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A Lenten Experiment

by LaVonne Neff 02-15-2010 | 6:00pm
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100215-food-stampsIn January last year, Mr. Neff and I began a Lenten experiment. We wanted to see if we could eat adequate amounts of tasty and nutritious food on a food-stamp budget. We also wanted to see what we might learn from the attempt. I recorded the experiment in fifty almost-daily posts on my blog, Lively Dust. Trouble is, it's awkward for anyone to go back and read them, because blogs always put newest posts first.

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To make them available in a more accessible format, I set up a new blog, The Lenten Experiment, and arranged the posts in chronological order from "1. Please advise us on our Lenten plans," written several weeks before Ash Wednesday, to "50. The Lenten Experiment: Analysis," written the week after Easter. In between are dozens of posts with recipes, menu plans, money-saving ideas, and cheap wine recommendations.

Ash Wednesday is coming up. Maybe after this year of continuing economic recession, congressional stalemates, a monster earthquake, and paralyzing snowstorms, we don't need a spiritual discipline to remind us that we are dust and ashes. On the other hand, maybe the simple act of trimming our food expenses for 40 days would help those of us in affluent countries to be grateful for what we still have, and mindful of the needs of others.

portrait-lavonne-neffLaVonne Neff is an amateur theologian and cook; lover of language and travel; wife, mother, grandmother, godmother, dogmother; perpetual student, constant reader, and Christian contrarian. She blogs at Lively Dust.

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by: LivelyDust

02-16-2010 @ 4:42pm

Right on all three counts. I listed some of those considerations--and a few others--partway through the collection of posts, here: http://thelentenexperiment.blogspot.com/2009/02... .

No one with a comfortable income who does this should think they are actually eating like poor people eat. Still, it can be a good thing to do.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

02-17-2010 @ 2:04am

You identify yourself by your church denomination rather than your relationship with Jesus?

Jesus fasted for 40 days AFTER he was baptized in water by his cousin, John. In the Book of Acts, people were baptized in water AFTER accepting Jesus' salvation. But, none of them "fasted" for 40 days. I don't have to live by the Old Testament; but, the RCC denomination borrows rituals from it which are NEVER mentioned in the Book of Acts or the Epistles.

If an individual Believer wants to give up something for 40 days, they should NOT feel they have to do it because their church denomination requires it. They should really do it because the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, has encouraged them to do it.

As I wrote before, the practice of Lent is NOT Scripturally correct since it's not in the Believers' part of the Bible, aka the New Testament.

by: Patricia

02-17-2010 @ 4:44am

You don't subscribe to the Lenten practice, fine. My Church does, and I find it a very valuable personal and community experience.

I'm sad you seem so angry and judgmental about Lent, about my particular faith family, about my personal relationship with Jesus. I don't believe it's your place to judge.

As for scriptural correctness, I do not subscribe to a literal interpretation of the Scriptures, or to your labels for the Old and New Testaments. You are free to, but I don't.

I hope you find peace.

by: Weiwen Ng

02-15-2010 @ 7:25pm

That was a great project. Some things to consider:

1. As you likely know, many poor families don't have easy access to grocery stores.

2. Many poor working families, especially people with kids and more than one job per person, will probably be forced to rely on frozen foods due to time constraints. Many of these are less healthy. The time you spent cooking is a considerable investment - I'm sure you know this, I just want to ensure that other readers do also.

3. Food stamps is a critical social safety net. It's basically a first line of defense against poverty.

by: SamHamilton

03-02-2010 @ 10:56pm

Patricia - Thanks for responding to Joe Doty. He never seems to miss an opportunity to criticize Catholics. I'm not sure where his animosity comes from, but it irritates me (and I'm not Catholic). I'm Anglican, and my church has a strong tradition of celebrating Lent, so you're right; it's not just a "catholic lent thing". And there's nothing wrong with Christians observing it. There are many Christian traditions that aren't specifically celebrated or observed in the Bible, but that doesn't make them wrong or incorrect.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

02-16-2010 @ 1:43am

I have lived on a "Food Stamp" budget and I had to do it as a single person for over a year the last time around. I used them to buy stuff in certain amounts where I would get actual cash back and I used that to buy personal stuff and have money to do laundry.

Don't ask me why the word "Stamp" was used when the word on them is "Coupon."
Even the governent uses "Stamps" now. Most people now on the program get a debit type card instead of the coupons which look like play money.

I don't observe the catholic Lent thing. It's not even scripturally correct. Who in the Bible "fasted" for 40 days before Jesus was crucified?

I am on fixed income (Social Security supplemented by a VA Improved Pension) and according to the Federal Government it is poverty level income. A HUD Section 8 housing assistance pays for part of my housing expenses.

by: Patricia

02-16-2010 @ 1:38pm

There are other churches who observe Lent besides the Catholic Church.

