What to Give Up For Lent This Year

This year Lent starts February 26 and runs through April 9. For many Christians, this period between Ash Wednesday and Easter is a time for reflection and abstention. But it has become more common for everyone, regardless of faith, to make changes to their lives this time of year, if only for a little while. Thinking of giving up something for Lent? We have some suggestions: 

Give up:

Driving

Replace with:

Public transportation 

Go on, take a METRO bus. Try the light rail. Other commuters will thank you for reduction in traffic, and you’ll get a break from dealing with them. Win-win. 

Give up:

Buying snacks 

Replace with:

Donating to the Houston Food Bank

 Wasn’t your New Year’s resolution to lose weigh anyway? 

Give up:

Frozen margaritas

Replace with:

Skinny margaritas 

We understand; giving up margs entirely would be insane. But, a little less sugar? Entirely doable.

Give up:

Texting in the car 

Replace with:

Not killing anyone on the freeway 

This is as good a time as any to give it up, and maybe never take it up again? 

Give up: 

Fast food

Replace with:

A trip to the farmer’s market 

The Saturday Urban Harvest Farmers Market offers so many delicious treats, you’ll forget about the Popeyes chicken sandwich. For a minute, anyway. Probably. 

Give up:

Buying flowers

Replace with:

Planting flowers

You’ll be safely past V-day when Lent starts, so this is a no-brainer.

Give up:

Soft drinks 

Replace with:

Kombucha 

Give Kickin’ Kombucha a try. It’s brewed right here in Houston. 

Give up:

Social media 

Replace with:

Volunteering

The exception, we say, would be posting selfies of your altruistic endeavors. See, we’re not unreasonable. 

Give up:

One hour of screen time every day 

Replace with:

A daily hour-long walk in the park 

Put away that phone. Turn off those Kardashians. For our money, this is the best time of the year for Houstonians to get outside. 

Give up:

Tex-Mex 

Replace with:

Absolutely nothing

After all, there’s no replacing our favorite food group. 

Published in the The Year of the Food Hall! issue of Houstonia Mag.