The One Dollar Diet Project, How We Live and Compassion Children

This morning my inbox had some interesting information. I learned about The One Dollar Diet Project . It's about two Social Justice teachers have decided to start eating on one dollar a day. They're bloggers y'all, just like us. And they are doing it. The story is quite fascinating. They are blogging their diet, the recipes, etc.

The New York Times has published an article about the journey the couple took -"Money Is Tight And Junk Food Beckons."

Better yet, they are collecting donations so that they can give to help others through their efforts. Here's their donation statement:

If you think what we’re doing is interesting, inspiring, or just plain nutty, consider SPONSORING our efforts. Simply enter in an amount, click “update total” and follow the prompting. If you don’t have PayPal, it will let you use a credit card. At the end of the of the month all proceeds will go to the Community Resource Center (here in Encinitas, CA). We will post evidence of donations at the end.


Anyone can donate to the cause. It is a fascinating concept. And poignantly points out the high cost of fresh fruits and vegetables even in this country. Another reminder my girlfriends who are gardening their own produce are more than onto something here.

My family has had sort of a reverse conversation lately. How much are we throwing away each day? I made a game of it. I would tell them in dollars and cents the amount of food they were throwing away. This rang home to us and it seems to help.

As a mother raised on the 'clean plate club,' I know those habits are hard to break. And so Mountain Man and I try to let the children eat what they need and want not dictating the amount of food they consume. On the other hand, we find ourselves throwing away a fare amount of food. Half eaten this and that.

Honestly, it is simple to toss it. Yet, is it a good steward to constantly thrown out when so many are without. And we are making a reasonable effort to not be wasteful.

We try to encourage them to only take the food on their plate that they want to eat. I try to serve reasonable servings and let them go back for as much as they need. This is tricky, because a small portion for a child looks so small. I never want them to think that is all. Yet, giving a child an adult portion and throwing it away is wasteful.

As I have read all week about the Compassion Bloggers in the Dominican Republic, I have shared with my Tigers how other children live, through their eyes for now because one day we're bound for a family mission trip to live, learn, see and share ourselves. For now, Compassion International is doing amazing things in supporting children around the world. Go find your child.



As a mom, how do you teach your children? What is your practice with their half-eaten plate? Is there a way to avoid this? I'd love to hear your ideas. Or more, has anyone taken the challenge of eating on a certain amount a day?

With Thanksgiving three weeks away, it seem fitting to discuss this now because Turkey Day is no time to start the Dollar a Day Diet. :)

Warmly,

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7 comments:

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I can understand how you feel about the clean plate club. My mom was a total proponent of it and it is hard not to make my daughter take "one more bite" or just to finish what is on her plate. But I agree with you that it is better to let them dictate how much. We just end up with a lot of leftovers. They usually get eaten in a few days.
P.S. The HE detergent I use is from Costco...it is one of the only powdered detergents that I have found. I also have one that I got from Whole Foods Market, but I haven't tried it yet...it is probably more "green."

a Tonggu Momma said...

One thing that really gets to me is that the healthier alternatives (including fresh produce, 100% juices, organic milk, etc) are so very expensive... while the processed, hormone and preservative laden foods are practically dirt cheap. And people wonder why so many with less money are overweight? Hmmm...

Okay, sorry. Off my soap box now.

Smelling Coffee said...

I, too, was raised in the clean plate club, and it's taken years to reverse my thinking. We've done like you - serving a "normal" amount, then allowing them to go back for seconds if they still feel truly hungry.

$1 a day - that's amazing. I'll have to check their diet out!

Abbie H. said...

What an awesome idea!!!

I was wondering if you will you come by and sign up for a time to feast in prayer on Thanksgiving for the little ones and their families living in poverty?

http://allinhisdesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Fast%20and%20Feast

Shannon said...

I try not to put more on their plates than I think they can handle. Especially if it is something they don't like. I only require one bite then. But, if they get themselves seconds or thirds they have to eat it all. It has been a great lesson in our eyes being hungrier then our stomachs. Also, all my boys must drink milk with supper, and no one gets bread or corn bread or a roll until their plate is clean. Corn bread is a great motivator, as is lemonade, lol. I do have a very strict dessert rule. If you were too full to clean your plate, don't come in ten minutes after leaving the table and ask for cheesecake!

Kate McDonald said...

thanks for posting this! I had never heard of it before

KARLA and AMY said...

It is a great idea...we're taking on the challenge also and we invite everyone to track our progress:

http://1-dollar-a-day.blogspot.com

In an effort to better understand what billions of people around the world live each day, we, too, will be eating on just that $1 a day.

We're using this as a social experiment as well as a fundraising effort for my upcoming mission trip to Zambia; a country where living on $1 a day is the norm.

Thanks for your support!

Karla

www.hope-heals.org