The Original Because of Love

You may have heard/read by now that many people from Elevation are participating in a 21 day fast called the Daniel Fast. It is called the Daniel Fast because in Daniel chapters 1 & 10, Daniel did not eat anything from the king's table.

Why are we doing this? Well, because we know that God is going to do great things at Elevation this fall. As this next season begins, we are coming together to ask God to continue to work at Elevation and in Charlotte. (You can read more about the details about why we are doing this and what exactly the Daniel Fast is here or you can watch Pastor Steven tell you about it here.)

When I first heard the word "fast" I got a little nervous. Then I went to the website and did a little more research. Basically, for the next 3 weeks, we will be cutting out of our diets all meat and animal (such as dairy) products, sugar, caffeine, foods with any additives, etc... We will mostly be eating fruits, veggies, beans, some whole wheat, and be will be drinking lots of water. We will be cutting out a lot (NO DIET COKE!) but when I went I put together a menu for the next week or so and went to the grocery store, I started to think that it is going to be that bad. (We will see what I say in 3 weeks.)

Here is a look at all the food that I got. I think it is a lot for a "fast".
My menu looks like this:

BREAKFAST -
I am planning on eating lots of fresh fruit. I got grapes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, kiwi, bananas, watermelon, pineapple, apples, peaches.


One thing I made that was very yummy was a:

• Fruit smoothie
  Place all the berries listed above in the blender with some ice, blend until desired consistency. You may want to add some kind of fruit juice, such as orange juice.

LUNCH-
I have things for salad, but I haven't come across a good dressing recipe. Some people have sent me one for a Ranch and an Italian. I will have to try them and let you know how they are.

I have a lot of frozen veggies that I will be eating for lunch and for dinner (green beans, corn, squash, zucchini, mixed veggies, etc.) No butter! Seasoned only with a little salt and pepper.



OTHER LUNCH OPTIONS AND DINNER-

• Chips and Salsa - I made a homemade salsa adapted from a Pampered Chef recipe and also made home made tortilla chips. It was very good!

Tortilla chips - Preheat oven to 400. Take a lime and squeeze the juice into a small bowl. Take some wheat or corn soft tortilla shells and cut into 8 wedges using a pizza cutter. Lay them in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Lightly brush the lime juice on one side of the tortillas. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Bake for about 8 minutes.

• Josh will eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (I don't eat peanut butter.)

A small amount of all natural peanut butter, a fruit spread called Simply Fruit that is made out of blackberries, apple juice, lemon juice, pineapple juice, and pear juice, on some Ezekiel bread.

• Spaghetti with tomato sauce

I made some whole wheat spaghetti noodles and then mixed in a sauce made from a can of diced tomatoes, some water, basil, and garlic.

• Bean Burrito

Whole wheat soft tortilla, brown short grain rice, salsa, and home guacamole.

• Southwest Tortilla Bean Soup

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil

Then add the following items to cook for about 5 minutes:

2 cups onions

1 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

4 tsp minced garlic

1 tbsp minced jalapeno pepper

1 tsp salt

Once all the ingredients are wilted add:

6 cups of water

3.5 cups of vegetable stock

1 15 oz can of diced tomatoes, drained

2 cans of black beans, drained

Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for about 2.5 hours

Before serving add:

3 tbsp lime juice

About 20 of the tortilla chips listed above - crush in a plastic bag

You can also add cilantro or other spices for taste

• Roasted Potatoes

Slice some baking potatoes

Make a mixture of:

2 tsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO if you are a Rachel Ray fan.)

1/2 tsp thyme

1/2 tsp rosemary

And some salt and pepper

Pour mixture over potatoes and bake for about 35 minutes at 425.

• I haven't made this yet, but I am thinking about using this recipe for a veggie chili. I may put it over some baked potatoes.

DESSERTS-

• Banana nut dessert - Sliced banana with pecans
  
• Baked Apples
  I used my apple corer/peeler/slicer and arranged apple slices on a baking sheet. Then I sprinkled it with some cinnamon and finely chopped pecans. I baked them at 350 for about 10 minutes.


• Dessert Chips and Fruit Salsa

Chips - See the recipe above for tortilla chips. Cut the wedges and just sprinkle with some cinnamon. (No salt or lime juice.) Again bake for about 8 minutes at 400.

Fruit Salsa -

1 cup diced strawberries

1 ripe mango, peeled and diced

1 kiwi, peeled and diced

1 lime, zest and juice

You can also add 1/4 cup sliced almonds and/or substitute 1 cup of sliced peaches for the mango.

• I also think I am going to try the popcorn idea that is listed on the website.

If you have any suggestions or recipes for me, please e-mail me or leave me a comment. If you are looking for more recipes, I know that many other ladies are also putting some on their blogs. Try Holly's and then go from there.