WHEN I LOOKED OUTSIDE THROUGH THE LIVING ROOM WINDOW THIS MORNING, newly fallen snow dusted the landscape. Not a deep snow. Barely any at all. Still, it's SNOW. January and February usually have quite a bit of this white stuff that causes such havoc. The ICE is what I seriously don't like as it's easy to fall when hitting a patch. You can't always see the ice as it takes you by surprise.
This morning, temperatures were dipping into the teens outdoors and there's a chill in the house. As I was doing laundry, it felt colder in the utility room on the other side of the house. Working on the mountain of laundry that has appeared. Making progress at emptying the large laundry basket by the back door. When it is finished, there are three more to go so I mustn't get overwhelmed that I am so far behind it hurts. I know how this happened and won't make up any excuses as to why. I know.
Which reminds me, I'll need to pay the City Bill this week on the 20th of the month. Checking on the calendar making the 20th a Tuesday. While looking at the calendar, I counted the days until I have labs for A1c for my primary doc. Counted 40 days until my appointment. Trying to lower my A1c and cholesterol some. If my A1c comes down, I know that what I eat is the culprit.
My goal is to lower my A1c to 5.8. I've been there before when I upped my veggies and fruits, stopped sugar, dairy and meats. When I went from a 7 to a 5.8, nothing was said to me about my success with lowering my numbers. Nothing. It didn't bother me at the time, because I didn't know any better, but looking back at the numbers, I should have been encouraged to continue doing what I was because the numbers were excellent. I have to be my own cheerleader. I look back and see that I was on the right track and I'm the one responsible for maintaining. Still an encouraging word would have gone a long ways.
In the long haul, I am the one doing the work and I can either pout that the doc didn't compliment me or I can cheer myself on and be satisfied that I was victorious. Amen. Victorious is the way to health. I should embrace the victory.
CHOLESTEROL. I was so happy to be within the range box concerning lipids, but the pleasure disappeared when my doctor informed me that I needed to be way lower on the LDL as I am diabetic. THIS burst my bubble... as hard as I had worked at having lipids within the range box and to be told that I would probably have to take meds to get there made me feel bewildered. I was stunned that there was no comment on how great my numbers were. Who comes up with these numbers anyhow? Who says your numbers need to be lower? This just furthered my cause to research and get my hands dirty. Who has lobbyist to get what they want? What organizations are behind controlling numbers that in order to get there you must take their drugs making BIG PHARMA very happy because you are spending money.
Putting one and one together I came to an understanding that certain medicines cause additional health problems. Health organizations can be bought and they promote things that are not healthy for ya. Donations come in from industries that want their way and it wags the dog making the ones in the know promote whatever the industry wants. humpf.
Watching what I eat is an everyday thing. After the Daniel Diet/Fast concludes on the 21st, I plan to eat some scrambled eggs and toast. I'll return to eating eggs! and I'll probably continue eating eggs until I die.
With the Daniel Diet/Fast, meats, grains, dairy and sugar are discouraged along with caffeine and alcohol. We're to take a leave from these. I have not completely stopped everything on the DD/Fast as we associated with family, but cut way back on these things. Not scolding myself. With 5 days until the end of this fast, I'm doing pretty well with honoring the plan. 10 pounds gone. From here on out, I am focusing on fruits and vegetables, lean meats, seeds, nuts and legumes ALL THE TIME.
I need to increase legumes in my diet. This is one food type that I have seldom worked into my menus. Instead of so much meat, the legumes can be used. I love Chick-peas/Garbonzos so no issues eating these. The Chick-pea recipes are abundantly out there.
Substituting other kinds of foods for wheat is happening. Today's wheat isn't like the Biblical wheat that was grown. Through the years man has molested the crop by changing the DNA structure making it very unhealthy for so many. in my opinion, WHEAT has been changed for the worse. IMO, I believe this is part of what is causing gut issues, the diabetic dilemma and the crisis facing so many in America contributing to obesity. If a crop looks like it will yield loads of money it becomes a stronghold to the market and so what if it causes health issues? LUST and GREED does a great deal of damage.
I've taken an interest in avoiding genetically altered foods of all kinds. The United States is a leader in promoting GMO foods by changing their original structure. This is troubling to me as I grow older knowing how many have health issues because of the types of foods and beverages they consume. I believe that foods are not the only cause of health issues, but a huge part of it none the less. We are bombarded daily with radio frequencies and electromagnetic forces. The air we breathe has been tampered with by the government. The type of fibers in clothing affects us as well and off gases come from the building materials we have in our structures including interior items like carpeting, furniture and bedding. Over medicated. Over fed. Over done. What's a person to do? Where do you begin when you have not been raised in an environment that is healthy? One must be reeducated in a different way and it hasn't been a piece of cake for me. Where do you draw the line to do LIFE differently?
