http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-40-day-vegan.html
The 40-Day Vegan
You don’t have to be a died-in-the-wool, penance-doing Christian to practice Lent. Call me crazy, but I think Lent can be really fun. I know it’s not supposed to be fun, per se, and I don’t mean to lessen the importance of it for those whose traditions incorporate it–but hear me out.
After my first trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, I loved the celebration so much that I decided I needed to better embrace the meaning. I thought that if the purpose of Fat Tuesday was to indulge before Lent, then I better start observing Lent so I can really enjoy Mardi Gras! (I have since discovered that Mardi Gras has some interesting Pagan roots, but I went for the more commonly held tradition.) And even though (thankfully) my crazy Mardi Gras shenanigans have tamed considerably over the years, I still love Lent.
Traditionally there are 40 days in Lent which are marked by fasting and other acts of penance–ending on Easter Sunday with a really big feast. Early Christians observed much more severe fasting during Lent than most do today–in some places all animal products were strictly forbidden. Nowadays people practice varying degrees of fasting; while some traditions suggest giving up a vice or something you love.
The idea of Lent really took with me. It’s a funny kind of moderation–to be strict about something, but only for a defined amount of time. I love it as a practice of discipline, and I feel like it’s a great way to set back a bad habit or two. And while I have a hard time with strict resolutions, I can always manage Lent because it’s only 40 days. It’s the place where I can actually fulfill my failed New Year’s resolutions–and sometimes, after 40 days, they actually stick!
My first few Lents were kind of predictable–chocolate one year, french fries another. And although those were rather difficult for a college-age gal, my raw food vegan Lent two years ago was by far the hardest. The vegan part was one thing, but the cooked part was excruciating! I had to undergo such a wild 360 in my eating habits, I thought my head might just spin right off into space.
I figured raw vegan was a great idea: I’d lose weight! I’d brim with health! I’d get the raw food glow! In the end, I may be the only one in history who didn’t lose a single pound eating only raw plant foods for 40 days. (Of course, I found it easier to eat lots of raw nuts and avocado rather than lots of raw late winter vegetables.) I don’t know if I glowed or not, but I have to say my cholesterol levels that year were stellar.
One of the benefits that I didn’t foresee was that I learned a whole new cuisine. I’ve been cooking since I was counter-high and have cooked professionally–I didn’t think I had much more to know. Wrong. I learned so much, it was like never having had Chinese food and then learning every last little thing about it–the ingredients, methods, tools. One of the funnest parts about it was that I did it with a friend and we did a weekly meal swap. On Mondays I’d (not) cook enough for both families and bring her a set, and she’d do the same on Thursdays. Since making interesting raw food is a bit more complicated than cooking, it was a great way to save a little time–and sharing the experience was very rewarding.
If you are already vegan, maybe you’ll try going raw for 40 days? Or if you do eat animal products, try going vegan! It’s only 40 days, and you (and the animals you don’t eat) will feel great. And try it with a friend, the support and shared experience are great. Here are some tips for starting, from Chooseveg.com (see the site for more information on each tip):
1. Enjoy vegan versions of your favorite foods
Becoming vegetarian doesn’t mean you have to give up the tastes you love. There are now delicious vegan versions of almost every meat, dairy, and egg product with all the flavor but without causing animal suffering and environmental degradation. Next time you are at the grocery store, fill your cart with these healthy and humane alternatives.
2. Think globally, eat locally
After exploring foods from other cultures, most new vegetarians find that they really have more food choices–not fewer.
3. Visit veg-friendly establishments
As the number of people requesting vegetarian meals increases, so too, does the number of establishments catering to those requests.
Most chefs are happy to show off their skills by making you a tasty vegetarian dish that will make your dining companions green with envy. Explore your local health food store. You will be amazed at all the wonderful canned, frozen, and fresh vegetarian foods that are available.
4. Grab a veggie cookbook
Countless vegetarian cookbooks, offering mouthwatering recipes ranging from grandma’s traditional “meat and potato” type meals to colorful and exotic foods from around the world are just a bookstore or library away.
5. Attitude, attitude, attitude
Becoming vegetarian is a process. Give yourself time to develop new eating habits. Soon your new diet will become second nature as you learn where to find wonderful vegetarian choices. Having other vegetarians in your life will make your new compassionate way of eating easier. Get involved with local vegetarian and animal rights groups to meet like-minded friends. Remember you are making a big difference in your own life as well as in the lives of countless animals.
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add your comment »vegan is not onlt in the diet but in the products you use, vist the online vegan shop at care2 http://my.care2.com/veganstuff
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That's really cool! :)
I'm already vegan, but maybe I'll go raw for next Lent.
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I AM VEGITARIAN AND THE SALAD LOOKS DELICIOUS AND WONDERFUL I LOVE THE COLORS AND THE WAY ITS PRESENTED
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I would really like the recipe for the dish in the photo up top, please! Thank you. :)
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I really do thank God that the one Church celebration not celebrated by non-Christians is Pentecost.
Surely other religions have periods of fasting or practices that are nifty and handy and can be fun to pretend to spiritual? such as Ramaḍān and its 30 days, almost the same length as Lent--eating just after dark is almost as good as a master cleanse.
The Bahá'ís have the Nineteen Day Fast; the Buddhist have their the Vinaya fasting rules; the Hindus have five or six really cool methods of ritual fasting and purity; Jainism has two neat fasts, Ekassana. and Beasana. I'm sure a good internet search will come up with some other religions who have rituals you can borrow and borrow without any guilt of denying the spiritual aspect.
I don't give up anything for Lent in the way of the concrete or material realm; it is a time to prepare for spiritual joy by fattening the soul no matter how, when, why or what one does or does not eat.
The vegetarian and/or vegan life style are food choices people make and should be honored and respected. Read Genesis 9:1-4 for a take on this subject. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%209:1-4%20;&version=31;)
And please, for once or just for one year: pick on another religion.
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On a side note, it seems that the terms 'vegan' and vegetarian are used interchangeably in this article. It is my understanding that vegans do not ingest ANY animal products, be it milk, cheese, whey, lactose, fats, etc. While the two are related, I think it would be much more difficult to cut out all meat and dairy over night.
On another note, I, too, really appreciated this article. More power to those of you embarking on a new gastronomic voyage! I plan on avoiding ice cream for the time being...
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Warning!! If you try being a vegan for 40 days, you will very likely end up lowering your cholesterol, increasing vital energy, and discovering a whole new cuisine that tastes better than you could have imagined. Are you sure you want to risk it? Well, I tried this 18 years ago (for 2 weeks actually), and am a happy vegan to this day! I even wrote a book about every aspect (almost) of total well-being, partly due to a vegan diet.
www.radianthealth-innerwealth.com.
Great article again, Melissa! Thanks so much!
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I have an elderly friend, she's now 87, and very, very sharp. She is a Catholic, though pretty relaxed these days. As long as I've known her, she gives up the same thing for Lent - men!
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Above comments show highly intelligent, informed & concerned inhabitants of this planet. Thanks for your contribution and thanks for being role models.
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A good reminder about Lent and our diet. I'm considering giving up artificial sweeteners, among other things.
Not related to food, but a couple of days ago, I decided to distance myself from conflict, pride and anger -- my own and that of others for the entire 40 days. No more politics, only limited news, no more expressing my opinion and no more listening to know-it-alls.
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