Lamenting about Lent

I grew up going to a Lutheran school and Lutheran church.  It was never explicitly mandated that you needed to give something up for Lent, but it was encouraged.  I always chose pop, which was relatively easy.  Jesus dying on the cross does not equal 5 Diet Cokes, but at least I did something, right?

My husband, being the good Catholic boy that he is, decided that this Lenten season he will go without beef or pork.  This in turn leads me to go without it as well.  After all, it wouldn't be fair for me to be grilling steaks every night in front of him.

A life without beef or pork hasn't been difficult though.  TGF-turkey, chicken, fish, and chickpeas.  Yes, chickpeas.

Mashed Chickpea Pitas

• 1 tsp chopped garlic-from-a-jar
• 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• 2 Tablespoons reduced-fat mayo
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 (15-oz) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup diced cucumber
• 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh dill
• 1 carrot, finely shredded
• 2 whole wheat pita pockets, cut in half
• Lettuce leaves (optional)

1. Combine garlic, all but 2 Tbsp yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, and chickpeas in a bowl.  Mash with a potato masher or fork until almost smooth.  Stir in cucumber and dill.
2. Combine remaining yogurt and carrot in a small bowl; stir well.
3. Line each pita half with lettuce leaf, 1/2 cup chickpea mixture, and 1-2 Tbsp carrot mixture.

No beef.  No pork.  No pop.  No problem. 

Per pita half: 320 calories, 53 g carbs, 7 g fat, 15 g protein, 9 g fiber