Do I have a treat for you!
Last year, while I still lived in WA, our church went on a Daniel Fast. To help others along I was blogging Daniel Fast recipes on my blog and the church's blog; but I also wanted to offer more resources to our church members. I searched the net for someone I could agree with on the topic of proper Daniel Fast diet. That is when I discovered Kristen's blog, at that time titled Those Who Hunger. I liked what I saw. I added her to my blog roll and sent her an e-mail. We later connected on FaceBook and our blogging friendship began.
We have come a long way since then. Kristen Feola is now a published author. Her brand new book The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast
has been published by none other than Zondervan and has already come among Top 50 bestselling Christian books in the United States for January!
has been published by none other than Zondervan and has already come among Top 50 bestselling Christian books in the United States for January! When Kristen is not fasting she adheres to a diet very close to Daniel Fast, although she does consume some animal products.
I asked Kristen to talk to my readers about her thoughts on Daniel Fast. She agreed and did even more than that--she wants to give one of my readers a copy of her book The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, filled with recipes and Scriptural reflections. [Details under the interview].
Without further ado, here is Kristen.
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Kristen Feola is the author of The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, an encouraging resource for individuals and groups who are participating in the Daniel Fast. She has worked as a personal trainer, nutritional consultant, First Place 4 Health leader, and fitness instructor. She is also an active member of Moms in Touch International. Kristen lives with her husband and two daughters in Springfield, Missouri. Her blog address is ultimatedanielfast.com.
The Daniel Fast – Not Just Another Diet
With the countless number of fad diets in our society, fasting is often misunderstood and categorized as just another weight-loss program. However, fasting shouldn’t be used as a quick way to shed a few extra pounds, nor is it intended to be a method of self-starvation. In fact, those who undergo fasting to improve their physical appearance are completely missing the whole purpose of this powerful spiritual discipline.
When you fast, you deny yourself food, or certain foods, for a specified period of time as an act of surrender and worship to God. Although there are several different types of fasts, one that is becoming increasingly popular is the Daniel Fast. On the Daniel Fast, commonly enjoyed foods are restricted for twenty-one days as you devote yourself to prayer. Since you’re able to eat solid food, the Daniel Fast is much less intimidating than a water or juice fast. It’s also ideal for someone who is unable to do a liquid-only fast for medical reasons.
The food guidelines for the Daniel Fast are based upon accounts of Daniel’s experiences as recorded in the Bible. In Daniel 10, God gave Daniel a vision of what would occur in the lives of the Israelites as a result of their rebellion and sin. What Daniel saw disturbed him so greatly that he entered into a state of mourning, or fasting. The Bible says that he ate no choice food and had no meat or wine for three weeks (10:2-3). Most commentaries agree that such desirable foods probably included bread and sweets. The English Standard Version of Daniel 10:3 says, “I ate no delicacies.” These verses provide the foundation of the Daniel Fast. Therefore, foods that are allowed are fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and oils. Restricted foods include dairy, meat, sugar, all forms of sweeteners, yeast, refined and processed foods, deep-fried foods, and solid fats.
Since we don’t know for sure what Daniel ate and what he didn’t, the goal is not to duplicate his menu. Rather, we want to imitate the spirit in which he sought the Lord. Daniel ate simple foods, taking in only what was necessary for physical sustenance. His passion for God caused him to long for spiritual food more than physical food, which should be the ultimate desire of anyone choosing to participate in a fast.
In 2009, when my pastor invited our church to join him in a Daniel Fast to pray for the launch of our second campus, I had no idea how that three-week journey with the Lord would change the course of my life. God flung open new doors of ministry for me, which included writing a book called The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, which was published by Zondervan in December 2010. He certainly did more than I could have ever asked for or imagined in my wildest dreams!
God has amazing plans for you as well. Your mind can’t even begin to comprehend what He has in store for you! Don’t allow fear, laziness, or the excuse, “It’s too hard!” keep you from stepping out in faith and committing to a Daniel Fast. You can do it. God will give you the strength and perseverance you need.
Are you hungry for the Lord? Do you want to know Him more? Fasting, when accompanied by fervent prayer, will help you develop intimacy with the Lord like nothing else can. There’s something supernatural that happens when you humble yourself and pursue God with genuine passion. You’ll experience a greater sense of His presence in your life and the indescribable joy that comes from walking in obedience. Matthew 5:6 also makes it clear that God rewards those who seek Him in this way: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Through prayer and fasting you can have a deeper connection with the God who loves you. There is no greater reward.
Disclaimer: If you have a medical condition or any causes for concern regarding your health, you should always consult your physician before beginning any type of fast, including the Daniel Fast.
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Here are a couple of suggestion from Kristen for those who embark on the Daniel Fast:
Daniel Fast Snacks
• Apples with almond butter
• Celery with peanut butter, raisins, and sunflower seeds
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Fruit smoothies
• Hummus and vegetables
• Trail mix
Important Tips for Your Daniel Fast
• Find a friend who will fast with you and be your accountability partner.
• A week before your fast begins, stock up on food items you’ll need.
• Make double portions of recipes and freeze them to use later during the fast.
• Read your Bible and pray first thing in the morning before your day begins.
• Record prayer requests and answers in a journal.
• Use The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast to help you on your journey.
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The Giveaway!
To Enter:
- Visit Kristen's blog and then come back and tell me what your favorite post or recipe is. Make sure to link to it.
- Sign up for my Newsletter. Click on the link, complete the form, make sure to confirm subscription by checking your Inbox, following through with the instructions, and then come back and tell me you did it. [If subscription is incomplete (i.e. unverified) the entry will be disqualified from the drawing!]
Bonus Entries:
Yes, you can get EXTRA entries for a better chance to win this drawing. To do so do one or as many as you would like of the following:
- Subscribe to my blog via RSS feed or e-mail. Subscriptions have to be confirmed to qualify. Make sure to come back and leave a comment if you subscribe.
- Tweet about this giveaway. Here is the text you can use: "Enter #danielfast #vegan book #giveaway hosted by @fitvegantrainer: http://bit.ly/g6BrQq"; then come back and leave a comment under the post that you did so. You can tweet about this giveaway once a day, until the last day of the giveaway and get an entry for each tweet, as long as you come back and link to your tweet under this post.
- FaceBook about this giveaway, then come back, leave a comment with a link to the post and let me know you did so. You can use this text: "Enter amazing Daniel Fast Book giveaway hosted by Eat Healthy! Be Happy! Vegan Living and Recipes blog: http://bit.ly/g6BrQq".
- If you have a blog, you can blog about this giveaway, then come back, leave a comment with a link to the post.
- Like my page on FaceBook [Vegalicious], then come back and leave a comment under this post.
- Follow me on Twitter @firvegantrainer, then come back and leave a comment under this post telling me that you did.
- The giveaway will be open until 2/15/11 [Tuesday], 2 pm EST.
- You can live in or outside of the US to be eligible.
- MAKE SURE TO ENTER YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS in the comment form to be eligible.
