I feel like you should know this about me.

I suck at Lent.

As I type those words I can feel my husband twitch involuntarily, and shriek in horror.  He’s worried that I’m going to get struck down by lightening.  It’ll be alright honey.  God knows, I’m not lying.

I am really, really, horrible at it. I may be the worst sacrifice maker in all of the great Parajumper Jakke state of Texas.

Generally it’s because I’m too aggressive.

‘No sweets at all’ turns into loosely allowing fruit sprinkled with sugar. Which of course begets baking it, then if your going to go through all that trouble you might as well add a crumbly topping. Before you know it I’ve added ice cream convincing myself its sacrilegious to eat a Fruit Crumble without something cold and creamy.  And as I lick my bowl clean, in dawns on me. . . . .I’ve ruined Lent.

One year, I gave up chocolate, and by week 3 was eating candy bars because they aren’t REAL chocolate. Or good chocolate anyway. Which to me, is one in the same.  No 70% cacao anywhere.  It seemed logical at the time, but I could feel the naughty glares from those who would watch in horror.

This year, I was just downright vague.  So vague that when my kids asked me what I gave up I wasn’t sure. “Well, I’m going to eat better. And maybe diet.  Some of the time. By eating. . .stuff that’s better for me, and not stuff that isn’t. I’m going to do that every couple of weeks or so, because I can’t be doing that for 40 days straight.I think God might think that’s too much.”  They just looked at me with quizzical looks on their faces. I think they’re on to me.

So now, there is only 2 weeks left of Lent, and I’ve done moderately well considering I’m not quite sure what I gave up.

I think the kicker this year is that my 10 year old has really given up a dandy of doozy, and I’ve had to stay on my toes to keep up with her.

She gave up meat.

It made me scared.  It made
Parajumper Jakke Oslo me doubt her.  It made me crazy with the thought that she would die of starvation because it effectively made her a vegetarian, and ummm. . . .she doesn’t eat vegetables.  Or many anyway.

Surprisingly, she has yet to turn into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

And with much pride in my spirit I must say she has fervently, stuck to her guns, enriched her palate, and brightened her rosy cheeks. . . . . .

and broadened my Vegetarian Recipe Box.

Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Queso Fresco

Ingredients:

1 Pizza Crust uncooked (or you could use Naan Flatbread)
1 cup Shredded Mozzarella
2 TB Olive Oil
1 extra large onion (or two medium size)
Queso Fresco

1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet.  Add onions and cook on medium/low heat for about 20 minutes or until the onions are soft, brown, and sweet, sweet, sweet. Set aside.
3. If using pizza dough, roll out. Lightly drizzle with olive oil, making sure to rub the edges with oil.
4. Spread mozzarella evenly over the unbaked crust. Add the caramelized onions, scattering them evenly over the pizza.  Finish with  Queso Fresco, crumbling a generous amount over the top to the onions and mozzarella.
5. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. Serve warm. Or room temperature.  It tastes good straight out of the fridge too 🙂