Rice, Hunger. Reflections

Rice and Beans Challenge: Day 2

This is really difficult! I’m 2 days into the challenge and already feeling the struggle.

The Menu



20g oats, 35g rice and 30g beans. Yum??

Breakfast: 20g porridge made with water

Lunch: 35g rice with 30g beans

Dinner :35g rice with 30g beans

Drinks: Water

This is a lot more than a lot of people would have and I know that this challenge is not a true representation of what it's really like by any measure, but it is helping to turn what is an intellectual truth -that billions of people are starving every day- to one that my body starts to feel too.

Reflections. Thoughts. Challenges. Questions.

*I am learning what it is to feel hungry- actually hungry.



Around 10 million people in East Africa are facing
                severe hunger due to drought destroying
               crops and livestock



~When was the last time you felt proper hunger??

*I am becoming aware of how much my life revolves around food. It is everywhere! When I’m peckish I can open the fridge, pop into a coffee shop or a local shop. I live 2 mins from a 24 hour shop- I have access 24/7.

"mmm, what to have now??"

~I wonder how many times a day I open the fridge??

*I’m having to think differently when arranging to meet friends.  I can no longer go for my usual café catch up.

~How do you socialise with friends?

*I feel more tired and less motivated to do anything



~How do people live on less than this
and still manage to work in the fields all day??



*I am learning to be truly thankful for the food I eat (even if it doesn't have any flavour!)

~When were you last truly thankful for your food??

*I have realised that I have freedom and choice. I have the choice of what food I want to eat. I have the choice to eat/drink out. How hard it must be to see people eat while you go hungry?

I have the freedom from worrying about my next meal.

How many people share this freedom??

Yes I have freedom and choice, but what do I want to use it for?

What if I cut down on snacks or portions?
What if I fasted one day a week?
What if I didn’t buy a chocolate bar when I felt like it?
What if the money I could save from my greed could buy a meal for someone who is hungrier than me right now??

                                           What if you...?

Rice and Beans with a Sprinkle of Insight

Have you given up anything for lent? If so, what did you give up??

This year I was out for a challenge and so it only seemed right that I embarked upon The Rice and Bean Challenge (courtesy of the Rhythms movement in connection with Tearfund http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rhythms/304097319647323)



What is it??



The concept is simple- For 5 days you just eat porridge, rice and beans and then give the money you save on your normal food shop to those who have to go without. 

So myself and the lovely, Jo (check out her blog at joblogsblogs.blogspot.com) will begin the challenge this Tuesday and we invite any of you to join us.

Reasons why we are doing it:

~To gain some insight to what it is like to live like most of the world

~To reflect on the way we live and spend our money

~To pray for those who are oppressed

Having said that I am dreading this week and as a food lover who's life is scheduled around meal times I expect to find this incredibly hard!!!

Things I will miss the most:

# 1: TEA
Brit to the core I  own around 10 different varieties of tea
  and drink anything from 3 and 10 mugs a day!!!
(would like to point out it's mostly decaf!)

# 2: Fruit and Vegetables
I have a genuine love for any fruit/veg and wouldn't be seen without them on my plate

#3: Chocolate
Complete lack of self control when it comes to chocolate moments!

Bring on Tuesday!