Lent and other things.

It’s been a while, friends. A long while. So, what exactly have I been doing the last 3 weeks? More importantly, what have I been *eating*?

Let's start with what I've been doing. Well, I got a job. A real one. With a cubicle and a paycheck. It's pretty exciting but it also means a large portion of my time is accounted for. I'm at work all day, classes all evening and then homework all night. It's an exhausting schedule. But, what doesn't kill me makes me stronger. At least, that's what I keep telling myself as I will my body out of bed every morning.

So, what have I been eating? Cereal. Lots of cereal. And PB&J sandwiches. I've been getting creative the last week or so with falafel, hummus and spinach wraps and tomato, cucumber and hummus sandwiches. (When the hummus is in a Costco sized tub, it tends to end up in everything.) But overall, my diet has been determined more by convenience than by nutrition or desires. Sounds all sad and pathetic, doesn't it? Well, it’s really not that bad. Promise.

I'm starting to get into the swing of things now. I'm finding my rhythm. I’m trying to incorporate work into my lifestyle instead of the other way around. Seems ambitious at times, but I think with a little persistence, I can get there.

In other news, I am observing Lent this year with my friend Sapna. We have decided to give up sugar/sweets. I’m oddly excited about it. I’m sure the excitement will fade about 23 minutes in, but for now I’m pumped. I’m so pumped that I have decided to start early. I’m starting tomorrow, March 1st, and will go till April 24th (Easter). If I want to go super hardcore I might even push it till April 30th. But, I’m holding off on that decision, mainly because I think this will be much harder than I anticipate. No sugar. No desserts. No chocolate. I’m also regulating my “white stuff’ intake since those are essentially sugar. So, this Lent thing also means no white bread, no white pasta and no white rice. (I can already feel my mom getting annoyed with this. Spring break just got a lot harder for her.)

Anyway, I encourage you to join in. It doesn’t have to be sweets or “white stuff.’ It could be anything-- meat, dairy, alcohol, fried foods, coffee, even TV or Facebook. Just test your willpower. Test your discipline and strength. You might completely surprise yourself.