How many times have you thought about your diet with dread? How many times have you woke up and thought, I just want to eat whatever I want today? This is what we like to call "stinkin thinkin." We dread the diet and the exercise because we have not made it part of who we are. We have not made the choice to live healthy a part of your everyday life. The diet has become like an extra curricular activity outside of our normal lives and routines.
A friend of mine always likes to say that being on a diet will never work because eventually you have to go off the diet. This is so very true. Many of us have started a new diet only to go off of it at some point. A diet is not truly living. It is no fun to starve yourself one day and then binge the next and then hate yourself the third day because you've gained another 5 pounds.
Living healthy has to come natural to your daily life and it has to be something that you make an important part of your life. You choose to live healthy not because society tells you to, or you are being forced to do so, but because it is the right thing to do! I don't even like to refer to it as dieting but rather choosing to live healthy. You can choose life or you can choose a candy bar - that's your decision to make. But whatever you decide don't do it because you feel defeated, make the choice on what the right thing is for your body and where God is leading you.
Last night the minister spoke on giving something up for God. I have chosen to give over my weight battle to God. I am not choosing to diet but rather to live a healthy lifestyle in the sight of the Lord. He gave me this body and I plan to use it for His purpose. I cannot be used if I can barely get off the couch from my weight and the health issues that keep me burdened down.
There have been many times during this process that I have wanted more than anything to go back to my old way of living. I had a really tough weekend with craving bad foods again. It was mostly mental on my part. Last night my family stopped at a local fast food place - one that has most of my favorites. It was very tempting to give in to my cravings "just this once." I almost caved in until I remembered that if I caved in just this once, and made an exception then I would be going back on everything I believe in right now. If I could make an exception that first time then it would be easier to make exceptions in the future. I am not depriving myself of these bad foods. Actually, I would be depriving myself of victory if I caved in.
I was really feeling sorry for myself and being quite pouty all weekend over being "stuck on this diet." My husband looked at me, after hearing me whine and complain, and said oh it won't hurt if you do it just this once. That's when it hit me that I'm not doing this because I "have to" I am doing this because it's the right thing to do. I am not stuck on this diet. I am not being forced into this. I am doing this because I choose life and health. My life is so much more valuable than any fast food meal. God has shown me the path to health and I cannot stray from that path. Satan tried to tempt Jesus with bread, he tempted Eve with forbidden fruit. How am I any different that he would not tempt me with the very foods I want?
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
It was never God's will for us to be unhealthy from the choices we make. Nor to be burdened down with health problems, poor self esteem and all of the issues that come along with weight problems. It is right to be healthy. It is right to want to live. It is right to lay aside your burdens to be able to work for the Lord. Don't let satan try to tell you otherwise. You are perfect and wonderfully made, after the image of a living God, and you should strive to stay that way.
Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Daniel Fast Final Results
This should have been posted yesterday but I was gone literally all day and did not get home until 10 last night.
From Wednesday (Day 10)
This fast has literally changed my life. I have come out of this with a testimony of healing for my stomach and a new appreciation for the Lord, the ultimate designer. He has designed our bodies to do what they need to do when given the proper fuel. Just as a car cannot run without gasoline neither can our bodies run without the proper nutrients and foods. During the last 10 days I have not only given my body nothing but fruits and vegetables but I have also filled my mind with much knowledge about nutrition and health. I have learned so much. I am feeling a lot better than I was 10 days ago and the best part...drum roll please.... I am now 8 pounds lighter! I have decided that since I am feeling so great and my stomach is not totally 100% better yet (maybe about 90% now) that I will continue the fast for a full month. I will not continue to update or post menus (unless someone requests it) but I will post my final results. I've hit on a good thing here and I don't want to stop and ruin any progress I've made so far. I may continue this all summer long just to totally and completely cleanse my body but for now I am taking it one month at a time. God will show me the way, that I am sure of.
I want to encourage any of you who is wanting to try this for yourself to do so only after much prayer and consideration so that you understand just exactly what it is you will be going into. There were many times that I wanted so badly to eat the other foods I was used to eating, but then in the back of my mind I knew that I wanted healing, health and life more badly than any of that food. If you do decide to do this then know that this is not an easy thing and without the help of God leading me there were meany times I probably would have slipped up.
One bit of advice I can offer is to not balk at the expense. It is far cheaper than a hospital or doctor bill to eat fruits and vegetables and if you want to compare apples to potato chips then $ for $ you will be much better off buying the bag of apples which costs about the same as a bag of chips. It is a large expense at first to buy all of the fruits, vegetables, oils and spices but once you have your pantry built up you will not need to buy the items every week. It does become easier over time to incorporate the foods for the fast into all of your other regular meals. It is all about doing what you feel is best and right for your body. You are worth so much more than a .99 value meal.
Daniel in the bible did not want to defile his body with the foods of the king. In modern times we can liken this to us defiling our own bodies with the foods of the world. God loved you enough to design foods that would take care of your every need, do not disregard His love by filling your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, with the foods of the world.
Day 10 Menu (Final):
Breakfast - Fruit salad made from sliced bananas, strawberries, fresh blueberries and chopped almonds. 1 cup of carrot juice.
