For the past two weeks I've spent quite a bit of time answering frequently asked questions about fasting. The questions concerning definitive rules, the purpose of fasting, and dietary guidelines during the fasts were asked by non-Orthodox readers. Having answered those questions, it is time to move on to the questions (and requests) asked by some of the Orthodox readers of this blog.
What does your family eat during the fasts?
Can you share your favorite family-friendly fasting recipes?
Throughout this week I will share the recipes that make up our family's weekly menu for the upcoming Nativity Fast (November 15 through December 24). It's important to note that this fast is less strict in its dietary restrictions. For most of the season a strict fast is only kept on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Wine and oil are permitted on Tuesday and Thursday and fish, wine and oil are permitted on Saturday and Sunday. The fast does not mirror the strict fast of Great Lent until the final week before Nativity.
Because the restrictions within the fast differ according to the day, I used a little system of symbols in labeling our recipes. Strict fast recipes (those that contain no meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, wine or oil) are marked with a small Cross. Recipes containing wine or oil include a symbol of grapes,while recipes containing fish, wine or oil are marked with the symbol of a fish.
In the menu below you can see that the days of the fast are marked with these symbols. (Monday is a strict fast, so it is marked with a Cross. Wine and oil are permitted on Tuesday so it is marked with a grape symbol, and so on.) The recipes I will post throughout the week will correspond to these symbols. This organization was helpful in putting together the tabs for the Nativity Fast menu, recipes and grocery list in my Cycles of Grace notebook for the season.
Neurotic? Perhaps. Nonetheless, it is a highly effective organization tool.
Speaking of fasting recipes, don't forget to send in your recipes before Friday, November 6 for our first seasonal recipe exchange. Many delicious recipes have already been posted or emailed to me. I plan to share them some time next week.
In the meantime, I'll take this opportunity to share our family's menu for the upcoming season.