You are saying it's INCORRECT to set aside a period of time to meditate on Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, and on how one's life reflects the faith in and gratitude for those actions, and to focus on repentance for one's sin?

Of course it would be ideal to be able to do that on a daily basis, but as a Catholic, I appreciate the time when my entire community focuses and reflects in order to become more purposeful in faith together.

Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days before beginning His ministry; the Old Testament contains several instances in which God's people were called to times of fasting and repentance. How is continuing that tradition not Scripturally correct?

by: LivelyDust

02-16-2010 @ 4:42pm

Right on all three counts. I listed some of those considerations--and a few others--partway through the collection of posts, here: http://thelentenexperiment.blogspot.com/2009/02... .

No one with a comfortable income who does this should think they are actually eating like poor people eat. Still, it can be a good thing to do.

by: SamHamilton

03-03-2010 @ 12:56am

Patricia - Thanks for responding to Joe Doty. He never seems to miss an opportunity to criticize Catholics. I'm not sure where his animosity comes from, but it irritates me (and I'm not Catholic). I'm Anglican, and my church has a strong tradition of celebrating Lent, so you're right; it's not just a "catholic lent thing". And there's nothing wrong with Christians observing it. There are many Christian traditions that aren't specifically celebrated or observed in the Bible, but that doesn't make them wrong or incorrect.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

02-17-2010 @ 2:04am

You identify yourself by your church denomination rather than your relationship with Jesus?

Jesus fasted for 40 days AFTER he was baptized in water by his cousin, John. In the Book of Acts, people were baptized in water AFTER accepting Jesus' salvation. But, none of them "fasted" for 40 days. I don't have to live by the Old Testament; but, the RCC denomination borrows rituals from it which are NEVER mentioned in the Book of Acts or the Epistles.

If an individual Believer wants to give up something for 40 days, they should NOT feel they have to do it because their church denomination requires it. They should really do it because the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, has encouraged them to do it.

As I wrote before, the practice of Lent is NOT Scripturally correct since it's not in the Believers' part of the Bible, aka the New Testament.

by: Patricia

02-17-2010 @ 4:44am

You don't subscribe to the Lenten practice, fine. My Church does, and I find it a very valuable personal and community experience.

I'm sad you seem so angry and judgmental about Lent, about my particular faith family, about my personal relationship with Jesus. I don't believe it's your place to judge.

As for scriptural correctness, I do not subscribe to a literal interpretation of the Scriptures, or to your labels for the Old and New Testaments. You are free to, but I don't.

I hope you find peace.

by: SamHamilton

03-02-2010 @ 10:56pm

Patricia - Thanks for responding to Joe Doty. He never seems to miss an opportunity to criticize Catholics. I'm not sure where his animosity comes from, but it irritates me (and I'm not Catholic). I'm Anglican, and my church has a strong tradition of celebrating Lent, so you're right; it's not just a "catholic lent thing". And there's nothing wrong with Christians observing it. There are many Christian traditions that aren't specifically celebrated or observed in the Bible, but that doesn't make them wrong or incorrect.

by: Weiwen Ng

02-15-2010 @ 7:25pm

That was a great project. Some things to consider:

1. As you likely know, many poor families don't have easy access to grocery stores.

2. Many poor working families, especially people with kids and more than one job per person, will probably be forced to rely on frozen foods due to time constraints. Many of these are less healthy. The time you spent cooking is a considerable investment - I'm sure you know this, I just want to ensure that other readers do also.

3. Food stamps is a critical social safety net. It's basically a first line of defense against poverty.

by: SamHamilton

03-03-2010 @ 12:56am

Patricia - Thanks for responding to Joe Doty. He never seems to miss an opportunity to criticize Catholics. I'm not sure where his animosity comes from, but it irritates me (and I'm not Catholic). I'm Anglican, and my church has a strong tradition of celebrating Lent, so you're right; it's not just a "catholic lent thing". And there's nothing wrong with Christians observing it. There are many Christian traditions that aren't specifically celebrated or observed in the Bible, but that doesn't make them wrong or incorrect.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

02-16-2010 @ 1:43am

I have lived on a "Food Stamp" budget and I had to do it as a single person for over a year the last time around. I used them to buy stuff in certain amounts where I would get actual cash back and I used that to buy personal stuff and have money to do laundry.

Don't ask me why the word "Stamp" was used when the word on them is "Coupon."
Even the governent uses "Stamps" now. Most people now on the program get a debit type card instead of the coupons which look like play money.

I don't observe the catholic Lent thing. It's not even scripturally correct. Who in the Bible "fasted" for 40 days before Jesus was crucified?