Lunch - Split pea soup
Dinner - More split pea soup (this stuff was really good lol)
Snack - 1 small plum
From Wednesday (Day 10)
This fast has literally changed my life. I have come out of this with a testimony of healing for my stomach and a new appreciation for the Lord, the ultimate designer. He has designed our bodies to do what they need to do when given the proper fuel. Just as a car cannot run without gasoline neither can our bodies run without the proper nutrients and foods. During the last 10 days I have not only given my body nothing but fruits and vegetables but I have also filled my mind with much knowledge about nutrition and health. I have learned so much. I am feeling a lot better than I was 10 days ago and the best part...drum roll please.... I am now 8 pounds lighter! I have decided that since I am feeling so great and my stomach is not totally 100% better yet (maybe about 90% now) that I will continue the fast for a full month. I will not continue to update or post menus (unless someone requests it) but I will post my final results. I've hit on a good thing here and I don't want to stop and ruin any progress I've made so far. I may continue this all summer long just to totally and completely cleanse my body but for now I am taking it one month at a time. God will show me the way, that I am sure of.
I want to encourage any of you who is wanting to try this for yourself to do so only after much prayer and consideration so that you understand just exactly what it is you will be going into. There were many times that I wanted so badly to eat the other foods I was used to eating, but then in the back of my mind I knew that I wanted healing, health and life more badly than any of that food. If you do decide to do this then know that this is not an easy thing and without the help of God leading me there were meany times I probably would have slipped up.
One bit of advice I can offer is to not balk at the expense. It is far cheaper than a hospital or doctor bill to eat fruits and vegetables and if you want to compare apples to potato chips then $ for $ you will be much better off buying the bag of apples which costs about the same as a bag of chips. It is a large expense at first to buy all of the fruits, vegetables, oils and spices but once you have your pantry built up you will not need to buy the items every week. It does become easier over time to incorporate the foods for the fast into all of your other regular meals. It is all about doing what you feel is best and right for your body. You are worth so much more than a .99 value meal.
Daniel in the bible did not want to defile his body with the foods of the king. In modern times we can liken this to us defiling our own bodies with the foods of the world. God loved you enough to design foods that would take care of your every need, do not disregard His love by filling your body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, with the foods of the world.
Day 10 Menu (Final):
Breakfast - Fruit salad made from sliced bananas, strawberries, fresh blueberries and chopped almonds. 1 cup of carrot juice.
Lunch - Split pea soup
Dinner - More split pea soup (this stuff was really good lol)
Snack - 1 small plum
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wordless Wednesday - Fruit Salad, Yummy Yummy!
My breakfast looked so pretty this morning I had to snap a pic. Like my snowman mug? Yeah I thought so lol.
Daniel Fast Recap - Days 7, 8, 9
Ok so I didn't get to post the updates last night like I thought I would. Thankfully I am in my very last week of college - minus one final exam in may - and I will be FREE! Hallelujah!
Anyway there wasn't anything major that happened over these last few days anyway. I did have one episode with my stomach on Monday (day 8), after going nearly 7 days with no problems, but it was not at all like it was in times past. I am doing much better today and I feel healthier than I have in a long time. I have had many times this week that I have felt the strong urge to overeat and eat things I shouldn't but I persevered and I fought the temptations. I am feeling so good and energetic now. I have been praying about this and I've decided that I will continue the fast for a full month. I will not be updating daily anymore but I will keep you all up to date on how things are going. I just realized that I am feeling really good, my stomach is the best it's felt in a year, and I'm losing weight so why stop a good thing? After a month I will see how I am feeling and then I will take it one step at a time. God is with me in this and I know that my old habits are dying a little each day I do this. I am breaking chains that have held me down for over 15 years and I am seeing that there is indeed a light at the end of this tunnel. Be sure to tune in tomorrow to see my final, day 10, results!
Day 7 Menu:
Breakfast - Fruit Salad made with blueberries, sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, and chopped almonds. 1 large cup carrot juice.
Lunch - Steamed Red Potatoes and parsley, Green Beans sauteed in garlic and olive oil and topped with toasted almonds.
Dinner - 1 avocado topped with spicy mustard.
Snacks - Seedless grapes
Day 8 Menu:
Breakfast - Did not have breakfast
Lunch - Mushrooms, garlic cloves and sliced bell peppers sauteed in olive oil and topped with toasted almonds.
Dinner - Large bowl of corn with salt and pepper. Warm fruit salad (fried in the skillet) made from sliced bananas, raisins and toasted almonds.
Snacks - no snacks.
Day 9 Menu:
Breakfast - No Breakfast (Now that my blood sugar is more stable I am not as hungry as before)
Lunch - Bean Burritos made with vegetarian refried beans, onions, green onions, tomatoes, green chiles, and wrapped in large lettuce leaves.
Dinner - Split pea soup following this recipe. (This turned out totally delicious btw, and I don't even like split pea soup! My husband and children even ate it without complaint - but of course I had to toss some turkey bacon into theirs lol.)
Snacks - Trail mix made from walnuts, almonds and raisins. 1 cup of carrot juice.
Anyway there wasn't anything major that happened over these last few days anyway. I did have one episode with my stomach on Monday (day 8), after going nearly 7 days with no problems, but it was not at all like it was in times past. I am doing much better today and I feel healthier than I have in a long time. I have had many times this week that I have felt the strong urge to overeat and eat things I shouldn't but I persevered and I fought the temptations. I am feeling so good and energetic now. I have been praying about this and I've decided that I will continue the fast for a full month. I will not be updating daily anymore but I will keep you all up to date on how things are going. I just realized that I am feeling really good, my stomach is the best it's felt in a year, and I'm losing weight so why stop a good thing? After a month I will see how I am feeling and then I will take it one step at a time. God is with me in this and I know that my old habits are dying a little each day I do this. I am breaking chains that have held me down for over 15 years and I am seeing that there is indeed a light at the end of this tunnel. Be sure to tune in tomorrow to see my final, day 10, results!
