Going Dry for Lent, Beginning with a Six-Day Cleanse
Every year, I try to give up something for Lent. As a kid, I tried giving up chocolate, chewing gum, or talking on the phone. All met with early defeat (especially in my teen years).
For the past few years I’ve given up different variations of alcoholic beverages. One year, I gave up wine, but that only had me drinking more beer and vodka & tonics. Last year, I gave up my weekday drinks. Even though it’s typically only one glass per night, I found myself really craving it every single night. But knowing that I’d be enjoying it on the weekends kind of took something away from the whole Lenten experience. Not much of a sacrifice going five days without.
This year, I am planning to give up ALL kinds of alcohol for the entire season. No excuses for St. Patty’s Day like in past years. No drinking on weekends. I’m going dry from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday. It’s only 6 weeks, but for this wine lover, it will probably feel like a lifetime.
Since December, I feel like I’ve been drinking more and eating more sweets and junk food. I don’t know if it’s the Christmas party season that sparked it, or the winter blues, but whatever the reason, something’s gotta give.
To help me kick-start my ride on the wagon, I’m going to do a six-day cleanse to try to detox from all the sugars and other chemicals I’ve been craving. After talking with a girlfriend who has done this before, I’ve found a cleanse program that I think I can get through without going into starvation mode.
I would LOVE some company on this journey. Whether you want to do just the cleanse with me, come along on my wagon ride, or give up something else for Lent, I’d love to hear your own personal challenges.
From Grind to Whine 
WOW. Good for you. Would I be the worst kind of friend if I was all sure Stace, I’ll go on the wagon with you, when I am pretty much already on the wagon? Or it would just make you feel better to know someone else out there also isn’t drinking? Wine gives me a headache.
Pound bags of M&Ms & Twizzlers & jelly beans on the other hand do nothing of the kind, so I guess if I really wanted to support you, I would give those up. But yeah, I won’t. I will however, comment whenever you post about how much you hate everyone and miss wine and I will try to write funny stuff over at my own blog to help you pass the time, because I figure if you can’t join them, then at least try to make them laugh! 😉
You could totally go on the wagon with me, whether you drink now or not. Strength in numbers is always a good thing! And you bet I’ll be posting regularly about how it’s going. Especially with the cleanse part of it. I think that will be the toughest part, but I’m hoping it’ll help me in the long run!
I just ended a 3 week raw “detox” myself, otherwise, I would have loved to have joined you 🙂 I feel soooooooo much better, not to mention my taste buds have greatly changed. Excited for you and what these 40 days will bring for you and you give up alcohol. I love Lent so much–I have no idea why, but it has such a dear place in my heart. Last year, I gave up shopping {which was soooo hard but rewarding} and I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do, come this Wednesday. Though I won’t be cleansing, I will definitely join you with Lent 🙂 xo, Cara
I am really looking forward to that change in my taste buds as well as just feeling better. Let me know what you choose to sacrifice for Lent once you decide. Thanks for the encouragement!
I’m right there with you sister! This will be my 2nd year giving up all alcoholic beverages during the Lenten season. Yes, it was hard and at times I wished I hadn’t made this bizarre sacrificial commitment but I got through it. This year though, I vow to NOT come home after 12:15pm mass on Easter Sunday and start drinking wine – – as I didn’t quite make it to Easter dinner last year. Best of luck to you and glad to know that I have an ally.
Oh, I am SO glad to hear you’re doing it, too, Ali!! I can totally picture coming home from church on Easter Sunday and pouring that first drink, though…and then being completely useless by dinnertime. I’ll have to remember how Lent is going to make a lightweight out of me! Good luck and thanks for letting me know I won’t be doing it alone!
I will have to email you what I am giving up. Perked your interest, huh?
Ha, Amy!!! Will this be harder for you or your husband? 😉 You totally piqued my interest!!
Didn’t see anything about broccoli in the cleanse list. Is it not allowed during the 6 days?
I’m allowing myself broccoli. I figure, if cauliflower, spinach and squash are all there, broccoli must be okay. I’ve looked at other similar cleanses and broccoli is allowed on those, too. If not, then oh well. It’s hard enough as it is, but broccoli is one of my go-to’s!!