Day 2

Today has resulted in boredem and frustration with our food choices. I think that is one point of of doing the Challenge! The kids are taking it all very well and seem to enjoy the challenge part, being able to say they finished all 5 days. I give them a huge amount of credit.

So far they have concluded they don't care for beans. Each night the boys have at least tried some and then requested more plain rice. I agree with them, the texture and taste of pinto beans is not a favorite of mine either. Grace just doesn't eat them. But they all heartily ate their oatmeal this morning and plain rice at noon with no complaints at all.

Today we tried making unleavened bread. The consensus is it is more like a plain cookie or sweet cracker-everyone likes it. I would rather eat Navajo fried bread-it has more flavor and texture. And I also tried making pinto bean bread. I will have to post more on that tomorrow, we tried only a slice or two tonight, so no verdict on it yet.

I am learning that I enjoy food, not just eating it, but planning meals and preparing them. I enjoy feeding my family healthy choices. It is hard to not offer the kids fruit and vegetables. I think that is where they are struggling too, is not having their snacks throughout the day and only one or two things to chose to eat on their plate at mealtime.

Today Samuel commented that he felt bad that the kids couldn't have a birthday. In our culture where most celebrations have food involved, he is right. It wouldn't feel like a celebration to us if there wasn't a cake or something special and delicious to eat. Why is that? Does the fact that other people are starving mean we shouldn't enjoy these things? I don't know the answer, just thoughts.

Tonight's devotional for the preschoolers was about God helping us. It was interesting to hear Samuel comment that he didn't see God helping him. After I pointed out some things where God has protected him from being hurt and showing him that God has provided a mom and dad for him and a new job for dad, he seemed to get the idea and agreed that God does help him. We prayed for God to help us with eating our beans and rice.

As a note, I did offer the boys the option to quite tonight, just so you don't think we are trying to be cruel and force this on them. (The "test family" at church with little ones stopped after two days. )But they said no and wanted to see it through to the end, they commented that we are almost half done! Good job kids!!