So much of the food used in the U.S. isn't healthy. You'll have to grow it yourself, look for others that sell the healthy non-GMOs including foods from foreign countries that have not been changed.
FOCUSING ON EATING DIFFERENTLY. I personally know that when I deliberately go on the DANIEL DIET/FAST that thoughts come to mind about foods I haven't eaten in years. Why is that? Part of a distraction to come against doing well. I'd say spiritual warfare crops up in my mind and I have taken notice it's happening.
While on this DD/Fast, I see first hand how much food is available to us or at least how much highly processed food can easily be reached.
Health Nuts are a plenty, but they do not seem to take an interest in what is healthy for their spiritual LIFE. Heavily concentrated on what is called a healthy life style food wise then go full force into moral corruption not thinking anything of it. humpf.
DANIEL DIET/FAST:
- Vegetables: All fresh, frozen, or dried veggies (broccoli, peppers, onions, etc.).
- Legumes: Beans (kidney, black, pinto) and lentils.
- Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, sunflower seeds, natural nut butters.
- Oils: Olive, coconut, canola (used minimally).
- Seasonings: Herbs, spices, salt, pepper, Bragg's Liquid Aminos.
- Liquids: Water, unsweetened plant milks (almond, soy, coconut).
- White Rice & Refined Grains: White flour, white bread, etc..
- Sweeteners: Sugar, honey, syrups, artificial sweeteners.
- Leavened Bread: Yeast breads.
- Animal Products: Meat, dairy, eggs, fish.
- Caffeine & Alcohol: Coffee, tea (unless herbal), soda, alcohol.
- Processed Foods: Chips, additives, preservatives.
- Brown Rice & Beans: Cook brown rice with sautéed onions, peppers, celery, and kidney beans for a simple meal.
- Vegetable Stir-Fry: Sauté veggies like broccoli, zucchini, and bell peppers with garlic and ginger, then add cooked brown rice and a splash of tamari or liquid aminos.
- Coconut Rice: Cook brown rice with water, unsweetened coconut milk, and a pinch of salt for a slightly sweet base.
What is the Daniel Fast?
If you’re wondering, “Where did the Daniel Fast originate?” That’s a great question.
The Daniel Fast was first observed by the prophet Daniel in the Bible. On one occasion,
Daniel was greatly concerned for his people and sought the Lord’s wisdom during a time
of prayer and fasting.
Daniel 10:2-3 says, “At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food;
no meat or wine touched my lips.” The meaning of “choice food” is not clear; however,
most commentaries conclude that Daniel avoided bread and sweets. The Message translation
sums up Daniel’s eating habits during that time: “I ate only plain and simple food.”
The idea behind the Daniel Fast is not to replicate Daniel’s menu but to imitate his spiritual hunger.
Daniel’s passion for the Lord caused him to seek spiritual food rather than physical food, which
should be the desire for anyone doing the Daniel Fast.
Daniel Fast Approved Foods:
- Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley, Whole Grain Breads, Grits
- Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas, Soybeans
- ALL Fruits: i.e. Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries,
Cantaloupe, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew
Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples,
Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon - ALL Vegetables: i.e. Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage,
Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Ginger Root,
Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes,
Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips,
Watercress, Yams, Zucchini, Herbs, Spices, Olives (Olive Oil), veggie burgers are an option
if you not allergic to soy. - Nuts & Seeds
- Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% Natural Fruit Juices, 100% Natural
Vegetable Juices, Protein Drinks, Decaffeinated Beverages in moderation - Sweeteners: Honey, Stevia & other Natural Sweeteners
Foods To Avoid
- Meat
- All Dairy Products
- White Rice
- Fried Foods
- Caffeine
- Carbonated Beverages
- Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives, Refined Sugar, or Sugar Substitutes
- White Flour and All Products Using It
- Margarine, Butter, Shortening, and High Fat Products
- Desserts, Candy, etc.
How can I be successful in my time of fasting?
Fasting sounds easier in concept than it proves to be in practice. It can be surprising
how on-edge we feel when we miss a meal. Here are some simple pieces of advice.
Plan what you’ll do instead of eating. Fasting isn’t merely an act of self-deprivation,
but a spiritual discipline for seeking more of God’s fullness. This means we should have
a plan for what positive pursuit to undertake in the time we normally eat. We spend a
good portion of our day with food in front of us. One significant part of fasting is the
time it creates for prayer and meditation on God’s Word.
Before diving headlong into a fast, craft a simple plan. Connect your fast to a specific
purpose, or something you are believing God for. Identify what that is and design a
focus to replace the time you would have spent eating. Without a purpose and plan,
it’s not fasting; it’s just going hungry.
So as you plan your fast, consider how it will affect others. If you have regular lunches
with colleagues or dinners with family or roommates, assess how your abstaining will
affect them. Consider letting them know ahead of time instead of springing it on them in
the moment.
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