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| Do you know what the 80/20 Principle is? Shock of all shocks, Stacy didn’t invent it. Bummer. I always think I’ve come up with something AWESOME! And then I see that someone else already did it. So, I’ve named this the STACY 80/20 Principle. The real 80/20 principle has to do with business and it means that “for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.” Huh? Yeah, me either.Stacy’s 80/20 Principal is this: I can’t control what my family or I eat 100% of the time – but I can control it 80% of the time. The other 20% is what we eat when someone else is in charge. And if my family is eating whole foods 80% of the time, I’m happy. |
When we first started this journey one of my first freaking out moments was when I realized that we didn’t live in a bubble – we’d have to leave the house to eat eventually. *Gasp!* What was I going to do? AHHHHHH!!! Save me from the white sugar! Then I finally realized that since we ate at home a majority of the time, an occasional lapse wouldn’t kill us. Plus, eating whole grain bread from our Nutrimill does a pretty good job of cleaning us out, if you catch my drift.When you or I are invited to eat at someone else’s home, we should eat what is provided to us. Now, I know there are exceptions to that rule. If you’re allergic to peanut butter, don’t eat the peanut butter pie. But, being appreciative of what someone has offered you means that you eat it……it also means that you express gratitude. “Thank you for the lovely meal” shouldn’t turn in to “Thanks for the meal – I’m sure it’s going to give us all a heart attack and a sugar coma. You really should think about switching to real butter instead of margarine.” That’s NOT a thankful attitude. I honestly believe that if you pray over your meal and you accept it with a grateful heart, that God will take care of the rest. Now, that being said I will normally skip over the white bread and stick with the meat and vegetables. I might ask if I can pass dessert – or I might not. An occasional sweet won’t kill you – daily sweets might. |
| Okay, so let’s get real here for a minute. Often I am asked “Didn’t Jesus declare all foods clean? So, why are you worried about what you feed your family?” The answer is yes, Jesus did declare all foods clean (Mark 7:19) In this particular passage, Jesus was telling his disciples that food entering the body isn’t what makes someone “unclean.” It’s what comes out of a man’s mouth that makes him unclean. No one should interpret this to mean that all foods are good for you to eat. When I read this I think “Okay, so that means when I have no control over what I feed my family, Jesus says it’s clean and we’ll be okay.” That doesn’t mean I feed my family Doritos and Ding Dongs for every meal because Jesus said they were “clean.” I’m pretty sure that was not even what he was talking about.The Levitical laws in the Old Testament benefited God’s people both spiritually and physically. They weren’t laws to be mean…..they were laws because GOD KNEW WHAT WAS GOOD TO EAT AND WHAT WASN’T. Since our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, shouldn’t those laws still make sense? Science even backs up the fact.In Corinthians, Paul talks about how Christians are called to take care of their physical bodies – “do you not know, that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”Paul goes on to state in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that “Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.” Jesus said that all foods were clean – so they are permissible. However, no one would tell you that eating margarine was “beneficial.” Just because you are able to do something doesn’t mean you should do it. I am able to dress in skin-tight spandex and walk around Bristol. However, that would not be beneficial to the community. Catch my drift?
So, try to follow the Stacy 80/20 Principle with me. Take care of your family 80% of the time with the mandates that God sets forward…..and He’ll take care of the other 20%. He’s actually taking care of it all – He just wants you to take care of the body he provided for you. |
| This post is linked at Hearth and Soul Blog Hop at Penniless Parenting. |
I love this! It makes me sad when people think I will turn my nose up at food they serve me or apologize for it. That is the last thing in the world I want. We used to eat out and order in pizza quite a bit actually.
I am not sure how we are going to really handle traveling with Natalia. Apparently being allergic to corn is very inconvenient when you are not making everything from scratch. I can say “she is allergic to corn” and people hear “do not put corn in it” but corn comes under so many names and is not listed as an allergen on the bottom of labels. I can’t say “you must cook completely from scratch for us… and no iodized salt.” So, we shall see what we will do. I am thinking we will just have to take her food (and mine while she is nursing) everywhere with us. Whenever I have corn she can not nurse until the next morning and so I avoid it as much as I sanely can.
I think people would understand in your situation….and if they don’t, that’s their problem. 🙂
When I first started this journey, I know I offended some family by turning down food they offered….now I could kick myself for offending them. That’s something they’ll always remember that I did.
I made today my “go back and read over older Stacy posts” day. (In honor of your 2nd Anniversary! LOL)
I like this rule. Really. And I think it could apply to a lot of things, not just food. If you’ve got a handle on 80% of your life, I’d say you’re doing pretty good. Don’t stress the 20% you can’t control. Leave 100% of it in God’s hands.
Hmmm…did I do that math right…? *smile*
You know, you’re right. I never thought to apply this to everything. Smart gal! 🙂
This is exactly the way I think. When I prepare meals at home. I’m trying to go as whole and organic as possible. When we eat out or eat at someone else’s home I don’t worry about it. Everything balances out and the good outweighs the bad. Everything in moderation.
Love it, Stacy! We often tell people that we are very careful about 80% to 90% of what we eat, and the rest we don’t worry about. Truth be told, most of what we used to love we can’t stand, anymore. Snickers, oreos, diet Coke… bleck! Often, the healthier you eat, the less appealing junk-food is.
I think it’s so good for us to all give ourselves a little grace and just be thankful for what we are blessed with, especially during unusual or stressful times.
I love how you pointed out that, yes, everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. My hubby and I often say, “Just because you CAN, doesn’t mean you SHOULD” in regards to food, meds and such.
Thanks for the great post! 🙂
Thanks for the great comment! 🙂
Thank you so much for this post. I have been struggling with this for a long time. I think your approach may be just the ticket to give me some peace. THANK YOU!
🙂 I’m thankful that Jesus gives me peace on a daily basis…..and I hope this post makes things easier for you.
Good Post…thanks for the encouraging words!!! We still try to make “better” choices when eating out….we try to think Good, Better, Best…you can’t always eat what is best when eating out, but there are some choices that are better than others.
Great post, especially since the holidays are coming up and we eat a lot of what others fix…..now if only I can resist Aunt Ruth’s chess bars. 😉
Eat a chess bar at Christmas….just don’t eat 80% of them. 😉
I panicked too about not getting whole foods all the time and then I told myself to calm down that even if we can’t eat whole foods most of the time that that was better than none of the time. Glad you posted this 🙂
You’re doing a great job Sarah. 🙂
Very good point!
Taking baby steps here…hoping that each step takes us closer to a healthier and more natural lifestyle. But I’m not going to stress too much on the journey.
Stress doesn’t do anyone any good. 🙂 I’m teaching myself that, and my life is MUCH easier.