Community Matters: It’s Time to get Fat

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday or the last day of Carnival, is six days away. Celebrations for this day, which in the Christian tradition marks the last day before Lent, take place around the world, with three tasty universal “fat” factors: sugar, eggs and flour. These three ingredients are used to cook all kinds of goodies, like pancakes and doughnuts traditionally meant to add a reserve inch of fat around the waist before the Lent fast, which lasts until Easter.

Aside from making pancakes it’s also common for people to toss them in the pan while running (there’s even a science behind this). People dress up, wear masks, and hold awesome parades. Some even start all the gluttony the Thursday before. That day is called Fat Thursday (In Greece it’s even called BBQ meat day, what more could you want the day before Friday?), which brings me to this week’ s community events.

This Thursday at Nola, getting fat for Mardi Gras is the objective. A live show by The Randy Abel Stable and New Orleans trivia match are mere details when I think of the mouth-watering Cajun food that will be served. See our article from the Beijinger February issue for more on that event. And on the actual day of Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, the Hilton Beijing will be holding their annual Celebrity Tosser Race where they pick food celebrities from around the city to flip pancakes as they navigate an obstacle course in costume.

To participate in non-artery-clogging activities, tonight, join self-proclaimed LinkedIn geek Bridget Rooth, who will be discussing how to build an online presence at the INC Dinner Speaker Series. William Bi is back at the Yoga Yard to give his free bi-monthly meditation class on Sunday. And to plan a unique holiday, Koryo Tours has announced that they will run two new bike tours in North Korea this year. Check their website for details and watch the video from last year’s tour here.

Here is a short clip about Mardi Gras in New Orleans:

Photo: Foodbeast