Day 15 – Halfway to Everything?

Yes, it’s true.  We have, you and I, made it to Day 15 of the 30 Days of Nothing Challenge.  I’m half “pinch-me” and half “get it over with”.  I’m half proud and half shaky from withdrawal. 

I know there are a lot (A LOT) of you participating in this challenge.  A lot of you that don’t blog.  A lot of you that live on Facebook.  A lot of you that are my sweet lurkers.  (kiss-kiss)  And a healthy handful of you who ARE blogging about it.  Either way – we all have our reasons.  I receive e-mails every single day from different participators.  Different takes on the challenge, different thoughts, feelings, surprises you found along the way…all of it.  The whole gambit.  Even one who wrote to say she couldn’t do the entire challenge, but had been inspired to quit shopping for herself for the month.  I say, go for it!  Whatever your reason, whatever your motivation, whatever you purpose…go for it.

But one in particular hit me between the eyes this morning.  (thank you Nancy)  She made the following point – and I find it absolutely CONVICTING!

“What I’ve been thinking more and more about this week, though, is how our ‘Nothing’ (gas and groceries) is ‘Everything’ and more to the majority of people in this world.  And although what we’re doing here is very different from a lot of people in our neighborhood/city/country, it’s not that different than how most of the people in this world live every day.”

This. Is. KEY.

The whole challenge can be summed up right there.  One of the by-products to living in America is being surrounded by gross consumerism.  Whether that be shopping for clothes, eating out 4 nights a week, making Starbucks your morning ritual, whatever.  Pick your poison.  Nancy is RIGHT ON – the irony is that what most of us consider to be “nothing”…i.e. a full pantry and freezer for 30-Days, many countries the world over would consider the difference between life and death.  They would consider it to be EVERYTHING they need and more…

I realize that we are a blessed Nation.  I  am proud of my country and my heritage.  But I can’t help to wonder what bigger picture we are constantly missing out on, because we are swallowed whole by our draw to consumerism.  Does this tie back to us striving to be in the world, but not of it?  (1 John 2:15) 

And all the while I type these convicting words, I would be lying if I said I wouldn’t be eating out again.  So please don’t think that’s where I’m going.  Some holier than thou, we’re never spending a dime again.  It’s not that.  It’s just…I guess it’s just that I think we might be missing it. 

Today I had to go to the grocery store and stock up on our veggies/fruit/dairy/bread/necessity items.  I purchased some of our favorites– wonderful, fresh produce that made my mouth water.  Strawberries, raspberries, artichokes, fresh basil and cilantro, jalapenos, squash, zucchini, beautiful nectarines, on and on.  I also stocked up on milk, cheese, eggs, and tissue.  $114 later, I was gaping at how much it had cost.  As in mouth open.  And I asked the cashier to check and make sure that this was this sale price and that was that sale price.  But as I walked to my car I realized something much more crucial; two dinners, family of four, eating in a restaurant, cost us about the same.  Maybe a little less.  But not much.  Two meals.  Two.  I purchased enough food for two weeks today.  And not just “food”.  I purchased lovely, beautiful, amazing food that will be turned into delicious meals by Mr. Handsome Chef.  You’ve seen what he does with ingredients! 

Do you see where I’m coming from? 

Is less really MORE?  Is 30-Days of Nothing really turning into 30-Days of realizing we have Everything?

Maybe I need to stop willing this challenge to be over.  Maybe it would be better for me to realize that what started as “nothing” is slowly turning out to be much more….

Day 15 Menu -

Breakfast: The kids and AB had Blueberry/Strawberry muffins from yesterday.  (Nothing going to waste over here!)  I had cereal.  Which then prompted my children to ask for cereal as well. 

Lunch:  Ok, the kiddos had bento and this time I snapped pics.  Yes, not as inventive as some, but they loved it anyway…

   

For me it was this:  a homage to my Mom.  Because there’s this ham sandwich that she and I love and I can’t get it here in TX, so I made it.  First, the softest, freshest, yummiest bread.  Second, mayo and dijon mustard.  Just a touch.  Third, HAM.  Fourth, tomato, cheese and sprouts.  Oh my heaven.  No, Mom – it wasn’t a croissant but the bread was so incredibly soft and fresh, that it didn’t matter.  It was HEAVEN in my mouth.  Seriously.  Wish you were here…

Dinner:  Dinner was awesome, and I day-dreamed about it all day.  Pictured below is a lovely little piece of Fillet, (perfectly seasoned, I might add) fresh cut corn with a garlic and fresh herb butter mixed in, porcini mushrooms in a red wine glaze, and golden yellow baby potatoes in a sour-cream lime sauce.  SO. GOOD.  Fughetaboutit.

Two more weeks.  It’s in the bag…