Fasting for Lent [religous season]... want to give up meat... need suggestions...

Okay... I am going to fast for lent. I usually do, and have tried to give up meat. However, i never make it. I always end up adding fish or something at least one day a week. Too hungry... and it is very hard to cut out meat when you are the only one not eating, and you have to cook for everyone. How do i accomplish this, stay in my goals, and avoid eating only salad for 40 days?

Eat beans! and tofu! Ooh and a baked potato with hummus. yum. It's really quite easy to find meals without meat if you give it a bit of thought.

Why not save your fish for Sundays? Sundays are not considered part of the 40 lent days.

Also posting an article for all interested. Check it out.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2124009_abstain-durin g-lent.html

I come from a very strict Roman Catholic up bringing and we were permitted to eat fish, no other meat, turkey, chicken pork red meat etc. but fish was allowed. Just curious, Is this something personally you are giving up?

Take care.

You should also check out the vegetarian section of the boards for some options. I'm not a big meat eater and there really are lots of options besides tofu and beans. It really depends on what you like. There are of course the "fake" meats, but many other options as well!

And, can I ask something without offending those observing? I read the article that musictchr posted out of curoisity (I myself am not at all religious, meaning with any religion) and really do not understand how rules can just be "changed" like that. I don't mean to stir up controversy I'd just like to understand your take on that.

it's very easy to do!!! it just seems hard because you're used to eating the same foods, but once you dive in and see all your other options it will be very easy. i would suggest checking out the vegetarian portion of the board too for a lot of healthy recipe ideas.  i'm a vegetarian and that includes fish and i haven't run out of things to eat yet :)  i know quite a few people who have switched over or at least heavily cut meat out of their diet because they want to lose weight and be healthier and if you eat the fake meats, well you can eat a burger or hot dogs and not feel quilty about it! now i'm going to give you some of the "fake meats" but keep in mind you really have to try them out to get a feel for what you like, just like not every meat eater likes every meat, you won't like every veggie burger... the top brands are gardenburger, morningstar, and boca... there's also quorn (which is tofu/soy based)... dr. praegers which is also vegetable based and the stuff you will find in the produce aisle (lightlife and st.yves?  i really don't remember the names)... i'm sure there are others but that's the stuff i can find on a trip to shoprite.  they make fake everything- burgers, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, chicken strips, steak strips, meatballs, ham, turkey, ribs, chicken, chicken nuggets, etc. etc. etc.... so play around with it!  i can basically eat anything that someone who eats meat eats, just sub in the veggie version!  for breakfast i often eat a "sausage" patty with a slice of reduced fat cheese on a whole wheat mini bagel... you could also try the sausage crumbles and mix it with peppers, onions, and eggs for a tasty light meal.... there's also a ton you can do with beans and lentils, and hummus and baba gahunough (i spelt that wrong i'm sure!) are delicious as a snack with some carrots, celery, or veggies of your choice.   just last night i made chili- 2 types of beans, the fake "ground meat" by morningstar (or you could use tofu), chopped celery, onions, corn, peppers, diced tomatoes and some chili powder.... i through some cheese over it and it was delicious :)  i'm not a big tofu person but i'm starting to cook it a little more... i recently made whole wheat spaghetti, added steamed veggies, a pesto sauce and tofu (i cut it up and baked it ... i'm sure there's other ways you can do it).  tofu is also great in a stir fry (or both quorn and morningstar make "chicken strips" that i throw in sometimes).  for lunch i might make a quick easy wrap- lettuce, salsa, cheese and either beans, ground "meat", or "chicken" strips.  the great part is that your eating your same types of foods your used to, getting at least close with the taste, and it's much less fattening and much better for you.  if you have kids and other family members i would start by making them something and not telling them its vegetarian :P  (assuming you would know if they have any allergies, etc.)  i've OFTEN had my food disappear out of the refrigerator because someone didn't realize it was "veggie" and ate it all and had no clue!  you can also make foods that don't "feel" vegetarian- vegetable lasagna (just layer in spinach, mushrooms, carrots, whatever you like in place of the meat), eggplant dishes, and portabella mushrooms (grill em up with some potatoes and veggies).

good luck, there's plenty of options and recipes out there and hopefully you'll find something you like enough to keep you going even after lent :)

 

Thanks guys... I will check out the site. The rules have not changed for me. No meat is not meat. Period. But, not all faiths are the same. There are historical reasons based in economics for the catholic change...I will try and find the article.