Day 7 Menu:
Breakfast - Fruit Salad made with blueberries, sliced strawberries, sliced bananas, and chopped almonds. 1 large cup carrot juice.
Lunch - Steamed Red Potatoes and parsley, Green Beans sauteed in garlic and olive oil and topped with toasted almonds.
Dinner - 1 avocado topped with spicy mustard.
Snacks - Seedless grapes
Day 8 Menu:
Breakfast - Did not have breakfast
Lunch - Mushrooms, garlic cloves and sliced bell peppers sauteed in olive oil and topped with toasted almonds.
Dinner - Large bowl of corn with salt and pepper. Warm fruit salad (fried in the skillet) made from sliced bananas, raisins and toasted almonds.
Snacks - no snacks.
Day 9 Menu:
Breakfast - No Breakfast (Now that my blood sugar is more stable I am not as hungry as before)
Lunch - Bean Burritos made with vegetarian refried beans, onions, green onions, tomatoes, green chiles, and wrapped in large lettuce leaves.
Dinner - Split pea soup following this recipe. (This turned out totally delicious btw, and I don't even like split pea soup! My husband and children even ate it without complaint - but of course I had to toss some turkey bacon into theirs lol.)
Snacks - Trail mix made from walnuts, almonds and raisins. 1 cup of carrot juice.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tasty Tuesday - Easy Hummus Dip
I want to apologize for not posting the Daniel Fast update and menu yesterday. I am in the final week of college and things are pretty hectic here. I will post an update and menus for days 7 and 8 later today.
Last week we had a recipe for roasted chickpeas. I bet you didn't realize this but there are lots of uses for those strange little bean things. Here's a yummy recipe for homemade hummus that uses chickpeas. I could eat this stuff all day long. I am especially liking that I'm allowed to eat it on the fast because it is made with all natural ingredients. Hummus dip is very versatile and can be made / eaten in any number of combinations. It is great with olives, sliced veggies, especially red peppers, or you could have this with chips, crackers, pita bread etc. I've even made sandwiches out of this stuff with whole grain bread and sliced cucumbers on top. That is a very refreshing change from lunch meat! If you don't know what hummus is then you are in for a treat. This recipe is non traditional hummus because it is made without tahini. You will need a blender or food processor for this recipe.
Click here to read more about hummus and tahini.
Hummus
1 can of chick peas (garbanzo beans) drained.
1/4 cup olive oil (I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I prefer the stronger taste and it is more natural - not processed.)
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Ground Cumin (add more or less to taste. I always end up adding more.)
In a food processor or blender add all ingredients and blend until creamy. You may need to add a drop or two more of oil or lemon if your dip is too thick. This recipe is really not hard to mess up and you can really play around with this a lot to get it to your own personal liking.
Serve with some fresh sliced veggies and enjoy this good for you "diet" food!
Last week we had a recipe for roasted chickpeas. I bet you didn't realize this but there are lots of uses for those strange little bean things. Here's a yummy recipe for homemade hummus that uses chickpeas. I could eat this stuff all day long. I am especially liking that I'm allowed to eat it on the fast because it is made with all natural ingredients. Hummus dip is very versatile and can be made / eaten in any number of combinations. It is great with olives, sliced veggies, especially red peppers, or you could have this with chips, crackers, pita bread etc. I've even made sandwiches out of this stuff with whole grain bread and sliced cucumbers on top. That is a very refreshing change from lunch meat! If you don't know what hummus is then you are in for a treat. This recipe is non traditional hummus because it is made without tahini. You will need a blender or food processor for this recipe.
Click here to read more about hummus and tahini.
Hummus
1 can of chick peas (garbanzo beans) drained.
1/4 cup olive oil (I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I prefer the stronger taste and it is more natural - not processed.)
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Ground Cumin (add more or less to taste. I always end up adding more.)
In a food processor or blender add all ingredients and blend until creamy. You may need to add a drop or two more of oil or lemon if your dip is too thick. This recipe is really not hard to mess up and you can really play around with this a lot to get it to your own personal liking.
Serve with some fresh sliced veggies and enjoy this good for you "diet" food!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Monday Motivation - Daniel's Diet Cures Cancer
The day that I started this fast I decided to look for some videos of people who have tried this as well. I came across this CBN video and I thought her story was pretty inspirational.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Daniel Fast Day 6 - Sugar has a way of sneaking up on you.
Recap from yesterday:
This fast has always been about so much more than just wanting to get healthy and lose a little weight in the process. It is also about breaking some personal chains of mine and getting closer to the way the Lord has intended for me to live. I believe with all of my heart that I am being called into this just as I was called to lead the women of my church on a mission to become healthy. I am being called out of my old way of living in a way that on many levels resembles how I was set free from depression.
One personal chain of mine that needs to be broken is that of sugar addiction and binge eating. That is a pretty powerful thing for me to admit online but I think if most people look at me they can see that I have food issues to begin with. I did not get overweight eating salads. It came from years of abusing food - yes I used the word abusing as if I am referring to a drug.
You can be addicted to anything, not just drugs or alcohol. Anything that makes you lose control and forces you to live your life by it's rules is an addiction. Sugar, high carb foods, and just plain bad for you foods are the drugs that have chosen me.
