Mercredi Gras

For you non-French speakers, that translates to FAT WEDNESDAY!You heard it here first, I am starting yet ANOTHER round of L.E.N.T.; however, I began my celebratory eating on Wednesday, it puttered around throughout Thursday, and finally my pious period began and I ashed myself on Friday. THUS, I am in full-blown lenting.

Lent \’lent\: : the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by the Roman Catholic, Eastern, and some Protestant churches . . . and Greg . . . as a period of penitence and fasting

Now, my Lent only includes sweets, added refined sugar, sodas/non-all-natural juices, and white breads/pastas/rice, but it is Lent none the less.  It is a great excuse to kick SKINNY 2010, Phase II, into place.

So, there you have it and YOU are going to help hold me to it!  I have already turned down Pineapple Dole Whips, world-famous cupcakes, as well as M&Ms and chocolate grahams (for those of you who really know me, turning down M&Ms is a big accomplishment).

Oh, and I forgot, I am FORMALLY asking you to JOIN me!  But only if you are not too scared. . . Let me know if you are in.

Official LENT Rules:

• Begin TODAY (or whenever you FIRST read this) and goes through FRIDAY, July 16, 2010 (This will be our Phase II’s GOOD FRIDAY). 
• Culinary Celebrations of Accomplishment begin no sooner than SATURDAY, July 17, 2010.
• LENT restrictions include, but are not limited to:
• No “sweets”
• i.e., cakes, cookies, candies, puddings, other confectionaries, and icings.
• No Sodas/Non-ALL NATURAL juices
• this includes NO diet drinks or sports drinks
• only ALL NATURAL juices allowed
• No white bread/pasta/rice
• only 100% whole grains
• . . . Go ahead an alter SLIGHTLY any of the above “restrictions” as to get you to join!