Iggy:
"Old Macdonald had a farm, EIEIO. And on that farm he had a Jafar, EIEIO."
Later verses of the song apparently include Aladdin and the Sultan as well.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
I'm full.
I haven't been full in four days. But I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I did eat dinner late (only 15 minutes, and I have cause), but I don't know if I ate too much for dinner or if I just have a smaller capacity for food as a result of eating less. I wouldn't think my stomach would shrink that fast, but I have no evidence to back up that claim. I guess I'll know in the morning.
Speaking of the morning, since tomorrow is Holly's birthday, I'm making breakfast. We're actually making it together tonight, but I will bake it in the morning. For anyone who has a Betty Crocker cookbook, it's "Apple, Bacon and Cheddar Bread Pudding" on page 236. For anyone who doesn't, buy one. I won't be eating it (instead making myself my standard breakfast of eggs and toast), but I can't see how it won't be fantastic.
Speaking of recipes, I went to a friend's new house party last night, and another friend brought a dish that was known to all in the room as "heaven in log form". Of course, I wouldn't dare touch it - I was only a few blocks from Kellie, who rules over my diet with an iron fist, and I didn't want to cause a disturbance in the Force. I did inquire where I could get the recipe for future reference, to which I was told, "Google Bacon Explosion".
http://www.bbqaddicts.com/blog/recipes/bacon-explosion/
Bacon wrapped in sausage wrapped in BBQ bacon. I cannot WAIT for Easter.
Speaking of Easter... I got nothin'.
Speaking of the morning, since tomorrow is Holly's birthday, I'm making breakfast. We're actually making it together tonight, but I will bake it in the morning. For anyone who has a Betty Crocker cookbook, it's "Apple, Bacon and Cheddar Bread Pudding" on page 236. For anyone who doesn't, buy one. I won't be eating it (instead making myself my standard breakfast of eggs and toast), but I can't see how it won't be fantastic.
Speaking of recipes, I went to a friend's new house party last night, and another friend brought a dish that was known to all in the room as "heaven in log form". Of course, I wouldn't dare touch it - I was only a few blocks from Kellie, who rules over my diet with an iron fist, and I didn't want to cause a disturbance in the Force. I did inquire where I could get the recipe for future reference, to which I was told, "Google Bacon Explosion".
http://www.bbqaddicts.com/blog/recipes/bacon-explosion/
Bacon wrapped in sausage wrapped in BBQ bacon. I cannot WAIT for Easter.
Speaking of Easter... I got nothin'.
Saturday after Ash Wednesday - 260.2
Only two months to go at this pace! And we see how well that worked out last time....
Daily change: -1.4
WTD change: -6.2
Cumulative change: -6.2
Left to go: 80.2
Daily change: -1.4
WTD change: -6.2
Cumulative change: -6.2
Left to go: 80.2
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday after Ash Wednesday - 261.6
Fish are food, not friends.
Daily change: -1.4
WTD change: -4.8
Cumulative change: -4.8
Left to go: 81.6
Daily change: -1.4
WTD change: -4.8
Cumulative change: -4.8
Left to go: 81.6
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday after Ash Wednesday - 263.0
And I even ate a normal dinner.
Daily change: -3.4
WTD change: -3.4
Cumulative change: -3.4
Left to go: 83.0
Daily change: -3.4
WTD change: -3.4
Cumulative change: -3.4
Left to go: 83.0
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
If only Catholics were free to be Catholic.
There was a time where we didn't have to admire the Muslims for having a month of prayer and fasting because we had one of our own. In the last 50 years, though, the Church has reduced Lent to no meat on Fridays and two days of no snacks. I would like to think that this happened for a good reason, that the Church benefited from it, but it's pretty clear from the empirical evidence that, just like in every other incidence of the bishops relaxing long-held rules of discipline out of "pastoral necessity" [read: laziness], the faithful have simply been confused, angered, or otherwise alienated from the Church.
We are bodily and our religion is bodily. God became incarnate because it was the only way He could bridge an infinite gap. Christ gave us the sacraments because He knew that we couldn't be satisfied with encountering God only in an intellectual capacity but needed to experience Him in the flesh. Since we couldn't all be at Calvary, He brings Calvary to us. Likewise, we sin in and with our bodies and so need to do penance in and with our bodies if we are to truly learn our lessons. Lack of bodily penance quickly becomes lack of penance altogether, which is, in my opinion, a large part of why the Church is so weak today.
As part of my Lenten sacrifice, I will be fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays. Aside from being rooted in the practice of the ancient Church (which fasted - in a more strict manner than in our two days of fasting today - for all 40 days of Lent), it is the pre-eminent way of mastering the body's inordinate desire for food, to which I am particularly prone and which has contributed largely to my poor health and my financial problems. Moderation is a virtue, but it is one that cannot be understood without an understanding of the two extremes to which it is linked. Having fasted today, I was tempted constantly to take a collation that I did not need, to gorge myself when I ate dinner, and to snack after dinner. I did it almost involuntarily several times, since I am so used to simply eating what I want when I want it. I hope that over the next few weeks and months those temptations will subside, but for now it's better to fight them the hardest when they are strongest.