I have had issues with food for as long as I could remember. I have overcome bulimia and anorexia just to fall into the hands of compulsive overeating and binging. I was never thin like a "true" anorexic or bulimic. That is one stereo type that I would like to see smashed. A person dealing with anorexia and bulimia is not always skeletal in appearance - especially when they first start out. Someone you know may be stuggling with this and you would never know because it is a somewhat easy thing to hide.Compulsions with food come in many shapes and forms, and often times if you struggle with one issue you will ultimately end up facing the other issues as well. Food issues in my opinion are all the same: They all have one root cause but are called by different titles.
When I was set free from the depression I began to be healed from my food addictions and issues, but I have always said during this whole process that when God set me free He only opened the door. Once that door was opened I just had to walk right through it. I have felt for the past 3 years since my freedom that I am on the road to recovery but I am just merely standing in that doorway.
This fast I believe will be the completion of my healing and I am starting to see an end to my journey out of my former self. Complete healing does not always come with the sick person immediately taking up their bed (John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.) Recovery is sometimes a slow process where the person may have to relearn how to walk and live normal again. That is how I feel. Like I am learning how to walk all over again, but this time as I am walking, I am held up by arms that are much stronger than I am, the arms of Jesus.
When a person is recovering from an illness they are very weak. It is the same for someone who is recovering from addiction. You are weak. Just as the person who is learning to walk again must stumble and fall along the way so does a person recovering from addiction. It is not an easy road. Some days are more of a struggle than others and sometimes you do stumble and fall. I have fallen many times in the last three years. The difference is that I did not stay down. I got up and continued to walk.
Never was I more sure of my addiction to sugar and issues with food than this morning - the morning after day 6. Last night I had an unexplained episode of wanting to eat like I used to and to binge my feelings away. I did not cave in because I knew that there is a higher purpose in what I am doing right now.
I did discover however that it is possible to binge, even on a diet of just fruits and vegetables. I did not binge like in times past but it was as if I wanted something to eat but could find no satisfaction.
After downing a large plate of stir fried mushrooms and olive oil and a whole avocado I felt very full but still unsatisfied. I found myself very confused by this and very disheartened. I could not understand why after 5 days of eating so good, and feeling so good, and really not even wanting a taste of anything sweet that I would be having these old feelings crop up.
I was extremely down this morning and wondering if what I am doing is right. I knew that I would continue with the fast but I felt very saddened by the fact that my food issues could find a way to pop up even when I am starting to feel so clean and free. I know that satan can, and does, try to come between you and a closer walk with God and will use anything in his power to do so. That tool he used on me came in the form of some dried dates. That may sound ridiculous to you but that is exactly what happened.
I have checked the ingredients on every food I have bought that is not in fruit or vegetable form. I have made very sure to not have anything with added sugar, chemicals or vegetable oil in it. I know that sugar is a weakness for me. It causes my hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) to go crazy and causes my binging issues to be worse. This fast was a way for me to rid myself of this sugar addiction.
The other night I purchased a container of dried dates that I double checked the ingredients. I was pretty unsure of them so I checked the container several times. I could not find any ingredients on them at all so I assumed that meant it was just dried dates and nothing else - a lot of "natural" foods do not list the ingredients.
I went out with my children for a few hours yesterday and I wanted a small snack to take with me in case of sudden hunger. I decided to make my own mini trail mix with almonds, raisins, walnuts and these dates. Still in the back of my mind I was having this little nagging thought about those innocent looking little dates. So before putting them in my baggie of trail mix I checked that container again for the 4th or 5th time. I still saw no ingredients. Satisfied with this I went about my day and snacked away on my date infested trail mix.
Fast forward to this morning (day 7). I am still feeling like I want to eat everything sweet in sight, but am determined not to give up. For breakfast I decide to make myself fruit salad with bananas, blueberries, strawberries, almonds and oh why not a few of these dates for added sweetness. That's when I saw it. Right there on the lid of the container in curved writing. Ingredients: dates, dextrose. SUGAR! These things have SUGAR! Dextrose is sugar. Oh NOOOO I've had sugar!..... Ok so I didn't quite panic that much, but what I did feel was an immediate sense of relief.
This was quickly followed by the thought of - did I just ruin my fast? I now feel ok knowing that I'm not going crazy and that the sugar craving was in fact triggered by hidden sugar. But now I also feel a little bit let down by the fact that I unknowingly allowed one of my old foes to come back in during a time that was meant solely for God. I know that I have bad eyes and need glasses most of the time but I do not see how, after looking that container over top to bottom 5 times, I could have missed that. I believe that this was a trick used against me. Satan knows our weakness and if it can be used against us trust me, he will try it. Just look at Job!This brings new meaning to the phrase "being blinded by the devil."
I realize that this mistake was not intentional and I do not plan to end the fast. I do not believe for a second that my time of cleansing has been ruined. This is just another time where I have fallen and must get back up again, rebuke the devil, and continue to walk toward my higher calling.
Those dates were harmless and in all honesty they were far more healthy for me than what I would normally eat. When I go off of the fast I am sure I will enjoy them whole heartedly but for now this time is meant for God and for my body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, to be clean and new for His purpose.
Day 6 Menu -
Breakfast: Mock hasbrowns made from apples, potatoes, diced onion, lime juice, olive oil, and fresh ground pepper and sea salt for seasoning. 1 cup of 100% grape juice.
