Random Lent

[Waker]

This is sort of an offshoot of the Anti-Consumption Challenge as a lot of people had their own ideas regarding things that might be beneficial to do without for a while. I originally called it Arbitrary Lent, but VegeTexan refined the term, which I like better.

I wasn't quite sure where to put this thread, but I figure since Random Lent will necessarily have philosophical underpinnings, here is as good as anywhere.

So the way this works is that, whenever you feel like you're overindulging something and you think you could use a break from for a while, you make a personal (yet public) choice to do without it for a given period of time and post your intentions here as a means to supplement your willpower (or lack thereof).

Myself, I feel I could do without junk food for a while as I just overburdened my feeble gut with toxic supermarket cookies. I officially pledge to do without junk food for the remainder of the month--including Clif bars. Should I renege on my vow, I will post it publicly so that all may witness my shame.

[Miso Vegan]

Just this past week, I gave up wine. I used to have 1-2 glasses each night, but to save money I've stopped buying it.

[squirrel]

An acquaintance of mine delared that she was going vegetarian for Lent. Which is good. But I so wanted to say I went vegan for.....ever.
I could go without junk food, but I don't overindulge that much, so.....

[Waker]

Hey man, this isn't the Random Rationalization thread. This is the Random Lent thread!

[Waker]

Interestingly enough, it's ACTUAL Lent as well. I had no idea until I saw someone with an ash cross on their forehead yesterday.

[Waker]

I'm tempted to also try giving up plastic bags. I use a messenger bag when I go grocery shopping, but I still tend to use plastic produce bags. I suppose I can bring a bag to put produce in, although I'm not keen on the idea of my produce directly touching any surface in the grocery store. And then keeping produce in the fridge--can I keep it in the produce drawer without containing it in bags?

[Waker]

I also vow to never quadruple post ever again...

[tin can]

Produce = fruit and vegetables? If so yes - we never keep that stuff in bags in the fridge. Just clean your fridge every once in a while. :p

I also vow to never quadruple post ever again...

I love that this post is one of the four in its entirety! :laugh:

[mishka]

We wash and reuse our plastic produce bags.

tin can, if you don't keep produce in bags, how do you keep your greens from going wilty?

[tin can]

tin can, if you don't keep produce in bags, how do you keep your greens from going wilty?

Uh - I don't. :uhoh: Bags stop it from doing that? :p Fruit & veg doesn't last that long around here! :laugh:

[Waker]

I ate a Clif bar today. I fail.

Okay, starting Random Lent... now!

[LesMiserablesLove]

I like this idea. I keep making half-hearted promises to give up french fries. How long does the religious lent last? Three months? (OK, I went to Catholic school for five years and I can never remember this). I'd like to give up french fries for three months.

[Calliope]

We wash and reuse our plastic produce bags.

tin can, if you don't keep produce in bags, how do you keep your greens from going wilty?

I find that lining the bottom of the fridge with a little paper towel helps keep the veggies from going all wilty....though I guess that's wasteful too....I wonder if a clean cloth would accomplish the same thing....hmmmm....

[Dugan]

Yes, a clean cloth works.

[Calliope]

Good to know. :) I'll stop killing the planet now.

[mishka]

I always thought that keeping vegetables sitting out in the fridge, uncovered, contributed to more nutrient loss since they're more exposed to air. Am I wrong?

I've cut out quite a bit in the past few months – both for financial and health reasons – but I'll try to think of what else I can give up :) I like challenging myself to give up things and realizing that stuff I felt was important, isn't so much.

[squirrel]

I always thought that keeping vegetables sitting out in the fridge, uncovered, contributed to more nutrient loss since they're more exposed to air. Am I wrong?

I've cut out quite a bit in the past few months – both for financial and health reasons – but I'll try to think of what else I can give up :) I like challenging myself to give up things and realizing that stuff I felt was important, isn't so much.
That's a great mindset, mishka. I wish I could do it, too. I know I can. I just wish I wanted to more. LOL

[hebejeebies]

I never understood lent. I hate the real lent. I have panic attacks hearing omnis complain about not being able to eat meat on fridays and having to eat fish instead. I want to smack em and shut them up, but of course I wouldn't do that. For my Lent I have given up shampoo and instead I am using baking soda. I also am not going to buy alcohol for as long as I can. I also will put 10 dollars in my savings every paycheck.

[VegeTexan]

wtf, I pledge to give up paper clips for lent.\\
the rest deleted cause I was ranting about someone putting a cross of ash on their freakin forehead

[Waker]

I'm giving up heavily processed food, the sort that sticks to your guts like the build-up in those old Draino commercials. And no processed sugar! I'd like to say indefinitely, but I'll start with the month of April.

Also, I'd just like to congratulate myself for not having looked at porn since I made the pledge in the porn thread. My will is pretty feeble, but making pledges to strangers on a message board helps somehow.

[Chijou_no_seiza]

good luck and congrats on keeping your pledge up! :)