Check out the delicious goodies that were waiting on my doorstep when I arrived home from work today.
Those would be the famous peanut butter protein bars that I raved about during my bachelorette party! My friend Leah sent me a small batch as a special treat and I couldn’t wait to dig into them this afternoon.
The recipe comes from her Aunt Chris and I have it in my possession! I want to get her approval before posting it on the blog, but hopefully I’ll get the okay and can share this amazing recipe with you. Cross your fingers!
Dinner
After eating my body weight in peanut butter bars, Ryan and I took Sadie on a two mile walk around our neighborhood before heading home to make dinner.
On the menu this evening was whole wheat pasta with marinara sauce and turkey meatballs.
I used Barilla whole grain rotini as the base and smothered it in meaty marinara and parmesan cheese.
So satisfying!
So Long, Sweets
Lent begins tomorrow. When I was growing up in Palatine, Illinois, the vast majority of my friends (okay all of them) were Catholic. I first remember learning about Lent from them. Each year they would vow to give up something like chocolate or pledge to engage in some act of self improvement for the 40 days and 40 nights of Lent.
As I got a little older, I began to look into the meaning behind Lent and became interested in it for reasons other than mirroring the interests of my friends. Since I am still learning and growing in my own religious beliefs, I do not feel comfortable discussing them on my blog, though I greatly admire the amazing bloggers like Tina and Katie who discuss their beliefs openly with such strength and conviction.
I only mention Lent on my blog this year because I am giving up something big and I’m sure you guys would notice.
I’m giving up sweets.
Yep, all sweets. Desserts, baked goods, ice cream and candy. My definition of a "sweet" is basically anything that can be classified as "dessert."
Before this year, without fail, I would give up something I deeply enjoyed for the 40 days and 40 nights of Lent. It would inevitably be something related to chocolate or sweets… but never the whole shebang.
This year it’s the whole enchilada. No brownies. No cake. No frozen yogurt. AH!
I’ve talked to a few people who have given up sweets for one reason or another before. From what I’ve heard, I’m going to be a raging looney for the first week. I don’t doubt this, especially with the amount of sugar I’ve been consuming lately. I’m sure my body will go into some kind of no-sugar shock!
In the grand scheme of things, living without sweets for 40 days ain’t no thang… but for this sugarholic, I’m sure it will be a struggle.
But, I’m ready. With my personal conviction and the meaning behind Lent in my mind, I’m ready.
Bring it ooon!
(P.S. The Fashion page was updated this evening!)
Question of the Evening
- Have you ever given up sugar?
- Are you giving up anything or making a new positive improvement for Lent?
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
I am the definition of a chocoholic. My freshman year of high school I gave up chocolate..every form of it. It was so hard. I even had to pick chocolate chips out of cookie cake because I wanted some kind of sugar at a friend’s birthday..lol.
This year I’m going to make every workout I do PRODUCTIVE. Not just jump on the treadmill to say I ran…but I want it to benefit my body every time.
ryan just read your comment and said that you win for the most ambitious goal! having a GREAT workout every time you go to the gym is intense! good luck, lindsay. you’re awesome!
ACK! all sweets?! good luck lady 🙂
One year I gave up chocolate too… it happened to be the year my dance team was selling chocolate bars to raise money for competition. Well, I had to carry around those damn chocolate bars all day & I eventually gave in… i gave in to the tune of eating all the chocolate bars I was supposed to sell. HA! I had to beg my parents to loan me some money… needless to say, I won’t be giving up chocolate again 🙂
This year I am giving up Facebook. I’m really nervous about this. I just announced it on my facebook status & I already am itching to check & see if anyone has commented, lol. its going to be a long 40 days. maybe we can all motivate each other?!
I never thought of giving up facebook lol! it wouldn’t be that big of a challenge for me as giving up sugar but I know it’d be hard for A LOT of people! Good luck JenATX!
I’m going without Facebook, too! I started Tuesday evening, because I was going to be away from a computer anyway. I decided that every time I feel like checking Facebook, I’ll grab my Bible instead. This works out really well, because last night our youth pastor told us that he’s going to be reading through the Gospels (Matt, Mark, Luke, John) for the 40 days of Lent, and he’d text us every day with the chapters to read (two per day) as motivation. 🙂 PLUS I need to finish reading Proverbs and start on Psalms for my small group of girls…
I actually went almost a week without FB last month, when our pastor challenged us to fast from something for three days. I took an extra two days, I think it was. I was quite proud of myself. 😀 We’ll see how these 40+ days go…
i had to give up a LOT of foods that people eat normally day to day, due to a strict diet from my doctor that was supposed to help my skin. i gave up those foods for about a month and a half.
now my goal is to exercise every day and eat as healthy as i can!
You’ll be fine!! This is my 7th year doing it, and when there’s a reason BESIDES health/weight to give it up it’s actually way, way easier, I promise. Every time I want a piece of cake I gently remind myself of why I’m giving something up. Helps every time. Good luck, and if you need any moral support I’m here!!
that’s what i’m hoping!
I think I am going to give up facebook for Lent. I am on it way way too much as it is and definitely could use the free time it would open up to work on grad school things. I honestly think I can do it, although others are doubting me.
I’m giving up sweets too. I did it before and it’s not terribly hard. Just think how good fro yo will taste in 40 days!
Wait wait. Can we just clarify that chocolate with 70%+ cocoa solids isn’t “sweet”?
Julie I think it is great that you are doing this!
A few years ago I gave up desserts for Lent and it was rough for a few days but it got easier as time went on.
I just can’t imagine giving up sweets I think I’d be in a bad mood the whole time I love my desserts!
Hooray for us Catholics! Glad to see your sacrificing a little something! Good luck. I think I am vowing to be less snappy, think before i react so quickly, and be a little more easy going when plans do not go my way. But boy…all desserts….good luck with that 😉 Ill have a big scoop of homemade butter pecan icecream tomorrow night for you after lent mass tomorrow night 😉
Wow, I give you a lot of credit, Julie. I have tried to give up all sweets in the past for lent and it’s been a huge struggle. I did find that I didn’t crave them as much after, but I inevitably slipped back into my sugar addiction. Best of luck to you. I think Lent is a wonderful time to make a commitment like this to yourself and to God (hope it’s ok for me to say that!).
I’m giving up mindless eating, which I think for me is an even bigger challenge than giving up sweets. I tend to snack my way through every evening and eat pretty much until I go to bed, even though I’m not hungry. This Lent, I’m looking to reset my habits and to spend the mindless eating time connecting with my spiritual self. I’m looking at it as more of a self-improvement than a self-deprivation and I’m actually looking forward to it. 🙂
totally okay to say that! i like your goals for lent, melissa! 🙂
Look at you!! You can so do it, you’re right… 40 days really isn’t that bad! Plus, maybe you can figure out ways to healthilfy some things without the added sugar? Can’t wait to see the creativity that I’m sure is to come 🙂
expect to see a lot of cheese and peanut butter…
Good luck to you! I’m still finalizing my plan for Lent, but instead of giving something up like I have done in the past, I’m going to focus on some sort of self-improvement. I’m sure these 40 days will just whiz on by! 🙂
Good luck! That’s gonna be hard, but at least you still have peanut butter! I’ve given up chocolate before, but haven’t decided something for this year.
Wow, good luck! That will be tough, I’m sure!
I have definitely never given up sugar…and honestly not being Catholic, I have never thought about giving something up for Lent. Maybe this is something to think about though…
I’m not Catholic, and the first time I participated in Lent was like three years ago, when we switched youth pastors and the “new guy” challenged us to join him in giving something up. I think I did chocolate that year, and last year, too… I’d never thought that much about it before, but I’m glad I finally gave it a try!
YES! Just recently gave up sugar and all other white carbs 40 days before a cruise James and I just went on! The key to survival is FRUIT FRUIT FRUIT lol It makes it just that much sweeter when it’s the only sweet you’re gettin’!!!
I have tried giving up sugar before and its definitely hard. One piece of advice I would give you (which some people may not agree with, but it works for me) is to eat less fruit. When I stopped eating fruit with my breakfast, I found that my sugar cravings were drastically reduced. Instead, I save it for night and it becomes my dessert!
