Old Style Lent

skintscotslass

What a good idea Thiftylady. DD and I were just discussing this. We are going to give up chocolate. I did chocolate a few years back and alcohol another time. Next year we will probably do meat, but I'm not organised for this year. We're presbyterians, so no Sundays off for us.

vixtress

why do they avoid root vegetables?

Sola wrote: »

and many are vegan and avoid root vegetables).

vixtress

i am breaking out in a cold sweat writing this but i am going to give up bread :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

it is more for the selfish reason of wanting to lose weight than religious reasons but it seems a good opportunity to make a real effort. i love bread (and more to the point...butter) but i know its doesnt do me any good.

sooo tuesday i will be eating 14 loaves and a couple of pounds of butter :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

this is going to be tough, ive never given anything up for lent before

thriftlady_2

Some really good ideas around, I like the carbon fasting and Topher's retro childhood diet- my childhood was also mid 60s onwards and I remember crisps as a treat at my Gran's too. I think that although my diet was simpler then it was still pretty abundant (mother's fault- sorry mum:p ) and I was overweight throughout my teens.

Loads of interesting stuff about food and religion.

Sola

vixtress wrote: »

why do they avoid root vegetables?

I was told that in order to harvest root veg, you disturb the soil quite dramatically and may damage insects and other small creatures. They also avoid onions and garlic on the grounds that they are 'tamasi' (creating anger or excitement) food.

There's also the concept of 'pratyek vanaspati' (individual vegetable having one soul) ie. most veg, whereas root veg are believed to have many souls, so more would be destroyed and this goes against the idea of Ahimsa or non-harm. Of course, they're quite happy to harvest silk worms to make clothes...

If you kill one large animal with one soul to feed a lot of people, this may be considered less harmful than destroying lots of lower-form souls; however Ahimsa also relies on the concept of the level of consciousness, and the higher the level of the soul, the more precious it is. I gather it's quite a debate.

vixtress

Wow, its all very complex isnt it !

i'd heard about certain religions not eating onions but never knew why.

i must admit, i'd never thought of a turnip having a soul before!

thanks for that

Nelski

I have always been a bit of a rebel when it comes to things like Lent and having no church going tendancies either its never been a part of my year. I remember when I was a smoker the time I would smoke the most would be on National No Smoking Day:D so maybe its part of my personality but for me the concept of giving something up just makes me want it more:o

My thought on this would be rather than give something up why not introduce something for 40 days? Apparently it takes 28 repititions to form a new habit so maybe Lent could be a time for good habit creation rather than martyrdom.

Havent thought this through yet but for me it may be drinking more water, eating another piece of fruit, walking for 10mins every day,[strike]drinking one more glass of wine per day[/strike](oops) anyway you get my point im sure!!

Penelope_Penguin

Another great thread, thriftlady! I far prefer the idea of taking up something - giving something up seems futile for me Last year I used an idea that I saw on here, and made small "acts of random kindness".

Soooooo, I'm learning to crochet :T The online tutorial includes practicing the skills you've learned to make squares, which will then make a blanket. Good way to use up spare wool, and make something for a good cause.

penny. x

Solwaykid

I don't know about anyone else but I'm getting an education from this thread, thanks folks for the interesting viewpoints on lent and its counterparts!
I was schooled as a Christian and have always 'given up for lent' for as long as I can remember. In latter years if I haven't given up then I've adopted some kind of positive contribution each day. Either way, like someone before me said, it's a good starting point for lifelong changes. A spiritual/moral pre-spring clean if you like! I'm going to have a good think about making this year's six weeks change an OS one.

bonnie_2

I am giving up yeast and sugar, as when i did it last time i lost 2 stone over lent. also my weight has crept up to 13st2.