Hello Steem people 😀!!!

How is my audiance felling today?  Are you all good? That's nice, since today I have a plan to make you feel even better! Give you some tips about a healthier way of eating through....fasting!

Today it's Clean Monday -and speaking for myself- after a long weekend, beginning from my birthday on Thursday, the truth is that I need a little detox lol!

Ιt's that time of the year that Lent officially begins so, here we go! I thought to give Lent or "Sarakosti" as we call it here in Greece, a closer look for the sake of all of you, my audiance  ❤ ! Where it is originated from, why we do it, that is, if we do it,and the benefits that has for us!

Here I have to make a little reference saying, that not only in Christianity includes Fasting.

We meet Fasting in other religions as well, some examples are the following: 

• Judaism: Jews don't seem to have much fasting in their religion. Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year that ends with Yom Kippur, meaning the Day of Atonement.
• Hinduism: Ekadasi days which in Sanskrit word refers to the 11th day of the lunar fortnight, which makes it twice a month! 
• Islam: Ramadan, a whole month of Fasting in a worshiping manor!

So what is Lent really?

Lent is traditionally described as the period of 40 days in memory of the 40 days  Jesus fastened in the desert and during which, he endured multiple temptations by Devil!

Lent is the oldest and most important fasting period of Christianity!!! 

It derives from an old English word len(c)ten which means Spring season, since it is always during Spring time, even though Easter is a moving religious holiday!

That means that is never on the same callendar date! For example, Christmas is always on the 25th of December, where as Easter may be anytime in Spring!!!

As I wrote just above the Lent signifies a period of 40 days. It starts on Shrove Monday or Clean Monday as it is also called (two days prior to Ash Wednesday)!

So if you count the days, they are exactly 49 not 40!!!

Well there is a difference of 9 calendar days, but I am only responsible here to state the facts and not judge them, and so I will do  😊!

Coming back to the Lenting period, "Sarakosti" is followed by Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday. These two days are the only days that fish,oil and wine are allowed! Nothing more though!!!!

Then we move directly to the Holly Week fasting here I have to mention that on Holly Saturday even oil and wine are not allowed as well! Finally we finish the next day with the Paschal (Easter) Divine Liturgia! 

The fasting of Lent...so what do we eat?

That is the most important question here, if someone wants to participate and fast .....and has no tradition with fasting prior to it!! You have to know, it's the most severe of all the Fasting periods, since it's for such a long period of time! 

Also, let's not lose sight of the fact that extreme age groups such as:infants, elderly and pregnant women, as they are experiencing serious dietary risks,should refrain from severe and prolonged fasting!! 

So to make a start WHAT WE DO NOT EAT: Meat, fish, eggs, dairy and all its derivatives!

Therefore there is an increase in: Cereals,legumes,seafood,nuts,fruits and vegetables!

It is known that fasting is a period that contributes well to health as long as it is done with care. If you do it properly, it has some anazing results and health benefits!!! 

On the other hand, let's note from the outset that it is an act of self-restraint aimed at abstaining from certain foods and not necessarily increasing the consumption of some others (such as bread or nuts).   

Abstain from food of animal origin and its benefits!!!

Staying away from meat, dairy and eggs immediately reduces saturated fat, dietary cholesterol but also other aggravating factors such as stress hormones due to killing the animal! 

It also creates a feeling of "cleansing" that, although it is purely psychologically beneficial to self-restraining defenses!   

Cereals, Wheat, barley, rice, oats, corn and all their flour are the basis of our diet, whether we prepare or not!!!

• Cereals are rich in complex carbohydrates, with protein and low fat content. (B1), niacin (B3), phosphorus, sodium, potassium, preservatives and various phytochemicals (plant ingredients with a variety of beneficial effects). Morning cereals and generally packaged cereal products are usually supplemented with calcium, iron, folic acid and other ingredients.
  
  Emphasis on legumes Beans, beans, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans and peanuts are the "meat of the poor". Irrespective of their type, legumes are rich in protein, potassium, folate, iron and magnesium. When accompanied by cereals (bread, rice etc.) they provide protein equivalent to meat while being low in fat. 
• Also, legumes are rich in dietary fiber but also in plant-based substances, which may help prevent chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer!

Seafood Squid, shrimp, shrimp, crayfish, octopus and mussels, the "fruit" of the sea!

• Are great appetizers and replenish the necessary amount of protein of high biological value. 
• Seafood is rich in phosphorus, iodine, magnesium, iron, copper, proteins, omega-3 fatty acids. 
• They are also a very good source of B and selenium complex vitamins. It is "lean" meat while those eaten with the shell provide enough calcium. 

Of course, seafood poses risks in the event of allergies so they want attention. 

Fruit and vegetables

• Quite often, fruit and vegetables are the ideal combination of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamins and other antioxidant ingredients. They are excellent sources, especially vitamin C, K and flavonoids. In addition to fresh fruit, do not forget the dried ones, such as figs, plums and raisins, which will complement salads or cereals. 

Nuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, and many others!

Nuts are a healthy, nutritious and delicious dietary option. They are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, plant sterols, selenium, zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, but also in many vitamins such as E! They are nutritious "bombs" on both ingredients and energy, so watch out for the quantities! 

For example: a handful (about 70g) a day is enough to give enough ingredients and about 360 calories! 

Halva

So here in Greece we have three types of chalva!

• The Sesame one, made from tahini which is made of pulp sesame seeds. So that means is packed of Iron, calcium, magnesium, thiamine, vitamin B6, polyunsaturated fat, vitamin E, lignans (natural antioxidants) and sesamin!

• Halva of Farsalon

The 2 links I attached above include recipes  😉!!!!

• And last but not least, the Semolina which is made of simigdali!

In conclusion, the period of fasting, apart from a precious religious act, is a good opportunity to discover new nutritional choices that appeal to the diet which if they combine properly,they will give us very nutritious but also economical meals!  

I will make a special closure to this post since I will put some photos of the Halva I made for today, it's the one with the Semolina 😀!!

Recipe......in one of my next posts 😉!

Until then, stay tuned, be lovable and always keep shining with that big smile on your face 😀 ❤ ❤!!! 


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Sources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent

http://www.nutrinews.gr/%CE%9D%CE%B7%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%B1-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CF%84%CF%8E%CF%81%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%AF-%CF%84%CF%81%CF%8E%CE%BC%CE%B5/