Forbidden Meat: Fasting and Abstinence During Advent (Rebroadcast)

This podcast is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this episode of Food for Thought, I explore the long, often-forgotten history of abstaining from meat during Advent and other Christian fasting periods, and how that tradition actually aligns beautifully with a modern vegan lifestyle.Drawing from my own Catholic upbringing, I look at how rites and rituals like Lent and Advent once emphasized simplicity, self-restraint, and giving up animal products, and how language, church rules, and holiday foods still carry traces of that history.I also invite listeners—religious or not—to consider their own version of conscious “fasting,” and I touch on traditional Advent/Christmas foods like Stollen that grew out of these practices.Here’s the video version of the introduction to the re-broadcast:In this episode, you’ll learn:* Historically, Christians spent more days not eating meat (and often other animal products) than eating it, especially around Lent and Advent.* The idea that being vegan is “incompatible” with culture or religion is new; religious abstinence from animal products is centuries old.* Words like “Carnival” (from carne levare – “remove meat”) and traditions like Meatfare/Cheesefare Sundays reflect this meatless history.* Advent used to be a serious season of fasting and abstinence, not just a time of treats, shopping, and countdown calendars.* Different Christian traditions (especially Eastern and Ethiopian Orthodox) still practice very strict, essentially vegan fasts for many days of the year.* Over time, church rules relaxed, and meat-eating became normalized and constant, while fasting became optional or symbolic.* You don’t have to be religious to embrace the spirit of fasting: you can choose to simplify your diet, give something up (like alcohol, sugar, eating out, or processed foods), and let the feast feel more meaningful at the end.* Many beloved holiday foods—like Stollen, fruitcake, and other Advent breads and sweets—arose from these traditions of fasting, scarcity, and then feasting.* Part 2 will dive into Christmas feasting and traditional foods tied to the 12 Days of Christmas and Twelfth Night.Support the PodcastTo keep Food for Thought Podcast ad-free and accessible to all, I rely on the support of paid subscribers. If you’re already one—thank you. If you’re not, please consider becoming one. None of the companies below sponsored this episode. They’re simply brands I personally use, love, and trust—which is why I agreed to be an affiliate.If you find this episode helpful, please consider giving it a like, share, comment, or restack. Remember Food for Thought is a listener-supported podcast, and your support as a paid subscriber helps me continue creating content that inspires compassion and action—for animals, people, and the planet.If you make a purchase using the links below, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you—and you’ll receive exclusive discounts using the codes provided!* Complement SupplementsEverything you need, nothing you don’t. Complement makes targeted supplements for plant-based eaters, including B12, D3, DHA, and more—all from clean, trusted sources.🔗 lovecomplement.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 15% off all products!* Plaine ProductsRefillable, non-toxic, plastic-free personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash. Gentle on you, gentle on the planet.🔗 plaineproducts.com | Code: JOYFULVEGAN for 20% off all products!* Nama JuicerMy favorite cold-press juicer—quiet, powerful, and easy to clean. It’s become an essential part of my kitchen.🔗 namawell.com | Code: COLLEEN10 for 10% off all products!Additional Resources👉 Connect with me 1:1 – Get personalized guidance whatever you are looking for.👉 Read A Year of Compassion – Daily inspiration to help you live with intention, kindness, and clarity.👉 Travel with me! I host animal-friendly, luxury, all-inclusive vegan trips around the world, specifically curated to ensure high-quality, high-touch premium experiences. Check out our upcoming trips, and let me know if you have any questions.👉 Check out my Recipe E-Books and my library of On-Demand Cooking Classes for recipes. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com/subscribe