21 Day Corporate Daniel Fast March 2-22

This blog was created with the purpose to unite our church body and provide information that might be helpful during the fast. Please feel free to post comments about your victories and your struggles during this fast. Also, if you come up with a good recipe for the fruit and vegetables, please send an email to the church office and we will post it!

Thanks for your participation.
Staff of First Assembly

Off to the Grocery Store!

I was looking through the cupboards last night and realized, that even though my weekend is pretty full, I need to make a trip to the store before Sunday.

We have just about purged the cabinets of the remaining junk food - i.e. chips, cookies, snacks, high fat, high carb stuff that has been a staple in our home for way too long.

I have started the mental list, but haven't put anything down on paper yet. I am still researching high protein veggies, etc.

There is a link to the side about a Daniel Fast resource. I encourage you to visit there. There is a cookbook available for purchase. It is very much so worth the money.

For those of you concerned about the absence of meat on this fast, let me encourage you. I have researched and found that there are many vegetables and fruit with just as much protein as meat.

Another thing I have thought about is our eating lifestyle. For our family, our bad eathing habits are more about convenience than anything else. I am finding that I will need to plan a lot better for those 21 days. Fresh fruit and vegetables will need to be prepared and stored appropriately. Hmmmm- not fresh vegies from the drive-thru? How will we ever survive? By the grace and power of God and by good old fashioned self-discipline.

Blessings and prayers!

See ya in the Produce aisle! :)

Dorinda

Foods For the Daniel Fast

Special Note: if you have health issues, please be sure to contact your health professional for advice before committing to any fast including the Daniel Fast. If you would like a list of the foods included and excluded in the Daniel Fast to show your doctor, just copy the contents of this page.

Please make sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.

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, 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.

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, 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.
Remember, READ THE LABELS.

Spiritual Caution Sign

Hey Guys!

I just want to remind everyone that even though we are fasting corporately- there are no "Fasting Police".

We are not called to be anyone's judge. If you feel God asking you to be very rigid and strict with this, and you see a fellow church member not adhering to what you think is "okay", please do not condemn them in any way.

There are some people who are doing a partial fast for medical reasons. There are some who may be new to all of this and are doing the best they can.

This is a voluntary corporate Daniel Fast in that:

1) It is definitely voluntary. (We're not going to throw anyone out of the church if they feel like this isn't for them. :) )

2) It is corporate. We are encouraging everyone who can to participate.

3) It is a Daniel Fast meaning that it is a partial fast. There may be some who are giving up things that are very important to them that you know nothing about.

I just wanted to remind you guys that the enemy will try all kinds of deception to keep this fast from being effective. (Isaiah 58) I believe one of those deceiving tricks would be for some to believe so-n-so isn't spiritual because they had lemonade with sweetener, etc. Please, be on your guard and keep the spirit of unity to please our Lord and Savior!

The Leadership Team looks forward to hearing from ALL of you on our spiritual journey together! Remember to share your ups and your downs and definitely your victories!

Dorinda