Eating Rice and Beans with the Haaks

This is a reprint of a post from last week at the Haaks blog. They've graciously agreed to let us repost it here. Visit them at their blog to see how their journey continues.

So we decided to join in the Eat Beans and Rice for a Month challenge, and tonight was the first night. Having 4 children makes it a bit more complicated in the taste bud arena. I'll get to that in a moment.

We are joining for several reasons,

1. We support in prayer the Schilperoorts (sp?). We have a passion for Africa and for the work they are doing there.

2. We want to educate our children about other countries and cultures and expose them to different ways of life.

3.We want to join our brothers and sisters in Jesus and eat like them for a month.

4. It'll save a lot of money and we want to donate it to Lahash International.

You can view the main blog at http://www.eatriceandbeans.com/

Everyone did better than expected. We started out by showing the kids a map of Africa and then showed them several other countries where rice and beans are a main staple. I asked them what animals are found in Africa. I got everything from giraffes, to bulls, to scorpions, to lions and so on. I was surprised at what they acctually knew.

Then I dropped "the bomb." "They even eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner!" Jaws dropped, and the look of incredulation was hilarious. You'd have thought I'd told them they eat slugs 3 times a day.

I was proud of them though. Everyone but Good Lookin' ate everything in their bowl. Nater Mater of course liked it. He loves rice and beans. Then again, he'll eat just about anything...including bugs off the floor.

I also served cheese quesedillas with their meal (except Mr. Smiley who can't have cheese. He ate a half a pbj). I figured they couldn't go completely hungry and the only rule was they had to take at least one bite. A rule at our house is, "try it before you don't like it." What got Precious Jewel and Mr. Smiley to eat all theirs was a promise of a piece of Valentine's candy after their meal. A little bribery goes a long way.
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the month goes.

Day 2 brought more complaints. Dear Precious Jewel asked if God could make everyone else in the world rich like us so that we could stop having to know what it was like for them. I told her that God doesnt' work that way. He gives us opportunities to share in each other's suffering. Eating rice and beans for supper for a month isnt true suffering. But on her little scale, it's apparently intense suffering. I promised they could each make a sandwich if they ate what was in their bowl.

Solidarity

SOLIDARITY: We are standing with our brothers and sisters in East Africa who live on limited incomes and who can only afford simple meals like Rice & Beans.

Solidarity is an immensely powerful aspect of Rice and Beans Month. It's a tangible way to unite and create community across the expanse of miles, cultures and time zones. It allows me a small way from my kitchen in Portland to connect with other participants such as the Main's in Illinois as well as the Lahash partners in East Africa.

I used to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House here in Portland. Once a month for several years I would grab a group and go cook at the house for the families staying there while their children were treated for serious illnesses and injuries. We spent the time filling the house with laughter, conversation and sometimes tears in addition to food. I was always amazed at the connections that occurred over meals with people I usually had very little in common with. It was always a privilege to be allowed to glimpse into their lives and come alongside their struggles for even a moment.

It's this reason that I was particularly drawn to Rice and Beans Month. It's not just a campaign, but is a way for each of us to tangibly connect with a larger community. To connect and participate in something we say we care about. At the end of the month, what I've given up will go to providing much needed nutritional food to kids on the other side of the world.

This is why I'm involved in Rice and Beans Month.

We've created a map of the pictures we've received from participants. Take a look and make sure to send your pictures to us at info@eatriceandbeans.com, we'd love to include them!

Thoughts from Eric

Below is a repost that Eric Chapman posted on his blog Friday and graciously agreed to have let us repost.

The Final Days

Woke up this morning realizing that there were only three full days left till I enter Rice & Beans month. (Check out the link above) Yes, I Eric Chapman will spend the month of March eating Rice & Beans and trying to stay away from the Dr. Pepper. You ask...why? Well I have 29 good reasons. There are 29 children at Amazing Grace Children's Home who eat rice & beans each and everyday. Oh they have vegetables, what they can grow. Meat is available but expensive. They make due with what they can afford. The awesome thing is, they don't complain. They know that what little they have is more than most have. I admire them and they humble me.

The neat thing about this March is that the money we save on groceries will go to help our missions in East Africa. Every penny we save is more for our brothers and sisters in East Africa.

So, what am I giving up? HA! Dr. Pepper, candy, chips, cookies, meat, chicken.....AAAAARRRGHHHH!!! LOL! If I don't lose weight then there is something wrong with me.

I ask for prayers that I don't go insane during the month of March (ohhh the temptations of foooood). I ask for prayers that we raise huge amounts of money for our missions in East Africa. Finally, prayers for the children of Amazing Grace, St. Batholomew's, Nambia House, and Grace and Healing Ministries.

Caribbean Red Beans and Rice

Healthy kidney beans are simmered and spiced with garlic, nutmeg and cinnamon for a healthy vegan Caribbean red beans and rice meal.

http://vegetarian.about.com/od/ricedishes/r/carribeanbeans.htm

• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 T olive oil
• 1/2 t nutmeg
• 1/2 t cinnamon
• 1/2 t cloves
• 1 14 oz can tomatoes
• 1 12 oz can kidney beans, including liquid
• 1 1/2 cups rice
• 1 1/2 cups water
• salt and pepper to taste

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onions turn soft, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add spices and cook for just one more minute.

Add the beans and the tomatoes, including the liquid from each. Allow this to cook for a few more minutes, then add the rice and water.

Cover and cook for about 30-35 minutes, or until rice is done and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Rice & Beans for Dan & Erin

My name is Dan Holcomb - and my wife and I went through a week of Rice and Beans in December to test it out! See how our experiences went and what to expect during your month!