So Saturday morning, I showed up for my weekly run with my buddies (several of whom are joining me for Meatless March) and happened to be reminded that Meatless March starts on Tuesday. I was reminded when Kathy asked me, "Are you ready for the vegetarian month? It starts Tuesday!" To which Michelle replied, "I'm so excited! I already know what I'm having for lunch on Tuesday!" It's worth mentioning that Michelle rarely eats meat anyways so I'm guessing this wasn't a HUGE stretch for her. As it turns out, I had my lunch on Tuesday planned as well, but more about that later. My reply to both of them was, "Actually, I totally forgot about it until just now." What did I learn from this? I learned that when the newness of the challenge has worn off, which it obviously has, I need a method of accountability. Consider this: when the Meatless Challenge was born two years ago, I spent two months contemplating exactly how I was going to pull it off. This time? I'm so not worried about it that I practically forgot about it. Am I that really that cocky? Blase? Or simply careless?
Clearly recognizing my need for a reminder, I came home to put "MEATLESS MONTH BEGINS" on my calendar for March 1st. To my surprise, I found I had scheduled lunch with my friend Angela on Tuesday. March 1st. At McAlister's Deli. Which I had chosen expressely for their Basil Pesto Chicken Panini. So much for that "panini" idea. But what gives me great pause is the fact that I had McAlister's deli (and when I say "McAlister's Deli" I really mean "Basil Pesto Chicken Panini") already on my calendar for the FIRST DAY of Meatless March! What does this say about my committment? Actually, I think it says more about my ADD than it does about my committment, but in any case, it says something about my need for accountability.
With that, I am supremely grateful for my brave comrades who have committed to join me in this journey. And hopeful that I'll find something delicious and meatless at McAlister's Deli which will make me forget all about the Basil Pesto Chicken Panini.