Lunch: 1 avocado with french's spicy horseradish mustard on top (the only condiment I have found so far that is of completely natural ingredients - plus it's really good!)
Dinner: Very large plate of mushrooms sauteed in olive oil with the spicy mustard again.
Snacks: Too much trail mix made from almonds, raisins, walnuts, and the infamous dates.
This fast has always been about so much more than just wanting to get healthy and lose a little weight in the process. It is also about breaking some personal chains of mine and getting closer to the way the Lord has intended for me to live. I believe with all of my heart that I am being called into this just as I was called to lead the women of my church on a mission to become healthy. I am being called out of my old way of living in a way that on many levels resembles how I was set free from depression.
One personal chain of mine that needs to be broken is that of sugar addiction and binge eating. That is a pretty powerful thing for me to admit online but I think if most people look at me they can see that I have food issues to begin with. I did not get overweight eating salads. It came from years of abusing food - yes I used the word abusing as if I am referring to a drug.
You can be addicted to anything, not just drugs or alcohol. Anything that makes you lose control and forces you to live your life by it's rules is an addiction. Sugar, high carb foods, and just plain bad for you foods are the drugs that have chosen me.
I have had issues with food for as long as I could remember. I have overcome bulimia and anorexia just to fall into the hands of compulsive overeating and binging. I was never thin like a "true" anorexic or bulimic. That is one stereo type that I would like to see smashed. A person dealing with anorexia and bulimia is not always skeletal in appearance - especially when they first start out. Someone you know may be stuggling with this and you would never know because it is a somewhat easy thing to hide.Compulsions with food come in many shapes and forms, and often times if you struggle with one issue you will ultimately end up facing the other issues as well. Food issues in my opinion are all the same: They all have one root cause but are called by different titles.
When I was set free from the depression I began to be healed from my food addictions and issues, but I have always said during this whole process that when God set me free He only opened the door. Once that door was opened I just had to walk right through it. I have felt for the past 3 years since my freedom that I am on the road to recovery but I am just merely standing in that doorway.
This fast I believe will be the completion of my healing and I am starting to see an end to my journey out of my former self. Complete healing does not always come with the sick person immediately taking up their bed (John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.) Recovery is sometimes a slow process where the person may have to relearn how to walk and live normal again. That is how I feel. Like I am learning how to walk all over again, but this time as I am walking, I am held up by arms that are much stronger than I am, the arms of Jesus.
When a person is recovering from an illness they are very weak. It is the same for someone who is recovering from addiction. You are weak. Just as the person who is learning to walk again must stumble and fall along the way so does a person recovering from addiction. It is not an easy road. Some days are more of a struggle than others and sometimes you do stumble and fall. I have fallen many times in the last three years. The difference is that I did not stay down. I got up and continued to walk.
Never was I more sure of my addiction to sugar and issues with food than this morning - the morning after day 6. Last night I had an unexplained episode of wanting to eat like I used to and to binge my feelings away. I did not cave in because I knew that there is a higher purpose in what I am doing right now.
I did discover however that it is possible to binge, even on a diet of just fruits and vegetables. I did not binge like in times past but it was as if I wanted something to eat but could find no satisfaction.
After downing a large plate of stir fried mushrooms and olive oil and a whole avocado I felt very full but still unsatisfied. I found myself very confused by this and very disheartened. I could not understand why after 5 days of eating so good, and feeling so good, and really not even wanting a taste of anything sweet that I would be having these old feelings crop up.
I was extremely down this morning and wondering if what I am doing is right. I knew that I would continue with the fast but I felt very saddened by the fact that my food issues could find a way to pop up even when I am starting to feel so clean and free. I know that satan can, and does, try to come between you and a closer walk with God and will use anything in his power to do so. That tool he used on me came in the form of some dried dates. That may sound ridiculous to you but that is exactly what happened.
I have checked the ingredients on every food I have bought that is not in fruit or vegetable form. I have made very sure to not have anything with added sugar, chemicals or vegetable oil in it. I know that sugar is a weakness for me. It causes my hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) to go crazy and causes my binging issues to be worse. This fast was a way for me to rid myself of this sugar addiction.
The other night I purchased a container of dried dates that I double checked the ingredients. I was pretty unsure of them so I checked the container several times. I could not find any ingredients on them at all so I assumed that meant it was just dried dates and nothing else - a lot of "natural" foods do not list the ingredients.
I went out with my children for a few hours yesterday and I wanted a small snack to take with me in case of sudden hunger. I decided to make my own mini trail mix with almonds, raisins, walnuts and these dates. Still in the back of my mind I was having this little nagging thought about those innocent looking little dates. So before putting them in my baggie of trail mix I checked that container again for the 4th or 5th time. I still saw no ingredients. Satisfied with this I went about my day and snacked away on my date infested trail mix.
Fast forward to this morning (day 7). I am still feeling like I want to eat everything sweet in sight, but am determined not to give up. For breakfast I decide to make myself fruit salad with bananas, blueberries, strawberries, almonds and oh why not a few of these dates for added sweetness. That's when I saw it. Right there on the lid of the container in curved writing. Ingredients: dates, dextrose. SUGAR! These things have SUGAR! Dextrose is sugar. Oh NOOOO I've had sugar!..... Ok so I didn't quite panic that much, but what I did feel was an immediate sense of relief.
