Monday, January 9, 2012

DAY 1 - Daniel Fast



Ready to get started?





When I wake up in the morning, I'm not instantly hungry. Most people aren't, which is why they skip breakfast. DON'T SKIP BREAKFAST! Even though you might not be hungry first thing in the morning, take time to make a super easy breakfast to take with you so when you get to work and start to feel your tummy growl, you won't be tempted to break your fast before you've even started it!

BREAKFAST:   ABB Sandwich and a piece of fruit
(ABB = Almond Butter-Banana sandwich, which is sprouted bread spread with almond butter and sliced banana)
Why sprouted bread? Because even whole-grain bread has yeast and sugar in it, which is not part of a Daniel Fast. (You can buy sprouted bread, pasta, tortillas, and rice...all acceptable on the Daniel Fast.) Why almond butter? Because it's got a great protein punch and also some calcium.

This is a good brand, so is Maranantha, or you can grind your own



LUNCH: Hummus and veggies and a sprouted tortilla
Hummus is really good for you and also has protein. Since you're not eating meat, eggs or dairy for the next 3 weeks, it's important to eat protein each meal because it will keep you satisfied. My favorite veggies to dip in my hummus are carrot sticks, sugar snap peas, sweet red pepper, cucumber and cherry tomatoes. Dip your favorites...maybe celery or even asparagus spears!



DINNER: Vegetarian chili
Okay, this is so good you won't even realize you're fasting! The recipe makes a crockpot full, so you'll have a few meals' worth. It freezes well, too. Scroll down to the end for pictures and a step-by-step prep, as well as the recipe without the pictures so you can copy it.

SNACKS: If you get really hungry during the day as you are adjusting to the fast, grab an apple or any piece of fruit or vegetable that sounds good, and it will carry you through to the next meal. Try a "raw" or "live" food bar...they are a bit pricey at $1.29 for this little bar, but they are very portable. Throw one in your purse or car so you have one if you get hungry when you're on the go. "Raw" or "live" food is the ultimate, perfect Daniel Fast food. Eat as much of them as you can. You can get raw/live trail mix, granola, crackers, bars. Fred Meyer carries a good selection in its health food section on a small display stand. Also, if you feel like something crunchy and salty, have a bowl of popcorn with a spritz of light olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt or brewer's yeast (my most favorite snack in all the world!). Don't use microwave popcorn...it is full of oils and chemicals. Bad stuff, even if you're not fasting! I actually bought a microwave popcorn bowl for $15...super easy and convenient and healthy!  I found it for $7.49 here:
http://www.wayfair.com/Nordicware-Microwave-Popcorn-Popper-12-Cup-Capacity-60120-NWR1271.html?refid=GPA49-NWR1271&gclid=CKfimbvow60CFasaQgodlAmTAA


Remember to drink lots of water! I personally love drinking a glass of water with 3 tablespoons of raw apple cider after my morning run/work-out before I eat breakfast. Then I like to sip on water with a splash of lime juice throughout the day.

Bragg's is the very best brand.
Heinz tastes awful compared to this!



DYNAMITE DANIEL-FAST CHILI

1 onion
2 carrots
1/2 yellow pepper
1 c. kale or spinach, chopped
2 cloves garlic
3 cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can white beans, rinsed and drained
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 29-oz can whole tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1/8-1/4 c. chili powder
2 T. unsweetened cocoa powder (not Nestle Quik!!)
dash cayenne powder to taste
dash cumin
salt and pepper

Dice your veggies and saute in a small amount of olive oil

I like my veggies cut small for chili, so the ingredients
blend better

This is kale---super-good for you! You buy it in a bunch,
just like lettuce. Wash it thoroughly, because the curly leaves
hold dirt. Then tear it like lettuce. The veins are pretty
tough, so tear the leaves off them.

After you've sauteed the onion, pepper and carrot until soft,
add the kale and saute that until wilted, THEN add the
minced garlic. If you add it too soon it will turn bitter.
Saute it just until it starts to smell good, then dump all
the veggies into a crockpot.

These are the beans I use. I've tried buying dried beans and
sorting them, rinsing them, soaking them and then pre-cooking
them, but it takes a lot more work and time and I haven't always
had the best results (tough, dry, crunchy). Choose "Bush's Best"
whenever you can, they really do taste best. I really don't
care for generic brands of beans...just my own opinion.

You must drain and rinse the beans thoroughly, until all the
foamy bubbles are gone. If you don't, the beans will give you
GAS!

This is what they should look like before adding them
to the crockpot

Add the canned whole tomatoes. Don't use diced, because
those are tomatoes that were rejected in the cannery for
being battered and bruised. The tomato will cook down
until it is soft enough to break apart with a spoon. For an easy
way to get the tomato paste out of the can, open both ends
of the can and then push the paste straight through the can!

