Fasting? The Daniel Fast; coming my way soon . . .

At a birthday party for one of Carter's friends recently, I was talking to two of my girlfriends (oddly enough, both named Julie) when one Julie informed me that the other Julie had just completed 10 days of the Daniel Fast (I'll explain more later!) The latter Julie went on to inform me (and those who gathered 'round excitedly once she announced the results of said fast) that during 10 days of the Daniel Fast she lost minimum 7 lbs and 7% body fat!!! Her results were probably much better than that; she had to end the fast during a family visit with lots of cake, eating out, etc. She thinks it may have been much closer to 10 lbs, 10% body fat in 10 DAYS!!!

Even more importantly, Julie said that the primary reason for the fast (as every fast's purpose should be, I suppose) was to pray, seek the Lord and grow in Wisdom. I'm on board! To follow are some of the guidelines. I promise I'll keep you updated on my progress once I begin. I'm super scared and super excited! Believe it or not, I have NEVER fasted and NEVER dieted. Neither has ever appealed to me. But the idea of doing something that both honors God and grows me in relationship to Him AND honors the body that He has blessed me with is exciting . . . and TERRIFYING!

Giddy-up! Here we go!!!

DANIEL FAST FOOD LIST
“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” Daniel 10:2, 3

One of the great things about the Daniel Fast is that you are not limited to any specific amount of food, but rather to the kinds of food you can eat. The Daniel Fast is limited to vegetables (includes fruits) and water. If you are interested in a collection of recipes that will take you through an entire 21-day Daniel fast, click here.

Please make sure to READ THE LABEL when purchasing packaged, canned or bottled foods. They should be sugar-free and chemical-free. Keep this in mind as you review this list of acceptable foods.

Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast

All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon
All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, 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, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.
All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.
All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.
All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.
All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.
Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.
Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast
All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.
All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.
All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.
All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.
All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.
All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.
All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.
Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.
Remember, READ THE LABELS!

Customer Service?

To any and all who work in the field of customer service, I applaud you on embarking on a difficult task. We, the consumer, can be hard to deal with at times. We are needy, bossy, bi*chy-at-times, short, demanding . . . an endless list of adjectives come to mind.

I guess we should define all of those who work in the customer service industry. My definition would be any one who serves the public in any capacity. Gas station attendant, check. Grocery store cashier, check. Department store sales, check. Waitress/waiter, check. Personally I have often worked in customer service. I have been a waitress, a sales clerk in a department store, an assistant manager at a national women's clothing store and most recently I have worked with the health care patient population.

Where has customer service gone?? When did it become an acceptable part of your routine (while taking my order) to partake in conversation with your co-worker (three times)? Are you oblivious to the car seat hanging off of my elbow and the two rambunctious boys I am trying to corral by MYSELF while you stop listening to my order and answering my questions? Does it seem right to you that I should have to ask you for permission to complete my order? I mean, pardon me for the interruption but this car seat is heavy (there is a baby inside, after all) and these two boys - you have no idea what they could do to your lobby if I don't keep them at my side.

Or when did it become acceptable for you and your friend to have a gossip fest in the middle of scanning our purchases and bagging our groceries? I feel uncomfortable listening to the personal exploits of your inner circle while you ring us up. It distracts me from making sure everything rings up at proper sale price. It feels awkward when I have to interrupt your conversation to ask a question.

Or how long do I have to wait at this desk for you and your personal phone call to end or for you to finish facebooking/i-chatting or for you and your co-worker to finish discussing a previous customer. Do you see us standing in front of you, waiting (not so patiently?) Is it rude of me to interrupt and say 'excuse me' for your attention?

Customer service is a really hard job. The public is hard to deal with (me included, sometimes.) I just thought you might want to know that giving a smile, being polite and professional, saving your personal and/or work conversations for another time -- these go a loooooong way. And seriously, once you're off the clock you can ignore us all you choose (although I'd prefer you didn't :)