JAN. 11TH- JAN. 31TH

The Daniel Fast promotes spiritual growth, as well as physical and emotional healing.

During the time of this fast, we will strive to remain loyal to our God as we strive to put our own personal desires under subjection.

The Daniel Fast is a secret healing therapy – what a good time to start the year right?

If we follow the rules of the fast we can realize some benefits in our bodies, minds and spirits.  

Here are some different types of fasts:

Absolute Fast (No water or food)

Standard Fast (water only)

Partial Fast (restrict certain food and drink categories)

Intermittent Fast (Only eat during small daily window, for example: 1pm-6pm)

What we have called “The Daniel Fast” over the years was really a lifestyle for Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.   In those days, most Jews followed the kosher lifestyle/diet.  In Hebrew, “Kashrus,” from the root kosher (or “kasher”), means suitable and/or “pure”, thus ensuring fitness for consumption.

The laws of “Kashrus” include a comprehensive legislation concerning permitted and forbidden foods. There are several aspects to these dietary rules.   Chapter 1 of the book of Daniel lets us know that Daniel and his friends purposed in their hearts that they would not defile themselves with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore they requested of the prince of the eunuchs that they might not defile themselves with food from the King’s table.  This was allowed for 10 days and then continued for 3 years till they were brought before the king.  At the end of the 3 years, the king found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm [Daniel 1:20].  “And Daniel continued even unto the first year of King Cyrus”, [Daniel 1:21], which was about 70 years later.  Could it mean that Daniel and his friends continued their lifestyle eating pulse and drinking water until they returned to Jerusalem after their captivity?  

The Bible clearly stated that Daniel fasted for the answer to a dream he had that he could not interpret.   “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.  I ate no pleasant bread, neither

came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all till there whole weeks were fulfilled”. [Daniel 10:2-3]  

 

In Hebrew, the words “pleasant food” suggests that Daniel refused desirable foods, most likely breads and sweets or at least foods which were considered tasty. Once again, Daniel trimmed his diet down to the basics—only for sustenance, not indulgence or personal satisfaction—so that he could focus on the spiritual, not his personal needs or wants

 

In addition, to mourn in the Hebrew meant to lament or to wail.  During times of lamentation or wailing the Jewish people did not eat.  Therefore, we can conclude that Daniel did not eat at all while he was in lamentation for those three weeks.  

 

During this period, JAN 11- JAN 31, we will follow Daniel’s lifestyle and do a partial fast as defined above.     It is mandatory that we abstain from excessive electronic use INTERNET, SOCIAL MEDIA, PHONE USE FOR GAMES, TEXTING, TWEETING, etc.), and from ALL COMMERCIAL AND CABLE TV programs.  We are encouraged to spend time reading our scriptures, praying, meditating on our Savior, and serving our sisters and brothers in Christ.

 

Food List for the fast:

BEVERAGES

Water-must be purified/filtered and spring or distilled water is best.

Almond milk, coconut water, coconut kefir and vegetable juice

NATURAL JUICES/SMOOTHIES

 

VEGETABLES (should form the basis of the diet)

Fresh or cooked

May be frozen and cooked.

 

FRUITS 

Fresh and cooked

May be dried like raisins or apricots (no sulfites or added oils or sweeteners)

May be frozen 

 

WHOLE GRAINS (consume in moderation and ideally sprouted)

Brown Rice, Quinoa, Millet, Amaranth, Buckwheat, Barley cooked in water

 

***RECOMMEND******No Wheat, Ezekiel bread, others bread, flours, or pasta

 

BEANS & LEGUMES (consume in moderation)

Dried and cooked in water

 

*****RECOMMEND********May be consumed from can as long as no salt or other additives are contained and the only ingredients are beans and water

 

NUTS & SEEDS (sprouted are best)

Raw, sprouted or dry roasted (no salt added)

 

FRUITS (preferably organic and fresh or frozen):

Apples

Figs

Nectarines

Apricots

Grapefruit

Oranges

Avocadoes

Grapes

Papayas

Bananas

Guava

Peaches

Berries

Honeydew Melons

Pears

Cantaloupe

Kiwi

Pineapples

Cherries

Lemons

Plums

Coconuts

Limes

Prunes

Cranberries

Mangoes

Raisins

Dates

Melons

Tangerines

 

VEGETABLES (preferably organic and fresh or frozen):

Artichokes

Eggplant

Asparagus

Green Beans

Radishes

Beets

Kale

Rutabagas

Broccoli

Leeks

Scallions

Brussel Sprouts

Lettuce

Spinach

Cabbage

Mushrooms

Sprouts

Carrots

Mustard Greens

Squash

Cauliflower

Okra

Tomatoes

Celery

Onions

 

Turnips

Collard Greens

Parsley

Yams

Corn

Peppers

Zucchini

Cucumbers

Potatoes

 

LEGUMES (preferably organic):

 Black Beans

Field Peas

Pinto Beans

Black-eyed Peas

Lentils

Red Beans

Chick Peas

Mung Beans

Split Peas

 

NUTS & SEEDS (preferably organic, raw, unsalted and soaked/sprouted):

All nuts (raw and unsalted)

Chia Seed

Sesame Seeds

Almonds

Flaxseed

Sunflower Seeds

Cashews

Pumpkin Seeds

Walnuts

 

WHOLE GRAINS (preferable organic):

Amaranth

Millet

Barley

Oats

Quinoa

Brown Rice

Spelt

Wild Rice

 

FOODS TO AVOID

 

On the Daniel Fast, you should not consume any of the other foods or beverages listed below. And, I want to mention that on the Daniel Fast some allow sea salt or Himalayan salt and others do not. My recommendation is to only use a bit of sea salt when necessary in flavoring dishes, I also highly recommend the use of Himalayan Salt.

 

Here are foods you want to refrain from eating:

Iodized Salt

Sweeteners

Meat

 Crackers, cookies

SUGAR Juices

Coffee

Energy drinks

Candy

 

NOTE: Nutritional supplements are optional – but any taken would preferably be in line with the ingredients that are listed.

 

 Fasting Benefits

 

There are numerous benefits to fasting, but it all starts with an inward, spiritual motivation.

 

“This is the fast that I have chosen…to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke. Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth.” – Isaiah 58:6

 

1. Spiritual Benefits of Fasting

Fasting brings you closer to God

Fasting makes you more sensitive to God’s voice

Fasting helps break addictions

Fasting shows us our weakness and allows us to rely on God’s strength

 

2. Mental & Emotional Benefits of Fasting

Fasting relieves anxiety and nervousness

Fasting can increase peace and shalom

Fasting clears your mind of negative thoughts & feelings

Fasting decreases brain fog

Fasting helps increase your ability to trust God

Fasting clears out toxins that can make you feel sluggish or depressed

 

3. Physical Benefits of Fasting

Fasting helps break addictions to sugar

Fasting supports the body’s detoxification

Fasting promotes healthy weight Loss

Fasting promoted healthy energy Levels

Fasting improves skin health

Fasting promotes healthy digestion and elimination

Fasting supports healthy inflammation response and promotes joint comfort

Fasting promotes healthy hormonal balance

 

When you fast and pray—two words that go hand-in-hand in scripture—you pursue God in your life and open yourself up to experiencing a renewed dependence on God, but it isn’t easy.

 

It is a spiritual discipline that requires denying your physical and mental self because your stomach and your brain will most likely work overtime to remind you when and what they want to eat!

 

Fasts should help to focus your spirit, heart and mind on God and not on your own eating and drinking desires.  In fact, before you begin your fast, you can make a list of prayer requests you are asking God to answer. Then, every time you experience hunger pangs or food or drink cravings, ask God to work in those prayer request areas.

 

Spend quiet time with God each day and read passages of scripture from the Bible. You don’t have to be legalistic about this. There are many quality devotionals out there, so just choose one or ask a friend you trust to recommend one.

After all, it’s about your relationship with God, not your performance for God.

It is a good habit to keep a journal during your fast so that you can write down what you believe God is directing you to do.  Many people say that they “hear” God more clearly during a fast than other times.  This is true because fasting help you to build relationship with God.

 

Isaiah 58:6, 8 says “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear.”

 

The truth is that “healing” can take place spiritually, physically and mentally when you fast.

 

Fasting is one of the oldest therapies in medicine.  In fact, Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, believed that fasting enabled the body to heal itself.  How?

 

During a fast, many systems of the body are given a break from the hard work of digesting foods that it normally has to manage. The extra energy the body gains gives the body a chance to restore itself, while the burning of stored calories gets rid of toxic substances stored in the body.

 

The Digestive Tract

The digestive tract is the body area most exposed to environmental threats, including bacteria, viruses, parasites and toxins.  Plus, most of your immune system is in your digestive tract, so it needs to be in top shape. When food is broken down in the intestines, it travels through the blood to the liver, the largest organ of the body’s natural detoxification system. The liver breaks down and removes the toxic by-products produced by digestion

 

The Liver and The Immune System

During a fast, the liver and immune system are essentially freed up to detoxify and heal other parts of the body.

The antioxidants and nutrients in vegetables and fruits help to add vibrancy to your health, including your immune system, fertility, skin and more.

 

A diet high in vegetables and fruits is known for halting bodily inflammation and oxidation—two primary processes that can lead to ill health.

 

The Importance of WATER

 

The body is made up of approximately 60-70% water, and the body needs water to make new cells of all types, including blood cells, bone cells and skin cells. (1) Additionally, every organ and bodily system requires water to function correctly and healthily. Likewise, drinking enough water keeps your lymphatic system in tip-top shape so that wastes and toxins are removed from your body.

Water also keeps your joints lubricated, delivers nutrients to your nervous system, helps the blood transport oxygen and other essential nutrients to your cells, and even makes it so your heart doesn’t have to work as hard pumping blood through your body. Water regulates your metabolism, too, and aids in digestion and body temperature control. An added bonus is that adequate water intake hydrates your skin cells and plumps them up.

