Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent.  Lent is a time that we reflect on our mortality, appreciate this life God has blessed us with, and renew our efforts to take care of ourselves spiritually, mentally, and physically.  Every year I try to pick something unhealthy that has been a particular vice.  Last year I gave up ice cream.  If you have read a few posts--you'd know that is BIG for me.  After all, Lent is forty days not including Sundays!  I did pretty well, but really I did cheat.  I ate some gelato.  Technically, gelato is not ice cream--that was what I told myself when I cheated.  This time I'm going all out--no ice cream OR ice cream substitutes!  And I'm giving up soda.  Not really a big soda drinker, but I figure it wouldn't hurt to completely cut that out for a while.  I probably go several months at a time without drinking any anyway.  So that is my lent plan this year.  I'm going to try to kick exercise up a few notches too.  It is time to make the most of this body that I am blessed with!