XL Vegan Lent: The Daniel Fast set up

So, I have decided to do a Daniel Fast from March 5^th until March 31^st. That is a long period and I am really worried about failing.

I came back after 3 weeks in Africa and it was only few days before Lent and I hadn’t thought about what I was going to give up for Lent. Last year at this time my brother died just a few days into Lent and it think I may have erased the word Lent as it is now associated to my little bro Claudio passing.

On 4^th February at work, I came across this church’s website giving advice to members of the church who had decided to fast together. Suddenly, I had the ‘light bulb’ moment I needed. I decided there and then that I would take the month of February to prepare myself for a month of Daniel Fasting in March.

I thought of doing it for just 10 days. And then I thought of all the reasons i was doing this fast;

Was it for thanksgiving?
Was it because of my aching desire to have a family unit of my own?
Was it to have a better relationship with my family?
Was it to grow in faith?
Was it to do more with the homeless?
Was it to ask God to give me more direction in my life?

All of a sudden, 10 days just didn’t seem enough. All those things need to be submitted (seriously) to God’s care. So, 4 weeks of fasting it is, then!

I decided during the month of February to empty my fridge, freezer and cupboards of everything that might tempt me: dairy, meat, sugar, all forms of sweeteners, yeast, refined and processed foods, deep-fried foods, and solid fat (butter), coffee, caffeinated stuff. Yikes!!!

The first challenge will be the staff lunch ON THE FIRST DAY of the fast and then the Spring Harvest buffet in the last 3 days of the fast… how funny is that?

During the fast, I will try and be creative with my food and keep an online journal, here with the recipes.

I was born in Cameroon, in west Central Africa, and raised in France. I now live and work here in the UK. There’s no doubt that my heritage will be reflected in my food over the next 4 weeks.

What will I miss most? I think milk will be my biggest weakness! I consume more whole milk than a baby… Lord Help me!

Stay tuned!