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!