Day 10

 40 days--Jesus fasted for 40 days! We are fasting for "only" 21!
Nothing-was what Jesus had for 40 days.
Nothing-not even water was all that Moses had for 2-- 40 day fasts back to back.
So in light of those...21 days of fruits & vegies is a "cake walk" (oops, maybe a poor choice of words)!
Jesus & Daniel both, clearly came out stronger than ever after their fasts. 
How is your fast strengthening you? Do you feel as though you're floundering?  Maybe you're not experiencing the outcomes you expected.  Ask God to lead you into the same kind of preparation, power, and purpose that Jesus gained from His time of fasting.




TODAY'S READING: LUKE 4





Pineapple Citrus Muffin are breakfast or a quick snack...guilt-free! 

Pineapple Citrus Muffins

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup oat flour (see Recipe Notes)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup diced pineapples
¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
¼ cup Date Honey
¼ cup flaxseed meal
2 teaspoons unsweetened coconut flakes
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
½ teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly rub 8 cups of a 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil, and set aside.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, and stir well to combine. Scoop out mixture into muffin tin cups, allowing about 1/3 cup for each muffin. Bake 20 minutes, or until muffin tops are lightly browned. Serve warm.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 muffin)

Recipe Notes

• Make your own oat flour by placing old-fashioned rolled oats in a food processor or blender and process until fine (½ cup old-fashioned oats will yield about ½ cup ground oats).
• Spread almond butter or Date Honey on top.
• Flaxseed meal is a powder made from ground flaxseeds. It can be found in health food stores and some grocery stores. Instead of buying flaxseed meal, you can also grind whole flaxseeds at home by using a coffee or seed grinder. 
• The zest is the outermost, colorful skin of citrus fruits. Zest is often used to enhance flavor in recipes. The pith, or white membrane underneath the outside peel, has a bitter, unpleasant taste and should be avoided while zesting.
• Date Honey

Date Honey

1 cup pitted dates (about 6-8 Medjool or 18-20 Deglet Noor)

1 cup water

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Pour dates and water into a small saucepan, making sure dates are completely covered (add additional water if necessary). Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer 45-60 minutes or until dates are very soft and broken down. Remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly for about 15 minutes. Pour mixture into a blender or food processor and puree until completely smooth. Sprinkle in cinnamon and stir well. Store in a sealed container in refrigerator.

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: about 1 tablespoon)

 A Few Date Varieties...

1. Medjool - largest, sweetest date that is soft and tender.
2. Deglet Noor - semi-dry chewy "bread" date with a nutty flavor; not as sweet as other dates; smaller than the Medjool and good for use in Trail Mix.
3. Pakistani - semi-dry date that is very similar to the Deglet Noor, but is slightly smaller.

Apples with Date Honey

Apples, sliced

Date Honey (recipe above)

Toppings: Finely chopped pecans or walnuts and unsweetened shredded coconut.

Instructions
Spread Date Honey on one side of each apple slice. Serve as is, or press into chopped pecans or shredded coconut or both.

Recipe Notes

• You may also use sliced bananas or pears.