Focusing on Fasting

by the SEM Interns

In the quiet moments of our busy lives, fasting invites us into a deeper communion with God. As Orthodox Christians, the sacred tradition of fasting is a journey of the soul, a practice that transforms daily routines into opportunities for spiritual growth. Through the act of fasting, we learn to find beauty in simplicity, strength in discipline, and a profound connection with our faith. Join our interns as we share some of our favorite fasting recipes, from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks!

Londyn: As a convert for just over two years, adjusting our usual meal plans to be fast-friendly was especially challenging for my family. It was easy to become overwhelmed and think about food even more than before fasting! However, with time and prayer, I realized that my fasting efforts could improve—I needed to focus less on meals. So, I did some quick thinking and came up with a tried-and-true list. I hope these are helpful to you in some way!

  • Protein bowl: beans (pinto or black are my favorite), corn, and rice. I usually add some salsa and avocado/guacamole, too!

  • Hummus and veggie platter (I also like to put the hummus on top of naan or pita bread!) I love cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots

  • Avocado toast (seed bread has extra protein)

  • Peanut butter, honey, and flax seed sandwiches/toast

  • Granola and almond milk

Caroline: Fasting has always been a struggle for me. It can be easy to focus on the food part and neglect the prayer part. As my mother always says, fasting without prayer is just being hungry! Instead of worrying about the food, I lean on my staple recipes.

  • Couscous with beans (I love using black beans)

  • Roasted chickpeas

  • Black bean burgers

  • Smoothie w/ vegan protein powder (I like PEscience)

  • Vegan cookies (Tasty has an AMAZING recipe)

Cecilia: Fasting helps us regain balance and perspective in our lives. Abstaining from certain food products is medicine that the Church prescribes us to aid us on our spiritual journeys. It’s easy, however, to become so caught up in the dos and don’ts of fasting that we completely miss the spirit of the fast! We frantically check labels or use substitutes that taste almost like the real thing, but are just more expensive and take more time to prepare. If we try to eat more simply, we can use our extra time and money (which was not spent on food) to share with our hungry, poor, and suffering brothers and sisters. Here are some simple fasting meals you can try:

  • Chili with fasting cornbread

  • A simple stir fry (with tofu)

  • Baked oatmeal bars:

    • Mix:

      • 2 c flour

      • 1 c brown sugar

      • ½ tsp baking soda

      • 1 tsp cinnamon

      • 1 tsp vanilla

      • 2 c oats

    • Add:

      • ¾ c oil (or could try applesauce?)

      • ¾ c water

      • ½ to 1 c cranberries or chocolate chips

      • Optional: nuts, coconut, other grains

    • Put in greased 9x13 pan

    • Bake at 350F for 30 min

  • Peanut butter and jelly, avocado, or hummus on whole wheat bread

  • Smoothie bowl: Blend a thick berry smoothie. Add granola, coconut flakes, honey, peanut butter, and fruit on top.

  • Nachos: Lay tortilla chips out on a tin foil-covered baking sheet. Put black and refried beans (and corn, if you wish!) on top of the chips. Bake at 400F for about five minutes. Top the nachos with guacamole, salsa, etc. when out of the oven.

Nora: It’s always been difficult for my family to find good fasting recipes that we will actually enjoy, especially with us being newer to the church and my younger siblings being quite picky with certain foods. We have tried many different fasting recipes trying to figure out which ones are best for our family, so here are some recipes that we love!

  • Cowboy Caviar: black beans, corn, bell peppers, tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, jalapenos, avocado oil, vinegar and lime. Chop ingredients, put in a bowl and mix in oil, vinegar and lime (add seasonings of your choice; garlic, salt, pepper, etc.)

  • Rice Soup: veggie broth, rice, veggies of your choice (we use peas, carrots and celery), garlic and onion

  • Breaded Cauliflower w/ dipping sauce of your choice (use plant milk to bread them instead of eggs)

  • Fruit Salsa w/ cinnamon pita chips: dice up fruit very small (we use strawberries, kiwi, green apples, raspberries), combine in bowl then add some lime juice, mix and pair with cinnamon pita chips

  • Lemon Garlic Pasta: pasta of your choice (we use bowties), vegan butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, spinach, salt and pepper

As we each walk this path, sharing our experiences and recipes can help make the journey a little easier and a lot more meaningful. We hope these recipes inspire you to find joy in simplicity, strength in discipline, and a deeper connection with your faith. Let’s continue to support and uplift each other through the fasting season. May our efforts bring us closer to God and to one another. Praise the Lord!

What are your favorite fasting recipes?