I am on fixed income (Social Security supplemented by a VA Improved Pension) and according to the Federal Government it is poverty level income. A HUD Section 8 housing assistance pays for part of my housing expenses.

by: Patricia

02-16-2010 @ 1:38pm

There are other churches who observe Lent besides the Catholic Church.

You are saying it's INCORRECT to set aside a period of time to meditate on Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, and on how one's life reflects the faith in and gratitude for those actions, and to focus on repentance for one's sin?

Of course it would be ideal to be able to do that on a daily basis, but as a Catholic, I appreciate the time when my entire community focuses and reflects in order to become more purposeful in faith together.

Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days before beginning His ministry; the Old Testament contains several instances in which God's people were called to times of fasting and repentance. How is continuing that tradition not Scripturally correct?

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by: Weiwen Ng

02-15-2010 @ 7:25pm

That was a great project. Some things to consider:

1. As you likely know, many poor families don't have easy access to grocery stores.

2. Many poor working families, especially people with kids and more than one job per person, will probably be forced to rely on frozen foods due to time constraints. Many of these are less healthy. The time you spent cooking is a considerable investment - I'm sure you know this, I just want to ensure that other readers do also.

3. Food stamps is a critical social safety net. It's basically a first line of defense against poverty.

by: Weiwen Ng

02-15-2010 @ 7:25pm

That was a great project. Some things to consider:

1. As you likely know, many poor families don't have easy access to grocery stores.

2. Many poor working families, especially people with kids and more than one job per person, will probably be forced to rely on frozen foods due to time constraints. Many of these are less healthy. The time you spent cooking is a considerable investment - I'm sure you know this, I just want to ensure that other readers do also.

3. Food stamps is a critical social safety net. It's basically a first line of defense against poverty.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

02-16-2010 @ 1:43am

I have lived on a "Food Stamp" budget and I had to do it as a single person for over a year the last time around. I used them to buy stuff in certain amounts where I would get actual cash back and I used that to buy personal stuff and have money to do laundry.

Don't ask me why the word "Stamp" was used when the word on them is "Coupon."
Even the governent uses "Stamps" now. Most people now on the program get a debit type card instead of the coupons which look like play money.

I don't observe the catholic Lent thing. It's not even scripturally correct. Who in the Bible "fasted" for 40 days before Jesus was crucified?

I am on fixed income (Social Security supplemented by a VA Improved Pension) and according to the Federal Government it is poverty level income. A HUD Section 8 housing assistance pays for part of my housing expenses.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

02-16-2010 @ 1:43am

I have lived on a "Food Stamp" budget and I had to do it as a single person for over a year the last time around. I used them to buy stuff in certain amounts where I would get actual cash back and I used that to buy personal stuff and have money to do laundry.

Don't ask me why the word "Stamp" was used when the word on them is "Coupon."
Even the governent uses "Stamps" now. Most people now on the program get a debit type card instead of the coupons which look like play money.

I don't observe the catholic Lent thing. It's not even scripturally correct. Who in the Bible "fasted" for 40 days before Jesus was crucified?

I am on fixed income (Social Security supplemented by a VA Improved Pension) and according to the Federal Government it is poverty level income. A HUD Section 8 housing assistance pays for part of my housing expenses.

by: Patricia

02-16-2010 @ 1:38pm

There are other churches who observe Lent besides the Catholic Church.

You are saying it's INCORRECT to set aside a period of time to meditate on Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, and on how one's life reflects the faith in and gratitude for those actions, and to focus on repentance for one's sin?

Of course it would be ideal to be able to do that on a daily basis, but as a Catholic, I appreciate the time when my entire community focuses and reflects in order to become more purposeful in faith together.

Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days before beginning His ministry; the Old Testament contains several instances in which God's people were called to times of fasting and repentance. How is continuing that tradition not Scripturally correct?

by: Patricia

02-16-2010 @ 1:38pm

There are other churches who observe Lent besides the Catholic Church.

You are saying it's INCORRECT to set aside a period of time to meditate on Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, and on how one's life reflects the faith in and gratitude for those actions, and to focus on repentance for one's sin?

Of course it would be ideal to be able to do that on a daily basis, but as a Catholic, I appreciate the time when my entire community focuses and reflects in order to become more purposeful in faith together.

Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days before beginning His ministry; the Old Testament contains several instances in which God's people were called to times of fasting and repentance. How is continuing that tradition not Scripturally correct?

by: LivelyDust

02-16-2010 @ 4:42pm

Right on all three counts. I listed some of those considerations--and a few others--partway through the collection of posts, here: http://thelentenexperiment.blogspot.com/2009/02... .

No one with a comfortable income who does this should think they are actually eating like poor people eat. Still, it can be a good thing to do.

by: LivelyDust

02-16-2010 @ 4:42pm

Right on all three counts. I listed some of those considerations--and a few others--partway through the collection of posts, here: http://thelentenexperiment.blogspot.com/2009/02... .

