Chewy Gluten Free Brownies

With Chocolate “Frosting”

Chewy Gluten Free Brownie Recipe:

1 1/4 cup Raw Honey or Raw Light Agave Syrup, slightly heated

1   cup Fresh Ground Peanut or Almond Butter 

3/4 cup Pure Organic Cocoa Powder

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

2 tsp Instant Espresso Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1 Egg

Directions:

Step One: Warm honey/agave syrup slightly over stove until heated. (do not allow to boil). Stir in cocoa powder over low heat until combined and smooth. Cocoa burns very easily, so keep the heat on VERY low.

Step Two: Remove from heat . In a separate bowl combined almond butter, egg, vanilla, espresso, and baking powder. Combine this with your cocoa mixture. Fold in the salt. 

Step Three: Pour into foil-lined or parchment paper-lined 8×8 baking pan. (or, grease the pan with your preferred oil)

Step Four: Bake at 325F for 30-40 min.  Use toothpick to determine done-ness. Let cool completely before cutting. Store in a plastic bag to preserve moisture.

Recipe adapted from: Baker Gal

Chocolate Fudge Frosting Recipe:

1/2 cup Almond Butter (or peanut)

1/2 or 1 whole Banana

3-4 tbsp Honey (Or agave syrup)

3 tbsp Cocoa Powder

Directions:

Step One: Combine ingredients in a food processor and mix well. Refrigerate while brownies are baking and cooling. Once brownies are cool and ready to eat add a scoop of “frosting” to a brownie and enjoy!

Not too bad looking, right? They obviously aren’t as great as regular brownies, but for being gluten free i think they are great!

They’re flour-less, butter-less, oil-less, Paleo diet approved, and gluten-free..

Yumm! Enjoy!

Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Frosting

Chocolate Chips

Shaved Dark Chocolate

Chocolate Cocoa Powder

My favorite part of baking cakes is frosting and decorating them.

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Chocolate Cake with extra Chocolate Chips inside.

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Chocolate Frosting

Middle Layer

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Crumb Coat

Crumb Coat Tips and Tricks

You don’t need too much; this first layer of frosting should be very thin because it is just there to hold in crumbs and prevent them from getting in the final coat.

Start your crumb coat with a mound of frosting on top and in the center. Press the mound of frosting down and out with your  spatula (preferably an offset), spreading from the center to the edges. You can slide or drag the offset along the top of the cake, but be sure not to scrape it too hard for it will tear.

Most important tip is to make sure you don’t use your spatula to retrieve more frosting while making your crumb coat. Once you get crumbs in your frosting, it’s basically impossible to get them out. Use a new spoon to add more frosting if needed.

Once you’ve completed your crumb coat for the top of the cake and the sides.. Using a bench scraper, scrape off additional frosting.

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The Real Frosting Layer

This is the easy part. You can basically use the same method as the Crumb Coat. The only difference is you’ll want to use three times as much frosting!

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Sprinkled Cocoa Powder

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Shaved Trader Joe’s Organic Dark Chocolate

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Isn’t it pretty!?

One reason i like to bake is because not only have you accomplished something once you are finished with what you’re baking, but you get to enjoy your own accomplishment. Or at least people you love get to.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt looses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.” Matthew 5:13

Have you ever been invited over to someones house for a meal?

Have you ever been invited over to someones house for a meal that tasted worse than licking the bottom of your shoe? Haha Okay, so maybe the entire meal wasnt so horrible.. I’m probably exaggerating. Maybe just one side dish or even the main dish was flavorless. You know that small panic conversation you have in your mind after the second bite? The one where you tell yourself; “If I eat one more bite they’re going to end up seeing what this dish really tastes like.. There is no way i can finish this whole plate of food. I wish they owned a dog! Yeah right, even a dog would turn this down. Where’s Martha when you need her, eh?”

The next line that actually makes it out of your mouth should be: “May I have the salt please?” as you smile and pretend you’re just really addicted to salt. Assuring them that you put salt on everything!

We’ve all been there!

Now take this situation and think of it as our relationship with God. Lets say that the appealing yet tasteless plate of food set before you represents the world. The salt of course represents God, Jesus, and hopefully all faithfully intentional believers of Christ. The world looks nice from the outside. It seems as if it might have a lot to offer. We have options in the world. We aren’t bossed around. It takes no faith to be in the world. And yet somehow we all walk away feeling empty, hungry, and unsatisfied. I wonder why! After that first bite, we’ve realized it not as appetizing as we once hoped. For some sad reason we continue to eat off the plate of the world when most of the time we’ve become to blind that we barely notice that were doing it again.

Mean while the Salt is waiting patiently in the middle of the table. In our midst, in the midst of everything. Drawing us closer. It’s always there, at every meal. God is always there for us no  matter how we CHOOSE to live our lives. No matter what we’ve put on the menu of our lives, salt is there. “I will not leave you, nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5, is Gods promise to us. Waiting for us to call on Him. Longing for the moment when we give up the fight, put our forks down and we refuse to live (or eat if you will) a tasteless meaningless life any longer. Anticipating the day when we call on His name and ask for the salt.

“Please pass the salt.” & ”May I have the salt please.”

If you havnt asked for someone to pass the salt already.. then put your fork down and go ahead and make one of the best decision of your life.

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.”

Matthew 5:13 MSG

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Matthew 5:13 NIV

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men.”

Matthew 5:13 AMP

You ARE a God Encounter.

When (assuming you have and rejoicing) you gave your life to Christ and surrendered your all to Him, Jesus gave you an invisible name tag that only hearts can read and it says something like this:

Living for Christ means that you fully believe He lives inside of you as well as you in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV) Every one who meets you has the opportunity to encounter the real living God. It’s up to us to make sure that we are walking in the Spirit so when they look into our eyes they see HIM.

The longer we choose not to step out of our comfort zones and become a God encounter for those who have been encounter-less, the longer the world will go on having the choice not to serve and encounter God. I believe hat as more people encounter the Lord, more people will see that there is no one more worthy of living for. The longer we wait to be this worlds “God Encounter” the longer we offer them the option of not see His raw power and tangible love on display in their lives. We hold in our hearts the One that this starving world is digging in dumpsters for. People are going to turn to something. Why not be their alternative to something and point them in the right direction. ↑

People will take your actions much more serious then they will your words.

The best advise i can give you in becoming a God encounter for this world is: Comfort zones are NOT your friend. They will hold you back in more ways than one.  I’ve been in the process of discovering and accepting this for a while now. It doesn’t occur over night, that’s for sure. One or two steps closer in Gods direction for your life is much better than being grounded in a man-made comfort zone. Try smiling at someone you normally wouldn’t think to look at. (That sounds horrible but for some it’s true.) It’s that simple. Say hi to a homeless person without assuming they will ask you for money. Offer to pray for people when the opportunity arises. (And even when it doesn’t, you can make it arise.) If you’ll surrender your comfort zones to the Lord, i promise you He will relieve you of them! You just have to be diligent not to take them back. God is not an “Indian giver” and neither should we be.

You can do this. God has faith in you.

†

1. Spend time in the word daily.

2. Cultivate an enjoyable prayer life. (Luke 11:1)

3. Give thanks and praise DAILY. (Psalms 30:4)

4. Be faithful in every area of your life.

5. Practice receiving His FULLNESS of joy. (Psalms 16:11)

6. Be INTENTIONAL.

7. Be His friend and His lover. (James 2:23)

8. Be someones God Encounter!

 ”To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27 NIV

“Smile, Jesus Loves you!” -Sergio Scataglini

Peppermint Patties

Peppermint Patties

2 1/2 Cups Confectioners Sugar (less than 1 pound), divided

1 1/2 Tablespoons Light Corn Ssyrup

1 1/2 Tablespoons Water

1 Teaspoon Pure Peppermint OR Mint Extract

1 1/2 Tablespoon Vegetable Shortening (Preferably trans-fat-free.)

10 Ounces Dipping Chocolate Wafers, such as Merckens (Or Chocolate Almond Bark..)

Directions

Step One: Beat 2 1/4 cups confectioners sugar with corn syrup, water, peppermint extract, shortening, and a pinch of salt using an electric mixer (with paddle attachment if using a stand mixer) at medium speed until just combined.

Step Two: Knead on a work surface dusted with remaining 1/4 cup confectioners sugar until smooth. When smooth, add optional food coloring by kneading the mixture, for the best even colored results..

Step Three: Roll out between sheets of parchment paper on a large baking sheet into a 7- to 8-inch round (less than 1/4 inch thick). Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Remove top sheet of paper and sprinkle round with confectioners sugar. Replace top sheet, then flip round over and repeat sprinkling on other side.

Step Four: With a 1 to 2 inch round cookie cutter, cut out as many rounds as possible, transferring to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm, at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, gather scraps, reroll, and freeze, then cut out more rounds, freezing them.

Step Five: Melt three fourths of chocolate in a metal bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Once the chocolate is almost ready, remove bowl from pan.

Step Six: Balance 1 peppermint round on a fork and submerge in melted chocolate, letting excess drip off and scraping back of fork against rim of bowl if necessary, then return patty to sheet. Coat remaining rounds. Let patties stand until chocolate is set, about 1 hour.

I LOVE almost any thing mint! Mint chocolate ice cream, York Peppermint Patties, Thin Mints, Mint Oreos, Mint Chewing Gum, etc..

I was a bit scepticle about this recipe due to the staring of: vegtable shortneing. I was worried it might leave a funny taste. It turned out great. I will deffinitly be making this recipe again. The only problem i had was that the batter/mixture is really tough to mix. It will take a little longer then you’d think to combine it, completely. So stay patient. lol It will be worth it! Hope these turn out as well for you as they did for me!

Patties keep, layered between sheets of parchment in an airtight container, chilled, 1 month. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Enjoy!

Recipe Adapted From: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Peppermint-Patties-240935#ixzz1lME2iJkB

Only four ingredients and one step.

Recipe

1 1/2 cups of White Sugar

1/2 cup of Sugar in the Raw

1-2 Ripe Kiwis

(“Mashed” in a food processor or grinder.)

3-4 Tbsp of Oil

(Olive, Grapeseed, Sunflower, Avocado, etc.)

Step One: Mix it all together. That is all.

For best results, store this scrub in a tight sealing jar in your fridge for up to one month. Give or take.

Also, if you need to you can add more sugar. Be sure not to puree the kiwi, for it will water down and start dissolving the sugar.

Try mixing the sugars and kiwi first and see how the consistency is. Then add the oil, 1 Tbsp at a time.

Kiwi Skin Benefits

Firm Skin

Kiwis contain large amounts of the water-soluble vitamin C, which is needed to produce collagen. Collagen is a connective protein that helps to firm your skin.

Soft Skin

Vitamin C not only firms skin, it repairs it. Kiwis have more vitamin C than a comparable amount of oranges. Vitamin C helps cuts and abrasions to heal and it also works to prevent rough, dry skin.

Younger Skin

You can’t turn the clock back but you may be able to slow it down. Kiwis are a major source of antioxidants that can delay the effects of aging throughout the body. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals that can damage healthy cells and hasten the process of degeneration, including changes in skin thickness, elasticity and firmness. Mayo Clinic doctors recommend getting your antioxidants from food sources, like kiwis, that have a complex mix of vitamins C, E, lycopene and other substances that fight free radicals.

Smoother Skin

Kiwis are a good source of vitamin E. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that topical vitamin E may decrease facial lines and the depth of wrinkles.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/469522-kiwi-fruit-for-skin-care/#ixzz1lGuaKMt9

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, 
      But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”

Psalms 31:30

Shopping List

One large head of Collard Greens (Washed and dried.)

2-3 Slices of the Bacon of your choice (Grass Fed, Fat Free, Turkey, etc.)

3/4 Cup of Chicken Broth

2-3 Garlic Cloves (Minced or chopped.)

2 Tbsp of Butter

Step ONE: Chop the collard greens like you would roman lettuce for a salad, removing most of the stem. I personally like the stem, but most don’t. lol 

Chop your choice of bacon in chunks. 

Prepare your Garlic. I used Pampered Chefs Garlic Press. 

Step TWO: Melt butter in pan on medium heat. Be sure not to brown the butter.

Step THREE: Once the butter is melted, add your garlic and bacon. Cook the bacon but be sure not to burn it.

Step FOUR: Once Bacon is “almost done”,  add the chopped chopped collard greens. “Mix” well to coat with butter. 

Step Five: Add chicken broth and cover pan. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes, on low-medium heat. If you need to you can add another 1/4 cup of chicken broth. 

Enjoy!

I always thought Collard Greens looked and sounded gross when i saw them in movies or heard people talk about them.. But now that i know how to cook them myself, they don’t look so gross anymore! lol

I love them! 

‎”But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works.” Psalms 73:28

What You Will Need

Oil Cloth

(Any size/piece of oil cloth will do. It’s up to you to determine what size bag you would like.)

Sewing Machine

Thread

Sharp Scissors

Step One: Cut out your desired size/strip/shape of Oil Cloth.

Lunch Bag

Snack Bag

My Tutorial: Oil Cloth Reusable Snack Bag.

Utensil & Napkin Holder

Found this idea on:

handmadetherapy.blogspot.com

I love them. They’re so cute!

My mom and i made a few for Christmas presents.

Have a BLESSED day!

“Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
         Or who may stand in His holy place?
  He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
         Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, 
         Nor sworn deceitfully.” 

Psalms 24:3-4