Orthodox Christian Mamas - Page 2

[mamabadger]

All the best to those who are keeping the Dormition fast.

[mommaduck]

I found vegetable bullion cubes! They were in the GOYA section of the grocery. I still plan on trying the recipe for making my own veggie broth, but this is nice to keep in the cabinet

[Tradd]

Originally Posted by mommaduck

I found vegetable bullion cubes! They were in the GOYA section of the grocery. I still plan on trying the recipe for making my own veggie broth, but this is nice to keep in the cabinet

Yes, those are the ones I use. I will sometimes cook couscous or rice in water with one bullion cube. Adds some flavor.

[Tradd]

Originally Posted by mamabadger

It used to cost us more to eat during lents, until I stopped trying to find substitutes for meat and dairy foods. Vegan meat imitations, soy products and such cost a fortune, but standard dishes like vegetable soups and stews are fairly cheap. Any place which is/was largely Orthodox will have plenty of traditional lenten recipes; try a Greek or Ethiopian cookbook for ideas. My kids also liked raw veggies with dip; whole wheat pita bread with hummous; dal; chana masala (curried chickpeas with rice); tabouli; and anything made with pasta. They are all pretty cheap to make.

That reminds me of something I've been curious about. How many of you fast with little or no "fake" stuff? I don't mean margarine (I grew up on the stuff, so to me that's not fake), but stuff like soy milk, etc.? I was buying only soy milk to put on cereal and in tea, but I'd rarely use it up before it went bad. I guess tofu is different since it's not a fake product, so much, but eaten in Asian cultures.

You know, this stuff has only been available to use in mainstream western society for what, maybe 15-20 years? The traditionally Orthodox cultures have all gotten along for centuries without this stuff. I'll do a bagel for breakfast, or perhaps I should try oatmeal.

[lilyka]

I rarely use fake stuff (except for the occasional fake bbq ribbies which are sooooo good that I am fairly certain this is how God intended them and the meat ones are the fake ones but I digress....)

We do keep almond milk in the house for cereal and coffee and baking and such but we use this all the time. It seems far more normal than using cow milk to me. And since almond and coconut milk are normal so are almond and coconut ice cream.

The only fake fake, impersonating the real stuff, stuff I really use a lot of are fake cream cheese and a little fake other cheese. again though I never use the "real" stuff.....even when I am not fasting.

I do make fake chicken (out of gluten) but we don't think of it as fake chicken. it just is what it is. and while I call my tempeh kelp salad "fake tuna salad" it really again just is what it is.

So we don't buy fake chicken nuggets or boca burgers but we mostly eat whole foods around here rather than relying on junk and most fake stuff is just junk.

bullion: I usually use real veggie broth for soups and bullion for things like rice and other dishes that just need a little more zip than water provides. and soup emergencies (what do you mean what is a soup emergency?)

[kaleidoscopeeyes]

Originally Posted by Purple Sage

I'm not Orthodox (hoping to convert one day), and I've actually been thinking a lot lately about the fasting part of it. I was vegan or vegetarian for many years and got pretty run down from it, so I'm trying to think of the healthiest foods to eat during fasting so that I'm ready when the time comes to do it. Anyway, thanks for starting the thread.

I'm in the very same boat. Not Orthodox, but think about it constantly (still haven't had the courage to actually GO to an Orthodox church ) The fasting thing is a little scary for me sometimes. I, like you, was veg*n for some 10 years and my health suffered for it. Most of the time I think "Eh, it took me like 8 years to get really unhealthy on a veg*n diet, so a few weeks isn't going to kill me." But sometimes it freaks me out a little, especially since I eschew all soy products and most processed foods of any kind. Then again as someone pointed out, Christians have been fasting for hundreds and hundreds of years without modern processed foods, so I can too, right?

I like this blog: Organic and Thrifty. She isn't really blogging much these days, but she is an Orthodox mama who shares most of my diet beliefs (plus she has additional issues of allergies/food sensitivities to deal with). Her menu plans from fasting weeks are very encouraging!

And then, pretty often, I remember that fasting is pretty much the least of my worries until I grow the cahones to actually start attending Liturgy, talk to the priest, etc..

