It's going to be Lent on Wednesday. This is the traditional fasting time for Christians, the 6 weeks before Easter. Nicole and I are thinking about doing a Daniel Fast. This is based on the fast Daniel did in the Bible. He did not eat anything special, just fruit and vegetables, whole grains, seeds and beans, and water. I've fasted before, but never in this way. I understand they even have cookbooks for the Daniel fast. If we do this, I will post some recipes here. Lent is a good time to give up something unhealthy like sugar. It is also a great time to take up something good...like walking or praying. It does not need to be a big deal...maybe you can think of one small change you would like to try for 6 weeks. The reason we do this (fast) is to grow a little closer to God. When our bodies detoxify from sugar and coffee, we can hear God in a new and clearer way. This is a gift to us. That’s generally how it is with spiritual things. We start off thinking we are sacrificing …in the end we realize we are gaining much more then we ever gave! Give yourself a gift for lent...give up tv or sugar.
GUIDELINES FOR THE DANIEL FAST
(Foods We May Eat)
Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley
Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed
Peas
Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries,
Cantelope, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes,
Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas,
Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Rasberries, Strawberries,
Tangeloes, Tangerines, Watermelon
Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage,
Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic,
Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions,
Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes,
Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini
Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts
Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All
Natural Vegetable Juices
(Foods to Avoid)
Meat
White Rice
Fried Foods
Caffeine
Carbonated Beverages
Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives
Refined Sugar
Sugar Substitutes
White Flour and All Products Using It
Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products
If only we would all eat like that all the time! Think of the difference it would make to each of us. Health care costs would be way down and we would generally be a happy more productive people!! Thanks for posting this Amy!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy, I'll try this.
ReplyDeleteI think my mixing bowl site is working now. you can try the link on my page and see if you can retrieve my recipes.