Wanting to experience the idea of “living with less” in a meaningful, though admittedly partial way, several us propose to eat for a week with the food that $2/day will buy.
This space allows us to share some of what we learn. Won’t you offer comments?
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wecanlivewithless
Submitted on 2009/08/11 at 9:48pm
I decided to start my week of living on less early for various reasons. Yesterday, Monday, I did very well with little or no hunger. When I thought about it, I think the key to feeling satisfied was that I ate a large salad of green beans for lunch. The beans filled my stomach and were not quickly digested. Today’s lunch was just as filling at first but faded by 3:00 pm. I ate dinner about 4:45 pm.
Eating less food involves planning ahead. I saved some of my evening meal to eat before bedtime. I am also lucky to have a growing garden which can add to my meal with a handful of peas, a tomato or lettuce.
Karen
Submitted on 2009/08/11 at 10:31pm
Karen,
Congratulations for getting started. It is really great for you to comment about how things are going on your first day. Do you think you ate smaller portion sizes than you usually would?
I am interested too in your observation that eating less involves planning ahead. No doubt trying to figure where the next meal will come from gives many folks much to plan. I learned this too from the homeless/houseless folks we talked with over last weekend.
Submitted on 2009/08/12 at 10:42am
I’m excited to start this project–though aware that the week we’ve chosen includes some already scheduled meals for me, including a wedding rehearsal and wedding reception on consecutive days! I know this fits into the redemptive plan–community celebrations feed our hungers in different way.
Submitted on 2009/08/12 at 5:28pm
Ah, yes, Mary Kate, the call to celebrate is strong…and necessary. Do what you must! It will offer interesting contrasts with the rest of your day(s).
I’ve been putting together an extension of what Gail started…a list of foods and their costs by serving. Whew! It’s a doozy of a job. I hope that we will be able to share one chart and work from that so that we won’t have to recreate all of this.
I’ve been having a hard time checking into the web page this week!
I cooked some beans on Saturday to prepare–about $1.35 worth, so I would be ready. What I’m discovering is that it is hard for me to do this project, because much of my ministry has to do with eating and fellowship.
On Sunday, I ate at church after services, and then I shared dinner with Canterbury (a good summer meal cooked by Bal and Virginia Patterson).
On Monday morning, I ate some of my beans, and then had lunch provided for me at the Board of Examining Chaplains. I arrived home late and had a piece of bread and some cheese.
On Tuesday, a friend bought me coffee and breakfast. I shared lunch with another friend, and then dinner with the Vestry and Board of Stewards.
On Wednesday, I had breakfast with the Wednesday morning toast group, lunch at a bridal shower (cookies for lunch….), and now, finally, I’m using some beans to make a simple supper with cauliflower (that my uncle gave me from his farm in Kansas), beans, and a little bit of couscous.
I don’t know what my weekly total is, but I do know that I witness to the fact that clergy are well-fed, well-loved, and cared for in ways that can easily be overlooked.
More later!
I’m starting my pilot week next week, but I thought I would take a dry run for half of this week. To help condition my mind and body. Yesterday, I cooked pearled barley, yellow split peas and blackeyed peas and put a little olive oil on top of my serving. After my meal, I felt very calm and satisfied and then later a little fear slipped in. How would I do this for a whole week?
Billy
I began eating less yesterday. Breakfast was pretty much the same as usual; lunch was mostly from the garden so only cost pennies. I found as I was noting what I ate so far and how little it cost, that I was feeling sort of proud of myself for managing with so little. Pride is definitely NOT what I want here…I certainly hope and pray that my insights are more meaningful than that.
Several fleeting thoughts as I prepared my rice, beans and squash today. First, I was reflecting on the French people and their love of a good meal–its preparation, savoring its taste, and basking in the dining experience. In this way of life food is important and a good bit of time is spent about and for food. I learned to eat meals in this way and I like it. So if I didn’t have very good food to eat, would I try to do the opposite, turning meals into a functional event, de-emphasizing what I was going to eat, how I fixed it, and sitting to enjoy it? I thought I would do that with my simple meal tonight, but I was surprised that it was delightful despite its simplicity. As I shared this perception with my family over dinner, my daughter told me that Shukhov in A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich (Solzhenitsyn) savored anything he had to eat while imprisoned whether it was moldy bread or thin gruel. So that leads to me reconsider de-emphasizing food just because it isn’t expensive or fancy. Maybe a good part of its enjoyment is in the partaking and the attitudes we have when doing so.
The second thought had to do with the fact that despite the low cost of what I am eating, I never doubt that there is food available for me. I never think that I won’t have a variety of food. I never consider that if I don’t feel well, the right food to meet my need is here. I never fail to have clean water. Doesn’t that make my food consumption context very, very different from billions of other people??
