The Daniel Fast-Jump Start Sample

What’s in a Name?

Jesus is sweet, and so is almost everything else you’re eating.

What do you call God? For me, He’s a peacekeeper, provider, and jokester at times. When I think I’m in control, He quickly shuts that down...in a loving parental way, though.

He’s all these things and more. We could never run out of ways to list how amazing He is in our lives. He deserves all the acknowledgment and gratitude for keeping us, making a way, and looking out for us even when we don’t look out for ourselves.

We have many names to call our God, and the food industry has created almost as many names for one ingredient we avoid during the fast: added sugar.

Thankfully, you can still have the all-natural kind found in fruit, but other added sugars are hiding in our packaged foods. Even though the focus of the fast isn’t on the food, you’re probably feeling a bit of a detox from processed sugars. You might even be having headaches or feeling extra tired. That’s because sugar can be addicting…just like Jesus (Psalm 34:8).

The Lord makes things better when He’s in it. He makes us feel lighter, healthier, and calmer. Added sugar makes us feel heavier, sicker, and sluggish. To put on the whole armor of God, you’ll need to know the forms that the enemy comes in, and in our case, it’s hidden sugars during our fast.

So if you find one of the many names of sugar on your food labels, just call on one of the many names of God to carry you through. Look for ways He shows up and make a note when it happens. During your reflection time, decide who God is to you and how he carries you.

Here’s one last recipe to give you options to complete your jump-start on the right path.

Veggie Noodle Stir Fry

Course Lunch/Dinner

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 10 minutes

Total 20 minutes

Serving: 4

Ingredients

• 1 package pasta (whole wheat, brown rice, or red lentil pasta) optional
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil (optional)
• 3⁄4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
• 1-3 tablespoons Sriracha or hot sauce, test and add gradually to taste
• 2-3 large heads of broccoli, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 3 mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups carrot chips
• 5-10 Thai or American basil leaves (optional, chopped)

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Wash and slice all veggies; set aside.
3. Add olive oil, peppers, and onions to a large pan and heat on medium for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
4. Add remaining veggies to the pan and season with onion powder and garlic powder. Stir.
5. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. Mix soy sauce, ginger, & sriracha. Pour into pan. Cover and cook until veggies reach your desired texture (tender or soft).
6. Drain pasta after cooking. Set aside.
7. Combine veggies with pasta, stir in basil leaves, and serve.

Was this plan helpful? We adapted it from the Daniel Fast 21 Day Food and Faith Journal. Visit www.DanielFastJumpStart.com for more recipes and encouragement to boost your faith during your fast.