From Neo --

In case I am unable to participate tomorrow due to the hurricane, here are my thoughts:

Of the seven factors that we drew up (alcohol, calories, protein, salt/sodium, cholesterol/fat, artificial preservatives, and sugars/sweeteners), I will pursue salt-sodium and calories.

The following is the reference diet based on what I ate over 7 of the days since we broke camp.  It represents a typical diet for me (which I hope you don't mind my sharing).

Current Breakfasts (7):

3 = raisin bran, 2 toast with butter and jam
2 = greek yogurt with jam, 2 toast with butter
1 = pancakes (double stack) w syrup, corned beef hash (1/2 can) with additional seasonings, lots of coffee
1 = cheese omelette, bacon, lots of coffee

Lunches (7):

5 = chicken caesar salad with 2 packets of dressing, 50cent vending pack of cheese crackers, lots of coffee
2 = fast food lunch with kids -- 1 Burger King and 1 Pizza Hut

Dinners (7):

1 = 1/3 cornish hen, white rice with butter and garlic sauce, broccoli, chocolate chip cookie, water
1 = rendang (stewed spiced beef), white rice, kale with balsamic vinegar, chocolate chip cooke, water
1 = lamb chops w/mint jelly, white rice, spinach, chocolate chip cookie, water
1 = schnitzel with pickled red cabbage, mashed potatoes, chocolate chip cookie, water
1 = fried glass noodle with shrimp, scrambled egg, cabbage and carrots, chocolate chip cookie, water
1 = bulgogi ribs (4ea), white rice, kimchi, chocolate chip cookie, water
1 = spaghetti with tomato sauce, chocolate chip cookie, water

Snacks and Other Stuff (7):

7 = usually one pack of peanut M&Ms, lots of coffee, 1 beer at night (um, well, ok, maybe two...)

Now, I plan to develop the reference diet after the storm, but for next week I will have come up with the cost figures, and I already know the general degree of satisfaction.  Here's how I propose dealing with satisfaction:  Likert scale 1 to 5 (satisfaction being high) in which we answer the following questions on a per-meal basis (so we have to answer this for each of the 21 meals):

+  How satisfying was the meal's taste?
+  How satisfactorily filling was the meal?
+  How satisfied were you based on the meal's nutritional value?
+  How convenient was the meal to prepare and eat?
+  Would you eat this meal on a regular or occasional basis? (5 = regular, 3 = occasional)

I don't yet have an opinion on 'sustainable' and how we can best measure it.  Maybe subjectively as an overall assessment (not per meal)?  This is my impression based on how Nancy defined it, but I'll go with y'all.

See you Monday maybe, or not.  Let's just hope the storm passes quickly.

Cheers, Neo