raw food diet for lent

***Edit: So, you COMPLETELY give it up. Not just cut back? Thinking about the Facebook reference below.... I am wanting to cut back but since it's the only access I really have to my Fiance... I can't leave forever!

Yes, I think with Lent the idea is to completely give it up.

You keep your access honey! That is DIFFERENT!!

I waste too much time and current have too many people up in my business anyhow. Time away would clear my head a bit, and if I exchange that time for prayer and reading (bettering my brain), then it would be a good trade. Like I said, I'm gonna pray about it and see if that is what I feel led to do.

Most people I know give up smokes or sodas or chocolate.

When is lent????

It starts next Wed. and goes until April 11 I believe.

Oh! Two days before my birthday. Yay, I can still do it this year. :bigsmile:

For all those wondering about whether it is appropriote if you aren't Catholic - I am an apathetic naturalist, however I was raised Catholic and still enjoy the practice. I think the concept of self-control is being destroyed and it is important to strengthen ourselves as a reminder that we can't use conveinance and availabliliy as an excuse for lack of willpower.

And to my fellow Lent observers - This year I have chosen to forgo potatos in all their delicious forms. :sad: Normally I pick whatever will be the most difficult for me. Last year it was bread, the year prior it was pasta. Since I have cut back a lot on bread and pasta, potatoes are my next vice to be conquered. :devil:

Red meat! :sad:

Can you give up...multiple things?
I have a HORRIBLE weekend soda and fast food habit!
It probably wouldn't kill me to give up red meat.... well....it might....

Also, is it something you keep private?
Like if I were to give up soda.... do I tell people that or just do it and keep it to myself?
It was mentioned that whatever vice you gave up was "personal" so I was just wondering.

:happy:

On the contrary, it might kill you *not* to.

I have not decided on what I am going to give up for Lent either...................

Perhaps it will be satelite radio or TV............could be internet (except for job related searches, nothing personal).

I have come up with meals for Friday, Saturday and Sunday that are no meat, just fish and veggie days.

I am also going to start lent with the Master Cleanse.

This year is more of a spiritual journey I am embarking on.

Okay.... would it be cheating to be specific... like "I am giving up milk chocolate." Which would leave open white and dark.... Is that cheating? I just wanna make sure I have this down so I am not short changing myself in the experience. I am kinda looking forward to it!

***Side note, I told my brother I was gonna do this and he laughed at me. :frown:

i think its really funny how people give up something for lent but never go to church or practice their religion for the rest of the year.

Why?

Some people simply observe the reasons behind Lent. As I stated, I am an apathetic naturalist (aka - atheist who has no problem with people's religion or beliefs, on the contrary, I think it is an essential and useful part of society). Does that mean I should not be allowed to observe a practice that I respect?

You are suggesting that celebrating your faith can only be done one way - by going to church or 'praticing' their religion? I think faith is an individual concept, and should not be critiqued by anyone's outside opinion. :ohwell:

E

i think its really funny how people give up something for lent but never go to church or practice their religion for the rest of the year.

Have you ever heard of a thing called Christmas?

i think a raw food diet would be one of the most difficult endeavors you could do...but also a powerful physcial and emotional experience....it would require a lot of research and work...but from people i know who are raw food advocates, it is such a healthy way to eat...don't set yourself up for failure if you have never tried a raw food diet before...perhaps think about eating a raw food diet every other day and steamed or stir fried the other days???...or something like that???...that way you would still be making a sacrifice but not setting yourself up for failure...just an opinion...

i appreciate you raising the question and starting this thread...i think i will add a meditative walk everyday and give up sweet tea and soda...blessings to all on this weight loss journey

i think its really funny how people give up something for lent but never go to church or practice their religion for the rest of the year.

My friends and I (and yes, we are Catholic) call the people who go to church only on Christmas and Easter "Christers" (short i sound, like in Christmas). I wish more people would go on regular mass days, because the sound of the prayers and hymns when so many people are there is just beautiful.

That being said, I am a lazy Catholic, and I joke that this year I am giving up giving up things.

The practice of no meat Fridays is pretty easy at our house. I discovered ground soy meat a couple of years ago, and we have soy tacos once or twice during lent. We also do cheese tortellini with alfredo sauce. Cheese pizzas are good too. Once or twice, I'll try a full on vegetarian dish, but generally the kids don't care for those as much. Growing up, our family didn't follow the practice, and I guess I don't really see the point of it, but my husband is pretty strict about following it.

I'm trying something new with the kids this year... Yes, they are all asked to give up something, but in addition to that, I'm printing off calander pages for each of them, and am asking them to do something for others as well. It can be something as simple as making one of their brother's beds, or helping someone at school, or it can be more time and effort consuming, like volunteering at the humane society or something. When they do their giving to others, they are going to write it on their calendars. Hopefully, they can look back at them and realize that giving to others can be easy and fun.

FRIENDLY REMINDER: Nix all the debatable religious talk. We don't want the topic locked. It's one thing to define Lent and it's purpose, but let's try not to debate religiosity here. (And that is a general comment for everyone posting here, not specifically directed at any one person.)


I am thinking I am giving up Facebook. I've already started, as I think it would be a positive direction in my life. Deleted my MySpace account last night. Trying to declutter my life, my head.

In addition to those 'givings', I would want to swap that time I previously wasted with prayer and reading. The praying would be religious, obviously, but the reading would be for pleasure and as a way to focus on me, time for myself. Forty (six) days of this would also create a habit which would be good.

Debating whether to give up smoking. That's a toughie but a goodie. Maybe the prayer would lead me to that anyhow? :laugh:

I like the idea of simplistically focusing on myself and my spirituality during this given season of Lent (although it has no religious bearing on me, being Baptist).

I'm trying something new with the kids this year... Yes, they are all asked to give up something, but in addition to that, I'm printing off calander pages for each of them, and am asking them to do something for others as well. It can be something as simple as making one of their brother's beds, or helping someone at school, or it can be more time and effort consuming, like volunteering at the humane society or something. When they do their giving to others, they are going to write it on their calendars. Hopefully, they can look back at them and realize that giving to others can be easy and fun.

That is a GREAT idea. Teach them young how good it makes you feel to do something for someone else, encouraging them to help others. WONDERFUL.

Lauryn, you're so brave! I deleted my Myspace a few months back only to have one of the soldiers pick a fight with my fiance about it! I believe his (the soldiers) words were, "You're girl deleted all the military wives on her Myspace page." Well, duh....the whole page was deleted. I was having issues with them anyway, so I don't miss them.

I have figured out what I am giving up....finally.
It's gonna be REALLY tough, but isn't that the point!
:happy: