Beth thinks I'm a little self destructive - I keep cooking things for her and the boys that I really want to eat. What she does not realize, no matter what I cook, I really want to eat it. So, I'm not self destructive, just really fricken hungry.
Tonight the family had breakfast foods for dinner: bacon, sausage patties, eggs, tater tot hasbrowns and toast - I had broth. When I cook bacon, I don't fry it, I bake it. Set the oven for 425, cover a cookie sheet with foil, put the bacon on top of the foil and place it in the oven until it is cooked, to your liking. My method for cooking allows the bacon to cook evenly and makes cleanup very easy. Beth enjoys simple scrambled eggs: egg with a little milk, salt, pepper and cooking in a pan, greased in butter. The tater tots start frozen and are pan fried till crispy, in olive oil and butter, seasoned with seasoning salt and cracked pepper. And the toast... well, take some wheat bread, place it in the toaster, push the lever down and when it pops, butter it.
The bacon was torture - it just smelled so ridiculously good that my dinner had to include it. My mother made me some beef and vegetable soup broth, so I put it in a pot with four strips of bacon, salt, cracked pepper, Franks Red Hot, Spice Crackers and shredded cheese. I let this concoction simmer on low heat for 90-minutes, strained it and LOVED IT! While my dish was not as delicious as individual strip of bacon, it was an acceptable substitute.
I appreciate this - I appreciate every single aspect of what I'm doing for Lent. I enjoy cooking and not being able to eat what I cook does not bother me. The sacrifice of solids is manageable and Day-44 is obtainable.
Lent makes me think of Jesus, which makes me think of my religion. When I think of Christianity I often think of a quote by Father Brennan Manning:
The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.
This quote represents a very common criticism of the my religion. I've had personal experience with people whom are active members in their Church Community, but it would not be known outside of church functions. I'm sure people have experienced moments with me, that would leave them with the similar thoughts, about my faith and I'm sorry for that.
I'm not looking to be a stereotypical "Bible Thumper" but I hope to represent myself in a manner that doesn't shock people, if told that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I'll have my moments, my moments that in retrospect make me cringe, moments that do not do my Savior proud, but those moments are forgivable, understandable and quite frankly, expected. The history of humanity has netted the archives some great and honorable people, but only one has been pure and he was tortured for it.
The idea is to keep my shortcomings to a minimum and to learn from them. In between low moments, I hope to glory God. I'm sure my life will net a few critics, whom never truly see where my heat and intentions lie, their exposure to me may always be inopportune, but I pray that it is a relative few.
I don't want my Monday - Saturday lifestyle to leave doubt in mind of my observers, about Christianity. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is the only key to Heaven, but leading a lifestyle encourages family, friends and strangers to join you, isn't a bad thing.
Random Notes: Started the day at 197 lbs and will finish around 1,800 calories, including four beers.
It's been fun following your blog. If it were me I'd trade slim fasts for blended smoothies with veggies and fruits (add in veggies like spinach), much more healthy. You're almost through the 40 days!
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