Lent take two.

Those of you who are familiar with Lent, might be saying "Umm sorry to tell you this Aimee, but Lent already started and is almost over." Its true.
The actual definition of Lent is as follows...
"The 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday until Easter observed by Christians as a season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter."
For the last two years David and I have participated in Lent. Albeit, it has been our own skewed version. We do start before Easter though, so point for us. This year we decided once again to adopt the Vegan way of eating.
My mom asked me, "why do you do Lent" and although it seems like a easy question and should be an easier answer I had to think about it. I decided to share my reasons via blog.
Last year I really did it in support of David. While he has been practicing Lent for several years now, I always opted out. I would give up maybe one thing like sugar and call it good. But I like the idea of sacrificing something for a greater cause so decided to give it my all and go with what he did. It was rough at first but then got progressively easier.
In the end, the experience became enlightening. I felt the rewards of eating differently and with that came several realizations. I felt empowered trying new recipes, exposing my children to new foods, and overall enjoying them. We liked it so much we went past our scheduled 40 days. Physically and spiritually I felt better then I had in a long time. For lack of better description and at the cost of sounding lame- I felt free.
One of the fundamental beliefs of our church is free agency. The ability to act and decide for oneself. However, as I have gotten older, I have come to realize one strong deterrent that hinders my ability to use free agency and that is food. I cant count the numbers of times, I have woke up at midnight to snack on Oreos and milk, turned to food for comfort or watched the Biggest Loser with a pizza and dessert. Food can become so powerful that it controls our moods, behaviors, actions, and even aspirations. Now I might be the only one who feels this but obesity rates in America seem to suggest otherwise. I don't want food controlling me and Lent helps me keep that in check. I learn to have self control and decide what I want to put into my body and not what I crave.
I believe that this has been an issue for years in so much that one may argue that we were given a tool to help combat food. The Word of Wisdom acts as safeguard to help ensure that we are not controlled by certain foods and or desires.
As April 20th approaches, the day we start Lent: Aimee and David style, (yes that is one day after Davids birthday. He had to have his confetti cake) I am preparing myself spiritually, physically, and mentally to be more patient, supportive, loving, aware, open, grateful, and closer to spirituality.
And that in a REALLY long post is why I do lent.
If you want to come along for the ride, please do. I would love to post some of our favorite recipes for your taste buds.
And of course a picture to end with because they always make postings, especially long ones, better. My Elle Belle is so sweet. She's better than any midnight craving!