This week’s #ThoughtofThanks is written in honor of humble, underrated, powerful….vegetables. 

I know, I know. You’re probably thinking I’m crazy for writing a post in thanks of the green produce which many people turn their noses at.

But for me, these plants are my physical life force, my sustenance, my bread & butter, one of my only sources of nutrition.

With my ability to eat & digest being impossibly limited, I’ve had to get my creative juices flowing to figure out ways to consume nutrition that my body will somewhat tolerate & hopefully use. Thank God for the invention of the blender & for fresh, organic produce being available to us year-round at multiple grocery stores.

Constantly I’m asked, “Well what do you eat?” Here’s an insight to my diet…
which is 90% clear & full liquids.

And no, I cannot tolerate Ensure/Boost drinks or protein shakes…that’s a very common question.

Everything in VERY small amounts (a full meal of soup for me is 1/2-3/4 of a cup.)

I keep large glass jars in our fridge, usually 2-3 at a time, filled with the concoctions that will make up my nutrition for the next 8-10 days. Just one jar of my soup will stretch to make at least 7 meals.

1. Green juice– kale, spinach, cucumber, green apple, lemon juice, & water blended into oblivion into a smooth & grassy substance. I drink a little of this everyday.

2. Puréed veggie soups– with the help of the Internet & cookbooks, I’ve realized you can purée almost any vegetable with some water/broth  + seasonings to make a soup! (No cream, milk, butter… Also I cannot do super starchy veggies like potatoes…and it all has to be in liquid form to give me the best chance of keeping it down.)

Some of my own soup creations include:

Cold Cucumber gazpacho

Cold beet borscht

Turnip kale

Curried pea

Roasted cauliflower & parsnip

Spicy carrot

The list goes on!

Other than green juice & puréed veggie soups, my diet includes small amounts of mashed banana, Greek yogurt mixed with almond milk & cinnamon, nut butter, hummus, occasionally: soft tofu & vegan protein powder.

And that’s pretty much it… Those things still make me sick with pain, nausea, & vomitting but they are the best options for me. Fresh produce is my lifeline…it’s what has (by the grace of God) helped me gain little bits of weight & stop losing even when there are days I only consume clear broth.

I’m looking forward to the day I can eat a fresh salad with raw vegetables & grilled chicken. I would give so much for that simple meal which dieters are always complaining about.

I’m thankful everyday to live in a country, state, & community with great availability to produce from all over the the world. This makes it possible for me to eat & survive. This life feels impossible, unfair, miserable at moments of every day. And somehow, my God continues to make a way when I can’t see one. His strength continues to overwhelm my weakness. He’s teaching me over & over again that He must be our daily bread. He offers nourishment for the soul that far exceeds nourishment from even the purest food sources.

27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

John 6:26 & 35

Of course I’m still underweight, malnourished & missing the critical fat my body needs… but vegetables are helping me to get better. I believe in the healing power of plants in addition to other things.

God is carrying me through.

Today I encourage everyone to take a look at their own health, then consider the symptoms which ail you…could a change in diet help? If you’re living in a healthy, functioning body I’m pleading with you to enjoy life & be thankful, but to also not waste your health by feeding your body entirely with junk. If you can prevent disease…why wouldn’t you?!

What are you thankful for on this Monday? Share your gratitude on social media using the tags #ThoughtofThanks and #SWB 💕

Wishing you the best week,

Mallory