No one with a comfortable income who does this should think they are actually eating like poor people eat. Still, it can be a good thing to do.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

02-17-2010 @ 2:04am

You identify yourself by your church denomination rather than your relationship with Jesus?

Jesus fasted for 40 days AFTER he was baptized in water by his cousin, John. In the Book of Acts, people were baptized in water AFTER accepting Jesus' salvation. But, none of them "fasted" for 40 days. I don't have to live by the Old Testament; but, the RCC denomination borrows rituals from it which are NEVER mentioned in the Book of Acts or the Epistles.

If an individual Believer wants to give up something for 40 days, they should NOT feel they have to do it because their church denomination requires it. They should really do it because the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, has encouraged them to do it.

As I wrote before, the practice of Lent is NOT Scripturally correct since it's not in the Believers' part of the Bible, aka the New Testament.

by: Joe_Allen_Doty

02-17-2010 @ 2:04am

You identify yourself by your church denomination rather than your relationship with Jesus?

Jesus fasted for 40 days AFTER he was baptized in water by his cousin, John. In the Book of Acts, people were baptized in water AFTER accepting Jesus' salvation. But, none of them "fasted" for 40 days. I don't have to live by the Old Testament; but, the RCC denomination borrows rituals from it which are NEVER mentioned in the Book of Acts or the Epistles.

If an individual Believer wants to give up something for 40 days, they should NOT feel they have to do it because their church denomination requires it. They should really do it because the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, has encouraged them to do it.

As I wrote before, the practice of Lent is NOT Scripturally correct since it's not in the Believers' part of the Bible, aka the New Testament.

by: Patricia

02-17-2010 @ 4:44am

You don't subscribe to the Lenten practice, fine. My Church does, and I find it a very valuable personal and community experience.

I'm sad you seem so angry and judgmental about Lent, about my particular faith family, about my personal relationship with Jesus. I don't believe it's your place to judge.

As for scriptural correctness, I do not subscribe to a literal interpretation of the Scriptures, or to your labels for the Old and New Testaments. You are free to, but I don't.

I hope you find peace.

by: Patricia

02-17-2010 @ 4:44am

You don't subscribe to the Lenten practice, fine. My Church does, and I find it a very valuable personal and community experience.

I'm sad you seem so angry and judgmental about Lent, about my particular faith family, about my personal relationship with Jesus. I don't believe it's your place to judge.

As for scriptural correctness, I do not subscribe to a literal interpretation of the Scriptures, or to your labels for the Old and New Testaments. You are free to, but I don't.

I hope you find peace.

by: SamHamilton

03-02-2010 @ 10:56pm

Patricia - Thanks for responding to Joe Doty. He never seems to miss an opportunity to criticize Catholics. I'm not sure where his animosity comes from, but it irritates me (and I'm not Catholic). I'm Anglican, and my church has a strong tradition of celebrating Lent, so you're right; it's not just a "catholic lent thing". And there's nothing wrong with Christians observing it. There are many Christian traditions that aren't specifically celebrated or observed in the Bible, but that doesn't make them wrong or incorrect.

by: SamHamilton

03-02-2010 @ 10:56pm

Patricia - Thanks for responding to Joe Doty. He never seems to miss an opportunity to criticize Catholics. I'm not sure where his animosity comes from, but it irritates me (and I'm not Catholic). I'm Anglican, and my church has a strong tradition of celebrating Lent, so you're right; it's not just a "catholic lent thing". And there's nothing wrong with Christians observing it. There are many Christian traditions that aren't specifically celebrated or observed in the Bible, but that doesn't make them wrong or incorrect.

by: SamHamilton

03-03-2010 @ 12:56am

Patricia - Thanks for responding to Joe Doty. He never seems to miss an opportunity to criticize Catholics. I'm not sure where his animosity comes from, but it irritates me (and I'm not Catholic). I'm Anglican, and my church has a strong tradition of celebrating Lent, so you're right; it's not just a "catholic lent thing". And there's nothing wrong with Christians observing it. There are many Christian traditions that aren't specifically celebrated or observed in the Bible, but that doesn't make them wrong or incorrect.

by: SamHamilton

03-03-2010 @ 12:56am

Patricia - Thanks for responding to Joe Doty. He never seems to miss an opportunity to criticize Catholics. I'm not sure where his animosity comes from, but it irritates me (and I'm not Catholic). I'm Anglican, and my church has a strong tradition of celebrating Lent, so you're right; it's not just a "catholic lent thing". And there's nothing wrong with Christians observing it. There are many Christian traditions that aren't specifically celebrated or observed in the Bible, but that doesn't make them wrong or incorrect.