Let's START this year RIGHT!!!

     Happy New Year, Family!!!  I am hoping that all is well with everyone.   I have been one busy, stressed out person, but you know like I do, life will go on.  There is one thing that I have been diligently working on, and that is the Daniel Fast.  I am sure many of you have heard of the fast, some have probably attempted it, and I am positive that there are a few of you who have been successful at it.  But, not me.  So, let’s talk.

     What is  FASTING?  Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from or at least reducing certain or all food, drink, or both, for a period of time.   There is absolute fasting, which is when you do not eat or drink any food and liquid for a specific period of time, whether it’s for hours or days.  Then there is the partial fast, which only limits certain foods or substances.  The Daniel Fast is a partial fast that includes eating only fruits, vegetables, and drinking water.

     The Daniel Fast, as I understand it, is not only a fast, but an opportunity for you to spiritually, emotionally, and physically make some changes in your life.  Spiritually, you incorporate prayer and study of the Bible into your daily fasting.  This allows for growth spiritually.  With your spiritual growth will come emotional understanding of why you are doing the fast and how you can achieve the goals you have set in the process.  Then there are the physical changes that occur.  Because this fast involves taking meat and animal products, processed foods, dairy,  sugar, bread, fried foods, solid fats like butter and margarine, all beverages including alcohol, coffee, tea, energy drinks, out of your diet YOU WILL have some issues physically.   You may experience some withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, leg cramps, headaches, and feeling “not like yourself” for a few days.  This fast is planned for 21 days, so there is a good possibility that there will be some weight loss.

     When you look at the DO NOT EAT list, you start to wonder what is left to eat.  It is simple and there is NO guessing involved.  You eat FRUITS, VEGETABLES, and drink WATER.  When you think about it, there are a lot of fruits and veggies, but the problem is we tend to only eat a few—the ones we like—and most people do not like to try new things.  If you have some health issues, you may need to make some modifications to the fast.  If you are pregnant or nursing, you probably want to add fish, chicken and cheese for the appropriate nutrition.  Diabetics should consider adding more carbohydrates, or include chicken or fish for sufficient nutrition.  Bodybuilders or people who majorly workout may need more daily protein.   Make sure you are eating protein rich foods like, almonds, sunflower seeds, lentils, quinoa, brown rice, split peas, whole grains, and tofu (I STILL can’t acquire a taste for tofu, ugh...).  My suggestion, as with any other diet, fast, or major alteration to your current eating plan, SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR first.

     I attempted this fast for the second time, this year.  I have had to make some changes, and truthfully, those changes were strictly what I needed to get through this fast.   I needed my eggs to get through the day (don’t ask me why).  My goal was to make it through 7 days.  I made it to day 14.  Last year I only made it through day 1.  What a difference a year makes!!!  Encouragement from other people fasting helped.   This is just an example of setting a goal and trying to get through it... Nope, I didn't make it to day 21, but I believe I can do it the next time I try it.   Whatever you plan to do, set a goal and go for it…  SMOOCHES

(Special thanks to Nazarene.org,  Daniel-fast.com, Wikipedia.org)