I'm only eating 7 foods for Lent.

This is all Jen Hatmaker's fault.

Honestly.

I started reading her book "7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" this month, and wow it's been convicting. Here's the book's description:

Do you feel trapped in the machine of excess? Jen Hatmaker was. Her friends were. And some might say that our culture is. Jen once considered herself unmotivated by the lure of prosperity, but after she was called “rich” by an undeniably poor child, evidence to the contrary mounted and a social experiment turned spiritual journey was born. 7 is the true story of how Jen (along with her husband and her children) took seven months, identified seven areas of excess, and made seven simple choices to fight back against the modern-day diseases of materialism and overindulgence: food, clothes, possessions, media and technology, spending, waste, and stress.

So, what’s the payoff from living a deeply reduced life? It’s the discovery of a greatly increased God—a call toward Christ-like simplicity and generosity that transcends a social experiment to become a radically better life.

Each month, Jen breaks down categories "Food, Clothes, Waste" etc. and determines how to create more sustainable, healthier choices for her and her family. The book is all about combatting commercialism and the machine of excess.

Her first month, she tackled food. She took the concept of fasting, and turned it on its head, deciding to only eat 7 foods for the entire month in order to simplify her life and diet. The rules were as follows:

1. Choose 7 foods

2. Salt, pepper, and olive oil are allowed

3. No other spices, butter, sugars, etc.

4. No coffee (!!!) or caffeine of any kind -- just water.

There have been many who have tackled this project since 7came out -- some have decided to give up 7 foods, some (like Jen) are only eating 7 foods, some are tailoring the project to their own needs/lives, not sticking to just 7 items... Clearly, there aren't really any hard, set "rules" if you choose to engage in this little challenge; it can be modified to fit your lifestyle and whatever you hope to get out of it But I am going to try to do it mostly like Jen did, because I will be (trying) to do it for Lent.

I want to grow deeper in my walk with Jesus. I want to understand how the majority of the world is living (most countries have waaay less food and food choices than we do here in the happy U.S. of A. ) I want to see how sacrificing my precious sweets and (gulp) cheeses leads me to a more humbled position before the Throne. I want to simplify my life and my heart. Because, look. I know food is an idol in my life.

I LOOOOOVE food. I love trying new foods, watching cooking shows, reading cookbooks for funzies. I have been a foodie for as long as I can remember. And I'm southern, y'all. I love food that's really bad for you. If it's got butter, cheese, mayo, or a deep fry, I am so there. I basically can only make macaroni n' cheese and casseroles.

So, this effort to pair down my plates will be difficult but (I hope) rewarding.

Here are the 7 foods I am allowing myself to eat:

1. Eggs (Protein, versatile, inexpensive)

2. Pineapple (For smoothies, snacking, and possibly cooking with chicken)

3. Bread (Tortillas count as bread! Just... throwing that out there)

4. Chicken (Because I think it's probably more versatile than beef or pork?)

5. Rice (Brown rice/white rice = good for energy and natural anti-inflammatory)

6. Brussel Sprouts (my favorite veg!)

7. Avocado (For avocado toast + smoothies. Hooray for healthy fats!)

I am allowing myself the salt, pepper, and olive oil that Jen was allowed. But where I'm wavering from the OG 7 rules? I'm allowing myself coffee and oat milk. I have been drinking coffee since I was 11. I know I'm addicted to it, and that caffeine-dependency is no bueno, but I don't care. I'm going to have my morning cup of joe, and then subsist on water for the rest of my day. (No sweet tea? No problem! she said with the confidence of a much stronger woman.)

Things I'm going to miss the most:

1. Bell peppers

2. Cheese (wait for me, queso!)

3. Oreos (I'm crying actual tears at this point)

4. Bananas

5. Pasta

6. SUSHI

Let's see how this goes! I'll try to do a bi-weekly update in case anyone is considering doing the challenge, too.

What are you giving up for lent? Let me know!