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...?