Happiness Is

     Happiness can be elusive yet everyone continues to search for it.  The journey is idiosyncratic and never ending and the methods by which we hope to attain it are infinite. Here are some thoughts to ponder from those fellow travelers who consider happiness in various ways:

• Sweetness, in whatever form, helps to make challenging times bearable.
• I don't drown my sorrows, I suffocate them in chocolate.
• Coffee keeps me busy until it's acceptable to drink the hard stuff. 
• Life is short.  Buy the shoes.

   In line with some of the above thinking,  I would like to provide you with one of the ways I seek a little bliss.  Some favorite recipes serve me well  when life challenges every fiber of my being and I need to take a time out.  How about something that satisfies a sweet tooth?    Happiness is a state of mind, so change you mind and indulge in  guilt-free goodies that have some redeeming value.  I try to add something healthy to a decadent snack.    Below are two samples of my "time out goodies".  The first is a simple blueberry jam but you can substitute whatever berries you like should you care to improvise.

             

                                         Raw Blueberry Jam

                                          4 cups blueberries

                                          2 tablespoons raw honey

                                          2 teaspoons chia seeds

                                        

Soak chia seeds in 4 teaspoons of water for 10 minutes.  They will begin to gel in the water and provide a thicker consistency for the jam.  Blend all ingredients and refrigerate for at least an hour or more then enjoy on some really good artisan bread or whatever you heart desires.  I love it on Quinoa pancakes with a few dark chocolate chips!

     My second recipe takes a little bit more time and some effort but totally worth it.It is a chocolate brownie made with black beans but you'll never know they're there--seriously!  The upside is they are very satisfying, the downsides are the  baking times and the thickness of the batter.  The solution are: 

 Make them while streaming your fav movie, series or exercise class ;-)

Use a heavy duty food processor to mix the ingredients really well.

 Canned beans are softer and easier to blend than fresh but the choice is yours.

                                              Clean & Fudgy Brownies

                                              2 cans of black beans

                                              1 1/4 cup pitted dates

                                              2 teaspoons raw almond butter

                                              1 teaspoon vanilla extract

                                              1/2 cup organic cocoa powder

                                              1 teaspoon ground chia seeds

                                   

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.  Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Start with one ingredient at a time and process each until smooth.  Most ingredients are very dense. Use a well oiled 8"x8" pan.  Bake for 90 minutes and you will be rewarded. I sometimes use parchment paper which makes removal from the pan a bit easier.

Bottom Line:  Never say diet! Improvise your way to health and happiness in a tasteful way!