Daniel Fast Recipes (Lunch or Dinner)

We’re almost a week into this time of Prayer & Fasting! I pray that all of you who have decided to take this time to really seek God (for all he has for you) have been stepping into new territory in your spiritual life.  This year is not going to be like last year…I really believe that.  I’ve taken the time to write these short blogs as a constant reminder of what our focus should be over the next few weeks and to give some helpful tips to becoming successful in your fast.

Potato Tacos

Oregano

1 large onion*

Sweet basil

1 large bell pepper*

Cayenne pepper

2 large tomatoes

Garlic powder

1 bag frozen corn

Olive oil

Curry

100% whole wheat tortillas or corn tortillas

Sea salt

frozen hash brown potatoes

Chop onion, garlic, bell pepper and tomatoes
Sautee onion, garlic, bell pepper, corn and tomatoes and frozen hash brown potatoes in large sauce pan(in olive oil). Add seasonings: pinch of cayenne pepper, pinch of sea salt, garlic powder, and curry powder (optional). Cook for about 10 -15 minutes on medium heat. Remove mixture from heat, place
mixture in tortilla with lettuce or cabbage and tomatoes and  Enjoy!

Salsa

1 large can diced tomatoes or fresh
2 large onions
4 serrano peppers
garlic powder
sea salt
cayenne pepper

Dice onion, Serrano pepper (remove seeds). Combine onion, Serrano peppers, diced tomatoes, garlic
powder, sea salt (to taste), cayenne pepper (a pinch) in a large

sauce pan (pot) and bring to a roaring boil for 15-20 minutes. Let simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

Cuban Black Beans & Rice

1 package dried black beans
Vegetable broth (1- 32oz. box)
Chili powder
Chipotle powder
2 cloves garlic

Soak beans overnight in water (cover w/2 inches above beans). Drain and rinse beans. Place beans in sauce pan and add vegetable broth. Add water to cover if needed. Add spices and boil for 1 hour and then simmer until tender (follow package direction if available). Prepare brown rice according to package directions. Place rice on individual dishes and top with beans and salsa.

Tomato Sauce

This is an easy recipe for homemade tomato sauce that you can use as a base for vegetable casseroles, soups or to put over 100% whole wheat pasta, or over brown rice.

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion (chopped)
2 cans diced tomatoes (14.5 oz) (or fresh)
Salt to taste
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped

Saute onions in heated oil over medium heat, cooking until soft. Add tomatoes (including juice) and salt.
Simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Add cilantro and simmer for 5 or 10 more minutes.
Serve over pasta, rice or cooked vegetables.

Spicy Green Beans

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound green beans, trimmed
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Heat oil in frying pan or wok over medium high heat. Add trimmed green beans and salt. Cook, stirring frequently for 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 more minute.

Herb-Roasted Potato Fries (Daniel Fast Fries)

1 pound small baking potatoes
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Coat a heavy baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut each potato in half
crosswise. Place the halves cut side down on the cutting board and cut each into 4 wedges. Place the
potatoes in a mound on the prepared baking sheet. In a cup, mix the oil, thyme, rosemary, salt, and
pepper. Pour over the potato wedges and toss to mix well. Spread the potatoes out on the sheet. Bake,
stirring 2 or 3 times, until tender and lightly browned, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.

Veggie Spaghetti (very delicious recipe)

½ box wheat spaghetti

½ cup sliced mushrooms

2tbsp. olive oil

1 cup broccoli flowers

½ cup chopped onion

1 tsp. sea salt (or to taste

1 lg. can diced tomatoes

3 garlic cloves minced or chopped very fine

1 med. bell pepper

In a medium size sauce can heat the oil, add garlic and cook until it starts getting golden brown, add the onions and cook until translucent, add the mushrooms, bell pepper, broccoli flowers and diced tomatoes and simmer for 15-20 on a low flame.  Serve over pasta.

Cantaloupe Tonight Melon Smoothie

1/2 medium-size cantaloupe, seeded and cut from the rind.

1/2 cup orange juice

Juice of 2 limes (taste before you add all the juice at once)

1 medium-size, banana, peeled and cut into chunks

Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

our addition: 2 cups of ice cubes – makes it like a frozen ice drink.

Mix all in a blender, and serve. Serves 2

Brown Rice Dinner

1 cup of Brown Rice

2.5 cups water

Bring to rolling boil, reduce heat and simmer/steam for 45 minutes.

Half way through the cooking time, add:

1/2 cup of fresh salsa

1 cup of frozen corn

1/2 of a chopped red bell pepper

3/4 cup of cooked black beans

a pinch of pepper to taste

Stir and replace cover for remainder of cooking time. Serve with fresh sliced avocado.

“It’s Our Time”

It’s a New Year and I’m believing now more than ever that “It’s Our Time!” I don’t just mean it’s our time for my family, or even just for my Ministry & Church but I believe that It’s Our Time for everyone that loves God to experience all that God has in store for them this year.  God is Opening the Windows of Heaven in 2011! And to kick this year off, I believe that we have to start out on the right foot.  The right foot meaning for us to seek God like never before.  If we want to do all that God has for us this year…I think it’d be great for us to take the time for us to hear from God ourselves.  We’ve declared a 21 day fast from January 10th – January 30th to really get a hold of God for this year.

Over the next few blogs, I’m going to be putting a few tips on fasting to help you become successful during this time:

DANIEL FAST GUIDELINES AND RECIPES

The Daniel Fast is a plant-based partial fast. It is based on the Prophet Daniel when he was under the rule of Babylonian kings for their personal service. Daniel recorded three occasions of fasting, though he likely fasted many more times since he was a man of God.

Daniel 10:2, 3 is where we find the model for the 21-day Daniel Fast. From this passage, a guidelines have developed over the years, primarily by Christians who use this as a form of fasting.

No Pleasant Food: This would include breads, sugars and sweet foods.

No Meat: All animal products are restricted on the Daniel Fast. That includes meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products (milk, eggs, cheese, butter, etc.)

No Wine: This restriction, coupled with previous fasts where Daniel drank only water (which is typical for biblical fasting), is where today’s Daniel Fast finds its roots for water only. Fruit and vegetable juices are acceptable.

One of the great things about the Daniel Fast is that you are not limited to any specific amount of food, but rather to the kinds of food you can eat. The Daniel Fast is limited to vegetables (includes fruits) and water.

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.

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.