Mardi Gras Survival Guide

Translation: There is no way that you can make it out of this day alive. Or at least with your healthy reputation in tact. You don't believe me? I ate two doughnuts just to prep for this article.

This festive green, purple, and gold holiday is the official marker of the beginning or Lent, the Christian time of fasting leading up to Easter. Consequently, the day before Lent became a huge event to overindulge on things that you are abstaining from over the next 40 days. Eventually, Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, became an event celebrated around the world separate from the typical Christian origins. New Orleans being the leader in the colorful festivities.

Photo by Katherine Carroll

Now I can probably guarantee that most of us will not be venturing to Louisiana this Tuesday (raise your hand if you have a prelim), but I can assure you that you can have your share of fun to celebrate.

A lot of traditional fried foods are served to celebrate the holiday. My suggestion? Take a trip to Nasties. The pet name is more than just a term of endearment.

Photo by Katherine Carroll

However, the most well know Mardi Gras food is the King Cake. It is a large, ring shaped confection (similar to coffee cake) that is extremely rich in color and taste. For fun, a baby  is usually placed somewhere inside of the cake, and the person who receives the baby is said to provide the cake for next year.

While that is all good and fun, I doubt that most of us will have time to make a King Cake to celebrate the day. Solution? Doughnuts.

Photo by Katherine Carroll

Doughnuts are basically a much smaller version of the King Cake and fortunately much more accessible for your typical college student. Which means you can have your cake and eat it too.

All in all, forget your healthy habits. Today is meant to be enjoyed so enjoy it to the fullest. Or in the very wise words of Marie Antoinette, "Let them eat cake."

Happy Mardi Gras.

Photo by Katherine Carroll

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