January Daniel Fast
Every January as a ministry we fast joining many other ministries from all around the world. It is a corporate fast and our way of giving the beginning of the year to the Lord so that He can direct the rest of the year.
For many there are questions as to what one is allowed to eat. A fast is more than food, but if you have chosen to do a Daniel Fast here are some ideas to help you over the 21 days.
FOODS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR DIET DURING THE DANIEL FAST
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, beans, peas, 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 or lentil pastas, whole wheat tortillas, corn tortillas (without sugar or leaven), rice cakes, and popcorn.
All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including natural peanut butter.
All legumes. These can be canned or dried. legumes included 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 avocado, coconut, olive.
Beverages: spring water or other pure waters, non-caffeine herbal tea, real fruit juice with no added sugar.
Other: Unsweetened almond milk, oat milk (recipe below) natural sugars that come from fruit, nectars, or plants (may use agave), coconut milk; herbs, spices, salt, pepper, unsweetened coconut flakes, seasonings.
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, molasses, syrups, and cane juice.
All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast) and baked goods.
All refined and processed food products including but not limited to white rice, white flour, and with high sugar content.
All deep-fried foods (you may sauté foods in pure oils)including but not limited to packaged potato chips and fries (may eat fries from whole food potatoes with natural oil on stove, air fryer, or oven).
All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard, and foods high in fat.
Beverages including but not limited to coffee, non-herbal caffeinated tea, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.
Remember, READ THE LABELS!
Some of my favourites!
Breakfasts
Oats
Oats (quantity is up to you)
Pinch of salt
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Water (quantity depends on you desired consistency - less water = firmer oats)
Pop in microwave for 2 minutes, but watch out it can boil over so keep an eye on it
Once done add honey for sweetness
Smoothies
Take any of your favourite fruits, peanut butter if you like (ensure you use one without added sugar), pop in a blender with some fruit juice, ice and whizz away. Makes for a real refreshing drink.
Fruit Salads
Cut up all of your favourite fruits, especially adding granadilla (passion fruit)
Serve immediately, drizzle with honey for extra energy
Other Meals
All meals can be prepared with salt, pepper, balsamic/lemon juice, olive oil, vegetable stock powder (Woolworths)
Baked Potatoes
Wash your medium potatoes and pierce once
While wet coat with salt
Place in oven 190 degrees C until potatoes are soft, approximately 1 hour (the peel should have browned to perfection)
Enjoy with a veggie bake, or some balsamic or as a side dish
Veggie Bake
Butternut cubed
Baby marrow
Carrots (washed, peeled if you like and cut into julienne)
Baby corn
Mange tout
Peas
Sliced mushrooms
Place them all in an oven dish
Salt and pepper to taste
Dash of love oil
3-4 tablespoons vegetable stock powder (depends on size of dish)
Pop in 180 degrees C, bake for 1 hour or until butternut is soft
Enjoy hot!
Salad with Quinoa
Quinoa prepared as per packet instructions (rinse, rinse, rinse and boil up with salt)
Add to your favourite salad ingredients:
Micro greens
Tomatoes
Cucumber
Corn cut off the cob (raw)
Beetroot (either boiled or peeled and grated raw)
Avocado
Calamata Olives
Sprouts
Salad Dressing
I like to make my own:
Fresh lemon juice (not the bottled lemon juice)
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt
Olive oil
Salad Ingredients:
Kale or spinach
Chickpeas
Tomatoes
Red or yellow peppers
Cucumber
Red onion
Olives
Ingredients:
Oven roasted butternut
Mushrooms
Kale/rocket
Quinoa
Avocado sliced
Red cabbage
Steamed Veggies
Pumpkin cubes
Baby Marrow
Potatoes cubed
Mielies (corn on the cob)
Pop them in your steamer and enjoy with Quinoa sprinkled on the top
Snacks
Rice cakes with hummus (read label if you buy already made that there is no sugar or cream cheese added)
Rice cakes with peanut butter (one that has no added sugar)
Raw nuts of any kind
Raisins
Water, water, water, water!!!!
New Avocado Basil Hummus
1 can chickpeas drained, not shelled
1 avocado
2 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste)
1 hand full of basil leaves
1 clove garlic (optional)
1 lemon, juice only
½ cup water
Salt, oregano, chilli flakes to your desired taste
Place all in a food processor and let it mix through till smooth
Enjoy!
Health Bars
Dates 2 cups
Coconut ½ cup
Goggi berries ½ cup
Cranberries 1 cup
Raw nuts 1 cup
Put all in food processor and add enough coconut oil to bind together.
Put in a dish and into the fridge and cut into squares.
Make Your Own Protein Powder
Ingredients
1½ cup raw pumpkin seeds
½ cup sunflower seeds
½ cup chia seeds
¼ cup ground flax
1 cup almond flour
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon
Total 400gr
Serving: 40gr
Instructions
In a spice grinder, individually grind the pumpkin seeds then the chia seeds until they're in powder form.
Transfer to a bowl with the ground flax, almond flour, cocoa powder and cinnamon, and mix until fully combined.
Store in the fridge for up to one month.
To make a smoothie, add 4 tablespoons (one scoop).
I like to add mine to a 1½ of milk of choice and a frozen banana for a frosty shake that has over 20g of protein.
Put in smoothies to supplement protein if you are an on-the-go person.
Make Your Own Oat Milk (for fast leave out vanilla essence)
Ingredients:
1 cups oats (steel cut, rolled, any kind really)
1 pitted date
pinch of salt
dash of vanilla
8 cups of water
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend on high for ONLY 30-45 seconds.
Strain through a nut bag into a large bowl.
Pour into an air tight container and keep for up to three days in the fridge.
Enjoy!!