I must forewarn you that this is somewhat of a weird post. I came across this idea as I was reading A Short History of the American Stomach (all that extra bus riding time equals extra reading) and learned about how fasting was part of the American heritage for centuries.Did you know that it was commonplace for there to be days of national fasts? Granted the nation wasn't exceedingly large at the time, but the first official national fast day was July 20, 1775 and was declared by the Continental Congress. These fast days were declared for all sorts of reasons. In 1798, President Adams declared a national day of "solemn humiliation, fasting and prayer" to keep the citizens calm on the day before what many believed would be hostilities with France.
When the War of 1812 was on the horizon, President Madison appointed a national fast day. American public fasting continued as a political strategy well into the 19th century. On June 1, 1865 the country mourned the death of Lincoln with a national fast.
So, in honor of the Fourth of July, I suggest we consider a day of fasting. Since this American holiday is centered around gluttony, drunkenness and blowing shit up, it might be nice to consider contemplating what all these excesses are doing to our environment, economy and heritage.
Politicians talk a lot about independence, but is it even actually a realistic goal within our current global economy? So, if we are going to celebrate our independence, why not celebrate it by making a gesture of independence from consumption of all sorts, food and oil included?
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Nice thought... but afraid I cannot do this with you Crunchette- Being diabetic I have to watch my blood sugar... don't eat blood sugar drops, go into coma
Sorry, I left a comment that didn't foster quality communication.
The spirit of independence would probably be better served with regional fasting.
Oh I want to I want to!!! But I have my last exam friday, might not be quite the right day to not feed myself, or to avoid my car (its a 13 mile cycle ride).
I fast regularly to get closer to God because I find it allows the mind to be free. I once tried fasting two days but I found on day two my mind was really free but mostly really free to want food. There are a lot of examples of 40 day fasts in the bible. I'd like to have self control enough to go two days!
I have to fast for short periods (like 12 hours) for medical exams. Used to hate it but now I can deal. It's been suggested that I fast before chemo... haven't managed that one yet.
Some spiritual traditions recommend fasting to rid self of illness and/or demons. My gluttonous belly doesn't want to do it (I am up with insomnia as usual before chemo day and ate a bowl of Cheerios w milk). However I get the idea it might be a good thing.
Good luck with the 4th of July fast. Not sure I'll join you, but I'll *think* about fasting for chemo, and perhaps join you on the next group fast.
We could surely use some fasting and prayer to heal from two terms of Bush and from generations of consumerist gluttony.
Interesting post. I never knew that about fasting.
I'm afraid your post might be a little too late, though. Haven't most people planned their parties and started shopping already?
Sorry Crunch but being pregnant I'm starving 50% of the day, I don't think I'd make it. I've already given up the red wine and caffeine, and I'm just not up to sacraficing food too.
Joanna-"I once tried fasting two days but I found on day two my mind was really free but mostly really free to want food. There are a lot of examples of 40 day fasts in the bible."
I've done 40. Really. Multiple 25 day fasts. What you describe here is the perfect reason for why fasting is best done as a well thought out, well monitored, group event. Day 2 is the WORST day. Around the end of Day 3, your body starts to really take notice "oh, we're not getting any more food? Ok." - and you stop being hungry (mostly).
Spice and I have thought of writing a book. In our spare time. ha ha .
1 and 2 day fasts are best described as punishment, I think. Boy, they keep your mind on food. At a week- it starts to feel normal. Normal.
Our version; water/black coffee as liquid; daily vitamin pill; and occasional salt. It's more complicated than that, of course.
Crunch- it'll be interesting to see how well you can sell this one! :-)
New Hampshire used to have 'Fast Day' as a legal holiday till 1991 when they swapped it out for Civil Rights Day (can't exceed the number of holidays in a year!)
I have done a forty day fast, taking in only water and pure fruit juice, for spiritual reasons. Greenpa is right, the second day is the worst. I can't imagine why you'd do it if it wasn't to spend that time focusing on prayer, but it is physically doable. I had a strong motivation, praying for one of my children, which helped me get through those first few days. I look back on it as one of the high points of my life.
I really enjoyed this post. Could you give us some more details about how these fasts worked? Did they drink water? Did it go 24 hrs, or just 12? Did children participate? Did people just stay home, or did they gather together and enjoy not eating? More details please.
