CIMK Meal Plan #8, March 2024
Exploring fasting and a plant-based menu for the week before Easter 🌿
Welcome to CIMK Meal Plan #8! In this newsletter, we will explore a plant-based menu for the week before Easter. Stay tuned for my next newsletter in a few days, which will include Ideas for the Easter Menu.
As we approach Holy Week, it's worth noting that not all of us will be observing Easter during the same time frame—or at all. For instance, I'm from Romania, where Easter falls on May 5th this year, but I'm currently in Denmark, where Easter celebrations are observed differently. Regardless of our diverse traditions, I believe Holy Week presents an excellent chance for everyone to explore the practice of fasting in various forms.
Fasting often involves refraining from indulgences that provide instant gratification, such as highly palatable foods—even those considered healthy, like dark chocolate—technology, social media, binge-watching TV shows, shopping, and more. So, this week, I challenge you to resist the temptations you cherish most. Whether it's sweets (even the nutritious ones), eggs, meat, dairy, or any other favorite food that you frequently enjoy, consider taking a break from them.
During Holy Week, the Orthodox tradition specifically prohibits the consumption of any animal products, embracing a simple, vegan diet rich in vegetables, grains, seeds, and nuts, all consumed in moderation. Inspired by this practice, I've crafted a meal plan that reflects these principles, which you can tailor to your lifestyle.
A Reminder of Our Popular Fasting Mimicking Diet
Before diving into this week's selections, I want to highlight my 5-Day Fasting Mimicking Diet Meal Plan. Aligning with Holy Week's spirit, this diet has gained popularity on my website, further buoyed by recent research from the University of Southern California. The study suggests that a diet mimicking fasting can potentially reverse biological age by 2.5 years. This week could be the perfect time to give this diet a try, if it resonates with you.
Spring Cleaning for Your Space and Mind
The week leading up to Easter is traditionally a time for deep spring cleaning. Seize this moment to declutter not just your physical surroundings but also to cleanse your body and mind. This includes parting with unnecessary items, outdated beliefs, negative influences, and toxic habits. Practice kindness towards yourself and others, express gratitude, and connect with nature.
Challenge yourself to avoid your favorite indulgences, whether it's dark chocolate, coffee, sweet treats, steak, wine, or bread. Step away from activities that don't enrich you, like mindlessly scrolling through social media, binge-watching TV, or constantly keeping up with the news.
Take the time to reconnect with an old friend, sharing your appreciation for them. Engage in random acts of kindness. If you haven't already, start a gratitude practice to reflect on the positives in your life. This holistic approach to spring cleaning can rejuvenate both your environment and your spirit, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.
Let's embark on a journey through a week of fasting and plant-based nourishment!
If you're new to my meal plans, I suggest starting with the Introduction for a solid foundation and checking out CIMK Meal Plan #1 for helpful tips.
Let's get started with CIMK Meal Plan #8, and stay tuned for my next newsletter this week, which will include Ideas for the Easter Menu.
Happy cooking!
CIMK Meal Plan #8, March 2024
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Creative in My Kitchen to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.