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Dear Khrystyna:

Not to preempt Bro. Elias of the Benedictine Conception Abbey, I think you are referring to the monastic orders of the Benedictines, Cistercians, Trappists, Carmelites, and Franciscans, whose monks are vegetarians.

The nuns of Osage Monastery, a foundation of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, are known to be vegetarians.

Notable amongst the Trappist Monks, Thomas Merton was an outspoken vegetarian.

AmdG

Dear Amado,

And ALL Orthodox monastics and bishops (who are monastics) are vegetarians.

Even on Easter Sunday, they are only allowed to eat cheeses and fish . . .

Alex

Thank you Amado and Alex!

Khrystyna

This sure is interesting reading!

One of my mainstays in Lent is a peanut butter sandwich: Start with any bread. Spread liberally with natural peanut butter. (One of our local grocery stores has a natural food section where you grind the nuts --roasted peanuts with no salt, no oil, no sugar, no nothing). Then I add sliced fresh fruit.

It is delicious and nutritious.

I also like to cook black-eye peas with raisins.
In fact any beans are delicious with raisins.

Seeds and nuts are an excellent protein source.

Let us pray for one another that we can make this Lent the holiest Lent we have ever had.!! :p

As I'm serving the unhealthy fried shrimp last night my son tells me that on his last Boy Scout trip to the coast of South Carolina that had shrimp just boiled plain and that he liked them alot. So, it seems we can eliminate much of the fat.... And someones comment about tetrahedon potatoes reminded me of a great recipe with potatoes, grated garlic, red pepper and oregano.
We'll get healthy yet.

And olive oil, I don't see the point in avoiding for some of us, since the reason given is not significant for some of us (unfamiliar reason). I consider it one of the most healthy oils.

And fasting from words..... still the best way to fast. Couple of years ago, in my line of work I had to deal with an elderly Muslim lady during Ramadan. She needed to eat healthy, not fast, but of course she felt badly to not fast. I told her in my religion we also fast at times and that perhaps she could eat food, but fast from words. I think she liked the idea very much.
denise

Yes, check out a search for "vegan recipes" on the Net. Many, many sites with good recipes--one even sorts them by ethnicity.

I make a soup with vegetable broth, chopped frozen spinich, cubed tofu, and minute rice, plus a dash of crushed red pepper for zing. Just takes a few minutes and is very tasty.

Good fasting from unhealthy foods and deeds to all!

Lory

Oh speaking of shrimp, my family likes shrimp (you can even use the salad shrimp to save money) with the diced tomatoes, either Italian or Stewed, over rice. Works wonders and can have dinner ready in 10 to 20 minutes depending on your rice.

Rose

Dear Rose,

Now that is my kind of recipe! I also like shrimp w/tomato sauce over rice, or over pasta, maybe orzo. For a variation, have you tried some sauteed onions with it? It adds another nutritional and flavorful variation!

Alice

OK, now. Here�s a challenge!

I�ve had an e-mail from someone who is on a high protein, low carbohydrate diet and hates seafood.

What suggestions do you have for this person?

Will peanut butter be this person�s main fare for duration of the Fast?

Eggs & cheese are a better bet, as peanut butter has a fairly high carb content- depending on what phase of the diet the person is in.

This may be one case where consultation with a Spiritual Father is especially warranted - a low-carb diet can be dietary discipline enough without adding relatively impossible further restrictions. Remember the other two "legs" of the Fast - maybe a slight further dietary restriction, but more attention toward prayer & works of mercy would be a better approach?

My $.02...

Off to Presanctified now.

Sharon

Soy products have protein.Soy milk,soy flour,soynuts,soybeans. If this person is adventurous insects are a good source of protein. Especially termites.

Nicky's Baba

Hey Folks...

It's a matter of LIFE and Death here....are Perogies allowed to be eaten??? If so...then I could live on Perogies!!!

Let me know. Thanks.

BTW, is margarine acceptable alternative to butter?

Many thanks!!!

Perogies RULE!

SPDundas
HUNGRY Deaf Byzantine

Pierogies (varenyky) with cheese are definitely out, maybe boiled with sauerkraut, fruit or cabbage filling.

Fasting is definitely not to be taken lightly by any means as both spiritual and health concerns need to be taken into account. It is important that the spiritual father be consulted and notified if a special diet is required from a doctor. There is certainly more to Lent than just the letter of the laws of fasting, and fasting can take many forms. One wonderful aspect of our Byzantine spirituality is its "holy flexibility" or economia.

I have a good friend who is a Carthusian and they also do not eat meat even for Pascha.

dear administrator,I can whip up a nice bowl of corn flakes for you if you like>