I am tasked with writing a 200 - 300 word review. I'll post my full review here - I've posted a 500 word review on Amazon and Christian Books - which I figure is good as some of it is quotes from the publisher. LOL You may want to wait a few days and read the shorter version.....
In
Chapter One of Susan Gregory and Richard Bloomer's, The Daniel Cure: The Daniel Fast Way to Vibrant Health, the authors share: "The sad truth is that
millions of people exist in a state of severe spiritual and emotional hunger.
Some experts even describe it as a kind of malnutrition. ....What do hungry
people do? They eat. People who are spiritually and emotionally malnourished
often feed themselves with the temporary "nourishment" of self-defeating
behaviors ..."pg 27 of the provided eBook YES.
From
the publisher's description: "The Daniel Fast is a partial fast, in which
certain foods are restricted and others are consumed. This fast is similar to a
'purified' vegan diet; in addition to the exclusion of all animal products, no
additives, preservatives, sweeteners, caffeine, alcohol, white flour, or
processed foods are allowed. With the Daniel Fast people can eat as much
Daniel-Fast-friendly food as they would like.
The Daniel Cure will help readers take the next step by focusing
on the health benefits of the Daniel Fast. By following the advice in this
book, readers will convert the Daniel Fast from a once-a-year spiritual
discipline into a new way of life that can begin any time of the year. In a
nation suffering an epidemic of obesity and its resulting ills, The Daniel
Cure may be just what the Great Physician ordered.
The Daniel Cure includes a 21-Day Daniel Cure Devotional, four
chapters detailing the lifestyle diseases of obesity, type 2 diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, and inflammation, chapters of recipes and meal planning
advice, a recipe index, complete nutritional guidance, and an appendix
detailing 'The Science behind the Daniel Fast.'"
The
Daniel Cure allows consumption of minimally processed animal products, and
coffee/tea. It also has a couple of built in "cheat" meals.
Richard's results from his research studies
were interesting and mirror the results from studies by Dr. Joel Fuhrman (Eat to Live). Overall, I believe this is a GREAT approach to gaining a healthy
lifestyle. I was pleased to read something from the Christian community which
went beyond "fast" to "lifestyle." There is no doubt the Daniel Cure is both
doable and highly successful. The Daniel
Cure may be most beneficial to those consuming the Standard American Diet,
or those who are suffering from one of the health issues of our times: obesity,
cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, inflammation, hypertension...For those
currently eating a pure vegan or nutritarian diet, you may find the Christian
world view, coupled with the spiritual aspects of fasting an encouragement. I did.
I
am currently leading a study on the Biblical book of Daniel. God used a Daniel
Fast to radically impact my life three years ago. Spiritually, He began to show
me how to break the cycle of long-standing food addiction. Physically, my
cholesterol levels drastically dropped, my blood pressure dropped, I lost 28 lbs in those six weeks, and my
migraines disappeared. As the fast neared its end, I began to feel I was to
continue this eating plan. At an
appointment with my doctor, where my labs were discussed, he commented I should,
"Keep eating this way." I have.
He recommended the addition of an occasional meal of beef and fish once or
twice a week - if I felt the need for meat. I haven't. My labs have been checked
yearly. After three years of a plant-based diet all levels have been fine -
with the exception of Vitamin D (and that was improved with a move to CA).
Including my protein levels. I share this background as it impacts my reaction
to the book.
I
expected to love it. I had mixed reactions.
One,
Susan Gregory, contrary to comments read on the internet and in book reviews,
did NOT create the Daniel Fast. It's
been around much longer than she. She cannot be faulted for the hype currently
surrounding the Daniel Fast, this is just an observation.
Two,
Daniel Chapter One does not describe a
FAST. This was a lifestyle for the four Israelites mentioned. They ate this way for a minimum of three
years. Daniel 10 does mention a "fast" and the implication may be somewhere
between Daniel 1 and Daniel 10 he began
to eat a bit kosher meat and choice foods. My observation is Daniel did not
ping pong between eating plans. What we call a "fast" was his eating
plan.
Three,
the word translated vegetables literally means "scattered or sown
seeds." Daniel ate vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, seeds, legumes, grains
and bread made from those grains. He drank water. This is what we're told
Daniel ate. I understand why Susan
recommends avoiding yeast. However, comments
such as herbs are allowable in cold water but not in hot water, meal replacement shakes aren't beverages but
juices are, cooking with dates or applesauce are substitutions and not allowed
but eating applesauce and dates are fine .....It all hit me as unneeded
legalism. I'm quite sure the Holy Spirit will help individuals sort this out in
their personal fasts. And yet, I understand others ask for food lists etc.
Four
- many of these "Daniel" books written for the Christian market
simply don't eat what Daniel ate - they tell you this. That bothers me.
Five,
Richard Bloomer really likes protein. Blanket statements are made that
animal products are required for long term health. He did not touch on any of
the other studies which have shown a varied plant based diet is sustainable and
provides many health benefits - TheChina Study and any work by Dr. Fuhrman come
to mind. More proof should have been
provided in a book which focus' on the
benefits of a plant based fast, and then
recommends adding animal products to the lifestyle. This may have taken away the big
"huh?" I had while reading this book. In an appendix he does mention findings which
show HDL is lowered on a strictly vegan diet which is why he feels the need
to add animal products.
Six,
I LOVE the focus on progress over perfection. This leads the authors to
encourage "cheat meals." As one who struggles with food addictions,
I've learned "cheat meals" often reawaken cravings which make staying
on a healthy eating plan very hard. For some cheat meals will be a blessing,
for some abstinence will be the bigger blessing. Again, I believe the Holy Spirit will guide
each to the right balance for themselves - if asked.
Overall, I
highly recommend The Daniel Cure by
Susan Gregory and Richard Bloomer, PhD.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free
from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with
the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...
