“A Fueled Mind, Body, & Spirit: Fun & Fulfilling Daniel Fast Meals”

Do you believe you can train your mind to achieve whatever it is you want?

C’mon, don’t act like you forgot that this special time of year wasn’t on the horizon. No matter how hard we try or how much we want to avoid it, there will be that 3-week period in which we wish we had never taken soul food for granted. Yep! We are only a couple of weeks away from embarking on another journey through the Daniel Fast with Timothy Baptist Church.

But the one thing I want us to do this time around is shift our mindset as it pertains to the fast. Think about it – when was the last time you put your entire mind to getting something done and not getting it done? That moment doesn’t exist! When we train our minds, our bodies will follow. Period. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

In this post, I share some fun meal ideas to help us enjoy the Daniel Fast. But first, let’s talk about why shifting our mindset is so important.

At some point in our lives, we have all joined some kind of diet fad or workout challenge. But have you ever thought about why those fads and challenges didn’t work for you for longer than 30 days? How we often cheat, fall off, and outright quit trying to live healthy lives? That’s because fads and challenges are temporary and convenient. They aren’t meant to be sustainable and fulfilling.

The Daniel Fast is sustainable and fulfilling.

Don’t get it twisted, this fast isn’t a diet or a fad. It’s actually not even about food! This fast is about focusing on what is sustainable and fulfilling. Like God’s Word. That’s why there is a scripture for each day of the fast. It’s important to shift our mindset because we want to be pleasing to God. We need to be strong enough to resist the devil’s temptations. We strive to be more like Jesus. Jesus fasted for 40 days as He prepared for His ministry. We can fast for 21 days as we prepare for all that God has in store for us!

Do we want to be temporary and convenient Christians? Do we want God to only have a temporary and convenient presence in our lives? NO. And that’s what the Daniel Fast is all about – creating time and space in our hearts, minds, and bodies to invite Christ in on a deeper level. To pivot closer to the promise. To catapult forward in covenant with Him. While we participate in the Daniel Fast, let’s shift our mindset from focusing on the foods we cannot consume to the life-fulfilling Word and substance we will consume over the next 21 days!

BONUS: A traditional Daniel Fast doesn’t include fish, but because God is good all the time, our fast includes fish!

Here are some fun meal ideas to enjoy during the Daniel Fast!

Breakfast:

• Fruit & Nut Smoothie: Blend unsweetened almond milk, your favorite fruit (such as bananas, berries, or mango), fresh spinach or kale, and a handful of almonds or other nuts for a filling, nutrient-packed smoothie.
• Veggie or Fruit Oats: Combine whole grain oats, unsweetened almond milk, and cinnamon in a pot and simmer until creamy and thick (or place in a bowl and microwave). Top with a handful of fresh or frozen berries and some sliced almonds or sauteed vegetables of your choice. (TIP: Make overnight oats by placing all items in a mason jar with a lid overnight to enjoy in the morning!)

Lunch:

• Grilled Fish Salad: Grill or bake your choice of fish (I love salmon!) and serve over a bed of leafy greens like spinach or arugula. Top with chopped veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, and tomatoes and a vinaigrette made with nut oil.
• Lettuce-Wrapped Fish Tacos: Flake grilled or pan-seared fish and serve in lettuce leaves. Top with fresh corn salsa, avocado slices, and cilantro. Add a squeeze of lime and a drizzle of nut oil for flavor.

Dinner:

• Baked Fish with Roasted Veggies: Roast your favorite fish and serve it with roasted vegetables like sweet potatoes, broccoli, or brussels sprouts. Be sure to season the veggies with herbs and spices to make the meal flavorful!
• Brown Rice Stir Fry: This might be my favorite! Cook brown rice. Sautee vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots (or snag a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies). Combine cooked rice and sauteed vegetables in a skillet and combine with Bragg’s Liquid Aminos. Go ahead and sautee in some tofu while you’re at it, or serve with some blackened fish!

Snacks:

• Fruit & Nut Energy Balls: Blend dried fruit (like dates or apricots), nuts (like almonds or walnuts), and a small splash of almond milk. Form into balls and refrigerate for a quick, protein-packed snack.
• Classic Bowl of Fruit or Veggies & Hummus: Gather your favorite fresh fruit and enjoy a refreshing snack. Hummus is made from chickpeas, which are legumes. Dip fresh vegetables such as carrots, celery, or cauliflower in hummus for a healthy mid-day snack.

Dessert: (yes, you can enjoy a compliant dessert!)

• Baked Apple with Almond Drizzle: Core an apple, stuff with a mixture of oats, nuts, and cinnamon, then bake. Drizzle with a little almond milk and nut oil for a warm, comforting dessert!
• Banana Ice Cream: Take 2 ripe bananas, slice them, and place them in the freezer. Blend the frozen banana and vanilla extract. Enjoy as a soft serve ice cream!

These meals are just the tip of the iceberg! The Daniel Fast starts Monday, March 31st. Take a moment to study the Daniel Fast food list, remember why we join in on this corporate fast, and start to shift your mindset to invest in your physical and spiritual health. God has a lot in store for us, and we will trust Him as we fuel our mind, body, and spirit!

We are on this journey together. Thank you for reading! Please subscribe and be the first to know of future posts!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8, NKJV.

Moni Jay, Off the Record