Life feels a bit overwhelming sometimes. (Maybe all the time, lately.) There’s just so much happening in the world that staying on top of everything seems impossible—and that’s okay. Nobody can know it all, and nobody expects you to. That’s why I’m here friend, to fill you in on some things that probably flew under your radar but are worth knowing about.
Did you hear about the economic protest on February 28th?
Sometimes, you come across an idea that makes you pause and think, This is worth trying. That’s how I felt when I first heard about the February 28th economic boycott. I have no clue who started it or how the word got around, but the concept spoke to me. The idea was to refrain from shopping, particularly at big-box stores, for a day. And if you did need to shop, you were encouraged to spend your money locally and pay in cash. Simple, right? But powerful too, especially if we keep it up!
Paying cash might feel old-school, but for small businesses, it’s a lifeline. When you pay with cash, you’re saving the shop owner from processing fees—usually around 2%-3% of every transaction—and giving them immediate access to funds. No waiting for payments to clear or worrying about chargebacks. Honestly, it’s one of the simplest ways to make a difference for the people keeping your favorite local spots alive.
I decided to take part in the boycott, even though I’ve already taken a personal stand against a few places that have rolled back their DEI efforts or otherwise aligned with policies I don’t agree with. But this wasn’t just about a protest for me. Lately, I’ve been on a mission to save more money—not just for my own peace of mind but so I can have cash on hand to support mutual aid efforts in my community. That’s when I had an idea to take it further and make it personal.
This year, for Lent, I’m setting myself a challenge. For 40 days, I’m not buying anything except the essentials. No impulse spending, no unnecessary indulgences. I’m going to cook and eat entirely from what I already have—my pantry, freezer, and even my little patio garden. The money I save will go straight to my local food bank to help them keep the lights on and the shelves stocked.
But this isn’t just about trimming my budget. Lent has always been, for me, about intentional self-sacrifice and gratitude. It’s a time to reflect on what we have and share it with others. I’ve always felt that this spirit of giving and simplifying resonates across cultures and faiths. I’m reminded of a wonderful classmate I had in high school—Eman. We used to chat about the similarities between Lent and Ramadan during Gifted class. Eman told me that during Ramadan, fasting isn’t required if you’re ill, on your period, or unwell in any way. Instead, greater emphasis is placed on acts of charity and sacrifice in other forms. She opened my eyes to a more flexible, compassionate way to approach Lenten practices, especially since my hypoglycemia makes fasting unsafe.
Now, instead of fasting, I focus on eating simpler meals and being mindful of my blessings. I often think of Eman this time of year, wondering how she’s doing and wishing her a heartfelt "Ramadan Mubarak." Even though it's been 30 years since high school and quite a few years since I've been a devoutly practicing Catholic, it’s these small connections and moments of understanding that bring meaning to me.
And friends, Lent doesn’t officially kick off until Ash Wednesday, but tomorrow is Fat Tuesday! I’m planning to celebrate with a delicious dinner—and I’m even going to attempt making beignets. Wish me luck. But come Wednesday, it’s game time. I’ll be getting my “ash in church” (as they say) and then fully leaning into this challenge of simplifying and making do with what I’ve got.
Over the weekend, I’ll be sharing little snapshots of this experiment.
February 28 (Night 39) Friday night, I unearthed some yeast from the back of the fridge and made homemade pizza. It was such a hit! We used up the turkey pepperoni and fresh mozzarella that was languishing in the drawer—it was a total "clean out the fridge" win. After dinner, we played a modern twist on Lotería with the kids and giggled over cards like "La Selfie" and "El Cheugy."
March 1st (Night 40) Saturday brought an unplanned adventure when my niece needed help finding an interview outfit. My husband, daughter, and I packed up clothes to share and he and I made a quick trip to my hometown. We capped off the day with dinner by the Indian River lagoon with my parents—it was stunning. I even treated myself to a pound of peel-and-eat shrimp, which I savored as an early birthday gift.
March 2nd (Night 41) Sunday, I turned leftover pickle juice into a quick brine for chicken, which I later cooked into fajitas. The house smelled amazing, and the fajitas were a hit after caramelizing onions and charring bell peppers. That pickle juice keeps your chicken moist and tender even cooking at high heat, but don't brine skinless boneless chicken for more than an hour or two or your meat will get too soft and taste very dilly. The fajita mixture I used included chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and cumin so the spices and the vegetables gave it all the right flavor.
Then last night, I marinated chicken in a mixture of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, fresh herbs from my garden, and a touch of seasoning. I adapted my recipe from this one from Tasty. Tonight, it’ll be cubed and served over a big Greek salad with homemade tzatziki on the side. I might pair it with couscous—still deciding—but it’s shaping up to be another tasty and resourceful meal.
I hope you’ll follow along and maybe even find a little inspiration for your own moments of intentional living. Whether it’s simplifying your meals, supporting local businesses, or just pausing to be more grateful, these small shifts can ripple out in ways we don’t always expect. And isn’t that kind of what we are all looking for right now?
1,420 nights to go.
#KeepGoing
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