Why I just force-fed myself a can of ravioli at 3:15 in the morning
I’ve blogged before about how I am currently participating in the Baha’i fast, meaning that I am abstaining from any food or water from sunrise to sunset. It really hasn’t been that rough; it is amazing what you can get used to and/or endure if you want to. However, I have been using a few tricks to make the fast go smoothly. First, I have been effectively nocturnal for the last few days, sleeping in until at least 11 in the morning. Second, I have been eating and drinking a lot either right before I go to bed (like now) or getting up right before the sun rises and eating something small, like a banana. Third, and most importantly, I’ve been praying a lot. Seriously, it really helps, and reminds me why I’m going through this. Allah'u'Abha!
posted by T-Mac at
3:19 AM
6 Comments:
I'm not really religious (pretty much agnostic) or anything, but even if I was, it would actually be physically impossible for me to fast like that. I'm hypoglycemic, and if I don't eat on a fairly regular basis (my metabolism has me to the point where I eat 5 or 6 times a day with small amounts of food), my blood sugar drops too low, which results in shaking, trouble seeing, and even passing out.
I wonder what (insert deity of choice) would think about that one? ;)
By
Anonymous, at 10:35 AM
but wasn't the ravioli delicious? toldja.
By
Ashley, at 11:17 AM
tom stop trying to make me convert to baha'i. and by that i mean stop touching me where my parents say you shouldnt...
By
Anonymous, at 2:29 PM
How 'bout some Pedialyte before the race? We could keep the hotel curtains drawn and pretend it's still dark...
By
Anonymous, at 3:39 PM
Every time you talk about food you like, I resist the urge to compare your food preferences to those of my five-year-old.
Whoa - except this time...
By
magic, and with love from Sam,, at 8:38 PM
Actually, in 2008 I participated in the fast for the first time, and because I love food I woe up on the second like: "Haha, here goes nothing". But it went surprisingly well! I was lucky to have a close friend who has been a Baha'i for many, MANY years, who had all these little lifesaver tips, like drinking plenty of water in the morning, getting a good nights' rest, and avoiding things that are really sugary. Usually between 3 and 7 PM my stomach would get a little growly, but I never had an 'agonizing hunger' like you get when you haven't eaten for a day. I could sit stone cold in front of my non-Baha'i friend eating a delicious sandwich.
According to the other friend who was fasting as well, I was holding up better than him, so I don't know. Results may vary. But I found the fast to be a very cleansing, interesting experience.
And to Shea: There are several conditions where you don't have to fast, such as people who travel for a long time, menstruating women or people performing harsh labour. But there are also circumstances where one is strictly discouraged to fast, for example when ones' health could be in danger, or pregnant and nursing women.
You know what the hardest part of the fast was to me? The mornings. Getting up early and eating a healthy, complete breakfast in a small amount of time. Now that I work part-time instead of going to school full-time, this year might be better because now I can sleep well, not get up too early, and not have to go to bed after my belated dinner. On the flip-side, the dinners were all the more delicious, all the more appreciated. They were like when you are extremely tired and you fall down in a soft bed with your clothes still on! Like an oasis in the desert.
It sounds really crazy for me to say this, because I love tasty food so much, but I'm looking forward to this year fast. Bring it on!
By
Anonymous, at 4:23 PM
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