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by kaleidoscopeeyes

I'm in the very same boat. Not Orthodox, but think about it constantly (still haven't had the courage to actually GO to an Orthodox church ) The fasting thing is a little scary for me sometimes. I, like you, was veg*n for some 10 years and my health suffered for it. Most of the time I think "Eh, it took me like 8 years to get really unhealthy on a veg*n diet, so a few weeks isn't going to kill me." But sometimes it freaks me out a little, especially since I eschew all soy products and most processed foods of any kind. Then again as someone pointed out, Christians have been fasting for hundreds and hundreds of years without modern processed foods, so I can too, right?

I like this blog: Organic and Thrifty. She isn't really blogging much these days, but she is an Orthodox mama who shares most of my diet beliefs (plus she has additional issues of allergies/food sensitivities to deal with). Her menu plans from fasting weeks are very encouraging!

And then, pretty often, I remember that fasting is pretty much the least of my worries until I grow the cahones to actually start attending Liturgy, talk to the priest, etc..

I visited the OC for the first time a few weeks ago - I went with a friend. But it was far less intimidating than I would have thought, even with a fussy baby (too much incense I think.) I didn't talk to the priest really, but I did get a great lunch out of it.

[Tradd]

Originally Posted by kaleidoscopeeyes

And then, pretty often, I remember that fasting is pretty much the least of my worries until I grow the cahones to actually start attending Liturgy, talk to the priest, etc..

Well, since you admit your cahones are a bit lacking right now, try Saturday evening Vespers. 45-60 minutes long, less intimidating. Many priests suggest beginning with Vespers.

[Purple Sage]

Originally Posted by kaleidoscopeeyes

I'm in the very same boat. Not Orthodox, but think about it constantly (still haven't had the courage to actually GO to an Orthodox church ) The fasting thing is a little scary for me sometimes. I, like you, was veg*n for some 10 years and my health suffered for it. Most of the time I think "Eh, it took me like 8 years to get really unhealthy on a veg*n diet, so a few weeks isn't going to kill me." But sometimes it freaks me out a little, especially since I eschew all soy products and most processed foods of any kind. Then again as someone pointed out, Christians have been fasting for hundreds and hundreds of years without modern processed foods, so I can too, right?

I like this blog: Organic and Thrifty. She isn't really blogging much these days, but she is an Orthodox mama who shares most of my diet beliefs (plus she has additional issues of allergies/food sensitivities to deal with). Her menu plans from fasting weeks are very encouraging!

And then, pretty often, I remember that fasting is pretty much the least of my worries until I grow the cahones to actually start attending Liturgy, talk to the priest, etc..

Thanks for that blog link - it looks good.

I've only been to a few Wednesday night Vespers but haven't gone to Sunday Liturgy yet. I'm still very nervous about taking my younger children alone (dh works on Sunday mornings) because they can be quite a handful and I don't want to disturb anyone. I absolutely love Vespers, though. I agree with Bluegoat that it wasn't as intimidating as I thought it would be. I've now met both priests and talked with some other people attending, and everyone has been so nice and very welcoming.

As for the fasting, I feel very at peace with the idea now. I'm trusting that the church's wisdom here far surpasses my own!

[lilyka]

Ok not so much about fasting....

But definitely try vespers. Its a very nice service, shorter, and not so much to follow.

Call the priest and schedule a time to meet with him (if you would be more comfortable see if he wants to go out for coffee)

also taking a tour of the church and having the priest kind of give you a run down of what to expect and what certain things means, will make your first liturgy more comfortable. Orthodox priests, typically, really enjoy getting to know the people who are attending and have time to actually do these things. This is their job. You are not inconvenience and you are not interrupting whatever it is protestant pastors are so busy with all the time.

Remember you are not the first inquirer to come through the door. We really do love visitors and inquirers etc at our church.

as for fasting do not let that scare you or be a deterrent for any reason. When the time comes to start fasting (many people do not start keeping the fasts until they have officially joined the church but this is all between you and your spiritual Father) talk to your spiritual Father about your concerns. Most people I know eased into full fasting. I know we have all kinds of exceptions for everything for our family (mostly for my children now but while I was still married I had a lot of exceptions as well) and Father will take into account your fears, health, where you are spiritually etc. Do not let fasting scare you. It will all work out and going 8 weeks vegan is not like going 8 years. And ya know what. No one is perfect. The sky does not fall in on you if you break the fast accidentally or out of just plain poopyness and tantruming (not that I would ever do that a lot...quite often.... .) If you blow it you just do better the next day. I liken it to going on a diet. Sure you can cheat on the diet and no one will die but you will not be any healthier for cheating. No one is going to condemn you to hell for breaking the fast. It is for OUR benefit and we can only reap the benefits if we do it, even badly.

