daniel fast - week one

To start off 2011, our church is going on a 21 day Daniel fast - Awakening (jan 17-feb 6)! I'm excited for what God will do and looking forward to pressing in and getting focused for the year. It's tough trying not to get too distracted by thinking of what to EAT (so many vegan options), instead of focusing on Him, since that is the point of the fast. Anyhow, following are some of the yummy things I've prepared for the family.

day 1

Insanely Easy Vegetarian Chili

We had a daniel potluck with some friends to kick off the fast. I make this easy chili throughout the year - goes great with brown rice.

day 2

Portobello Mushroom and Bell Pepper Sloppy Joes

One of the oldest's favorite dishes - he could seriously be vegetarian all the time. We used whole wheat tortillas instead of buns.

day 3

Savoury Polenta and Potatoes

I used lots of substitutions for this one - I had polenta and I had potatoes, so I went with it. Used soy crumbles instead of sausage; didn't have walnuts; tofu instead of mushrooms, black beans instead of adzuki beans, you get the idea. Still came out okay, and thankfully the little boy liked it (he's got the most discriminating palette). "i like polenta!" he said afterwards.

day 4

Zucchini Couscous with Asian Flavors and Soba Salad

I added tofu to the couscous and everyone loved it. Just after adding the sriracha to the soba salad I realized it's probably not okay for the daniel fast - but 1 tsp won't hurt and it really made the dish that much better.

day 5

whole wheat penne with zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes and veggie patties; tomato soup and oven roasted potatoes (made this one up!)

fast lessons

I'm reminded about right motives and the heart behind fasting. Isaiah 58:6-9 says, "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I."

Going through the motions with wrong motives and an impure heart will obviously not bring glory to God! James 4:3 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." I'm working on that deep cleansing and focusing in on Him alone.