Day 7- Confessional

Okay- I admit it.  I fell off the wagon last night.  I did eat the other veggies that I mentioned previously.  Green beans and brussel sprouts were quite thrilling additions and added nice variety to my seven foods.  Never would have seen myself writing the previous sentence before this week!  We did have chicken for dinner...again.

And here it comes...I had wine last night.  Yes this is a confessional post.  We were sitting outside enjoying the fabulous weather and grilling our chicken and then it happened.  Joey poured himself a drink and grabbed a cigar.  I was holding strong- I had my ice water and peppers with yogurt for dip.  All was going well- the kids were watching a movie before bed, the sun was setting, and my resistance failed!!  And not only did I have wine- I had 3 glasses and I enjoyed each and every sip!  I didn't actually finish the last glass but I intended to when I poured it.

There I said it- I blew it last night!  And not only did I blow it- I was happy I did.  And guess what else...I woke up this morning and drank ice water again and had another omelet with peppers and chicken and the experiment goes on just as if nothing changed.  I think that has to count for something.  I had an urge to just say once I had the wine last night, what is a little coffee this morning.  But no, I didn't do that.  I pulled up my big girl pants and admitted my failure publicly and now I am back on with my 7.

In my 7 journey, week one is wrapping up and I feel like I am right where I am supposed to be.

Day 6 - Unexpected Lessons

So I started this with the thought that God was going to teach me about over abundance and over indulgence.  I still believe I have more than enough to learn in that area but I am not sure that is His plan for me this month in particular.  I am really feeling the benefits of the healthy choices I have been making this past week.  I have been taking time to take care of me both through the food I am eating but also getting more exercise and sleep.  Though I am only 20% through with the month (yes, I am counting) I have definitely been praying more and really focused on learning the lessons intended for me.  I really feel that this month for me is far more about treating my body as the temple God intended it to be and less like the frat house or college freshman that has been more the recent norm.  I had truly become lazy in my diet and general health and I was definitely in a personal rut over it.  I am not a very disciplined person but I am a rule follower- especially when I count the group as my body of enforcers.  I think this month for me is not about 7 foods or lack of foods, etc.  I think this month is about general personal health and wellness.  I also think that is most certainly what God wants me to take away as a long term message for the rest of forever.  Will I ever snack or drink coffee or wine again- MOST CERTAINLY!!  I do however anticipate and pray that I will do all of these things in a way that continues to treat myself well.  Who knew an apple or pepper slices dipped in plain yogurt could be delicious and quite satisfying all in one.  Not gonna lie- the water still isn't doing it for me but clearly without it I would be much worse off.  Anyway- my take away is that God will use anything and everything you offer to teach you lessons, you just have to be prepared to learn the lesson and open to accepting the lesson may not be what you expected.  Clearly if you think you have a lesson to learn, He will deal with that too in due time.  Fortunately He knows this human is not a fabulous multi-tasker so He is sticking to small lessons over a long time.  I am listening Lord!

On a side note- I ate brussel sprouts with a chicken burger and fried egg for lunch- the egg makes the chicken not so dry since I didn't use ketchup.  I plan to eat the fresh green beans for dinner with beer can chicken (Joey has offered to drink half the beer to prep and avoid waste:)) and I will be eating carrot sticks dipped in yogurt for an appetizer on the back porch while drinking ice water from a wine glass.  Yes- I went out of the boundaries of my seven foods but I feel like the bigger picture of avoiding waste and maintaining healthy choices has been preserved.   I had a lot of produce ready to go to total waste without me to save it.

Also- I really wanted coffee this morning as we headed out early to the ball field and I heard it brewing in the kitchen for my other mean half.  A little sympathy- and waiting until I left the house to start the coffee maker would have been polite.  And last night - the Braves game just wasn't the same with no food and only 2 bottles of water to drink.  Cheaper- yes, as much fun- probably, the same- NO!

My Prayer this morning

So this is what I prayed this morning while fixing breakfast for my boys. (Yesterday was rough for me in case you can't tell, so this morning I was less than enthusiastic)

Dear God,
Please give me strength and patience today.  Change my heart.  Please help me not to want to throw sweet potatoes across the room when my children refuse to eat perfectly healthy food that I would give my right arm for right now.  Please help Hosford not to say the word "yucky" at every meal.  Please help me not to have a short fuse and take my feelings out on my husband when he says, "you chose to do this, no one made you."  Give me peace and help me to remember those to whom these seven foods would be the greatest blessing, across the world and even here in the US.  I pray to be drawn closer to the Holy Spirit today in my weakness and brokenness. Amen

I know he is listening because right after I finished Hosford and I had this exchange:
H: Mama, what are you having for breakfast?
Me: Eggs and a sweet potato
H: Yummy!  I love eggs!
Me: You do?  Do you want some?
H: No, I am having pancakes.
Me: Yes you are :)

Makes it easier to eat when someone else tells you it is yummy, even if he is 4 and you know he would not touch an egg with a ten foot pole :)

Prayers welcome today...I need them :)

Day 5 - Beverly's Post

Raise your hand if you seem to have TONS of extra time on your hands without drinking coffee or eating chocolate!  (hand raised)  Where have I been spending my time??  My sense of smell has seemed to be in overdrive as well.  I am serious.  I can smell cilantro from a Mexican food place from across the street, I can smell flowers as I walk by them in the grocery store.  I think it has to do with my separation from sugar.  I was just reading an article today about sugar intake and how it takes 6 days to detox from sugar and how when you start eating it again your body will not like it as much.  The same article said that we unknowingly use sugar as a "reward"...boy do they have that right.

I didn't realize that I was bargaining with God all this time.  I have a sense of entitlement with being a stay at home mom that I deserve a reward for the struggles I endure everyday.  I hate to say that out loud, but it's true.  I feel like my sugary treats are my payment for a job well done or for a failure I encountered.

God does not want me to see my life that way.  I want to turn my eyes to Him who is able to do all things and find my reward in Him.

Five days into this and I feel little more normal.  I am slowing detoxing.  Less of me, more of Him!

Also...like Katie, I have been going to bed sooner and taking better care of myself in general.  I loved the comment of "forced health" too from the most recent post.  That describes this perfectly!  I definitely see a softening of my spirit...a forced health of spirit....and it is good!

So I officially started my 7 journey today.  For the next 30 days I will eat nothing but chicken, whole wheat bread, black beans, spinach, tomatoes, oranges and cheese.  Today went really well until I ate a piece of chocolate from the candy bowl at work.  Totally forgot about the whole thing until I was savoring the taste of chocolate and went "O crap."

I've been sharing with folks at work about this seven months of living with less - of drastically reducing what I eat, wear, and consume on a daily basis.  They probably think I'm a little crazy.  I guess they could be right.  I'm in the middle of some life changing decisions.  I'm quitting my job (my last day is Wednesday), so I can find something that gives me more time  with my daughter, Eleanor.  I also shared with a couple of colleagues that I might be interested in going back to school - divinity or seminary.  (Let's keep this between us, since I've not discussed this interest with Hugh with any seriousness.  He might divorce me if I tell him I'm going to go back to school again.)  And to top it all off, I'm only eating seven foods for the next 30 days.  Yep, probably crazy.  Am I in the midst of a mid-life crisis?  I don't think so, I actually feel more at peace right now than I have in months (maybe years). 

This 7 adventure came just at the right time for me.  I prayed this morning that I would make the most of this experience.  The goal is not to do something gimicky, the goal is to reduce in order to make room for God to work and reveal his plans and purposes for my life.  I am in simplification mode.  My hectic schedule has to slow down.  I need to learn the value of delayed gratification.  I need to find ways to receive less and give more.  This is some of what I hope to get out of the next 7 months.  Here I go!


P.S. I just heard about a book written by a guy from Atlanta.  It's called "The Power of Half: One Family's Decision to Stop Talking and Start Giving Back."  I'm going to download it this week.  Definitely sounds like it fits right in with the theme.  

P.P.S. I'm already asking for a reprieve.  My boss is coordinating a going away dinner for me on Tuesday night.  I made the call that I would call off 7 for the evening and enjoy the meal with friends and colleagues.  Hope the group supports me in that decision.  I admit, I feel a bit guilty about it.

Day 4- Counting my blessings

As I sat to say my blessing at lunch, I couldn't help but grab my phone a take a picture of the delicious food in front of me.  I am so lucky to be able to afford fresh, nutritious, mostly organic wonderful food.  These foods are making me feel amazing.  I really am waking up easier, ready to exercise and face the day.  We are out the door faster- no waiting on the coffee maker these days.  Water is really quick to fix.  Another day with endless options I would have likely grabbed a cereal bar and a diet ginger ale and called that lunch.  Doesn't even compare.  I love the forced health.  I feel like I am treating my body and food the way God intended for the first time in probably years.  It is delicious nourishment, not therapy, a cure for boredom, etc.  And it is only day 4?!?!  I expect I will get tired of these foods and have some complaints in the future- I am not as bold as Beverly to say I won't complain but for now I am in a state of peace and happiness.  Loving my 7!

Good morning!  Approaching my first 24 hours :)  I got this in an email from LiveStrong yesterday and thought I would pass it along for those of you who chose eggs as one of your 7.  Have a wonderful day!
http://www.livestrong.com/blog/the-healthiest-food-in-the-world/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=04252012
PS- Katie, I think you might need to teach me how to make an omelet :)

Headaches are only temporary...

I am finally starting to feel more human.  My headache is finally gone!!  Boy do I feel God's love in that little miracle.  I am still sluggish but that is probably that this is also a diet of sorts given how much I have gorged myself recently and my stomach has some shrinking to do.  I can't wait to see how creative I will be in meal combinations by the time this month is over.  We have been going to be much earlier this week- in bed by 9 both days and I see a repeat ahead of me.  With no glass of wine or tea and no dessert waiting for me after the kids are in bed, sleeping seems like a perfect alternative.  I stocked up Monday morning on all seven foods- and here we are nearly 3 days complete and I am almost out of apples and yogurt.  I am becoming an omelet master.  I actually feel pretty good today.  For those who haven't started yet- I do need to caution you to make sure that you can combine your foods in a way to provide enough calories to sustain.  I have been tracking and the most I can eat is 1,100 calories stuffing my face.  I know that is a minor side bar but make sure you have a few foods with substance.       