 

The brain, which is around 75% water, must be kept hydrated, too, and will redirect water from other areas of the body if it doesn’t get what it needs. (1)  Getting enough water also keeps

 

RECIPES

Jesus has blessed PENTECOSTALS OF BOSTON With some of the finest cooks, chefs around…I think it would be fun, if those that God has blessed us with come up with some original recipes for our DANIEL FAST….I think it would be awesome if POB could develop a COOK BOOK with our recipes for the Daniel Fast..

There are some following:

 

While most fruits and vegetables are edible as is, sometimes it’s nice to have recipes, so here are a few to get you started. Enjoy!

 

Granola

Ingredients:

1 cup crushed almonds

1 cup oats

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup coconut flakes

1 cup honey

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1.    Mix all together and spread out on a non-stick cookie sheet.
2.    Bake 20 minutes in a 250-degree preheated oven.
3.    Stir and continue to bake another 20 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent burning. The granola should be lightly browned.
4.    Remove from oven and serve warm or cool thoroughly and store in tightly sealed container or plastic bags.
5.    Option: After the granola is cooled, add raisins or other organic, unsulphured dehydrated fruit.

 

 Minestrone Soup

Ingredients:

8 cups vegetable stock

 

½ cups of dried garbanzo beans

cups dried red kidney beans

½ cup carrots

3 medium tomatoes (or one 14-ounce can of unsweetened, unsalted Italian tomatoes)

½ cup fresh parsley

sea salt, to taste

1 cup cabbage

¼ teaspoon oregano

¾ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon thyme

½ cup celery

½ cup onion

1 clove garlic

1 package spinach noodles, cooked

Directions:

1.    Soak garbanzo and kidney beans overnight, drain and rinse.
2.    Peel and dice tomatoes.
3.    Cook and drain garbanzo and kidney beans as per directions on package.
4.    Mince garlic and parsley.
5.    Chop carrots, onion, celery, cabbage and garlic and sauté in water or soup stock over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes.

 

6.    Stir in cooked and drained garbanzo beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes and minced herbs.
7.    Bring to a simmer, then turn heat down and simmer 10 minutes.
8.    Stir in cabbage and parsley with lid partially on for about 15 minutes or until cabbage is tender.
9.    Add more soup stock or tomatoes as needed. Serve over cooked spinach noodles.

 

Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

8 cups vegetable stock

1 cup celery

Potato

2 garlic cloves

• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 bay leaves

sea salt, to taste

1 pound of black beans, soaked overnight, rinsed and drained

1 yellow or red pepper

1 cup carrots, diced

2 Tablespoons cilantro

 

1 Tablespoon parsley

2 Tablespoons marjoram

1 whole onion

Directions:

1.    Place beans in pot with vegetable stock, whole onion and bay leaves.
2.    Bring to a boil and cook 2½ hours or until beans are tender.
3.    Remove onion and bay leaves.
4.    Chop onion, pepper and celery.
5.    Grate carrots and potato on cheese grater.
6.    Mince garlic and sauté in a Tablespoon of olive oil until tender.
7.    During last hour of cooking, combine vegetables and seasonings with beans.
8.    Bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer and cook until veggies and beans are tender.Black-Bean-Soup Bowl

 

 Stir Fry Vegetables

Ingredients:

1 red onion, sliced

3 stalks celery, thinly sliced

½ cup broccoli, chopped

1 bell pepper, sliced

1 teaspoon sea salt

 

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

½ cup cauliflower, chopped

1 cup zucchini, thinly sliced

1 cup yellow squash, thinly sliced

1 Tablespoon Oriental seasoning

Directions:

1.    Stir-fry all vegetables in 1 to 2 Tablespoons of olive oil until tender.
2.    Add salt and seasoning.
3.    Serve alone or over brown rice.

Harira

[Serves 4] (Note: Harira is a great recipe for the Daniel Fast as it has nearly 15 grams of protein per serving.)

Ingredients:

2 Tbl healthy oil, such as coconut oil or olive oil

1 cups chopped onion

½ cups chopped celery

2 cups warm water

pinch of saffron threads

½ tsp salt, divided

¼ tsp peeled fresh ginger, minced

¼ tsp ground red pepper

 

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups organic mushroom broth

½ cups chopped and seeded plum tomatoes

½ cup dried small red lentils

2 15-ounce cans no-salt-added chickpeas, drained

3 Tbl chopped fresh cilantro

3 Tbl chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

1.    Heat oil in a large saucepan on medium heat.
2.    Add onion and celery and sauté 4 minutes or until tender.
3.    Combine 2 cups warm water and saffron; let stand 2 minutes.
4.    Add ¼ teaspoon salt, ginger, red pepper, cinnamon and garlic.
5.    Cook 1 minute. Add saffron water mixture, broth, tomato, lentils and chickpeas.
6.    Bring to boil; then reduce heat.
7.    Simmer 20 minutes or until lentils are tender.
8.    Stir in cilantro, parsley and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt.

  

The Genesis of this GUIDELINE FOR THE DANIEL FAST is Sister Uda Allen-Gunter, with a few minor adjustments…Thank You Sis Uda