The Daniel Fast

On January 5th, 2015, Pastor Moore invites everyone to join him on an adventure of intimacy with heaven. Christmas represents the birth of hope and in the new year, let us turn our ears attentively to the one who Is our Answer. 
 
For 21 days let's sharpen our focus together in this powerful experience.
 
This will be the beginning of more than just a new year.
 

We WILL eat fruits, nuts, vegetables and unrefined grains.

Breakfast ideas:  Fruits and fruit salads! Oatmeal is making a big comeback these days.  But if you hate the soft texture of instant, try rolled oats (about halfway between instant and cooked rice texture), or even groats (pretty much like cooked brown rice).  Adding raisins or other fruit and nuts during the cooking will sweeten it up nicely without sugar.  Soft tofu can be sauteed with onions and salsa- pretty close to scrambled eggs.  You can add brown rice and curry powder for a different flavor.  Cook up some veggies to go with it.  Fruit smoothies.  Rice cakes with peanut butter and slices of banana (get really crazy and add raisins!).  Add a piece of fresh fruit to every meal! 

Lunch ideas:  Heat up veggie burger patty with potatoes and veggies.  Saute thin strips of tempeh in olive oil (sort of like crispy chicken fingers) serve with raw or cooked veggies, also see dinner ideas for great leftovers.  Don't forget fresh fruit and cut up raw veggies. Peanut butter or almond butter makes a fun dip for apples and celery.  Check out veggie salads that include avocados, beans, green soybeans, roasted veggies, quinoa, bulgar, wild rice, nuts, fruits, etc.  Vegetable soups- the normal ones at the store, plus some like butternut squash, tomato, borscht, etc.  Possible places to eat out- Mesa Verde, Sojourner Cafe, Natural Cafe, Lazy Acres, New Frontier's Natural Market (located in Solvang, has amazing salads! Some recipes on their website), any vegan/vegetarian restaurant (but watch the ingredients- not all are part of this fast).

Dinner ideas:  This is your big chance to chop up all kinds of veggies, saute them in olive oil and add to brown rice or other cooked whole grains for a wonderful tasty treat.  Adding Mexican salsa, or Moroccan spices with dried fruits, or curry spices with coconut milk, or sauteed tofu or tempeh with tomato sauces, or vegetable broth are ways to change up the flavors.  Throw in cooked beans of any kind for added protein.  Quinoa is a high protein grain like rice only smaller, cooks quickly and tastes less starchy, and can be used like rice or pasta with veggies or sauces, or throw some cooled quinoa into your salads.  Sauteed tofu and spaghetti sauce (most have sugar in them...so look at the ingredients- but there are ones without sugar and they taste about the same) can be served over brown rice or other other cooked grains.  Take a look on the internet; there are many vegan recipes that are pretty good- just make sure they aren't using sugars or white flour (see substitution ideas below).  Make a bunch and use leftovers for lunches.  For more ideas, come to church and talk with everyone about what they are eating!  See Lunch ideas above for some restaurant suggestions.

Where to get some of these things: Tri-Counties Market, Trader Joe's, Lazy Acres, Lassen's, Whole Foods, your farmer's market and normal grocery stores.  Don't forget to ask the neighbor- lots of people don't eat all the fruit on their trees and are happy to share.  Now is a good time for oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes, and avocados.

We WILL drink water and natural juices.

 
We will avoid:
  • All meat & animal products - beef, buffalo, fish, lamb, poultry, and pork.
    • try dry roasted or raw nuts, peanut butter, veggie burger patties, edamame, firm tofu, tempeh, quinoa, garbanzo beans (also known as chick peas), or beans with brown rice to get proteins.  Saute mushrooms with onions in olive oil for a tasty substitute.  Saute onions and garlic and add to anything for a flavor substitute.  Did you know that you can empty a bag of salted roasted pecans into the blender, puree, and get a tasty pecan butter?  Quinoa is a grain that has an amazing amount of protein- 1/4 c (makes more when cooked) has the same protein as an egg.
  • All dairy products - butter, cheese, cream, eggs, and milk. 
    • try olive oil, soy milk, almond milk, soft tofu, coconut milk
  • All sweeteners - agave nectar, artificial sweeteners, cane juice, honey, molasses, raw sugar, syrups, stevia, and sugar.
    • try dried dates, dried figs, raisins, bananas, any fresh or dried fruits, some fruit spreads are just fruit and don't have any sugar added.
  • All leavened bread & yeast - baked goods and Ezekiel bread (if it contains yeast and honey).
    • try oatmeal, quinoa, brown rice, rice cakes
  • All refined & processed food products - artificial flavorings, chemicals, food additives, preservatives, white flour, and white rice.
    • try brown rice, quinoa, bulgar, grits, barley, groats (chopped oats)
  • All deep-fried foods - corn chips, French fries, and potato chips.
    • try cut up raw veggies, dry roasted or raw nuts, soybeans, dried banana chips, rice cakes with peanut butter
  • All solid fats - lard, margarine, and shortening.
    • try olive oil, vegetable broth
  • Beverages - alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, energy drinks, herbal tea, and tea.
    • get some good tasting water!  Juices without added sugar.  Try mixing juice with hot or cold water, or hot water with a little added lemon or lime. The juice inside a fresh young coconut is delicious (way better than many brands of canned coconut water, although there are some decent ones)- and a high source of electrolytes (good for dehydration).
 
We will pray until His love breaks through and more people discover his love. We also want to start the new year more spiritually AND physically healthy!