Ahhhh, Julie, you’re reading my mind! On one hand, I want to, but on the other hand, it scares me! Isn’t that sad?? 🙁
BUT, maybe if I know I have you doing it too, we can help each other out?? You know, buddy system???? 🙂
yesss!!
My sister and I have given up sweets in the past and will be doing it again this year! We will be posting about it tmw along with other things we will be giving up for Lent.
I think you are my twin 😉 I am giving up sweets for Lent too. And im scared, very scared. I’m glad your doing this too 🙂 Good luck!
I’m giving up all sweets too! I’m so glad you are too so that everyday I see your blog I know I won’t see a yummy froyo bowl and we can all support each other… mm froyo I may have to get some tonight as a big last bang! I’m also giving up peanut butter, I KNOW crazy right? I probably eat more pb than sweets tho so this is my main sacrifice, I eat an apple with pb at least once a day sometimes twice. Ok now once I post this I HAVE to follow through, here we go 🙂
I’m Catholic, and while I think it’s fabulous to give something up for Lent, I personally find it more fulfilling to add something to my routine like going to church every Sunday. I have given up sweets, TV, peanut butter – if it’s a fave, I’ve done it! 🙂 Good luck to you!! It’s a real challenge!
Good for you! I bet fruits will be able to satisfy your sweet tooth.
this is a great idea!!! i amgoing to join you this lent with giving up sweets! i notice i keep reaching for the cookies or candy jar at work and end up needing that extra coffee to perk me up in the afternoon, so this will be great to give up! when i was little i remember giving up chocolate (gasp!) and saving huge piles of all the goodie bags from bday parties, so by the end of the 40days i swear i had like 30 lbs of candy in my room!
love the outfit! you are so stylish : )
i hope you can post the recipe!! these bars look incredible!!!!
I’m giving up sweets too!! One last yummy bowl of ice cream tonight!!
Good Luck Girly!!! and on a random note my friend and I came up to the decision that we are giving up sweets too! although I’m still a little iffy on the yogurtland runs… the yogurt I get has no added sugar or HFCS or anything of that sort….so I’m thinking I may have to still hit that up 🙂
you just gave me the idea to FREEZE my yogurt cups! i bet that will help with ice cream cravings.
put some frozen strawberries, crushed ice and a little whipping cream in the blender and you have sugar free guilt free strawberry ice cream! 🙂
I actually gave up sugar more then a year ago….the chocolate cake was the hardest for me but after the first week its super easy
you can send any extras my way! 😉
Those protein bars look amazing!
I give you props for giving up sweets! I am giving up something that will be hard for me too, so I will feel your pain!
I’ve been reading your blog, religiously, for about 8 months now. There have been times that I’ve felt swayed to comment, but haven’t actually pulled the trigger until now. I HAVE to tell you that you’re NUTS! 🙂
I wish you luck and pray that you have the will power to triumph over ooey, gooey brownies and melty froyo!
That’s a tough thing to give up. Good luck!
I had to give up caffeine cold turkey a few years ago because I realized it was giving me a lot of migraines. I was VERY cranky and had a major withdrawal headache for a week or so. But I pushed through it and I’m sure you will be able to as well.
I’m doing chocolate. That will be hard enough for me…all sweets would be terrible! Good luck!
Hmmm…. I’m not Catholic and haven’t ever given too much thought about Lent. I definitely am proud of you, and everyone else, who’s going without or adding something to their life. I may just have to join you in this… perhaps I’ll give up Diet Coke. I’m ADDICTED! I usually have a few a day (bad, bad, bad) as I don’t drink coffee and love the caffeine. Okay…it’s on… bye bye Diet Coke 🙂 I’m interested to read more about Lent now too!
I’m doing some self-improvement for Lent this year. I plan to make myself into an early-riser. I have class at 9:30 most days, so I plan to get up at 6:45 and fit in a workout, shower, breakfast, and spend some quiet time with God instead of just sleeping until 8:30. This also means bed at 10:30 instead of 12:30, which is fine because I start to get tired around 9 anyways!
Honestly, your blog has been a big inspiration in sparking my interest about working out in the morning. So, thanks!
i love your self-improvement goals. awesome!
Good for you! I don’t usually give things up for Lent, in past years my mom has asked my younger siblings and I to “give up fighting with each other.” I’m still deciding about what to give up this year..
