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Dawnie
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| Posted: May 05 2006 at 11:09pm | IP Logged
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Dear ladies,
I was wondering if any of you had any thoughts/experience with fasting from something other than food? I came across the idea of a "spiritual fast" just before Lent, and decided to try fasting from unnecessary talking during Lent. Well, I failed miserably. I believe God showed me just how weak I am in this area. Even though I wasn't very successful, I think it was still a good experience as I learned something about my weaknesses.
I often feel kind of left out when it comes to fasting because over the 6 years that I've been Catholic, I've been pregnant and/or breastfeeding for all of those years, so I haven't fasted much because I think I really need the food! I'd like to add regular fasting to my prayer life, but in a way that won't jeopardize a growing/nursing baby. Do any of you practice any other kinds of fasting and what are they?
Looking forward to your responses!
Dawn
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ladybugs
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| Posted: May 06 2006 at 12:17am | IP Logged
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What I have done is to take one thing...say water...
Now, I love water but I sometimes have difficulty downing all that I want to simply because of being on the run and my children confiscating my supply or for whatever reason...so for the last few Lents, I've tried to increase my intake...
You can always fast from entertainment or from folding the laundry - sometimes, putting off folding it for a greater good is indeed a fast... 
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SaraP
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| Posted: May 08 2006 at 5:27pm | IP Logged
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I have sometimes fasted by eating only really bland, boring foods - plain rice, plain whole grain bread, plain yogurt, plain oatmeal, plain steamed veggies, etc. - without any salt, butter, oil or seasonings.
Plenty of nutrition, but definitely penitential. 
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momwise
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| Posted: May 08 2006 at 9:47pm | IP Logged
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SaraP wrote:
| I have sometimes fasted by eating only really bland, boring foods - plain rice, plain whole grain bread, plain yogurt, plain oatmeal, plain steamed veggies, etc. |
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I was at a talk a long time ago by the priest who is the Missionaries of Charity sisters here and he counseled us to do this type of thing, or to eat until just about full but not filled up. That's difficult as well.
I fast from news and talk radio in the car at Lent and some other times during the year. I know there are other ideas.....
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Jenny
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| Posted: May 08 2006 at 10:57pm | IP Logged
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There are a number of ways to fast when pregnant or nursing. Like SaraP mentioned, eating bland food is a great place to start. I also try to fast or make a sacrifice when it comes to food by not being picky about any part of the meal; not warm enough, or not to complain if the portion is too big or too small. I May only eat 1 cookie instead of 2 and ofer that up for Mother Mary's intention. I know it seems small, but I think it is still a sacrafice.
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Jenny
Chris' wife and momma of 7. My blog: The Littlest Way--Bible Journaling, Inspiring Bible Quotes, Daily Affirmations, Prayer Journaling & photography
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mumofsix
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| Posted: May 09 2006 at 4:35am | IP Logged
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Dawn, a very effective fast for me (more effective even than fasting from food) is to fast from the computer! (I love chatting on the computer.) One or two days per week of no computer, or no computer at all during Lent (while my husband checks my email for essential messages only which I accomplished one year) is very effective and feels, at least, very sacrificial! This is of-course extra effective if you use some of the time saved for prayer or spiritual reading.
Jane.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Different ways to fast
