I always used to say I could be a vegetarian easy, because I always like the side dishes better than whatever meat I had in front of me. Then, Lent would arrive and I’d find it hard to not eat meat! This year, I’ve decided I want to really embrace this challenge. Make really good meatless meals for myself and my family.

Today, I made grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches for lunch. Oh they were soooooo good. I’m not a HUGE tomato fan. I like them on sandwiches and in dishes. But I tend to pick them out of salads, and I’m not really someone who will eat them alone. (Except fresh out of the garden with some sugar on them. That’s good!) However, on grilled cheese they are THE best thing ever. So. So. So good.

Then tonight, I cooked off tilapia, with rice and green beans. I’m no longer afraid of cooking fish! Up until about a month ago, I shied away from it. Now? I want to try to cook everything!

Growing up, we’d have meatless spaghetti often during Lent. Salmon coquettes, too. Breakfast for supper was also always a treat during Lent!

This Lent, I’ve decided that, instead of “giving things up” I want to “make things better.” I’m throwing myself into this food challenge to hopefully find new and healthy recipes to have even past Lent.

So I ask you… what are some of your favorite Lenten menu ideas? Do you have any meatless recipes you like and think I should try?

I’ve been amazed by how many people are participating in “giving something up for Lent” this year, and it’s really made me feel good and hopeful. It’s been several years since I seriously gave something up for Lent. I’ve, year after year, set out with something in mind only to have to fall by the wayside a few weeks in. I’ve even failed to follow not having meat on Fridays!

Tonight at a buffet. A brother and a sister filling cups of ice cream. Little Boy: “OH NO! We weren’t to have any sweets!” Little Girl looking at her bowl of ice cream: “Oh well!”

I had to laugh at that exchange to myself. It was about when I was that little girl’s age that I, too, gave up candy for Lent. I made it! I slipped up by having a chocolate mint after supper one night, but I justified it by saying it was for fresh breath. Funny how I remember that so clearly.

This year, for some reason, I’m approaching Lent with a whole new (or perhaps a very old) frame of mind. I’m going at it full force. I even found out about Stations of the Cross in Nashville, and I hope I can make it one weekend.

I’ve decided to give up Dr. Pepper and Beer for Lent. The beer won’t be too tough. When I am at my parent’s house, I just don’t drink it much. It’ll be difficult, though, when I go home, as its just the thing to have when socializing. The Dr. Pepper, however, has already proven difficult. I saw a real sugar Dr. Pepper today, and I itched to grab it.

I’ve thought of a third thing to do for Lent, and I think I’m going to go for it. Even though I’m technically starting it a few days late. To write a blog entry every day of Lent. THIS will be the tough one, as some days I’m just too tired to be creative. Other days, I frankly just don’t have time. But in the spirit of my last entry, I think its a challenge I need to take on for myself.

So brace yourself. Time to put this blog on 10.

Or rather 40.