Loving Lent – Why Sacrifice Doesn’t Suck

From Ash Wednesday, over 60% of our nation will observe the Lenten fasting period.  Traditionally, the theme of self-denial manifests in abstaining from meat and animal products and fasting is central to this change in diet.

If you’re a Christian, following your fast will be a dutiful observance with understood spiritual rewards, but even if you’re not, Lent might be a great time to practice 40 days of self-control and quit some longstanding bad habits.

The basic idea of fasting is to abstain from food for varying lengths of time.  While most of us know it as a spiritual practice to strengthen one’s will or spiritual aspect, fasting is also a well-known medical practice to treat many chronic medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, low blood sugar and digestive disorders.  Remember to talk to your doctor or other health care provider before beginning a fasting programme of any kind.

How Does It Work?

Fasting gives your major digestive organs a break from the continuous work of digestion, which also frees up your liver, the main organ for removing the toxic by-products of digestion. Your immune system and liver are then able to focus on other parts of the body, boosting overall healing.

Those Pesky Bad Habits

Are you a smoker? Late-night eater? Junk food addict? Setting aside a specific length of time to defer from these habits makes it easier to quit.  Did you know it takes 21 days to form a habit? If you can refrain from indulging in negative behaviour for at least 3 weeks, chances are the craving for it won’t have such a strong hold on you at the end of your fast.

If you’ve decided to go without food for a period of time each day, coming off your fast should be done with foods that are not too taxing on your digestive system.  Fruit is a great option and can be eaten without much preparation.

Practice makes Perfect

Fasting takes practice and even if you fall off one day, don’t let it deter you from jumping back on the next. With successful fasting you can increase your overall health and strengthen your self-control. Teach your children how to fast and you can reduce their wants and teach them the benefits of delayed gratification.

For our fans who are observing the Lenten fast and are looking for great meat-free options, try our limited-time Smoked Herring pizza, as well as our veggie classics, Garden, Veggie Max, Veggie Deluxe and our Veggie Mozza Specialty pizza!