Healing for My Soul II

I'm back with an update to my last post.  Since I last wrote I've been going full steam ahead with the Daniel Fast.  Though I started a week later than intended, it's been a good experience thus far.  Aside from an occassional headache, I haven't had any adverse physical effects.  I'm finding that I am not missing certain foods like I thought I would, well maybe cheese.  I love cheese; it is hands down my favorite food! I digress...my husband and I are doing this together which makes it equally as fulfilling.  I feel like my mind has been clearer and I'm truly focused on connecting with God on a deeper spiritual level.  All in all I'm excited to see where this journey takes me for 2013.

For those people who may be interested in doing this for personal health reasons only, I've listed below the foods that are/aren't allowed.  This is referred to as the Daniel Diet, the same applies minus the spiritual aspect.

Foods to include
All fruits and vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. (Veggie Burgers are o.k.)
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All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.

All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.

All legumes (beans). These can be canned or dried.

All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.

Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.

Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices. (I personally have chosen to refrain from salt).

Foods to avoid
All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.

All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.

All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.

All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.

All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.

All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.

All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.

Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.

Whether you choose to do this as a fast or for dieting purposes, it is extremely important to READ ALL LABELS!

That's all for now!  Enjoy and have an awesome weekend!

Ms. Ty

Healing for My Soul

For the past two years now, my girlfriends and I have joined together to do what is called the Daniel Fast (www.daniel-fast.com).  This fast typically occurs the beginning of the year (now) and lasts 21 days. The basis for the fast is to follow the same diet restrictions utilized by Daniel in the Bible.  Though the fast itself can result in weight loss, our purpose is to gain spiritual clarity and total body cleansing.  In addition to the dietary restrictions we share scripture, inspirational messages (texts, email, phone) and prayer.  It's an awesome experience that not only brings you closer to God but also builds us up as sisters.

Having had the latter part of 2012 be quite trying, I thought what better way to start the blog year than to chronicle the first major girlfriend's undertaking of 2013.  It's won't be easy but I'm sure in the end it will be worth it.  

Know Your Role

How many times have you heard the phrase, "know your role," "play your position," or "know your place?"  I would venture to say more times than you can remember.  These are statements that are commonly used in sports, the work environment, and more importantly relationships.  To "know your role" in sports often translates to, you're not the star but the supporting cast.  In this instance you provide back-up and stay out of said star's way.  The same applies to the work environment; (hopefully) you wouldn't  walk into the CFO's office demanding a policy change if you weren't among senior level management.  With all of that said, why do we as women not apply the same mode of thinking to our dealings with men (marriage/relationships)?

First let me start off by saying that I have very traditional views on how marriage should be.  Though I was raised predominantly by my mother and grandmother, the "I don't need a man" attitude never manifested  itself into my person.  I am a strong believer in marriage as it is defined between a man and woman.  Within that definition there are rules (traditionally/biblical) that I feel define the role of each person.  Now, I'm sure some of you out there may think that I am crazy.  Some of you may even view my statements as "setting us back."  However, I believe we (women) in this country fight so hard to be equal to men that we lose a sense of what sets us apart in the first place.  Just because I can take out the trash or lift heavy furniture doesn't mean that I want to.  Our role is to be a helpmate, a support system to the men in our lives.  It is not to berate them or act like their mother, they already have one.  On the flip side I don't believe that a woman should be dismissed as a passive, silent partner either.  The balance lies in "knowing your role." Men, are by design supposed to be the leader of the family.  Women by design are the nurturers.  In most cases when you need to cry it out you go to your mom.  If you need a straight no chaser pep talk, you'd probably go to dad.  I do realize that this isn't always the case, but I believe it was supposed to be that way. 

The point of this isn't to go into religion or the definition of what a family unit should be, but to show that naturally we all have roles.  Whether we choose to recognize them as such is another story.  I do believe that if we all took time to observe the relationship interactions around us we'd see them more clearly.

Yours Truly,
Ms. Ty