We made it!!!

Congratulations to everyone who completed or participated in the fast. I'm sure we all learned a lot of new things and hopefully gained some insight during the 21 days.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the blog. It helped keep me headed in the right direction and I appreciate you all.

I'm still down for that vegetarian outing if anyone is brave enough to go. See you at NV. :-)

Unprepared

Today is the first day that I have no gameplan. I didn't bring lunch and all I have in my desk are some peanuts and maybe some raisins. Today is Friday aka "Bagel and Donut Day" in my office, so this should be interesting. Pray for me! lol

Mmmmmmm....

One of the things that I’ve done (on accident) during this fast is change my portion sizes. There was a time when I was really good in this area but since that time my plates have gotten larger. Because I usually plan my meals and pack them in a container, my portions are controlled and smaller than what I would get if I bought food.

The side effect of these smaller portions is that things taste so much better. Well…maybe not, but they seem like they do. The “I can’t eat another bite of that” feeling I used to have has been replaced by “Man, I wish I had more of that!” It makes me look forward to things like leftovers and the next time I have that particular dish. Like right now, I’m wishing I had packed more lunch. It was so good! Who knew less food could make food taste better? :-)

Six days to go and....

apparently someone desires for me to fail! I walked in this morning and there was some type of dessert on the table that someone's child made. No worries there because I don't eat everyone's cooking and it had coconut in it. However, a few minutes later someone brought in a birthday cake at 9:30am! Did you all know that birthday cake is one of my favorite desserts?! Now, no one has brought anything in here in the past 15 days so what's going on? Are they trying to sabotage me in my last days of sacrifice?! Probably not but I need to be dramatic because my feelings are hurt because I want cake! I'm not going to have it but I can shout that I want it! As I think about my current predicament, I believe that recently I have been seriously focused on the things that I'm petitioning God for and it's made this fast a lot easier for me. So could it be that I'm doing something right and the enemy is trying to divert my attentions? In that regard he can keep trying because I feel as though God is really doing something in my life and I'm not messing that up for nothing. SO at the end of my complaint I have a praise in my heart for God and I gotta get it out! (churchy) I pray that you are all doing well and staying strong.

Discoveries

As I was enjoying my cereal this morning, I began thinking about some things I’ve tried for the first time as a result of the fast. I found myself saying more than once that “I’m going to keep eating this after the fast!” I thought I’d list a couple of things and hope you will join in.

Peace French Vanilla Granola – This cereal is SO good! I love it as is, but lately I’ve been adding banana, raisins, and walnuts to it to really take it up a notch.

Baked Potato and Salsa – I’ve always heard about people eating this when they are trying to eat right. I never thought it sounded like a bad idea, but I’d never tried it until now. This is really good! It’s also a lot healthier than a loaded baked potato.

Corn and Potato Chowder – I love this recipe and I will definitely be making this for years to come…probably with a little shellfish added in! I’ve always been a little skeptical of using soy milk outside of a bowl of cereal, but this recipe changed my mind. Who knew?

What have you discovered?

Still here

This weekend was the toughest period yet. I didn't have to attend any functions where they were eating but everything I smelled from Friday until Sunday smelled so delicious! I was tired of salad, tired of oatmeal, tired of granola, fruit and organic pasta sauce. Potatoes helped but what I wanted was a good ol' fashioned rib! I haven't even eaten meat in years but my body seemed to be recalling all types of wonderful, culinary goodness I've had throughout my life. I would've settled for some cream of crab soup.

I was fed up. I'd had it with this fast. All type of excuses were evolving. "I'm sure a lot of people have already slipped by now." and "Am I being too strict?"

People fast for different reasons and at different levels. When this fast started, I'd decided what I was going to do and what I would avoid. It doesn't really depend on what everyone else is doing. If I was the only one fasting, I'd still finish it. For me this fast is about regaining control of myself and I shouldn't be surprised that parts of me have organized protests.

This is the last week of the fast. There are less than 10 days left and my record is still intact. It's not getting any easier but as far as my appetite goes...."I'm still the boss of me".

Potomac Book & Health Food Store

I heard that the food (meatless and other alternatives) that we buy in the regular grocery store are cheaper here. I can definitely use a break on my expensive food. So, I decided that on Sunday I'll go and check it out and if anyone would like to join, you're welcome to.


www.potomacabc.com
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