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 give up sweets every year, so I’m right there with ya!! Good luck! And, it’s really not THAT bad…after the first week… 🙂
I gave up all things chocolate for about 8 months…it’s hard but doable! And it gets easier after the first couple of weeks. 🙂
Wait, so do those pb protein bars count? :o)
oh my… you giving up sweets means we don’t get to see all the delicious sweets you have on your blog 🙁 I don’t do lent, but I wish you luck!!! I am sure you will find other snacks that are healthy, and still taste ALMOST as good hah
Way to go, lady! That is a huge commitment but I know you can do it!
I am giving up all forms of negative thoughts and talk this Lent. I find myself focusing on this too long/too often. NO MORE!
Hope you’re living up your Fat Tuesday opportunity 😉
I’m giving up sweets, too…is it bad that I’m trying to cram them all in today? I mean, it IS Fat Tuesday, haha.
Good luck with your goal! I know you can do it!
So I actually have like umm….a book of things I’m doing for Lent.
~Giving up Facebook (it was that or reading blogs and I FOR SURE couldn’t do that!)
~Getting my morning started with thoughtful prayer
~Being more conscious of how I treat others (I recently can across this quote and I love it. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Life is hard and it doesn’t help when people treat you like crap.)
~No meat on Fridays
~No skipping mass on Sundays during Lent
Good luck with your goal! I could probably only go a few days before I caved. Sweets=food group
Wow, this is a courageous thing for you, Ms. PBF! I’ll be honest here, I’ve given up sweets for lent and it’s HARD. But, it’s definitely worth it. It was one of the best experiences I had regarding my faith…that may have sounded weird. Can’t wait to see how it goes!
I gave up sweets for Lent one year in college and I don’t remember it being terrible (the only terrible Lent I had was when I gave up everything chocolate or chocolate flavored!). I found that I ate a lot of honey and cereal to make up for my lack of desserts. Good luck!
Four years ago, I gave up dessert for Lent. My new boyfriend noticed such a change in my mood that he started to worry about me and find ways to sneak sugar into my diet (mostly via chocolate milk). Nowadays, he makes sure to always have a cookie on hand, because he knows how much I love sugar.
BUT I was successful at least for forty days and it wasn’t even THAT hard. Probably because of previously mentioned chocolate milk.
good luck! i’ve never given up anything for lent (i usually work on improving my relationship w/ God or something like that) but once i did give up french fries/potato wedges/fried potatoes of any kind for an entire year! it was a dare and it was hard (even though i didn’t eat them all the time…but being like 15/16 fast food is common) but it was rewarding to stand by my decision to do something 🙂
I’m adding cardio every day before weights. I usually tell myself I’ll do my cardio after lifting and it never happens. Then I leave the gym and tell myself I’ll run when I get home, and that never happens. So, as of Monday, it has been cardio first. Fortunately, Julie has been cardio-ing with me which has been a great way to start the day.
Sounds like a great plan! My fiance does cardio before he lifts, but he only does a mile. Oftentimes he will do more, but he tells himself he at least has to do one. Good luck!
Julie, good luck with this challenge! I am giving up sweets too! Have you ever processed a frozen banana in the food processor? This is a definite ice cream/fro yo swap for me! And if you top it with some toasted oats and shredded coconut, I’m not quite sure that counts as a sweet! What is Ryan giving up?
Crap. I definitely replied in the wrong spot. See above. This blogging thing is harder than it looks! 😉
haha i was confused til i scrolled down & saw this 🙂
Good Luck! I went cold turkey from sweets 7 months ago and lost 4 lbs in a day. Now I crave savory ALL the time. I went from having oatmeal w sugar, cereal, fruit in a day to cutting it out completely and it was so surprisingly easy. I now will have the occasional sweet treat, but my body really can’t take a lot of sugar anymore.
I haven’t decided what I want to give up, but I want it to be meaningful!
I’m giving up sweet too!
I went to Catholic school for 13 years and giving up something for lent is one of the few habits I’ve kept. One year I gave up drinking soda for lent. Best thing I’ve ever done. I’ve probably had no more than 2 total sodas combined in the last 10 years.
This year I think I am going to try to give up cheese. It’s become way too abused an item on my menu.