This was quickly followed by the thought of - did I just ruin my fast? I now feel ok knowing that I'm not going crazy and that the sugar craving was in fact triggered by hidden sugar. But now I also feel a little bit let down by the fact that I unknowingly allowed one of my old foes to come back in during a time that was meant solely for God. I know that I have bad eyes and need glasses most of the time but I do not see how, after looking that container over top to bottom 5 times, I could have missed that. I believe that this was a trick used against me. Satan knows our weakness and if it can be used against us trust me, he will try it. Just look at Job!This brings new meaning to the phrase "being blinded by the devil."
I realize that this mistake was not intentional and I do not plan to end the fast. I do not believe for a second that my time of cleansing has been ruined. This is just another time where I have fallen and must get back up again, rebuke the devil, and continue to walk toward my higher calling.
Those dates were harmless and in all honesty they were far more healthy for me than what I would normally eat. When I go off of the fast I am sure I will enjoy them whole heartedly but for now this time is meant for God and for my body, the temple of the Holy Spirit, to be clean and new for His purpose.
Day 6 Menu -
Breakfast: Mock hasbrowns made from apples, potatoes, diced onion, lime juice, olive oil, and fresh ground pepper and sea salt for seasoning. 1 cup of 100% grape juice.
Lunch: 1 avocado with french's spicy horseradish mustard on top (the only condiment I have found so far that is of completely natural ingredients - plus it's really good!)
Dinner: Very large plate of mushrooms sauteed in olive oil with the spicy mustard again.
Snacks: Too much trail mix made from almonds, raisins, walnuts, and the infamous dates.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Daniel Fast Day 5 - Menu, Recap & This can't be a diet!
From Yesterday:
I am amazed at how well I am starting to feel and only 5 days into this new way of living. I am eating some very amazing tasting foods and my body is starting to feel "alive." I feel like I'm starting to come out of this mental fog. I've eaten some pretty fabulous tasting foods over the last few days that leave me mentally wondering "Am I cheating, and if I'm not then this just can't be health food!" From homemade hummus, to fresh fruit salads to wonderful smoothies I just feel like I'm eating gourmet foods all the time lol. I will admit that it does take a little more work and prep time to make all of these foods. At 10:30 the other night I was up chopping veggies and making hummus in the food processor (Thank you Lord for this awesome tool btw!). I don't mind though because I no longer feel as tired and sluggish. Usually I'm already about dead by 10:30 at night but now I am finding I am staying up well past midnight and am very clear headed.
Speaking of the added prep time and work, I realized that this is actually starting to make me appreciate my food more. When I lovingly take the time to make a meal from start to scratch that doesn't come from a box it makes me feel more in tune to the way God intends for me to live. Apples don't come from a jar and potatoes don't come from a box. They come from the earth and were designed by God's own hand for the loving purpose of caring for our bodies. When I actually have to chop the apples, feel them in my hands, and see all of their little seeds inside that have the potential to grow an entire tree it makes me appreciate all that more the beauty God has given to us in life. There is beauty in life and food, be it natural or spiritual, helps to sustain that life. The fruits and vegetables that God designed specifically for us to live by is absolute proof of His love for us - His love for me! Food should be enjoyed and appreciated. God gave it for us to enjoy, to live, and to grow. Food should not be handed to you in a greasy paper bag through a window and then shoveled in your mouth at the speed of lightning leaving you feeling empty and unsatisfied. I am thanking God for this process. It is about so much more than "being on a diet" or getting healthy. It is a new way of living and appreciating life, beauty and the world God created.
Day 5 Menu:
Breakfast - Fruit Salad (again) made from sliced bananas, apple chunks, raisins, almonds and cinnamon. 1 cup of carrot juice.
Lunch - Sliced red and green peppers. Celery Sticks. Home made Hummus.
Dinner - Baked potato with salt, pepper and chives. Large bowl of watermelon chunks.
Snacks - 5 walnut halves, PURE® Raw Chocolate Vegan Brownie Bar (I will be talking about this in a later post.)
I am amazed at how well I am starting to feel and only 5 days into this new way of living. I am eating some very amazing tasting foods and my body is starting to feel "alive." I feel like I'm starting to come out of this mental fog. I've eaten some pretty fabulous tasting foods over the last few days that leave me mentally wondering "Am I cheating, and if I'm not then this just can't be health food!" From homemade hummus, to fresh fruit salads to wonderful smoothies I just feel like I'm eating gourmet foods all the time lol. I will admit that it does take a little more work and prep time to make all of these foods. At 10:30 the other night I was up chopping veggies and making hummus in the food processor (Thank you Lord for this awesome tool btw!). I don't mind though because I no longer feel as tired and sluggish. Usually I'm already about dead by 10:30 at night but now I am finding I am staying up well past midnight and am very clear headed.
Speaking of the added prep time and work, I realized that this is actually starting to make me appreciate my food more. When I lovingly take the time to make a meal from start to scratch that doesn't come from a box it makes me feel more in tune to the way God intends for me to live. Apples don't come from a jar and potatoes don't come from a box. They come from the earth and were designed by God's own hand for the loving purpose of caring for our bodies. When I actually have to chop the apples, feel them in my hands, and see all of their little seeds inside that have the potential to grow an entire tree it makes me appreciate all that more the beauty God has given to us in life. There is beauty in life and food, be it natural or spiritual, helps to sustain that life. The fruits and vegetables that God designed specifically for us to live by is absolute proof of His love for us - His love for me! Food should be enjoyed and appreciated. God gave it for us to enjoy, to live, and to grow. Food should not be handed to you in a greasy paper bag through a window and then shoveled in your mouth at the speed of lightning leaving you feeling empty and unsatisfied. I am thanking God for this process. It is about so much more than "being on a diet" or getting healthy. It is a new way of living and appreciating life, beauty and the world God created.
