Quadragesima (no, it's not the new Who album)

Quadragesima is the Latin term for Lent, meaning "forty days". The Lentan period starts today, as you may know because it is marked in many places by Mardi Gras celebrations. For early Christians the rules of fasting during Lent were strict: just one meal a day, in the evening, and no meat, fish, eggs, or butter is permitted. Eastern Orthodox Christians still follow these practices today, but most religions have relaxed these rules, for example, since 1966 Roman Catholics only require strict fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Traditionally Lutherans aren't required to fast or sacrifice something for Lent as some other denominations require (see here for a brief theological discussion), but Aaron [my youngest brother] has been giving up something for Lent the last few years, at least, and I will be doing it for the first time this year. Lately I've been developing a sweet tooth, so I'm giving up desserts and sweets. No cookies, cake, pie, ice cream, etc for 45 days (the Sundays in the Lentan period don't count towards the 40 days).