I wanted to share this picture of a sunrise I saw one morning last week. I remember feeling somewhat discouraged that day. However, when I saw this my perspective began to change. Of course this picture doesn't do the scene justice, but if you can just imagine a large dark grey sky covering as far as you can see. Then, just beyond the horizon, a peak of light begins to break though. It is not very wide but it's length covers the entire vastness of all you can see.
This was a reminder to me that even in the times we feel like everything is dark and grey around me and I feel like I can't see or understand why things look the way they do, God will always find a way to show Himself though. He has done that for me though this process of improving my health and helping me learn and grow to know more about Him and many of the natural resources He has given me.
Like I mentioned in my previous post, I am now about five months into the process of working with my health coach. About six weeks ago I began an elimnation plan. It consisted of 28 days eating only certain foods from each food category --- no dairy, eggs, citrus, nightshades (potatoes, peppers, tomatoes), soy, beef, or pork. Then, after the 28 days, I pick one food at time to reintroduce and see how my body responds to it. To help ensure this process was successful, I had to begin to plan each meal I had for the day, including snacks. This was initially challenging because I knew I wasn't going to be able to eat what my family and friends were eating. I also knew the planning was also going to be tedious. I will admit, this was very frustrating at first but I knew that doing this would help me feel better in the long run, help my body heal, as well as teach me what I needed to know about what foods to eat and not eat and why it is so important. Initially it took some time and thought but once I got past the learning curve I actually began to enjoy the planning. As a result I have had the pleasure of making some delicious meals!
One struggle I dealt with as I began this planning process though was the thought that I could no long have sweets. I mean, no more chocolate??? I could never stick to that! Well, didn't I say that God always makes a way to show Himself though? He did and did so through a vegetable I was only slightly familiar with...the chocolate bean (cocoa bean to be exact)! This wonderful little plant is developed into a powder and used in numerous baking recipes. (And the only ingredient is cocoa!)
So as I continued to plan my meals and snacks, I also began planning desserts. There are several that are my favorites but one in particular that I have fallen in love with lately. It is called "Cleaning Eating Brownies" (see recipe below). They are awesome and use NO sugar, gluten, dairy, eggs or soy. (FYI - I am still in the middle of my elimination/reintroducing foods plan so there are certain things I need to stay away from until I know what all I am sensitive to.) In the mean time I am eating these wonderful little treats! Hope you enjoy them too!
Clean Eating Brownies
(Makes 20 brownies)
Note: You will want to read through ALL of the directions
before decorating these brownies.
Brownie Ingredients
1 (16 oz.) container almond butter
4 egg whites (or flaxseed meal --- 1/3 cup water and 1 tbs. meal for each egg
white)
1 cup honey
1 tbsp vanilla (McCormick brand is gluten free!)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I bought mine at Kroger!)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup grain sweetened chocolate chips (non-dairy chips for those avoiding
dairy)
(I actually left these out
because I can only find the soy free ones at the local health food store and I
didn’t have any in my house at the time.
The brownies still tasted delicious!)
(And if your heart desires…..)
Decorating “Paint” Ingredients
1/2 tsp. Cocoa
powder
Water
Marshmallow Ingredients
3 tbsp water
1 packets unflavored gelatin
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp almond extract
Brownie Directions
~ Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Step 1 – Add each ingredient, in the order listed, to a large mixing bowl,
one at a time. Whisk in each ingredient completely before adding the next.
Step 2 – Pour into an oiled baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes.
Decorating “Paint” Directions
Step 1 – Mix cocoa powder with two drops of water. Continue to add water,
two drops at a time until you have a somewhat thick “paint”.
Marshmallow Directions
Step 1 – It’s best to get all your ingredients out and ready before
proceeding with this because everything comes together pretty quickly. Be sure
to have your brownies cooled, cut and ready to decorate BEFORE you start making
the marshmallow topping. Once the marshmallow topping is made, you will need to
move very quickly before it solidifies. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a sloppy
mess of marshmallow fluff instead of a smooth spread for your brownies.
Step 2 - Stir gelatin into water in a small bowl. Microwave for 30
seconds.
Step 3 – While that’s in the microwave, pour your honey into a mixing bowl.
Add the almond extract. Add warm gelatin/water mixture.
Step 4 – Blend for 10-15 minutes until the mixture is thick and fluffy and
has more than doubled in size.
Step 5 – Now you must work quickly. Using a knife, spread your marshmallow
topping over your brownies.
Step 6 – Using a toothpick and anything with a small edge, dip into your
cocoa paint and decorate your brownies any way you’d like!
Note: For a spider web, simply draw two circles, one inside
the other (like a target) and then draw squiggly lines from the center, out.
(Like rays of the sun)
Eat and Enjoy!