Day 5 Menu:
Breakfast - Fruit Salad (again) made from sliced bananas, apple chunks, raisins, almonds and cinnamon. 1 cup of carrot juice.
Lunch - Sliced red and green peppers. Celery Sticks. Home made Hummus.
Dinner - Baked potato with salt, pepper and chives. Large bowl of watermelon chunks.
Snacks - 5 walnut halves, PURE® Raw Chocolate Vegan Brownie Bar (I will be talking about this in a later post.)
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday Find - Mario Batali Measuring Prep Bowls & Spoons
Today's find is a recent purchase of mine. I ordered these off of Amazon.com this week and I am very pleased with this purchase. It is a set of measuring prep bowls and spoons to match (sold separately).
Let's talk about the bowls first. I have been looking around for a set of bowls and plates (still on the hunt here) that measure portions. I did not find anything I really liked until I found these bowls. It is always a good idea to measure your portions out instead of "eyeballing" because you can easily end up eating twice the amount of calories you think are. These bowls are meant to be prep bowls - aka for portioning ingredients while cooking. I, however, thought they would be perfect for using as regular premeasured bowls for eating. A scale is certainly more accurate for measuring portions, but sometimes you are in a hurry or don't want to hassle with the scale or measuring cups. That's where these bowls would come in handy. These bowls have two measurements each - ex: the 1 cup bowl also has a measuring line inside for 1/2 cup. They range in size from 1/4 & 1/8 size all the way up to a full 2 cup sized bowl. These are perfect for measuring portions of cereal, ice cream, pudding, and what I used mine for this week - applesauce. They come in about three color choices, persimmon (mine), olive green, and cream. The only thing I really do not care for is how the outside of these bowls feel but that is just my own personal preference. The inside is smooth but the outside is a rough somewhat sandpaper like feel. This texture does help to give the bowls a non slip grip but I am just picky that way I guess lol. These are also made of a material (melamine?) that in my opinion, if dropped, could possibly crack. These are really the only two faults I find with them and they are actually made quite well and are surprisingly good quality. At just $9.99 for the set it really is a good find. Other specialty diet plates and bowls that I found were not as good quality and were upwards of $40 or more.
Overall I give these bowls 4 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥ because of the possibility that they could break if dropped.
You can order your own set here.
I did not originally intend to buy the matching spoons to the bowls. I was actually looking for long handled measuring spoons and ran across these. They just happened to be the matching spoons to the bowls. What I love about these is the fact that they are long handled. I always find it to be somewhat annoying to try to use a small and often too wide measuring spoon inside a narrow spice jar or canister. I also wanted some long handled measuring spoons that could double as a serving spoon. These are long and sturdy enough to actually feel comfortable in your hand for using as a serving spoon but not so long that they don't fit into your silverware drawer. The added bonus is that these are magnetized so they nest together and stick to each other. I can't tell you how many times I've had to hunt all over my silverware drawer for the correct size measuring spoon. Why didn't someone think of this before? I also like the fact that these have the measurements molded into the plastic as part of the design. Most measuring spoons I have purchased over the years have the measurements printed onto the spoon, which over time begins to wear away. These range in size from 1/8 teaspoon all the way up to 2 tablespoon. The 2 tablespoon size is probably my favorite. I've never seen this before with a set of measuring spoons. This will be super handy in measuring and portioning things like dressings, mayonnaise and peanut butter. The only fault I could find with these spoons is that the color does not match the bowls. I don't know if this is true with the other colors but the persimmon spoons are a shade or two darker than the bowls. This is not a big deal for me but I know that some people may be particular about this.
These spoons get 5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥ for their great practicality and low price of only $4.99.
Order yours here.
P.S. Amazon.com right now is having a 4 for 3 sale on many home and kitchen items. You buy 3 items and get a fourth one free. I actually got the spoons for free with my order with this special.
Let's talk about the bowls first. I have been looking around for a set of bowls and plates (still on the hunt here) that measure portions. I did not find anything I really liked until I found these bowls. It is always a good idea to measure your portions out instead of "eyeballing" because you can easily end up eating twice the amount of calories you think are. These bowls are meant to be prep bowls - aka for portioning ingredients while cooking. I, however, thought they would be perfect for using as regular premeasured bowls for eating. A scale is certainly more accurate for measuring portions, but sometimes you are in a hurry or don't want to hassle with the scale or measuring cups. That's where these bowls would come in handy. These bowls have two measurements each - ex: the 1 cup bowl also has a measuring line inside for 1/2 cup. They range in size from 1/4 & 1/8 size all the way up to a full 2 cup sized bowl. These are perfect for measuring portions of cereal, ice cream, pudding, and what I used mine for this week - applesauce. They come in about three color choices, persimmon (mine), olive green, and cream. The only thing I really do not care for is how the outside of these bowls feel but that is just my own personal preference. The inside is smooth but the outside is a rough somewhat sandpaper like feel. This texture does help to give the bowls a non slip grip but I am just picky that way I guess lol. These are also made of a material (melamine?) that in my opinion, if dropped, could possibly crack. These are really the only two faults I find with them and they are actually made quite well and are surprisingly good quality. At just $9.99 for the set it really is a good find. Other specialty diet plates and bowls that I found were not as good quality and were upwards of $40 or more.
