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As we have begun the Nativity fast I was wondering if anyone could give some advice on how to effectively fast, prayer is an obvious way! Also what any food ideas for those of us fasting would be very helpful as well I think, I struggle with trying to figure out things to eat during fasts and I was hoping some of you could help, as you've been very helpful in the past.

watch less tv - if you watch much. Try not to get too caught up in shopping and busyness of the holidays. Less eating and partying. Try to read the Bible daily. These are some things that I heard in Church.

This can all be difficult. I wish more people got the concept of the fasting period AND the 12 days of celebration. There are so many parties that I feel somewhat obligated to go to (it would really be rude to family not to go) that because we can not get eveyone together on Christmas, we always move them earlier. Which is, of course, when I am supposed to be in preparation. Whereas if we moved it a few days after, it would still in effect be Christmas. So at these parties it can be hard not to over indulge, and of course I feel a need to at least buy presents for those who buy for me, as it would seem difficult or rude to just change tradition, or take something fun away from someone else. Our Pastor really wanted us to avoid that sort of over shopping and celebrating prematurely. I love that he tries to help us prepare for the coming of our Lord. It is just culturally difficult as everyone starts celebrating form November on. But that is part of what we are called to do. To go against culture. Not to always bend to its will. I would like to shop less, but I sometimes do think that this can be a nice part of Christmas, to sacrifice and provide presents for those you love, It can be more selfless, but it can also be stressful and quite routine. Oh well, I hope we all learn more and more how to handle this and please God.

Being faithful to the Julian Calendar, the fast has not yet begun. So here's a practical suggestion - try Chinese food. Chinese cuisine offers plenty of meatless dishes, and traditional Chinese cuisine does not involve dairy products, so there is a nice selection.

Fr. Serge

1.Most supermarkets have Falafel mix. Falafel can be served w/hummous (again available at most supermarkets) or tahini sauce (Middle Eastern sesame seed sauce). Both falafel and hummous are made from chick peas which are a good source of protein.

2. Shrimp; crab; lobster; octopus; (octopus is available in cans in most supermarkets w/ethnic sections, and shrimp is available fresh or frozen). I like to cook shrimp with tomato sauce and put it over pasta.

3. Pasta with canned white beans...add olive oil or tomoto sauce as the Italians do.

4.Cans of vegetable broth can add flavorings where you would use chicken broth and can also be used to help saute vegetables if you don't want to use alot of oil.

5. Lately, I have found that many vegetables become very tasty when roasted. I simply add a bit of olive oil and salt and roast at 400 degrees for about a half hour, keeping an eye on them and mixing them a few times...cherry tomatoes, asparagus, baby carrots, sweet potatoes and white potatoes are positively delicious this way. The roasted veggies can also be added to rice or pasta with or without beans for a satisfying meal.

6. The old American staple of peanut butter is always a big hit! Add jelly, jam, preserves or honey to it on the bread of your choice. It is full of protein..and if it is a natural peanut butter, it also gives you a healthy dose of fat (natural peanut oil) combined with the protein. Some people like to add a sliced banana to peanut butter with honey. It is delicious.

7. For your coffee, liquid or powdered coffee mate.

8. For a snack: any type of nut, dried fruit, fresh fruit and dark chocolate. Dark chocolate covered almonds provide both the nutrition of the nut and the taste of chocolate, which is also healthy and good for you in small doses.

9. Anything that isn't meat in the Lebanese cuisine is good for a fast, besides the hummous and falafel, you can also find mixes for Taboule salad in many supermarkets...(Bulgur wheat mixed with lots of parsley and tomoatos).

10. Vegetarian chili.

11. Morningstar veggie patties, which come in many varieties...(although they do have eggwhite in the ingredients to bind them) There are other brands which do not, if you are meticulous about such things.

12.Avocados/guacomole

13. Vegetarian lentil soups and dishes...

14.Anything in a health food store or supermarket labeled 'vegan'.

15. As Father Serge said: any Chinese food which has no meat.

16. Many Japanese dishes/food, including some sushi (crab/california/avocado/eel/shrimp rolls)

17. Most pierogi...(unless they have cheese in the filling).
A few supermarkets sell them refrigerated or frozen. They are delicious when fried in oil and need no other topping other than perhaps salt and pepper.

