Food And Ritual

With Lent coming up, it's interesting to see how food plays a part in our religious rituals. They are entwined together , much like religion and ourselves. Both affect our lives - and how we choose to live.

One of the most traditional religions is Greek Orthodoxy.This is one of the purist of Christianity , being unchanged for over one thousand years. Their rites and beliefs are tightly tied to food and what to eat. Their Lent which starts March 11th, has a strict dietary list. Products from red blooded animals are taboo. The Greek Orthodox live mostly on vegetables, having eschewed all kinds of meat, poultry and even fish with spines. Dairy and eggs are also forbidden along with olive  oil and wine. Their Christmas fasts are somewhat similar wit no fish being allowed between December 20th and December 24th - Christmas Eve.Memorial services are also important and so is the food with them.There is usually the deceased's favorite foods , such as certain kinds of cookies as well as favorite fruits. An ancient mix of wheat berries pomegranate seeds nuts and dried fruit is also given out. It's a kind of granola called koliva, and it's sweetened with cinnamon and sugar Mint is added as well, but some families sub in parsley.

The Catholics and some Protestants like the Episcopalians celebrate Fat Tuesday also called Mardi Gras and Shrove Tuesday.It's a wild time, especially in New Orleans and Rio. This is the time to truly enjoy Cajun and Creole dishes.A Fat Tuesday meal can start with a rich gumbo, full of shrimp or  chicken along with onion, celery and peppers, the Cajun trinity. The meals end with a festive King Cake, a sweet bread decorated with purple, green, and gold icing.The colors have meaning too - purple  justice, green faith and gold power. To even make it more fun and festive a baby figurine is put into the cake and  means good luck to the person finding it.The Brazilians celebrate the day with a lush, creamy shrimp stew called moqueca and Caipirinha, the country's national cocktail. Shrove Tuesday is the version celebrated in the United Kingdom where pancakes are made to rid the house of butter and dairy before Lent. Fasting only takes place during this time. Meat is given up on Ash Wednesday and Fridays  Some of the more religious people eschew sweets and alcohol for Lent. Many  southern Italians fast on Christmas Eve Day, breaking it at a late dinner of thirteen kinds of seafood. This symbolizes  Jesus.Christ and His apostles.

Food and ritual have been entwined for more than two thousand years. Both symbolize individual religions and their importance Will it ever change? No, they will be here for the next millienna

Lenten Diets All Year Round

Lent will be starting with this Wednesday.It 's a time when Christians give up certain foods, especially meat and dairy.It's an idea that's worth looking into as a year round diet.It means more fruit and veggies along with a step towards healthier living. Most Catholics and some Protestants give up meat on Wednesdays and Fridays.Starting with a day or two without meat is a good and easy way towards veganism.After a few months you can increase meatless days to four or five and then eventually have meat days one or twice a month.Since some religions allow fish this is a good time to explore the different types put there.Try a steamed salmon(easy to do in the microwave) or tuna which can be served hot or cold.This is also a convenient time to check into the many types of soy "meats"out there.You can easily make spaghetti and meatballs using mushroom based already prepared meatballs.There's also veggie burgers and veggie dogs to try on a Friday night.The Greek Orthodox also give up dairy during the forty days leading up to Easter.This paves the way to try both soy and rice milk,along with the soy and coconut based ice creams. Many people give up a favorite food for this time of fasting.It's usually cake, ice cream and cookies.If these can be given up for just a little over a month, then they can also be given up for good.Again,Lent is an excellent time to explore healthier desserts such as fruits.These are extremely versatile too.You can end a meal with apple sauce, sprinkled with cinnamon.Another treat is grilled pineapple kabobs.Make fruit salads using all sorts of fruits in your market,along with trying new ones such as kiwis and mangoes.Snacks too are usually given up.This is good way of switching over to simple snacks like crackers and rice cakes..Also think a bout having raw veggies with a lemon or lime vinaigrette as a daytime nibble.It's filling but also light. Lent is a time of giving up favorite and lush foods.It's also a chance for a healthier diet and to change unhealthy eating habits.Following one's beliefs is not only good for the soul but for the body as well.

Good Friday - Day of Fasting And Observance

Today is Good Friday , one of the most holiest of the Christian holidays. It’s a time when some Catholics fast while others , including most of the Protestant sects forgo meat. I will be observing the holiday as well by not eating meat and settling on the traditional Piedmontese style asparagus for dinner . Some prefer to go the fish and seafood route which is allowed . Some of the stricter , such as the Greek Orthodox usually forbid dairy products too or fast for a certain period of time today .

Observe the day whatever Christian beliefes you hold.

Liz