St. Philip's Fast... Tips

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Grace and Peace,

I understand that St. Philip’s Fast isn’t as severe as Great Lent but I’m having trouble understanding exactly how one observes the Fast of St. Philip.

Living in America with Business Lunches and Fast Food etc is often very difficult to observe a religious Fast. Those of you who are devout and observant Byzantine Catholics… how do you observe this Fast.

Are there any tips with regard to chains of restaurants or particular entrées at Fast Food Place which are particularly good choices during this and any other Fast Days that come to mind?

Thank you!
 
Chris,

Anyone new to fasting in the east should not undertake a full strict fast without guidance. These are the minimal requirements for Ruthenians.
 
A good Orthodox spiritual writer exhorts the faithful who find themselves in the “business luncheon” situation to kindly eat what is given, but eat less.

It could too easily lead to pride if and when you draw attention to your fasting… For reducing fast-food temptations, brown bag it.

I eat the best foods during the fast! Fresh fruits, roasted veggies, and my all time childhood favorite - PB&J! Low sodium V-8 is a must too!

But in a pinch, Wendy’s baked potato with a little ketchup or Subway veggie sub no cheese always hits the spot!
 
Burger King has a veggie burger. Taco Bell’s bean burritos are vegan. Chili’s has a black bean burger. Pizza restaurants will make you a cheese-free pizza if you ask for it.

Spaghetti with marinara and bean burritos are fall backs for eating out. Soup and Salad type restaurants also provide fruit and veggie choices. Breakfast places like IHOP are good for business meetings because you can order oatmeal and fresh fruit.
 
Woodstock said:
Burger King has a veggie burger. Taco Bell’s bean burritos are vegan. Chili’s has a black bean burger. Pizza restaurants will make you a cheese-free pizza if you ask for it.

Spaghetti with marinara and bean burritos are fall backs for eating out. Soup and Salad type restaurants also provide fruit and veggie choices. Breakfast places like IHOP are good for business meetings because you can order oatmeal and fresh fruit.
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Burger king has a veggie burger where you live?

We are definately in different markets!
 
ASimpleSinner said:
A good Orthodox spiritual writer exhorts the faithful who find themselves in the “business luncheon” situation to kindly eat what is given, but eat less.

It could too easily lead to pride if and when you draw attention to your fasting… For reducing fast-food temptations, brown bag it.

I eat the best foods during the fast! Fresh fruits, roasted veggies, and my all time childhood favorite - PB&J! Low sodium V-8 is a must too!

But in a pinch, Wendy’s baked potato with a little ketchup or Subway veggie sub no cheese always hits the spot!
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😉 Hi Simple, thanks for the suggestion, I love V-8!
 
Woodstock said:
Burger King has a veggie burger. Taco Bell’s bean burritos are vegan. Chili’s has a black bean burger. Pizza restaurants will make you a cheese-free pizza if you ask for it.

Spaghetti with marinara and bean burritos are fall backs for eating out. Soup and Salad type restaurants also provide fruit and veggie choices. Breakfast places like IHOP are good for business meetings because you can order oatmeal and fresh fruit.
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It helps to add that protein stuff you can buy into your marinara. I never remember what it is called but everyone I know uses it, especially during Lent.
Another tip is to ask folks in the parish. They all have neat and inventive recipes and most likely will share with a smile. It is getting easier these days with the notion of healthy eating and the industry to support it. Even in rural grocery stores the selections of “fast food” (get it) are getting better. Various greens, veggies etc… are showing up everywhere. When I was a kid I thought there was only one kind of lettuce… go to a grocery store now and you get a migraine from all the choices.
Don’t read labels, don’t go to extremes and make yourself sick.
I have seen many folks get sickly during fast periods. Some people find out you can’t only eat peanut butter sandwhiches for the whole Great Fast. I have seen people pass out in church because they don’t balance what their body can handle and what the fast calls for. And the last tip, ask your priest. Explain to him any medical conditions you may have or if you know how your body reacts to not getting a certain sort of nutrition. He will be the best person to help you curtail the fasting diet to your needs and living situation.
 
I add powdered quinoa (said keen-wah) to both oatmeal and mashed potatoes, but I’ve never added it to marinara sauce. Oatmeal has more protein per cup than quinoa flakes, but quinoa has all of the essential amino acids and double the iron. Are you thinking of quinoa or something else?

You can see a chart of vegetarian and vegan foods and their protein counts if you scroll down a little on this page. You’ll notice that black walnuts have more protein than an equal serving of ground beef and sun-dried tomatoes have more protein than an equal amount of fried egg. Protein isn’t difficult to get if you do a little planning.
 
Something else. It’s powdered protein as far as I know. I will ask and get back to you. It kind of clumps together in the sauce too. For all I know you may be right.
 
The protein powder: several exist, the most common being fish protein concentrate. Which is rather flavorless, BTW. check your local GNC for it.

Ruthenian Fasting requirements for Phillips Fast, as put forth in the Bulletin of St. Nicholas of Myra in Anchorage, for this weekend:

The fast starts thursday, and the minimum observance is no meat on Wednesdays nor Fridays until the Nativity of our Lord. This is supposed to be metropolitan wide.

(The link provided by threepwood is to a transcription of an old article.)
 
Grace and Peace,

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. I’m going to take it one step at a time and try and let the fast strengthen me in opening myself more fully in love and sharing. God give me the strength to be more nourished with less nourishment. Amen. :o
 
chrisb said:
Grace and Peace,

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. I’m going to take it one step at a time and try and let the fast strengthen me in opening myself more fully in love and sharing. God give me the strength to be more nourished with less nourishment. Amen. :o
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If you are a first timer consult your spiritual physician first! Many a newbee (and that would include me a few years back) first starting out on this course are inclined to attempt the strictest fast with the strictest rules right off. It can take years to work up to that if you ever do.

I have not.

So this is total unsolicitied advice, and take it for what its worth, but don’t take on too much for risk of pride or disappointment. One priest made it clear - he would rather see his faithful eat steak three meals a day and PRAY than go crazy on “twigs and berries” and be too half starved to remember why they are doing it in the first place. You probably don’t need that advice - but I sure did!

Figure out a rule you can abide by and stick to it. The fast serves you, you don’t serve the fast.

Again, this is advice I needed to hear - you very well may not. The screen name says it all - I’m simple!

Blessings in your preparations! Keep me in your prayers.
 
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