Almond Granola Bars

1 1/2 c rolled oats
1/4 c oat bran
1/4 c chopped almonds
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbs Organic extra virgin coconut oil ( may need a little extra if dry)
1/3 c Organic Blue Agave
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract

Combine dry ingredients in large bowl, mix and then add remaining ingredients and mix well again. Put mixture on a greased cookie sheet and press mixture to form a rectangle 7" by 9". Bake in an oven set at 350 for 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and cut into bars with a Sharpe knife , separate slightly and place back in the oven for 5 more minutes. Cool on the sheet. Any crumbs can be saved and used on plain yogurt.

Applesauce Raisin Muffins

1 lg egg
2 tbsp melted organic extra virgin coconut oil
1 1/2 cup homemade applesauce unsweetened
2 c all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c raisins

Beat together egg,oil,applesauce. Add dry ingredients, mix well then add raisins. Spoon into muffin greased pans ( I use the real big ones). Bake in oven at 375 degree for 20 mins or until firm to the touch.

No More Sugar

I would like to share with you my adventures in becoming free of sugar. As long as I can remember I have enjoyed sweets too much. I grew up in a sweet shop in Blackpool England and like many English people I have a fondness for Cakes, cookies, pies and such. Giving up these tasty morsels is not as hard as moderating them, but it takes a mind set. This is not the first time that I have given up sweets, but it seems to be a much more serious attempt. In the past I have managed to not eat any desert, cake, cookie, muffin, sweet bread or candy for periods of maybe a month before I get the feisty little man in my head telling me how wrong it is that I can not have a piece of my pecan pie, carrot cake, or any of the other million mouth watering sugar laden temptations I love to bake. The little man tells me how I deserve it, how I really can manage it, how I should eat only stuff I bake myself, and only at the weekend, and I will only have one piece. Now this is all rubbish, but I like I , sure I say, right, yes, that's what I will do, and I say, "if I fail I will give it up forever", and so it goes. But this time is different---- One I started on Valentine's Day, I threw all my cake recipes away and my cake pans away and then I gave everything in the house that has sugar in it to a friend. Now for me to do this is very very serious. My recipes are a huge part of my life, baking is a passion for me, second to eating it though! Giving away the products with sugar in them is also a big step, growing up with no money makes you tend to not throw your stuff away. But it had to be done, I believe that sugar is poison and it will kill us. We have been tricked to need it, to let it control us. Now this for me is not about weight it is about health. The only sweeteners I will use are Organic Blue Agave ( you need to be really careful about this product, you can't buy any on the market make sure it says Organic Blue Agave) and fruit. You need to watch for products that are sweetened with concentrated fruit juice, it will be too much fructose. The label will say sugar free and maybe naturally flavored, but that is not the same as good for you.
I did make some muffins this morning and they are good. I made some Italian Salad Dressing, I did not like it, I need to try another one. I also made granola. I would like to share with you all the challenges I go through.