For my final run down this 40 day challenge, there have been a few slip ups. They have been in small doses, like a blizzard here, a cup of chili there, and have only served to help me get through the day. When it all boils down, this fast has done nothing to change my eating habits, except given me a few more options to throw into my menu of choices throughout the day. With my schedule the way it is, it makes no sense to try and fix everything from home and tote it around with me wherever I go, and my ministry involves meeting so many people with restaurants being the easiest meeting place choice, because everyone feels more comfortable around food.
Friday, I did end up starting the day out by buying a box of Walmart doughnuts, this time a mix between chocolate and white iced. Both are extremely delicious! I also grabbed a tub of Blueberry Scones; Not something I can say I've had a lot of before. They would taste really good with some sort if dip or maybe warmed up. For lunch, I grabbed what was left of my deli turkey and ate it on the road. I had been asked by a college student if I wanted to hang out, and I couldn't pass up that opportunity. He ended up going with me to see the church's showing of Passion of Christ.
We also picked up one of the teen girls on the way to the movie, and since it ended up just being the three of us that had the guts to watch the story of what Jesus went through for us, I decided to take them to Arby's for supper. We had a great time of fellowship! To me, that is something I don't think God ever has the intention of us "giving up" on account of Him. We are called to grow together as the Body of Christ in worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and evangelism, meeting together is an important element for all of these areas in our lives created by Him.
Friday, April 6: Day 39
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Playing With My Mashed Potatoes
Instead of list form, this is gona be a bit different. Thursday was mixed with deli turkey, this time Virginia maple glazed style, some more apple slices an caramel, and another plate of sushi. I nee to start looking at sushi as a delicacy and not a regular meal choice. A) because it should stay special, and B) because its gosh darn expensive! I bought it again thinking I could split it over the course of two meals, and then I remembered how quickly that stuff turns. In the end I ended up eating all six pieces so it would not go bad.
I got to meet up with some college buddies of mine last night; Sarah L, Dalton G, and Kevin B. We all got together at Steak N Shake to hang out. I ended up finishing my day with a cup of Chili, then went to the house and had some Cheetos cheese curls while watching some movie with Selena Gomez in it; longest movie ever, but fairly good. 7 out of 10 for my rating, which is about the rating I give for my fasting efforts of the day.
Thursday, April 5: Day 38
I got to meet up with some college buddies of mine last night; Sarah L, Dalton G, and Kevin B. We all got together at Steak N Shake to hang out. I ended up finishing my day with a cup of Chili, then went to the house and had some Cheetos cheese curls while watching some movie with Selena Gomez in it; longest movie ever, but fairly good. 7 out of 10 for my rating, which is about the rating I give for my fasting efforts of the day.
Thursday, April 5: Day 38
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Get Out the Paper, Wrapping It Up!
This is what my final Wednesday of the famine looked like:
Breakfast: finished off the chocolate covered doughnuts from Wal-Mart
Lunch: bought a new bag of apple slices to eat with my caramel dip.
Supper: Squeeky's Spaghetti from Church's Kitchen, and a delicious piece of cake!
Wednesday, April 4: Day 37
Breakfast: finished off the chocolate covered doughnuts from Wal-Mart
Lunch: bought a new bag of apple slices to eat with my caramel dip.
Supper: Squeeky's Spaghetti from Church's Kitchen, and a delicious piece of cake!
Wednesday, April 4: Day 37
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Gone, But Not Forgotten
Almost forgot to post about Tuesday!! Here it is!
Breakfast: Wal-Mart Chocolate covered doughnuts!!!
Lunch: I finished off the rest of the Honey Roasted Turkey and the bag of Apple slices with caramel dip.
Supper: I ended up meeting up with a couple of guys that love music as much as I do in Granite City. We had blizzards at Dairy Queen! Mine was the best Orea Cheesequake I've ever experienced!
Tuesday, April 3: Day 36
Breakfast: Wal-Mart Chocolate covered doughnuts!!!
Lunch: I finished off the rest of the Honey Roasted Turkey and the bag of Apple slices with caramel dip.
Supper: I ended up meeting up with a couple of guys that love music as much as I do in Granite City. We had blizzards at Dairy Queen! Mine was the best Orea Cheesequake I've ever experienced!
Tuesday, April 3: Day 36
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Laughing in Danger's Face
A couple days combined into one on this entry!
Saturday was our car wash and cook out to raise money for BREAKOUT. Basically, my morning consisted of rushing around and making sure we had everything together. Not much in the way of breakfast.
Lunch was good! Howard "Squeaky" cooked a load of hamburgers and hot dogs. We all had our fill of those! We ended up with nine of us helping altogether, so at the end of the day I wanted to treat them for working so hard.
Supper was from Gia's Pizza in O'Fallon. One of my ex's always said the best pizza place in the world is a place called Cubbies down in Metropolis, Illinois. That place is exceedingly good, despite their name being based on a baseball team that hasn't won a world series since 1908, but I now have found a place that's even better! Plus, one of the teens works there!!! We ended up having a pepperoni and an all meat pizza, and didn't leave a crumb. Good way to end the week!
Sundays have been considered the day of rest from the fast, but there has not been one single Sunday that I can day I've actually taken a break! This time, I was invited to join a couple moms and their little kiddo daughters for a picnic in the park, which I joined for a bit, but then I was asked to go with the special speakers and our worship leaders to Applebee's! I thought SWEET! My long awaited legitimate break where I can eat out and not feel bad about it!
I ended up enjoying every last bite of the tenderest, juiciest, boneless honey bbq wings, and a glass of Mountain Dew! Then the check came...and our guests actually picked up the tab! So, since the rules of this fast requires me not to purchase my own meals out, and someone else ended up paying for my food at Applebee's, Sunday did not feel like a break. I am really happy about that; it feels nice to look back over the weeks and see where God has been providing the whole time!
Monday - Breakfast was made by me! I made an omelet, which started to scare me a bit because all I could find were eggs and cheese, and what's an omelet without meat!? Then I spotted it! A package of "real bacon" bacon bites! It ended up being the perfect choice, an that omelet was delicious with every bite!
Lunch was a trip yesterday; I didn't end up eating till around 3:00 simply because I was still full from that omelet. (I seriously have the smallest stomach a human could have) I decided I wanted to have my lunch at the church, where I had refrigerated my honey roasted turkey, apples and caramel dip, and sushi from last Friday....yea, last Friday...and that's where the trouble began.
I am not a pro when it comes to i. i just knew that the sushi I had picked out this time was my favorite. Needless to say, I was a little befuddled when I took out the tray and found one of the raw fish pieces to be turning into an odd shade of gray as I was picking up the salmon to take a bite. It was then that I decided I should check the ol' Google on my phone to see how long sushi keeps.
As it turns out, sushi is only good for a maximum of 24 hours after it is put together fresh, and even that's stretching it! Apparently, seafood is the worst about getting contaminated and growing bacteria...comforting. I knew, with it being raw, it would be a good idea to keep it cold, but i didn't know the delicious morsels wouldn't survive more than a day in the dependable fridge. My sushi had been a breeding ground for who knows what kind of bad for four days, and I was about to take a bite of it! I guess I can say I am lucky to be alive! (to those disgusted by raw fish, all I have to say is you're missing out on some great adventures!)
After giving my salmon and shrimp their proper burial in the dumpster, I enjoyed a healthy meal of turkey and apples, both of which were really hard to put down in all of their deliciousness.
Last night, I ended the day enjoying an Oreo Cheesequake Blizzard at Dairy Queen, in Granite City, with Tim Y and Caleb H, and talked about the idea of jammin' music together and forming a band. Good ending to a crazy day!
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, March 31-April 2: Days 34 and 35 (Sunday doesn't count, remember?)
Saturday was our car wash and cook out to raise money for BREAKOUT. Basically, my morning consisted of rushing around and making sure we had everything together. Not much in the way of breakfast.
Lunch was good! Howard "Squeaky" cooked a load of hamburgers and hot dogs. We all had our fill of those! We ended up with nine of us helping altogether, so at the end of the day I wanted to treat them for working so hard.
Supper was from Gia's Pizza in O'Fallon. One of my ex's always said the best pizza place in the world is a place called Cubbies down in Metropolis, Illinois. That place is exceedingly good, despite their name being based on a baseball team that hasn't won a world series since 1908, but I now have found a place that's even better! Plus, one of the teens works there!!! We ended up having a pepperoni and an all meat pizza, and didn't leave a crumb. Good way to end the week!
Sundays have been considered the day of rest from the fast, but there has not been one single Sunday that I can day I've actually taken a break! This time, I was invited to join a couple moms and their little kiddo daughters for a picnic in the park, which I joined for a bit, but then I was asked to go with the special speakers and our worship leaders to Applebee's! I thought SWEET! My long awaited legitimate break where I can eat out and not feel bad about it!
I ended up enjoying every last bite of the tenderest, juiciest, boneless honey bbq wings, and a glass of Mountain Dew! Then the check came...and our guests actually picked up the tab! So, since the rules of this fast requires me not to purchase my own meals out, and someone else ended up paying for my food at Applebee's, Sunday did not feel like a break. I am really happy about that; it feels nice to look back over the weeks and see where God has been providing the whole time!
Monday - Breakfast was made by me! I made an omelet, which started to scare me a bit because all I could find were eggs and cheese, and what's an omelet without meat!? Then I spotted it! A package of "real bacon" bacon bites! It ended up being the perfect choice, an that omelet was delicious with every bite!
Lunch was a trip yesterday; I didn't end up eating till around 3:00 simply because I was still full from that omelet. (I seriously have the smallest stomach a human could have) I decided I wanted to have my lunch at the church, where I had refrigerated my honey roasted turkey, apples and caramel dip, and sushi from last Friday....yea, last Friday...and that's where the trouble began.
I am not a pro when it comes to i. i just knew that the sushi I had picked out this time was my favorite. Needless to say, I was a little befuddled when I took out the tray and found one of the raw fish pieces to be turning into an odd shade of gray as I was picking up the salmon to take a bite. It was then that I decided I should check the ol' Google on my phone to see how long sushi keeps.
As it turns out, sushi is only good for a maximum of 24 hours after it is put together fresh, and even that's stretching it! Apparently, seafood is the worst about getting contaminated and growing bacteria...comforting. I knew, with it being raw, it would be a good idea to keep it cold, but i didn't know the delicious morsels wouldn't survive more than a day in the dependable fridge. My sushi had been a breeding ground for who knows what kind of bad for four days, and I was about to take a bite of it! I guess I can say I am lucky to be alive! (to those disgusted by raw fish, all I have to say is you're missing out on some great adventures!)
