…In trying to be more holy and in thinking how Mary says (in one of her apparitions) the best fast is bread and water, Ive tried to do just that. I’ve reminded myself that five days a week I can eat whatever, and Mary is only asking for fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays. …My own fast used to be a couple protein drinks ( banana, milk, protein powder), and then a couple protein bars, all spread out throughout the day ( I haven’t eaten meat in decades, so protein powder is really my only source of protein). That would be it, and I’d be terribly hungry, but Mary’s words echo in my head. …So, rather than “sort of” trying to fast on Wednesdays ( but always blowing it) and then “starting out” ok on Fridays, but blowing it later, I went full tilt bread and water ( I admit adding protein powder to the water, but not for taste or to fill me, as it doesn’t, but just for the health of it) . I did this a few weeks ago. Here’s the problem; Bread makes me gag! I used to like toasted slices of French bread with butter, or bagels with butter. Now, just the thought of any of it makes me gag. So, like last week, I would eat Stella Dora bread sticks to fill my stomach a bit. They are like tasteless crackers. Then I tried scraping all cheese and sauce off pizza slices and eating a couple slices of that. Makes me sick to even think about. And, forget dry bagels, bread or whatever. It’s like eating a dry wash cloth, and my hiatal hernia and acid reflux situation make not being able to swallow easily a concern. So, I put butter or butter substitute on it, just so I can get it down. Well, all that butter or butter substitute gives me a horrendous stomach reaction I dare not even go into, here. Sooo, I tried putting jelly on whatever type of bread I was fasting on. I could get it down, but felt like I was cheating. Today, I tried skipping eating altogether, just to avoid bread in all it’s forms. But not eating is a one way ticket to a killer migraine, which I now feel coming. Question; If Mary says bread and water is the best fast, is there really any other way?
You can't destroy your health in the process. The bread and water fast is good but there are other ways to practice mortification of the body. Take small helpings. Don't use salt. Eat something you normally don't care for. Fast ftom technology (harder IMO)
Just eat your least favorite foods (that you can swallow without problems). The point is to eat only for sustenance and not for enjoyment.
I only drink water and I’m a carbaholic and absolutely LOVE Bread. I could eat a whole freshly baked loaf with no butter no jelly all day and I would be happy. I don’t think that was Mary’s intention
I usually have 1 big meal at night and a snack during the day close to 11am. Sometimes I go without the snack. I have to substitute more water during this since i worked a lot of hours at work.
You probably haven't seen the thread on intermittent fasting on here. Try going 16 or 18 hours without eating and eat within a small window of 8 or 6 hours. Eat no sugar or flour....it is a penance and I do get very hungry 2 hours before breaking fast but I say, For Your Glory Lord over and over in my head....I don't drink alcohol, eat sugar or flour. I think it is meaningful. Like some others I could live on bread which is not our Mother's desire
I know that fasting is primarily about food and drink, but there are other types of “fasting” which may even be harder. I know people who are fasting from social media, some from internet altogether, and even some from their cell phones! In my case, I’ve been trying to “fast “ from my bad language. Embarrassingly and sadly, it’s a struggle for me. But on the bright side, my almsgiving will be going up…I am putting a $1 in a LARGE bottle every time I break my fast and will contribute to my parish St. Vincent’s DePaulle Society during at Easter. Already looking to be a nice contribution.
