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!

A Healthy Reward

     The other day I decided to clear the clutter accumulating on my VCR.  Among the many mysteries and suspense thrillers were programs equally thrilling (at least to me) about health and nutrition.  I decided to wax pragmatic and hone in on the nutritional  recipes and  diet suggestions.  I often  research  recipes that lesson sugar cravings,  clear up brain fog,  increase metabolism,  energize the body, strengthen immunity, etc.   I'm sure you get the picture.

      My golden rule is "Be Healthy Without Suffering".   In other words,  I require equal parts of healthy and tasty.  I adore recipes that replace decadent ingredients with  healthy ones.  Avocado is that kind of ingredient.  You can't  taste it but it makes a dessert or baked goods creamier, and adds healthy fat, fiber and vitamins.  You literally trick your body into getting healthier in a very painless way.

     While plowing through what seemed like an unending sea of recordings on my TV,   a somewhat healthy and possibly tasty recipe piqued my interest. I immediately set about creating several variations of the  basic recipe.  I  tested all of them on my all too willing friends.
     Below is the  unanimously approved version for you to enjoy.  Simply put all the ingredients in a food processor and mix until smooth. You can eat it straight from the blender or refrigerate  for 1 hour which makes it creamier.  If it's too creamy add a teaspoon of almond milk. You can add some  dark chocolate shavings or fresh fruit for added bliss!  This recipe is totally vegan and very yummy!

                                                      Clean Chocolate Pudding
                                                      1 medium to large avocado
                                                      1/4 cup raw honey
                                                      1 1/2 cups coconut oil

                                                      1/4 cup cocoa powder

                                                      1/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

                                                      1 pinch sea salt

     The above recipe makes two servings.  Each serving should be about a half a cup.  I approximate the calories to be 150.  Most of the calories come from the fat of the avocado.  Not to worry.  This is healthy fat your brain needs.  Did you know your brain is mostly fat?  It gives the expression "fathead"  a new meaning, ha  Finding this recipe was like looking for a needle in a haystack but it is really worth it.  It is a  healthy reward for my efforts  and now it is yours!  

Can you trick yourself into thinking that the above recipe is a good substitute for this decadent version?

                                                     Eat yourself healthy!

                         

Bottom Line:  You are what you eat.