After giving my salmon and shrimp their proper burial in the dumpster, I enjoyed a healthy meal of turkey and apples, both of which were really hard to put down in all of their deliciousness.
Last night, I ended the day enjoying an Oreo Cheesequake Blizzard at Dairy Queen, in Granite City, with Tim Y and Caleb H, and talked about the idea of jammin' music together and forming a band. Good ending to a crazy day!
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, March 31-April 2: Days 34 and 35 (Sunday doesn't count, remember?)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Land of Plenty
Yesterday was a great day! Back on the saddle again you could say! I went grocery shopping.
For breakfast I finished off my supply of Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.
Because of my earlier adventures at Sam's Club, I decided to check out their vast array of samples for lunch! I ended up with a couple BBQ chicken wings, a mini sausage pizza, some chips and garden dip, and some of that white grape juice. To me, that's a great lunch, and for free!
I ended up shopping at Dierburg's for groceries, because I wanted to check out their line of freshness. As it turned out, they had samples out too! Basically, this place has everything you've ever wanted in groceries, and more you didn't!
I got to try a couple different types of ham and a honey glazed turkey. In my shopping adventure, I ended up purchasing a mini tray of sushi, which includes shrimp, salmon, and some other type of fish. This has probably become my favorite combination! Also in the bag went a half pound of that turkey I got to try; that stuff was good! Then I decided to add a healthy side of pre-sliced green apples to the mix, along with some old fashioned caramel dip. As I grew up, I was introduced to apples and caramel dip, but I was never allowed to double dip since the caramel was to be shared with the family, and they were all germiphobes. Today I got to enjoy my caramel with every bite! (not that I didn't before, bit dipping out of my own container takes the pressure off a bit)
I'm going to call this day a success.
Friday, March 30: Day 33
For breakfast I finished off my supply of Chocolate Chip Granola Bars.
Because of my earlier adventures at Sam's Club, I decided to check out their vast array of samples for lunch! I ended up with a couple BBQ chicken wings, a mini sausage pizza, some chips and garden dip, and some of that white grape juice. To me, that's a great lunch, and for free!
I ended up shopping at Dierburg's for groceries, because I wanted to check out their line of freshness. As it turned out, they had samples out too! Basically, this place has everything you've ever wanted in groceries, and more you didn't!
I got to try a couple different types of ham and a honey glazed turkey. In my shopping adventure, I ended up purchasing a mini tray of sushi, which includes shrimp, salmon, and some other type of fish. This has probably become my favorite combination! Also in the bag went a half pound of that turkey I got to try; that stuff was good! Then I decided to add a healthy side of pre-sliced green apples to the mix, along with some old fashioned caramel dip. As I grew up, I was introduced to apples and caramel dip, but I was never allowed to double dip since the caramel was to be shared with the family, and they were all germiphobes. Today I got to enjoy my caramel with every bite! (not that I didn't before, bit dipping out of my own container takes the pressure off a bit)
I'm going to call this day a success.
Friday, March 30: Day 33
Friday, March 30, 2012
Out of Habit
I'm not really on the right track for the final week of this! Yesterday, I didn't eat until around 1:00 with a granola bar, and then went to Sam's Club to pick up some supplies for the car wash and cook out fundraiser the teens are doing this weekend. While I was there I enjoyed a plethora of samples, from chicken to chips and salsa, and white grape juice. That was probably the best part of my day, food-wise.
The day finished up by meeting with a college buddy that has apparently now been attending a university close by for like 2 years now and we are just now catching up! The bad part is that I cannot think of a better way for a couple of friends to get together than to go out for a bite to eat! He introduced me to a restaurant in Edwardsville and I had some amazing BBQ Chicken with rice. 40 days is a loooong time to go without something! This is such a lifestyle change, it would take me a lot of practice to make not eating out an actual habit. I am getting back on track though!
The great news is that my friend said he feels like he has slipped out of the habit of going to church, feels like he needs to get back into one, and it looks like he is going to try ours! We all have habits that could either use breaking or making.
Thursday, March 29: Day 32
The day finished up by meeting with a college buddy that has apparently now been attending a university close by for like 2 years now and we are just now catching up! The bad part is that I cannot think of a better way for a couple of friends to get together than to go out for a bite to eat! He introduced me to a restaurant in Edwardsville and I had some amazing BBQ Chicken with rice. 40 days is a loooong time to go without something! This is such a lifestyle change, it would take me a lot of practice to make not eating out an actual habit. I am getting back on track though!
The great news is that my friend said he feels like he has slipped out of the habit of going to church, feels like he needs to get back into one, and it looks like he is going to try ours! We all have habits that could either use breaking or making.
Thursday, March 29: Day 32
Thursday, March 29, 2012
An Unhealthy Day
Yesterday I had a Chocolate Granola Bar from Central Kitchen of Mount Vernon, Illinois, for breakfast. Yes, it was delicious. For lunch I ended up finishing off that Qdoba Burrito and decided to reward myself, for getting back on track, with a medium Dip N Dots Cookie Dough Ice Cream...yea, I know it's technically eating out, but when you consider that it's basically frozen milk and the cookie dough could have come from anywhere...you're right, there's no excuse. But, hey, I still managed to not order out an entire meal! I didn't eat the meal last night during Church's Kitchen, because I was just too busy with prep for an amazing worship night, you can find out more about that in my other blog! I finished off the day with a couple more granola bars and a couple squares of raw cookie dough, marking this as a very unhealthy day, and ...That's all I got.
Wednesday, March 29: Day 31
Wednesday, March 29: Day 31
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Taking One For the Team
I've reached a conclusion. We know how to eat right, balanced even, but like everything else we tend to take advantage of good things to the point of them actually becoming bad for us; we don't know how to stop. We get to the point where any form of fattening sugar in our diets must lead to diabetes, and calories surely leads to obesity, but we never want to accept the blame for ourselves. All of those ingredients exist for a reason. Wether they are useful for helping us have fuel to burn in the business of our lives, or just simply to keep us from depression, they are all created by God. Our impass is that we don't have the patience to wait it out, nor the endurance to consider the balance of it all.
Why should doughnuts be a bad thing for breakfast? Why should coffee not be a good source of energy for us in the mornings? What part of pecan pie shouldn't be sufficient in boosting our metabolism?
Which is why the past 30 or so days of this fast, even through the slip ups, have allowed me to take a step back, away from the buffet table, and find more of a balance of the panoramic portrait of everything available to us for consumption. I've never felt healthier in all of my life, being able to feel how everything works together. A little pancake for breakfast here, a salad without dressing and a deli sandwich for lunch there, a portion of steak or hamburger for dinner, throw in some sides of mashed potatoes and corn, maybe some green beans or rice, and top it all off with a few cinnamon and sugar chips or the occasional chocolate bar scattered throughout the day; my body then no longer says, "TOO MUCH SUGER!", "GREASE OVERLOAD!", or even, "NOT ENOUGH SUGAR, WHO CARES WHAT IT IS! YOU'VE MADE ME GO WITHOUT FOR SO LONG, JUST SHOVE IT IN!" Instead, at the end of the day, I no longer spend my time thinking about what I need to fill up on, but how God has blessed us through the day.
Yesterday, I started out with a Blueberry Flat Bagel with Strawberry Cream Cheese for breakfast. My lunch consisted of a slice of that naughty Qdoba Burrito I bought yesterday. It was supper that was a sidetrack....
Last night, a friend of mine, who I have always called K-Rod, Kevin B., caught up with me and we got to hang out for the evening. We met up at Five Guys. I could have invited him over to the house and made something homemade, but that would have been a little weird, so we started out eating the good ol American traditional Cheeseburger and Fries. It was a sidetrack from my fast, but God also says "Love God, and Love your neighbor." In the process of showing God how important He is in our lives, He still makes a point to guide us into building our relationships with our fellow man. I think it is important that we don't portray the image that it's all me and God and no time for what is important in the lives of others. That being said, Five Guys opened us up to a great chat that was much needed for encouragement in stressful times, and then we burned it off by coming back to the house to play a few rounds of pool and table tennis, aka Ping Pong.
Tuesday, March 27: Day 30
Why should doughnuts be a bad thing for breakfast? Why should coffee not be a good source of energy for us in the mornings? What part of pecan pie shouldn't be sufficient in boosting our metabolism?
Which is why the past 30 or so days of this fast, even through the slip ups, have allowed me to take a step back, away from the buffet table, and find more of a balance of the panoramic portrait of everything available to us for consumption. I've never felt healthier in all of my life, being able to feel how everything works together. A little pancake for breakfast here, a salad without dressing and a deli sandwich for lunch there, a portion of steak or hamburger for dinner, throw in some sides of mashed potatoes and corn, maybe some green beans or rice, and top it all off with a few cinnamon and sugar chips or the occasional chocolate bar scattered throughout the day; my body then no longer says, "TOO MUCH SUGER!", "GREASE OVERLOAD!", or even, "NOT ENOUGH SUGAR, WHO CARES WHAT IT IS! YOU'VE MADE ME GO WITHOUT FOR SO LONG, JUST SHOVE IT IN!" Instead, at the end of the day, I no longer spend my time thinking about what I need to fill up on, but how God has blessed us through the day.
Yesterday, I started out with a Blueberry Flat Bagel with Strawberry Cream Cheese for breakfast. My lunch consisted of a slice of that naughty Qdoba Burrito I bought yesterday. It was supper that was a sidetrack....
Last night, a friend of mine, who I have always called K-Rod, Kevin B., caught up with me and we got to hang out for the evening. We met up at Five Guys. I could have invited him over to the house and made something homemade, but that would have been a little weird, so we started out eating the good ol American traditional Cheeseburger and Fries. It was a sidetrack from my fast, but God also says "Love God, and Love your neighbor." In the process of showing God how important He is in our lives, He still makes a point to guide us into building our relationships with our fellow man. I think it is important that we don't portray the image that it's all me and God and no time for what is important in the lives of others. That being said, Five Guys opened us up to a great chat that was much needed for encouragement in stressful times, and then we burned it off by coming back to the house to play a few rounds of pool and table tennis, aka Ping Pong.
Tuesday, March 27: Day 30
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Three Meals A Day
Monday. I started out reeeally good. I had a granola bar for breakfast, and for lunch I fixed the rest of the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo leftovers. Supper was a different story. I ended up getting Qdoba's; A Shredded Beef Burrito with white rice, pinto beans, lettuce, cheese, and these little crunchy chip things they stuff in it. I know! I know! The fast isn't over yet, and I've been slipping, but I now have a burrito big enough to last me for a good three days! They make those things so big, it's almost like getting it from a grocery store! If there is anything I am learning from all of this, it's how to make meals stretch over the course of several days....along with a better understanding of what breakfast, lunch, and dinner should consist of.
