So, after deciding to do the Plumpy’Nut challenge for Merlin (find out more here), I thought I’d write a little about the experience and some reflections on the day.
To be honest I knew I wouldn’t find it easy. For those who
know me, it’s pretty obvious I like my food far too much. And therein lay one
of the main reasons for taking part. Could I, who moans far too regularly about
what to have for lunch and dinner, be able to cope with eating just four
sachets of Plumpy’Nut for a day?
So, could I? Actually, the answer is yes. And no.
Yes: I didn’t cheat at all. Nothing passed my lips except
Plumpy’Nut and water. Not even an extra strong mint. Even when I got home, was
on my own, and nobody would be any wiser.
No: I couldn’t manage the four sachets. I only had two and a
half all day. It was too sweet, too dense, the texture was horrible, and it
wasn’t FOOD.
And the ‘no’ made me think. Who am I to complain about these
sachets? How dare I not eat all of them? Texture? Too sweet? How lucky I am to
be able to complain about these things.
My Plumpy’Nut day coincided with the UK ‘snowpocalypse,’
where everything grinds to a halt because of the white stuff. It forced me to
reflect from very early on in the day.
A few ‘Plumpy’ notes and reflections
1. As I huffed and puffed at the station this morning because I
was late for work, it struck me that I have a job to go to. A job that I love.
A job that gives me great satisfaction. And I go to work on a train, in the
warm, from my lovely flat that has central heating, clean running water and
decent sanitation. The kids that eat Plumpy’Nut don’t have that.
2. People really can be very sweet. I’ve had lovely messages
from friends and family supporting me whilst I do this challenge. And some
bloody funny ones. Doing it with other work colleagues helped the day pass by. But
my favourite moment was at the station this morning. When I asked the coffee
lady for a cup of hot water, I explained why and what I was doing; she looked
at me and handed me £5 sponsorship.
3. How blasé we can be about food and what we have. I think we
know it, and we laugh ‘ironically’, but it has helped me realise. When I sat
and discussed how much better the hot water would be with a slice of lemon, and
someone suggested ginger, and then someone offered a Ginseng & Hibiscus tea
bag….well, it makes you think.
4. I have a headache. And I feel weak. To be blunt, I have
quite a store of fat I can pull upon to sustain me. But if I feel like that,
after just one day, how do the children who really need Plumpy’Nut feel?
5. Perhaps the biggest realisation for me is that there really
are a lot of places to buy and consume food. A lot. I caught the bus home (to
avoid the train annoyance) and I lost count of large supermarkets, smaller
shops, fast food restaurants, other restaurants, cafes. The list is endless.
Food really is abundant here.
My day is nearly over. I’m having an early night and getting
up tomorrow for breakfast. Out of all the food in the world what I want now,
more than anything, is a bowl of porridge and honey.....
Thank you, thank you, thank you
PS Of course I haven’t forgotten to thank everyone who has
sponsored me (like any direct marketer, I know you’ll all skip to the PS!).
You’re all amazing. It’s knowing I’ve raised almost £800 (yes, really!), that
has stopped me from cheating. I know this money will be wisely spent by Merlin.
Thank you.
PPS And of course, if you haven’t sponsored me yet – it’s
not too late ;-) http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RoxyDoesPlumpy
Danielle Atkinson
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