the daniel fast

The hubby and are in the process of a 21 day fast based on the book of Daniel and Susan Gregory's teachings. The Daniel Fast is a partial fast in which some foods are restricted for a spiritual purpose. During this time we have restricted/changed our eating habits and engaged in a more focused day spent with the Lord. During this time we pray that God will strengthen our spirit, teach us self-control of the flesh, draw us closer to our Father, and stay focused on prayer.

Here are a list of the foods we have been avoiding...
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 food 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.



This is what we have been eating...
All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon
All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.
All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.
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.
Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.


Ross thought I was crazy person for asking him not only to not eat meat but also sugar and dairy for 3 weeks. If you know me you know I have tossed around the idea of being a vegetarian for a while now. Meat really isn't my forte but sugar, people! its. killing. me. Its amazing how much as Christians we throw around Matthew 9:26 until actually practicing it. The Lord really does strengthen the weakest of weak. It is day 6 and I am feeling full in my Lord. 


In the book Susan has tons of her delicious recipes (I made Paella tonight a.maze.ing) followed by already made menu plans for each week. I'm shocked by how inexpensive it has been. Veggies and fruits do seem to add up quick but the fast is forcing us to eat at home and tofu is a lot less expensive than real meat. Speaking of tofu, don't be scared friends its really quite enjoyable. Promise. 


"What do you want me to do." -Mark 10:51 
Sounds simple right? Bartimaeus, a blind beggar,  pretty obvious that he would like to see his Jesus. Back to the impossible. Jesus was testing the beggars faith. He could have asked for money, food but instead he had faith in Christ's ability to heal him. The impossible was made possible. 
"Rabboni, that I may receive my sight."
"Go your way; your faith has made you well."
Crazy enough Jesus met Bartimaeus on his last trip to Jerusalem in Jericho. Never again would Jesus walk the same road that he met the blind beggar. Praise God for this kind of faith. I grieve in the times that the Lord has passed through "my Jericho" and I have not called out Abba Father! Are you listening?