Fasting with the Maxwells.

[SPHASH]

Yes, it can lead to asceticism and mental illness. The main fundie preacher at one week-long Bible school was so vehement about denying fleshly pleasures that a lot of the kids would fast the week, even refusing the juice the leaders tried to get kids to drink. And some would faint in choir practice. It got so bad that i even started believing that true Christians never ate or slept, but sustained themselves on Bible reading and prayer. Not healthy. I don't know how the Maxwell kids stay sane.

In a blog post Anna wrote about how the family was going to Taco Bell for lunch when they were younger, and Anna and the reversal boys got into an argument. Steve punished the boys by making them sit in the car and eat Wheat Thins while the rest of the family ate in the restaurant. Years later Anna felt guilty about getting them in trouble so she took the boys to Taco Bell for lunch and paid for it.

[ILoveJellybeans]

And the argument was over whether cats or dogs were better.

[PrairieGirl]

In a blog post Anna wrote about how the family was going to Taco Bell for lunch when they were younger, and Anna and the reversal boys got into an argument. Steve punished the boys by making them sit in the car and eat Wheat Thins while the rest of the family ate in the restaurant. Years later Anna felt guilty about getting them in trouble so she took the boys to Taco Bell for lunch and paid for it.

How ironic. I was just sitting here at my desk - obviously not working but browsing FJ - and trying to talk myself out of going to Taco Bell for lunch. I really don't need it, or the large bowel movement I will have later as a result, but what the heck. The Stevehovah has laid it on my heart that a 7-layer burrito is just what my afternoon needs. Thank you, Maxwells, thank you! I promise I will think of you the whole time!

[Hane]

On Monday I have a Dr's appointment in Reno and I'm meeting a friend for lunch at a vietnamese restaurant -- yum! I'd be pleased to count that as a part of your non-fast!

PS -- when I worked for a global hunger awareness organization we all used to fast on November 14th which was our annual "fast and donation day" where we encouraged people to fast (to think about how pervasive hunger is) and then to donate whatever they would have spent on food that day, to an organization working to end hunger. It wasn't the only time I ever fasted but it was an interesting and empowering practice.

Fasting on MY BIRTHDAY? BLASPHEMY!

That said, I do wish I could join y'all at Panera. As I type this, I am baking shortbread that tends to come out as good as theirs!

[SassyPants]

I have fasted off an on for years. I think it's great if it's self imposed.

Something is definitely wrong in that cult...18-30- somethings living at home and having their daddy control all. The photo of them seat belted into the van, like pre-schoolers, eating a special DQ treat was absurd. I'm thinking there's mental illness involved here.

[ViolaSebastian]

Steve and Teri have a history of using food as a control mechanism with their family. When you read blog entries and Corners over time, you realize they used withholding food to punish the kids when they were not acting to robotic standards. They also devised a punishment of making the kids eat the ends of loaves of bread because they knew the kids did not like to eat those ends. My skins crawls every time a Maxwell mentions fasting because of their specific history of food as punishment, and I come from a tradition of Christianity where fasting is practiced.

Wow. Just like the Weather Underground. Congratulations, Steve and Terri, if I ever had doubts about whether or not you ran a cult, this has just confirmed it.

[Marian the Librarian]

Interesting timing, coming so soon after Joseph's wedding. By virtue of a kidult's marriage, Steve has to relinquish a tiny bit of control - and almost immediately tries to reclaim ground by influencing the food intake of his family and followers.

[browncoatslytherin]

Interesting timing, coming so soon after Joseph's wedding. By virtue of a kidult's marriage, Steve has to relinquish a tiny bit of control - and almost immediately tries to reclaim ground by influencing the food intake of his family and followers.

plus a good way to get rid of that extra few ounces because of the extra animal crackers :roll:

[twin2]

Fasting on MY BIRTHDAY? BLASPHEMY!

That said, I do wish I could join y'all at Panera. As I type this, I am baking shortbread that tends to come out as good as theirs!

All forms of gluttony are welcome for the anti-fast! Just be sure to come back on Monday with vivid descriptions and/or pics of your heathen ways. We know Steve-o reads here! Let's give him plenty of temptation to resist.

