There is a version that the roots of the concept of Lent are at the origin of the Christian faith.Its preachers Gentiles proved that only the true belief in the Savior, Jesus Christ can help overcome any trial, even as serious as the post.
spiritual meaning of Lent
Although Lent rigorous and difficult for the true believer, he does not mean the burden of trials and carries the joy of the possibility of communion and happiness of liberation of the soul from all evil, black and sinful accumulateda person for an entire year.
There is such a thing in the Bible as a church tithe - part of the income that a person receives, he must give the church.If we calculate exactly the Great Lent in its strict version excluding weekends, when allowed a small deviation, lasting about 36.5 days.This is one tenth of the 365 days of the year.So, according to the biblical canon, the true Christian these days 36.5 must give the church of God, remember the suffering of the Savior, and to participate abstinence and prayer.
than based on a strict fast?What can you eat a Christian these days?As a rule, Lent involves receiving plant foods.Fasting can not eat meat, cheese, yogurt.It is important to not that what makes a man, and what he does, what's the point.Fasting - a purely personal matter, his personal mystery.The duration of the Sacrament of 40 days, after which comes the Easter - Feast of the Resurrection of Christ.
Unfortunately, people are influenced by new trends, according to which today is very fashionable to be a believer.Time passed oblivion Christianity, though true believers prayed and worshiped the Lord even in the years of Soviet power.During World War II soldiers prayed icon, deeply hidden under his coat, and nobody could shake the faith.This is the true belief - it is something that lives in man from the very beginning of its existence, and not introduced by the wind of public opinion.
Strict Orthodox Post: rules and laws
man who came to the faith consciously and regularly observe the fast, it is unlikely to come this way, if they passed this way sincerely and consciously, without lying to himself.
If a person is still in the very beginning of his way to faith, he should know the basic postulates, without which the post is meaningless.
Firstly, Lent is not part of weight loss programs for women, is not a measure to combat cellulite, that even sounds like something blasphemous.The priests believe that the pure soul of such a permit had not conceive.
Secondly, no one should not have to know that the person holding the post.This is not bravado, not a matter of boasting, and especially individual sacrament of every human being.
Third, when decided to start fasting, do not currently provide any food plant to talk about that tomorrow I do not eat meat on Wednesdays and Fridays will not eat at all.Start any lean abstinence signified reconciliation with loved ones, family and himself, the elimination of all omissions, misunderstandings and conflicts.While fasting is unacceptable to engage in "eating" family and himself, and should be aware of abstinence in food.
Fourth, the most severe post - this is not the abandonment of conjugal duties, but the acts of adultery on the side are prohibited because the Church condemned any connection other than those that occur between husband and wife.On the other hand, can not bring themselves to the point of abstinence, then to literally rush on the first comer.
Fifth, alcohol can be used only on weekends, preferably wine, diluted with water, and no more than one glass.
Sixth, repeating the above, one should not forget that the great post - it's not a diet, and its meaning is not how to throw a couple of kilos, and spiritual purification, in acquiring the ability to control himself, to restrain impulses of the body.
There are lots of food additives, flavor toppings to help make a strict fast.What you can eat, so he did not seem so hard, especially for a beginner?
How to turn constraints into opportunities?
should remember at all times that Lent - strict, and this time it is necessary to forget about any animal food.Meat products, milk, eggs and food containing animal fats, should be excluded completely.But you can pamper yourself with all kinds of fruits and vegetables raw, boiled, baked and dried, as well as cereals, herbs, honey and jam.Vegetable oil can be added to food during weekends and holidays.In the days of strict fasting is recommended to drink more clean water and switch from thinking about food on prayer and church attendance.
strict fasting means limiting TV watching and trips to entertainment events.The television program often brings so much negativity that you can not help regret the TV is on.
In Russia during Lent did not play weddings, but that does not mean that life is over.It is better to use the time that is given to the post, with the purpose of spiritual development - you can pick up a book you've always wanted to read, once again go to the church to talk with their loved ones, to show attention to them.The main thing - to think positively, to refrain from anger and evil deeds.Lent is not only strictly to the physical body, but also to the moral standing of the person.
must be remembered that a strict fast is not recommended to patients, pregnant women, children and those who are working hard physically.In each case, need to consult a doctor and spiritual mentor.For these categories of persons may be individual proposals for fasting.
as the entrance to a strict fast
Home strict fasting - is the most difficult step, especially for those who are fasting for the first time.The first day and Friday of last week must be completely meatless, ie the need to refrain from eating at all.In severe week of Lent, namely the first and last weeks of allowed fruits, vegetables, bread, water.
Throughout the time of fasting are permitted cereals, nuts, fruits and vegetables, legumes.You can eat honey, marmalade, cocoa-free milk jelly.The date of the great celebrations such as the Annunciation, Palm Sunday and Lazarus Saturday, allowed fish and seafood, and the weekend is permissible use of vegetable oil.
order not to harm the health, fasting times must periodically indulge in the use of meat and meat products.This way you can train your body to the lack of animal protein.In such "preparation" day is recommended to drink more water, it will help normalize the body's metabolic processes.