Hmmm, I think this may be a rare time where I disagree with your decision. What is the motivation for abolishing *all* sweets and not just some? I can appreciate the cause (Lent) but this seems extreme?
i’ve done certain sweets in the past and not really felt like i was giving anything up. there are alternatives for chocolate… you can always pick vanilla… etc. and i wanted to pick something that would be a personal challenge.
I make cookies and muffins all the time without sugar. As long as there are bananas or applesauce or raisins in the recipe, the dessert is sweet enough for me. I like making things this way because then they don’t have that sugar addicting quality that makes you want to eat the whole batch at once!
I totally grew up eating candy ALL OF THE TIME.. literally my mother gave us candy corn and peeps for dinner on a regular basis;) haha.. after I graduated I got into my big healthy kick and stopped eating all candy.. It was rough the first week then after I don’t even CRAVE it. No sweets sound good.. but I do indulge every now and then.
Good luck!! You can do it!
I’m going to try to give up “picking” at food between meals- it’s definitely my worst habit. It’s ok to have a healthy snack, but somehow I try to convince myself that random bits of unhealthy foods don’t count… I’m also going to try to do something proactive to improve my health/fitness. I think Paige’s idea of self-improvement is a great one and one that can really resonate with the season. Good luck with giving up sweets! I don’t know if I could do it but I’ll be looking to you for inspiration!
my goodness, i am such a food picker! i feel you on this one!
ahhh julie i’m giving up sweets as well! this is my first go at it….we’ll see how it turns out. i’m super nervous as i eat dessert EVERY single night, BUT that is the point, right?! give up something that matters? good luck!!! i look forward to reading you tips and tricks as you go through it 🙂
holy cow, no sweets?! I know someone who gave up baked goods, but no sweets period is something else. You go girl! I’m giving up facebook- we’ll see how that goes.
Giving up sugar?!?!?!
I was thinking about giving that up as well, but i dont know if I can do it! haha
not necessarily sugar… sweets! i can still have yogurt with sugar, etc. 🙂 i’m just giving up anything i classify as a “dessert.”
Oh man still rough. I might have to try and see if I can (or how long i can make it haha)
I gave up sweets for a year….and it honestly wasn’t too hard. Once 14 days are over, you don’t really miss them (14 days is how long it takes for a habit to really stick, most research says). Just try and stay out of situations where the ONLY food there are sweets (or have something on hand) for when the desire hits. You can do this- that rocks 🙂
I’m confused?! Are you just honoring the Catholic tradition of lent because you learned of it from your friends or are you actually Catholic and this is something you’ve grown to do because it is in your belief?
I first learned about Lent through my friends who were Catholic, but my church, which is non-denominational Christian, also participates in Lent.
Oh, I was just curious-either way, I think it’s nice you’re sacrificing something. I’m sure you’ll be able to do it Julie. 🙂
I usually give up candy and soda and have given up ice cream in the past. This year I am definitely giving up candy and still debating ice cream. I don’t drink soda really at all anymore so giving it up now would basically be doing nothing so I’m passing on that one. Still trying to think of other things to add….
Oh wow! ALL sweets?! You are a brave woman! I don’t think I could do it!
I gave up chocolate last year for Lent. I’m not a HUGE chocolate fanatic, but it was harder than I thought it would be…especially once all the Easter candy started flooding the shelves at the grocery store!
EEEEE GOOD LUCK!!! What I would LOVE to give up is procrastination. I waste SO much time…. aaaaaahhh. One day…
(procrastinating on my goal of quitting procrastination, see! i cant even help it.)
I did the Joshi detox (3 weeks) and gave up gluten, wheat, caffeine, sugar, all fruit but bananas and several vegetables. It wasn’t easy but it was doable…
Do you follow Running Off The Reese’s? Ever see this post? http://www.runningoffthereeses.com/2011/03/bad-math_05.html
I know a couple people who have given up sweets for Lent, and then never picked them back up! Sounds ca-razy to me. Good luck!
didnt know you grew up in palatine! my hubs’ sisters and brothers all still live in the NW Burbs of Chicago! Small world!
Now you have me really curious about your faith and your beliefs!
And no, I am not giving up anything for lent. Including sugar 🙂