For Those Who Are Just Joining Us

Only a brave few are willing to sacrifice their bodies and nutritional constitutions in the name of science. Fewer even still are willing to do it for free (besides a few dollars that a co-worker, feeling sorry for the participants, donates). On Friday begins the experiment that scientists everywhere will one day call, "That completely unscientific experiment where some idiots ate nothing but corn for a week."

Let's meet our brave idiots.

Larry is a man. He sometimes enjoys growing his beard out and shaving it down to various disturbing handlebar mustaches. He plans on using Tabasco sauce liberally on his corn.

Erin is a girl. She sometimes enjoys wearing a face-paint beard at Halloween, but always forgets to wash it down to disturbing handlebar mustaches. She plans on developing a kick-ass corn patty using nothing but the allowed ingredients of the diet.

Diet of Corn FAQ

What is the history and purpose of the Diet of Corn?
The Diet of Corn began in the brain of Erin and Larry's co-worker, M-Jo (like J-Lo). While Erin was still a minor, M-Jo offered her $20 to eat nothing but corn for a week and keep a photo journal, curious as to what the "end result" would be. M-Jo got into some light trouble for trying to pay a minor to eat nothing but corn, so the idea was abandoned. One day, years later, while re-telling the story, Larry took interest and he and Erin decided to do it on their own. M-Jo has since backed out completely and is neither participating nor offering financial backing. The motivation now has changed from profit to scientific interest. And an excellent conversation topic at parties that both disgusts and fascinates.

What can one eat while observing the Diet of Corn?
The accepted items for consumption are:

• Any item of corn prepared in a way that it does not excessively tamper with it (such as nixtamalization, a process corn goes through to make foods such as grits and corn chips), i.e. frozen corn, corn on the cob, canned corn, etc. Cooking, baking, boiling, popping, grilling, George Forman Grilling, and frying the corn is acceptable (as long as no oil is used).
• Any zero-calorie spice, such as salt, pepper, thyme, Tabasco sauce, mustard, etc. can be used.
• Beverages on the Diet of Corn are not as strictly regulated, but both participants have agreed to abstain from dairy.

So...will you be taking pictures of your poop?
Yes. Yes we will.

What if I want to read the blog but don't want to see pictures of your poop?
The idea is that the blog will be updated with thoughts, musings, complaints, etc. so you can have an idea of what it is like to subsist solely on corn for a week. The "fecal photos" will somehow be obscured from view, so that you would have to actively want to see them. They will not be forced upon you. So read on without fear of accidental poo viewing!

When does the Diet of Corn begin and how long will it last?
The Diet of Corn begins in the A.M. of Friday, July 11th and ends in the P.M. of Thursday, July 17th.

Are the participants of the Diet of Corn allowed to back out in the event that serious health issues occur?
No. The Diet of Corn is to be observed to the death.

So let the experiment begin! All questions, comments, or monetary encouragements are welcome.