Let’s just get this out of the way for background purposes: I’m a non-practicing Catholic.
Aside from that opening statement, I pretty much keep my spirituality and the things I do practice within it to myself.
Though I haven’t been a churchgoer in years, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always – always - followed the fasting that came with the Lenten season, the season that follows Mardi Gras, the season that kicked off today and ends on Easter Sunday, 40 days from now.
By fasting, I mean abstaining from meat on Fridays (which I sometimes forget about) and giving up something(s) that I love for the duration of the season.
There's no way in hell I'd be able to give some of these up!
Every year, I’ve given up French fries and chocolate – two of my favorite things. I can’t say that I did it entirely for the religious aspect, mostly just to see if I could actually do it. Year after year, I surprised myself.
And gorged myself silly on Cadbury Creme Eggs come Easter morning.
It’s just something that I’ve always done because I went to a Catholic grade school and the abstaining is just pre-programmed, I guess. And frankly, I feel it’s the least I could do.
And that’s as religious as I’ll get – ever. Promise.
This year, what with my newly adopted mostly vegetarian diet you may have been reading about here on Run, Nikki, Run, I’ve decided to go whole hog-less for Lent: No meat for the next 40 days.
I’m also going to brazenly state that I’m giving up fries and chips as well. As I typed that statement, I realized my new obsession, zucchini fries, falls under that category. Shazbot.
Though I’ve really embraced my new eating habits, I’m not going to lie and say I don’t enjoy the near-weekly chicken-wing dates the fella and I have, so I will say that I’ll miss them. But I look forward to looking at the other parts of our favorite restaurant’s menu and seeing what I can find as a replacement.
It’ll be interesting and challenging, but I’m up for it.
Besides, if I could give up chocolate, which is really what I think flows through my veins instead of blood, all those years in a row, this ought to be cake!
What is one food you’d never be able to give up?
Nikki
(Photo from faithandhealthconnection.org)
I’m giving up sweets for Lent this season, so I’m hoping to check your blogs for tips and tricks! I just made a blog today to keep myself motivated. Best of luck to you and your 40 day challenge! ‘m sure you’ll do great
Thanks for reading – and following – Meredith! The next 40 days are going to be rough at times, but you can do it!! And stick with the blogging, too – not only is it a wonderful tool for keeping yourself in check (and getting help from others) but it’s just a great outlet for creativity. Keep in touch!