It's a cake!- some thoughts on "fasting bread"+.

It is a Sunday evening and my family is much better, thank you for your prayers. I have just finished reading the  book by Wayne Weible on Fasting  "The Medjugorje Fasting Book" and than my mind just goes to various books and articles people have written on this topic. I can remember that famous "fasting bread" coming up from Sister Emmanuelle with almonds, honey,eggs, olive oil etc ... What a fast! First time I have heard about it I wanted to sit in my car and go tell her "It's a cake sister! It is a cake not the bread! But then again she is French and one doesn't mess with French when it comes to cooking :-) One doesn't mess with a nun ,period.
Anyway if you think we in Herzegovina have had any type of fasting bread, you are wrong. There is no such thing. We do not even have to word in Croatian to translate "fasting bread", it is a nonsense.  Not one person who is seriously fasting would take that "fasting bread"/sister suggested/  and eat it during a fasting day. Simply, there's no penance in it :-) . Also there a different forums on internet where people are discussing different types of bread, even suggesting the good places to buy one.
This summer a man came to my shop with a loaf of bread asking IF that was the fasting bread or he is to look further. We had a great time talking about it and I have tried to explain that we were so poor that it would be considered extremely foolish to put eggs, milk, etc into a bread and  specially not when fasting.
We eat just plain bread. You put some flower ( which ever dear Lord allowed you to have in the house) and you pore some salt and yeast in it and than you mix it with some warm water. Wait over night and put it in the oven That's it! I do admit some of us make really great bread out of these ingredients the secret is in the preparation. And I guess if you really want to fast well you go and by one of those bread loafs from the grocery shops :-) They really make your stomach sick so you have more to offer. . .
You should not be thinking that you will loose something like minerals and vitamins and like wise.
Don't you relay on God?
Will He not sustain us during our fast and provide all that is necessary for our bodies?
 Don't we believe he is the vitamin and mineral giver?
He is the giver of life! He will take care of  us. Do not worry.
If are are looking for a "rich bread", "healthier bread", "tasty bread" etc ... what is our sacrifice?
Where is your trust? And where is the love? The fasting becomes all about us, isn't it?
In Wayne book we are reminded of blessed Alexandrina who lived on the Eucharist ALONE for 13 YEARS!
And for us who do eat I repeat the words of dear father Slavko: "When fasting on bread and water you should eat water and drink bread"
Here is something to ponder on during our evening prayers.

The Medjugorje Fasting Book
Fast with the Heart
God bless you all!
Anita