 🙂
    Greetings from the student kitchen,
    Johanna

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    1. It’s been a work in progress! It’s becoming easier and easier and is defiantly more rewarding. It’s fun picking out what I wanna eat and creating it myself! It’s also nice that I have friends who love to come over and review my cooking too 😛

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      1. Ooh, that’s really nice. Having dinners together and especially seeing others cook was a real big help for me too when I started cooking. And isn’t it rewarding when your friends come over and something you cooked yourself isy on their plates and they’re all like “ooooh this is SO good?” 🙂

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  10. Hi thank you for your visit Taylor..I hope if you visit again and have a wander round my blog you will find many recipes that are fresh and so quick to make . Good luck with your journey I am sure you will find many wonderful recipes there are so many blogs out there that have amazing ones and after 6 months you probably won’t even want a burger.. unless you make it! Have a lovely day 🙂

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  15. Great stuff! We took that step a few years ago, and while at times it can be challenging for the mind, it’s great when you learn to cook all your favourite foods at home, easily and quickly. (Side-effects include being disappointed when you pay money for a meal you could have cooked better yourself at home for a fraction of the price)

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    1. Yeah I’ve recently started noticing that I’ve been having craving for certain things that were my favorite take out foods. I’ve started to try and recreate them! Maybe after a couple times I will get it perfect!

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  18. Oh wow, this is an awesome introduction. Admittedly, I fall prey to the “but this is just SO MUCH EASIER” gimmick WAY too often even though cooking great food can be pretty cheap. We can do it! I’ll keep an eye on your great recipes 🙂

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  19. I love the title of your blog. It’s so clever! Cooking at home is the way to go. I agree completely. It may take more planning, but it’s worth it in the end for better health. I applaud your efforts!

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  20. You go girl! I’m studying holistic nutrition and I think that theres nothing better you could to for your health! You are your own best doctor. If you haven’t already, check out the documentary Food Matters, on Netflix or elsewhere. You will be truly inspired to keep going on this healthy journey! All the best to you.

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  24. that’s an awesome initiative! best of luck with eating clean! also, thank you for visiting my blog & liking my post. i’m new to this, so it’s very encouraging when someone finds my blog. great blog you have here!

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  26. Couple things: (1) Thank you for the love over on my blog – I really appreciate it! (2) Your blog is ADORABLE!!! (3) Been there, girlfriend. You can do it! I’ve chosen to follow along both on WordPress and Facebook! Good luck!

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  28. I had a similar experience when I tallied how much money went to fast food. It’s crazy. Glad I’m not alone and look forward to your blogs! And yes, it is possible : )

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  30. I have been eating healthy but boring food since I moved out, but last year I started to expirement and the internet is so much help! No one needs to be fancy cook, but so many blogs give you easy and so damn delicous meals! I just started doing sports again because after too much chocolate and being lazy I gained quite some weight! You go girl!

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  32. Do you do any canning? By taking a couple of days, you could can 7 quarts of chicken soup (eat as is or add noodles or tortillini), 7 quarts chicken breasts (just heat and add rice for a meal), 7 quarts of chili (just add beans for a complete meal), 7 quarts beef stew – alone or with vegetables) and probably have time to freeze twice baked potatoes and and/or diced prebaked potatoes for side dishes. I’d love to help out in any way. Look for other recipes on my blog http://www.newmanvalley.wordpress.com

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    1. I have not canned or jarring anything before! I have a pressure cooker that would be prefect for it, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. It is definitely something I really want to do! I will have to look more into it! Thank you for the recipe ideas for it! I love everything you listed so I’ll definitely have to keep it in the back of my mind!

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      1. There is a difference between a pressure cooker and a pressure canner – when you start, just be sure to get the right equipment. Get Ball’s Complete Canning Book at Lowes. It will tell you everything you need to know.

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  36. Loved your blog taylor 🙂 really got me smiling 🙂 thanks for stopping by my post .. i hope to write more ones in the next few days 🙂 would be happy to know what you feel and your comments 😀

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  37. YES THANK YOU! I need a blog like this in my life!! We are trying to cut out fast food and get healthier too so I’m thinking this will be a veryy helpful source to our success! Can’t wait to see more from you in the future!

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    1. Thank you so much! Also, good luck on the journey, it’s been difficult. I’ve just been trying to manage, and if I do eat out with family at a restaurant, to make sure I pick the healthier choice, vs the always lovable burger 😛

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  44. Pingback: Another Beginning: A New House & Forward – Peas Romaine Calm

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