[mamabadger]

If you are not ready to attend an Orthodox parish, you might consider visiting a monastery. This seems like a bigger step, but monasteries regularly receive visitors (or "pilgrims") including people of other religions who are curious. They usually have a bookstore and are used to answering questions. You can attend a service if you want, at least at women's monasteries and most men's. Just be sure to phone ahead and ask what times and under what circumstances they accept visitors, since there are usually limitations.

[kaleidoscopeeyes]

Thanks everyone! I may indeed try out Vespers first. I just seems like when I get up on Sunday morning and think "ah, scary new thing or my cozy comfy Parish?" Well ya know, sometimes it's just easier to stay "in the box." I am going to try though. My heart's already there, just gotta catch the nerve up to it. Thank you though for continuing to be a source of encouragement

[delicate_sunshine]

Hi everyone! Just wanted to check in. We are not Orthodox (yet!) but are going to meet with our priest this week about becoming catechumen
I think I'm more excited about it than DH and he was the one who initiated the switch and I was oh-so-reluctant. I'm so thrilled right now I can hardly contain myself, though!

[lilyka]

:

I am so excited for you!!!

[Tradd]

Originally Posted by delicate_sunshine

Hi everyone! Just wanted to check in. We are not Orthodox (yet!) but are going to meet with our priest this week about becoming catechumen
I think I'm more excited about it than DH and he was the one who initiated the switch and I was oh-so-reluctant. I'm so thrilled right now I can hardly contain myself, though!

Yay! Welcome Home!

[lollie2357]

My husband and I have been inquiring for about 4 years - we didn't even have kids yet when we started. It's a long journey for us, but I'm hoping we'll be Orthodox soon.

I'm new to fasting too, but here are the tips I've got:

I keep vegetable bouillon (from Whole Foods) in the cabinet for soups/rice.
I use rice milk for most milk needs, but I use coconut milk to make cream based soups which works out great.
I substitute flax or corn starch (1 TBSP with 2 TBSP water) for eggs in baking.
I don't buy any other specialty products.

We eat a lot of:

mexican seasoned beans/tostadas/taco salads
Mujadarra (I keep it separate until serving because the girls don't like the onions)
pasta with coconut cream sauce, tomato sauce, shrimp, veggies
crabcakes are great for the kids
vegetarian chili with avacados
avacado sandwiches (with garlic salt, yum!)
stirfry veggies, shrimp, rice
fried rice, with carrots, peas, bean sprouts, and shrimp
big salads with vegetables, sunflower seeds, craisins, and dressing

Soups!
16 bean soup (with veggie broth and leave out the sausage) - our favorite
Cream of crab soup (coconut milk used for a white sauce)
potato soup
Veggie noodle soup
My husband has this vegetarian soup book: http://www.amazon.com/365-Vegetarian.../dp/0806993987
it's not vegan, but easy to adapt most recipes.

Enjoying this thread!

[bax]

This thread is great, and oh so useful! I'm a catechumen, and we're taking the fasting baby step by baby step (partly because my husband is likely not converting, though he is very supportive...), but I'm definitely already flagging recipes. Thanks for the great ideas, everyone!

[Tradd]

edited for privacy reasons

[sraplayas]

Tradd, very interesting...keep us posted.

It's been a while since I've checked in and glad to see a thread going.

We are an OC family living the expate life. Fasting has been interesting in light of DS's allergies. Since I've been BFing for the last 7 years, I have not really "fasted" in the traditional sense but I have managed to take out meat quite a bit. Now with DS's allergies (still BFing), we just eat what we able to (how ironic that DS is allergic to lentils) and then I cook creatively with basic foods for DD and DH.

My challenge is disciplining myself in other ways during the fasting seasons. The Church provides so many tools, I just need to utilize them more!!

[Bluegoat]

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