How to get out of the post
When the end of Lent, a strict regime, which used to people just can not be forfeited.The body can not assimilate meat in large quantities after long days of abstinence.Drinking large quantities of food of animal origin will only lead to disruption of the stomach, and possibly poisoning.It should start with the food that is easy to digest, and it is desirable that a smooth transition from lean regime lasted as much as lasted post.
Menu lean, salty and spicy
Recipes strict fasting may differ by the presence of a large number of spices, additives, spices.You can use parsley, dill, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and then no one can say that the salads and appetizers, first and second courses, which are prepared from vegetables and cereals, can not be there because of their insipid.Some recipes can be a favorite dish for all occasions.Make sure that the spices and condiments did not contain traces of animal origin.
lean hostess table, especially one that works and comes home in the evening, knows firsthand that puzzle about the upcoming dinner is much easier than to cook the dinner.It is necessary to manage to do something lean, non-caloric, but that all were satisfied.The number of components is limited.
a true lifesaver for practical mistress during Lent serve vegetable broth.It can be the basis of any dish - and first and second.Bouillon beautiful and fragrant fresh, and if you keep it in the freezer in portions, he will definitely have the way for the urgent preparation of a tasty soup, stew vegetables or eintopf.Vegetables for cooking come from any of his, which is available, and who love to households.
For special taste to the broth of vegetables, you can add the mushrooms, thyme, rosemary or other favorite spices and herbs.Initially, chopped vegetables with mushrooms Passer in butter, then pour water, bring to a boil, lay the herbs and pepper and cook for about an hour over low heat.
for meatless dishes as for any other, appearance is important.Bright colors cause appetite and distract from the composition of the dishes, which often convulsively want to find the meat.The feeling of saturation is usually warm, so meatless dish best served warmed, and chili or ginger will help to create the effect of hot dishes.
colored vegetables and fruits in the post - eggplant, peppers, apples, plums are indispensable in preparing Lenten menu, because the bright colors are very uplifting.
Finally, do not forget about the different ways of salting, urinating, fermented and pickled vegetables and fruits!Sauerkraut with boiled potatoes - delicious not come up!
Lent.Strict diet as an excuse for the imagination
Fasting people should not feel left out delicious and beautiful food.There are so many wonderful, fragrant and hearty meatless dishes that any office becomes a gastronomic pleasure for everyone!
If available lentils, the owner can prepare a very useful, beautiful and delicious soup with olives, lemon and herbs.
signature dish of lean menu - fried potatoes with mushrooms, you can add any vegetables, and to create a variety of color images will be advantageous pepper.
Another spicy recipe - Baked potatoes in foil with garlic sauce.Eggplant can be generously season with garlic, if not planned any meetings and personal contacts.And if you like meat, the imitation meat meatballs can serve meatless balls of chickpeas called falafel.
Many complain that in a strict fast that you can not treat yourself to cheese.That's not true!If you mix the semolina with sugar and bake it in the apple, the taste is very filling the resulting remind cheese.A useful property of semolina is that it absorbs fruit juices, swells and becomes like a cream.It is necessary to know the hosts and use this property in the cereal lean cuisine.
Excellent dish for dinner - couscous with herbs.Cook it - a pleasure.Two tablespoons of cereal should be mixed with olive oil, salt.Make couscous in a recess to pour the boiling water, stir, add the chopped herbs, whip.Fifteen minutes on the fire enough to enjoy the simple and hearty.
If there are vegetables from yesterday's dinner, for 10 minutes to cook rice noodles with vegetables.For this purpose it is necessary to pour the noodles with boiling water and give a little brew.Shredded vegetables should fry for 7 minutes in oil in which the pre-browned garlic clove, then add the vegetables to the rice paste and season with a little soy sauce, and top to taste sprinkle with sesame seeds.
bean paste looks liver pate.Feeding it on the table, you can play on the contrast with the color of brown beans if top to put corn or any greens.To prepare the paste crumple canned beans with a fork and add to it a mixture of 30 g of walnuts, 2 dessert spoons of olive oil, a few peas black pepper, and coriander seeds and mustard.The resulting paste is salted to taste, and then spread on bread, tomato or eat as a separate dish.
Fried tofu is perfect for any vegetables.It must be cut into thick slices and fry in garlic butter.Crushed garlic pre-Passer.Soy sauce to be mixed with starch and chili and cook until thick.Then pour this sauce should be fried tofu, sprinkled with sesame seeds and herbs.
For dessert, treat yourself to a smoothie greens and banana.It looks like an alien fantasy on the theme of healthy lifestyles.And cook it simply - three handfuls of spinach, a few sprigs of tarragon, leaves any green salad and a banana just mix in a blender.
can also bake an apple with nuts.To do this, two green apple is necessary to dump "meat" of the five walnuts, 2 teaspoons brown sugar or honey and raisins.Fruits are ready in 20 minutes, the temperature of baking in the oven should be at least 200 degrees.
Finally, lovers of oriental sweets will easily cook kozinaki sunflower seeds, and butter, which is present in the recipe, you just have to replace the plant.
