Hi,Miss KittyKat! Good to see you here! :wave:

Welcome, EmLay! Love it that your focusing on healthy and spiritual thoughts! Great choices.

I'm inspired to see how many people here are trying to better themselves here. Great job, everyone!!

EmLay, this is a wonderful Lenten choice! I'm going to have to keep this in mind for the future. I imagine that if I tried this I would be very hungry through this time, but hunger isn't necessarily a bad thing. I know that when I decided I was going to change my lifestyle (eating, food, and exercise habits), I was much more aware of true hunger and how I responded to it. In the past I don't think I ever gave myself the opportunity to be hungry because at the first sign of it I'd eat something to stop the feeling. And while I could go on forever, smothering hunger was a ginormous metaphor for other things in my life I was smothering. I think hunger has a way of redirecting and focusing us as well if we allow it. Again, this can be very positive.

Congratulations on your success so far and welcome!

Yesterday, I attended a student appreciation luncheon hosted by our university for outstanding first year students. The lunch was very healthy (chicken breast, portobello mushroom, small piece of polenta and a green salad with dressing on the side. Everything was a reasonable person portion. HOWEVER, I spent the hour gazing at the beautifully arranged chocolate truffle, whipped cream topped, brownie dessert that sat directly in front of each guest.

I flirted and had a warm cuddly conversation with it in my head, but DID.NOT.TOUCH.IT!

It was incredibly difficult but I was proud of myself. I keep reminding myself, "there is nothing offered to you today, that you can't have tomorrow if you really want it".

Strange Fast
 

I usually go all out and progressively fast until a full fast on Good Friday till Easter Sunday. But this year something strange happened...God's been working something out in me. I originally started fasting in January for a friend who has cancer, first only on Thursdays then to a Daniel fast. But during it I came across something about trying to strong arm The Lord, and began fasting for a closer relationship with God and His will in my friend's life. Then when Lent started I started out no meat, no sugar And no Facebook! But a few days in and I read Isaiah and He talked about not thinking about Him when I am fasting, and I was so convicted, because I realized I use fasting as a way to diet! And that wasn't what he wanted from me. So I am not fasting food this year, just FB. Course it's not a religious requirement for me, but I like to celebrate it anyway.

This is an excellent insight, Lovegrovemama! I have to admit that cutting out desserts and sweet treats has turned into more of a diet tactic than helping me turn my thoughts over to God. I may have to rethink this (or my attitude) for next Lent.

Wasn't that exciting yesterday? Having a new Pope elected! Pope Francis seems so nice, so Christian. I have always admired St. Francis of Assisi, so I love his choice in names. I just feel so excited about what has happened and what is to come.

I'm excited also. I hope he turns out to the the leader the Church needs right now. :)

Happy Friday, Everyone! And Happy St. Patrick's Day on Sunday. :luck2you:

Thank you for the warm welcome! Thus far, I have been very very hungry. All the time. But each hunger pain reminds me to center myself on the reason for the season, if you will.

I also have thought about the idea that sometimes Lenten fasts are used improperly, as a way to cut weight or what-have-you. I hope that everyone first focuses on the spiritual good that the fast is doing for you. For example, when I cook food for my fiance, and oh my heavens, does that cheese/steak/dessert look amazing, I think about the promise that I made, and it refocuses me.

Though, I don't see an issue if you gain other benefits from the Lenten observance as well. I, for one, have lost 17lbs and feel more amazing than I ever thought I would eating a plant-based diet. I am actually considering continuing with the whole-foods plant-based diet after Lent ends. I have more energy, have lost weight, my skin is glowing, and my digestive system has finally decided what is "regular" for me. Also, I watched the documentary "Forks Over Knives", and if you watch that and continue with the same view point on animal based products as before, then good for you. :dizzy:

Jumping on the bandwagon regarding Pope Francis! Such a beautiful name. He will be in my prayers every day; what an enormous responsibility he has.

Just wanted to say, that watching "The Bible" TV series has helped remotivate me to stay strong. Plus, I've watched a tv program called "Super Brain," where Dr. Tanzi explains how very important it is for us to exercise and eat more of a Mediterranean type diet for our body and brain. (The Super Brain also comes in a book.)

Just stopping by to say hope everyone's doing fine. Next week is Easter. :bunny2:

Hi back at ya' Tyla! :hug: It certainly will be Easter very soon. Looking forward to this holiest of weeks and greater time for reflection. Hope everyone is doing well--healthy and happy.