It's been a week already... And I can't believe I'm using the word 'already' to describe the passage of time during this month of self-denial and simplicity. But it's true. We're a quarter of the way done with the food challenge. How about a moment of dancing for joy? :)
In all honesty though, I've been genuinely surprised by a few things. Of course, the surprises are coupled with things I've learned in the process, so I must convey them by talking about the lessons themselves. Surprises are like that... the moment of shock when you walk in on a birthday party in your honor is the moment you learn that all of your friends have been scheming behind your back.
Surprise/Lesson #1 - I Cook Out of my Spice Cabinet
Do you have any idea how many times I have reached for the garlic powder or the crushed red pepper flakes? Or the vanilla? Or the oregano? Or the________...??? Salt and pepper my foot! I'm beginning to question the wisdom of my choice of lemons for flavor. I mean, they save my hide when it's salad time at lunch, but man! What I wouldn't give for some garlic! All that to say, I've come to realize that I have no appreciation for the naturally present flavors of my food. I smother it in added seasonings regularly. Now that I've had a week of eating it plain, I'm slowly recognizing that real food plain is actually quite flavorful in and of itself. A little salt can really bring it out!
Surprise/Lesson #2 - I have 'Errands' Systematically Connected to 'Food'
Seriously. Running around town tends to be a lengthy process for me and, as I mentioned in a previous post, it usually sees me stopping somewhere. Somewhere with food. And a Dr. Pepper. That being said, my last day of running errands I lived off of bananas and a hard boiled egg and didn't really get hungry. (Have I mentioned that I'm convinced my stomach is shrinking?) Wanted something, yes. But got hungry? No. And with this discovery has come another. I can actually 'make it' without stopping and buying some highly-processed, mostly-fake, fast food yumminess that is bad for me and slowly erodes away my wallet. I've thought about looking back to see how much I generally spend at fast food places in a month but the thought scared me. Plus I knew how difficult it would be to differentiate between my purchases and DH's so I decided I had learned this lesson without that information anyway so I didn't need it now.
Surprise/Lesson #3 - I am a Creature of Habit
Okay... this wasn't really a surprise or a lesson. I knew this about myself, but I rediscovered it. Maybe it's still a tad early to make this claim, but I feel like I have already formed this routine of eating. Breakfast - Eggs & Avacado Lunch - Spinach Salad Snack - Banana Supper - Sweet Potato & Chicken To be totally honest, I am falling in love with the simplicity of this reduction. Sure, I'd kick up the spice and flavor bit. But eating the same thing over and over again is so easy on the brain. AND, it makes cheat days like yesterday extra special. It was actually exciting to go to the store for ingredients and spend hours in the kitchen cooking my man's birthday supper! Of course, that could have had something to do with the fact that there is still ice and snow all around and I'm growing a deep and dark hatred for the cold and anything to do with winter... but still. It was fun!
Surpise/Lesson #4 - We Equate Social Gatherings with Food
I used to think it was a Baptist thing, that we couldn't get together without eating. Any more, I'm convinced that it's just a human thing. The council has agreed. We get together for lunch, celebrate with food, chat over coffee and doughnuts... Whenever we're invited to ANYthing social, we always ask "What should we bring?" Really, now, what would a party be without finger foods? Honestly, I don't know. It's not that I think this is a problem, per say, but you have to wonder how much more actual time we could spend together if we weren't spending our time in the kitchen.
Surprise/Lesson #5 - I Can't Explain '7' in Under 5 Minutes
No, I haven't actually timed myself... yet. But when I showed up at church on Wednesday night (Fellowship Dinner Night... Man that chili smelled good!) with my bag of groceries and began to assemble my own supper like the picky eater I've never been, of course the questions came. I was seriously wishing for my 7-Buddy Amy to be there to help me out but, alas, I had forgotten that she does Awana at another location on Wednesdays. So I was on my own to field questions to those who had never heard about it. I've tried to come up with simple one-liners to satisfy people's curiosity but so far they haven't been enough. Apparently, a 'fast from excess' doesn't compute as a good reason to pass up chili in the frozen tundra of Oklahoma for a salad, dry chicken, and a sweet potato. Usually I end up telling them about the book and suggesting they read it to find out all the cool stuff I left out. Your welcome, Jen, for the advertisement. ;)
Surprise/Lesson #6 - God is Faithful to Provide
Different levels of surprise have been reported by my faithful friends... but we all agree on the lesson. With varying depths of struggle and temptation, we have all grown stronger in this endeavor. What was once painful to see and not have (your husband's jalapeno poppers in the oven) is now a labor of love, made more sweet by the fact that it's for your loved ones entirely and you get no benefit other than knowing it is enjoyed by them. Kristi said that, in answer to her prayers, it is becoming easier to prepare meals for her family without even being tempted. And being obedient in this one challenge has served to be a reminder time after time throughout the day to be in prayer and has driven us closer to the One Who provides all of our needs and lavishes on us so many of our wants! As my mom, Michele, put it "God is faithful to walk you through what He calls you to do." If He is calling you to something... please do it! You never know who you will bless or how it will bless you.
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