While growing up as a child, I don't remember Mardi Gras ever being mentioned. Apparently I had little curiosity or else there really was not a big hoopla over its events in the small communities in which we lived. Even as a mature adult, Mardi Gras takes me by surprise and I have to re-educate myself about its origins and significance. This year, from the brief excerpt I've copied from Wikipedia below, I learned (or re-learned) that Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday".
I got ahead of myself and celebrated Fat Tuesday a day early. I'll spare you the details. So for me today is ASH Tuesday. I think some of you will understand. I hope the rest of you don't MISunderstand.
From Wikipedia: Mardi Gras refer to events of the celebrations, beginning on or after the Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" (in ethnic English tradition, Shrove Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which started on Ash Wednesday. Related popular practices were associated with celebrations before the fasting and religious obligations associated with the penitential season of Lent.
In our area (Notre Dame country) Fat Tuesday is a big deal due to the large Catholic and Polish influence. It's always funny to me that binge eating is encouraged before Lent. But those Paczki's sure look tempting (jelly filled donuts)! I'm not Catholic or Polish so fortunately, I'm not faced with the temptation!
ReplyDeleteI completely UNDERSTAND !
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this!
~Maria
Dear Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteIt's always great to hear from you. Thank you for your encouraging comment and the quote you left me... there is truth in it.
Just wanted to give you an update on how I'm doing with my eating habits. I'll be glad to tell you that those 7 days of eating grains, veggies and fruits has helped me be set free from the bondage of sugar and junk food. Believe you me, it was NOT easy for me. I had an ENORMOUS headache for days, and I was irritable and had mood swings but I stuck with it and now I no longer crave the junk food or sugar. This has been an answer to prayer because I told the Lord I didn't want to use food as my source of comfort and escape, but I wanted to depend on Him.
I have been going to the gym with my husband and doing a lot of weights and one hour cardio at least 4 days a week. I've gone from a size 14 to a size 10 thus far. My goal is to reach size 6 which I was just a bit over a year ago.
Thank you for your encouragement and example... I truly appreciate you.
Blessings,
VIVIANA - That is tremendous progress. Congratulations. You are well on your way to your goal.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall hearing much about Fat Tuesday but every now and then I heard a bit about Lent. A sweet high school sophomore challenged me today to be her accountability partner during Lent. We decided to not eat sugar during the next 40 days. I was honored to be asked and am hoping that I can do it--by God's grace. I believe that we will be blessed. I have never done something like this before.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand.
ReplyDeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteWe talked about ALL sugars and decided we are going to cut out obvious sugars--no treats, candy, desserts, but we will allow ourselves to have fruit and whole wheat bread, etc. Today I made a coffee cake for our Bible study group. The coffee cake is off limits for me so I will send leftovers home with someone else. :-)
Hi, Rebecca. I'm still out here--just trying to spend less time on the computer. All is well, and I am blessed indeed. Yes, our snow has melted--although we did have another snow day on Monday. Funny thing was that the snow never showed up in our county. Ha! Enjoyed the day any way. Now if the cold, cold weather would just go away! I still read your posts via RSS feed. God bless!
ReplyDelete