18. Cole slaw mix prepared with olive oil and lemon (Greek style), or a nice Ginger or Sesame Japanese dressing.

19. Salad pizza.

20. The Northern Italians make a delicious dip for bread which is full of protein: mash small white beans with salt, pepper, and a good quality olive oil.

20. Tofu--sauteed in oil is very good and a good source of nutrition.

The key is to think out your meals and to remember to keep your meals balanced. Always have a vegetable with protein and starch for optimum satisfaction. (That is why I like pasta or rice that I can add beans, veggies, oil or sauce to), and try to include lots of fruit--both fresh and dried in your diet. )

If you have a sweet tooth, dark chocolate is allowed...

I have discovered a nice, fairly easy and quick autumn dessert for fasting:

cut up apples and place in a baking dish you have sprayed with Olive Oil PAM. Mix the apples with a little orange juice, cinnamon, maple syrup, Splenda (if you are watching your weight--adjust maple syrup to splenda ratio), chopped up walnuts, a teaspoon or two of olive, or some other heart healthy oil, to mix, and bake in a 350-400 degree oven, keeping an eye on them until they are slightly brown and/or tender. You can then top the baked apples with a non-dairy whipped topping.

It does take a little preparation and thinking ahead to fast. It is difficult to find lunches that fit into the fast if you work. Gourmet take outs in metropolitan areas will usually have something which fits in, but they will, most likely be expensive...better to take food with you. When I worked, I brought in food from home: What worked for me was: a frozen veggie or soy patty from Morningstar which I could microwave, some hummus in a small tupperware cup with cut up carrots to dip into it, some nuts and dried apricots, an avocado to cut into half (saving the other half in a tupperware cup for the next day), chocolate covered almonds, bananas, peanut butter with crackers, frozen vegetarian meals, etc....

Hope these ideas help!!!

AAAAAAAAAAnd

Keep an eye on threads on this topic on Town Hall

Watch for the Chili recipe from Theophan and Irish Melkite

OLS:

Maybe I can find the chili recipe and get it back up. It's uses are many, including eating it as chili, serving it over rice or pasta, or settling in with a large bowl of corn chips and dipping it.

Found it after scanning 56 pages of my posts.

BOB

One of the fasting customs which I picked up from my Roman Catholic mother was not eating between meals. This is very difficult for me; especially when I worked in purchasing and the salesmen brought in chocolates almost every day!

Dare I say the the Medjugorje fast of bread and water on Wednesdays and Fridays (all year long) is very good. I would expand my selection of breads from the traditional white.

Immensely helpful, thank you so so much!

The humus brand 'Sabra' is really good. You can get a large container of it at Sam's Club in the meat department for less than $6. Those I have served it too, in the know on such subjects :D, even say it is good.

I love all of Alice's ideas. On the shrimp and tomatoes - use one of the canned tomatoes that are prepared with spices - green peppers, onions, and such. Then serve it over rice. Our boys would use that on their scout outings. Buy the small packages of frozen shrimp - the small kind, and use it for meals while out camping - they would just add the shrimp and heat them once the tomatoes were hot. An easy quick meal! Actually, it became a favorite of the scouts.

The Morning Star Portobella Mushroom burgers are wonderful!

Too, Anna posted on another forum here, her recipe for a great tea she makes. It is just wonderful and so very satisfing. I ad my green & black tea combination to it also.
Anna wrote...
"I have found a wonderful remedy. A cup of boiling water with cinnamon and raw honey. I also add ginger and cloves. I've been drinking a cup every morning and see significant changes in the last couple of weeks. Prior to that, it seemed like nothing worked. Cinnamon and raw honey have many other health benefits as well."
https://www.byzcath.org/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/304422/1

And of course-

GOOD DARK CHOCOLATE

We always seem to get around to the subject of chocolate at this time. Clearly the year is coming to an end soon.

EXCUSE ME

Some of us are still not in the fast - our time will come

I've found allrecipes.com to be a handy friend during the fast so far...

type in vegan or vegetarian adn WOW the recipes just appear...some are ethnic, some aren't, but I have tried several now and most of 'em have been delicious...