The Daniel Cure
It isn’t often that I find a book that pairs my passion for healthy eating with my faith. The Daniel Cure is the most remarkable book I’ve read this year, filled with the science behind healthy eating, truth from scripture, over 75 recipes and a 21 day devotional. It is written by Susan Gregory author of the book The Daniel Fast and Rick J. Bloomer PhD, who is also the Department Chair of Health and Sport Sciences at the University of Memphis, and Professor and Director of the Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Laboratory.
Background
The Daniel Fast is derived from the book of Daniel and is usually practiced as a 21 day partial fast.
When Daniel and the other Hebrews were taken into Babylonian captivity they were supposed to accept all of the Babylonian ways. Daniel and his friends refused, asking not to eat the King’s food because it violated Mosaic Law. They asked for a test, “Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”
At the end of the test Daniel and the others were fit and strong and allowed to continue their way of eating.
Later in Daniel 10, Daniel does a partial fast for 21 days and prays.
Today’s Daniel Fast
Today the Daniel Fast consists of fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds; basically anything grown from a seed but avoids sweeteners, meat and wine among other things.
People all over the world have seen radical changes in their health after doing a Daniel Fast. Since a fast is a Spiritual experience many have also found answer to prayer, supernatural healing and other amazing things happen during the fast.
The Daniel Cure
The Daniel Cure takes the 21 day fast a step further and clearly shows you everything you need to know to adapt the Daniel Fast into a sustainable lifestyle. The authors encourage you to complete the Daniel Fast first but to continue this variation in the diet that will make it much easier to continue. I feel like my style of eating is very much in line with the Daniel Cure. I don’t make anything “off limits” but strive to eat healthy, whole foods most of the time.
In the chapter, Making the Daniel Cure a Way of Life the authors say, “Keep in mind that your new way of healthy living doesn’t mean you can never have a piece of cake or a Coke. We know that you will not eat clean food for every meal from this day forward for the rest of your life. Such a goal is an invitation to failure.”
I couldn’t agree more and I’ve been pretty vocal about making the diet change work in the real world.
Helpful Chapters
The Daniel Cure also includes many chapters about fighting diseases like Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and fighting inflammation. Those are preceded by a chapter that discusses the way we view ourselves and the way our Creator views us.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV
Press on Toward the Goal
I sought out a Plant-Based Diet because I was sick, but I adopted it to honor God by treating my body like His temple.
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lied ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14
The Daniel Cure is a great resource to help you on this journey. This book will give you guidelines about what to eat, how often and how much along with tips to help you navigate grocery shopping, sample menus and meal planning tips.
Recipes
If you’ve read My Plant-Based Family for long you know I like delicious meals but they also need to be pretty simple. I’m completely won over by the recipes in this book, they use familiar ingredients that I normally buy. I really want to try the Stuffed Potato Cups with Sautéed Kale, Spicy Tomato Sauce and the Berry Crumble.
However…
There are a few things in the Daniel Cure that aren’t quite in line with my eating philosophy. I feel I should mention them even though I highly recommend this book. I am not a big fan of protein powders or supplements. While the authors say, “You don’t need animal products to obtain protein and calcium in adequate amounts. With proper planning, you can get all of the protein, carbohydrates, fat and micronutrients you need from a 100 percent plant-based diet” they highly recommend you use protein powders and calcium supplements. They also feel that “the addition of small amounts of animal products (lean meats and dairy) might make your diet even better.” This might be because many people who claim to eat a plant-based or vegan diet do not really eat a healthy diet.
The Giveaway
I enjoyed reading The Daniel Cure so much that I’m really excited that you have the chance to win a copy! The giveaway is open to those in the US and Canada and ends on November 12 at 12:00 am.
FTC Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the Daniel Cure, I was not obligated to provide a positive review. All opinions are mine.
I love it! The Lord convicted me of not treating my body as His temple when I heard the author of The Ultimate Daniel Fast on the radio while I was on the treadmill 1/4/11 and there began my journey. I am thrilled with the physical improvements (50# weightloss & off cholesterol meds) I’ve experienced because of following Him as He led me to eat a whole foods, plant-based diet but the spiritual benefits have been even more incredible. I’ve found a whole new level of freedom! Thanks for making me aware of The Daniel Cure. I’m excited to read it. Press on in your journey, sister-in-Christ!
Yes and Amen Anne! I’m so excited for you and the change you’ve accomplished in just a few years. Let’s keep running the race together!
This sounds so interesting! I would love to read the book to find out more. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks for entering the giveaway Debra! Good luck!
Thank you Holly for your review of “The Daniel Cure”. My husband and I adopted plant based eating after watching “Forks Over Knives” and have really enjoyed it. I like the idea that the book has a devotional and Scripture which aligns with my faith as well. I just recently found your site and newsletter and am thankful your simple, delicious, cost-effective recipes and ideas! Thank you!
Oh Joyce, Thank you! I think you will really enjoy the Daniel Cure. It’s a great guide!
