Food month is coming...

February is quickly approaching, so I thought I'd go ahead and post about food month. Just in case anyone wants to join in and needs to plan a little. ;) The premise of food month goes right along with the rest of 7. In our culture, we have all we need and then some and still pursue more. Case in point: today, instead of eating the food we had at home like we had planned, we decided to pick up something else because it sounded better. Bad thing? Not necessarily. But we're spoiled. Don't like what you have? Get something else.

So for one month, instead of eating anything and everything I want based on cravings, emotions, and convenience, I will eat only 11 specific foods and limit my liquids to water and black coffee. Jen Hatmaker did quite a bit of research on nutrients and whatnot to come up with her 7 foods. I swapped salmon for avocados and added a few more foods. (And coffee, for crying out loud.) Here's my list:

Chicken
Salmon
Eggs
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Apples
Bananas
Oats
Whole wheat bread
Peanut butter
Greek yogurt
Black coffee
(Salt, pepper, and olive oil on a limited basis)

Andy will be participating in food month. Elisabeth will be, as well, to an extent; as in, she will eat what I cook for dinner. Or when she says pizza sounds good for dinner, she will be told, "No, we are eating what we have."

Before anyone says anything: this is NOT a diet. (Believe me, if it was, it would last about 3 minutes.) This is a deliberate choice to fast from excess. The pizza and chocolate I turn to after a long day. The gummy bears I eat when I am stressed. The latte I get to reward myself. The Chinese take out I get when I just don't want what is already in my kitchen. I'm looking forward to it - choices will be easier to make. I'm dreading it - choices will be limited. I like food; I bake and eat as a hobby and stress reliever. Andy and I readily admit to being food snobs. This isn't going to be easy but I have a feeling it will be worth it.

Here's to the approaching food month. (And on March 1st, let there be cupcakes!)