Bellybutton Lent

For Lent I gave up Cokes (i.e., “sodas” for people outside the former Confederacy) like I usually do, because I drink a lot of Coke, and I enjoy Coke tm, and I’m told that it’s bad for me. It’s the ideal Lent thing.

This year, I decided to do more than sacrifice a negative. I added a positive. I only allow myself to drink water and fruit juice. What I drink must be healthy. No “juice.” Only real juice.

As I’ve done that, it’s been an easy step to eat more fruit.

Since I have been able to make food choices for myself, I have never been a healthy eater. I don’t care about food, really. Hamburgers are predictable, plentiful, easy, tasty, and filling. I’ve eaten a hella lot of hamburgers because they work, and I don’t have to think about them. If I could take a Calorie and Nutrient Pill, the only thing I’d miss would be hanging out with people while we eat. I’m far more interested in people than food.

But that’s tangential, so let’s get back to the story.

As an unintentional by-product of a Lenten sacrifice, I’m eating well. Observations:

• I’ve played with the idea of vegetarianism for years. I’m one step closer now.
• I feel good. I’m unclear whether that’s an effect of RDA fruit consumption. I’m in a mood upswing right now. On a strict french fry diet I might still feel pretty good.
• I’ve lost weight. Fruit has a lower caloric content than hamburgers, so I eat a meal and then I’m still hungry. Regardless, I’m pulling in fewer calories.
• I’ve always associated eating well with boring people. The sorts of people who eat well are also the ones who never have time to hang out -- or who must planto hang out. They always have some agenda that doesn’t involve enjoying the people they’re with. I’m all for goals, but man, life is going on! Live with us!
• More on boring people who eat well: They’re frequently fretting about what/how they’re going to eat instead of just rolling with what’s in front of them. Yes, corndogs are not great, but sometimes they’re all that’s available. Enjoy a fucking corndog.
• I’m intrigued with the prospect of eating well, but not becoming a boring person.
• Being semi-employed, I’ve got plenty of time to think about food. I usually get a little healthier when I have more time on my hands.
• The absence of Coke might also factor into any of these bullet points.

Once Lent ends, once it’s no longer a discrete spiritual exercise, the discipline might fail. But I’d like to continue the experiment and see what happens next.