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Real Food Real Fuel



On January 1st of this year I started a resolution to eat more real foods. This idea was sparked by real food bloggers like Lisa Leake and Trina Holden. These woman have inspired me greatly to not only eat more real foods but to cook and bake with more real foods. To start out my pledge I cut out all white flour and white sugar from my diet for 45 days. I started to bake my own bread because I could not find actual whole grain bread for sale. Have you ever read the ingredients of your whole wheat bread? It isn't really what it's cracked up to be. So many things in my kitchen had to go: ketchup, salad dressing, vegetable oil, Hershey's Chocolate Syrup, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Cool whip and the list goes on and on. I really had little to know knowledge about reading ingredients for years I was more concerned with calories and nutritional info which can be important info. but now to me the most important info is the ingredients. I am a huge chocolate fan so for the first few weeks of my pledge I was struggling hard core until I stumbled upon a recipe that Trina Holden had on her site. The recipe was for gluten free sugar free brownies made out of nutbutter. When I whipped up the batch I knew immediately that these brownies were going to be heavenly the consistency was an exact match of any other brownies I have ever made. I mixed 1 cup of almond butter with 1 egg and 2/3 cup of honey with the tablespoon of vanilla. Once smooth I added 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda and 1/3 cup chopped peacans. I then put the batter in an 8x8 pan greased with coconut oil and baked them for 20-25 minutes at 350.



Better than boxed - Nutbutter Brownies
Adpated from Trina Holden
(Printable Version)

Ingredients:

1 cup almond butter (can use other nut-butter as substitute)
1 egg or 1 flax egg to quickly make this recipe vegan
2/3 cup honey or vegan alternative sweetener
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup cocoa powder or carob powder
1/2 cup chopped nuts 

Blend nut Butter egg or flax egg with honey and vanilla.
Once well blended mix in salt baking soda and cocoa powered and chopped nuts.
Place in 8x8 greased pan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes and 350. 



I have made these brownies a few times now. I have used almond butter with a a bit of peanut butter when I did not have a full cup of almond butter. I used pecans as a add in, but walnuts have been my favorite. These brownies are moist and very satisfy. These are a feel food good that you can honestly feel good about eating knowing you are eating nutrient rich ingredients. After a long day I love winding down with one of these brownies and a cup of milk. After my 45 day pledge I have been continuing to eat about 90% real foods but allowing myself some refined sugars and flours here and there. My goal is to maintain this way of life and hopefully get my family on board with real foods as well. I am excited to continue on my real food journey and I look forward to making new recipes to keep me fit and fueled.


If you loved this recipe please check out Trina Holden - Real {Fast} Food Book

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