I am in!

After much deliberation (and procrastination) I finally chose my seven:
1. Sweet Potatoes
2. Yogurt
3. Wraps
4. Spinach
5. Strawberries
6. Hummus
7. Eggs (it was going to be avocados, but since there were no ripe ones at public, I decided to go with eggs since they are always available)
Still not feeling confident about yogurt and strawberries...we'll see if they make it:)
I started at lunch today (I'll go 31 days through b'fast to catch up) and had a wrap with spinach and hummus.  Enjoying my nice big glass of water :)  I am a control freak and am nervous about giving up whatever illusion of control that I have.  That is the funny part, I know it is an illusion, so hopefully I will know that He is in control even when I don't give it over, so I might as well surrender- just have to let go and let God.

Hillary- I have a loaf of blueberry bread with sugary glaze (yumm!!!) that needs a home next to that bottle of wine :)  It is calling to me and it has only been 3 hours!

One week out from the second launch

Just a quick comment today since I am not technically on board yet.  I had my false start on Monday and have to say I am a bit put off by my obvious addiction to caffine.  Seriously, I had a severe headache and was slightly depressed after one morning sans java.  I am using this hold week to slowly back off the liquid gold in hopes the second go will be a little less jolting.  I did want to say that I worked out this morning at 6am, (don't even get me started), but that I found the early morning activity to lessen my desire for it.  I still had some, because I still can, but the longing was less.  And that is a start.  As I was on the way home it made me think about the millions of people who struggle with a TRUE addiction.  They are in my prayers this week as I prepare.  I can not imagine being addicted to something much stronger than coffee.  I have a greater, (albiet much smaller), understanding of the internal struggle may of them must face every day and for that insight I am thankful.

Project 7 - day 3 - posted by Beverly

Day 3. - Beverly checking in. Yesterday I decided that I was not going to complain at all during this project. My friend SK and I said we were going to hit this head on and be intentionally thankful. Well, I wish I could bleep that out. Today I am at home with a crying 3 year old who is stubbornly refusing to go #2. I need some coffee people!! I mean I NEED it now. But even as I write this the Lord has brought to mind my friend Kerry who is in Haiti right now. She sent me a picture of where the orphan lives who she will bring home and call her daughter. I was shocked at how the kids were showering in the rain because they have no running water. They have no toilets. How blessed am I that I even get to potty a child who owns a toilet...more like 3.5 toilets. And so, project 7 remains a success today as I swallow my complaints and give thanks to the God who blesses me more than I have eyes to see or a heart that comprehends. Three things I am thankful for today: toilets Heat for my house (in April?) The ability to worship God in safety

Just FYI, per Wiipedia, for anyone else who is feeling it:

Caffeine Withdrawl Symptoms including headache, irritability, inability to concentrate, drowsiness, insomnia, and pain in the stomach, upper body, and joints—may appear within 12 to 24 hours after discontinuation of caffeine intake, peak at roughly 48 hours, and usually last from 2 to 9 days

Day one report for Emily: 8:30 am photo shoot with entire family at piedmont park.  46 degrees.  No coffee.  Wow.  I have so far had scrambled eggs with cheese on a tortilla, sweet potato hash and steamed broccoli, (which i switched out last minute for spinach).  So, this is kind of hard.  I am actually writing because I have changed mind about my start date.  I'm going to Texas to see my family on Thursday and was weighing the option of 7 foods while in Texas or no wine at Memorial Day.  Texas has won out.  I have had a false start.  I am on my way to the kitchen to have a big bowl of pasta salad and maybe some ice cream.  I am going to start when we get back from Texas so I will be able to partake in some of my favorite restaurants and food in the entire world, guilt free.  I feel like I am just setting myself up for failure if I try to stick to seven foods on vacation.  So there you have it.  I have already broken :)  New start date: May, 3.

So tonight we begin! Liz, Becca, Hillary, Katie, Amy and I met for dinner to hash out details and share our 7 food choices. There was much talk about coffee and wine. Sounds like the group is going to go straight water, Hil is going to pray about that one and get back to us:). Amy, being preggers and all, is going to limit her food choices to items with seven or fewer ingredients. I went pretty much with the authors choices but we had some very interesting choices. Among them: grapes, black beans, yogurt, bell peppers. All very interesting. I can't wait to hear everyone's feedback in retrospect about their foods. Personally I am going with: chicken, cheese, sweet potatoes, spinach, whole wheat tortillas, eggs and bananas. We said yes to butter, olive oil, salt, pepper and spices/herbs. No doubt this will be a challenge but a welcome time to reflect. Liz shared a verse that summed up many of the feelings driving this group so I thought I'd close by sharing it. "Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin.". Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but are not warm. You earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes. This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways." Haggai 1:3-7. With that, may month one begin. Girls, post your seven foods and your start dates. Away we go......