He and I have been through so many things together ... super excellent things and really, really bad things. But, we have done them together. Sometimes, we feed off each other - one's enthusiasm for something or, at times, a dislike for something. We make each other laugh, when laughing does not seem possible. We know when to give each other space to figure things out on our own. Wait ... only Jonesy knows how to do this. My approach is more to ask a number of questions until I know what the core of the issue is, and then I back off and let him figure it out on his own, while I secretly solve the problem in my own way. Occasionally, we teach each other things. We always support each other.
So, when Jonesy told me that he was going to eat only raw food for one month, I was cautiously supportive. Cautiously, because I immediately understood that this was not to be taken lightly. Food intake is important because it is the fuel that keeps our bodies running. And, if you do not get the proper nutrition, your body can suffer. My "cautious-ness" (if that is actually a word) stems from my need to control, mixed with my own personality. I am not a "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" kind of girl. I had not researched how to eat a raw diet and maintain a good level of health. I knew it could be done, but I did not know how; thus, the cautious-ness. But, guess what? Jonesy did an enormous amount of preparation, and he taught me how to do it.
I quickly learned, however, that I could not eat only raw food. I enjoy a number of foods in their raw state, but I also enjoy cooked food, too. Stir fries, hot lattes, cooked grains, pasta, muffins, cookies, granola - these are all things I must have in my
When he began his challenge on February 1st, I was acutely aware of what he was eating. Partially to make sure that he was eating enough, but also because I was interested in what he was putting together. I felt bad cooking food and then eating it in front of him. I felt guilty for making his favourites, like spaghetti or baking cookies. But, I got over it; because I had to. We, the kids and I, couldn't not eat. So, I just continued on with my normal Mommy business, knowing that it would just be for the month of February. But would it end there?
I could see it was difficult for him at times. Like when I baked or tried a new recipe. But he never complained or whined. Not once. I think we all know that I would have weeped on a regular basis. Of course, I cry over many things; but, let me assure you that if (by some miracle) Jonesy baked ooey-gooey chocolatey chip cookies and I could not have any .... I would have weeped. And whined. But not him ... he was tough and manly because whining is a sign of weakness of you are a boy. Maybe you didn't know that. He had some tough things to get through in February ... days associated with food ... that is cooked. Caiden's birthday cake, Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine's Day, two weeks of the Olympics with no chips and salsa ... honestly, I think he should have done it in March.
The only negative aspect of the whole experience was that we did not eat supper together anymore. I do not know if it was because it was difficult to watch the rest of eat pizza on Friday night, while he munched on his salad du jour; or, if his body was just on a different timetable. But whatever the reason, our family time at the supper table suffered and, for that reason alone, I did not like the raw experience. The kids - especially the girls - made note of the fact that their Daddy was not sitting at the table with us at supper time every night.
"When will Daddy eat supper with us again?" Marnie asked, a few nights at bedtime. "I like when we all sit together."
The most incredible thing happened, though. Because Jonesy made a change in his diet, many things changed in our household.
We all eat differently now. My children enjoy dried fruits regularly, different kinds of seeds, new grains; and, they are eager to try new foods. They ask for fruit for a snack. The other night after supper, instead asking for dessert (that is, something sweet/chocolatey), Caiden asked for a banana; which was followed by the girls each asking for a piece of fruit. My children have new-found energy, although I am not sure that is good thing ... I'll have to get back to you about that! I, too, have dramatically changed what I eat, thanks in part to Jonesy, the sugar-free cleanse I did in February and the new cookbook, Food Matters, by Mark Bittman.
We have discovered new foods that we love. For me, probably the most loved new food is King Mushrooms. I always loved mushrooms, but these mushrooms are so good. When slightly cooked, they become like silk in your mouth, almost melting. I have learned about different grains, like quinoa, and the flours they make ... like, kamut and spelt. Organic dried apricots and blueberries are new loves as well ... for me and the children. And, a recipe for salad dressing, made creamy by using avocado. Might make some for supper tonight ...
We organized our spices, and the cupboards, as I already told you about in an earlier post. We said goodbye to some things, and also purchased some new tools for the kitchen, like a salad spinner and the most perfect glass serving bowls; and we discovered Bernardin lids to turn some of the many unused (canning) jars we have in the basement, into storage containers.
Jonesy and I re-discovered our love of nuts. Pistachios, macademia, cashews, hazelnuts. Now, for you, these may be things you enjoy every day. But for us, because of Caiden's allergies, we have been terrified to have them in the house. Matt could not have gone raw without nuts, so he had to devise a way of having them in the house that we could feel comfortable with. The result is that we get to have nuts again, and I had forgotten how much I love them. Don't be afraid of nuts ... they are a healthy fat and can be part of weight-loss and healthful living.
The Bulkbarn. We discovered The Bulkbarn. I now make a separate grocery list for The Bulkbarn. Enough said.
From a personal standpoint, I feel so much better. I do not crave sugar and bread anymore. I do not feel weighted down anymore, or sluggish. I have energy to burn ... and maybe I'll actually exercise again! And, although I have not been trying to lose weight, an added bonus was discovered when I stepped on the scales. I have lost just shy of 10lbs in three weeks.
And, I read seven books; which has nothing to do with Jonesy or the raw diet. But, still, I did it in February.
So, February 2010 marked a month of great change in the Jones family. It is amazing how one seemingly small change can spark so many others. There is that word again ... catalyst. Jonesy is always trying to tell me that he is on the cutting edge of change ... perhaps he was right.
So, I bet you are wondering ... I know I was dying to know. What was the first cooked food Jonesy ate on March 1st? It was the homemade Granola ... it must have killing him when it was toasting in the oven!
Anyhow, I cannot wait to see what March brings. You know, I surmised what his challenge for February would be, before he announced it ... by the types of questions he would ask me, or things we would discuss, or the information he would share as he was learning. So this time, he has been very tight-lipped. No hints, no information shared. Other than, the challenge would take up one week of the month of March. I was really hoping that it would involve travel to a new country for March Break ... but he has assured me that is not the challenge. Well, there's always April, right?
