DAY 18 - Daniel Fast

BREAKFAST:  Smoothie

I'm repeating my green smoothie...it's just sooo good.  What's your favorite combination for a smoothie?


LUNCH: Pizza!

You have to admit that even without cheese, this looks delicious!

Okay, I have to start with another funny story about Jeff...and pizza.  As you can probably tell by now, if it wasn't for me Jeff wouldn't be able to do a Daniel Fast.  The other night Jeff and my oldest son Justin were out car shopping (my younger son Tyler totalled his car the day after Christmas).  Jeff needed Tyler's signature on the check from the insurance company, so he had to drive in to Portland to the college campus where Tyler and my daughter Anna live.  Anna was at work so Jeff decided to surprise her and take her and the boys out for dinner.  Anna only had a very short break, so they headed for Whole Foods, the closest food place.  Jeff thought that would be a good choice because he could stay on his fast easier there.  He was heading straight for the salad bar when he suddenly spied, "Veggie Pizza on Whole-Grain Crust."  He thought he'd died and gone to heaven.  He turns to the kids and says with obvious delight, "I can have pizza!  It's veggie with a whole-grain crust!"  The kids smirked, knowing how he likes to "push the envelope" when it comes to his fasting food choices.  They all made their selections and sat down together at a table.  Jeff eagerly opened his pizza box and took out that delicious, ooey-gooey pizza.  Wait.  Daniel Fast pizza isn't supposed to be ooey-gooey.  "CHEESE!" Jeff exclaims in dismay.  "I can't have dairy!"  The kids burst into nearly hysterical gales of laughter.  I guess you had to be there, but they said it was absolutely the funniest thing ever.  They said they could hardly stop laughing.  Maybe you'd have had to be in our house the last 18 days dealing regularly with Jeff's self-interpretation of a Daniel Fast for this to have the same humerous impact on you as it did on them, but that was most definitely a bonding moment and great memory that they will be sure to re-tell and laugh over in the years to come...especially every January when another Daniel Fast rolls around!  By the way...Jeff ate every bit of that pizza and enjoyed his "accidental" cheat thoroughly!

So for us, the faithful, we are going to have veggie pizza, but it isn't going to have cheese!  : )

1.  Start with a whole-grain crust. (You can buy one, which I did, or make your own, which is better.  Too many preservatives in this store-bought brand.  I had hoped for an organic sprouted or whole-grain crust, but my store didn't carry anything healthy, so I had to settle for the whole-wheat.  Now that I know that, next time I will plan ahead and either make a trip to Whole Foods or make my own.)

2.  Spread pizza sauce over crust (Be sure to read labels...best to go with an organic brand or make your own with tomato sauce seasoned with Italian seasoning.  I used a sundried tomato pesto, which had a smooth, almost spreadable consistency and a great flavor.)

3.  Top with sauteed zucchini, onion, peppers, spinach or arugula (arugula has a lot more flavor, but some find it too peppery), and mushrooms.

4.  Bake in the oven 8 to 10 min. at 350 until crust is cooked and toppings are heated through.
5.  Lay slices of fresh tomato on top and drizzle your homemade walnut-basil pesto over all (you may need to thin it out with more olive oil and water).  Of course, you can make the toppings any combination of vegetables you like.  I honestly thought this was incredibly good and didn't need cheese at all!  Be sure to add the pesto, it's the ingredient that puts this pizza over the top!

DINNER:  Joey's Lettuce Wraps

You're in for a treat tonight.  These are my favorite wraps from a restaurant I really like back in Canada called Joey's.  I've tweaked them to make them acceptable for the fast, but they are still full of flavor and fun to eat.

1 pkg. soba noodles

1 head butter lettuce, washed and separated into full leaves

firm tofu, cubed (optional...make these with chicken after the fast!)

2 T. sesame oil
1/2 onion, diced fine
1/4 ea. of red and yellow pepper, diced fine
1 can water chestnuts, diced fine
2 c. shitake mushrooms, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced

2 T. soy sauce (or Bragg's aminos)
2 T. rice vinegar
1 T. sesame oil
5 T. Hoisin sauce
1/2 t. chili paste (or less if you don't like spice)
(add a tablespoon of either honey or brown sugar and oyster sauce after the fast)

2 green onions, sliced
1/4 c. peanuts, chopped
crunchy rice noodles
cilantro

1.  Boil soba noodles and drain
2.  Saute tofu and veggies
3.  Add soy, vinegar, oil, Hoisin and chili paste
4.  Put filling in lettuce leaves and top with green onion, peanuts and cilantro.  Roll, eat, enjoy!

Jeff said, "Mmm.  These are good, Hon.  I want some more!" if that is any indication as to how good these wraps are!  He declared it his favorite Daniel Fast dinner!