This site is about my life in the art studio. It includes drawings, paintings, knitting and cross stitch and fun art techniques. I will also include recipes and yoga and book reviews. This is a lifestyle blog with intentional and simple living ideas.
I started the Daniel Fast a few weeks ago as an inspiration to get back on track with my eating habits. I have an autoimmune illness, rheumatoid arthritis, lipedema, lymphedema and have to eat dairy free and gluten free.
I stopped eating meat, but I still eat seafood on occasion.
Today’s Lunch
I made brussel sprouts and pasta.
Here’s what I did
cut brussel sprouts in half, saute in olive oil with salt and pepper.
After it has cooked add cranberries pecans. With a little bit of red wine vinegar.
Then make the pasta, drain it. Put it back in the saucepan add olive oil and vegan Parmesan cheese.
I also added a cucumber tomato green pepper salad with balsamic vinegar dressing.
This was delicious. Light on the stomach and filling!
It’s been ten days since I started implementing the Daniel Fast. In a few words
It was hard to do!
But I survived. I had to keep seafood in my meals. But I only had 3 meals with seafood. I knew I would have a lack of protein. And this Fast was used as inspiration to pray, focus on the present, and to reset my body to eat foods that don’t trigger me.
My Grade
I feel like I got a C. I didn’t have as much fruit as I probably should, I needed to keep seafood in my meals, I had eggs and bread for breakfast.
But my grade for keeping myself focused on healthier foods for my autoimmune that’s a A+
Would I do this again
Yes. But I would like to learn new recipes with more protein. And I would like to focus on it as Daniel did. Only fruits and vegetables no processed foods.
Also I would need to do this when I have more time and energy to make those meals. My work schedule gets me exhausted so my effort to cook is limited.
What I learned
I learned that when I have a plan I can follow through on the task. I learned that cooking mostly vegan can be simple. I learned I need more cooking experience to eat vegan. And I learned that the earth’s food, God’s food is so much better. I learned that I don’t need meat.
I didn’t learn to let go of seafood. Honestly I am not sure I will. I like it too much.
I learned there’s no need for processed foods! And I wasn’t hungry for them.
But I do want a chocolate cake every once in awhile!
I am hungry tonight. But I don’t have the energy to cook. Today I worked and was able to put my legs up to decrease the swelling. I had my compression socks on along with a dress that is loose.
My legs are swollen from lymphedema and lipedema. The swelling is causing difficulty to walk. I think it’s from the pressure on my foot with the weight of fluid on my foot.
The frustrating thing is with the Daniel Fast my digestion has improved there’s clarity in my thinking. But the fatigue and swelling is still around. At least I am not bloated.
But I’m hungry and want to simply eat something that is unhealthy just to fill the stomach quickly.
I had some grapes. But I don’t know what to eat. So I’m going to rest and if I wake up hungry I’ll find the energy to make something.
I forgot to post about day 7. For my dinner I had broccoli, red potatoes and fish. As I mentioned before I wanted to keep seafood as an option during this fast.
However this week I’m going to focus more on fruits and veggies and no seafood until Friday.
Today’s Lunch
Broccoli, roasted chickpeas, red potatoes with tea and water
As a snack red grapes
I noticed a difference with my clarity and spirituality.
But my lymphedema has not improved. In fact today I went to church, then went to the grocery store for a few items. I got back home and my sister wanted to go shopping. While shopping, I noticed on the full length mirror that my leg was super swollen. No wonder why my foot is in pain when walking.
Now I’m wondering if I need a handicapped parking space.
I decided to order a cane, because I know it’s getting worse. And I know that after resting when I get back up, I will limp on my foot causing difficulty to walk. The cane comes Tuesday.
I can cry, but I’m too numb to cry. I will pray instead
My Prayer
Lord, I am so happy for everything that you gave me. I cherish the life I have. Today I ask for strength and courage to continue on with my dreams as my health sometimes is slowing me down. I ask for your healing. Love you Jesus.
This is a simple recipe. Gluten free and dairy free
Ingredients
Prepare an 8e 8″x8″ pan with parchment paper
1.5 cups granola. I used gluten free brand
1/3 cup peanut butter or almond butter
1teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix thoroughly. Then press into a prepared pan.
Yogurt mix
2 cups yogurt any flavor
Mixed berries sliced
How to prepare it
Then mix 2 cups of yogurt together. I used strawberry and banana. Then mix in the frozen fruit, I used blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries.
Cover.
Put it in the freezer for about 2 hours. You might need to let it melt slightly in order to cut it.
Gluten free salad, vegan unless you decide to add cows milk cheese and boiled egg.
Today’s dinner was a simple delicious meal. It’s a salad. But it is very tasty and will fill you up.
Ingredients
Diced yellow pepper
Diced orange pepper
Diced red onion
Cucumber cut in half slices
Diced Tomatoes
Balsamic dressing
Lettuce
Boiled egg optional
Vegan shredded cheese
First I mixed the peppers, red onion and cucumbers and tomatoes together with salt and pepper. Then I used balsamic dressing. Put it in the fridge to get cold.
Then roast the chickpeas. I didn’t want to turn on my oven. So I put olive oil in a dutch over the pan and roasted the chickpeas on the stove. Add salt and pepper with turmeric.
Optional is adding a boiled egg.
Those are the parts to the salad. Everything can go in the fridge to stay cold until you are ready for the salad.
I ended up warming the chickpeas. I don’t like cold chickpeas..
I found a recipe for strawberry ice cream that’s so simple and delicious.
Ingredients
Frozen strawberries about three cups (I used a little less)
One can of coconut milk
Honey (I didn’t use much)
Put all the ingredients in the blender. Once it is blended well transfer it to a loaf pan. Cover it with cling wrap and foil and put in the freezer. Freeze for a few hours take it out to get it softened. And then you’ll have a delicious homemade simple and unhealthier side strawberry ice cream
4pawsartstudio 
You must be logged in to post a comment.