great fast
meals
Due to a family health crisis, I've been on a whole-food, plant-based nutrition plan since 2017, which is a lot like our Eastern Christian fasting regimen! It wasn't easy but it's not as hard as you might think. Let me share some of what I've
learned along the way with you!
Next up:
The Apostles Fast
June 16-June 29
What is True Fasting?
APOSTLES FAST
The Apostles' Fast was first established at the First Council of Nicea in 325 AD and is observed from the Monday after All Saints Day through until the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
We fast as usual on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, however, we are allowed fish, wine, and oil.
Tradition tells us that after the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they began to fast in order to prepare themselves to go forth and preach the Gospel to the world. There is a verse in scripture which is said to have foretold of the Apostles' Fast.
Luke 5:35 “Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is
with them? But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken
from them; then they will fast.”
Because of this, it is customary to concentrate on the Holy Trinity and the apostolic mission of spreading the Gospel to others during this fast.
Watch ByziMom
Catherine Alexander from
Your Word From the Wise
as she interviews
Abouna Moses from
Holy Resurrection Monastery on how to observe the Fast
See the Video HERE
Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate, Completed October 2020, from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies at Cornell University.
My book is out!...
As you may already know, my family has been advised by our cardiologist to adopt a perpetual fast in order to combat a family health crisis. We've adopted a whole-foods, plant-based, no oil diet...just like our Eastern Christian fast!...full time, and now that we've done it, I can help you get through 40 days of fasting too.
Here are a few of ByziMom's Great Fast Recipes:
Middle Eastern Meze: falafel, tzadziki, tabbouleh & dolmades
Fajita Night: sweet potato tortillas, unfried beans, oil-free vegetable stir fry, cashew nacho sauce, Mexican quinoa, etc.
What's for dinner tonight?
A Feast Day RECIPE from ByziMom.com
Gatnabour:
An Armenian Rice Pudding for Ascension Thursday
Armenian farmers traditionally do not keep the milk that
their cows produce on the feast of the Ascension but rather,
they share it with their neighbors and friends by making
and distributing a special rice pudding, known as Gatnabour.
Find this recipe and more like it in Lynne Wardach’s new ebook,
Cooking Connections on the gift-shop page at ByziMom.com!
Ingredients
-
1 cup water
-
1 cup rice
-
¼ tsp salt
-
6 cups milk
-
1 cup sugar
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1 tbsp. rose water (optional; or use another flavoring like vanilla extract or brandy?)
-
Ground cinnamon for garnish
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Whipped cream for garnish
Preparation
Add water, salt, and rice to a large pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a low setting and cover to pot. Cook until the water is absorbed; about 15 minutes. Stir it well to make sure the rice doesn’t burn or stick to the bottom of the pot. Add milk to the same pot and cook on low to medium heat for about 45 minutes, stirring frequently, until the pudding thickens. Once it is thick, add the sugar; cook for 15 minutes more, and continue to stir constantly. Finally, take the pot off of the heat and stir in the rose water, if you are using it.
Spoon the rice pudding into individual dessert dishes. Either serve hot or refrigerate and serve it cold as you like. You can top it with a dash of cinnamon and a “cloud” of whipped cream before serving.
Tip
You can actually make this recipe on days other than the Ascension! I’ve even made it during a fast using oat milk instead of dairy!
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