This is topic Fat Tuesday and Lent in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/main/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=041725

---

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
For those of you who observe Lent, how's your fat tuesday, or pączki day as we like to call it in Michigan, going?

For those who are giving something up for Lent, what is it, if you don't mind sharing it here?
 

---

Posted by Ginol_Enam (Member # 7070) on :
 
Not doing much for Mardi Gras... Ate some free pancakes at IHOP.

And I'm giving up the internet ^_^
 

---

Posted by Advent 115 (Member # 8914) on :
 
Ginrol_Enam: "I'm giving up the internet" <
 

---

Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
 
Paczkis!!! mmmmmmmmmm I had one last night, two so far today, and there's two strawberry ones left that I may end up taking home cause nobody else is eating the strawberry.

We considered going to IHOP for pancake dinner, but the closest one is way out of my planned route for the evening's errands. We'll see what happens there.
 

---

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
 
Giving up soda and snacks at work. We get free stuff every week, so it's harder than it sounds.

Last year I gave up all solid foods during daylight hours, excepting Sundays, and screwed up once. But it was darn difficult.

-Bok
 

---

Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
 
I'm giving up the same thing I do every year -- my New Year's resolutions.
 

---

Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
 
I'm actually giving up Hatrack for Lent.

See y'all in 40 days - or sooner, if I crack sooner.
 

---

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
You're supposed to give up things that are BAD for you eros.

Hatrack is inherently good.
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 

quote:

---

I'm giving up the same thing I do every year -- my New Year's resolutions.

---

I think that's along the lines of what I used to say as a kid-- "I'll give up being nice to my brother..."
 

---

Posted by Joldo (Member # 6991) on :
 
Well, I celebrated Mardi Gras with beads. That's all, really. I had a lot of strings of beads and one huge string with a fancy amulet with Orpheus written on it.

For Lent, I think I'll do the Ramadan thing and do a daylight fast.
 

---

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
 
Joldo, that's what I did, essentially, last year (well I had water), and even with my easier version, it was very hard... Especially closer to Easter, when the days get a lot longer.

-Bok
 

---

Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
 

quote:

---

For those who are giving something up for Lent, what is it, if you don't mind sharing it here?

---

quote:

---

For Lent, I think I'll do the Ramadan thing and do a daylight fast.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Tinros:
One of my Catholic friends wanted to try to give up everything that starts with "ch" for Lent. This includes: Cheese, chocolate, cherries, and chicken. I asked her, "Does that include church?" Her reply: "Nah. I actually LIKE church. And I don't think Father Joe would approve of giving up church for Lent."

So she just gave up cheese. Which, I assure you, is quite a struggle.

---

Along those lines, I have a friend who always says that he's going to give up Lent for Lent.
 

---

Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
 
To celebrate, I worked overtime, went to yoga, and had two polish dogs for dinner. Just mustard, no saurcraut. With a cheese filled middle. Nummy.

*grin*

I don't give anything up anymore -- it's counterproductive. I add.

I am adding a new meditation and prayer regimen.

Fr. David sent it out to everyone in the congregation, and it looked promising, so I will practice open-mindedness and go for it.
 

---

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
I gave up fast food last month as a pre-Lent set up. Now I'm going to go back to eating fast food but I'm giving up soft drinks, which are worse for me anyway.

It's all a mind game.
 

---

Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
 
Shan, our pastors often suggest the same thing. Thing is, so many people in our congregation put Bible study ( at least group ones) on hold for Lent as they are so busy! I am planning to add daily Bible study with the kids, which I tend to do haphazardly. The giving up is so ingrained in me though, that I've always done it.
 

---

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
I have an Armenian friend who is very, very vigorous in her celebration of Lent-- she does not eat any meat, fish, eggs, sweets, or rich foods the entire season, adds extra prayers, and also gives up something she feels is unwholesome for her (such as tv if she feels she's been spending too much time watching tv lately.) I was always rather impressed, but she says that's just the way she was raised. Then Easter is, like, a three day celebration for her-- time to gain back the ten pounds she usually loses!
 

---

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
 
Ramadan is a month long Islamic religious fast. During the daylight hours of Ramadan, muslims are forbidden to eat, drink, smoke, copulate, etc.

At night, the fast is broken, and it tends to be fairly festive.

Also, due to historical reasons, If you are trabeling great distances during Ramadan, the fast does not apply (as long as you are traveling).

-Bok
 

---

Posted by Rich Lewis (Member # 9192) on :
 
I'm giving up peanut butter.
 

---

Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
 
I grew up in a non-religious household and had never heard of Lent until I was about 15. I visited my sister in college over Washington's Birthday (Back in the day we had TWO Mondays off in February, for both Lincoln and Washington) and her roommate was Catholic. She was trying to decide what to give up for Lent and I found the whole idea fascinating. She really didn't get into the religious aspects of the observance, and I don't know how committed she was to Lent, but it was definitely something she expected of herself.

A few years later, after I'd joined the LDS church, I became friends with a woman who was of Russian descent and belonged to the Russian Orthodox church. She eschewed all animal products during Lent, which seemed pretty extreme to me, but she discussed some of the religious reasons for her observance and I certainly respected her for her discipline.

Since then, I haven't given Lent much thought. Until last night. I felt very impressed to observe Lent this year. I'm not sure why. Of course my religion has other types of fasting and sacrifices that we observe, but I felt like this was something I needed to do. So I decided to give up caffeinated sodas for Lent.

