Christos Anesti!

I hope all of you had a great Easter and would specifically like to congratulate those of you who were successful (whatever that may mean) during the fasting period. I would also like to say to those of you, made a valiant effort but crapped out somewhere along the way, 1) you’re not alone and 2) better luck next year.

For those of you who didn’t even bother to try, I don’t know what to tell you, except for…DROPI!! Just kidding! I’m sure Jesus still loves you. Well, maybe. But seriously, you shouldn’t feel bad. It’s okay, I promise. A little story to illustrate: Four score and 17 or so years ago, my favorite priest (are we allowed to have “favorite” priests?), Father George, made a comment during Lenten period. It must be noted that he was quite the liberal for his time, and possibly a feminist (he had also told me once that he wished girls could be in the altar so I could participate in the service—I know, right?). The day he retired was a sad one. But getting back to his point, Father George said, above being conscious of what goes into our mouths, it’s especially important to consider what comes out of it. So, err, what’s like the point? To be a good person? Oh. Chew on that! It’s almost as tough as a vegan muffin. But really, a lot of what I observed (and trust me, am also at fault for) was a lot of complaining during the fasting period. I mean, it’s only natural. Take away meat and cheese from a bunch of Greek people. Where my family is from, a feta-less table is food sacrilege.

So it’s the Monday after Easter. Although yesterday marked the end of the pre- Easter fasting period, today marks the start of the post-Easter fasting period, which I try to celebrate each year but fail miserably. This period is what I like to call Lent limbo. “Limbo” refers to a passage of sorts between a Greek food lover’s heaven and the not so happy alternative (do I starve myself so I can fit back into my skinny jeans? Or forego said jeans for loose dresses and continue to eat lamb and tzatziki for the next 2 weeks?). This is also is an ode to Jack, and the associated “limbo” game/dance (you know, pa nump–pa nump–pa nump–pa nump?), which I would love to play right about now, but…subsequent indigestion from all of the garlic-marinated food products makes me reconsider. Plus, who can bend like that after 10 hours of marathon eating? I probably wouldn’t fit under the stick after round one even if I could bend like that at this point.

Even if you’re not religious, what about the ancient Greek axiom: “Pan metron ariston.” Everything in moderation. Long-since forgotten, I suppose… I mean maybe the average of 40 days of Lent and Easter Sunday is some weird type of “moderation.” I’m not quite convinced. It’s more like let’s deprive ourselves of everything and then eat until we resemble the shape of youvarelakia. Good, perfect. Yes.

Speaking of youvarelakia (delicious, but would rather not think of soup in this heat)… stay tuned, my next blog will be about how I my natural talent and perpetual love for eating has evolved into a slightly more productive (debatable) skill: cooking!

Have a wonderful week.

Filakia,
Steph