Wow! Congrats on giving up ALL sweets! That’s a big deal, especially if you’re used to having them often. This year I’m giving up fast food and beer, two things that I consume way too often! I’m really excited about this time to really think about what I’m eating (and drinking!) and to reap the benefits of healthier choices! 🙂
Hey! your blog is so inspiring. the recipe ideas you have on here have helped me out a lot since I started cooking on my own. I tried your alternative french fry method on butternut squash a couple weeks ago and I was impressed!
good luck with the sweets… I’m giving up coffee and I know it’s gonna be tough the first few days at least!
I’ve never given up sweets for Lent, but my junior year of high school I gave up chocolate (SO HARD). The hardest time I’ve ever had with Lent was last year: I gave up soda! I’m a three-can-a-day girl of Diet Dr Pepper and I don’t drink coffee/tea so I essentially gave up soda AND caffeine.
Even though I’m not Catholic, I’ve discovered Lent to be a very powerful form of worship and a life-changing experience each year. I wish you the best of luck, Julie; you definitely won’t regret your decision come Easter! 🙂
BTW, I’m giving up soda against this year, so we’ll be sugar-struggling together this week 🙂
Hi! I rarely comment (you’re so popular) but I read everyday and I have to ask…
I am so curious hat you mean on cutting out sugar. A dietician prescribed me a sugar free diet a few years back and presented me with a list of “sugars” and instructions to eat none if it was listed higher than the first five ingredients. Dried fruit, too, was to be limited.
EVERYTHING has sugar, I discovered. Caramel coloring, fruit juice concentrate, anything ending in “ose” except sucralose…it was exhausting. It is in barbeque sauce, ketchup, mustards, spaghetti sauce, worstechire sauce, some vinegars…..Even my sugar free jelly….
I am curious how “strict” your policy will be as I am very intrigued by how the switch can affect health and well being (I felt great by the way).
Please let us know what exactly you are eliminating so we can see how it might make you feel. Are you going to elimate brown rice syrup or agave nectar?
Sheesh. I am nosy, but since you’ll be blogging about it I have to ask.
Don’t answer if you don’t wanna. (0:
Julie, I am right there with you with the challenge! It’ll be hard at first, but I’m sure you’ll do great!!!
I’m pretty positive I’m going to give up sweets too. I was just going to do chocolate, but you’re right not enough of a challenge. It is so much easier to stick to lent if you’re doing it for the right reason.
Your dinner looks especially good tonight!
So does that mean you are giving up on IceBreakers and gum too for the 40 days?
That is amazing! I feel so bad, I really don’t think I could give ALL sweets up! I still need to think about what I’m giving up for Lent..
I’m Catholic and grew up always giving up something for Lent. I have given up sweets for Lent and never had any problem in doing it. This year I’m giving up potato chips, meat on Fridays and am commiting to praying once a day. I have my own reasons for doing more than just 1 thing, but I am commited to being successful in this.
Julie it will be hard to give up sweets, but when you accomplish it at the end of Lent you will feel a real sense of accomplishment and pride in yourself. Good for you!
I have given up chocolate or specific coffee drinks for Lent before but never sweets. I know when I gave up coffee several years ago it was a very hard transition.
I am currently student teaching in Palatine, Illinois 😀
Hi Julie! I gave up gluten, sugary carbs, and dairy (lactose intolerant). It was really hard at first, and I also had mad cravings. But I found that eating less fruit made me feel less hungry, and having less carbs in general, made me feel so much more full! I would no longer wake up feeling ravenous. Now that I eat “bad” carbs in moderation or as a treat, I can definitely tell which foods trigger headaches, sluggish feelings, or bloating.
I really admire that you are letting us be your “accountability partner” in this! You are so gutsy! 🙂
I will do you a favor…and eat double the amount of fro yo. some for me, some for you!
The longest i’ve gone without sweets, was when I limited myself to having dessert only once a week, for 10 weeks. It was not easy!
And no lent for me. I’m mormon. but I do fast for two meals once every month. 🙂
i’m on jenny craigs so I’m giving up a lot right now
I was raised Catholic and have always participated in giving something up during Lent. My roommate freshman year knew of the practice but was unsure of it’s purpose. The night before Ash Wednesday she told me that she was going to join me and her support was so welcomed!
It will be tough, but worth it. Wishing you the best as you give up sweets and also as you continue to grow – in whatever way that may be!
I LOVE that idea! I want to add in something to my day to improve it, rather than taken out…
Good luck girly! That’s a tough one. One year I gave up peanut butter and it was AWFUL. On Easter morning I devoured like an entire jar. No joke.
