Calendared tonight was dinner with dear friends. It was an invitation I accepted some time ago. I was eager to see them, to catch-up, share recent experiences, and laugh, but I was skeptical about the dinner part. Susan said that she wanted to cook and promised not to deviate from my selections. Twice I offered to bring my own food. She would have none of it. I was grateful for her enthusiasm in embracing my odd decision to walk this brief path - but I was less than optimistic. Having had potatoes nearly three times a day for the past twenty-six days, I've become potato-particular. Even when I've had so little to fuss about relative to food, I've found a way to do it – just one of the many interesting discoveries in this project.
When I arrived at their home, we immediately picked up where our last conversation ended. Not overly hungry when I got there, the warmth and delicious aromas greeting me triggered my need to eat. The table was set with ice water as Susan served course one. It was a colorful dish. Symmetrically stacked on a mound of creamy, grated carrots and cabbage was what looked like chocolate cookies with an icing swirl. The "cookies" were lightly fried black bean cakes drizzled with plain yogurt. A dash of course salt topped the dish. Not only was it beautifully presented, it tasted great. I was tapped out on cabbage, but ate two additional bean cakes. Course two was the scent that enveloped my senses when I walked through the door, a curried potato, carrot stew with a dollop of yogurt. Amazing! I had three servings and lit up when they offered to send left-overs home. It will be tomorrow's lunch. I had another glass of water as they sipped beer. Not a beer drinker myself, there was no longing.
Our conversation continued as dessert was baking. I often mix honey with yogurt to satisfy my need for sweet but couldn't imagine what a baked dessert would include. Susan disappeared to the kitchen and emerged with what looked like flan. It was impressive. I ran the limited options through my head: yogurt, eggs, honey. Really? As we cut into the perfectly textured dessert I noticed a speck of black. Beans came to mind. Eewww. But a bean it was: vanilla bean. A bean, of course. Vanilla beans qualified. Susan researched it. The recipe called for vanilla extract, but Suze concluded that extract didn't meet the criteria and so she didn't include it. Rather, she scraped the vanilla bean into the dish. It was all about authenticity. Wow! The three of us took a bite. We agreed it looked sensational, but we laughed as we tried to swallow the impeccably-presented dessert. The taste was, well, different. The deep golden, carmel-colored top was honey. The recipe called for a dusting of sugar, but sugar's not included in my five condiments. The flan was exceedingly sweet. We scraped off the top and ate the middle portion. My sweet-tooth was happy.
I was uncertain going into this evening's dinner. Yet, as I sit here at my computer writing one of my last blogs for my G.U.L.P. project, it's both clear and prophetic that this evening's dinner was far-and- away the best dinner I've had since beginning this journey. The attention, thought, and time Susan and Jess put into creating this experience was such a humbling honor. While I can't eat “normally” until December 25th, this evening was as beautiful as Christmas gets.
28 Days | $700 | 3 Non-profits
For the next 28 days, from November 27 through December 24, I'll significantly reduce my food choices: I'll eat only 7 foods, 5 condiments, and drink only 1 beverage (what are they? You'll have to read my blog to find out!). Lattes, fish and chips, veggie pad thai, and vino be gone--Yaaouch! By doing this, I will save approximately $700 that I will then donate to three extraordinary, greater-Denver non-profit organizations.
We've all felt the pinch of these tough economic times. Hit especially hard are organizations that function solely to help the most vulnerable among us. Click the links on the right to learn more about the great work of three such organizations, and then cast your vote. Your vote will determine the percentage of the $700 that each organization will receive. I encourage you to influence the votes of others–but please only vote once. I'll blog about my G.U.L.P. journey and update my progress daily. If you scroll down, you'll find my daily blog postings. Your comments are encouraged!
WHY FOOD, WHY NOW? I wanted my G.U.L.P. choice to be a significant but realistic sacrifice. Food seemed an obvious choice for several reasons: First, I spend a lot of money on food. Not just basic sustenance, but on brunches, dinners out, pricey markets, happy hours, and expensive take-out. When I reviewed my budget and found that I spend roughly $700 each month on eating and drinking, I realized I needed to check this luxury. Second, I think the act of eating is relatively thoughtless for many of us--it has been for me. The question isn't what will I eat, but rather, what do I want to eat. Finally, I chose this time of year for my G.U.L.P. project because the holidays tend to intensify our emotions. For those who have plenty, it’s often a time of celebration and feelings of joy can be readily identified. For those who are barely getting by, the holidays can be agonizing.
JOIN ME: What would you give up for 28 days? I have chosen to limit food choices, but that's just one idea. If each one of us gave up a non-essential item, service, or even a certain food for a manageable period of time--something that we've been conditioned to believe is a need rather than a want, and commit the money saved to an effective community organization, imagine the impact! If you decide to give something up--and I hope you do!--I'd love to hear about your experiences.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
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