We are bodily and our religion is bodily. God became incarnate because it was the only way He could bridge an infinite gap. Christ gave us the sacraments because He knew that we couldn't be satisfied with encountering God only in an intellectual capacity but needed to experience Him in the flesh. Since we couldn't all be at Calvary, He brings Calvary to us. Likewise, we sin in and with our bodies and so need to do penance in and with our bodies if we are to truly learn our lessons. Lack of bodily penance quickly becomes lack of penance altogether, which is, in my opinion, a large part of why the Church is so weak today.
As part of my Lenten sacrifice, I will be fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays. Aside from being rooted in the practice of the ancient Church (which fasted - in a more strict manner than in our two days of fasting today - for all 40 days of Lent), it is the pre-eminent way of mastering the body's inordinate desire for food, to which I am particularly prone and which has contributed largely to my poor health and my financial problems. Moderation is a virtue, but it is one that cannot be understood without an understanding of the two extremes to which it is linked. Having fasted today, I was tempted constantly to take a collation that I did not need, to gorge myself when I ate dinner, and to snack after dinner. I did it almost involuntarily several times, since I am so used to simply eating what I want when I want it. I hope that over the next few weeks and months those temptations will subside, but for now it's better to fight them the hardest when they are strongest.
The road to passion begins for me as well
So, starting at 298 for me on this journey. Today is Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and abstinence from meat. I think a tuna salad sandwich at 8:30 PM will sufficiently nourish my body (no chips or soda). Water throughout the day, and half of a roll around 2:00. Mass is tonight at 7:00, where the imposition of ashes also occurs. "Remember man that though art dust, and to dust thou shalt return."
I splurged last night with one last frosty dessert. Mind you that I don't often splurge on such things, but I've been known to "cheat" a little too often on my current diet. My goal is similar to JTM's with a 100 pound weight-loss goal by next Easter.
The journey at hand is not just about Lent and Weight Loss, but rather building one's spiritual life upon a solid foundation. Thus follows the body. Others, too, are changed and "configured" by non-boasting example of goodness throughout -- secular and religious aspects alike. They are intimately connected. Improving one improves the other; reducing one reduces the other.
I've also stopped updating and responding to my FaceBook account as a Lenten sacrifice. I find that all too often I spend time reading through the content there. I will now focus internally and write about the activities in my life which directly correspond to the topic at hand, namely Making Ready the Path of the Lord through Self-Sacrifice and Recentering my life around the life of Holy Mother Church.
If our writing gets to be vague or confusing, do not hesitate to comment requesting clarification. We want this written journal to be a roadmap for all so that together we can attain the single human goal -- Everlasting Life with the Holy Trinity :-)
I splurged last night with one last frosty dessert. Mind you that I don't often splurge on such things, but I've been known to "cheat" a little too often on my current diet. My goal is similar to JTM's with a 100 pound weight-loss goal by next Easter.
The journey at hand is not just about Lent and Weight Loss, but rather building one's spiritual life upon a solid foundation. Thus follows the body. Others, too, are changed and "configured" by non-boasting example of goodness throughout -- secular and religious aspects alike. They are intimately connected. Improving one improves the other; reducing one reduces the other.
I've also stopped updating and responding to my FaceBook account as a Lenten sacrifice. I find that all too often I spend time reading through the content there. I will now focus internally and write about the activities in my life which directly correspond to the topic at hand, namely Making Ready the Path of the Lord through Self-Sacrifice and Recentering my life around the life of Holy Mother Church.
If our writing gets to be vague or confusing, do not hesitate to comment requesting clarification. We want this written journal to be a roadmap for all so that together we can attain the single human goal -- Everlasting Life with the Holy Trinity :-)
Ash Wednesday - 266.4
Ash Wednesday begins the great Lenten fast in the Western Church. This year, it also begins my quest to lose 86.4 pounds and to improve my overall health and my approach to food. I have implemented a general modification of my diet, which will be supplemented during Lent by a program of prayer, fasting and almsgiving inspired by the practices of the ancient Church. I will update this site every day with my weight, with the particulars of my diet, exercise, and/or spiritual regimen, and with other random musings. I hope that doing so will render me accountable to a larger group of people and thus reduce my chances of failure. So if you're reading, let me know.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday before Ash Wednesday
I'm wondering what Lent holds for me. It's always a great journey of faith, but this year promises deeper challenges which will rock the very core of my being...
Hang on tight, this'll be a wonderful journey!
Hang on tight, this'll be a wonderful journey!
Friday, February 20, 2009
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