Even though it sounds like I am not alone in my being locked into a plan tomorrow, this idea has legs. (Aside, I never celebrate the 4th any more as I'm too disgusted at Myths America.) Tomorrow the owner of the park where I live is paying for all the food for a community BBQ. I am the one who made the flyer and declared it a paperless picnic (bring your own plate, silverware), so I will be there to wash dishes!
But, I am with agreefire. Just because xtians and others used fasting for church holidays doesn't mean it is only a religious or spiritual exercise. I love the idea of our high, holy gluttony Myth America day of Thanksgiving being dedicated to fasting.
Oooops. I wrote this rather hurredly so forgive me if people thought that I was going to be fasting tomorrow.
This was more a thought experiment than a call to arms. There isn't exactly time to organize something like this and I'm not sure there would be too many interested in it.
It was more getting people to think about how the nation used to call on its people to sacrifice something. We've been at war how long and we haven't seen anything of the sort.
And by fasting I was referring overall to the general consumption of goods, not just food.
Maybe instead of food fasting, we can oil fast or energy fast? Imagine the impact of not a single drop of gas bought in a 24 hour period. Or everyone turning out their lights for a 24 hour period. Not that everyone would participate... And, there lies the problem!
Eco 'burban mom - you're on to something there. Maybe organizing some sort of Energy Free Day - not for tomorrow, that's too soon, and keeping the loaded word "fast" out of it. "Free" makes one think more of freedom and independence.
I know there's the occasional "buy no gas day", but maybe coupling it with energy gives it a new twist?
Sort of a one day version of the Extreme Eco Challenge. Not buying gas for a day is meaningful but not much if everyone just buys it the day before or after, so adding in asking people not to drive would be good too....
Any thoughts, suggestions?
Good idea! I already fast one day a week, so this won't be a problem. Thanks!
I like the idea of a Layin' Low Day - use minimal resources of every sort:
-no gas
-minimal electricity (sorry, not turning off the evap cooler when it's still 107 here!)
-minimal water
-minimal food or at least no junk food that provides no nutrition
-no spending money
-etc.
I've been considering going on a fast for a while, for health reasons, but I don't really know the best way to do it. I suppose as long as you keep hydrated you probably can't go too far wrong for a day or two? My will power is fairly poor and I have some gastrointestinal issues that may not like having nothing in the system to process, but I would like to try it for a day sometime soon. I tried going for a day without talking a couple weeks ago and I couldn't even do that, even though I was home by myself!
I was surprised to learn about the fasts, too. In Founding Faith by Steven Waldman, he talked about it. I believe they typcially were sunrise-sunset fasts.
BTW, it's a good book over the debate of religious freedom among the founding fathers and about the myths on both sides of the "this country was founded on Christian principles/this country was founded on complete religious freedom" argument.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400064376
I too like the idea of having a No Energy Day, where we commit to not using electricity, buying or using gas, as Chile noted, no eating junk food, etc. It would give us all excellent motivation to do less, even if for only a day.
I'm in for a "energy free" day. I'd need some electricity to run the well pump for water and keep the fridge running. Work would be the challenge I'd have to drive or not go but it's feasible.
I like the idea of a "free" day. Choosing a weekend day might make it easier. Many (like us here in Detroit) have no alternative option for transportation and taking a day off work is not always feasible. Trust me, where I work you do NOT want to be riding a bike. Daytime or nighttime. It would be great to see how many people could give up driving, using A/C, shopping and using electricty, even if only for a day. I am totally in!!
Darn... if we had thought ahead we could have called it "Independence from Energy Day" and actually did the event on Independence Day. Shoot, a day late and a dollar short am I!
I agree that it's a nice thought, but I am against fasting on principle. I think it's horrible for one's health to deprive the body of needed nutrients. And I physically & mentally shut down when I've fasted and I don't think that's healthy... but I'm also bitter that my parents forced me to fast once a week for 10 years, so maybe I'm much too biased.
But the two things that people look for most from fasting seem to be detox or awareness of some sort. I think you can find much healthier ways of incorporating that into your life than denying your body what it needs to function at peak efficiency.
