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.