Last year I wrote a “thank you” letter to someone different every day who had effected my life in some way. I had a lot of fun with that one, and received some great letters back in return!
This year I’m giving up buying coffee out. Yup, no Starbucks, Dunkin, etc. I figured it’d tame my afternoon coffee addiction, while saving me some money at the same time!
Goodluck!
This is an awesome idea! I wouldn’t be able to do it though, because my birthday is coming up and I will want sugar! Especially ice cream 🙂 Plus, I’m not Catholic 😉 But good luck! I know you can do it!
Although I like sweets just fine, I’m not really that much of a sugarholic and I gave up sweets for 2 weeks last month and now I’m giving them up for 3 weeks. However, as sweets are not that much of a problem for me (I would do it if I didn’t know there was a family birthday coming up, though), I have set up two different goals for lent: 1) Not have a binge. (I don’t suffer from an eating disorder, but lately I’ve had some overeating episodes and I want it to stop before it becomes a real problem.) 2) Be more patient and kinder when dealing with my family.
Oh! Good Luck Julie!
I’m giving McDonalds. Eep. I know we can make it though, perseverance and consistency I think are key.
Your dinner looks delicious! I’m trying your pull apart chicken tonight. Cannot wait. =)
GOOD LUCK!! I might try it too, but I don’t know EXACTLY what to do if you know what I mean…like loopholes and stuff?! I don’t know…!!! Does chocolate count? What about natural sweeteners like agave?
And I hope you share that recipe those bars look DELISH! 😀
i honestly dont even eat sweets! unless you count fruit as sweets cuz of the sugar? cuz i sure eat a lot of fruit!!!!!! I would much prefer a banana with pb to a brownie any day! no joke! i sure hope ur still keepin’ fruit in there though !! 😀
I’m doing the same thing for lent – ALL sweets. I was scared yesterday knowing today is the start, but knowing you’re doing it too makes it seem more achievable haha – buddy system!!
yaaay buddies! 😀
Wow, kudos to you! This sounds so tough but I know you can do it! 🙂
Good luck with Lent Julie! I tried giving up sweets – only natural sweets allowed such as fruit. It was REALLY hard for me esp because I love to bake, but eventually the cravings died down and I lost some weight =) though, every now and then I’ll find room for them in my day.
(btw would LOVE to have the recipe for those bars to try myself – hopefully you’re friend will share!)
Good luck with your Lent resolution!!! I haven’t decided what I’m giving up this year….
Lent is 46 days this year! 🙁
I’m going to do it too. As a child we were always allowed to break Lent on St. Patricks Day! Now, I’m 27, and I still like that rule 🙂
Good luck Julie!
P.S. Frozen banana w/cinnamon is great for replacing a sweet treat.
Sundays do not “count” during lent, so it’s always technically 46 days 🙂
Sundays don’t count?? No one ever told me that!! Thank you 🙂
I understand the concept of Lent and what it means (I am not Catholic but my best friend is) and I just always felt that it was better to not give up something but to give back in some way…either to society or to yourself. Just my own personal opinion.
Hey Julie 🙂 For many years, I couldn’t give anything up for Lent due to “mixed intentions” with my Eating Disorder. This year though, I am giving up eating ice cream at home! I know it sounds weird, but I think it will make it more special when I can go out for it once a week as opposed to having it at home!
Hey Julie, I gave up sweets last year and am doing it again this year. Keeping a lot of fruit on hand really helped with my cravings… even having a dried apricot or two after meals helped. Good luck!
Giving up Facebook this year and just about blew it this morning when I picked up my iPhone and saw I had 4 messages, so I deleted the app on my phone knowing I have four messages that I will have to wait 40 days to read!! I thought about giving up peanut butter but as a vegetarian and nursing mother, I need my protein sources.
Good Luck!!
I feel much the same way about faith + blog as you. It’s very significant in my life, but I don’t write about it on my blog all the time.
That being said, I have given up all sweets in the past, but this year I’m giving up chocolate!
I gave up chocolate when I was 12 and never went back!! When I tried to eat it again I found I didn’t like the taste anymore. I know that sounds RIDICULOUS, but it’s the truth! Good luck with giving up sweets!!
Good luck with your 40 days of no sweets! Did you snag something at 11 p.m. last night? When it gets tough, maybe imagine you’re in the field in a third-world country with NO access to anything like that. Of course, that’s tough to imagine as you drive by everything… oh well…