I have been a bit MIA on this baby, but man-oh-man did my schedule fill up! I figured I owed cyberspace an update on how the Daniel Fast has been going.
I don't know if it's because I went into it with 1) a positive head space, 2) I'm not doing this to lose weight, and 3) because "God told me to", but I have not felt like I've had a huge struggle with this partial fast. I mean, yes Days 1 & 2 I had terrible caffeine headaches (even though I usually only have one 10oz cup of black coffee a day.......). Other than that Week One went by in a flash. I found some great resources online for approved foods, recipes, and got stocked up on legumes I didn't have. (I'll add some of those resources at the end of this post).
I did notice that during the first week I didn't stocked up enough on fresh veggies, to supplement for the yogurt and GF crackers I'd normally have with my salad at lunch. For Week Two, I hit up Costco for my bulk fruits, found deals at Fresh Thyme for veggies, and meal prepped the heck out of the past two Saturday's (recipe links at the end).
Now I'm in the middle of Week Two and I have had a few cravings hit:
- I've really wanted some of my fresh baked bread or bagels,
- With all of this cloudy, cold, rainy weather I've really wanted some coffee & other hot beverages, that are not hot water with lemon juice...
- Nachos & popcorn
But instead, I acknowledge the craving, drink more of my water (32oz x 2 + 1-2 10oz of hot H2O = BOOM), have a conversation with God, and move on.
From a Spiritual perspective I have been doing the partial fast for 3 reasons:
1) I was prompted by the Holy Spirit.
2) I want to grow deeper in my relationship with God by: deepening my prayer life, opening my ears more for the Holy Spirit, and die to self.
3) I am fasting for roommates - it's been like 6 months or so now, of me carrying the brunt of living in a large house and paying bills...
So far, I've definitely felt that my ears are more open to the Holy Spirit; in addition to the prayer meetings I've been going to on Monday's, my prayer life has grown too. I'm discovering just how much the Father does listen to me AND how much He has to say in return.
And yet, I feel I'm just at the tip of the ice berg. I have an inkling that the recent cravings are a result of the stressors that have popped up over the week, and are therefore opportunities to push myself to dive deeper while raising my expectations for the Father.
I serve a powerful, loving, gracious, righteous, compassionate, trustworthy, fierce God, and I should never put a box around the expectations I have for/in Him.
Also, I'm gonna be really really real - I'm exhausted tonight (like I've basically worked my 40 hours by Thursday exhausted) and I really want food I can't have. For the first time in 12 days. And, on top of that I was feeling guilty that I didn't have as much energy to practice for the services on Sunday. "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light..." (Matthew 11:30). It's the yoke(s) we give ourselves and the burdens that we place on our own shoulders that weigh us down. So after finishing this up, I'm going to read a book and drink some hot water, with Jesus.
PS.
This post is kind of all over the place, but that's what happens when I'm mentally drained...so, you're welcome for the lists. They make things better.
RECIPES:
1. Korean Kimchi Fried Rice (Vegan, GF): https://www.emilieeats.com/korean-kimchi-fried-rice-vegan-gluten-free/ (Modified to fit what I had and remove ingredients not allowed by DF).
2. My creation (using up veggies in the fridge): chard, spinach, garbanzo beans, onions, tomatoes, mushrooms.
3. Kale-and-Chickpea Grain Bowl with Avocado Dressing: https://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/kale-and-chickpea-grain-bowl-avocado-dressing
Helpful Links:
- http://www.vega-licious.com/things-you-need-to-know-about-the-daniel-fast/
- https://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/nutrition-101/what-is-the-daniel-fast
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/27228-instructions-daniel-fast/ - https://ultimatedanielfast.com/ultimate-daniel-fast-food-guidelines/
- There are also several books out to help as well..
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