Day 4: Check the whining

My personal mission with this project was simple.  I wanted the 28 day G.U.L.P. to inspire real personal growth, I wanted to support three amazing, non-profit organizations that align with my values, and wanted this project to call attention to the fact that countless non-profit agencies doing incredible work in providing aid to the most vulnerable among us are struggling, no different than so many individuals, with these challenging economic times.

I took today off and spent the morning with my mom.  As usual, we had great fun. Yet, I was bummed that we couldn't go to Dixon's for brunch and enjoy eggs benedict with avocado, and an extra hot, no-foam latte. I feel the void of deprivation. I feel. I know that in 25 days, should I choose, I can enjoy these indulgences again, but today I feel the absence. Boy, do I feel it.

Here's a sobering fact: According to the Center on Hunger & Poverty, there are approximately 38 million people that do not have access to enough food to meet their basic needs. Roughly one in ten -one in ten! - U.S. households, more that 36 million people, live in poverty. Yes, here in the United States. So, get over yourself, Ann. This project is good for me.  It moves me, if only a little, to a place of greater gratitude.

Who knew coffee has the ability to stalk?

I'm convinced that coffee is stalking me.  My dear friend, Adrienne, and I went shopping for paint, a wall clock, and a bench yesterday (she's redecorating her living room). Nearly every shopper held in his hand a red, paper cup embossed with that familiar green circle. And each one seemed to be hovering near the aisle I was in, or at least the aroma of the cappuccino was.  It was painful. Reading some of the paint names was no help: creamy latte, rich cocoa, vanilla bean. Only three days into my project and it's clear that a relatively benign indulgence wields an inordinate amount of power. I've substituted hot water with honey for this sublime pleasure. It's really no substitute at all. Much to think about. Off to make a late lunch of heavily peppered, shredded potatoes and scrambled eggs.

Day 2 is going to be good.

Yesterday, my mom, being the creative, generous woman she is, helped me prepare foods for the next week or so. We started with a quiche or sorts: Shredded potatoes comprised the crust, eggs, black beans, and lots of salt and pepper made up the filling. A bit bland but a packs a protein punch. We then made a strange concoction of scrambled eggs and potatoes (conventional at this point) which we scooped and wrapped in soaked cabbage leaves, covered them in black beans, and baked the beautiful purple right out of the cabbage. I haven't tried them yet. They look about as appealing as saw dust. But I'll eat 'em. Finally, we made hummus. Wow! So simple and so delicious: garbanzo beans, garlic-infused olive oil, and salt and pepper whipped in a blender until smooth. I'm certain I'll make this hummus well after my project. I say that now. I had a baked, sweet potato and a hard-boiled egg for dinner and went to bed early.

This morning I'm off to help a girlfriend paint her living room. Hummus, carrots, almonds, and a few hard-boiled eggs in tow. She lives just blocks away from Meade St. Station (one of my favorite pubs ever!). But we won't be eating there. Preparing to undertake this project is one thing, living it is quite another...

...and the journey begins

We had an incredible Thanksgiving with family and friends: delicious food, great conversation, games, a precious new pup, Henry, and lots of laughter. Having barely swallowed some of my favorite foods last night, I found myself craving them again. (Nope, didn't do such a good job of being in the present.) I'm feeling both anxious and excited about stepping into these next four weeks of self-imposed, food-choice forfeiture. I had seconds of stuffing, enjoyed an extra glass of wine, and coffee with lots of cream (rarely do I drink coffee in late afternoon). I think the gratitude I felt seemed more poignant than years past. In part, because I knew what I was about to be “losing.”

A few months ago I sat down with an incredible KP dietitian, Mary Englick, and explained my project. My food selection criteria was fairly simple. I wanted foods that were relatively inexpensive, generally within this growing season, nutritionally balanced, offered some variety, and would ensure my caloric intake wouldn't vary much from my usual diet. We agreed on the following choices, and I'll be eating these exclusively for the next 28 days: nuts, eggs, yogurt, beans, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots; five condiments, olive oil, curry powder, salt, pepper, and honey; and one beverage, water. I can combine these foods in any way and eat the various varieties within each group, cashews and almonds, sweet and red potatoes for example.

At this moment, though, I would really love a steaming cup of joe. Not going to happen.