An interesting thing about my eating for less this week is that the rest of my family (husband and sixteen year old daughter) are eating our usual fare; they plan to participate in a week of eating what $2/day will buy when we initiate a larger scale project later in September. But for now, we prepare two meals. It’s interesting because we eat three meals a day together and enjoy extended conversation at most every one. So, my diet is a big topic. And my husband and I usually alternate preparing the meals; now I mostly cook for myself and he mostly cooks for them. (I say mostly because I cooked two different meals the other day and he is cooking for me, sans meat, tonight.) Anyway, this has drawn attention to our choice of meals, the way we divvy up the tasks, our conversations…all more than just the simple cost. Is this a ripple effect? Do I need to judge it good or bad?
Food for Thought
As I participated in the planning discussions for this project, I was struck by the degree to which we were retaining a sense of being in control even as we chose to eat lightly. It seemed to me that in part, the experience with which we were trying to be in solidarity was one in which one’s choices might not be made because one would not be in control. I decided to pass seven days eating only when someone else offered me a meal. In other words, I would not be in control. I’m fairly used to fasting for multiple days, so the prospect that perhaps little would materialize did not seem overly daunting. And, of course, a fast is also an event in which one has a sense of being in control – at least in so far as one is choosing not to eat.
I decided to begin and end my week with the Sunday night suppers at Canterbury – fellowship meals that follow the 5:00 pm Sunday mass. As of the time I made the commitment, I had only one other meal on my calendar, a joint vestry/Canterbury dinner on Tuesday evening. In a typical week, I share one or two meals with friends or family. I didn’t tell anyone of my plan so that I wouldn’t get “mercy” invitations.
A few days before the week began, Mother Mary Kate offered to have lunch with me on Tuesday and my daughter Lisa arranged for a family from the parish to join us for supper on Wednesday. An old friend contacted me on Monday and arranged for Friday lunch. Seemingly, the week would not be all that challenging. If nothing else came along, no stretch would be longer than about two days. The bunching up of two meals on Tuesday and the stretching out at the end of the week seemed odd – it was literally “feast or famine”. On Thursday evening, Lisa shared a salad with me. Actually, I was eating as regularly as I do when I’m busy.
Altogether, it was a different experience from a fast. Seven days, seven meals. Not bad. However, when I fast for more than a day, I break my fast gently – say, some crackers, then some fruit, then perhaps a hamburger patty. Here, the fasting times were broken by meals that were offered with hearty servings and complex foods. What I ate was a normal choice from the menu, but that turned to be more than was comfortable. However, the food was there. The occasion was focused on eating. This was my opportunity to be fed. I couldn’t keep to my usual practice of not eating the bread and butter that always seems to show up. I was anxious about when I would eat next, which is not my usual feeling.
In addition, in a longer fast, I simply put aside the thoughts of food (I live alone and don’t have to think about providing meals or sharing mealtime conversations on a daily basis). Now however, it was on my mind: What would happen? Would someone ask me to eat with them? It was far more work and took much more conscious reliance on Christ to focus away from eating. That greater consciousness of Christ’s presence and strength also flowed into the rest of my life. I worked longer hours and got more done. I seemed to have an easier time in the basic day-to-day encounters at work.
Usually in a longer fast, I feel slightly detached and I find it fairly easy to focus my thoughts. Perhaps that’s because I’m asking Christ to help me with the fast and to help me with an internal objective like focusing or meditating. In this week, though, my interest was outward. Not only was I thinking about those with whom I was in solidarity, but also I admit I was a bit like some of canine friends: focused on whether this person or that that I spoke to would suddenly offer food. Maybe I’m also some way in solidarity with dogs. My perception was of being more interlinked with and more dependent upon others than is normal.
Bill, what an interesting way to approach this project. And how lovely and lovingly it unfolded.
And I love your “solidarity with dogs.” I would add cats, always hoping that the next person might offer a “fishie.” Not being certain whether there would be more food when the bowl is empty.
Tonight I am spending time calculating food costs as we begin our week of living with less tomorrow. I have had to calculate a breakfast for Doug, since we walk early in the morning, after which he will take the bus to campus for an 8am class he’s monitoring–in fact, he won’t come home after the walk, but simply end it at the bus stop. So, while I have the luxury of eating a bowl of oatmeal (10 cents for 1/2 c.) he will need to eat more quickly (piece of toast with 2 TB PB = 42 cents)–a lesson there about fast food.
While Doug is in class, I’m going to make cous-cous and cook some lentils.
In early summer, I bought 3 lbs coffee on sale for $9 at Costco–it’s been in my freezer. It amounts to 9 cents/cup + 5 cents for the filter, which will be reused.
I’m almost laughing as I reread the above with its careful planning, but as Karen said, one thing we know is that we need to plan ahead.
We are blessed with bounty from other’s gardens, especially blessed with their willingness to share that: we have squash, tomatoes, peppers, and an eggplant.
We feel not nervous about being hungry–just wondering what will take the place of my afternoon granola bar? I’ll go figure out how much it costs, but I have a feeling it’s about 2/3 my daily allowance.
Have enjoyed reading everyone’s posts.
The peace of the Lord.