[twin2]

Steve and Teri have a history of using food as a control mechanism with their family. When you read blog entries and Corners over time, you realize they used withholding food to punish the kids when they were not acting to robotic standards. They also devised a punishment of making the kids eat the ends of loaves of bread because they knew the kids did not like to eat those ends. My skins crawls every time a Maxwell mentions fasting because of their specific history of food as punishment, and I come from a tradition of Christianity where fasting is practiced.

Whenever Sarah posts a pic of all of them eating, I always pay very close attention to where the food is placed. More often then not, despite the gigantic table, the food is typically all in front of Steve. I have little doubt he serves the whole family. I hope that is not the case. Adults should be able to determine their own proportions.

[twin2]

I would sign up but you haven't specified if this is the women's thread or the men's thread.

All heathens are welcome at my table of gluttony!

Seriously what is up with 2 separate sign-ups?

[divadivine]

All heathens are welcome at my table of gluttony!

Seriously what is up with 2 separate sign-ups?

Because the ladies email will contain information on how to assist your husband through the fast. You're his helpmeet. That's your duty. Back rubs, sweet fellowship, keeping sweet.

I'll partake in a pre-workout granola bar at 4:00 am, a chocolate raspberry smoothie at 6:30 am, a nice lunch at noon, a protein bar at 3 pm & a nice dinner. This Diva doesn't fast.

[SPHASH]

Sat I'm meeting friends at Pizza Ranch for supper so I will pig out then, Sunday I have game night at church and we are having pizza and ice cream. Monday I will have to go back on my diet so I can't join you all on Monday's pig out.

[divadivine]

Sat I'm meeting friends at Pizza Ranch for supper so I will pig out then, Sunday I have game night at church and we are having pizza and ice cream. Monday I will have to go back on my diet so I can't join you all on Monday's pig out.

What is this Pizza Ranch of which you speak? It sounds fabulous.

[SPHASH]

What is this Pizza Ranch of which you speak? It sounds fabulous.

It's a regional franchise here in the Upper Midwest-Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Iowa. They have a pizza buffet, salad bar, and other things on the buffet like chicken, biscuits, buffalo wings, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, salads, and ice cream for dessert. They have your basic pizzas like pepperoni, sausage, taco, and specialty pizzas like the Bronco (mostly meat), Prairie (all veggie), Tuscan Roma (tomatoes, spinach, alfredo sauce), and the Stampede (equivalent to a Supreme Pizza at Pizza Hut).

[yetanothermeg]

How ironic. I was just sitting here at my desk - obviously not working but browsing FJ - and trying to talk myself out of going to Taco Bell for lunch. I really don't need it, or the large bowel movement I will have later as a result, but what the heck. The Stevehovah has laid it on my heart that a 7-layer burrito is just what my afternoon needs. Thank you, Maxwells, thank you! I promise I will think of you the whole time!

If the giant bowel movement produces a painful amount of gas, offer it up to free all the poor Maxwell souls trapped in purgatory!

[fundiefan]

Hahahahahhahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I have nothing to contribute. So....Maxwellian.

[bean]

It's a regional franchise here in the Upper Midwest-Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Iowa. They have a pizza buffet, salad bar, and other things on the buffet like chicken, biscuits, buffalo wings, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, salads, and ice cream for dessert. They have your basic pizzas like pepperoni, sausage, taco, and specialty pizzas like the Bronco (mostly meat), Prairie (all veggie), Tuscan Roma (tomatoes, spinach, alfredo sauce), and the Stampede (equivalent to a Supreme Pizza at Pizza Hut).

All my grandparents are huge fans of Pizza Ranch. It's a pizza buffet place, but they also have fried chicken and mashed potatoes, plus dessert pizza. And they are a bit on the fundie side, with bible verses on the walls and closed on Sundays (at least that's the case in Brainerd, MN).

ETA: sorry, SPHASH described the food much better than me. Totally missed that part. I blame the Sauvignon Blanc.

[Trynn]

Today instead of fasting I ate cookies and half a cucumber with pine nut hummus washed down with hot chocolate.

[YPestis]

In one of their books, Steve talks about gluttony and how food is a weak spot for him. He said he ate his emotions and wants to raise his children to not do that. This being a Maxwell household, I'm sure that means food is something that's controlled. I don't think the family is starving themselves on a regularly basis, nor are they undernourished (just based on their appearance). However, one can still use food to control without keeping the family hungry. All you have to do is dictate to families when to eat, what to eat and how to cook it. And dissenters may be deprived of favorite dishes. I can imagine the Maxwells turning fasting into one more item that combats against the fleshy pleasures of good food. It's so like them to try to deprive themselves of anything that's enjoyable, because Jeebus.

