On Going Gluten Free for Lent 2011

Today is Ash Wednesday and it is time once again to examine my soul and decide what personal sacrifice I will make for this year's Lenten season. After a brief discussion with co-workers, I decided to give up wheat, oat and barley gluten. One of co-workers has an allergy to this gluten so, not only do I have a reference for what is safe to eat, but I will also be able to spend this Lenten season understanding the suffering of someone I respect greatly. I must say that my choice this year may be more in the true spirit of Lent than any previous year. I generally begin a soul searching, meditative process a few weeks before Lent. I examine my life trying to determine what sorts of activities or indulgences I should consider permanently removing from my life in order to achieve greater harmony, balance or spirituality. I also look at sacrifices which will cause me to think often of the Lenten season simply because I'm sacrificing something popular in my daily life. Here are some of the sacrifices I've made in year's past: