Recipes!!!

 I have been so excited to get to this blog post all day! I have been so thankful for your positive response and all the wonderful comments you have given me. It really floats my boat! Acts of service is my love language and when you pair that with my passion for healthy food and living I get really excited. In fact I was delighted to spend the afternoon today with a couple friends who want to get going on their healthy eating journey as well talking about what foods to eat and not eat and lots of yummy recipes. I was reminded why I did this though when one of them asked me how I got started. The truth is it was about vanity in the beginning. I had really let myself go after my mom passed away and saw a picture of myself I didn't like so much. I decided it was about time to make a switch. However, not to long after that I heard someone speaking on the radio about health and nutrition, how our body is the temple of God, and how you would never hear a sermon on gluttony. I was very convicted by that conversation. I began to see that I needed to give up control of what I wanted to put in my mouth and let God have that part of me. So I am happy to report that it isn't JUST about vanity anymore. But, like my best friend says sometimes, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!" Thanks for the reminder today though ladies as to why it is important that we eat right!

So are you ready for your portion of goodness for the day? You have all been asking for recipes and today I will give you some!

BROWNIES!!!

So it might be hard to believe but these brownies are completely healthy and yummy! They are made with black beans believe it or not. Before you skeptics pass complete judgement however you must look at the faces of my little darlings eating their back to school brownies.

I'd say that is the face of someone in heaven!

He told his dad they tasted like cake frosting!

So here is the recipe:

FLOURLESS BLACKBEAN BROWNIES

1 (15 oz). can no salt added black beans, drained and rinsed

3 large eggs or (use egg substitute)

1/3 cup melted butter, more for the baking dish (or butter alternative)

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/8 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp Stevia or Splenda

Optional : 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips to top

Preheat oven to 350

Butter an 8 inch baking pan. Place black beans, eggs, melted butter, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla, and Stevia in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Remove the blade and gently stir in chocolate chips and walnuts if desired. Transfer to pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until just set in the center. Cool beofe cutting.

So give them a try! You just might be surprised. Now for all of you who think we never eat meat anymore and before the weather gets too cold you better fire up that grill a few more times and try this pork chop recipe. The recipe is for balsamic marinated pork chops with grilled peaches. I found this recipe on cleaneating.com which is one of my VERY favorite websites. Miles grilled these thick pork chops to perfection so you might need to ask him his secret but here is a picture to tantalize you.

We served it with the grilled peaches they suggested which you absolutely MUST try before the end of the season and salad with low-sugar poppy seed dressing. We don't eat very much bread around here but this was a kind I purchased at the Becker Street Market that day to try. So here is the link to that recipe http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/Recipes/Recipe/Balsamic-Marinated-Pork-Chops-Grilled-Peaches.aspx so you can give it a go. If you do, please let me know what you think and just in case you don't know what EVOO is, it stands for extra virgin olive oil. Happy Grilling!