Reflections of a non-faster

When I first heard about this project, I thought it was a fantastic idea. I wanted to participate -- to see if I could make it for a week on $4 /day, and to see what I'd learn from the experience. After the first group meeting I began thinking about what I would buy and where I would shop. I already had a copy of Nickled and Dimed, and the next weekend I read it cover to cover.

Then two things happened: A friend offered to take me on a shopping trip for Indian food, teach me to cook it, and co-host a dinner party -- on the first two days of the fast. I've always wanted to learn to cook Indian food. Plus hosting dinner parties is one of my favorite pastimes, and this was my first opportunity since moving to NYC. I just couldn't pass it up. And then I learned my mother would come from Pennslyvania to visit at the end of the week. My mother doesn't visit very often, so on those days, it felt like we should feast and not fast.

The truth is, I could have fasted on the three (okay, three and a half) intervening days between the dinner party and my mother's arrival. But somehow when push came to shove, I couldn't summon the energy. I needed that energy to get through a busy week at work, and to get ready for my mom's visit. (As I said, she doesn't come very often and I had to clean my apartment!) So, even though I did not meet my fasting goal, I would say I met my learning goal: I learned that if I were to live on a tiny budget, I would need great deal of mental energy just to make it through the day. Even contemplating the prospect, I realized there wouldn't be enough left for everything I had to do. At least not this year.

I have just read the posts on this blog, and have so much admiration for all who have carried on this fast, and for those who have walked alongside them! For those who ate lentils and rice. For those who divided their hamburger patties. For those who cut coupons. for those who prayed. For those who researched organizations that fight hunger and shared the information. Who chose to eat in and not out. Who ate off the McDonald's dollar menu. Who gave up coffee. Who learned to boil eggs. Who kept track of their spending. Who hosted a delicious holiday dinner for less than my mom and I just spent for a single restaurant meal. Very inspiring.

I look forward to talking with all of you about your experiences, and about Nickled and Dimed (which I found riveting). And I also offer encouragement to anyone else, like me, who thought about fasting and decided NOT to do it. There's always next year!