55. DANIEL PROMOTED THE BASIC 4 PLANT-FOOD DIET
Daniel refused to eat the king’s meat and asked for vegetables. Perhaps he knew all about God’s plan for food for His human family from reading the first chapter of Genesis, which presents four kinds of plant food for man’s food.
The story of Daniel took place about 2500 years ago, but it proves the benefits of a plant-based diet. Since Babylon was the most powerful nation in the world, they probably had a rich and tasty diet, which King Nebuchadnezzar thought was the best food in the world.
The king chose the most intelligent and promising young men from the captives brought from Israel. He planned to feed them the same “good” food he himself ate, because he wanted them to be taught the learning and language of the Babylonians, possibly so they would make useful citizens in his government.
Beyond a doubt King Nebuchadnezzar thought the food served on his table was the best, but we can imagine their food was much like the typical American diet: plenty of meat, vegetables seasoned with fat, delicious rich desserts, plus alcoholic beverages to drink.
Daniel knew the food prepared in the king’s kitchen was not conducive to good health; therefore, he asked a favor of the man in charge of these prisoners:
“Prove thy servants ten days. Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.”
Much to the surprise of everyone, at the end of ten days Daniel and his friends looked better than all the others. After three years, they were brought in to stand before the king. As he communed with them, he found them to be ten times better in all matters of wisdom and understanding than all the wise men in his realm.
This years old story needs to be taken to heart by every American. The meat and dairy industries have used a Basic Four Food Plan to promote the idea that we must have daily servings of meat and milk. The results of this diet are known by almost everyone: two out of every four Americans dies of heart disease; one of every four Americans dies of cancer. Diabetes is increasing at a rapid rate. Overweight and obesity are epidemic.
The answer lies in following Daniel’s plant-food diet. Plant food has been proven to reverse many cases of heart disease. Plant food has properties which have healed cancer. There has been great success in reversing Type II Diabetes with a plant-food diet. One of the very best diet plans for losing weight is to eat plant food.
Not only would these four food groups prevent many diseases and heal many illnesses, they will make each person look better and be able to think more clearly. That means each one of us can be an example in our modern Babylonian world that there is a great reward in taking the stand with Daniel: “I REFUSE TO DEFILE MY BODY WITH THE KING’S MEAT!”
BLACK BEAN ENCHILADAS
1 1/2 c zucchini cubed small
1 c bell green bell peppers diced small
2 c black beans cooked
1 1/2 c whole kernel corn
1 c tomato sauce
1 28-oz can tomatoes diced
1 t basil crushed
1 t garlic powder
2 28-oz cans Italian tomato sauce
16 large whole wheat tortillas
CHEESY SAUCE
3/4 c cashew pieces
1/4 c nutritional yeast flakes
1 1/2 T lemon juice
1 garlic clove
1/4 c onion
2/3 c water
1/4 c red bell pepper or pimentos
1 t salt
Blend all ingredients for the cheesy sauce until
smooth. Set aside.
Pour a 1/4-inch layer of Italian tomato sauce in the
bottom of a large baking dish. Saute onions, zucchini
and green pepper in water until soft. Add black beans,
corn, plain tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, basil and
garlic powder. Place a generous amount of the bean
mixture in the center of tortilla, roll and place seam
side down in baking dish. Repeat, using all the filling.
Pour remaining Italian tomato sauce evenly over
enchiladas. Drizzle cheesy sauce over enchiladas.
Bake in oven at 400 for 10-15 minutes until heated
through.