I feel like I've been giving up chocolate for Lent since I was a teenager.
In recent years, I have given up chocolate and Facebook and read from a great book called the Divine Hours daily.
I truly find value and benefit from the discipline Lent provides. (it's just 40 days, right?)
Well, this year, I even roped Joe into my extreme form of discipline. :)
THE PALEO DIET
A dear friend of mine did a "Whole30" from January 1st to January 30th - it was a huge success for her and her husband. (they lost weight, felt better, slept better and their skin cleared up)
So I checked out every book (and bought a few too) about Paleo that I could find to learn more.
It's an interesting philosphy.
It's rooted in the idea that our bodies were MADE to eat things God made (not man).
Meats, eggs, plants, fruits and nuts (except peanuts) are the main sources of your food intake.
What you CAN'T eat are:
Glutens (bread, pasta, cereal, beer)
Dairy
Sugar
Anything "processed"
So, what's our day look like?
Eggs and bacon for breakfast (plus Joe has a fruit, I put avacado on my eggs)
Meat and vegetables/fruit for lunch
Meat and vegetables/fruit for dinner
As my Gram Young says "That sounds like starvation!"
But, really, it's not.
We eat AS MUCH AS WE WANT.
We are committed to doing this for 40 days.
We started on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13th. We finish Easter morning.
It's been good, not always easy, but good.
As you read through these books, they speak towards the value of a gluten free diet - which our family has been loosely practicing for a year, because of Jackson.
Many books criticize the dairy industry as well. (This is one part I just don't fully agree with - especially with my complete LOVE for chocolate and cheese is high on my Favs list too). Essentially, the philosophy is milk is for calves, not humans and we can (and do with this diet) get calcium from many other sources.
Lastly, the diet does not allow potatoes or rice - which were big parts of our dinners since we went gluten (pasta) free. The mindset is that both are too starchy and affect your insulin levels.
Overall, the very strategic items you CAN eat ALL have healthy, functional, effective ways to "detox" your body - especially your gut. And in the process, your whole body responds positively.
We'll see where this takes us. Joe is REALLY missing beer.
But the snacks, cheese, chips...well, I don't even give them a thought.
It's kind of hard to explain.
I am glad we are committing to this.
I am counting the days til Easter.
(but I think I am missing Facebook more than chocolate!)
I DO think there are some very valuable shifts in our mindset of food that I expect will remain for our eating choices and family even after Lent is over.
I hope you enjoy your Lent time, as well - whether giving up or adding on - this time of year is one to draw us closer and more deeply in reliance to Jesus - the reason for this season.
