Oakland Bites: Hello Lent, goodbye carbs

I was in Safeway over the weekend when I noticed that the Valentine’s Day clearance candy was sitting right next to a brand new crate of Cadbury Eggs. Now I know, I know, they are few things more disgusting than a chocolate egg filled with a sugary mock yolk, but I don’t care. I also like the movie “Roadhouse” and some select Michael Bolton songs. Sue me.

But, anyway, as I was looking at the display, I realized Lent must be upon us, because grocery stores have an uncanny way of stocking their shelves with Easter candy right when people tend to give it up for Lent. Sure enough, today, Ash Wednesday, is the first day of Lent, when, among other things, observant Catholics pledge to forgo something—candy/swearing/smoking/booze/whatever. I’ve also had friends who tried to implement diets during Lent so that cheating on their diets would constitute a sin, but I’m pretty sure that is not sanctioned by the Pope.

Over the years I’ve given up pretty much everything, from candy when I was little to Diet Coke in high school to eating in between meals in college. This year, though, I think I’m going for a big one: no carb-based snacks of any kind. It looks like it’s going to be a long forty days.

If you’re of a religion/tradition that gives things up for Lent, what are you giving up this year? And if you’re not, what food would you never be willing to give up?