This information was primarily taken from the book “Fasting For Spiritual Breakthrough: A Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts” by Elmer L. Towns, published in 1996 by Regal Books, Ventura, California.
Our body is designed to heal itself. When a disease enters our body from bad dietary habits or from the outside, our bodies begin to fight it. Doctors, surgery, or medicines are most often designed to remove the source of the problem, but the healing is done by the body itself. Many common diseases are easily prevented with basic good nutrition and exercise habits.
STEP ONE: BE SPECIFIC
Daniel was not vague in his objection to the Babylonian diet. He defined the problem immediately.
1. The king’s food was against dietary laws.
2. Daniel and his friends had vowed against wine.
3. The king’s food had been offered up to idols/demons.
STEP TWO: FAST AS A SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT
The Daniel Fast involves a spiritual commitment to God. “Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” (Dan. 1:8).
STEP THREE: REFLECT INNER DESIRE BY OUTER DISCIPLINE
Many people have an inner desire for better health, but they can’t discipline themselves to avoid junk food, and other foods that were not good for health. The physical health you seek from God may be more than an answer to prayer. Your physical health may be linked to any of the following factors:
a. Your food choices.
b. The level of your spiritual commitment as reflected in constant prayer during the fast.
c. Your time commitment. If you determine to fast for a certain time, keep it. For example, if you determine to fast 10 days, don’t stop on Day 9.
d. Your testimony commitment. Your fast is a statement of faith to God that you want Him to heal your body.
Faith is foundational to the Daniel Fast.
SOME HELPFUL HEALTHY RECIPES
Thick and Creamy Corn-Potato Soup
6 ears corn (cut off the cob)
6 medium-large red potatoes (chopped in 1/2 inch pieces)
6 carrots (finely chopped)
1 medium-large onion (finely chopped)
2 green peppers (finely chopped)
2 bay leaves
3 teaspoons thyme
2 teaspoons marjoram
3 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons sea salt
2 teaspoons pepper
3 32oz. boxes of vegetable broth
water
Put vegetables and spices in a large soup pot. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes. Add broth and maintain a light boil. Cook 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from heat. Blend 3/4 of the soup mixture in a blender in batches. Put blended soup in a large bowl or container until the blending process is complete. Pour the blended soup back into the pot. Add water to thin and obtain the desired consistency. Heat through and serve. Serves 8-10 generously.
Tomato Basil Soup
12 Vine Ripe Tomatoes
1 Package Cherry Tomatoes
2 1/2 Cups Fresh Carrot Juice (or Odwalla available in juice section)
1 Large Ripe Avocado
2 Yellow Onions (chopped)
4 Cloves Garlic (chopped)
5 Stems Fresh Basil
2 Tablespoons Pure Honey
1 Bay Leave
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon Sea Salt
1 Tablespoon Red Pepper Flakes
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Cook onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. Cut tomatoes and avocado in quarters and place all ingredients in blender and blend on low speed for one minute. Continue to blend on high for an additional minute until creamy. Pour into large soup bowl or crock pot and cook on medium low for 2 to 3 hours.
Portabello Steaks
6 portabello mushroom caps
1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons Pure Maple syrup
2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
Wash mushrooms and place in a gallon size plastic sealable bag. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Add to the mushrooms and marinate for a few hours. Grill indoors or out until cooked through.
Serve with baked sweet potatoes and grilled squash and asparagus.
Grilled Vegetables
Toss yellow squash, zucchini, and asparagus with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Salt and Pepper to taste. Grill indoors or out until tender.
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Wash sweet potatoes, prick with a fork several times and place in a 400 degree oven for an hour and a half. Less time may be needed if potatoes are small.
Vegetable Barley Soup
Choose your vegetables. Really, anything can work depending upon your taste.
My picks:
3 cups chopped celery
2cups chopped white onion
3 cups chopped carrots
3 cups chopped green/yellow/red pepper
3 cups thin sliced mushrooms
2 cups chopped roma tomatoes (peeled and seeded)
2 32oz. boxes vegetable broth
Use your favorite spices. I choose 2 cloves garlic, sea salt to taste, 2 teaspoons marjoram flakes, 2 teaspoons oregano flakes, 1 bay leaf and 1 teaspoon parsley. Pour ¼ cup vegetable broth in a soup pot. Add all of the vegetables and saute them until tender. Add the spices and stir to mix. Add the remaining vegetable broth. Bring to a boil and add 1 cup Natural Whole Grain Barley. Boil for 15-20 minutes until the barley is tender.
Serves 6
For thicker soup, just blend 1/2 of the vegetable mixture (prior to putting in the barley) in a blender. Add it back to the soup pot and then add the barley.