Breakfast: eggs, doughnuts, toast, bagels, bacon, pancakes, etc. Fiber. Fiber. Fiber. Protein. Protein. Protein....and energy.
Lunch: Think picnick style, lettucey.
Dinner: Meat. Pasta. Ethnic quizine.
Monday, March 26: Day 29
Breakfast: eggs, doughnuts, toast, bagels, bacon, pancakes, etc. Fiber. Fiber. Fiber. Protein. Protein. Protein....and energy.
Lunch: Think picnick style, lettucey.
Dinner: Meat. Pasta. Ethnic quizine.
Monday, March 26: Day 29
Monday, March 26, 2012
All One Big Blur
Welcome back blogger! What a busy weekend! I took 8 teens to Roxana, Illinois for a district competition in sports and arts. During the course of the weekend, I did end up having Taco Bell, which I'll be reimbursed for, but it did feel a little odd paying for it at first.
We are approaching the end of the trail here for the lent fast, and I am still so excited for what I have learned so far! I'm looking forward to finishing this and being able to celebrate Easter and everything God has had victory over!
On Sunday, Pastor Jay and his wife treated me to the Turkey Grange at Eckert's Farm! It was a delicious homemade meal by people from the county, mainly farmers, consisting of green beans, breaded somethingorother, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, and the tastiest fried chicken I've ever had in my life! (and I'm serious about that!) That is one meal I hope to never forget!
Saturday, March 24 was Day 28
We are approaching the end of the trail here for the lent fast, and I am still so excited for what I have learned so far! I'm looking forward to finishing this and being able to celebrate Easter and everything God has had victory over!
On Sunday, Pastor Jay and his wife treated me to the Turkey Grange at Eckert's Farm! It was a delicious homemade meal by people from the county, mainly farmers, consisting of green beans, breaded somethingorother, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, and the tastiest fried chicken I've ever had in my life! (and I'm serious about that!) That is one meal I hope to never forget!
Saturday, March 24 was Day 28
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Oh, Happy Day!
We started Celebrate Life yesterday. Its an event for teens to showcase their talents in arts and sports, and 8 of our teens signed up to participate this year! I started out the day yesterday with an omelet, and ended the day sharing tacos with the teens in Roxana, Illinois! Yes! For a group meal during the competitions, we ate at Taco Bell! I don't know if it was because I hadn't eaten it in so long, but I only got down two tacos before I was full. As a result, I have decided to eat Taco Bell every day once this fast is over...maybe.
Friday, March 23: Day 27
Friday, March 23: Day 27
Friday, March 23, 2012
Check and Mate, Like Chess!
Yesterday was my niece's 8th birthday! I started the day out with my three egg bacon and cheese omelet, then took a travel cup of Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Bites with me for the road.
My first stop was the St Clair Mall to get the pair of sparkly Vans shoes from Journey's Kids. That would be my first gift to Larisa, my niece. It took a lot out of me to be a grown man, by himself, looking very intently at a pair of purple and pink glittery Vans girl shoes, but what's an uncle that doesn't spoil his nieces?
I met up with my dad and sister for some Fazoli's once I got to Mt Vernon, and enjoyed a nice bowl-plate (that's the only way I know how to describe this dish they used) of Three Cheese Ravioli. My only problem was sitting through watching my loved ones eat slices of cheesecake in front of me. That's like torture to a guy who's favorite desert is cheesecake!
I had been wanting to see the Lorax for quite some time; you might even say I was starting to rhyme when the subject came up, and the thought was sublime. It was my favorite Dr Seuss book when I was a child; i always thought the inventions were wild. The colors and story had me on a hook, and that's why the Lorax was my favorite book.
Needless to say, treating Larisa to a movie for her birthday and inviting her sister to go too was the perfect opportunity to see The Lorax! We chose 3D because its so cool. It was apparently Larisa's first 3D movie. My review is simple: AWESOME!!! GO SEE THE LORAX! You're mind will thank you! We all shared a bag of popcorn.
After the movie, we went back to my sister's house and ate some Chicken Pot Pie mom brought over from her work. I guess I can finally say I am a fan of Chicken Pot Pie; it's been a long time comin'. I am thankful for homemade style food!
Larisa loved the shoes and the movie. Lauren got new glasses. Everybody ended the day completely satisfied. Check and mate, like chess!
Thursday, March 22: Day 26
My first stop was the St Clair Mall to get the pair of sparkly Vans shoes from Journey's Kids. That would be my first gift to Larisa, my niece. It took a lot out of me to be a grown man, by himself, looking very intently at a pair of purple and pink glittery Vans girl shoes, but what's an uncle that doesn't spoil his nieces?
I met up with my dad and sister for some Fazoli's once I got to Mt Vernon, and enjoyed a nice bowl-plate (that's the only way I know how to describe this dish they used) of Three Cheese Ravioli. My only problem was sitting through watching my loved ones eat slices of cheesecake in front of me. That's like torture to a guy who's favorite desert is cheesecake!
I had been wanting to see the Lorax for quite some time; you might even say I was starting to rhyme when the subject came up, and the thought was sublime. It was my favorite Dr Seuss book when I was a child; i always thought the inventions were wild. The colors and story had me on a hook, and that's why the Lorax was my favorite book.
Needless to say, treating Larisa to a movie for her birthday and inviting her sister to go too was the perfect opportunity to see The Lorax! We chose 3D because its so cool. It was apparently Larisa's first 3D movie. My review is simple: AWESOME!!! GO SEE THE LORAX! You're mind will thank you! We all shared a bag of popcorn.
After the movie, we went back to my sister's house and ate some Chicken Pot Pie mom brought over from her work. I guess I can finally say I am a fan of Chicken Pot Pie; it's been a long time comin'. I am thankful for homemade style food!
Larisa loved the shoes and the movie. Lauren got new glasses. Everybody ended the day completely satisfied. Check and mate, like chess!
Thursday, March 22: Day 26
Thursday, March 22, 2012
A Taco From Heaven
I started the day earlier yesterday, which felt extremely good. I felt like I had a lot more time to ease up my busy life, so to kick things off I made a bacon and Colby jack cheese omelet. (I should have taken a picture, even if it wasn't my best work) With a cup of 2% Prairie Farms Milk, that was a breakfast of champions!
Lunch didn't exist for me, but I can see why, now, after doing this fast for 25 days, some people focus on a small, fresh salady (is that even a word?) type of meal for the noon hour, and save the bigger entrees till dinner. I think I'm going to start that habit, and see where it takes me. Anything should be better than nothing, right?
Supper was served at church by our good volunteer chef, Howard "Squeeky" T. Last nights menu consisted of BBQ Meatloaf, green beans, and Macaroni with Cheese. To top it off, he made his specialty Apple Pie, and lemonade washed it all down. (I'm not the biggest meatloaf fan, but it was good enough that I got at least half of it down.)
The worship service was inspiring (read up on it on my blog "Just A Sprinkle: The Influence of a Teen"), and afterwards one of the parents invited me to go with her and her two sons out to eat! (again, this fast calls for me not to purchase my own meals from restaurants or fast food chains, but if someone offers to treat me to a meal there is nothing wrong with accepting the offer.) We let one her son that was driving decide on the place, so we started out at Sonics Drive-In of O'Fallon, Illinois. It had been a while since I have eaten their Mozzarella Sticks, so I grabbed an order of those. Then we took off for Taco Bell (YES TACO BELL!!!) and I ended up with a regular taco and a medium Baja Blast. You have no idea what that taco tasted like after wanting one for soooo long and not being able to buy one! I literally felt like showing their family my appreciation by buying them a new house, just for treating me to one Taco Bell taco...if I had the money to do so.
I love it when God provides for our needs through other people! That's a great picture of The Church!
Wednesday, March 21: Day 25
Lunch didn't exist for me, but I can see why, now, after doing this fast for 25 days, some people focus on a small, fresh salady (is that even a word?) type of meal for the noon hour, and save the bigger entrees till dinner. I think I'm going to start that habit, and see where it takes me. Anything should be better than nothing, right?
Supper was served at church by our good volunteer chef, Howard "Squeeky" T. Last nights menu consisted of BBQ Meatloaf, green beans, and Macaroni with Cheese. To top it off, he made his specialty Apple Pie, and lemonade washed it all down. (I'm not the biggest meatloaf fan, but it was good enough that I got at least half of it down.)
The worship service was inspiring (read up on it on my blog "Just A Sprinkle: The Influence of a Teen"), and afterwards one of the parents invited me to go with her and her two sons out to eat! (again, this fast calls for me not to purchase my own meals from restaurants or fast food chains, but if someone offers to treat me to a meal there is nothing wrong with accepting the offer.) We let one her son that was driving decide on the place, so we started out at Sonics Drive-In of O'Fallon, Illinois. It had been a while since I have eaten their Mozzarella Sticks, so I grabbed an order of those. Then we took off for Taco Bell (YES TACO BELL!!!) and I ended up with a regular taco and a medium Baja Blast. You have no idea what that taco tasted like after wanting one for soooo long and not being able to buy one! I literally felt like showing their family my appreciation by buying them a new house, just for treating me to one Taco Bell taco...if I had the money to do so.
I love it when God provides for our needs through other people! That's a great picture of The Church!
Wednesday, March 21: Day 25
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
You Have the Right to Be An Attorney
As the day went on yesterday, I really thought I was gooing to have another fail day where I didn't have much of anything to eat. I started out finishing the rest of the box of Entenmann's delicious chocolate doughnuts, but had nothing for lunch. An afternoon snack didn't even exist in my schedule. Then I decided to go see 21 Jump Street.
21 Jump Street was HILLARIOUS! They saw me rollin'...yes I just said that. Anyway, it did have us all laughing, HOWEVER...I do not recommend it for all audiences. It's not a clean movie. It has its share of profanity and certain party scenes not fit for some eyes. However, they do portray shocking expressions through those more awkward scenes, making it a lot easier to talk about why what's happening in those scenes are not healthy lifestyle choices. I will say that the criminals in the movie had some freakin awesome make-up though! They looked rough! Lastly, all I really need to say is that Johnny Depp makes a cameo toward the end. That's cool enough! All in all, I give it a 7 out of 10, and a NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TEENS.
I only had a soda at the movies. No popcorn this time. Once the movie let out, I realized my stomache was not happy with me not feeding it, then I remembered the alfredo I made and decided to head back to the house for some left-overs! I ended up finishing the day with some chicken fettuccine and a few episodes of Hardcore Pawn.
