I asked my good friend Tonia Bendickson to guest blog for me today. Here's what she had to say...
I just polished off a bag of Bear Naked Organic Trail Mix.
“Cashews, raisins, mangos, and more” it says on the package.
It’s delicious. When I eat it, it doesn’t feel like I’m fasting.
And though that’s not the point, it does help ease the cravings I have for
chocolate.
And coffee.
And sharp cheddar cheese.
And sushi.
But I’m embracing the Daniel Fast. I’m getting more time with God and my
family because I’m preparing simpler meals. I’m saving money brown-bagging
“fast-approved” snacks and meals.
I know I’m eating healthier.
And strangely, giving up sugar has made my teeth feel cleaner, all day
long.
This has been the great thing about the Daniel Fast in my family.
All the surprising benefits, and the great foods we DO get to eat, while
“fasting”.
Here are some of our favorites:
For breakfast:
Kashi Puffs and unsweetened soy milk, topped with fresh strawberries and
bananas or peaches and blueberries.
Oatmeal cooked with chopped apples and raisins, topped with chopped raw
almonds
Warmed leftover brown rice with raisins, cinnamon, unsweetened soy milk and
honey
For snacks:
Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin bread, toasted, smeared with unsweetened applesauce
and sprinkled with cinnamon
Smoothies – banana, blended with frozen berries, unsweetened soy milk, ice,
and unfiltered apple juice.
Apple slices dipped in raw almond butter mixed with a drizzle of
honey
For dinners:
Red beans and rice topped with avocado, sweet corn, tomatoes, and
cilantro
Vegetarian Chili
Baked sweet potatoes topped with chopped pineapple and nutmeg
Spinach salad with peach or mango chutney
Not-fried brown rice with tofu, snow peas, carrots, sweet corn, onions, and
peppers, seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, ginger and sea salt
Chopped Mexican salad with romaine lettuce, chick peas, peppers, black
beans, tomatoes, jicama, corn, and avocado, topped with fresh cilantro and
honey-lime dressing
Somehow this simpler, healthier fare has made me genuinely more thankful
for every bite I put into my mouth.
Like this past week, as my son Asher tried pineapple for the very first
time.
He declared loudly, like I’d never heard him before… “Mmmm…”
I’ll record it in his baby book as his third word. A simple, clearly
understood… “Mmmm.”
His pure pleasure in that pineapple tidbit reminded me how much I love
great, simple food
