How Many Days of What?!

I keep running across this challenge called 100 Days of Real Food. I have looked at it several times and it always strikes a cord with me. It's one of those things that I always think I would really like to try, but then I go on. I can't help but believe this is something that I should try. I mean, it's not a fleeting thought. When I talk to others who have done something like this or who are living their lives like this, I don't think, "That's nice for YOU, but....". Instead, I truly want it, but my emotions and taste buds want something different.

So what stands between me and this challenge? Let's see: sweet tea, the occasional ice cream, exhaustion, lack of planning and organization that will probably be required until I adapt to the changes, hormones from pregnancy that are unpredictable and all over the place, and any unknown event in the future that would have something so delicious that I would have to turn from it, and did I mention sweet tea? I think that's it!

On the flip side, I WANT this. A while back, Jack and I did a 21 day Daniel Fast, which is full of 'real foods'. It was amazing!! I found a recipe book full of really great food (only a few recipes were a total flop). Sometimes the food tasted so good that I felt like I was cheating. But for 21 days we ate 'real food' and completely did away with sugars, processed foods, and that type of thing. What I remember the most was the amount of energy I had (no more crashing by 2 in the afternoon) and I slept so much better.

I felt so great that I had every intention of keeping the backbone of the fast as my normal, adding in a few other things. By using the word "intention", you know where this is going! I went through the drive-thru for one sweet tea. It tasted horrible! It was beyond sweet and actually made me more thirsty. It actually tasted thick. So how in the world I started drinking them again, I seriously have no idea. But whatever the reason, it was back to some of my old ways.

Well, after many signs that I need to try this challenge, I met a friend by the name of Laura Meadows. On her facebook page, she shared several healthy recipes and articles on eating well. At first I was intimidated, thinking I could never get together with her because I would crawl in a hole if one of my kids asked for a root beer or a candy bar in front of her! But then I thought, "This is it. I am doing this!!" I was inspired, motivated, challenged. And Laura is more than willing to share with you in any way she can help. She has just started a blog to share some great things, so take a visit soon at www.faithwayfamily.blog.com So thank you Laura for spurring me on to good things!

I went to www.100daysofrealfood.com to get the facts. And let me tell you that more than once in my life I have been over zealous and tried to fight hell with a squirt gun and that's what the 100 day challenge felt like. Sooooo, I found the 10 day challenge. Much better!! It's silly, but I am nervous and excited. I keep thinking I better get one last sweet tea; like that one tea will stay with me for 10 days! I already think of things coming up that will initially make me regret this decision. I think of how tired I am and how I will have to work at this and cook and stuff. (haha)

But we are doing this for 10 days. Perfection is not the goal, but new habits are. More energy, stronger minds, and stronger bodies. Seems like a pretty tall order for just 10 days, but here goes.

By the way, if anyone sees me drinking a sweet tea, don't start throwing twinkies at me in judgement- it was merely a moment of weakness and I seriously hate twinkies. And for my buddy Mel, I am starting Monday!! :)

If you want to join me, the more the merrier! Let me know you are going to start and we will help each other. Leave me a comment here or on my facebook page.

Here we go.....

(To visit the 100 Days website and Laura's blog, you can click on the links in the blog. Laura has just started the blog, so she may not have her recipes and articles posted yet.)