Tuesday, March 20: Day 24
21 Jump Street was HILLARIOUS! They saw me rollin'...yes I just said that. Anyway, it did have us all laughing, HOWEVER...I do not recommend it for all audiences. It's not a clean movie. It has its share of profanity and certain party scenes not fit for some eyes. However, they do portray shocking expressions through those more awkward scenes, making it a lot easier to talk about why what's happening in those scenes are not healthy lifestyle choices. I will say that the criminals in the movie had some freakin awesome make-up though! They looked rough! Lastly, all I really need to say is that Johnny Depp makes a cameo toward the end. That's cool enough! All in all, I give it a 7 out of 10, and a NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TEENS.
I only had a soda at the movies. No popcorn this time. Once the movie let out, I realized my stomache was not happy with me not feeding it, then I remembered the alfredo I made and decided to head back to the house for some left-overs! I ended up finishing the day with some chicken fettuccine and a few episodes of Hardcore Pawn.
Tuesday, March 20: Day 24
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Big Cheese
What I am proud of for yesterday's accomplishments is that I learned how to make chicken...I'm still not the greatest chef in the world, but I wont starve to death now! I made this Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo!
The day started with some Entennmen's fudge cake chocolate covered Doughnuts, and finished off with some raw cookie dough and a few episodes of Lizard Lick Towing. That show is all the evidence I need that I would never be cut out for repo work.
Monday, March 20: Day 23
(Sundays are break days. I got to enjoy Panda Express with a couple of the teens from church, and then we went and polled random people in the mall with the question "Who Is Jesus?" the responses have been great! We're gona show the clips next week during youth worship)
The day started with some Entennmen's fudge cake chocolate covered Doughnuts, and finished off with some raw cookie dough and a few episodes of Lizard Lick Towing. That show is all the evidence I need that I would never be cut out for repo work.
Monday, March 20: Day 23
(Sundays are break days. I got to enjoy Panda Express with a couple of the teens from church, and then we went and polled random people in the mall with the question "Who Is Jesus?" the responses have been great! We're gona show the clips next week during youth worship)
Monday, March 19, 2012
Why Yes, I Think I'll Have Another Slice
Saturday I was on the road a lot, but fortunately God provided the food. Our church had what we call District Team Day; a fun little schedule of seminars based on what area of ministry we serve in, and we get to choose which ones to attend. (The Just A Sprinkle blog is going to be full of new posts today from this weekend!) Because of Team Day, our meals were supplied for us, and they were deeeelicious!
To start off the day, I must say I resisted having breakfast at Mom and Dad's house, because the host usually supplies doughnuts for everyone at this conference. This year I walked in and found a countertop with juice and coffee, no food. My shock button was hit.
Luckily, there was plenty to keep my mind occupied till lunch, and a cup of water was sufficient to get me there. Lunch consisted of green beans, chicken and noodles with chopped peppers (and I want to say mushrooms, because there were slight flavors I didn't enjoy), rolls, and pasta salad (which I didn't eat because I'm not a pasta salad kinda guy). The desert options included a pecan type pie with the consistency of pistacio pudding, and the most amazingly scrumptious chocolate and vanilla ice cream wafer cake with hot fudge (that was my favorite part)! I must say the lunch was finger-lickin good! Take a bit of that roll with a bite of that chicken n noodle....my mouth was dancing.
While at Team Day, one of my teens invited me to her Winterguard competition that night. My supper ended up being a slice of Cheese and a slice of Pepperoni Pizza from Papa John's, and a can of Coca-Cola. *Chck-shhh...ahhhhhhh* (that's the sound of perfect harmony between the can opening and my reaction to it) In order to get to that food, I had to step out of my car and into a crazy rainstorm that came out of nowhere, flooding my Toms shoes like they were made of air or something; my feet felt like sponges. After patting down my shoes with about 25 paper towels, I got to enjoy a nice plate of greasy Youth Pastor food!
Saturday, March 17: Day 22
To start off the day, I must say I resisted having breakfast at Mom and Dad's house, because the host usually supplies doughnuts for everyone at this conference. This year I walked in and found a countertop with juice and coffee, no food. My shock button was hit.
Luckily, there was plenty to keep my mind occupied till lunch, and a cup of water was sufficient to get me there. Lunch consisted of green beans, chicken and noodles with chopped peppers (and I want to say mushrooms, because there were slight flavors I didn't enjoy), rolls, and pasta salad (which I didn't eat because I'm not a pasta salad kinda guy). The desert options included a pecan type pie with the consistency of pistacio pudding, and the most amazingly scrumptious chocolate and vanilla ice cream wafer cake with hot fudge (that was my favorite part)! I must say the lunch was finger-lickin good! Take a bit of that roll with a bite of that chicken n noodle....my mouth was dancing.
While at Team Day, one of my teens invited me to her Winterguard competition that night. My supper ended up being a slice of Cheese and a slice of Pepperoni Pizza from Papa John's, and a can of Coca-Cola. *Chck-shhh...ahhhhhhh* (that's the sound of perfect harmony between the can opening and my reaction to it) In order to get to that food, I had to step out of my car and into a crazy rainstorm that came out of nowhere, flooding my Toms shoes like they were made of air or something; my feet felt like sponges. After patting down my shoes with about 25 paper towels, I got to enjoy a nice plate of greasy Youth Pastor food!
Saturday, March 17: Day 22
Friday, March 16, 2012
Treated
Today was a much needed refreshment from the craziness of trying to figure out how to manage this whole not eating out thing! Since I got to go to Mount Vernon today to do a concert at my parents' church, they treated me to lunch and supper. For lunch I had Fettuccine Alfredo at Fazoli's and Honey BBQ Boneless Wings at Applebee's!!! I felt like a little kid at a candy shop!
I was inspired by a couple of thoughts today because of all of this adventure; a way to pay it forward and a way to plan ahead. The first one came from hearing a call on the radio this morning at 99.1 Joy FM. A guy called and told them his food had just been paid for by the lady in line ahead of him, and when he looked at what car she got in he recognized the 99.1 sticker she had in her window. The best way he knew of to thank her was to call the station and do it over the air in hopes that she was listening! I thought that was the coolest thing ever! It inspired me to think about this whole fast that I am doing; I keep concentrating on how it is hard for me to make it through, which has helped me focus on God's strength, but I really haven't spent much time thinking about how it could be a perfect time to help others. Since I can't pay for my own meal out at restaurants or fast food places, now would be a perfect time to concentrate on taking care of others' meals instead! I don't know how this might completely work, but I love the chance to give when I can!
The other inspiration came from just thinking about how difficult it has been to make home cooked meals. Since I am quite a distance away from the house every day, it's near impossible to consider driving all the way there to fix each meal; I'd never get anything done! My inspiration is to try making the home made dishes in the morning and then eat it in portions throughout the week. I am sure this will help make everything run smoother, but it means most likely having to wake up earlier to prepare more for my day...it already takes me forever to force myself to get up in the mornings, so it looks like I'm going to need quite a wake up call to get me motivated.
I ended the day with a warm chocolate chip granola bar from Central Kitchen; they make all the food for the local elementary and junior high schools for the Mt Vernon and surrounding area. It is best described as a catering service. They make the best fresh granola bars of all time! They add a whole new meaning to "melt in your mouth"! Today I rejoiced.
Friday, March 16: Day 21
I was inspired by a couple of thoughts today because of all of this adventure; a way to pay it forward and a way to plan ahead. The first one came from hearing a call on the radio this morning at 99.1 Joy FM. A guy called and told them his food had just been paid for by the lady in line ahead of him, and when he looked at what car she got in he recognized the 99.1 sticker she had in her window. The best way he knew of to thank her was to call the station and do it over the air in hopes that she was listening! I thought that was the coolest thing ever! It inspired me to think about this whole fast that I am doing; I keep concentrating on how it is hard for me to make it through, which has helped me focus on God's strength, but I really haven't spent much time thinking about how it could be a perfect time to help others. Since I can't pay for my own meal out at restaurants or fast food places, now would be a perfect time to concentrate on taking care of others' meals instead! I don't know how this might completely work, but I love the chance to give when I can!
The other inspiration came from just thinking about how difficult it has been to make home cooked meals. Since I am quite a distance away from the house every day, it's near impossible to consider driving all the way there to fix each meal; I'd never get anything done! My inspiration is to try making the home made dishes in the morning and then eat it in portions throughout the week. I am sure this will help make everything run smoother, but it means most likely having to wake up earlier to prepare more for my day...it already takes me forever to force myself to get up in the mornings, so it looks like I'm going to need quite a wake up call to get me motivated.
I ended the day with a warm chocolate chip granola bar from Central Kitchen; they make all the food for the local elementary and junior high schools for the Mt Vernon and surrounding area. It is best described as a catering service. They make the best fresh granola bars of all time! They add a whole new meaning to "melt in your mouth"! Today I rejoiced.
Friday, March 16: Day 21
Intermission
HOORAY! I MADE IT HALFWAY!
Yesterday was not a good how to eat without eating out day. A lot of struggles filled the hours, and I really didn't eat much, but victory comes in the morning when I look back and know that I have been able to make it halfway through these 40 days without buying any food from a restaurant or a fast food place! I know that if I was only doing this through my own strength, I would have eaten out a long time ago. It's only through God that I have been able to make it this far, so thanks and praise goes to Him. That's what this fast is all about.
On a side note, I did manage to enjoy a mountain dew at St Louis Bread Co with a couple of youth pastor friends of mine; their meals looked mouth-wateringly delicious. I also finished the day with the rest of the potato skin chips from the day before and a Snickers with Almonds during intermission at the O'Fallon, Illinois, High School musical of Wizard of Oz...I'm not sure what this 40 days is doing to my healthy diet, I kind of think I was actually eating healthier before not eating out due to the variety I was having. I haven't tested that theory, so I could be wrong, but with the small portions of food I usually eat anyway, and the fact that I eat like a bird, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.
Thursday, March 16: Day 20!
Yesterday was not a good how to eat without eating out day. A lot of struggles filled the hours, and I really didn't eat much, but victory comes in the morning when I look back and know that I have been able to make it halfway through these 40 days without buying any food from a restaurant or a fast food place! I know that if I was only doing this through my own strength, I would have eaten out a long time ago. It's only through God that I have been able to make it this far, so thanks and praise goes to Him. That's what this fast is all about.
