Eating & Fasting Together!

 To our faithful readers, you already know that Anita had to take the lead on writing this. So here it is.

EATING

If you are like Maurice and I, that means that you are a bonafide "foodie". We love most foods. What is a foodie? A foodie is someone who loves food more than anything else in the world. A foodie is someone who can tell the difference between a brie and a camembert, a pinot noir and a merlot, a sushi and a sashimi, white tea versus red. A foodie is someone who travels the world in search of new flavors, new cuisines, new experiences. A foodie is typically someone who lives to eat, not eats to live. But we don't go that far, lol!

Food is important to culture and society and dare we say to marriage as well? Food is more than just nourishment for our bodies. Food is a way of expressing ourselves, our identities, our values, our beliefs. Food is a way of connecting with others, of sharing stories, of creating memories. Food is a way of celebrating life, of honoring traditions, of exploring diversity. Food is a way of learning about ourselves, our spouses and the world around us.

Most people meet, greet and even date around FOOD. If food was important when you were dating, it's most definietly still important now. It's not only a way to learn about your spouse, but it can be romantic as well. Ever heard of aphrodisiacs? Even preparing a meal or cooking together is bonding for us.

Eating healthy together is even more sexy! Food can improve your mood and health. Eating well can boost your energy, mood, and immunity. It can also reduce stress and prevent diseases. A healthy couple is a happy couple, right? Food can be fun and adventurous or even dangerous! Experimenting with new recipes, ingredients, or flavors can add some excitement and variety to your marriage. You can also challenge each other to cook-offs, bake-offs, or food fights. Food is not only essential for survival, but also for a thriving marriage. So don't neglect the power of food in your relationship. 

FASTING

Equally important to eating and experiencing food is self-control and knowing when to stop. There are several reasons. Some are biblical, some are financial and some are physically necessary. There is a time to eat and a time not to. The extremes of overeating or not eating enough can be very unhealthy. Fating together should be planned with caution, but it can have amazing results.

Once, prior to one of Maurice's procedures he had to fast. Basically, he was obstaining from food so that the results would be more accurate. A way to show my support was to fast with him. I didn't have to, but it drew us closer. If you are trying to make a mutual decision or resolve some issues in your marriage, you might want to consider fasting as a part of your gameplan. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much clarity is gained when you replace reading the Bible with the average "three square meals a day".

Perhaps it's not that serious and you're just looking for a way to gain closeness, spice up your marriage or do something new. Why not try fasting together? Fasting is not only good for your health, but also for your spiritual health and relationship. Here are some other benefits of fasting together in marriage:

- You'll save money on food and spend more time talking to each other. Obviously!

- You'll have more energy and stamina for...other activities. 😉

- You'll appreciate each other more when you break the fast with a delicious meal.

- You'll bond over the shared challenge and support each other through the hunger pangs.

- You'll learn to be more grateful for what you have and less attached to material things.

You'll be amazed by the results. Just remember to drink plenty of water and consult your doctor (and your spouse's) before starting any fasting regimen. That is my nursing two cents.