Raise your hand if you’ve homeschooled without coffee and chocolate. {Raising my hand.}
Back in January I shared about my challenge with arthritis in Awaking to the Aching. Guess what? My aunt saw my post and shared her success story. See, she also has had arthritis for lengthy time. Well, her doctor put her on a diet. The diet’s side effect? A noticeable difference in arthritis pain.
I saw this as a possible answer. An answer to prayer! So, a few days later I also went sugar free, caffeine free, coffee free. I started avoiding citrus, dairy and tomatoes. It was tough, let me tell you. But after I made it through that first week, I could also tell a noticeable difference. My hands weren’t all swollen! I had more energy. I just felt so much better!
I ramped up the homemade bread making. I listened to friends share their healthy living tips. I’ve learned a bunch! Plus, we have a border-line diabetic in the house and this arthritis friendly living will help him too.
Since January I have cheated here and there. But I can always tell when I’ve had something I shouldn’t. So here we are:
Egg-free. Peanut-free. Tree nut-free. Diabetic and Arthritis Friendly Living.
Fast forward to last week. My aunt brought these delicious treats to share when we all got together at Mama Ann’s. She and I have agreed to share recipes with each other to continue to motivate us to stay the course. These are delicious. Everyone. I’ll say it again. Everyone ate them and said how much they love them!
With all that background information, it’s time for the recipe. Aunt Mary Ann shared the link, so click over to:
Her notes: She used half whole wheat flour. Egg substitute was made with a combination of 2 T. ground flax seed, 5 T. sugarless applesauce and baking powder. (All our favorite egg substitutes here). She also added a tsp of cinnamon and 1/8 tsp of nutmeg, and dried apricots along with the other fruits.
In the days ahead I’ll be sharing some greener, healthier dishes. Some of those I’ve been enjoying. How about you? Have any sugar-free recipes to share?
All Things Beautiful says
March 23, 2011 at 7:47 AMI had not read that post before and I have been moved today by it. I, as you probably know, have a disorder which causes me daily pain and I have had it intense enough that I had to teach laying down many days in a row before. It has caused me to lean on him, and in the end greater joy. I have learned to appreciate life in a different way. It changes your priorites. It slows down the passage of time. You savor more.
I wonder if your diet would help. It is worth a try. The bars do sound like a good place to start because they sound so good.
Hodgepodgemom says
March 23, 2011 at 8:45 AMPhyllis, my friend, what a living testimony you are! Yes m’am, it’s all that you said – causes you to lean on Him, appreciate life in a different way, change your priorities. So very hard for me sometimes as I am a keep on going kind of gal. But He is teaching me. And showing me answers through precious people like you. I just tried these bars last week. A wonderful thing to turn to when the hungries hit. Partnering with you in prayer! ~ Tricia
Paige says
March 27, 2011 at 4:43 PMYOU GAVE UP COFFEE??????? You are a better woman than me! I don’t know that my second graders would make it for the first week… 🙂
Hodgepodgemom says
March 27, 2011 at 6:29 PMPaige! I had reached the point. It was a rough, rough 1st week of headaches. But after that first week I felt so much better. Now, after about 6 weeks I treated myself to a cup. So I have one now and then. But not afternoon coffee anymore. That’s what I cut out first 🙁 I’m going to keep working at adding small amounts and seeing if it bothers me. I know. Can you believe it? I warned my ‘students’ about what I was doing. They alternately steered clear and stepped up to help 🙂