Ooh La La! Rich Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting (Gluten Free, of Course!)

This lovely recipe is based on the flourless cakes that have become so popular in high-end restaurants.  (See my Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe below!) It is rich, satisfying and doesn’t seem like a substitute cake at all.  It’s become my family’s favorite birthday cake.

The main ingredient may surprise you.

Beans!

­Here's what you do:

Soak 2 cups dry of white beans overnight in double the amount of water.

Next day, rinse well and cook until tender.

(You might have a little more than 2 cups once they’ve been hydrated and cooked, but only use 2 cups.)

Cool to room temperature and add the following to a food processor and puree well:

• 2 cups cooked beans  (use white for vanilla)
• 6 eggs
• 3/4 cup maple syrup or sucanat
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Add:

• 1/4 cup slightly warm coconut oil (so that it is liquid)
• 1/3 cup sifted coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp Celtic  salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder

Puree again

Pour into spring form pan, lined with unbleached parchment paper, well oiled with butter or coconut oil.

Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes. I like to check to see if it's done by inserting a toothpick into the middle. If it comes out mostly clean, it's done.

(Cupcakes take about 20-22 minutes)

Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting

In a food processor add the following:

• 2 tsp  raw honey (more, if you like a sweeter frosting)
• ½ cup almond butter
• 1 stick butter, room temperature
• 5 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 organic egg yolk (Be sure to wash the outside of the shell with hot soapy water) The addition of  an egg yolk offers live enzymes and gives the frosting a little gloss

When the cake has fully cooled, smooth on the frosting. Keep refrigerated.

Enjoy!

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Gluten Free Bread

(Similar to traditional banana bread)

This recipe allows for almond flour purchased from a health food/gourmet store or  for a more nutritious and alive product follow instructions  below for  *soaked almonds.

2 cups almond flour

3 organic bananas; store frozen bananas kept for just such an occasion

5 free range eggs

3-4 T organic coconut oil

1t vanilla; I make my own. Check forthcoming blog for recipe

1t almond oil extract (optional)

1 t baking soda

¼ t Celtic or other whole salt

¼ to ½ cup organic raisins or other organic dried fruit

½ cup unsweetened dried coconut

¼ cup coconut flour (this is not necessary but adds to the rise and nutrition)

Grind the dried fruit in the food processor until it can be ground no further and  add the remaining ingredients. If too wet, add a bit more coconut or almond flour, being mindful that  if blended too  long, the batter will yield  a more dense bread.  So, easy on the blending.

Butter a glass baking or bread dish, pour in the batter and bake for 50+ minutes, at 340 degrees. Check for completion with a toothpick. Allow to cool a bit before serving.

Lovely with raw butter as an accompaniment to stew. Even though a bit crumbly for sandwiches; it’s still good.

*Soaked Almonds: Place 2 cups of nuts in a bowl and cover with enough water to  cover 2 inches above the almonds. Set out on the counter for 12-24 hours. The next day, drain thoroughly and assemble the almonds on a cookie sheet or 2 to dry in a 100-120 degree oven for 24+ hours or  until they’re thoroughly dry. Try to distribute them one layer only.

When thoroughly dehydrated, the almonds should  be very crispy.  If not, return them to the oven. In a food processor, grind the almonds to a light flour. If the consistency is more like a meal than  flour, you didn’t dry them long enough.   Use them anyway;  it will taste fine, but won’t  yield a bread.

This is a variation on a recipe given to me by my client and friend, Theresa Lasaca

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Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz

After the extravagances of past decades, we’re finally seeing a shift in thinking with regard to the use of medications. Yes, I know, every other commercial is a company pushing their newest drug. Yet, in spite of this, there is a ground swelling of those who remember life without drugs and recall a healthier world.

Take antacids for example. If we followed the TV ads we see, the magazine and newspaper ads we read, we'd be ingesting these nostrums daily. If indeed they must be ingested day after day, isn’t that cause for questioning the value of these products in the first place?

I say, it is time we consider another method. One of intelligence, efficacy, of time-tested value and purity … that is, of course, homeopathy. Why? Because it doesn’t cover up the problem, it squarely addresses it.

Homeopathy is founded on a firm rock. Its laws and principles are irrefutable, being proven in tests and clinically in hospitals, clinics, nurseries and veterinary offices throughout the world for over 200 years.

So, does homeopathy offer an antacid for the relief of overeating and drinking? You bet! Let’s examine some of homeopathy’s two best-known remedies and how to use them for a little too much at Thanksgiving or an excess of holiday cheer.

Natrum phos 6X is homeopathy’s king of antacids. Tuck a small bottle of it in your purse, diaper bag or glove compartment. Then, any time indigestion hits, toss 3-4 pills directly in the mouth. If no relief is afforded within 15 minutes or so, continue taking in the same manner. In most cases, the indigestion will be resolved within short order. Curiously and as a welcome old friend, the next episode of indigestion will often not be as severe, not last as long and will be fended off for a longer period of time. Further, the cost of these little pills is under $20 and they pack neither side effects nor additives.

Nux vomica 30X is also a remedy one can count on to be efficient and powerful, yet gentle for the relief of reflux. It is used when we have overdone a good thing…too much dip, too many drinks on New Year's Day, too much candy on Halloween. It will antidote the symptoms of heartburn, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even irritability, as long as this cluster of symptoms matches.

Even a hangover is a thing of the past with the correct use of Nux vomica. Taken every few hours, it will offer not only relief but do so without side effects. Often the person suffering from indigestion who will benefit from Nux vomica 30X also complains of wakefulness, usually around 3:00 a.m., with the thoughts of the day dancing around in his or her head.

The materia medica of homeopathy has thousands of remedies that have been used since the late 1700s. They are as consistent today as they were when the homeopathic doctors used them then. Homeopathy is not capricious; it doesn’t declare that the latest drug is “the” solution only to have it pushed to the back of the pharmacy shelf within months or years in lieu of the newest hottest catholicon. Better yet; no homeopathic remedy has ever been withdrawn from the market due to subsequent illness that it has caused.

So when you’ve eaten too much turkey or had more than your share of wine consider homeopathy. It may not only relieve your heartburn, but also the irritability that comes from having to withstand the parade of irksome drug commercials during the football game!

I have written more in my latest Ezine. Take a look here is the link to my website where you will find my latest Ezine as well an archive of past ones. Enjoy! http://homeopathyworks.net/newsletters.cfm

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