[lilith]

I would sign up but you haven't specified if this is the women's thread or the men's thread.

This is FJ - we have decadent mixed sex fasting in these parts - we are just that worldly and heathen.

[lilith]

In one of their books, Steve talks about gluttony and how food is a weak spot for him. He said he ate his emotions and wants to raise his children to not do that. This being a Maxwell household, I'm sure that means food is something that's controlled. I don't think the family is starving themselves on a regularly basis, nor are they undernourished (just based on their appearance). However, one can still use food to control without keeping the family hungry. All you have to do is dictate to families when to eat, what to eat and how to cook it. And dissenters may be deprived of favorite dishes. I can imagine the Maxwells turning fasting into one more item that combats against the fleshy pleasures of good food. It's so like them to try to deprive themselves of anything that's enjoyable, because Jeebus.

The Maxwell women are all VERY thin - Mary especially looks underweight for a young lady with the breasts and hips that The Lord has blessed her with. And they all have workouts scheduled for them, no matter what their personal preference is. I wouldn't be surprised if their calorie intake was insufficient for their age and activity.

That just made me think - young people in situations where they have no control over anything sometimes develop eating disorders as a way to control something as basic as their own body. The Maxwells couldn't even do that - they already have disordered eating inflicted on them from above.

Jesus. Sarah is my age and has never been able to make her own food choices or plan her own menu or grocery shop to her preferences. I just can't imagine.....

[alba]

The Maxwell women are all VERY thin - Mary especially looks underweight for a young lady with the breasts and hips that The Lord has blessed her with. And they all have workouts scheduled for them, no matter what their personal preference is. I wouldn't be surprised if their calorie intake was insufficient for their age and activity.

That just made me think - young people in situations where they have no control over anything sometimes develop eating disorders as a way to control something as basic as their own body. The Maxwells couldn't even do that - they already have disordered eating inflicted on them from above.

Jesus. Sarah is my age and has never been able to make her own food choices or plan her own menu or grocery shop to her preferences. I just can't imagine.....

I was shaped a lot like Mary when I was her age, and I think my weight gain in the past couple of years can be attributed more to hedonism and laziness than genetics. Don't get me wrong, her father's control of her exercise and diet is all kinds of fucked up, but I don't think the fact that she's curvy necessarily means she's underweight.

That said, it wouldn't surprise me if she's not getting enough food. In addition to their family exercise routine, they spend a lot of time on their feet cleaning and doing projects around the house, all of which adds up over the course of the day.

[lilith]

I was shaped a lot like Mary when I was her age, and I think my weight gain in the past couple of years can be attributed more to hedonism and laziness than genetics. Don't get me wrong, her father's control of her exercise and diet is all kinds of fucked up, but I don't think the fact that she's curvy necessarily means she's underweight.

That said, it wouldn't surprise me if she's not getting enough food. In addition to their family exercise routine, they spend a lot of time on their feet cleaning and doing projects around the house, all of which adds up over the course of the day.

Her waist and arms are noticeably tiny lately. I had the big boobs, curvy hips, small waist thing as a young woman too, and while I agree that it could be her natural body shape I do think it's unlikely that she's as naturally slight as her sisters. But she could also be losing the last of her puberty puppy fat and settling into her womans figure. Her face isn't gaunt like Poor Sarah's.

[treemom]

Would some one PLEASE buy Poor Sarah a thesaurus for Christmas! Girlfriend needs to be introduced to some new adjectives.

This Monday, Nov. 17th, I think I shalt treat myself to a feast from Panera for dinner.And when the lady behind the counter asks if I would like a pastry for 99 cents. I will say Yes! Yes I do! All are welcome to join me in my non-fast on Monday 17th. Sign up in this thread if interested.

In Monday the 17th I am going out with my bestie for a birthday dinner at this awesome place called Flight. For my non fast I will be having a flight of wine (oh let's be honest, multiple flights of wine) and a flight of starters and a flight of salad and a flight of entree and well basically all the flights.

I know God will bless me. Please consider this my signup. I am a woman, so put me on the appropriate list.