Hungry For Change - Day 3

Please sir, I want some more

Several of you may have seen the video clip (click the link above) or at least have read the book. The Charles Dickens phrase "Please sir, I want some more" is quite famous.

This is exactly how I felt today. When I decided to participate in this 'Hungry for Change' program, I did some online reading. In one of the other blogs, I saw that the second day is when you feel most hungry and then you get used to it. So at end of Day 2 yesterday, even though I felt a li'l hungry, I felt good about myself for having completed 2 days.

But today was different. Today made me realize why people steal food or steal for food. I would've done that today. It was difficult, especially when I know I have a box of premium quality Mixed Nuts sitting in my office drawer within an arm's reach. Thursday seems so far away  :(

I went to work later than usual today because I had to make oatmeal and eat it. I know it doesn't take too much time, but for a guy who doesn't eat breakfast, those minutes do matter on a work-day morning. Anyways, I reached work and skipped my morning routine of drinking Peppermint Hazelnut Mocha - a concoction I make from the office vending machine. I'm not really addicted to coffee so I didn't really miss it that much. Around 11am I started to feel hungry, and then I got a little bit of headache - I wished I had drank my concoction. Since I knew I will have dinner after 9pm (after my Monday night men's group), I wanted to delay my lunch.

At about 12.30, I finally got up and went to the fridge, took my tupperware and popped it in the microwave. Some of the staff were shocked - "Alex, you brought food from home?". Well, I can't blame them for asking me that question, considering the fact I haven't brought food to work in the last 3 years or so! While I went hardcore and just had plain rice and beans the last two days, I splurged and dabbed a little Tapatio (hot sauce) in my food. The H4C program does allow us to prepare and use some tomato sauce, but I wanted to see if I can do without it.

After my lunch, my hunger was still not satisfied. While I knew that I could do something about it, I didn't want to. So, I stayed hungry till my dinner.

The Bible says in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled"  (NIV)
This got me wondering. How different would I be if I really hungered for righteousness and for God, just as I hungered for food today? It's easy sometimes to pat ourselves on the back on what we're doing for the Lord currently. It is different to continue to hunger for righteousness. Jesus states clearly that we shall then be filled.

Hungry For Change - Day 2

Day 2 is done. Boom.
Did I feel hungry today? Oh yeah!!!
It started after my lunch.

Let me back up a little bit. Today was a beautiful day. It was close to 90 degrees!
I had planned on going to the 9am service, but ended up going to the 11am service - not before my oatmeal breakfast. We had Confirmation service at Church today and it was edifying to hear their statements of faith.

And then I was off to San Jose to visit some friends for some fun, fellowship, chicken, fish, shrimp, rice and beans that I took there. I did tell them I will visit again to pig out with them.

From there, I made it to the 505 service in Berkeley and met with some of the folks who are participating in this Hungry for Change program, and we ate rice and beans together. And we also discussed about our experience thus far and other issues.

So, back to me feeling hungry after lunch. The quantity was not really sufficient for me, and I did feel a li'l hungry after - not just for more food, but also for variety. This was only my 3rd meal of Rice and Beans. I shouldn't be bored of this food this quickly! I'm not sure if I should feel ashamed, but I'm just laying it out there. I don't eat out at the same place for two consecutive meals, hence my boredom. Food should also be appealing to the eyes. Rice and beans are not appealing.

This also set me thinking. I don't just eat to fill my stomach and nourish my body. I also eat because I want my taste buds to fulfill their purpose in my life :)
Taste, flavor, spices, presentation, satisfying hunger, etc. are elements that I have sub-consciously looked forward to, and have taken for granted.

I know that the right thing to say here would be that I will really think of the under-privileged each time I enjoy food. In all honesty, after this program is over, I don't know for how long I will continue to think about  more than half of the world's population who eat on less than $2 a day, but I'm surely very grateful for at least these five days where I can take the time to show my solidarity, contribute, and lose a few pounds at the same time.

Hungry For Change - Day 1

I cooked today!! It's true.
For a person who hasn't cooked in several years, it sure was an interesting experience.
I'm really glad both rice and beans came out well - since that's my food for the next five days.

I put them in the fridge for tomorrow, and in Ziploc bags for Monday through Wednesday in the freezer.
Here's a picture:

I normally don't eat breakfast, and so having the oatmeal for breakfast was good for me.
Half a cup of oatmeal does fill my stomach pretty nicely.
Lunch on the other hand, was different. I could see that the quantity was lesser than my normal quantity.
I wouldn't say it filled my stomach, but I guess that's okay.

It was a challenge to abstain from what my roommates ate today - Donuts, pizza, ice cream, cake, pop corn, etc.
One of the revelations today was that I used to eat junk food when I'm bored - Nuts, cookies, candy, trail mix, etc. So today, I had to consciously refrain from eating those.

And this made me think - I have access to more food than I need. If more than half of the world's population eat for under $2 a day, I have no ways to express how blessed I am.
While I was a little anxious about this short 5 day diet, I feel guilty when I realize that the life I live is luxurious, when compared with billions of people. I also realize that this is not about me. I pray to God that I'm able to focus more on the people this program is about.

Hunger - Intro

So it has been a little while since my last blog post - just about 3 years!
A LOT has happened in my life the last 3 years, but this post is not about the past, but about the future.

Several of you may have seen the movie 'Hunger Games' or may have read the book or atleast have heard of it. I fall in the last category - I've heard of it, but haven't seen the movie or read the book yet.

And about a week ago, a buddy of mine (Jason) shared about "Hungry for Change" where we eat what people who earn less than $2 per day eat. Click this link to know more - Trade As One

So, for the next 5 days, I'm only going to drink water and eat one lb (pound) each - Oats, Rice & Beans

I shouldn't eat other veggies or fruits, coffee or juice, candies or nuts (this is gonna be difficult!!)

I usually skip breakfast and a banana is all I eat in the morning. So eating oats for breakfast the next five days is actually something I can look forward to.
Lunch on the other hand is a whole different story. I have a good lunch in some local downtown place. To just eat rice and beans - a smaller than normal quantity, is going to be challenging.
Dinner should be ok.

People who know me well, know that I don't like to cook. But I have to make an exception this time and use the simple recipe that I was provided. The beans are soaking in cold water right now.

I plan on blogging once a day for the next five days to document my progress....

And if more than half of the world's population lives on this, I should be able to do it as well, right?
Let's see........