Fasting food ideas.(My priest recommends 3 days before Liturgy plus the Wednesday fast makes 4 1/2 days of fasting each week...if I've figured right)

[Ah_Tibor]

This kind of "fasting" sounds like pretty much how my dad eats NEARLY 100% of the time.

(Cannot deny the obvious health benefits; he started eating like this a few years ago and I've gone from worrying about his health and longevity at times, to being like "holy crap, he's gotten spry for an old man.")

So I'm curious - if someone's regular diet already precludes all of the foods they're supposed to go without when fasting -- would they be recommended to forego "extra" things in the spirit of obedience, or to attain a spiritual condition or state above and beyond their usual?

My mom is a vegetarian and does no-dairy on Wednesdays and Fridays. My dad also kind of eats like that all the time, too (he does eat meat occasionally but mostly eats fish); he's in his 60s and is sort of defying aging because he walks everywhere and doesn't overeat.

For my husband Lent meant no meat and a lot of fish (he won't eat tilapia ever again because of it haha), but they ate dairy.

 

[Kitty Tantrum]

Yeah, at this point unless one of us kids brings him some kind of treat or special food for a holiday or gathering, my dad basically ONLY eats various arrangements of: legumes, potatoes, winter squash, nuts, fruits, vegetables. Raw or boiled, steamed, and/or baked. Dumped on a plate. Usually no added fats of any kind.

If I ate like that all the time, I guess I'd approach this sort of fasting with some confusion over whether I was "already doing it right by default," or if the spirit of fasting would demand that I impose further restrictions. If that makes sense?

 

[Ah_Tibor]

Yeah, at this point unless one of us kids brings him some kind of treat or special food for a holiday or gathering, my dad basically ONLY eats various arrangements of: legumes, potatoes, winter squash, nuts, fruits, vegetables. Raw or boiled, steamed, and/or baked. Dumped on a plate. Usually no added fats of any kind.

If I ate like that all the time, I guess I'd approach this sort of fasting with some confusion over whether I was "already doing it right by default," or if the spirit of fasting would demand that I impose further restrictions. If that makes sense?

I dunno, you do you. I grew up around a lot of "label-reader" types who are hyper aware of everything, and it seems kind of counterproductive-- on the other hand, being aware of what goes in your body isn't a bad thing at all, so I think that has its uses, too. Everyone is different.

I think with fasting comes an awareness of our behavior, so those are the things that are most important.

 

[IconWriter]

This kind of "fasting" sounds like pretty much how my dad eats NEARLY 100% of the time.

(Cannot deny the obvious health benefits; he started eating like this a few years ago and I've gone from worrying about his health and longevity at times, to being like "holy crap, he's gotten spry for an old man.")

So I'm curious - if someone's regular diet already precludes all of the foods they're supposed to go without when fasting -- would they be recommended to forego "extra" things in the spirit of obedience, or to attain a spiritual condition or state above and beyond their usual?

I've had such a hard time wrapping my head around "fasting" in the Christian context, because I grew up fasting for certain Vedic holidays, and that always meant no food. On at least one day out of the year that I recall, it was no food AND no water for 24 hours.

For someone who grew up really poor and eating mostly things like lentils, fruits, vegetables, etc. anyway, my kneejerk reaction is "Fasting? That just sounds like EATING!"

I heard a priest joke that for the fasting periods, if you're already a vegan you HAVE to eat meat! LOL! Seriously, I don't know what the priest would suggest in that situation.

 

[christie2]

Thank you @Raskolnikov for the link, I will download it soon. I haven't read in German before so that will be fun and challenging.
I've picked up a little understanding of Greek...That's awesome you are making 2 or more recipes a week. Keep going, do them all if you like them!

 

[christie2]

On Fasting Again. Archpriest Oleg Stenyayev

To those on the new style calendar who are celebrating the Nativity of Christ, we wish all a joyous feast. Please keep this delightful article on fasting in mind for Wednesdays and Fridays, and the other three extended fast periods. But for those who are still observing the Nativity fast, may...

orthochristian.com

I found this article in a hyperlink in an article Roosh recommended in his thread on '33 Christian articles (he) recommend(s)'
Thanks for the leadership Roosh.

I wanted to tuck it into my thread on fasting ideas.
Some of the suggestions are from what I remember when I was a little girl. My parents were determined to find other ways to fast during Lent and encouraged us to do the same.
This is the first time in my life, I realised it's okay to get direction and leadership directly from a priest.

Also, I have a new priest since starting this thread.

 

[messaggera]

I found this article in a hyperlink in an article Roosh recommended in his thread on '33 Christian articles (he) recommend(s)'
Thanks for the leadership Roosh.

Thank you @christie2 for reading and sharing this article.

It was very helpful and allowed reflection on prayer sequence with Scripture reading.

It would be interesting to hear if you have a sequence for How to Pray . Only if you would like to share; you have inspired interest in Orthodox- praying and fasting.

This recommendation stood out from the shared article:

It is recommended to read the Gospel and the Epistle of the day every day right after the morning prayers. These are short pieces of reading and it will be very good if a believer meditates on the subject of the reading during the day.

Why else is it important to combine prayer with reading of the Word of God? If I just pray, then such a prayer may become a mere monologue and not rise higher than my ceiling. But if I combine reading of the Word of God with prayer, then it comes out that I ask God in my prayer, and He answers me through the Holy Scripture.

