Thank you all for your very sweet comments on my post earlier! I really appreciate the support!
Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. The past few days, and today in particular, I’ve read about a lot of people “giving something up for Lent.” Most of these things included things like chocolate, baked goods, pastries, candy, etc. I’ve commented about this on a few blogs and thought I should write my own post on this.
Now, I am no hard core Catholic. I did First Communion, but I don’t go to church and I’m not observing Lent.
I’m not entirely sure what I believe but I do have respect for religion.
I’m a little irked that so many people are taking a sacred 40 day period in anticipation of the resurrection of Christ and turning it into an excuse to diet. Lent is supposed to be about sacrifice and redemption, not a guilt trip into putting down that cookie so you’ll look better at the end of 40 days.
What about the rest of the Lenten requirements: not sinning, abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays…?
Obviously, bloggers don’t post their entire lives on their blogs so some may be very religious/spiritual. I don’t mean to judge, but I’m a little concerned that this is a serious sacrifice for some while it is merely a tool for others.
*Stepping Off Soapbox now*
What are your thoughts on “giving up” things for Lent? Am I being a little unreasonable?
On to food…
I try not to eat frozen food too often, but I like to keep a frozen meal in the freezer for those days when I just absolutely don’t feel like cooking.
Today was one of those days.
Kashi Mayan Harvest Bake (image from kashi.com)
Oh goodness. If you haven’t tried this, you should. It’s AMAZING! Slightly spicy and has a great texture. Also, if you love plantains and sweet potatoes, this entree is for you!
It was the perfect dinner after a loooong day!
Off to do more reading. Have a great night!
Foodologie 
I agree– I never give anything up for Lent, because it would be totally phony– I’m not Catholic in any other sense, so why on earth would I practice Lent? It irks me too when people seem to use it as a diet tool.
That’s a really interesting perspective, Karla, and I totally see where you’re coming from.
I know in the past I’ve given up a bunch of “bad” stuff more for dieting purposes — Lent was just an excuse to restrict — but this year I’m really giving up sweets as a sacrifice/penance, not to try and lose weight. I know I won’t be successful with getting the last of the weight off if I ban certain foods from my diet, so I’m working on enjoying everything in moderation.
Just added your post to my blog post tonight! 🙂
I do kind of wonder when I see all these bloggers who are on diets giving up added sugar “for Lent.” Yknow, “for Jesus.” It kind of makes me sad that people are using their deity to like… reinforce their restrictive eating habits?
On a totally different note, that Kashi meal is ridiculously delicious. Me and plantains, we’re tight.
that is so interesting! i agree-you shouldnt FORCE yourself to give something up-it should be from the heart..with a STRONG and good reason!
I don’t practice lent either because I’m not a catholic. If giving up something for lent works for some people, that’s ok. But such a long time without chocolate would kill me ;).
My whole family is Catholic and I made my first Communion, but I haven’t been to church in 18 years LOL. I didn’t give anything up for Lent even when I did go to church. I sucked @ being a good Catholic. 😛
I loooooooooove Kashi Mayan Harvest Bake, serious YUM for a frozen meal.
Jenn
I hear what you are saying behind the true meaning of Lent, but if this means many people who would not otherwise do so are challenging themselves, I think that is a good thing.
Of course, bloggers are known for challenging themselves 😉 So, yeah. I agree 🙂