Guacamole
Blend ripe avocados in a food processor with juice from 1 large lime, 2 cloves garlic, 1 roma tomato and a dash of salt. If you like spice, you can add 1/4 of a jalapeno pepper seeded.
Serve on black beans, portobello mushrooms or use as a dip with vegetables.
Baked Apples or Pears
Slice a pear or apple in half. Use a grapefruit spoon to scoop out the seeds and the tough, center portion. Place halves, skin side down, in a glass baking dish. Brush with ½ teaspoon pure maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon. Microwave for 10 minutes or until tender. Serve warm.
The Breaker’s Granola
5 cups raw oatmeal
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup slivered raw almonds
1 cup finely chopped cashews
1 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup flax seed
1 cup finely chopped dry figs
1 cup finely chopped apricots (unsweetened if possible)
1/4 cup chopped coconut
2 cups unsweetened raisins
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
Mix together in a large bowl. Keep in tightly sealed container such as tupperware in the pantry. To serve cold, soak 1/2 cup granola in unsweetened plain soy milk for a few minutes. To serve warm, you can prepare with water or unsweetened soy milk in the microwave. Use 1 cup liquid to 1/2 cup granola. Warm for a minute on high or more if desired.
Note: Chop the nuts and fruits in a food processor individually and then add them to the oats.
Gazpacho
6 med. tomatoes, quartered
2 large cucumbers
1 small red onion
1 med. zucchini, chopped
3 med. garlic cloves, smashed
1 med. green bell pepper
chopped fresh herbs: parsley, basil, chives
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin seed
2 cups vegetable stock or tomato juice
1. In food processor, combine tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, zucchini, garlic, and green pepper and process on high until coarsely chopped.
2. Add herbs, lemon juice, oil, salt, cayenne, and cumin. Process a few more burst. Blend in stock or tomato juice.
3. Transfer to large bowl. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.
Serves 4. Preparation Time:10 minutes.
Vegetarian Spaghetti Squash
Slice squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon as you would a pumpkin. Then completely submerge both halves in boiling water and cook for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the inside is tender to a fork and pulls apart in strands. (It is better to undercook if you are not sure). Remove, drain, and cool with cold water or an ice bath to stop the cooking. Then use a fork to scrape the cooked squash out of its skin, and at the same time, fluff and separate the squash into spaghetti-like strands. Discard the skin. Reheat the squash strands by dipping with a strainer in boiling water just before serving.
You can also bake the spaghetti squash in the oven. Just scoop seeds out as described above and prick outside skin with a fork. Place skin side up in a baking pan with 1 inch water. Bake 45 minutes or until tender in a 400 degree oven. Remove and allow to cool for a few minutes until they can be handled. Scrape with a fork as mentioned above and serve with stir fried sauce.
Stir Fried Sauce
10 Roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped coarsely
2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms
2 cloves garlic
2 cups chopped broccoli florets or 1 package baby spinach
2 teaspoons oregano (powdered or flakes)
Sea salt to taste
Saute mushrooms and onion with garlic and oregano. Add tomatoes and other vegetables. Cook until tender and heated through. Toss in a large bowl with spaghetti squash strands. Serve hot. 6 servings
Brown Rice with Edamame and Vegetables
2 cups brown rice
4 cups water or vegetable broth
1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
1 package frozen, shelled edamame
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup sliced white mushrooms
½ teaspoon cumin
1 clove garlic minced
½ cup chopped green onion
Combine orange juice and water/broth in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add brown rice and bring back to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove lid to let steam escape and set aside.
While rice is cooking, prepare edamame according to package directions but without salt. Drain in a sieve. Saute garlic, cumin, mushroom and carrot just until tender (do not overcook). Put rice in a large bowl and add the edamame and other vegetables. Top with chopped green onion.
Servings:4-6 entrée size
Serve with orange slices and celery sticks.
Cuban Black Beans & Rice with Tomato Salsa
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.
Salsa
Roma Tomatoes quartered
Lime
Cilantro
Green onion (1 bunch)
Chili powder
Cumin
Garlic
In a food processor, chop tomato, cilantro, green onion with chili powder, garlic, cumin and lime juice by pulsing the blade several times to desired texture. We prefer chunky.
Place rice on individual dishes and top with beans and salsa.
Serves: 6 entrée size
Serve with sliced mango and papaya and lime juice.
Toasted Nut Snack
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Place raw walnuts, almonds, cashews or other desired nuts on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until slightly browned. Cool completely and mix in a bowl with unsweetened raisins.
We keep this on the counter for a quick snack.
Honey and Oat Cereal
Prepare Oatmeal with Soy Milk or Water. Sweeten with Honey and a dash of cinnamon.
I hope this guide and these recipes help you stay healthy, creative, and focused on Him throughout our 21-day fast together!
Steve and Brenda Lummer
Discovery Church
stevelummer.com 