some new for the new year.

So, in drastic contrast from my last post of ice cream, cookies and chocolate sauce, I'm going to talk a little bit about something that will be happening around our house over the next month. We are participating in a Daniel fast. What that means, in short, is that for 21 days we will be eating only veggies, fruits, nuts, beans and whole grains and drinking only water. No meat or dairy, no bread, no sweeteners. No chemicals or artificial preservatives. I am very much looking forward to this for several reasons, but on this page I will share with you the adventures of learning to cook and eat differently. I will be learning a new way of thinking about the food I put into my body and that I feed my family. While we eat very little processed foods and we already enjoy whole wheat pasta and brown rice, we still have room to improve. (Now before anyone panics..... the little people will not be following these restrictions. Things will progress as normal for them.)

 I think most of us could stand less sugar in our diets and I am of the school of thought that meat daily isn't really necessary.  Now, do I expect to come out of this a committed vegan? No. Do I hope to find myself feeling better and being more aware of what I eat and the effect it has on my body? Absolutely. I think anytime we pause to think about where our food comes from and how it shapes us, is time well spent. And while these are all very good things, the actual point of it all is to pause in those moments of feeling like you are going without, to thank God for what you have and spend a minute talking with him.

So you have been forwarned. Starting one week from today there will be no cookies or cakes. In their place will be granolas and vegetable soups. I'm excited! I hope you choose to stick around, if only for the laughs. I'm sure there will be a few colossal fails to go along with our yummy finds.

For those of you who are also preparing for this journey please click on the "Daniel Fast" page tab, located in the top right corner of this page to find a space dedicated to the fast with recipes, tips and more.

I hope you have started your New Year off with a bang! Wishes of happiness, health and prosperity from our family to yours!