250px-pancakes_shrove_tuesday1I must admit that I love the symbolism behind Fat Tuesday (or “Shrove Tuesday”).  It’s Mardi Gras, too  — a day to eat, celebrate and enjoy fatty foods before the big Lenten fast begins the following day.  Isn’t it just like the human condition to overdo it with rich, decadent, calorie-laden foods before a forced lifestyle change (aka dietary change) is thrust upon us?!  Most people think of Fat Tuesday as a chance to celebrate with a couple of humungous Hurricane drinks and plate of decadently filled crepes.

On Fat Tuesday when I was growing up, my family indulged in homemade thin pancakes for dinner filled with jam, rich nutella, a nut/sugar mixture, or prune preserves called Lekvar.   Of course, they were topped with a dusting of confectioner’s suger and sometimes maple syrup – so it wasn’t only Fat Tuesday, but Sweet Tuesday, also! 

My inclination now that I have my own family is to do that same.   Yet I still err on the side of substituting some of the not-so-healthy ingredients for some-better-for-you ones.  Instead of  using all white flour, I cut part of it with whole wheat flour, toss in a tablespoon of ground flax seed, fill them with fresh berries and top with a drizzle of agave nectar.  Ok, so my toddlers won’t know the difference, but how about my husband?  I could offer savory crepes filled with part-skim ricotta, sauteed spinach and mushrooms with a pinch of nutmeg.  That works for me! Does that mean I still need to have bacon on the side or greasy hash browns?  Well, there’s always soy bacon…

In my pursuit of calorie control and health-enhancing foods, I can’t forget that one indulgence does not spell disaster, but signifies life…

What are you making on Fat Tuesday — I’d love to know.