Make It Work

This week I'm channeling Tim Gunn.
It's "Make It Work" week in our house.

"Make It Work" week is when we are not allowed to dine out or buy any groceries whatsoever. We have to "make it work" with what we have.

What started as an effort to save money has turned into something much more.

Yesterday was Day 1 since we were out of town Monday (which means we did absolutely no prep for this off the cuff week of hodge podge meals). Without knowing what we really had in our fridge or pantry we decided that we would make it work since we are leaving for Vegas on Saturday for vacation. (I mean, what a sacrifice, right?)

Day 1 was interesting. I basically ate random things but mostly veggies and some leftover meats in the fridge. I even busted out the Acorn squash that I bought 2 weeks ago thinking that if I bought it then it would force me to learn how to cook it. Unfortunately all I have done is explain to guests what that "weird gourd" thing is & look up recipes that seemed too detailed to try. (Remember: I avoid cooking things with more than 5 ingredients or takes more than 15 min.)
I went to bed with a belly full of protein shake & pineapple.
Not the smartest decision one could make. 

Day 2 has been a much bigger eye opener for me. If you're anything like me you probably have a freezer full of random frozen meats that are partially labeled & have been in their since the dawn of time. You've passed them over millions of times cuz you want to eat the meat more recognizable and in a nice shiny package that you just bought instead.
Well, it's time to start digging to the back of the freezer and see what my dinner fate is.
Luckily, we have some frozen salmon. yum!
In an effort to come up with something other than salmon and protein powder for dinner I took one more look in the freezer & discovered frozen brussels sprouts. I felt like Smeagle in Lord of the Rings discovering his long lost "precious."
We live to eat another day!

I'm sharing this all not to tell you what I'm eating, although I think you would get a kick out of my lunch; 2 bites of 6 month old granola, greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds(which I'm pretty sure had some mold or something cuz there was definitely some funk happen'in) & 2 slices of sharp cheddar cheese.

I'm sharing this because I'm realizing multiple things;
1. There are people that do this every day just trying to survive. (or go without all together)
2. I waste a lot of food.
3. I take the availability of food for granted.

I know we always hear the ol' "Their are starving kids in Africa" bit but do we actually think about that and believe that that goes on?
That an innocent child goes to bed with an empty belly not knowing when their next meal will be?
Put your OWN child in that place. Or your niece or cousin or your friends baby. Can you even stand to imagine that?

Ok, I'm not trying to go all Sarah Mcglaughlin on you and lay the guilt on. Guilt doesn't really motivate us to do anything except feel bad about ourselves & then distract ourselves so we don't think about it.

I guess I'm just feeling convicted about the way I treat food and really all that I'm blessed with.
While I think it IS important to help those in need I also think that being a thankful and respectful steward of my resources says a lot.

While this is only Day 2 and I'll be in Vegas by Saturday eating & drinking whatever I please, I am going to mandate one week a month to "Making it Work". Of course, this will save $ but it's truly a good reminder. I need to be reminded to step out of my little Tinley Park box and see what I am truly blessed with and how I can help others.

Not exactly sure where that will lead me but I am excited to see God Make It Work. 


(If you are interested in sponsoring a child in a 3rd world country here is a great company that I know works to help give kids clean water, nutritious food, education, and more. This is not a scam where you are really just sponsoring a rich dude's trips to the Bahamas. And it's seriously upsetting to see how little money/sacrifice it would be for you to give someone a better chance at life.)
http://www.worldvision.org/m/sponsor-a-child/?open&campaign=110719209&cmp=KNC-110719209