Honestly I had no idea that Mardi Gras had anything to do with Ash Wednesday. It just meant Mardi Gras-massive party day. It is amazing how off course the world can get when it kicks God out.
I remember my mom using up all the bacon fat and lard before Lent, so that the cooking could be done with other things.
Anything meat or meat products was out.
BTW, don’t tell the world that Mardi Gras has anything to do with Ash Wednesday. New Orleans would lose so much money — LOL!