I included Jen’s chicken breast and eggs, but I wanted to try
going gluten free for a week, so I swapped for gluten-free tortillas. I also
included balsamic vinegar (very importantly, this does not mean sugar-laden
dressing, just real balsamic vinegar and one particular dressing that’s just
vinegar and oil and no junk or gluten). I was going to limit my list to pears, sweet
potatoes, spinach and avocado, but in the end decided to include all vegetables
and fruits. I also have had some 100% fruit juice mixed with sparkling water,
salt and pepper, and olive oil for cooking.
What isn’t on this list… cookies, bread, cheese, milk, ice
cream, candy, cookies, brownies chocolate, soda, wine, beer, coffee, iced tea….
A lot of more. Those are the ones I really miss. Especially iced tea, and super
especially baked goods.
I have had a few moments when I thought I might lose it. The
first was day 1. I drink coffee or tea every day. Lately, I’ve been drinking a
glass of iced tea every morning. The night before day 1 included a trip to
urgent care for a massively painful canker sore, which meant I was already limited
what I could actually eat. And it turns out that my body is pretty accustomed
to caffeine, so by the afternoon of day 1 I was completely useless, laying on
the couch, a combination of the migraine from the caffeine withdrawal and
feeling generally blah from the canker sore and resulting antibiotics. Normally
that’s exactly when I want sugar. Day 2 was a little better, the headache more
mild, and then we went to church. Being on the hospitality team, it’s my job to
put out all of the trays of goodies after the service. And one person was so
kind as to bring a full tray of caramel brownies (my kryptonite). I had to
prepare, set out, clean up, and wash that tray. Oh, and then Carter had to go
to urgent care immediately after church. Fun times right off the bat. Yesterday
in Sprouts I almost cried in the bakery section. Seriously. It’s also Easter
time and Cadbury eggs call my name from my very own pantry, along with their
friends Starburst jelly beans. Today I ate some clandestine food, a salad with
turkey breast and a little avocado mousse which probably had a little cream,
but that’s been it.
But in all of this complaining, there’s been a lot of good perspective. Our entire culture revolves around food, almost to the point of worship. My so-called problems are really nothing compared to the millions
of people who are actually hungry. We have over 650 food items in our house. That’s a real problem. I’m hoping that over time we have far, far less. SO much
less! I’ve had to focus on why I’m doing this, and I really like how Jen
Hatmaker sums it up as a prayer of less of me and my junk and more of God. Our
bodies are temples, and Little Debbie is not the high priest. Day 1 we watched
Hungry for Change, which was mostly stuff I already know and yet altogether
convicting and encouraging. We super blessed to live in America, where we have
so many healthy food options. And I have an amazing supportive husband who did
this all with me and even made dinner every night. I also found out that I tend
to eat little things mindlessly, which I noticed when I almost accidentally popped a jelly bean in my mouth about 50 times.
So tomorrow is the end of my 7 days. I don’t physically feel
much different, but spiritually I really do want to be conscious in this area
of food.
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