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Christmas Food
Christmas
is a time when we think of family get-togethers and abundance. It is
memory lane for most of us, enjoying friends, memorable times and good
comfort, traditional foods. But the weeks after the holidays are
usually weight gains, health problems from too many sweets and
food.
Today white sugar, white flour, dairy products,
trans and saturated fats, refined cars and excess calories are on the
“no-no” list … and with the holiday times it feels as if the cakes,
cookies and candies will become obsolete. And we begin to feel deprived
and panic stricken. After all, it is a long-time tradition.
One
answer is to make some raw food desserts and take them to get-togethers
and family meals. Use nuts, dried fruits, and avocadoes instead of
white flour and white sugar. They have a lot of flavor, looks and are
good for you. Oh yes … and they are easy to put together.
Jenny
Cornbleet has a book out called “Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People”.
In it there are desserts – cakes, cookies, fruit crisps, pies, tarts,
puddings, mousses, shakes, and ice cream recipes all raw – for holidays
and all meals. Guess what? They taste better than
their
sugar laden counterparts.
One recipe is for a “Flourless
Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Sauce” which calls for 1 ½ cups raw
walnuts, dash of salt, 8 pitted medjool dates, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
or carob powder, ½ tsp vanilla extract, and 2 tsp water. For
the
raspberry sauce you use 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (thaw and
drain if frozen) with ¼ cup pitted medjooy dates, soaked for 30 minutes
and drained. Place the walnuts and salt in a food processor
with
the S blade and process until finely ground. Add dates, cocoa powder,
and vanilla … process until mixture becomes sticky. Add water and
process briefly. Transfer to a serving plate and form a 5
inch
round cake. Place the raspberries and dates in a blender and mix until
smooth, pouring over the cake just before serving.
You do not
have to give up all your comfort foods, just find a healthier recipe
for it. You will find the dessert to be much
tastier. But
should you choose to nibble on a few old foods, do so in moderation, do
not go overboard, and remember to wait and let your stomach digest
properly before the next meal...
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