Daniel Fast Friendly Products

At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. Daniel 10:2-3
Day 11
I am well aware that the Daniel Fast is not about what I am or am not eating, but let's face it I am a busy mom who needs a little extra help here and there. So I am going to tell you about 2 really tasty products that I am so thankful to have discovered.
The first is the Larabar.
My dear friend Anita introduced me to these tasty energy bars that are made with all natural ingredients. The only ones that I would not recommend for the Daniel Fast are the chocolate ones as we are to avoid caffeine during this time. I have tried the apple pie, pecan pie and cherry pie flavors and they really are very very yummy!
Imagine Creamy Potato Leek soup is my second exciting product. My other dear friend Doris introduced me to this soup a little while ago. One of the best things about this company is that it's Canadian! This is a great helper for a fast and easy dinner. Add some zucchini, carrots, and corn for a delicious hearty vegetable soup. Heat it and pour it over whole wheat pasta for a delightful faux Alfredo sauce. Be creative!

Week in Review

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:16
Wow what a week we have had. This past week was the start of 2 pretty big things in our family. The first one was the Daniel Fast. It has been an adventure creating recipes, using other people's creations and munching rice cakes out of sheer desperation.
I have been struggling a lot with my own selfishness during this time, and let me tell you I have not been struggling quietly. However part of doing this fast for me is to put myself into a situation where I know I need God to get me through. And He has. Day by day I have gotten through. Some days have been much more challenging than others. It is really difficult to not look somber. When everyone else is devouring their yummy lemon poppy seed cake at bible study it is tough to not plead for sympathy. I am progressing in this.

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2
Our other big introduction this week was the start of home preschool. Hudson and I have been doing some really fun things with The Very Hungry Caterpillar book by Eric Carle.
On Monday I posted about our Very Thirsty Caterpillars and they are just about to sprout.
Tuesday we made Egg carton caterpillars.
Wednesday we played the Very Hungry Caterpillar board game
Thursday we made fruit salad
Today we made folded paint butterflies (to wrap up our caterpillar week.)
Be sure to check in on Monday to find out our theme for next week!
Have a great weekend and God bless.
I got this prayer from Cheaper by the Half Dozen.
Lord,
WE THANK YOU FOR THE BLESSINGS IN OUR LIVES.
From the fullness of His grace we have all received one
blessing after another. John 1:16
WE HUMBLY GIVE THIS DAY TO YOU.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be
glad in it. Psalm 118:24
WE COMMIT OUR FAMILY TO YOUR KINGDOM.
As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15
SURROUND OUR HOME AND EACH OF US WITH
YOUR PROTECTION.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in
trouble. Psalm 46:1
GIVE US PEACE EVEN WHEN WE HAVE MUCH TO DO
AND MANY PLACES TO GO.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. John 14:27
FILL OUR HEARTS WITH LOVE FOR YOU, EACH
OTHER, AND THOSE AROUND US.
Love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7
HELP US TO FULFILL YOUR PLANS AND MAKE A
DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.
“For I know the plans I have for you…plans to give you
hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
OUR FAMILY IS YOURS, TODAY AND ALWAYS.
AMEN.
-Holley Gerth
Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®.
©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan

Lessons to Pass On

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

There are some tips and tricks I have learned in the 3 short days I have been doing the Daniel fast.
Here are a few:
1. Use all of your vegetable scraps to make soup stock. I have not been able to find a vegetable soup stock that does not contain some sort of chemical or cane juice.

2. Flat bread is a wonderful thing
Recipe:
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups water
pinch of salt.
Mix together. Add flour to make a soft dough. Roll pieces out flat on a floured surface and fry in 1 TBS oil in a large skillet.

3. Soak dried beans overnight and then boil them for a really long time before trying to make anything with them.
4. A little grated apple in almost undetectable in soups and sauces, but goes a long way in sweetening it up
5. Busy hands make time for prayerful words, praiseful songs and lovely thoughts.

Daniel Fast Recipes

Day 1
Here are some yummy recipes I have tried. Happy eating!

Banana Oatmeal
2 1/2 cups of water
1 cup of oatmeal
1 banana
Sprinkle of nutmeg
handful of walnuts
Put water and banana in a pot. Bring to a boil. Add oatmeal and nutmeg. Cook for 10 minutes or until desired thickness. Stir frequently. Dish into bowls and top with walnuts. Makes 2 servings.

Orange Raisin Rice
Brown Rice
Water
grated zest from 1/2 an orange
juice from 1/2 an orange
1/2 a cup of raisins
1 teaspoon of saffron
Measure rice and water according to package instructions in to a pot. Add orange zest, orange juice, saffron and raisins. Cook covered until rice is done. Fluff and serve.
Note: Raisins can be substituted with dried cranberries or dried red currents.

Daniel Fast

Our family is about to embark on an adventure (this is not the thing I posted about last time). We are starting the Daniel fast. Since I have not been able to find a lot of free good information on the internet I will be blogging about some of our experience and posting some recipes to assist others in their fast. There is a really great podcast series titles Larger Than Life by Pastor Ed Young that talks about the Daniel fast. I highly recommend having a listen. D day (Daniel day) in our family is Sunday February 15 and will carry on until March 8.