Sunday Afternoon (The Daniel Fast )

So it’s day 15 of my Daniel Fast and despite some of the hunger pains i get through out the day I feel pretty good.  Before i started the fast, I’ve been reading the Bible from the beginning (Genesis).  I just happen to be mid-way thru  the book of Numbers when i started the Fast. It really cool to just read about how God had specific plans for the Israelites but it was cause of their attitudes the journey took longer than it really was suppose to. It makes you think about how much things in our lives could have been easier but our attitudes made getting to that point more difficult. It has definitely been an eye opener.

This pass weekend after Church, my sister and i decided to go to lunch .We wanted to stay within the guidelines of the fast so we practically drove around in circles thinking of places we can eat. After 30 minutes of driving  we  decided to eat at Whole foods to make our live easier. We hit the salad bar and tried anything that was vegan and non dairy, we also read the ingredients on each to see if they were natural as possible.

The conclusion was a bowl fill of Tabbouleh, Asian Noodles, Pico De Gallo, Steamed vegetables, Beets with Ginger and a Roasted Tomato Soup. I know the Daniel Fast guidelines suggest water as the only Beverage,but i have a gag reflex when i consume  too much water. Sounds weird i know but that how my body operates. So when eating meals like this i chooses unsweetened Green Tea. It’s not exactly the best tasting drink in the world but it help me to better digest food a whole lot better at the same time getting lots of antioxidants.

Never in a million years would i thought i would be eating this way let alone fasting for 40 days, but this experience has definitely showed me that if i put my mind to it i can do it with God’s help.

Have you ever tried the Daniel Fast? If so let me know about your experience.

The Daniel Fast

Hey y’all, Its day 6 of my spiritual fast and i finally got the hang of things.  Being that this is my first fast i did a lot of research on how to go about doing one. After much thought and research I decided to go along with the Daniel fast which primarily is a vegan diet with more restrictions . At first i thought this would be somewhat smooth since I’ve  been practicing a vegetarian/wholefoods lifestyle for a little less than a year. But these past 3 days have been  tough  but i know at the end of this fast it would be so worth it. I decided to do the fast from 6am to 6pm being that the Daniel fast is typically done for 21 days and I’m doing it for 40. After 6 pm i  eat whatever i want but still try to keep it close to the guidelines of the Daniel Fast.

I’ve came up with a plan that is working for me but as the weeks go i might tweak a few things.

For breakfast I make a big batch of green smoothies that makes about two 160z mason jar fulls with all the vegetable and fruits i want.

To make them hearty as possible i add one Hass Avocado, spoonful of flax-seeds and Chia seeds and Matcha green tea leaves. ( the actual leaves not the powder). I drink a 16oz full jar for breakfast with a banana  and one mid morning with raw walnuts and dried cranberries. Yes these item have a high fiber/high fat content, But don’t be fooled I’m still hungry by noon.

By 12:30 I have a banana, with a salad either a garden salad or  a mixture of any raw /steamed or lightly seasoned vegetable  at hand at the salad bar. I haven’t incorporated  grains yet but i plan to do so in the next couple days.

Garden Salad Lunch

 

So what are the actual specific for a Daniel fast you say? Based on the Book of Daniel  fruits  and vegetable, no meats or wine. But if you want to go into specifics here is a run down on what to can eat and what you should avoid.

Foods to include during the Daniel Fast

All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned.
All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned.
All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits and whole wheat pasta
All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.
All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.
All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast

All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.
All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.
All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.
All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.
All refined and processed foods products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.
All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.
All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.
Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.
When you shop for food remember to READ THE LABELS to make sure the only ingredients in packaged foods are suitable for the Daniel Fast. You will want to be especially aware of chemicals, dairy products and sweeteners – all of which are not allowed on the Daniel Fast.

Though there is a lot of restrictions, this fast is more than just limiting food but getting closer to GOD.  We do this by prayer and reading the Bible and not just reading it but applying it to our everyday lives. I know that this 40 days is going to be tough, but enlightening , enriching and life changing, but i’m soready for it ! 🙂

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!!!! Wishing you all a blessed and Prosperous New Year. I feel that this year is going to be awesome. I’m planning on taken my vegetarian lifestyle to the next level by cooking more this year. But to start off the year I’m  doing a 40 day fast, this is my first time doing a fast so I’m excited. I haven’t done all the logistics but i plan to start January 2nd but i’m might tweak a few things as the weeks go by. I originally planned on starting today but as a Haitian Tradition , we celebrate our Independence day (which is today) by eating pumpkin soup. So i didn’t want to miss celebrating with the family. But I’m ready and pumped for this fast I’m planning on doing with lots of Green Smoothies, fruit salads, vegetables and nuts with lots of prayer and Bible reading time. I’ll document as the weeks go by,stay tune! 🙂