Christmas is always a guilt-free time to indulge as it is always a ‘parte after parte’ affair. The majority will drown themselves in all forms of food available while others will be involved in the daily intake of booze or ‘better yet’ the cocktail to have a taste of everything. What happens when the guilt creeps in and there is no cash left and mobile loans are on your case to have your name in the dreaded CRB (Credit Reference Bureau)?
Well, the new year resolution highly considered by most if not all tops the list is maintaining a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a healthy weight. What follows next is a diet full of juicing, starvation and whatever crazy fad updated online that has worked out for a certain celebrity. When such antics are adopted, the individual is not able to sustain it beyond the first few weeks when the psyche is no more and the expected results are not immediately seen.
When that happens, the individual easily slides back to their old habits which continually result in weight gain. The best way to beat the after-effects of the Christmas indulgence come January is through the Daniel Fast. We always joke about the bible having the answers to all our problems but this time around, the joke is on us. The Daniel Fast was developed by Daniel (as the name indicates) and he aimed to grow spiritually but, in the process, he was observed to be physically attractive as opposed to his counterparts who indulged in the king’s delicacies.
This is highly supported in the book of Daniel 10:2-3, “in those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” [KJV]. In addition to that Daniel 1:15 acknowledges the fact that 10 days later after Daniel began the diet that was free of the king’s pleasantries, he was healthier and better nourished.
The Daniel Fast is done over 21 days and is devoid of animal products and preservatives. The food products that can be consumed include;
- Fruits- either fresh or frozen
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Nuts
- Herbs and spices
- High-quality oils such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, and canola oil. They should be used in moderation
- Whole grain cereals
There are several health benefits associated with the fast. Among them are; the fast improves one metabolism and it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In addition to that, it has been noted as one way to detox and as a result, helps contribute to weight loss and a much healthier individual in terms of appearance. However, the Daniel Fast can only be done for such a short period, after that, the Mediterranean diet can be adopted.
Here is something to try out in ‘Njaanuary’ once the festivities are done. For now, enjoy the festive season and make SMART goals for the new year 2020.
