On Sunday, Chris and I completed a 21-day Daniel Fast.
I had a few of you ask me what exactly it was, so I thought I would share a little about it today.
The definition of fasting is to restrict food for a spiritual purpose.
We feel that when you fast, you get the attention of God. We wanted to get His attention and specifically pray for Chris’s mom and the complete healing from her cancer. This is why we chose to participate in the fast.
What is the Daniel Fast?
It’s a biblical based partial fast based on two accounts of the Prophet Daniel’s fasting experiences (seed Daniel 1 and 10) and typical Jewish fasting principles. The Daniel Fast eating plan is similar to a vegan diet with additional restrictions.
What food can you have on the fast?
Fruits, veggies, and whole grain. That’s it! Water and fresh squeezed juices are the only beverages you can have on the fast also.
I’m so glad that I chose to do this fast this year. It was a great way to start my year and get my attention on things that truly matter.
The first week of the fast was HARD! My body was almost in a shock going from eating lots of oreos, chips, and meat to fruits and veggies only. My calorie intake was probably half of what I was normally getting, so I stayed hungry a lot!
I learned to eat more snacks in between my meals. I learned what filled me up the best and I learned that I LOVE all fruits! I hope I continue to always grab a fruit instead of a cookie or candy bar when I find myself hungry.
During the fast I noticed I had more energy and in general felt a lot better. Another added benefit is that I lost 10 pounds in 21 days! Not a reason to do the fast, but it does make you realize that what you eat makes a big difference!
Chris and I are going to continue eating a lot differently. We have been researching things about food and what it does to our body, especially meat.
Have you ever watched What the Health on Netflix? It really makes you think about food industries in the U.S. and how we’ve been brainwashed about our food choices.
Will I have a cookie every once in a while? You bet. Will I eat the occasional steak like I did last night? Yes.
But I will be more conscious about the foods I put in my body.
Like I said earlier, I think when you fast you get the attention of God. I think Chris and I were blessed in many ways from doing this Daniel Fast.
For instance, Chris walked away with a concussion and busted eardrum from a HORRIBLE accident where many people couldn’t believe he wasn’t seriously hurt.
Chris and I were worried about the insurance company giving us a good amount for Chris’s truck after they totaled it. We not only received the full amount of what we owe on his truck, but we got a little extra too! This is such a blessing!
Some might not believe this is all from fasting, but it’s truly how I feel.
This summer Chris and I plan to do another 21 day fast as well.
What about you? Have you ever fasted? Have you ever heard of the Daniel Fast?
Hope you have a great Tuesday!
You didn’t have any protein in that diet! Sounds like it went well though. I am Jewish and I fast two times per year on our major fast days where we have no food or water for 25 hours. It’s not easy. I always wonder why it’s called a fast when it goes so slow!
We ate organic peanut butter a lot to give us protein, so we were good. 🙂 Yes, it doesn’t go fast at all!
I am going to try this fast and I am hoping Brandon will do it with me. We fasted a couple of times last year and I always felt God moving and shaking things up…and always in ways we were not expecting. I hope your prayers were answered. And that documentary is so scary, there are a couple documentaries about food on Netflix and they all freaked me out and made me really think about my food.
Yes, that documentary was really mind blowing! We have been researching a lot of stuff and it makes you think…… I am a strong supporter of fasts now that we have completed this one. 🙂
I haven’t fasted, but my husband is vegan and therefore I eat a predominantly vegan diet as well. It’s amazing what minimizing meat and dairy do for your body! I LOVE cheese, and I hate to admit I noticed a difference when I cut way back on my animal product consumption. If you have an open mind, though, it can be pretty easy to transition to that sort of lifestyle! One of my favorite “cheese” products is actually cashew-based and has no dairy. Of course I’ve also encountered tons of awful vegan cheeses as well, but there are gems out there!
Yes, I am beginning to wonder if our bodies were ever meant to eat meat. It’s crazy the difference you feel. I am reading a book right now called How Not to Die. You ought to look it up.
I have heard of the Daniel Fast but didn’t know anything about it. Thanks for explaining it! You guys were blessed through the 21 days!! Now I pray his mom’s cancer leaves her body.
Amen!
This is such a great explanation, and that’s wonderful that you could feel a spiritual (and physical) improvement. Can you get protein from beans (like pinto/kidney beans?)
Yes. I feel like we got plenty of protein through our veggies and beans and peanut butter.
I have never done any sort of fasting program but I do find that I often prepare more veggies for myself and skip either the meat or the carb at dinner depending on what we are having. I have been focusing more on eating more fruits and veggies and find that I do feel much better.
I felt SO good during this time! It was amazing the difference.
I have never fasted from food entirely like you all did. I always give something up for Lent, but wow, this post was so great. I’m going to look into the Daniel Fast now. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!
I have heard lots about this fast and I think it is so sensible and I probably should give it a try. We are what we eat and that in itself should make us think about what we eat. Great post!
Thank you! Yes, I’ve really been looking into the “we are what we eat” slogan. There is a lot of truth to it!