Just wanted the whole world to see- I’m proud of you. 🙂
Aww Thanks Kimber! You are an inspiration to me!
I found your blog a few weeks ago and it is inspiring. I am also trying to eat a plant based diet with a 2 year old and a 4 year old. The times it gets hard is when I am tired, and that is when I come over and look at your blog. So thank you.
This particular give away is of interest to me, one, because I am a librarian and I love to read good books and the second because I am also religious and enjoy seeing diet and nutrition from a godly standpoint. Thanks for the book recommendation.
It blesses me to hear that you enjoy my blog, thank you! There are many days when I wish I could pop in a fast food restaurant for quick, easy and cheap food but I don’t want my kids eating that stuff all the time. I think you will enjoy this book, I know I did. Good luck in the giveaway!
I have one book about the Daniel Fast and am interested in reading more. Helpful review – thanks.
Becky I think you will really like this book. If you don’t win you may want to put it on your Christmas list!
I’ve never tried the Daniel Fast but I’ve read about the Daniel Diet.
Rebecca, The Daniel Cure is a great all in one resource if you are interested in eating healthier or growing in your faith.
I’m new to fasting, but I’ve been researching, and I’m so excited about this book!
I was excited too! I feel honored that I got a chance to review it. There are a lot of resources about healthy eating but few also build my faith.
I personally have never done the Daniel Fast but I did do the Hallelujah Diet when I was younger. My family and I decided it was the best option for me when I was diagnosed with cancer at age 17 and used it to help treat it. Glad to say it’s been 10 years since then! I have various family members who have done the Daniel fast before and I am a huge fan of the Forks Over Knives plant-based diet plan as well. This sounds like it would fit well into my desire to go entirely plant-based! (Now if only I could convince my husband… ha!)
Hillary,
The Daniel Cure sounds like a great fit for your family because the authors are in favor of small amounts of dairy and meat consumption although they do concede it isn’t necessary. Your husband my be more open since they don’t require 100% vegan diet.
Good luck in the giveaway!
I have never done the Daniel Fast, but I have heard about it and am very curious to read more about it. I would love to win this book!
Good Luck in the giveaway Courtney! Thanks for entering!
I have not participated in the actual fast, tho the churches I attend do it every new year. I would like to win the book so I could pass it along to my extended family who suffer from a bunch of reversible illnesses
Good luck! Maybe you will win! I’ve never officially participated in the Daniel Fast either but I’ve eaten pretty close to it for periods of time. Thanks for entering!
Me, Me. Pick Me!
Good luck Stacey!
Thank you for the review on this book. I would definitely love to read more of it.
This sounds like just the book for my family. I have been moving us towards a plant based life for the past few weeks. Our income has been greatly reduced, and to have spiritual guidance as well as health info and recipes would be fabulous!
Good luck Jenny! Thanks of stopping in. Check out my post The Cheapest Plant-Based Meal Plan Ever. It may give you a few ideas for healthy inexpensive meals too.
I remember when I was young (like in my tweens) and my mom had my sister and I do a modified Daniel fast as a homeschool assignment when we were studying the life of Daniel. Since then, I’ve never been on the fast of my own accord, but I have made major changes in my every-day diet to the point where I’m mostly vegan. Contrary to what a lot of Christians think, how you eat DOES matter! It is rare to find a book that makes the connection bewteen a healthy, plant-based diet and the Christian faith. I would be honored to win this book 🙂
Candy,
It was so nice to read. Even though the authors aren’t completely plant-based I really enjoyed it.
I just came across your website tonight, and have never heard of the Daniel Cure/fast. Paying attention to eating this way is new to me, however these are the foods I enjoy the most. We’ve changed the way we eat this summer due to our 6 yr old’s several food allergies—-I keep saying lately he is the healthiest of us all now, but we all need to eat similar. I will be following your postings and reading over your site. I would love to read this book, so that all of us can eat better and healthier together. Thank you!
Sonya, I know how overwhelming allergies can be. We usually all eat the same things but occasionally we will piece together meals where one person has wheat, 2 of us have GF bread, and the other has a different bread (or no bread) just to use up what we have and avoid allergy triggers. It gets easier, as you know, but it’s not easy. Good luck!
I have just found you, and am excited to follow you. Would love to win this book to help me on my healthy track…..I am also a Christian and do believe that God cares what we eat and how we take care of our bodies……thank you 🙂
Thank you! Good luck in the giveaway!
Thanks for the review! I have never done this before! 🙂
Wow I had no idea about that story,but it’s great that they stood up for what they believed in 🙂 would love to read more about this
Just starting (on our 2nd week now) a healthy way of living and eating a plant based Engine 2 diet, I am always open to suggestions and love your page! We are very new to this wonderful way of eating but wow is it fun! It makes cooking so much more interesting and it taste better too! So glad God guided me to your page on here! I love following you as well as looking for tips and fun ideas.