We are also extremely devout Roman Catholics and the CCC does allow for what I will call a "free day" each week in Sunday.  The Lenten season is a penitential one undoubtedly and the sacrifice is part of the process.  But Sunday is a day of worship and rejoicing, even during the Lenten season.  Our priest just gave homily on this two Sundays ago with the approach of Lent. 

That said, we are giving up meat for Lent in our house as well.  We already don't eat meat on Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the remainder of Ordinary Time as well.  We are eating fish though, because the CCC does allow for its consumption.  If you google Catchecism of the Catholic Church and Lenten observations, you can find the exact sections.

I wish you all the best with your sacrifice and your contribution during this Lenten season.  Peace be with you. 

My favorite meatless meals.  These can all be served as a side dish with a meat meal.

Vegetarian Chili - lots of peppers, tomatoes and spices

Beans with whole grain and greens - there are so many variations!  You can do black beans & brown rice with salsa and spinach, white beans & whole wheat berries with Italian seasonings and escarole, hummus and pita stuffed with baby spinach, curried chickpeas with kale or spinach - endless combinations.

Baked potato loaded with melted cheese, chives, and whatever else I can think of.  I serve it with steamed vegetables.

Omelets and fritattas - again, endless possibilities!

Vegetarian stir fry with tofu and rice

 

Hi,

I only eat fish/shellfish but no meat. I've found that some of the "fake" meat products are yucky tasting, but there are a few that are really similar tasting - even my meat-eating husband asks for them! One is the Stouffer's I think? Meatless line - they have chicken nuggets that are so good. Another is the Yves ground round - you can cook it with taco seasoning and make Mexican dishes. The Yves deli stuff, you can make sandwiches with it or whatever, just experiment with some of the soy "meats" and see what you think...

The first time I gave up meat, I had a hard time too--lightheaded, constantly hungry, etc.  I discovered that I was eating too many carbs and not enough proteins and fat that keep us satisfied.  I also think that sometimes when you switch to a meatless diet, your body has to adjust to it, so it "complains".  I currently eat a vegetarian diet about 75%-80% of the time (I eat meat maybe once a week or so) and I have no problems anymore.

I'd recommend the Gardenburgers--tasty.  I've heard that some of the fake chik'n nuggets are really good, but I tend to avoid most "meat-like" products, even though I do like a Boca burger patty every now and then.  Things like eggs, tofu, and beans combined with rice or corn give you complete protein that you find in meat, and are satisfying and healthier--they have lots more fiber than meat for sure!

One favorite dish of mine is black bean enchiladas--made like normal, but replace the ground beef with a black bean/rice mixture.  We've also added in spinach to the mix before stuffing, and it's delicious (esp. with cheese on top!) Definitely filling and tasty for the whole family.

Good luck with giving up meat for Lent--it'll be hard at first, but you can do it.

TVP (textured vegetable protein) is a great meatless food as well, and it's extremely versatile so you can basically season it however you want it to taste and it replaces meat. I usually cook it with taco seasoning to make tacos or use it as the "meat" in a really flavorful vegetarian chili, you can even use it to make meatballs for spaghetti or throw in marinara sauce to give it a meat sauce texture. You can get it at whole foods or any sort of co-op that sells a lot of things in bulk/lots of vegetarian foods. There really are a lot of options if you have time to experiment. Good luck1