No Coconut Oil For Me!

The Best Vegan Gluten Free Brownies

•  ¼ cup almond butter
•  2/3 cup maple syrup 
•  2 Bob's Red Mill Egg Replacer eggs 
•  1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•  1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
•  1/4 teaspoon salt
•  1 cup blanched almond flour
•  1/3 cup arrowroot starch
•  1 teaspoon baking powder
•  1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Bake in 8-inch baking dish.
2.  Mix together the almond butter, syrup, egg replacer eggs, and vanilla.
3. In cuisinart, blend the cocoa powder, salt, almond flour, arrowroot, and baking powder. Blend the wet ingredients into the dry until well combined.  Stir in walnuts. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting. 

Going Plant-Based

At the end of June I came across Plant-Based Nation on YouTube. After watching the video, I jumped totally into the plant-based diet. I decided to make myself a guinnea pig to see for myself if this diet would improve my blood pressure and help me to drop at least 5 pounds in order to lower my blood pressure. Yes, I read numerous books and websites on the benefits of plant-based diets. I was positive that this would work since many others were able to change their health by eating plant-based-- and for all that stayed on the diet, it saved their life.

Plant-based is different from vegan. One does not consume meat, fish, dairy, eggs, oils, and processed foods . Only plants and whole grains. "If it has a face, then don't eat it" states Dr. Esselstyn.

Well, after being on the diet for almost 4 months, I have lost 16 pounds and lowered my blood pressure to the normal range. I have more energy than I have had in years, and I no longer get out of breath on my hikes.

Yup! I'm staying on this diet for the rest of my life. So the title of my blog is changing to Plant-based and Gluten Free. And I challenge any reader to go plant-base for at least two to three weeks to improve their health too. One can start with Rip Esselstyn's challenge and Facebook support group!

Almond Avocado Brownies

These gluten-free, moist brownies are super yummy and totally easy to make!

Ingredients:

3 extremely ripe avocados
2 eggs
1/2 sugar
1/4 cup dark chocolate cocoa
1 tsp. baking power
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup almond flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 chocolate chips

Directions:

Mash avocados with eggs. Incorporate dry ingredients to mashed avocados and egg mixture, mix well. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips, then pour into an 8X8 greased baking pan.

Bake 350F for 25-30 minutes. Cool and serve.

Another way to use overly ripe avocados.