On a side note, I did manage to enjoy a mountain dew at St Louis Bread Co with a couple of youth pastor friends of mine; their meals looked mouth-wateringly delicious. I also finished the day with the rest of the potato skin chips from the day before and a Snickers with Almonds during intermission at the O'Fallon, Illinois, High School musical of Wizard of Oz...I'm not sure what this 40 days is doing to my healthy diet, I kind of think I was actually eating healthier before not eating out due to the variety I was having. I haven't tested that theory, so I could be wrong, but with the small portions of food I usually eat anyway, and the fact that I eat like a bird, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.
Thursday, March 16: Day 20!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Play It By Ear and Make-Up the Rest
I FINALLY got to enjoy some blueberry Flat Bagels yesterday with strawberry cream cheese! MMMMMMMMMM! That was a good breakfast! It comes highly recommended.
For lunch I decided to go to the mall and walk around while I figured out what to do. As it turns out, that's exactly where I was suppose to eat! Every time I passed Sarku Japan, they offered me free samples of their delicious Teriyaki Chicken. I walked around to Teavana and washed it down with a sample of Japanese Cherry Blossom Tea and a Caramel Mocha from Starbucks. Who says one can't be innovative!?
In the afternoon, I was treated to a Cheesy homemade omlet, made by one of the teens in my youth ministry, and last night, for the supper we have before worship, our team of volunteer chefs made grilled chicken, stirfry green beans, mashed potatoes, and the most delicious Strawberry cake with cream cheese icing I've ever had in my life!
I ended the day with a few of TGI Friday's Potato Skin Chips and the finale of Face Off on the Sci-Fi channel! The three finalists had to work with a team of previous contestants to create a trio of themed characters that would be performing a choreographed dance routine in their make-up, and believe me, the final number was EPIC! It could have easily went up against Michael Jackson's Thriller! The guy I was hoping to win didn't, but the guy that did win was my second choice, and not one of those three finalists are gona walk away empty-handed.
All together, this day was a very creative day.
Wednesday, March 14: Day 19
For lunch I decided to go to the mall and walk around while I figured out what to do. As it turns out, that's exactly where I was suppose to eat! Every time I passed Sarku Japan, they offered me free samples of their delicious Teriyaki Chicken. I walked around to Teavana and washed it down with a sample of Japanese Cherry Blossom Tea and a Caramel Mocha from Starbucks. Who says one can't be innovative!?
In the afternoon, I was treated to a Cheesy homemade omlet, made by one of the teens in my youth ministry, and last night, for the supper we have before worship, our team of volunteer chefs made grilled chicken, stirfry green beans, mashed potatoes, and the most delicious Strawberry cake with cream cheese icing I've ever had in my life!
I ended the day with a few of TGI Friday's Potato Skin Chips and the finale of Face Off on the Sci-Fi channel! The three finalists had to work with a team of previous contestants to create a trio of themed characters that would be performing a choreographed dance routine in their make-up, and believe me, the final number was EPIC! It could have easily went up against Michael Jackson's Thriller! The guy I was hoping to win didn't, but the guy that did win was my second choice, and not one of those three finalists are gona walk away empty-handed.
All together, this day was a very creative day.
Wednesday, March 14: Day 19
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Headless Chicken
Tuesday reminded me of why it is so important to not rush into a day with no real outline. I ended up using a lot of gas, and this economy doesn't allow for that kind of waste. With all of the driving around, I felt the pressure to tangle all of my priorities into the giant pretzel of miles, and ended up not eating much at all. By the end of the day I had a couple PBJ's and a bag of popcorn while watching Mission Impossible 3 with a friend.
I'm helping, a couple days during the week, take care of the dogs that the family I stay with owns, while they're gone on vacation. Since I'm usually about a 15 mile drive away from the house it's been taking an extra hour out of my day. The real kicker is that, since I am away from the house for the majority of my day, there is no real easy way to make a homemade meal, and eating out is still more affordable. That thought ran through my head yesterday as I went to the Salvation Army Headquarters in St Louis, to apply for a position in their youth department, and there happened to be a Taco Bell, Mc Donald's, Hardees, and a fancy looking little classic diner surrounding the property like a picture frame. I'm sure the lady at the counter in Taco Bell thought I was one strange cookie when I stepped up to order and then said "NO! I CAN'T DO THIS!" while running away. Thankfully, I can say that, even though I got close, I still resisted massive temptation, but those PBJ's just don't taste as good when you know you were so close to eating ground beef, lettuce, and shredded cheese on a soft tortilla shell.
Tuesday, March 14: Day 18
I'm helping, a couple days during the week, take care of the dogs that the family I stay with owns, while they're gone on vacation. Since I'm usually about a 15 mile drive away from the house it's been taking an extra hour out of my day. The real kicker is that, since I am away from the house for the majority of my day, there is no real easy way to make a homemade meal, and eating out is still more affordable. That thought ran through my head yesterday as I went to the Salvation Army Headquarters in St Louis, to apply for a position in their youth department, and there happened to be a Taco Bell, Mc Donald's, Hardees, and a fancy looking little classic diner surrounding the property like a picture frame. I'm sure the lady at the counter in Taco Bell thought I was one strange cookie when I stepped up to order and then said "NO! I CAN'T DO THIS!" while running away. Thankfully, I can say that, even though I got close, I still resisted massive temptation, but those PBJ's just don't taste as good when you know you were so close to eating ground beef, lettuce, and shredded cheese on a soft tortilla shell.
Tuesday, March 14: Day 18
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Take That, Angus!
I actually ended up having a fairly decent day yesterday. I had a late start to the day, so for lunch I had a three egg omlet with thick cut bacon and Kolby Jack shredded cheese melting it all together. The new struggle for how to eat right will now be later in the day. I'm picking up one of the senior high teens from school to help me out at the church. School lunches, around here, average 25 minutes, so if a student forgets his lunch he doesn't really have time to think about his options, or if the lunch line doesn't move fast enough, they may only have 5-10 minutes to eat. Yesterday, he wanted to stop at the ol Mc Donald's for a bite, so I enjoyed a large sweet tea while he scarfed down an Angus Burger and large fry. I could almost promise you his burger was taunting me with all the other menu choices I could pick from. I RESISTED! HA! TAKE THAT SCRUMPTIOUS MC DONALD'S FOOD AND YOUR ABILITY TO CREATE A GOOD MOOD!
Last night, I was looking around at what I wanted to finish the day with, but it was late enough that I didn't want to hassle over making a whole meal. Then it dawned on me that I could not remember the last time I had simple buttered toast! I had four slices while watching Pawn Stars and American Pickers. That being said, a new episode of Impractical Jokers comes on next week, and I'm pretty stoked.
Monday, March 12: Day 17
Last night, I was looking around at what I wanted to finish the day with, but it was late enough that I didn't want to hassle over making a whole meal. Then it dawned on me that I could not remember the last time I had simple buttered toast! I had four slices while watching Pawn Stars and American Pickers. That being said, a new episode of Impractical Jokers comes on next week, and I'm pretty stoked.
Monday, March 12: Day 17
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sharing Is Caring
I went to Mount Vernon on Saturday, which basically molded my day. Because of not really having anything for breakfast again, I now see the need to figure out how to make that my most important meal of the day again! For lunch, however, I reheated the rest of my Cheesy Hamburger Helper.
I spent the afternoon with my parents, which resulted in me getting a base drum pedal as a gift from my Dad, for my Cajon. For supper, I got to enjoy a homemade meal of fish sticks and tater tots from my Mom. I had the choice between the fish or BBQ pulled pork, but the fish sounded like something different from what I've been having for some reason. It was a good choice.
After the High School Operetta of Guys and Dolls, I was sent home with a bag of frozen chicken, ground beef, and a couple of boxes of Helper for some new meal choices, along with the longest banana I've ever seen in my life! I'm not the biggest fan of bananas, but this one was good. Now I'm gonna have to learn how to go about fixing up this chicken the right way so that I don't give myself the gift of Salmonella.
Sundays, according to the actual Lent calendar, are considered celebration days and days of rest, so I went into it thinking I was going to get to eat out! As it turned out, I ended up eating in with a family from our church. Eating out came close though; they ordered from a chinese restaurant. The Orange Chicken and Ham In Rice was really good, but they loaded the dish up for a family of 500, so I ended up sharing my leftovers with the teens that came to church in the evening. (500 may have been a little bit of an exaggeration) Last night was a crazy night for BREAKOUT due to the extra hour of daylight kinda messing up our flow of Lights Out Hide and Seek...I'm thinking we're gona be doing a different game for the Spring and Summer, but that's a little off topic.
Anyway, good times...good times.
Saturday, March 10: Day 16
I spent the afternoon with my parents, which resulted in me getting a base drum pedal as a gift from my Dad, for my Cajon. For supper, I got to enjoy a homemade meal of fish sticks and tater tots from my Mom. I had the choice between the fish or BBQ pulled pork, but the fish sounded like something different from what I've been having for some reason. It was a good choice.
After the High School Operetta of Guys and Dolls, I was sent home with a bag of frozen chicken, ground beef, and a couple of boxes of Helper for some new meal choices, along with the longest banana I've ever seen in my life! I'm not the biggest fan of bananas, but this one was good. Now I'm gonna have to learn how to go about fixing up this chicken the right way so that I don't give myself the gift of Salmonella.
Sundays, according to the actual Lent calendar, are considered celebration days and days of rest, so I went into it thinking I was going to get to eat out! As it turned out, I ended up eating in with a family from our church. Eating out came close though; they ordered from a chinese restaurant. The Orange Chicken and Ham In Rice was really good, but they loaded the dish up for a family of 500, so I ended up sharing my leftovers with the teens that came to church in the evening. (500 may have been a little bit of an exaggeration) Last night was a crazy night for BREAKOUT due to the extra hour of daylight kinda messing up our flow of Lights Out Hide and Seek...I'm thinking we're gona be doing a different game for the Spring and Summer, but that's a little off topic.
Anyway, good times...good times.
Saturday, March 10: Day 16
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Kill It and Bring It Back to Life
Hooray!!! I jumped the hurdle and made my own meals yesterday! For those that missed it, I am a HUGE fan of Hamburger Helper! I grew up on the stuff! This fast has helped push me to learn how to make it for myself.
A couple weeks ago I made my first one, Four Cheese Lasagna, and yesterday I went with the regular Cheesy flavor. I can't get enough of this stuff, and it lasts for a good three meals!