 

[christie2]

Thanks for invitation to another thread, I'm glad you found value here messagera.

Do you have fasting food or other fasting ideas?

 

[messaggera]

Do you have fasting food or other fasting ideas?

Yesterday I had rotini pasta salad with black olives, cherry tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, and a garlic vinaigrette (no oil).
Had to leave out the Bocconcini (mozzarella cheese). There will be attempt to make our own garlic vinaigrette using whole cloves because the local provider uses canola oil.

I found this fasting recipe resource helpful from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Tennessee, for ideas. Similar to current diet, but difficult because I grew up with a mediterranean diet (with olive oil in almost everything) as a teenager/young adult. Salads and soups have always been loaded.

Do you have any favorite dishes for fasting?

 

[IconWriter]

Those 4- or 5-bean salads are great. You marinate your veggies: a little onion, green beans, wax beans, kidney beans, chick peas, etc. in a vinegar-oil mixture of your choice (for oil days, or depending on how fast your fast) that has a little sugar in it. It keeps a long time and you can replenish the veggies along the way. Feeds a crowd (potlucks!).

 

[messaggera]

Is the next fast free week starting on the 14 February 2022?

 

[IconWriter]

Is the next fast free week starting on the 14 February 2022?

Yes.

 

[messaggera]

This week’s break was nice to prepare.

I eat a lot of pasta, but it has eggs in it so my husband gifted a pasta maker this week to make pasta without eggs.

Fasting, when done correctly, can help realign our immune system too. I found this fasting resource and found the exception to fasting the same when practiced years ago. I just have to get my days adjusted.

There are a lot of recipe options that will provide appropriate level of nutrition even when fasting.

The Fasting Rules in the Orthodox Church | A Russian Orthodox Church Website

The Church's traditional teaching on fasting is not widely known or followed in our day. For those Orthodox Christians who are seeking to keep a more disciplined fast, the following information may be helpful.

www.pravmir.com

Exceptions
The Church has always exempted small children, the sick, the very old, and pregnant and nursing mothers from strict fasting. While people in these groups should not seriously restrict the amount that they eat, no harm will come from doing without some foods on two days out of the week — simply eat enough of the permitted foods. Exceptions to the fast based on medical necessity (as with diabetes) are always allowed.

 

[IconWriter]

There is a book I can recommend, The Mount Athos Diet, by Ricard Storey. (Amazon has it.) Although I cringe a bit hearing fasting referred to as a "diet", it does have helpful guidance and recipes.

"For centuries, the monks of Mount Athos have enjoyed long lives, healthy bodies, and calm minds thanks to their unique diet and lifestyle. Now you too can discover the secrets of good nutrition from this ancient community in a remarkable new diet book. With this plan, you'll follow the intermittent diet that keeps the monks slim, youthful, and largely free from disease. The diet is made up of three easy-to-follow patterns throughout the week: three fasting days full of delicious fruits and vegetables from nature's larder; three moderation days to enjoy the best of the Mediterranean, including olive oil, fish, and even red wine; and one feast day to completely indulge in whichever foods you like. With a simple diet plan, recipes, menu planners, and tips on how to adapt the diet, plus guidance on exercise, meditation, and emotional wellbeing, this book promises to transform your body and mind to help you lose weight, feel fitter, and live longer. Recipes include dual measurements."

 

[messaggera]

three easy-to-follow patterns throughout the week: three fasting days full of delicious fruits and vegetables from nature's larder; three moderation days to enjoy the best of the Mediterranean, including olive oil, fish, and even red wine; and one feast day to completely indulge in whichever foods you like. With a simple diet plan, recipes, menu planners, and tips on how to adapt

Thank you for the suggestion.
It seems the hardest part about fasting is following and creating consistent pre-planned dishes on fasting and days before fasting.

Eating healthy and a sufficient amount prior to fast days make pre-planned fast meals easier. Can not see where there would be issues with receiving plenty of needed nutrients, vitamins, and protein on fast days. But I will admit it could be easier to transition when one is already on a Mediterranean diet for decades.

Heathy fasting is definitely a commitment, but the spiritual benefits are a blessings and a significant part of Christianity.

 

[IconWriter]

The haredest parts are when: not all of your family members are Orthodox, or are elderly, or have diet restrictions already due to health.

 

[messaggera]

This recipe was shared by @Leeloo in the recipe thread. Will need to substitute the olive oil (and remove the poached eggs) for fasting purposes.

Quick + Simple Pasta "Risotto" with Herbed Roasted Chickpeas. - Half Baked Harvest

www.halfbakedharvest.com

 

[IconWriter]

It's also easier once you've collected your favorite recipes into menu's and know what products to buy. We were told when we were newbies to be gradual in joining the fast, that we didn't have to jump in "whole hog". (pardon the pun).

 

[Layla78]

I haven't followed lent well and the main difficulty for me is my family not following (although they've been fairly gracious) and me lacking in organisation and veggie cooking skills. I think I need to plan out meals like a week in advance. The dairy/eggs part is so hard, I usually get most of my protein from dairy and eggs.

I liked this recipe a lot: Red lentil curry

Red lentils seem good in general because they don't need soaking and they are super cheap. I'm gonna try some hummus based stuff (I think tahini is ok for lent? I don't think I can follow a total oil ban). Like hummus + flatbread + roasted veggies.