No-Meat Fridays

Mom raised us to practice no-meat Fridays during Lent. When we were kids, that meant no red (beef) or white (chicken, pork) meat. Instead, we had fish/seafood and/or vegetarian dishes.

Back then of course, fish/seafood were more abundant, especially for a country like the Philippines that's surrounded by water, which meant very inexpensive. Therefore, to eat that instead of meat really meant we're giving up something, foregoing some kind of luxury.

Which, these days, have kinda' reversed. Some fish or seafood in general have, as a matter of fact, become quite specialty items,  haven't they? So these days, does that mean having fish/seafood for these no-meat Fridays equate to some form of abstinence? I don't think so, either.

Baked salmon with mayo and spices

On the other hand, for a couple of people who are unapologetic meat-eaters, to not be given that option with any given meal (I'm saying even just an option, not that it would be the automatic choice) just doesn't feel right, therefore, almost equate to giving up something, no? But then again, we are trying to limit our meat intake and eat more fish. *sigh*

Anyhoot, with all these blabbering, did we really fall in line with the spirit of the season? No, perhaps not.  But, at the very least, I suppose something can be said about a practice that's been passed on for generations. No?

Spinach salad, with mandarin oranges, red onion
and candied pili nuts
(from the Philippines; because I don't have walnuts handy:p),
to go with our baked salmon

Pili nuts

And since it's now Saturday, good time for some steak for dinner, I say... HAH!

(Gotta get me some sleep tonight. Have an early hair appointment tomorrow. Yeay!)