Staring Into the Daniel Den

Alison, along with some other church members,  will be starting the Daniel Fast on Labor Day.  This will run until September 21st. I believe.

I think the bible's Daniel did this in the old testament.  How much of it was a deliberate fast, and how much was - well, this is what I got available to eat - I'm not sure?  Obviously, I have not researched the specifics.  I know Daniel went into the Lion's Den - maybe he survived because he smelled too much like vegetables and fruits.  "Hmmm, delicious meat!  Wait!  This smells like broccoli and kale!  Blecch!"

So maybe the fast is to help spare you from lions.  But probably not.

I can't comprehensively tell you what's in the diet or not.  It strikes me as kind of vegan-y.  Nothing from animals, everything plant-based.  The bread must be unleavened and whole-grain - I think that means no biscuits.  And like most modern diets/fasts, anything sweet is the ultimate evil.

Am I going to do this?

Maybe a little.  Alison and I share many meals, and I sure want to cooperate and help her where I can.  Most of the vegetables and fruits sound okay to me.  I like plant-based meat substitutes (except tofu).  I can find whole-grain unleavened things (tortilla chips as an example).  But there is one thing I cannot do without.


Cheese.

I love cheese.  Cheese on most everything.  Can I eat a veggie burger?  Yes!  Can I do it without cheese?  Noooo!

This morning, I'm going to have cheese grits. Can I eat grits without cheese?  No.  No, I can't.

Later, I'll have a Mexican Quesadilla.  Will it have cheese?  You bet it will!  And ketchup - but that's a whole separate thing.

I don't know all the theological themes about why the Daniel Fast exists.  But I'm hoping I can live up to the general spirit without giving up cheese.

Maybe I'll give up cheese for Lent.

Nah, that ain't happening either.