Overall I give these bowls 4 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥ because of the possibility that they could break if dropped.
You can order your own set here.
I did not originally intend to buy the matching spoons to the bowls. I was actually looking for long handled measuring spoons and ran across these. They just happened to be the matching spoons to the bowls. What I love about these is the fact that they are long handled. I always find it to be somewhat annoying to try to use a small and often too wide measuring spoon inside a narrow spice jar or canister. I also wanted some long handled measuring spoons that could double as a serving spoon. These are long and sturdy enough to actually feel comfortable in your hand for using as a serving spoon but not so long that they don't fit into your silverware drawer. The added bonus is that these are magnetized so they nest together and stick to each other. I can't tell you how many times I've had to hunt all over my silverware drawer for the correct size measuring spoon. Why didn't someone think of this before? I also like the fact that these have the measurements molded into the plastic as part of the design. Most measuring spoons I have purchased over the years have the measurements printed onto the spoon, which over time begins to wear away. These range in size from 1/8 teaspoon all the way up to 2 tablespoon. The 2 tablespoon size is probably my favorite. I've never seen this before with a set of measuring spoons. This will be super handy in measuring and portioning things like dressings, mayonnaise and peanut butter. The only fault I could find with these spoons is that the color does not match the bowls. I don't know if this is true with the other colors but the persimmon spoons are a shade or two darker than the bowls. This is not a big deal for me but I know that some people may be particular about this.
These spoons get 5 out of 5 ♥♥♥♥♥ for their great practicality and low price of only $4.99.
Order yours here.
P.S. Amazon.com right now is having a 4 for 3 sale on many home and kitchen items. You buy 3 items and get a fourth one free. I actually got the spoons for free with my order with this special.
Daniel Fast Day 4 - Menu, Recap and a Testimony
This is the recap from yesterday.
Day 4 and still feeling pretty good. I do have a mini testimony to share and I'm not even half way through this process. Yesterday I left the house for the first time in 6 months without having to take tons of medicine for my stomach hours before hand (aka no Imodium or antacids). I was pretty nervous about the whole prospect of leaving the house without having taken anything for preventive measures. That thought in itself made my stomach a little queasy and jittery (welcome to the world of IBS lol) but everything was a lot better than it has been in the last few months. I actually felt almost "normal" again! If my stomach is already feeling this good after only 4 days I can't imagine what it will feel like after 10. I've also not felt the pain in my left side even one time this week - hallelujah! Another side effect I had not counted on was my skin is starting to look better - to me anyway - and my singing voice is a lot clearer. For the last couple of months, anytime I've had to lead the congregational songs at church my voice would crack and become hoarse before the first song was finished. By the end of the second song my voice was totally done in. Last night I got through both songs without so much as a squeak (I think lol) and I felt like I could go on singing all night. God is so good. I will have to tell you all soon about the dream that helped inspire this and I can't thank Him enough for leading me in this new way of living. As I was praying at church last night I just knew that my previous way of living was finished and that I was completely done with that part of my life. God's ways definitely always prosper over the ways of man.
Day 4 Menu:
Breakfast - Fresh fruit salad made with sliced bananas, apple chunks, raisins, sliced almonds and cinnamon sprinkled on top. 1 large cup of 100% carrot juice.
Lunch - 1 avocado. 1 cup of natural unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon sprinkled on top.
Dinner - Sliced red and green bell peppers, celery sticks, and home made hummus (look for this recipe on Tuesday!). (Yum Yum Yum!!!!)
Snacks - 1 dried fig, 1 small mandarin orange, 1 cup of 100% carrot juice.
Day 4 and still feeling pretty good. I do have a mini testimony to share and I'm not even half way through this process. Yesterday I left the house for the first time in 6 months without having to take tons of medicine for my stomach hours before hand (aka no Imodium or antacids). I was pretty nervous about the whole prospect of leaving the house without having taken anything for preventive measures. That thought in itself made my stomach a little queasy and jittery (welcome to the world of IBS lol) but everything was a lot better than it has been in the last few months. I actually felt almost "normal" again! If my stomach is already feeling this good after only 4 days I can't imagine what it will feel like after 10. I've also not felt the pain in my left side even one time this week - hallelujah! Another side effect I had not counted on was my skin is starting to look better - to me anyway - and my singing voice is a lot clearer. For the last couple of months, anytime I've had to lead the congregational songs at church my voice would crack and become hoarse before the first song was finished. By the end of the second song my voice was totally done in. Last night I got through both songs without so much as a squeak (I think lol) and I felt like I could go on singing all night. God is so good. I will have to tell you all soon about the dream that helped inspire this and I can't thank Him enough for leading me in this new way of living. As I was praying at church last night I just knew that my previous way of living was finished and that I was completely done with that part of my life. God's ways definitely always prosper over the ways of man.
Day 4 Menu:
Breakfast - Fresh fruit salad made with sliced bananas, apple chunks, raisins, sliced almonds and cinnamon sprinkled on top. 1 large cup of 100% carrot juice.
Lunch - 1 avocado. 1 cup of natural unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon sprinkled on top.
Dinner - Sliced red and green bell peppers, celery sticks, and home made hummus (look for this recipe on Tuesday!). (Yum Yum Yum!!!!)
Snacks - 1 dried fig, 1 small mandarin orange, 1 cup of 100% carrot juice.
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