If you planted a zucchini you have a lot! Well, have I got the recipe for you. I adapted this recipe, that another blogger adapted, and included some spices similar to a recipe my great grandma would make when I was a kid. Her cake was the first time I would even consider eating zucchini cake. Try it...I guarantee you'll love it!
Chocolate Spice Zucchini Cake (GF/CF) (adapted from this page)
Mix together in large bowl, set aside:
3 eggs
1 1/4 c sugar ( I've updated this...and will try 1 c next time (was 2 c in the original recipe, everyone at work seemed just fine with 1 1/4 c!)
3/4 c milk (I use unsweetened almond milk)
3/4 c oil
1 T vanilla
Sift together, then add to wet ingredients:
1 tsp salt
1.5 c gluten-free flour blend (ingredients can be found at the link above, works great)
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 c cocoa
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
2 c zucchini, shredded give or take a bit (I usually use 2 medium zukes)
Once the dry ingredients are mixed in well with the wet ingredients (get rid of those cocoa lumps!), add the zucchini. Pour into greased 13x9 pan and cook at 350 for at least 20 minutes or until done. Take out and cool on a rack. Unlike many gluten-free baked goods, because of the zucchini, this cake will not dry out...it gets moister with age. I actually like it better after a day or two!
Optional: Sprinkle chopped pecans/walnuts, cocoa nibs/chocolate chips on top before baking.
Showing posts with label self-sufficiency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self-sufficiency. Show all posts
August 11, 2009
April 30, 2008
Thoughts on Self-Worth
Our dog, Carson, left about 3 weeks ago. He was only in our home for about 8 months but provided me with a number of opportunities to learn and grow. The day he left was very difficult for both Andy and myself. Andy might have shed a few tears (I'm not telling). I mentioned to him that in the 6.5 years we have known each other, that was perhaps only the second time I had seen that happen. His answer was something to the extent of, "I don't let emotions rule my life. I use rational thought." In the past, he has told me that I viewed self-sufficiency as a virtue, like that was a bad thing.
Using rational thought and self-sufficiency are wonderful virtues in their place. But are they always positive or can these virtues can be a negative in our lives? And, just when, if ever, do they become a negative.
It was a rough week after Carson left. That Wednesday, I went to group meditation at my church and decided to try working on this. Later I almost wished I had stuck with, "Breathing in, breathing out," rather than try to handle such a sensitive subject. As I was working on this, I had a light-bulb moment.
For me, being self-sufficient is a virtue and I'm okay with that. In fact, I value that about myself. It had become a negative for me when somewhere along the line, my self-worth got involved. A situation, such as Carson, caused me additional pain because I felt like such a failure for not being able to fix it...by myself or with outside help.
What a light-bulb! I am still trying to figure out how I can put this into useful practice in my life. As with many things, we often learn to recognize these traits or habits after we perform them. Being able to recognize this is a step in the right direction.
Perhaps in time, I will be able to ask myself, "Self, is your worth wrapped up in being able to perform this task? Is that good or bad?" Until then, I just hope to be able to say, "Oh, that's what happened" and move on without beating myself up over a perceived failure.
So this is my story about self-worth. I hope your self-worth is great. But if it's not, maybe you have something that might be getting in the way. Maybe it's not avoidance of emotion or the need to be self-sufficient. Do you know what's holding you back? Is there something you could lovingly ponder within yourself? How can you help yourself? Will it provide you with the opportunity to learn and grow? You are the only one who truly knows where you are.
Using rational thought and self-sufficiency are wonderful virtues in their place. But are they always positive or can these virtues can be a negative in our lives? And, just when, if ever, do they become a negative.
It was a rough week after Carson left. That Wednesday, I went to group meditation at my church and decided to try working on this. Later I almost wished I had stuck with, "Breathing in, breathing out," rather than try to handle such a sensitive subject. As I was working on this, I had a light-bulb moment.
For me, being self-sufficient is a virtue and I'm okay with that. In fact, I value that about myself. It had become a negative for me when somewhere along the line, my self-worth got involved. A situation, such as Carson, caused me additional pain because I felt like such a failure for not being able to fix it...by myself or with outside help.
What a light-bulb! I am still trying to figure out how I can put this into useful practice in my life. As with many things, we often learn to recognize these traits or habits after we perform them. Being able to recognize this is a step in the right direction.
Perhaps in time, I will be able to ask myself, "Self, is your worth wrapped up in being able to perform this task? Is that good or bad?" Until then, I just hope to be able to say, "Oh, that's what happened" and move on without beating myself up over a perceived failure.
So this is my story about self-worth. I hope your self-worth is great. But if it's not, maybe you have something that might be getting in the way. Maybe it's not avoidance of emotion or the need to be self-sufficient. Do you know what's holding you back? Is there something you could lovingly ponder within yourself? How can you help yourself? Will it provide you with the opportunity to learn and grow? You are the only one who truly knows where you are.
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