TIGHT BODY 30 DAY CHALLENGE!
How many times have you started an eating plan, only to be invited to a reception, baptism, birthday party, home parties of any kind, and gave in BECAUSE OF HABIT. This is where you must stand tall, and set the standard. Yes, expect to hear comments from your family and friends. Yes, expect to feel a bit awkward as everyone else is sitting down with plates full of food, and perhaps even another plate full of desserts, and you're eating according to your meal plan. Expect to stick out! You are NOT a typical American, who eats the typical American diet: hamburger, fries, and hot apple pies. People will look at you, question you, tease you, even make a mock of you, WHO CARES? It's not their body. You live with your consequences, they live with theirs. People, and loved ones will get used to it, and perhaps some day want to make changes themselves, and guess who'll they'll ask first?
If you’re like me and have a lot of kids, and a lot of relatives, there’s a birthday every time you turn around! Birthday’s and holiday celebrations are to be enjoyed. Eating healthy is a conscious decision that doesn’t have to give way to these special occasions. I get asked all the time, "What do I do for birthday's?" This is a good question. This comes down to whatever you decide to do. Don't be pressured by family, or family traditions, and keep repeating something that simply doesn't work for you. On the other hand, if you want to keep a tradition, then find a happy medium, a way to keep it, but in a way that works for you and your family.
If you’re like me and have a lot of kids, and a lot of relatives, there’s a birthday every time you turn around! Birthday’s and holiday celebrations are to be enjoyed. Eating healthy is a conscious decision that doesn’t have to give way to these special occasions. I get asked all the time, "What do I do for birthday's?" This is a good question. This comes down to whatever you decide to do. Don't be pressured by family, or family traditions, and keep repeating something that simply doesn't work for you. On the other hand, if you want to keep a tradition, then find a happy medium, a way to keep it, but in a way that works for you and your family.
A CAKE FOR ANY OCCASION
Today I’d like to share with you a family favorite. It’s not for everyone, but maybe it’s for you. I found we were celebrating our family’s birthdays almost every month. I always ask my children what they’d like for their birthday dinner, and what kind of cake or something along that line, they would enjoy for their birthday. After all, it IS a tradition, right? Don’t get me wrong, traditions are great, however, once you begin your own family, it’s up to YOU which traditions you’d like to keep, and which ones get the axe.
NOTE: This carrot cake is not a cake as featured above which tends to have mega unhealthy fats, sugar, and as a result calories! This cake does 'Hit the Spot', and you won't be missing anything in taste. I play around with the amounts each time I make it, to see how much I can keep reducing the sugar, oil, etc., while still keeping it palatable.
Of course, you could skip the dessert entirely, yes, this would be best for your health, however, when those occasions permit it, and you would like to have something 'sinful', without the guilt, a modest slice of carrot cake could not only hit the spot, but also encourage other family members to try healthier recipes for their families, too.
Of course, you could skip the dessert entirely, yes, this would be best for your health, however, when those occasions permit it, and you would like to have something 'sinful', without the guilt, a modest slice of carrot cake could not only hit the spot, but also encourage other family members to try healthier recipes for their families, too.
HOMEMADE CARROT CAKE -
A HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVE
Yes, carrot. A family favorite! I’ve changed the ingredients a bit to suit our health conscious goals. I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be, but I was willing to take a chance. Turns out, it was a hit. Almost everyone in my family requests this carrot cake for their birthday dessert. The exception being, when they know I don’t like to be in the kitchen, and they feel it might be asking too much, lol. It doesn’t take too long to make, and once you’ve made it a couple times, it’s a piece of cake! No pun intended.
HEALTHY(IER) CARROT CAKE
Preheat oven to 350
Mix together dry ingredients:
3 cups whole wheat flour
(Or whatever type of flour fits your needs)
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt (optional)
Mix well in a separate bowl:
½ lb. soft tofu
1 lb. grated carrots
(Roughly 4 ½ -5 cups, I just buy the shredded carrots in a package)
(Roughly 4 ½ -5 cups, I just buy the shredded carrots in a package)
¾ cup cold pressed olive oil (I usually use ½ cup)
2 c. light brown sugar
(I usually use much less, substitutions can always be made)
(I usually use much less, substitutions can always be made)
1 Tb. vanilla
¼ c. orange juice concentrate
Add dry ingredients to the wet ones. Stir until all dry parts are moistened.
Fold in:
¾ c. walnuts (Add more if you’d like to)
¾ c. raisins (Ditto)
Oil and flour pan. Bake for 45 minutes. When cool, top with whatever topping you’d like. When I first started making this cake I tried store bought cream cheese frosting, then went to homemade tofu frosting, and then to a regular whip cream topping. Which do we like best today? PLAIN!
Let me know how you like it!
Happy DAY 25!
This recipe comes from the Tofu Cookery, however, I've modified it.
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