Don't Give It Up!

Five things we think you should NOT give up for Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday, the solemn day after festive Fat Tuesday. If you're Catholic, chances are you have and/or will give up something you love for Lent – whether it's chocolate, fried foods, television or swearing (We're not sure why you love swearing, but that's beside the point).


Check out these great ideas for what to give up for Lent from Twitter users.


Rather than advise you what to give up for Lent, we've come up with a list of five things we DON'T think you should give up, or you'll be missing out on some fun times between now and Easter. Yeah, yeah, we know sacrifice is the whole point, but there are plenty of other things you can do without – like swearing, for instance.

Here is our list:

1) Green beer and pizza – On St. Patty's Day, March 17, Frasca Pizzeria, 3358 North Paulina St., 773-248-5222,  is featuring $2 green Bud Light drafts and Guinness pizza; the Guinness crust is made with potatoes, bechemel, white onions and Guinness stout beer. ($8)

2) Sushi – For St. Patty's Day, University Village's Kohan Japanese Restaurant, 730 W. Maxwell St., 312-421-6254, has some fun specialty rolls with a St. Patty's Day theme you won't want to miss, like The Leprechaun Roll, baked salmon over crab meat with tangy ponzu sauce  or The Shamrock, spicy tuna over a spicy scallop roll with ponzu sauce – both $14. 

3) Tapas – Tapas Valencia, 1530 S State St., 312-842-4444, is now open. The sibling to the popular Meson Sabika in Naperville, this is not a place you're going to want to wait long to visit. 

4) Cocktail Parties – Don't miss First Friday on Friday, March 6 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., 312-280-2660.     Order tickets in advance online for $10; they're $15 at the door.

5) Wine -- Starting in March, several wine varietals from a featured winery will be available for $25 per bottle on Thursday nights at the Thursday Night Cellar Wine Raid at Shaw's Crab House, 21 E. Hubbard St., 312-527-2722.

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