Part of being on a Button Journey, is Button Exploration. By that I mean, trying new things, and learning what works and what doesn’t work for your body.

Trying New Things

One thing I had to come to terms with was my tendency to eat the same thing over and over again. I have done this for years. For example, I have a standard order at almost every restaurant or fast food chain I go to.

McDonald’s: A number 10 (Fillet of fish)

Burger King: Whopper

Red Lobster: Coconut Fried Shrimp

Chili’s: The petite steak special

Outback: The Outback Special

And it isn’t just at restaurants or fast food chains. At home, before I became a Button Girl my menu looked something like this:

Pizza by the slice from a place down the street.

Homemade Lasagna (x2 or x3 in the same week depending on how many leftovers)

Hamburgers, hot dogs, steak, chicken,…anything grilled.

Repeat…

Sad, I know, but when you are not on a Button Journey, and you are just eating for comfort and convenience, the quality and variety of food can really suffer.

Now consider the menu of some of my friends who have lived a healthy lifestyle for a long time, and would make good poster children for a Button Girl Campaign:

Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

Thai Salmon Cakes with Hot and Sour Sauce

Indian Chicken Makhani

Asian Pork Tenderloin

Creamy Cajun Seafood Chowder

Cream of Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Jambalaya

Seafood Chowder

Pot Roast with Vegetables and Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Cajun Salmon and Pasta

Learning What Works

So with trying to get healthy, and committing to this Button Journey, I have been dipping my toe in Button Exploration. And I am finding out that variety is good, and most definitely healthier. I am breaking out of my food rut, adding more variety in my menu, and exploring new and different kinds of healthy food choices.

But I have also come to terms with the the fact that I have a certain eating and living style that works for me that is part of who I am and how God made me. Which means that more than likely I will never be like my friend Valarie who absolutely delights in creating new and interesting meals for her family. Val regularly serves peanut sauce, and knows the names and uses of a dozen different kinds of curries.

The kitchen is a very important part of Val’s life and identity. She ministers to her family there. Her meals are an expression of her love. For me, the kitchen is well… just a kitchen. A place where I store my snacks and whip up something ultra easy that will allow me to be doing the myriad of other things I’d rather be doing.

And this is where the Learning What Works part comes in. For most of my adult life I condemned myself that I wasn’t a kitchen-loving, gourmet-preparing, food connoisseur. I saw this as a weakness, and something to be ashamed of. But in reality, I should not be ashamed at all. My aversion to the kitchen, is no different than someone else’s aversion to sewing, or crafting, or woodworking. It simply doesn’t interest me. And that’s okay.

Yes, I said that’s okay…

Now, does that mean that I have no responsibility to learn and grow my culinary skills? No. But it does mean, that I can stop comparing myself to my Martha Stewart friends, and remind myself that God needs just as many Mac-n-Cheese girls as He does Peanut-Sauce girls.

Let’s Pray

Lord Jesus, thank-you for teaching me about Button Exploration. And thank-you for making me uniquely me. Teach us to accept ourselves for who you made us to be, and prod us to always, always grow, explore, and stretch ourselves for your glory and the kingdom’s growth. In Jesus Name, Amen.