fat tuesday eats
Almost every year, Matt + I “sacrifice” something for Lent. Lent is a time period of confession + reflection in the Christian church and I like to use that time as a reminder of everything He has done for me. While my sacrifice will never compare to the one the Jesus made for my sins, I like to give something up to serve as a reminder of the sacrifice He made.
I didn’t give up anything last year (unless you count alcohol since I was pregnant at the time), but 2 years ago, Matt + I decided to give up eating after dinner. Not desserts, per se, but just the after-dinner-before-bed treat. I’ve done desserts + chocolate in the past, but I always find ways to replace desserts or chocolate (such as large bowls of cereal at night). So, instead, we are giving up eating after dinner again. If we want a dessert, it has to be sometime before dinner. We are allowed drinks after dinner – tea, wine, beer, and maybe an occasional hot chocolate (without marshmallows). This is not an easy thing for me to do, which is why I think it is the perfect reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
Fat Tuesday wasn’t much of a “fat” day as some people make it out to be. I tried to get in as much veggies as possible, and you better believe I had a (large) slice of cake AFTER dinner!
Pre-Workout Snack
Homemade peanut butter protein bars that taste like fudge. No picture though…
Workout
MacKenna had a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon, so I got my run in on the treadmill. A 35 minute tempo: 10 minutes easy, 15 minutes at 7:30-7:47/miles, 10 minutes easy. It was a nice, sweaty run!
Breakfast
I hope ya’ll don’t get sick of my standard breakfast…
Strawberry Peach Green Monster
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup oats
- 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 banana
- 1/3 cup peaches
- 1/4 cup strawberries
- a handful of spinach
- 2 ice cubes
Blended to perfection. Yum!
Mid-Morning Snack
Geez, I’m boring. Honey roasted peanuts! These are the cheapest nuts at Trader Joe’s (but not the healthiest).
Lunch
Leftovers from Monday night’s dinner. Quinoa, roasted veggies, and crispy tofu – so delicious! There was an apple involved too. (I’m an “apple a day” person… yet, I’m getting over a nasty sinus infection right now.) And hot chocolate, because I was still hungry after lunch. (This is a recurring theme.)
Afternoon Snack
I seriously can’t get enough Greek yogurt lately! I’ve never had TJ’s before and it was darn good. With the world’s best granola of course! I think it might be Sunbelt brand, but I’m still not positive.
Dinner
One of my favorite quick + easy dinners. Tuscan Pasta – cheese tortellini with Classico sundried tomato Alfredo + tomatoes, basil, and parmesan. Takes only 15 minutes start to finish – LOVE!
Plus, a Cadbury egg because I was still hungry after dinner.
Dessert
My mother in law’s birthday was last week and we went over to their house this past weekend for pizza + cake. They got a half a sheet cake for 8 people, so there was a ton left over. I’m usually not a fan of chocolate frosting, but this literally took the cake! I would seriously sit and just eat the icing off this if I could, but I won’t. Perfect last after-dinner treat before 40 days without!
Are you giving anything up for Lent? Or have you ever done like a “30 day challenge” before? What have you done in the past?