Have loved reading everyone’s posts–
We have finished our second day of eating on $2 a day. Today, we find ourselves somewhat under budget because of the food made available to us. Toast with peanut butter (thanks to Naomi) and coffee after Eucharist. Ben & Jerry’s at our great welcome back to students. Anne brough veggies from her garden, and I picked to 2 ripe tomatoes from our patio garden. We have had more cous-cous, lentils, rice, and peanut butter toast. We have been re-using coffee grounds, so that cost has gone way down. The coffee is fine.
It was Blanche DuBois who depended on the kindness of strangers. We are depending on the kindness of friends and strangers.
I am reminded tonight of some of my early struggles for food. We went through a period of time when I was in 2nd-3rd grade that we had nothing but bread and potatoes, but we did have plenty of that. Five of us lived in 2 rooms (including kitchen) with a toilet, shower, and sink separating the 2 rooms. Mother was inventive with ways to cook potatoes, and her cottage fries were outstanding. French toast was, for me, the best way to serve bread. (We must have, therefore, had eggs, but I do not remember eating them during this time period).
Although we weren’t really hungry, there were issues of nutrition, but my parents would never ask for charity, and this was before the time of food stamps and welfare, But I believe they would have been too proud to do that.
When I was pregnant with Andre, I returned from Guatemala with perhaps $50. I have mentioned picking up windfall apples. Here are other things I did:
–called the Welcome Wagon (remember that?) and told them I was new in town. I got a basket of bread, pasta, and, I think, cookies, plus numerous coupons to the grocery stores in town.
–found the places that served free food. Majestic Savings and Loan had Archway cookies and coffee available every day. Tebo Coins opened and served chips, dip, and champagne. Grocery stores always hand out samples.
–Being pregnant, I knew I needed something more nutritious, so I applied for food stamps and the WIC program, the combination of which gave me and my unborn the nutrition we needed.
–Before food stamps were approved, I went to Emergency Family Assistance and got a bag or 2 of groceries to tide me over. I am ever grateful to EFA for the beautiful and non-judgmental way they treated me. I felt that they were truly concerned with my well-being, and if they wondered how in the world I had gotten into this predicament, they never asked.
I was soon employed–and can’t express how glad I was to get off of food stamps–to present what looked like play money to the checkers at King Soopers was humiliating for me.
I have said this beforre, but I’ll say it here–when we form community, a generous community, that is, we can find ways to nurture ourselves physically and spiritually. That’s something I’d like to stress to the 7 pm book group. We need not only to give, but also to be able to accept those gifts given to us. This project would be difficult if not impossible to sustain without that community.
The peace of the Lord.
On the last day of my pilot, I blew it. I went out to lunch and had a veritable feast. I should have gotten something simple, but I didn’t. I understand Mary Kate’s dilemma better now. The last meal of my week, though, was about as simple as it could get…it came exclusively from the garden. I hope now I can reflect on the entire experience and synthesize a bit more. I’m glad I did this.
I am so touched, Kay, by the stories of your past shared in this context. You were resourceful during a difficult time. And now this time brings those memories up top.
Our experiences of the past are tied to our present experiences. What new work happens with them? What new things will we see about the past because of what we know now? God gives us so much to work with…
I hope you enjoy the fruits of our garden; what a source of pleasure that has been for us!
Blessings to you.
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Our week-long living on $2 a day ended yesterday. I mentioned at the book group last night that what a luxury it is to be able to say, “Well, that’s that. I’m going out for a cup of coffee.” But I pray that it’s not “that”–over with an interesting project and “food” for a sermon, so to speak. I am eager for our pilot group to get together for reflection.
We have not intended, however, for today to be celebratory–this is not a feast day for us. We did go to the store last night to buy some foods that we haven’t eaten this week. It was especially hard to fit any kind of fruit into our week.
By the end of the (busy) week, we’ll add up our receipts and calculate the difference between our usual grocery spending and the $24 (really, a bit less) that we spent this past week. I hope that as a group, we will be able to contribute to the Konbit program.
In my conscious effort to live with less, I find myself wondering why I don’t make the foods I made last week more often–beans, rice, and fresh vegetables are so satisfying to body and soul–why do I have to enter into a project before I think to cook a simple, satisfying meal like that?
As part of the effort last week, I also made an effort to use my car less–I love my bike with its wicker basket–and I have a bus pass. I walk when and where I can. I can get just about anywhere I need to go in Boulder and Denver. Like eating simply, using this kind of transport gives me time for a lot of reflection–on the walk, on the bus, on the bike–and a lot less frustration–I can really get to where I want to go in town in less time on my bike than in my car–stopping at red lights, circling for a parking space, putting money in those odd machines (when they work) then going back to my car and putting the receipt on my dash.
But that’s a digression. I’m eager to move ahead with our 7pm book group–to hear their ideas–
Last night we talked about “Salt” in Aristides’s book–salt is what gives the zombie back his soul. Aristide’s “salt” was education in that chapter. But I am reminded of Jesus: “You are the salt of the earth.” In the week just past, the community that I was part of was my salt–nourishing me physically and spiritually with its generosity. Without that, I might very well have been a zombie during this project.
You all are the salt of the earth. Truly.
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