I've never worried too much about caffiene really. I drink Dr Pepper and colas because I like them. I like the uncaffeinated versions just as well, but they're harder to find and not usually available in fountain form, which I prefer to cans or bottles. I'll drink Sprite or Root Beer or Fanta or most other sodas (except Mountain Dew - NASTY!), but don't really like them all that much. So maybe this will mean I'm giving up sodas altogether... which would not be such a bad thing, I'm sure, as I drink at least one or two every day.

I talked to two of my friends about this last night - one middle aged Mormon Mom like me, and one non-religious man - and neither of them really understood why I wanted to do this. I guess that's fair - I'm not really all that sure myself. But I feel strongly about it, and I'm a little scared about it, because I'm afraid I won't be strong enough to see it through. I'd hate to start something like this and fail...

so I'm anxiously beginning my first Lenten observance. I hope to have increased spirituality, and maybe figure out some issues in my life as a result. Wish me luck?
 

---

Posted by Rabid Newz (Member # 7704) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bokonon:
Ramadan is a month long Islamic religious fast. During the daylight hours of Ramadan, muslims are forbidden to eat, drink, smoke, copulate, etc.

At night, the fast is broken, and it tends to be fairly festive.

Also, due to historical reasons, If you are trabeling great distances during Ramadan, the fast does not apply (as long as you are traveling).

-Bok

---

I know WHAT it is. I just don't know WHEN it is.
 

---

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
 
Oh, usually late fall, I believe. You could just google or search for it on wkipedia.

-Bok
 

---

Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
 
Psh, giving things up for Lent is for Catholics.

-pH
 

---

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :
 
I grew up protestant...

-Bok
 

---

Posted by Rabid Newz (Member # 7704) on :
 
I'm Lutheran and I'm giving something up.
 

---

Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
 
Psh! Catholics, all of you. *dismissive wave*

-pH
 

---

Posted by beatnix19 (Member # 5836) on :
 
I'm giving up Fast food, Snacky type things, and Alcohol. Had a beer, cheesburger and cookies last night. I'll be seeing them all again in 40 days.
 

---

Posted by oolung (Member # 8995) on :
 
I'm giving up sweets and meat. And in the last week I'm going to get extreme and get down to just grains, vegetables and fruits (did that last year... it was tough, especially on the last day).

Ghnnnaaah, why am I writing in this food thread when I'm soo hungry?! (it's Ash Wednesday today, a day of very strict fastening for Catholics)

maui, good luck! Don't expect a very obvious rise in your spirituality, but just think about it: you do it, because you want to, not because something's bad for you (you can as well give up drinking milk for Lent, if you like milk. Or, alternately, you can decide to do something MORE, like praying more or helping people). The thing is, if you can do it, then your spirit is stronger than your body. You train your body not to be a slave of your desires. And that's just the not-only-for-Christians aspect of Lent, apart from all the Christian ones. So good luck!
 

---

Posted by RackhamsRazor (Member # 5254) on :
 
eh-instead of giving up something this year, I am just going to do something to better my health a little. I figured I would just do some push-ups and sit-ups in the morning before heading off to class. I guess in a way I am giving up time, but I don't think that really counts. I have been wanting to do this anyways...I just needed something to make me start
 

---

Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
 
I found out today that my "Catholic" boss is not exactly practicing. He read an article about Orthodox lent starting, and asked me if Reform Jews did it just like the Orthodox ones. I had to remind him they were talking about Orthodox Christians, and he said he now remember his wife mentioning something about giving things up for a while.
 

---

Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
 
I'll be wishing you luck, Maui Babe.

I have been Lutheran since I was conceived, and my family has always observed Lent.
 

---

Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
I could NOT give up music...
I just couldn't..
Some guy on the radio said he was going to give up music and I was like ARE YOU NUTS!?!? I'd soon as eat nothing but clear broth than give up music!
 

---

Posted by jennabean (Member # 8590) on :
 
This should be a challenging and groundbreaking lent season. I'm giving up Myspace!! I am very determined to be strong and hold out!! We shall see...
 

---

Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
 
I decided not to give up anything this year. I've already cut out caffeine and am trying to eat healthy because of the whole pregnancy thing, and as weird as my stomach's been I want all other food options open.

So I'm going the "add a new good habit" route.

Oh, and yesterday we had hazelnut pancakes with jam and whipped cream for dinner. And roast chicken.
 

---

Posted by katdog42 (Member # 4773) on :
 
I'm joining the list of people who are going to try to do something positive this Lent instead of just giving something up.

I have decided to make a concerted to take a prayer walk several times a week (I live in the country and have a lot of great, quiet places to walk) and also to not just clean up but clean out my bedroom... sort of free myself from the things I no longer need.
 

---

Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
I need to give up bad television shows
Force myself to clean
give up most unhealthy food...
excercise a lot more
i did start doing that... but black slided just a bit.
 

---

Posted by Kitsune (Member # 8290) on :
 
Can we observe Lent even if we're not Catholic?
 

---

Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
 
I don't think anyone would really be that upset if you did.
 

---

Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
 
I am giving up soda. Today was my birthday, so I had one soda and eat steak too, but I won't be drinking coke for a while.

It should help me continue to lose weight too.
 

---

Posted by andi330 (Member # 8572) on :
 
I'm giving up fast food. Kitsune, I'm not Catholic and I observe Lent.
 

---

Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
 
Lots of Christian denominations observe Lent.

Not me, of course; but you don't have to be Catholic to do it.
 

---

Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
 
No, you don't. But since I go to a Jesuit school and live in a Catholic city, I like to call people Catholics at random like it's an insult.

You Catholics.

-pH
 

---