That was dinner, you can kind of tell how excited I am about it! Let me backtrack and tell you about lunch. I stopped at Schnuck's yesterday for some fresh ideas, and was inspired. They make these deli subs that are full of flavor; a week ago i talked about the "Po' Boy", that was from here. I went ahead and picked up the "Premium Po' Boy" sub, with ham, roast beef, and american and cheddar cheeses, but I felt like it needed something more. That's when I got the crazy notion to have bacon. I love that I can get pre-cooked THICK sliced bacon, and all I have to do is stick a few slices in the microwave to bring it to life! The best part? Three slices of thick slices bacon fits perfectly in the Premium Po' Boy Sub, and adds the best harmony I've ever had on a sandwich!
To wash it down, I still had some leftover Mountain Dew Baja Blast from the day before, and with the weather being so nice yesterday, I couldn't help but enjoy the meal while taking a walk around Moody "Long Acre" Park by the church.
All in all, one successful day, thanks to the provision of my Heavenly Father!
Friday, March 9: Day 15
A couple weeks ago I made my first one, Four Cheese Lasagna, and yesterday I went with the regular Cheesy flavor. I can't get enough of this stuff, and it lasts for a good three meals!
That was dinner, you can kind of tell how excited I am about it! Let me backtrack and tell you about lunch. I stopped at Schnuck's yesterday for some fresh ideas, and was inspired. They make these deli subs that are full of flavor; a week ago i talked about the "Po' Boy", that was from here. I went ahead and picked up the "Premium Po' Boy" sub, with ham, roast beef, and american and cheddar cheeses, but I felt like it needed something more. That's when I got the crazy notion to have bacon. I love that I can get pre-cooked THICK sliced bacon, and all I have to do is stick a few slices in the microwave to bring it to life! The best part? Three slices of thick slices bacon fits perfectly in the Premium Po' Boy Sub, and adds the best harmony I've ever had on a sandwich!
To wash it down, I still had some leftover Mountain Dew Baja Blast from the day before, and with the weather being so nice yesterday, I couldn't help but enjoy the meal while taking a walk around Moody "Long Acre" Park by the church.
All in all, one successful day, thanks to the provision of my Heavenly Father!
Friday, March 9: Day 15
Friday, March 9, 2012
Must...Find...Foooooood!
Still not momentous yesterday with learning how to cope without eating out...I started the day with bagels, and ended the day with a bag of popcorn while watching Man On A Ledge. (which was a good movie by the way, 8 out of 10 in my book)
I'm doing pretty good at resisting eating out, although I MAJORLY craved Taco Bell yesterday, and it doesn't help that there seems to be one on every corner here. Last night, after the movie, I went with a friend of mine, Brian, to Applebee's and stared, like a starving child, at the appetizer menu, mouth watering, but all I had was a Strawberry Lemonade. I really need to learn to eat healthier during the day.
Thursday, March 8: Day 14
I'm doing pretty good at resisting eating out, although I MAJORLY craved Taco Bell yesterday, and it doesn't help that there seems to be one on every corner here. Last night, after the movie, I went with a friend of mine, Brian, to Applebee's and stared, like a starving child, at the appetizer menu, mouth watering, but all I had was a Strawberry Lemonade. I really need to learn to eat healthier during the day.
Thursday, March 8: Day 14
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Nothing
Yesterday was not the most eventful day for my adventures in fasting. I can't even remember what I ate past the bagels I had for breakfast. I need to do better today. 'nuff said.
Wednesday, March 7: Day 13
Wednesday, March 7: Day 13
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Ooey, Gooey
Did you know they make flat bagels? Yesterday for breakfast, I started out with a couple blueberry BagelThins from Thomas Bagels. Obviously with cream cheese! They were extreemly delicious with their unique wheat ingredient and slightly crumbly coating, and the blueberries add just the right punch of flavor. I've always thought regular bagels were almost too thick, but maybe it's just my unhealthy desire to taste more of the cream cheese than what's actually good for me. These flat bagels hit the spot, and brought the flavor to the top. Pop 'em in the toaster and enjoy the morning.
For lunch, I broke out the Welch's apricot preserves and Skippy honey injected creamy peanut butter again. Fast fact for anyone that doesn't know: I have always cut my sandwiches in half diagonally; it's the way I was taught to do it as a little kid. I guess at first we are taught this to make eating it more manageable, but yesterday I looked at it and thought about why I still do it as an adult, especially since I have really long fingers and can just as easily pick the whole thing up and eat it as is. Maybe it's because I like the way the knife makes all the filling start to ooze out and my mouth drool over it. Perhaps, somewhere in my mind, I'm still thinking that I need to cut them into more manageable pieces. Or it could be that I somehow got the notion that by cutting them this way the sandwich magically doubles in flavor. Whatever the case may be, I decided not to cut it in half yesterday. It just didn't seem necessary, and quite fankly, it was better this way. I felt like the crust didn't dry out the flavor as much, and there was more to eat! The only problem was it made me want more, so I had to force myself to stop after two sandwiches. I know that doesn't seem like a lot to some, but I do know my limits. Needless to say, with my newfound acceptance of sandwiches not cut by the knife, I can now say I am a changed man.
The evening was filled with mailing appreciation cards to places I've sung and spoke at before, sending out welcome letters to teens that have visited BREAKOUT once or twice, finishing up youth minsistry paperwork, and working with the church board on new changes happening within the ministry! When I get in the mode of what I am passionate about, I usually forget to eat, so it wasn't till I got back to the house at around 10:30 last night that I sat down and decided to enjoy some taco flavored Doritos while watching Leno and Storage Wars. I think I'll go with the salsa verde flavor next....that really makes me want Taco Bell.
Tuesday, March 6: Day 12
For lunch, I broke out the Welch's apricot preserves and Skippy honey injected creamy peanut butter again. Fast fact for anyone that doesn't know: I have always cut my sandwiches in half diagonally; it's the way I was taught to do it as a little kid. I guess at first we are taught this to make eating it more manageable, but yesterday I looked at it and thought about why I still do it as an adult, especially since I have really long fingers and can just as easily pick the whole thing up and eat it as is. Maybe it's because I like the way the knife makes all the filling start to ooze out and my mouth drool over it. Perhaps, somewhere in my mind, I'm still thinking that I need to cut them into more manageable pieces. Or it could be that I somehow got the notion that by cutting them this way the sandwich magically doubles in flavor. Whatever the case may be, I decided not to cut it in half yesterday. It just didn't seem necessary, and quite fankly, it was better this way. I felt like the crust didn't dry out the flavor as much, and there was more to eat! The only problem was it made me want more, so I had to force myself to stop after two sandwiches. I know that doesn't seem like a lot to some, but I do know my limits. Needless to say, with my newfound acceptance of sandwiches not cut by the knife, I can now say I am a changed man.
The evening was filled with mailing appreciation cards to places I've sung and spoke at before, sending out welcome letters to teens that have visited BREAKOUT once or twice, finishing up youth minsistry paperwork, and working with the church board on new changes happening within the ministry! When I get in the mode of what I am passionate about, I usually forget to eat, so it wasn't till I got back to the house at around 10:30 last night that I sat down and decided to enjoy some taco flavored Doritos while watching Leno and Storage Wars. I think I'll go with the salsa verde flavor next....that really makes me want Taco Bell.
Tuesday, March 6: Day 12
Monday, March 5, 2012
Bottoms Up
I got a little thrown off with the auditions for Opening Act yesterday, and forgot that Sundays are for celebrating making it through a week, and that I am able to enjoy a break from the fast for the day while fellowshiping with others. So instead I had continued the fast through yesterday as well, even though I got to enjoy a glass of coke someone bought me at Buffalo Wild Wings after the auditions were over!
Then there was Day 11. Monday. The day I woke thinking, "hey! Maybe my cold is over!" ...Nope. Not even close. Someone apparently turned the faucet on in my nose and reversed it because I felt like I was choking on it all day. (I know! pleasant right!? I had to share) Obviously, this flu was meant for me at this time to make this whole fasting thing easier for me. (I wonder what my stomach is going to say to me once the flu doesn't have control of it anymore..."FEED ME! FEEEEED ME!)
Moving on, I started out the day with what was left of my Entenmenn's Chocolate Glazed Doughnuts. I really need to remember to make sure I get the double chocolate ones next time, these were good....just not "ultra" good. I washed them down with a cup of that delicious 2% milk. YES!
For lunch, I finished off my Four Cheese Lasagna Hamburger Helper. I was thirsty, and then I spotted it...a cup with a mystery liquid inside of it, sitting on the coffee table. I asked Maddy who's it was and what was in it, and she answered by saying it was mine and it had been sitting there for at least two days. (I really need to keep track of my drinks) It was a little flat, but so worth it! I love lukewarm soda! (This might have been my most disgusting day)
I went to an indoor soccer game tonight and had another fantastic tray of nachos! Our team won another shut out: 6-0, and I got to meet Howard's sister, and a friend of his from school named Alex(andria). Nachos are perfect for any game. Hands down.
I still have a lot to learn about conquering this eating out thing...I know.
Monday, March 5: Day 11
Then there was Day 11. Monday. The day I woke thinking, "hey! Maybe my cold is over!" ...Nope. Not even close. Someone apparently turned the faucet on in my nose and reversed it because I felt like I was choking on it all day. (I know! pleasant right!? I had to share) Obviously, this flu was meant for me at this time to make this whole fasting thing easier for me. (I wonder what my stomach is going to say to me once the flu doesn't have control of it anymore..."FEED ME! FEEEEED ME!)
Moving on, I started out the day with what was left of my Entenmenn's Chocolate Glazed Doughnuts. I really need to remember to make sure I get the double chocolate ones next time, these were good....just not "ultra" good. I washed them down with a cup of that delicious 2% milk. YES!
For lunch, I finished off my Four Cheese Lasagna Hamburger Helper. I was thirsty, and then I spotted it...a cup with a mystery liquid inside of it, sitting on the coffee table. I asked Maddy who's it was and what was in it, and she answered by saying it was mine and it had been sitting there for at least two days. (I really need to keep track of my drinks) It was a little flat, but so worth it! I love lukewarm soda! (This might have been my most disgusting day)
I went to an indoor soccer game tonight and had another fantastic tray of nachos! Our team won another shut out: 6-0, and I got to meet Howard's sister, and a friend of his from school named Alex(andria). Nachos are perfect for any game. Hands down.
I still have a lot to learn about conquering this eating out thing...I know.
Monday, March 5: Day 11
I Ate Doughnuts! So There!
Here it is. 1/4 of the way through the Fast, and I am eager to finish this! I have had my slip ups, but that's what it takes to really see how what I have chosen to give up has affected me.
I started the day off almost finishing the box of Duncan Doughnuts. That's right, I slipped up by buying them for the teens last night, but now that they were at the house they were fair game. I enjoyed every one of them...and probably pay for that later!
For lunch I had a plate of that 4 Cheese Lasagna Hamburger Helper I made the other day. In my opinion it is even better reheated.
For the rest of the day, I didn't really have much else. It was kind of a lame day for a lot of eating choices, but I also got to have fun riding the Metrolink to St Louis Galleria Mall to help one of my teens shop for a birthday present.
Last food for thought: I really want to see The Lorax. It was my favorite book as a kid, and NOW it's a movie!!!
Saturday, March 3: Day 10
I started the day off almost finishing the box of Duncan Doughnuts. That's right, I slipped up by buying them for the teens last night, but now that they were at the house they were fair game. I enjoyed every one of them...and probably pay for that later!
For lunch I had a plate of that 4 Cheese Lasagna Hamburger Helper I made the other day. In my opinion it is even better reheated.
For the rest of the day, I didn't really have much else. It was kind of a lame day for a lot of eating choices, but I also got to have fun riding the Metrolink to St Louis Galleria Mall to help one of my teens shop for a birthday present.
Last food for thought: I really want to see The Lorax. It was my favorite book as a kid, and NOW it's a movie!!!
Saturday, March 3: Day 10
Wait, What Day Is It?
The days are getting away from me! Haha! Thursday was not a great day for me; i started out finishing off a cheesecake for breakfast, and took a trip to Mount Vernon in hopes to get everything Greenville needed for FAFSA verification sent in, but it turns out to be a little bit longer of a process.
My cold kept me from being extremely hungry, so after my dad treated me to Wendy's with a Baconater (yes, people can treat me to meals, I just can't make the investment myself during the fast), i skipped supper.
Today, day 9, was not so good either. I started out by buying some of Entenmenn's Chocolate doughnuts, and God blessed the day by getting me into an intense Christian beliefs depate that made me miss lunch, and decided to wait till the party the teens were throwing for one of our adult leader staff to eat pizza for supper. That's what the good part is, not too far off track, but I decided to be nice and buy Sarah some Duncan Doughnuts, and didn't realize what I had done until one of the teens pointed out to me that I was filling my face with one of their amazingly delicious cream filled puffs. But I will keep pressing on! God also makes sure you have a way to get back on track; when we are like the prodigal and wander away.
There is hope! Even when you slip off the path, God offers a way back!
Thursday/Friday, March 1 and 2: Days 8 and 9!
My cold kept me from being extremely hungry, so after my dad treated me to Wendy's with a Baconater (yes, people can treat me to meals, I just can't make the investment myself during the fast), i skipped supper.
Today, day 9, was not so good either. I started out by buying some of Entenmenn's Chocolate doughnuts, and God blessed the day by getting me into an intense Christian beliefs depate that made me miss lunch, and decided to wait till the party the teens were throwing for one of our adult leader staff to eat pizza for supper. That's what the good part is, not too far off track, but I decided to be nice and buy Sarah some Duncan Doughnuts, and didn't realize what I had done until one of the teens pointed out to me that I was filling my face with one of their amazingly delicious cream filled puffs. But I will keep pressing on! God also makes sure you have a way to get back on track; when we are like the prodigal and wander away.
There is hope! Even when you slip off the path, God offers a way back!
Thursday/Friday, March 1 and 2: Days 8 and 9!
The Secret to the Best PB&J Revealed
Day 6 was an eye opener for me that I could really do more, cooking-wise, and Day 7 really was the start of my eyes being opened to new options for what to eat. Yesterday, for breakfast, I started out with what was left of those Chocolate covered doughnuts. I had to heat 'em up a little bit because they were getting a little dry, but they were still amazing.
While trying to decide if I wanted to do anything for lunch, I decided to check out the Target store for ideas. I haven't had a PB&J for a long time, because I use to eat them constantly and wore myself out on them. It had been long enough, so I decided I'd go simple and have that! Only this time I really wanted to go a little different, so I still got me favorite bread, the Bunny brand Whole White Wheat Bread, because it is amazingly soft and full if fluff, but it was the PB and the J that I wanted to change.
While looking over the peanut butter options, I noticed Skippy had one WITH honey! I am not the biggest fan of honey by itself, because it's sticky, soaks in to soft things and binds them up, and has a little bitterness to its natural sweetness, but when it's mixed with other spreads, like butter, it's to live for!
Off topic for a second - why is it we like to say things are "to die for"? If I die for it, then I'd never be able to enjoy it again, so I would rather live for it. If by using it I would be forced to use it everyday for the rest of eternity, I would want it to be something I would be excited about and never get tired of.
I went ahead and grabbed the Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter with Honey.
The next was the jelly. I really didn't want to go with grape or strawberry; i overused grape on my PB&J's from before, And I've never really been a fan of strawberry jelly on this kind of sandwich. Target has a whole organic line from Welch's, and they were all on clearance! (the great part about buying real food is that stores can't keep it long without it going bad, so they have to mark it down as it gets closer to the expiration date so they can move it faster.) After looking over all the choices, pomegranate, mango, peach, etc, I took a leap of faith and went for the Apricot Preserves.
I am here to tell you that a PB&J sandwich with creamy peanut butter, honey, and apricot jelly is a legit combination! Some might even say it's gucci.
Wednesday, February 29: Day 7
While trying to decide if I wanted to do anything for lunch, I decided to check out the Target store for ideas. I haven't had a PB&J for a long time, because I use to eat them constantly and wore myself out on them. It had been long enough, so I decided I'd go simple and have that! Only this time I really wanted to go a little different, so I still got me favorite bread, the Bunny brand Whole White Wheat Bread, because it is amazingly soft and full if fluff, but it was the PB and the J that I wanted to change.
While looking over the peanut butter options, I noticed Skippy had one WITH honey! I am not the biggest fan of honey by itself, because it's sticky, soaks in to soft things and binds them up, and has a little bitterness to its natural sweetness, but when it's mixed with other spreads, like butter, it's to live for!
Off topic for a second - why is it we like to say things are "to die for"? If I die for it, then I'd never be able to enjoy it again, so I would rather live for it. If by using it I would be forced to use it everyday for the rest of eternity, I would want it to be something I would be excited about and never get tired of.
I went ahead and grabbed the Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter with Honey.
The next was the jelly. I really didn't want to go with grape or strawberry; i overused grape on my PB&J's from before, And I've never really been a fan of strawberry jelly on this kind of sandwich. Target has a whole organic line from Welch's, and they were all on clearance! (the great part about buying real food is that stores can't keep it long without it going bad, so they have to mark it down as it gets closer to the expiration date so they can move it faster.) After looking over all the choices, pomegranate, mango, peach, etc, I took a leap of faith and went for the Apricot Preserves.
I am here to tell you that a PB&J sandwich with creamy peanut butter, honey, and apricot jelly is a legit combination! Some might even say it's gucci.
Wednesday, February 29: Day 7
Pro Chef
Today has been my favorite day of the Fast! For breakfast, I had more of those delectable chocolate covered Wal-Mart doughnuts. That is a perfect way to start any day!
I met with a couple youth pastor friends for lunch, but they decided on Chipotle for the meeting place. Luckily, my flu kept me from wanting anything to eat, so all I had was a drink. It was a really good visit.
Supper was my big highlight. I decided I would try something I've never tried before. My favorite meal is Hamburger Helper, so I decided to try to make it on my own! I went to Schnucks and bought a box of Four Cheese Lasagna Hamburger Helper and a little over a pound of ground beef. When i got back to the house all I found was a dab of 1% milk at the bottom of a half carton....so I had to run all the way back to Schnucks for a half gallon of 2%. Ingredients complete!
I dug out my T-Fal skillet, and really knocked this thing out of the park! I'd say for my first time, it was a beautiful moment.
Then I ended the day with another couple bites of my cheesecake and some episodes of Storage Wars and Hardcore Pawn.
Tuesday, February 28: Day 6
I met with a couple youth pastor friends for lunch, but they decided on Chipotle for the meeting place. Luckily, my flu kept me from wanting anything to eat, so all I had was a drink. It was a really good visit.
Supper was my big highlight. I decided I would try something I've never tried before. My favorite meal is Hamburger Helper, so I decided to try to make it on my own! I went to Schnucks and bought a box of Four Cheese Lasagna Hamburger Helper and a little over a pound of ground beef. When i got back to the house all I found was a dab of 1% milk at the bottom of a half carton....so I had to run all the way back to Schnucks for a half gallon of 2%. Ingredients complete!
I dug out my T-Fal skillet, and really knocked this thing out of the park! I'd say for my first time, it was a beautiful moment.
Then I ended the day with another couple bites of my cheesecake and some episodes of Storage Wars and Hardcore Pawn.
Tuesday, February 28: Day 6
Addicted to Chocolate
Still battling the flu, but I feel good about the update. Sundays are the days of rest and celebration, so I got to enjoy some good meals. For lunch I was treated to St Louis Bread Co and ate with some adults from church that are interested in being volunteers in the youth ministry! For supper, one of the teen's dad turns out to have a connection with a Dominos pizza and brought our youth council two free pizzas last night!!! Most delicious pepperoni and sausage pizzas ever! Yesterday was full of blessings!
Ok, so today. I bought a box of a dozen of those chocolate covered doughnuts from Wal-Mart, because of those doughnuts we had last Saturday at the NYI district meeting. Thats what I had for breakfast. Obviously.
For lunch I finished off my box of pork and shrimp egg rolls.
The rest of the day really didnt have much in it except for a mountain dew and a cup of chocolate milk. This flu is the best appetite killer program.
To top it all off, I got to see someone get humped by a dolphin, and someone else get humped by a cow tonight on the tv show, Ridiculousness. It was hard to stop laughing...I'm sure they weren't.
Monday, February 27: Day 5
Ok, so today. I bought a box of a dozen of those chocolate covered doughnuts from Wal-Mart, because of those doughnuts we had last Saturday at the NYI district meeting. Thats what I had for breakfast. Obviously.
For lunch I finished off my box of pork and shrimp egg rolls.
The rest of the day really didnt have much in it except for a mountain dew and a cup of chocolate milk. This flu is the best appetite killer program.
To top it all off, I got to see someone get humped by a dolphin, and someone else get humped by a cow tonight on the tv show, Ridiculousness. It was hard to stop laughing...I'm sure they weren't.
Monday, February 27: Day 5
Flu With It
I started the day out today with a stopped up nose. Great, I haven't been sick in a loooong time. Today is the day I had to be reminded to rejoice when i feel my worst.
Thankfully, the flu takes my appetite away, so the temptations to eat out didn't stand a chance. God provided all day!