I used to do a week long detox fast once a year. After the last one I started having heart palpitations. Luckily, it turns out I just have PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) but from what I understand those are sometimes brought on by low potassium and magnesium. I would go for a week long energy fast way before I could go without food again!
while living in hawaii, thanksgiving just seemed so out of place. so we had a day of fasting and silence and giving thanks.
for a time, we did it once a week. breakfast to breakfast, that way the body can use the night to heal instead of digest. i always had to slow down and be gentle with myself in order to not get cranky. since i became pregnant/nursing/toddler chasing and i'm taking a break!
I live out in the country so walking & public transportation is not an option. I can work from home so I try to have a day a week I don't drive, don't go out and spend any $. It seems easy but with an 11 & 15 year old, it is not.
I've also fasted for Thanksgiving. It was a really interesting experience, and I enjoyed it.
I like the idea of both a non-food-consumption and a non-energy-consumption day. I understand why others cannot fast (or would rather not do so).
Just my $ .02. Thanks for a thought-provoking post, Crunchy.
On consumption, here is somthing the bike community in Portland is joining in on: Independance from Oil, Gas Free Fridays
http://www.sfbike.org/?independence
Fasting to show solidarity with a nation who tells us to "go shopping" as an act of unity...how bold. :)
Let Freedom Ring! I am all about 'fasting' from whatever! Gas, transportation, shopping, food, whatever! I think each of us can eliminate at least one of these things for a 24 hour period in honor of our Independence from the powers that be!
I think this is a great idea and you could just give some options and let folks pick ones that have the most impact to them personally!
And if it is too late to organize for the 4th, it would be a great 'anytime' of the year thing holiday or not!
I say go for it! I am in!!
I found this post very interesting. I had no idea we used to have fast days as a nation. I think a fast from energy would be fabulous. Give a when and how and I will join! I am so in love with your blog
Golly Crunchie, it sounds quite a lot like... Earth Lent
What good ideas you have! :-)
It's worth noting that the Catholic Church has found, over the last 2000 years or so, that it's a lot easier to get people to "give something up" - if you combine it with a party.
I'd also suggest that as week is nearly as easy as a day- and vastly more effective in getting folks to think, and understand, and communicate, what they're doing.
This a pretty awesome idea but I'm afraid I can't participate. :(
Nevermind that I'm 8 months pregnant but I have super wonky blood sugar and I'd probably be unconscious by 10 am lol
Wishing you the best though!
Great discussion...i love the idea of 'rethinking' how we celebrate holidays...and the idea of celebrating independence creating dependence on oil, resources, etc.
I always hate the 4th b/c it's a) hot (i grew up in texas) and b) i always feel obligated to make big plans or something. Anyway...i would do a 1 day eco-extreme challenge, or something
That book sounds worth reading - thanks - and I love the idea of a fast. The folks who fast on Thanksgiving - love that. I already made plans that involve food but am definitely game for no-driving and/or no-food challenges. Thanks C!
I believe that fasting was a means of offering prayers to God, not just to 'calm the mind'.
Having been raised Mormon and forced to fast the first Sunday of every month, I don't relish the idea of fasting. That said, I am about to embarck on a spiritual vision fast by myself in the woods in a few weeks. In fact, I'm going to write about it tonight. I'm already easing into it, giving up certain things that aren't good for me anyway. Regardless of my kneejerk reaction, I do think fasting now and then is a good idea.
awesome idea!
my sister always does a fast during christmas time, that super gluttonous week or two of the year.
fasting makes your mind clearer, cleans out your body, increases psychic powers. something the govt wouldnt want: healthy people (sorry, billion dollar pharm companies) who can think clearly (sorry, advertisers on tv and deceitful politicians) who understand nature and its gifts.
I'm a little late on this one Crunchy, but I am such a big fan of fasting! What a way for the Lord to work in our lives, and it is so good for your body to fast weekly. I've been pregnant or breastfeeding for the last 5 years so it's been a while for me, but I'm excited to start again when the kiddos are grown a bit.
I actually did a 3-day juice fast (with two days of raw food on either end as a transition) over Independence Day. This was my first fast and it had its rough moments, but for me it was a concrete turning point in changing a somewhat self-destructive relationship with food. It really forced me to slow down and be mindful of how I chose to expend my personal energy over those three days, and it was very eye-opening in terms of what I take for granted in my day-to-day life.
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