Elena and I are kindred spirits, so to speak. Although I haven’t yet met her face-to-face, I feel as if I’ve known Elena for years. She came across my blog last year when she was doing research online about the Daniel Fast. She found me, and I found a new friend.
Many people who participate in a Daniel Fast want to continue eating this way even after the fast is completed because they felt so great consuming nutritious foods. Perhaps you feel the same way but aren’t sure if that type of discipline is even realistic. Elena’s story will challenge you…or at least give you something to consider. You will be blessed as you read about how God answered prayer and brought physical healing to their lives as a result of dietary modifications.
Thanks, Elena, for sharing with us.
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| Elena Wilkins |
Guest Post: Elena Wilkins
“Living a Fasted Lifestyle”
Is it possible to live a fasted lifestyle? Much like the Daniel Fast, but permanently? Let me tell you why I think it can be done.
Soon after my husband and I married, I noticed he was experiencing chest pains on a regular basis. There were times his chest pains were so severe I was scared he might have a heart attack or a stroke.
We both believe in the God of miracles, the One who is capable of healing any and all afflictions. We prayed and waited for my husband’s healing. I watched what we ate and felt that we were doing well with our diet, making all of our meals at home. Unfortunately, though, the problem persisted.
In 2006 my husband’s doctor, after running a battery of tests on him, told us that they couldn’t find anything wrong except his “slightly” elevated cholesterol level, which was at 220. The doctor said that the only way to take care of the issue was by taking statin drugs (medication).
At about the same time, I also developed health issues. Up until 2003, I had been completely well physically and rarely got sick. However, I began to develop symptoms such as weight gain, skin problems, dry eye syndrome, depression, anterior knee condition, and hormone imbalance. My doctor tried to help by putting me on birth control medication to help with my hormones. It turned out to be one of the worst decisions we could have made, as medication only covered the problem and did not resolve anything. This went on for several years, and I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism and told that I would have to be on thyroid medication for the rest of my life to control it.
My husband and I kept believing God for a miracle. We didn’t feel that medication was the answer we were searching for.
However, the miracle did not happen as we expected. There was no spontaneous healing for either of us. We knew that the Lord was not ignoring our prayers (John 14:14). So, instead of becoming upset with God, we asked Him to guide us and give us wisdom.
God was faithful. Out of what seemed like nowhere, we started to meet people who reversed various diseases by changing to an all plant-based diet. I also came across a life-changing book, The China Study, written by T. Colin Campbell. It is filled with scientific research and data that show how an all-plant based diet allows humans to live in optimal health and to reverse and prevent diseases.
We went on a vegan, or plant-based, diet overnight. At first we felt a bit intimidated, but our desire to achieve a healthy life was stronger than our fears (1 John 4:18). We informed my husband’s physician of our decision. Under the doctor’s supervision (and against his wishes), my husband went off all medication. Within three months, his cholesterol dropped to 173, and by the end of the year, it dropped to a perfect 149. The symptoms that plagued him had gradually disappeared, as did my fears of becoming a young widow.
My health began to blossom as well. I quit taking birth control and chose not to go on thyroid medication, believing that God would heal my body through His generously provided gifts of whole foods. In less than 3 years my TSH level went from 5.0 to 1.66.. My cholesterol dropped from 176 to 132. All of the symptoms which accompanied hypothyroid condition slowly vanished. I returned to my former self – full of joy with a thirst for life.
During the process of changing our eating habits and establishing a regular exercise routine, we lost a “few” pounds of unwanted weight: 103 lbs total (48 lbs for me and 55 lbs for my husband).
The question that we get from so many is whether we will ever go off all plant-based diet. Our answer, naturally, is NOT IN ANY FORESEEABLE FUTURE! We believe in God’s providence and guidance and we felt His love and compassion along the way leading us to perfect health. We wouldn’t want to do anything to compromise it.
In the beginning, a plant-based diet requires discipline and a few adjustments to eating behaviors, especially in a fast-paced society, such as the United States. However, in the long run, it helped us to be alert and spiritually open. The more we denied our former fleshly desires, the more we embraced what God had for us. We both believe that a plant-based diet is optimal for human consumption (Genesis 1:29, 2:9a, 3:17-18)*. Whole, unprocessed plants are full of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Such a diet keeps us feeling satiated.
My husband and I continue to live by God’s promises: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly (John 10:10b)” and “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness (1 Peter 1:3a)” We spread the good news that we have learned to others, using it as a conduit to minister God’s love to all, and have seen many heal from various ailments and diseases as a result.
*I want to make it clear that we do not condemn others for eating a non-plant based diet. We were there once ourselves and have many family members and friends who are carnivores. We do, however, wish that more people incorporated more whole, unprocessed foods into their diet, treating their bodies (temples) with respect, staying away from junk foods altogether and animal products as much as possible.
Elena Wilkins is the author of Eat Healthy! Be Happy! blog, which serves as a source of plant-based recipes, living and fitness. Most of the recipes on her blog, save a few that use sweeteners, are Daniel Fast approved. Elena is also a certified fitness instructor and runs a photography business. She is madly in love with her husband of 8 years. Her blog address is: http://eathealthybehappy.blogspot.com/
How to Enter
1. Visit Elena’s blog. Read through her recent posts, and return to this post to make a comment on something you’ve learned or a recipe you’d like to try.
1. One entry per person.
2. Giveaway ends Friday, February 25, at midnight.
3. You can live in or outside of the United States to be eligible.
4. Winner must provide his or her email address to receive e-book.
Thanks for registering! 🙂