MrsK Books: The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast by Kristen Feola

Sunday, February 22, 2015

The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast by Kristen Feola

ISBN: 9780310331179

Publisher's Synopsis:

The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast is an inspiring resource for Christians who want to pursue a more intimate relationship with God through the 21-day commitment to prayer and fasting known as the Daniel Fast. As you deny yourself certain foods—such as sugars, processed ingredients, and solid fats—you will not only embrace healthier eating habits, you’ll also discover a greater awareness of God’s presence. Author Kristen Feola explains the Daniel Fast in easy-to-understand language, provides 21 thought-provoking devotionals for each day of the fast, and shares more than 100 tasty, easy-to-make recipes that follow fasting guidelines. In a conversational style, Feola helps you structure the fast so you can spend less time thinking about what to eat and more time focusing on God. You will also discover that “to fast” means “to feast” on the only thing that truly nourishes? God’s powerful Word. For more info, please visit www.ultimatedanielfast.com.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

MrsK's Review:

Why this choice? Well, look at the enticing foods portrayed on the cover. Yum! There are so many differing ways to fast. A fast takes a commitment to eliminate your every day cravings and begin a 21 day journey with scripture, refreshing your body with water, and creating meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts/seeds, and oils. Drawing closer to God through fasting is an offering in which you are asking our Lord for a closer relationship with Him.

In the first chapter of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieges Jerusalem and brings a group of young Israelite men to his palace to serve as slaves. Given the change in foods prepared at the palace, Daniel requests that they are allowed to eat as is their custom. With that request, Daniel puts forth a test to see if he and the other young Israelite aren't healthier than the King's men.

The Biblical perspective (pgs. 13-22) provides the reader with a centering-focus within your mind. A balance for your heart and spirit in which your mind can freely accept the challenges with a cleansing fast. Preparing yourself spiritually is the first step. Kristen's outline has been lovingly detailed. She provides you with the essential physical and spiritual "tools" in order for your fasting success (pgs. 23-29). She provides daily scripture with her personal journey of encouragement, hope, what works, food for thought, and strength to see the fast through to completion (pgs. 33-59). For me these pages are the "meat and potatoes" for my fasting experience. I was encouraged and inspired by her convictions, her insights, and her devotion to helping me in this spiritual journey.

Weekly suggested meal plans (pgs. 63-67) allows you to think through your meal choices with ease and determination... the formatting is simply designed, yet masterfully crafted as if you had a personal trainer at home every step of the way. Recipes are separated within the following meal categories:

Breakfast Dishes: (pgs. 70-70-80) breakfast bars, oatmeal, cereal, muffins, smoothies, and fruit salads. First choice is the Nutty Fruit Cereal on pg. 77, quick, easy to prepare, and so refreshing before I dash off to work.
Appetizers and Snacks: (pgs. 82-101) dips, roasted nuts, muffins, flatbreads, cookies, salsa, chips, and trail mix. First choice is the salsa on page 96, zesty goodness as a munchies break between meals with either flatbread, chips, or veggies... excellent energy restorer.
Salads and Salad Dressings: (pgs. 102-116) fruits, nuts, veggies, legumes, herbs and oils. First choice is the Mega Greek Salad on page 106, so quick and easy (I wasn't sure I could do this one without the Feta, but it is so good). Second choice is the Spinach Salad on page 110, another quick salad with a zesty Italian dressing is perfect for weekend lunches and leftovers for Monday.
Soups: (pgs. 118-135) vegetables, spices, and vegetable broth. First choice is my favored Black Bean Minestrone on page 119, and switching out the chicken broth for the vegetable broth made no difference in taste, choosing the Flatbread recipe on page 88 completed the meal. Second choice (not yet tried) is the Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup on page 121.
Vegetables: (pgs. 137-158) vegetables, sauces, nuts, chips, casseroles, roasted or baked. First choice is the Yukon Vegetable Bake page 158, potatoes, corn, onion, zucchini, basil, and garlic... yum!
Main Dishes: (pgs. 160-188) chili, pizza, rice, stuffed peppers, beans, nuts, wraps, casseroles, and tortillas. First choice the Wild Rice Casserole on page 187, so simple with comforting goodness (I was concerned that I would not like this without cheese but it is a meal that satisfies without compromising what a true "comfy" food meal is all about.
Juices: (pgs. 190-192) vegetable, fruit, blended and chilled. First choice had to be the Hello Sunshine Orange Juice on page 190, seriously a blended cup of refreshing joy (oranges, apples, and seedless grapes)... chilled and frothy.

Many of the recipes include Recipe Notes (substitutes, added ingredients, and an additional recipe combo). There are selection and preparation, and storing notes that add to the "friendliness" and convenience of this cook book.

I originally thought my daughter would love this book, unfortunately I have fallen "head over heals" with it, so...

Let my fasting begin,

MrsK

Perfected recipes for every spiritual fast!

The Ultimate Daniel Fast Recipe Site

Exercise Videos

Meet the Author:
Kristen Feola, Author and Speaker

Kristen Feola is a well-known Christian author and speaker who helps people grow stronger in the Lord. Kristen’s first book, The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, was released in December 2010 and was among the Top 50 Christian bestsellers in February 2011. Her book continues to encourage individuals, small groups, and churches all around the world. Each January, Kristen also leads an online Daniel Fast through her website, www.ultimatedanielfast.com. Thousands of believers begin the New Year with Kristen through this unique fasting opportunity.

My greatest desire is to honor the Lord with my life. But, often I fall short. Some days I totally blow it. Thankfully, our God is full of mercy and grace. He picks me up, holds me close, and reminds me how precious I am. God wants all of us to know Him in such a way. That’s precisely why I do what I do. Through my writing, I hope to inspire you to pursue God. I want you to understand more about who God is and how deeply he loves you.
I pray you’re strengthened and encouraged by the resources on this website. May the Lord bless you in every way as you seek Him!

"Those who long for the Lord and his righteousness will not be disappointed, because:"
He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107:9

"I received this book for free from Book Look Bloggers."

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)