The Apostles Fast & the Menu for the First Democratic Debate

This week starts a three-week fast called the Apostles' Fast or the Apostles' Fast of Saints Peter and Paul. It will go through July 12. It is not as strict as Great Lent and we are allowed fish and oil and wine on more days than Great Lent or the Nativity Fast. I've consulted a trusty app (which is also found on this website) to know what we can eat when and we will try to be more adherent than we have at other times as we're beginning to get the hang of this.

That said, Augie's 18th birthday is this weekend and we will celebrate as we are accustomed to. (Ironically, Augie's birthday is on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul as it falls on the New Calendar.) Also, the fast goes over the 4th of July. Now, Father mentioned that this Fast always goes over the 4th of July and that we don't have to eat BBQ and meat, etc. True. We are newbies, however, and our children are not all Orthodox (yet). There is also the principle of love in Orthodoxy and not causing a thing with your fasting. (That is an OCA link and we are ROCOR but that is basically as we have been taught). So, we will have our usual 4th of July feast, but perhaps less so for Toby and I. Maybe we will grill shellfish for ourselves. July 4th is an oil day, meaning we could have wine as well. 

This week also marks the first Democratic Presidential Primary Debate  - which will span two nights - for the very large roster of Democratic candidates. Now, we are not the least bit liberal or Democrat. We are first and foremost Orthodox and pro-life. We are also not terribly impressed with the Republican Party. Having said that, we do follow politics quite closely. It has long been our tradition to catch every presidential debate, forum, primary election, caucus, and the general election returns for every election for every party for probably well over a decade now. And, it has long been my custom to do so with food, dessert, and now beverages, that meet the theme of wherever it is being held. If it's the midwest, I might do something very rustic American, like meatloaf or pot roast. Iowa calls for corn. Maine, lobster. Boston, at least a Boston Cream Pie. Anyway, as the asininity of these debates unfolds, we have some fun with it as well. 

This two-day affair is going to be in Miami. And, we're supposed to be fasting. So, what to do with that? Well, when I hear someplace coastal, I usually think seafood. Fortunately, shellfish is allowed during the fast. Thus, I will have a shellfish soup. And, since we're in Florida and it's summer, I was thinking a Key Lime Pie is in order. But that is made with dairy and eggs. Well, this is a great time to be vegan because there are blogs and recipes galore and a super abundance of coconut and nut milks, creams, and substitutes. I have chosen two recipes (this one and that one) that I will mix and match and take inspiration from, but am unlikely to follow either very closely. But we're going to have some semblance of a vegan Key Lime Pie here for dessert. I'll try to remember to take pics and post the results. 

Wednesday, we are not allowed alcohol, but Thursday we are. I might have Toby try some sort of coconut/lime mojito thing or something. Of course, my beloved Amaretto Sour has lemons and that's citrus so maybe that's good enough with the leftover seafood soup and pie - and the leftover candidates on day two. (Man, that has to be rough.)

The Amaretto Sour Toby made for me upon my return from a particularly taxing business trip

to Houston for a mediation. It was actually a double. 

Today is a fish day and we had baked salmon which I prepared with with vegan butter, gluten free soy sauce, coconut aminos, fresh lemon, and pepper. Anthony's had BBQ sauce because he once had salmon with BBQ sauce at Whole Foods and thinks there's no other way to eat it. I prepared roasted broccoli and cauliflower in avocado oil with salt and pepper, broiled tomatoes with vegan cheese and olives, and steamed rice as well. (Now there is a debate within Orthodoxy about whether you really should use vegan substitutes and non-olive oil on days where oil is restricted; but then we're also told there is no legalism. For the time being, we are using substitutes on some days; others we are stricter; with the children, esp. the non-Orthodox, we are the least strict, but require them to do something and eat a fairly compliant dinner at least. Today the oil actually didn't matter, but I only had avocado oil and went with that.) We adults had wine and the we all had coconut ice cream for dessert.

Our veggies with a little shot of the salmon. I was going to post a full picture of it, but it was not terribly photogenic. 

My beloved enthusiastically enjoyed the dinner. Anthony was happy with his BBQ sauce. Lucy held her nose. Poor thing. She really loathes fish. Augie didn't say much, but he ate, so that's good enough for me.

Now to go run it off with Toby. The training continues! We even got in a strength workout last week. So far, so good!

Thanks for reading!