The Daniel Fast

Fresh, raw juices from The Juice Room

Happy (read: belated) 2013!!! I wanted to share with you all something I've been led to do for the past two years in an attempt to get the new year started off on the good foot: The Daniel's Fast. This is the best way, for me, to make sure I'm starting 2013 off spiritually centered, attain mental clarity, and keep focused on the tasks I feel led pursue. 

The purpose of the Daniel Fast  is to create an environment in my mind, my heart, my spirit,
 and  personal space,  in which I am able to focus soley on seeking pleasure through my relationship with Christ; which in turn makes me more apt to hearing from nothing but Him, while other, less "Godly" (if you will) temptations are completely eliminated; so that I have nothing else to "fall back on" if I lose focus. There are many reasons why someone would want to embark on this three week fast, but for the sake of the length (and your attention) of this post, I will be focusing on why the diet aspect of The Daniel Fast is especially beneficial. 

avocado rolls with brown rice

The Daniel Fast focuses on eliminating the addictive foods in our diet that many of us indulge in as a means to seek pleasure.  These types of foods often offer very little (if any) nutritional value, take a toll on our digestive systems, and have been linked to multiple illnesses; although for many of us they serve as a security blanket, an emotional relieve, when things in our life go astray. We are quick to quote the scripture "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13),  but run to Krispy Kreme at the hint of a storm. We need throw that security blanket out the window and turn to the Lord, thus the foods that are to be avoided are the ones that have been found to have addictive qualities and include all meat, dairy, added sugars, yeast, refined and processed foods (such as white rice and white bread), deep fried foods and caffeine. When you think about it, God has already made available to us an enourmous variety of foods that require little to no manipulation to consume. Ironically, these foods are also better for the environment and cruelty free. Talk about a win-win situation! 

Homemade Pad Thai soup with brown rice noodles adapted from this recipe, with a random side of baked sweet plantains.

During the Daniel Fast, we can freely consume whole and minimally processed foods including  all raw and cooked vegetables, whole grains (such as brown rice and quiona), whole grain pastas, legumes, nuts, seeds, quality oils (such as extra virgin olive oil), water and herbal teas. Eating the way our Lord intended will expose you a whole new world (que Alladin) of foods that you may previously have been unaware of. Look to asian, indian, mexican and carribean dishes (just ask for no meat and replace white rice for brown) and you shouldn't have a problem. These pictures are just an example of what a day on the Daniel Fast might look like, although I'm definetly trying to incorporate more raw foods into the regime. 

Easiest sorbet ever. Add equal parts of frozen pineapples+frozen strabwerries + a little coconut milk to a blender....then blend it. Now you have a delicious, healthy, dairy free snack!

 Trust me when I say that hunger is not even an issue. I just make sure to keep a lot of fresh fruits, veggies and nuts on hand so I'm not tempted to run to the nearest McD's when those hunger pains attack. I'm working on upping the ante by going 75% raw by indulging in a green smoothie for breakfast, large salad for lunch, and starchy veggies and a cooked grain for dinner. 

Along with restricting certain indulgent foods, television, movies, and internet use is limited to two hours a day. NO secular is music allowed (problalby the hardest rule for me to abide by)!

Wish me luck grace and favor! I have one more week to go and feeling great!


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‎"Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them" 

Daniel 10:12