I went to a meeting for youth ministry this morning and they served the most amazingly soft and moist doughnuts I've ever had in my life, plus extremely addicting homemade sweet rolls! When I asked where they got the doughnuts, they said Wal-mart...looks like I will be getting breakfast at Wal-mart a lot more now.
My dad came up for another meeting that took place after mine, so he bought me chicken for lunch, and I got to visit with him for a while.
The flu held me down from being hungry enough to worry about supper, but I did get some amazingly delicious nachos at an indoor soccer game I went to watch that one of the teens played in. Fast fact - nachos are my food of choice when I am at a sports game. Hands down. Especially when they taste like that!
Saturday, February 25: Day 4
Thankfully, the flu takes my appetite away, so the temptations to eat out didn't stand a chance. God provided all day!
I went to a meeting for youth ministry this morning and they served the most amazingly soft and moist doughnuts I've ever had in my life, plus extremely addicting homemade sweet rolls! When I asked where they got the doughnuts, they said Wal-mart...looks like I will be getting breakfast at Wal-mart a lot more now.
My dad came up for another meeting that took place after mine, so he bought me chicken for lunch, and I got to visit with him for a while.
The flu held me down from being hungry enough to worry about supper, but I did get some amazingly delicious nachos at an indoor soccer game I went to watch that one of the teens played in. Fast fact - nachos are my food of choice when I am at a sports game. Hands down. Especially when they taste like that!
Saturday, February 25: Day 4
Poor Boy
How is it only day 3? I woke up in the morning feeling some IHOP for breakfast and Chik-Fil-A for lunch. Maddy, my "other sister", taunted me the whole morning with descriptions of Burger King, and my pastor's invitation to Taco Bell yesterday was still ringing in my ear! Thankfully, God provides when you stand strong on your commitment to Him!
For breakfast, I remembered I left my Hostess Donettes in the car, and after a cold night they were perfectly coated in a crisp chocolate. I ate the rest of the bag!
Lunch ended up being an adventure. I went to the local Schnuck's and picked up some eggs, honey cornbread mix, Ore-ida Waffle Fries, a pack of cookie ice cream sandwiches, and a foot long Poor Boy Sub, freshly made in the deli with bologna, salami, american and swiss cheeses. Maddy did most of the oven work, and I helped stir stuff together and rip the sub in two halves.
I had the privilege of dinner at the Thomas's house tonight! Howard Thomas III, aka "Squeaky", is a certified chef, and made up some smoked ribs, spaghetti, and brown beans in celebration of his son, who also carries the name, "Howard", turning 16! I feel like I should note: I am a major Cardinals baseball fan, and Howard IV is a diehard (it even hurts me to write this) Cubs fan. (poor kid doesn't know what a win looks like) because I care about the teens in my youth ministry, I fought back the tears as I bought him a Cubs license plate bracket, because I know he will soon be looking for a car to put it on!
Tonight I also discovered that I am slightly better at Call of Duty than I am at Wii Mario Cart, and the Thomases play a mean game of Spades.
Friday, February 24: Day 3
For breakfast, I remembered I left my Hostess Donettes in the car, and after a cold night they were perfectly coated in a crisp chocolate. I ate the rest of the bag!
Lunch ended up being an adventure. I went to the local Schnuck's and picked up some eggs, honey cornbread mix, Ore-ida Waffle Fries, a pack of cookie ice cream sandwiches, and a foot long Poor Boy Sub, freshly made in the deli with bologna, salami, american and swiss cheeses. Maddy did most of the oven work, and I helped stir stuff together and rip the sub in two halves.
I had the privilege of dinner at the Thomas's house tonight! Howard Thomas III, aka "Squeaky", is a certified chef, and made up some smoked ribs, spaghetti, and brown beans in celebration of his son, who also carries the name, "Howard", turning 16! I feel like I should note: I am a major Cardinals baseball fan, and Howard IV is a diehard (it even hurts me to write this) Cubs fan. (poor kid doesn't know what a win looks like) because I care about the teens in my youth ministry, I fought back the tears as I bought him a Cubs license plate bracket, because I know he will soon be looking for a car to put it on!
Tonight I also discovered that I am slightly better at Call of Duty than I am at Wii Mario Cart, and the Thomases play a mean game of Spades.
Friday, February 24: Day 3
Senior Pastor Vs. The Rookie
Day 2 went pretty smooth!
For breakfast I invested in a bag of chocolate covered Hostess Donettes. I havent had those in a while!
The pastor invited me to lunch, which began like this:
Pastor: "Hey Tim, what are your plans today? Wana grab lunch?"
Me: "Sure thing! But I can't eat out."
Pastor: "That's fine. I up for Taco Bell or..."
Me: "That's eating out."
Pastor: "oh....Ooooohhhh! Well hey, we've got vegetable soup at home."
Me: "Sounds great!"
So for lunch, i had some delicious "Poor Man's Soup"; large chunks of potatoes and ground beef! Mmmmmm, and washed it down with a bottle of Sprite.
Supper plans changed. I had prearranged to eat at the home of one of the teens, to visit with their parents, but that had to be postponed, so I ate a couple more sushi left over from yesterday, and ended up investing in a box of shrimp and pork egg rolls, Taco Flavored Doritos, and a Mountain Dew. I ate at the house while watching "Repo Men". (movie gets a 7 out of 10 from me by the way!) Note to self: Taco Doritos and Egg Rolls do not mix
Thursday, February 23: Day 2
For breakfast I invested in a bag of chocolate covered Hostess Donettes. I havent had those in a while!
The pastor invited me to lunch, which began like this:
Pastor: "Hey Tim, what are your plans today? Wana grab lunch?"
Me: "Sure thing! But I can't eat out."
Pastor: "That's fine. I up for Taco Bell or..."
Me: "That's eating out."
Pastor: "oh....Ooooohhhh! Well hey, we've got vegetable soup at home."
Me: "Sounds great!"
So for lunch, i had some delicious "Poor Man's Soup"; large chunks of potatoes and ground beef! Mmmmmm, and washed it down with a bottle of Sprite.
Supper plans changed. I had prearranged to eat at the home of one of the teens, to visit with their parents, but that had to be postponed, so I ate a couple more sushi left over from yesterday, and ended up investing in a box of shrimp and pork egg rolls, Taco Flavored Doritos, and a Mountain Dew. I ate at the house while watching "Repo Men". (movie gets a 7 out of 10 from me by the way!) Note to self: Taco Doritos and Egg Rolls do not mix
Thursday, February 23: Day 2
Schnuckie
Yesterday was day one of not eating out at restaurants and fast food places. I will start by sayin I did not do good at preparing for this ahead of time. I started the day wondering what in the world I was going to eat!
For breakfast I ended up having a few chocolates out of a heart shaped valentine's day box from Werther's, made out of what appeared to be a football, i found clearances out while shopping for other meal choices at Schnuck's.
I have found Schnuck's to be amazing. For lunch, I picked up a fresh box of California style Sushi and a turkey an cheese, on white wheat bread, sandwich. I got through half the sushi, and after trying the soy sauce that came with it, decided I am not a fan of soy sauce. The sushi is amazing!
I also picked up a bag of pita chips. These guys are covered in cinnamon and sugar, and are addicting. The problem I had was that as soon as I began to eat these chips I could not pit them down. Because of eating half the bag, I ended up missing out on the apricot glazed ham that Howard, aka "Squeeky", our talented church chef, made for supper last night! (I will make up for that!)
By the end of the day, and after I had caught up with the season of "FaceOff", the only show worth watching on the Sci-Fi Network, I was down to a handful of pita chips that I am looking forward to finishing later today.
Wednesday, February 22: End of Day 1
For breakfast I ended up having a few chocolates out of a heart shaped valentine's day box from Werther's, made out of what appeared to be a football, i found clearances out while shopping for other meal choices at Schnuck's.
I have found Schnuck's to be amazing. For lunch, I picked up a fresh box of California style Sushi and a turkey an cheese, on white wheat bread, sandwich. I got through half the sushi, and after trying the soy sauce that came with it, decided I am not a fan of soy sauce. The sushi is amazing!
I also picked up a bag of pita chips. These guys are covered in cinnamon and sugar, and are addicting. The problem I had was that as soon as I began to eat these chips I could not pit them down. Because of eating half the bag, I ended up missing out on the apricot glazed ham that Howard, aka "Squeeky", our talented church chef, made for supper last night! (I will make up for that!)
By the end of the day, and after I had caught up with the season of "FaceOff", the only show worth watching on the Sci-Fi Network, I was down to a handful of pita chips that I am looking forward to finishing later today.
Wednesday, February 22: End of Day 1
Introduction
The Nazarene Church doesn't necessarily push the idea of Lent, but it does believe in fasting. Jesus lived an example of the importance of this, and one of His biggest examples is found in Matthew 4:1-11. There is only one verse in this passage that mentions His fast, and it says "after fasting 40 days and nights He was hungry". How many of us can relate to that?!?
The biggest message of this fast of Jesus was the trial Satan's tempter brought Him through AFTER the 40 days. So while I want to track how my 40 days goes, giving up eating out at restaurants and fast food places, I am also in prayer for God's strength and protection after the fast so that I may not fall for the offers of this world.
Here is Jesus' story.
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
"'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." (Matthew 4:1-11 NIV)
With everything being so easy to obtain today, it is also easy to forget that what I have in Christ is plenty, it is actually more than sufficient. My hope is to learn more about contentment and selflessness in this journey. I am constantly coming up with reasons why eating out is more affordable, and use it to prove that I can handle taking care of myself on my own. God takes care of me, but what do I do to show Him gratitude and trust? My 40 day fast is 40 days of trusting in the plenty He provides: 40 Days of Plenty.
Wednesday, February 22. Day 1
The biggest message of this fast of Jesus was the trial Satan's tempter brought Him through AFTER the 40 days. So while I want to track how my 40 days goes, giving up eating out at restaurants and fast food places, I am also in prayer for God's strength and protection after the fast so that I may not fall for the offers of this world.
Here is Jesus' story.
"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written:
"'He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him." (Matthew 4:1-11 NIV)
With everything being so easy to obtain today, it is also easy to forget that what I have in Christ is plenty, it is actually more than sufficient. My hope is to learn more about contentment and selflessness in this journey. I am constantly coming up with reasons why eating out is more affordable, and use it to prove that I can handle taking care of myself on my own. God takes care of me, but what do I do to show Him gratitude and trust? My 40 day fast is 40 days of trusting in the plenty He provides: 40 Days of Plenty.
Wednesday, February 22. Day 1
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