Day 1- Feb 23, 2015 - Clean Monday - Καθαρά Δευτέρα

Kali Sarakosti!  A good Lenten season to all.  Thank you for coming back to us this year as we blog about part of our journey to Pascha.  We know that the food through Great Lent, or any fasting period in the Orthodox Church is secondary to prayer.  But, remember, this is a journey, and together we shall find some different things that will help us stay strong to focus on the true meaning of the fast.  We thought about what we would include for Clean Monday this year.  The weather is too cold to get out and fly a kite, so we will have to pass on that this year.  And, the Carnival period is over, so we were not able to include the various costumes and/or masks that people wear.  And, we decided to approach this year with a simple beginning, reminding you all what we are working toward.  When we started this blog in 2012, we explained part of our mission in writing about food.  We wrote:

"…So what is "gourmet" for Lent?  Well, even though we are trying to follow the most strict fast, which limits which foods we eat, as well as the amount of food we eat, there is room for us to make and enjoy beautiful, healthy, filling, economical foods that you would be proud to serve to company now or any time of year."  

This blog is a work in progress.  Stay with us for the "40" days of fasting ... as we focus on the Orthodox traditions that carry us every year to Easter.  We will explore foods that you can eat and enjoy in today's world through Great Lent (and any other fasting period), including foods made at home, at restaurants, take-out, and fast foods, using basic, easy-to-find ingredients.  We will include information about our Greek Orthodox faith, since that is what guides us each day.  Lastly, we will share some recipes and photos so you, too, can find your inner gourmet during this period.  We welcome your comments, feedback, and recipes to let us know how you are doing with a temporarily Vegan lifestyle with our lenten foods (νηστίσιμα φαγητά). We look forward to this this test of faith, and we look forward to sharing it with you."

We are delighted to have emails from many of you asking for more, and, as we begin today, we hope to meet your expectations.  We have many different dishes this year, and we hope that you find something you like.  And, we pray that God gives us all the strength and faith to keep this fast until Pascha.  After all, it is only 49 days from now.  God bless.

For specific outlines of what is permitted or not permitted, please see this clear explanation:  http://home.wavecable.com/~photios/fasting.htm

Fasting is not an end in itself but a means to an end. For a Christian there is no food that is ritually clean or unclean. Jesus said, "The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these are the things that make a person ritually unclean" (Mt. 15:18).  Thus, fasting from foods is a spiritual disciple that must necessarily be accompanied by fasting from evil.
Source of above quote:  http://home.wavecable.com/~photios/fasting.htm