- TUESDAY . THE DAY AFTER DAY 01! -

So...after such a phenomenal start on Monday, would Day02 prove to be just as captivating or not? Well, our honest answer is ...

TODAY has been just as enthralling with creative juices starting to be extracted and thrown into each meal. I think it's starting to take its toll. The general substitution of fresh veggies and fruit being replaced by rice, pasta and more carbs. Quantity instead of quality of diet. Thoughts of just "filling-out" from this meal to the next meal. Dare I say it ... tummy's rumbling at some point too?

Although it's only the second day, body apetites are having to "re-think" and adapt to the change in circumstances. Mental strength is required to resist certain 'normal' temptations. 

BUT, people around us are starting to take notice and ask about what's happening and why we're doing it. So is it all worth it ... YES IT IS!

Here's what's was on the menu today: (Quite a variety!) 

Breakfast.
Strawberry yoghurt
Porridge and jam
Boiled egg on bread
Bowl of oats with a banana

Lunch.
Spaghetti with sausage and peas 
Scrambled and spaghetti with an apple
Juk / Congee with sausage and frozen stir-fry veggies
Leftover bean omelette with boiled spinach on rice

Dinner.
Pizza with additional cheese slices
Rice, onion, sweetcorn, sausages, tomatoes and a shared banana 
Improved Juk with fried egg and experimental baked banana
Bowl of vegetables served with poached egg

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Great job today everyone. Tomorrow is the halfway point. Your all doing a fantastic job - so far so good! Let's push on.

 

DAY#01 starts with a BANG!

WHAT A FIRST DAY! It's been a wonderful start to the FIVE DAY challenge on £1 each day for breakfast, lunch and dinner! The enthusiasm and passion has been incredible from the participants and the feedback & comments have been astounding! Already, the reach of these photos and reflective thoughts have been seen by over 1000 views!!

 

Monday morning "everywhere" saw the Line Below the Line challenge kick-off across the world in the UK and in Hong Kong! The budget grocery shops through to the recipes and meals shown above on Day 01 have truly been inspirational! 

 

Well done everyone for sharing and raising awareness and sharing the facts so far ... lets keep going! There's still a looooong way to go before Friday but we'll get there one day at a time together!

HONG KONG - we salute you!

Today, the Live Below Challenge also began "internationally" in HONG KONG with a wonderful friend Terence Ho!! We'd love to share with you his food diary as he begins his five day challenge in Hong Kong:

 

"For FIVE Days, living on 15HKD each day for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. . . will you support the cause?

Although not in the UK with the team, I will also be supporting the cause of fighting World Poverty. 


So what will I do? It's simple... 

For a FIVE day period I will spend no more than 75 HKD on food and drink, calculating all that goes into my meals.
This works out to 15HKD/Day for three meals.
No sneaky snacks or treats.
No freebies from 'charitable' friends.
No skipping meals to save money

15 dollars may not sounds like much to you or me, but over 2 Billion people across the world live off less than that each day. So, challenge yourself. Next time you look at your plate, count our blessings and how we can share and bless others. "

Meal Diary:
I'll be updating to keep a record of costs and stay on track of the challenge, maybe show off some (if I do) creative recipes from a limited supply of base ingredients. Stuff in HK aint cheep... 


Day 1
To my friends who know me and my stomach, you'll know that I like to eat. borderline love. Just last night I had some friends over for some delicious Coq au Vin with some roast taters... delish. I wouldn't say I am over indulgent in my eating. I do count the costs and even calories, but 15HKD!! Today is the start of a real challenge.

Breakfast (1.2 HKD)
Most important meal of the day as people say. I kicked off with a big bowl of porridge. Mixed up with freshly boiled water. No condiments. Not too tasty but I can't argue. It's healthy, filling and does the job.

Lunch (5.5 HKD)
I cooked a simple tomato and garlic pasta the night before with a few left over ingredients. Taking into account even the oil and herbs used, a moderate sized plate cost less than I expected.

Dinner (5.9HKD)
Hit the gym after work and then went to the market to buys some groceries. Found a gem of a buy, a veg stall was selling discounted and then BOGOF veggies! Bought a kilo of Chinese spinache for only 5 dollars! Also procured some beans, eggs and some bananas. Should last the next few days. 

So for dinner cooked up a bean omlette and boiled spinache on rice. made enough for tomorrow's lunch box too. nice.

Well done Terence! What an inspirational start to the week! Keep it up ... we're all cheering you on from across the "pond!"

 

It's Nearly Time...

Rural Village in Prey Veng . Cambodia (May 2013)  © Deevyesh Bodalikar 

Rural Village in Prey Veng . Cambodia (May 2013)  © Deevyesh Bodalikar

 

“ I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples. Let’s make that world of difference together. ”
— Mother Teresa

The World Bank defined the international poverty line as $1.25 (approx. £1) a day in 2005. As of 2010, the world has 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty, that’s 20.6% of the global population, that’s over 20 times the UK population ... all living every day in extreme poverty right now. This is for EVERYTHING... Food. Medicine. Transportation. Clothes. Shelter. Education. Everything.

The Live Below the Line challenge is simple. The participant will be individually living on £1 each day for 5 days for food and water only. That's a budget of £5 each to cook, eat, drink 3 meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner every day for 5 days!

This Blog and the  BLi Facebook Page  will be documenting and sharing the participant's five day journey into extreme poverty and social injustice for every meal that is made, thoughts that are conceived and emotions experienced. It certainly won't be easy!

 

It's nearly time. We hope you are all as excited and anxious as we, the team at Bread & Life International all are! This is of course the very first year, the charity has organised the Live Below the Line challenge! We're ALL eagerly awaiting to see how the next FIVE DAYS unfold!

 

All funds raised will go towards the charity's Cambodian partner, Hebron International Hospital and their community projects this year in Cambodia. Please support us in two simple ways: 

 

1. via VirginMoneyGiving: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/bli-team

2. via JustTextGiving:  Text " LOAF05 £10 " to 70070 from any UK mobile

 

Have a FANTASTIC WEEK: Have Fun . Be Sensible . Spread the Word and share the Cause! 

 

with love, 

The BLi Team