Add the spices and seasonings. Add as much cayenne
as you like for heat and as much chili powder as you
like for flavor. I use about a 1/4 c. of chili powder.
Then I add the "secret ingredient" -- cocoa powder!
This mellows the acidity of the tomato and adds
a subtle richness. The Mexicans do it all the time
in their famous "moles."

And now it's done! Let it simmer a few hours, stirring occasionally,
until it is blended into a thick, chunky, beautiful chili!

25 comments:

  1. Can you point me to a sprouted bread that doesn't have yeast?

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  2. Here's a website with some really great products that you can buy, including yeast-free sprouted bread

    http://www.mannaorganicbakery.com/

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  3. how long do you cook it in the crock pot?

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    Replies
    1. Good question, Sean. I would like to know that too. ~ Kalani in Hawaii

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    2. I usually simmer mine for the afternoon so it's ready by dinnertime...probably four hours.

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    3. And sorry for the delay in answering...I'm actually in Hawaii right now, Kalani. It's so beautiful here!

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  4. Can I cook this in a normal pot, I do not have a crock pot

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    Replies
    1. Yes, no problem. Just be sure to keep the heat low enough that it doesn't scorch the bottom of your pot and stir it often to distribute the heat.

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  5. Do you add any liquid?

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    Replies
    1. You shouldn't have to add liquid as the tomatoes and other vegetables will release water as they cook. If you prefer a thinner consistency, by all means add liquid. Rinse the container your tomatoes came in with some water but don't pour it out. Then if you need more liquid, you'll have a tomato juice to use rather than plain water, which won't dilute the flavor.

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  6. I am beginning the Daniel Fast on Sunday. I was under the impression that you shouldn't use canned vegetables. Is this true?

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    Replies
    1. Are you allowed to eat all Bran

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  7. It depends on how stringent you want to be. You can purchase BPA-free canned tomatoes in the health food section of most grocery stores. Another concern regarding canned foods is the higher salt content. Again, try the health food section of your local store for a low-sodium brand. Some specialty health food stores or a good health food section in your local store may even carry tomatoes canned the old-fashioned way in glass jars.

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  8. "The Mexicans" is really offensive. Perhaps re-wording that would be a good idea.

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    Replies
    1. I meant absolutely nothing offensive by using "The Mexicans," any more than I would say, "The French are world-renowned for their cooking, pastries and read." It was a compliment, giving credit where credit is due. "Mole" was a dish invented in Puebla, Mexico. I am sure the Mexicans are very proud of their famous dish. If I had said, "Latinos," that would have been too broad. Mole was invented in Mexico, so the credit goes to the Mexicans. Ole!

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    2. Why is this offensive???

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  9. When you are talking about people from Mexico who eat beans and make great food what are you suppose to call them? If not Mexicans?

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  10. You say to put Brewer's Yeast on the popcorn - we cannot have yeast, right??

    And thank you also for standing up for yourself when it comes to "The Mexicans." The Canadians make great poutine. The Americans grill a great burger. The Germans and Irish make some great sausage. So YEAH, the Mexicans make great mole!
    Where in the world did this "offensive" thing come from! Ugh!

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  11. I used the wrong term here. I grew up saying "brewer's yeast," but what I really use is nutritional yeast flakes. Both are deactivated yeast, so they are okay on the Daniel Fast, but the nutritional flakes are much better for you. Here's a link if you'd like to read a little more. http://www.livestrong.com/article/176197-what-is-the-difference-between-brewers-yeast-nutritional-yeast/

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  12. Does this freeze well? I'm doing a soup/chili swap with some friends and am thinking this is recipe I would like to use! Sounds so good!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it does freeze well! Tomato-based dishes like chili and spaghetti sauce freeze very well, which is super convenient if you want some hearty, healthy meals on hand during a busy time.

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  13. Hi love these pages!! I am new to Daniels fast but I thought you shouldn't use spices. I would love if that was false because I am itailian and love my spices. Thanks for the answer. Debi

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  14. Hi Debi,
    Feel free to use spices! They are nothing more than dried herbs and berries, which are plant-based and healthy. What you need to be careful with is condiments, as they often contain sugar, oils and preservatives.

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  15. It is 2018, and I have come back to this page today to make this awesome chili recipe once again. Thank you so much for sharing this, it is still being referenced to, Daniel fasting or not!
    And for the record, again, it is 2018 and I am still not offended by your use of "the Mexicans" lol. I think those girls were speaking from a place of hangryness lol! Our mole is bomb lol! ..and I appreciate your capitalization of the word Mexican! Much love and God bless!
    -signed, Michelle the Mexican ;-)

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