Coconut Macaroons

Coconut Macaroons

1¼ cups water

1 stick unsalted butter

½ cup non GMO Erythritol or Birch Xylitol

1 teaspoon SweetLeaf Stevia Clear

2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

½ teaspoon coconut extract, optional

4 cups unsweetened shredded coconut

2 cups instant, dry, powdered milk

1 Tablespoon Great Lakes Gelatin, optional, but makes cookie softer
Put 1 cup water and butter and heat until the butter is melted.   Add erythritol or birch xylitol and stir well.

Remove from the heat.  Add vanilla, coconut extract, and clear stevia to the water mix.

In a bowl, mix shredded coconut and dry powdered milk.

Sprinkle the gelatin over ¼ cup water and mix well.  Then, add it to the pan with the warm water, butter mix.  Pour the liquid over the dry mix and mix well.

Use a melon ball scoop or a measuring tablespoon to dip out the cookie dough,  form into balls.

Place them on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet or spray the cookie sheets.

You can freeze these on the cookie sheet and then, put them into a zip lock bag to bake later or you can just chill them slightly and then, bake them at 325 for 15 minutes until the bottoms are slightly brown. (I got in a hurry today and cooked them without chilling them..They are fine! Eating one right now!)

Macaroons are supposed to be soft, so do not overbake.

Variations:

Dip the cooled cookies into a chocolate sauce, carob sauce or fruit sauce.

Eat the batter raw with almonds. It is quite like almond coconut candy!

I get my unsweetened, shredded coconut from Tropical Traditions. It is really good stuff. I personally prefer to get organic, dry powdered milk. I have found it in goat’s milk, too.

Six Years and Yes, Still Counting!

Six years ago today was the first day of being sugar free.  On that day, six years ago, I went back on the yeast fungal diet, which meant no grains, no sugars and no starchy or fungal foods.  I had done it before, but this time it was different.  Instead of a temporary “diet” until I felt better, I was convicted this time that I needed to make this change a lifestyle and not a “diet”.  To quote Jim Rohn, “what a grand and glorious day” it is when we are “fed up” with the status quo and make a decision to change our lives!

This time I did not change my diet, instead I embraced a totally new way to eat.  I am committed to being sugar free and grain free, but also chemical free.  I don’t want chemicals in my food, my water, my skin care, my hair care, my cleaning products, etc.

I have become an avid label reader!  There are forms of sugar and grains in food products of every sort, even in health food stores.  Folks, organic poison is still poison and organic sugar is still sugar, even when it is called by one of its many code names like “organic evaporated cane juice”.  Don’t be fooled.  Learn the many names of sugar and of artificial sweeteners and avoid them.

Better yet, just make your own food from single ingredient items.  In other words, shop for produce, meat, eggs, and dairy and don’t buy anything that has an ingredient list.  Investigate those dairy items, as even those can be full of chemicals or have funny additives.

The foundation for my way of eating is found at http://www.knowthecause.com.  I have an advantage now over the times in years past when I temporarily made the switch.  Now, I have an abundance of alternatives for grains, like coconut flour and almond flour, which are the two I use the most.  Now, I have sources for recipes like never before, like WHEAT BELLY, Paleo sites and so many more people who are seeking a grain free, sugar free lifestyle.

While I am grain and sugar free, one of the key factors that influence my health, both physically and mentally is the fact that I avoid all products claiming to be low or no fat.  I eat FULL fat foods.  I have found that using real butter and coconut oil keep me feeling more satisfied.    So many people have been deceived and believe that they need to be low carb and low fat.

Just to clarify, I EAT full fat foods and all the veggies and fruit I want.  The only veggies I totally avoid are potatoes and mushrooms, which are starch and fungus.  Those are foods like grains and sugar that feed the inflammation, so I avoid them.

As you can see from the recipes on this blog, I enjoy many wonderful foods and special dishes without grains and sugar.

I tried to make this change a half a dozen times from 1993 forward.  I did not succeed the other times because I felt like a deprived martyr.  What made the difference this time?  This time, I was convicted and committed to make a permanent change.  I deliberately sought for healthy foods.  I deliberately converted our family favorites to healthier versions.  I was determined to be healthy AND find happy foods for special occasions.

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?  Are you ready for a permanent change to a healthy lifestyle?  My family, friends and I have paved the way.  We are compiling the helps for you.  You are NOT stuck.  Your health and wellness CAN change and for the better.

Most people who have tasted my cooking and baking love our food and have a hard time believing they are grain and sugar free.

I invite you on this journey with me.  I invite you to give God the glory with every bite you eat and with every beverage you drink.  I invite you to honor the LORD God with your body, soul and spirit.

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body^[a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20

Today is day 1,828!  To God be the glory!