I can be honest with you, here, can’t I? I’ve been in a bit of a funk, and I’m not talking about an uptown funk. It has been a full-scale rebellion. That’s the only word I can think of to describe it…
A month or so ago, after Christmas, I had a visit with my nutritionist. At that appointment, he told me it would be best if I could try to avoid dairy and processed white sugar. He proceeded to tell me about a few studies that he had read, which indicate that those foods in the dairy and sugar categories can lead to some cell inflammation. Cell inflammation is not good for someone with my diagnosis of t-cell lymphoma.
If you know me at all, you know I love to bake. I don’t always bake for my own self gratification – I most often find myself baking to give away to others. It is how I know to show love, especially to my family. cookies, cakes, pies, bread, cupcakes, brownies – It is an extensive list of favorites. And guess what? No dairy and no sugar takes a lot of these items off the table.
And so, I’ve been pouting.
When I left my nutritionist’s office, I felt a nudge that it was okay. I could learn to bake differently in order to improve and maintain my health. But, instead of embracing those thoughts, I scorned them. And I refused. Because I love my baking, with all of the butter and sugar I can possibly find in my kitchen, I didn’t want to learn new. I wanted my life to be the old way – no diagnosis. no need for change. no need for different.
pout. pout. pout.
Well, on this cold, sleety, “the-snow-storm’s-a-coming,” kind of Monday morning, I felt myself cave and repent of my terrible attitude. This is my life – and I need to deal with it, the healthiest way I can. Okay, maybe no dairy or sugar. But, I can find a way to bake for my people. And so, I began this journey – weird and strange as it is. I looked up a recipe for Oatmeal bake, and made it my own.
Now my kids, based on our history, are used to yumminess coming out of my oven. So, I didn’t tell them I was baking anything – because I didn’t want to disappoint them. Guess what? They loved it! And I did too! I believe it is a miracle. A snow-day miracle!
It is true – even in the simplest, every day, sense – that with God all things are possible. When he hands us circumstances, He also makes a way through what seems hard or complicated. Listen, I know that there are much more difficult and terrible things happening around the world than this. I get that. But, I also believe that He ministers to each of us in our individual struggles no matter what they are. He is so merciful!
So – I thought I’d share my half made up recipe for Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bake. Its worth the time and ingredients!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
3 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup apple sauce
1 egg
1 1/4 cup oatmeal
1/3 oatbran
mini semi sweet chips sprinkled on top, or mixed in – optional
Instructions:
Beat egg, then mix together all ingredients but the oatmeal and oat bran. Stir in oatmeal, oat bran and mini chocolate chips. Pour batter into greased 8×8 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Admittedly there was a tiny bit of sugar – but not near what I would have baked with in the past. and no dairy at all! I’m fairly proud of this first attempt – especially since my kiddos loved it and begged me to make it again tomorrow! 🙂
Thankfully, the baking rebellion is over.
(This recipe is from Gooseberry Patch, but edited significantly for my purposes. )
daily portion 