Thursday, March 4, 2010

It's like magic!

I can't believe these only cost about 40 cents each! This will definitely make the rest of the month easier - I just ate toast and felt like I was in heaven. :)

One of the things I've been thinking about over the last couple days is food. That might sound a little obvious, but I've just been thinking about my philosophy of food, which is pretty simple: I LOVE good food. I love to try new foods, make new recipes, and savor every bite. I've always thought of this as a good thing - I really appreciate the food I'm eating. But over time I've developed this idea that I deserve to eat really good food, all the time, and the last few days have made me question whether that's the best way to think about it. I don't believe that we shouldn't enjoy our food, and actually by lunch or dinner time, my rice and beans sound incredibly good! But once you eat it...it's just gone. Of course you have the memory of the food, and hopefully the shared experience of eating it with someone you love, but there is no return on the money you spent.

More than anything, it just makes me want to reevaluate when I'm tempted to spend money on things that are just convenient and not really worth it. I'm interested to hear about ways you've cut back on things like this, or what your "philosophy" of food is. Feel free to leave in the comments - I would love to hear other people's stories!

4 comments:

  1. That looks good! Way better than the $2 (and something cents) bread that I bought.
    Not sure what my philosophy on food is...still trying to figure it out- I enjoy it too much. :) Because of trying to lose weight and having a strict budget I tend to eat the same things everyday throughout the week. This helps me to not spend money on stuff I don't need or stuff that will go to waste. It also makes the weekends or when I have something different feel extra special- almost luxurious.

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  2. We are so spoiled...staying away from sugar helps me look at food differently, like what do I really need to make it through a day, mainly for fuel. We can do without so much less! God Bless You for what you are doing!!

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  3. I (Anne)got a book called Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, and seeing your loaf makes me want to get baking right now!!! I agree with your thoughts on food- living to eat or eating to live?- and buying in general- this month and this trip will likely do wonders for you in gaining a better perspective on it all- blessings to you as you seek to make sense of it all!

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  4. @ljurney - I agree about the sugar - I think we had sugar withdrawal for a few days there, which tells you we are eating way too much of something we don't even need. I would really like to make the no dessert part of this challenge a more permanant thing - treat is a special occasion rather than an expectation. How did you guys go about cutting out sugar?

    Anne - I am already thinking that I never want to buy bread again! I'm sure there may be times that won't be practical, but I think there are so many things I do out of habit and don't realize I could pretty easily do without or make it myself. You guys have already been such an encouragement to us - the picture of your girls on our fridge is a constant reminder of their selflessness and generosity to us. Thank you!

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