Pumpkin Cake Recipe - THM

Is there really anything better than the scent of autumn spices... and pumpkin cake? The way it warms you and entices you to try a bite or two? This recipe is low-carb, sugar-free, gluten-free if you like, and can be nut- and/or dairy-free. It is a favorite for breakfast as well as dessert. I hope you love it as much as I do!

The texture of this cake is a lot like pumpkin pie filling if you bake for only 30 minutes, and more like a bread at 40 minutes or a cake if you leave it for around 50 minutes. I have baked it for an hour and it had a wonderfully light cake texture. So it's versatile AND tastes like pumpkin pie! 

THM Recipe Post

For long-term healthy weight loss it's super important to have foods that you love every day. I have found the Trim Healthy Mama diet to be something I can really live with. On this plan we separate carb based meals from fat based meals and include protein in every one of them. 

Getting off to a good start is key for me. I need my mind to be clear and agile and find that sugar slows me down and gives me mental *gas* (and not in a good way!) My first recipe post is one that is based on a recipe that was invented by another blogger, Briana Thomas. She has a ton of great recipes but this one has really given me some mileage and I discovered some ways to make it my own - with four different flavor options. 

Here is my Creamy Oatmeal recipe, rooted in egg whites for protein (Fuel pull meal - "THM-FP"). 
  

Weight Loss Journey

Trim Healthy Mamas - Food Freedom for Healthy Eating

 

A few months ago I embarked on a new weight loss journey using the Trim Health Mama (THM) plan.  I have so far lost over 30 lbs in 5 months and have decided to share some of my own recipes developed while on this plan.  I have a ways to go, so join me!  I'll try to post pics of myself soon.

 

The recipes are low-carb, sugar-free for the most part, and even the desserts can be used a meal because they are nutritious and rooted in protein.  This diet is a haven for those who have diabetes - many have found their numbers have gone down while on the diet because it is designed to prevent spikes in blood sugar.  If you are interested you should check out the website at the link above and start researching...

 

You'll also find the plan has a Facebook page and lots of Pinterest posts (THM recipes).  My own Pinterest boards are found here.

 

Anyway, I'm going to start adding recipes to my blog and I hope you get a chance to try a few!

 

:-)

Beth



Natural Inspiration

On Facebook, Beautiful Planet Earth shared this photograph (January 13th) and my heart began to sing.  So I thought I should share with my blog mates. 

I find such inspiration in nature, and like lots of other people, it makes me feel closer to God somehow.  I heard someone say that this is because the beauty of nature is only a dim reflection of the unfathomable, overwhelming beauty of the Creator.  That rings true for me... in my experience God has shown Himself to be immeasurably beyond all of my imagination of beauty.  And isn't it always more enjoyable to share beauty (art, music, nature) together with another who also admires the subject?

Nighty-night!  Hopefully I'll dream well of God and nature...

A Day of Artistic Pursuits

My brother and sister-in-law and a friend of theirs came into the city last Friday and we had the prix fix lunch at Giovanni Venti Cinque on E. 83rd Street, NYC.  Pictured is my delicious and nutritious appetizer, Asparagi Gratinati (fresh asparagus tips served warm with melted Parmigiano), which was accompanied by the Pesche del Giorno, a fine Pinot Grigio chosen by my brother, and a selection of biscotti.  This was one of the best meals of my life--you should try this restaurant!  The service was impeccable, the servers respectful yet friendly.  We were all delighted.
Afterward we all went to the Met Museum, particularly to see the exhibits Duncan Phyfe, Master Cabinetmaker in New York and the new galleries for Islamic Art.  I had not been to the Met since before my knees began their campaign of pain and they didn't let me down--even after several hours of standing!  So this was a special day in many ways.  A return to a pastime that I had always enjoyed.  There is just nothing like a day of good food, great conversation, and a few hours contemplating art and beauty.  At the end of the day I realized how much I'd missed the this side of life.  Visual art, culinary art, performance art... they are a big part of me.

What's Going on with Me

Well, hello again.  Been a while...  but today I thought I'd check in and maybe start to take this all a little more seriously.  I need to design a remarkable page, add a few bells and whistles, and let the witty reparte (or mildly pleasant banter) flow. 

I think I have at long last set aside the Harry Potter series.  I'm sure I'll miss those magical characters.  That last movie was just marvelous, but now, with nothing further to anticipate, I'm ready to move on.  My girlfriend said she is going to take up quilting, but that's not the next big thing for me.  I have already tried cross stitch, James Patterson novels, Facebook, opera (that went well back in the day--got 2 degrees in singing it!)  But what now?  Since I live in New York City and like to travel to other places, a puppy is kind of out. 

Perhaps a return to music...?  I keep toying with that idea but, alas, my enthusiasm has waned.  My competitiveness has had the air let out of its tires and I just don't enjoy practicing for hours with no practical outlet.  I always loved being in good choirs--maybe I should find one again and audition.  For me to practice singing would take a dangling carrot--performance for an enthusiastic live audience, or a recording gig!  YEAH, BABY!!

It just seems such a shame to not use a perfectly good voice (by all counts).

In other news, my knew bionic knees are doing quite well now, a year out from two total knee replacements.  My legs still feel somewhat weaker than I remember them being.  So I keep working to increasing my walking time, stair climbing, and other forms of utilization.  It is delightful to be able to walk again without knee pain.  On the down side, my left hip and right ankle have taken over in pain production.  But that's life in an aging body and I'm not going to complain!

I hope all is well with you today.  Please keep warm this winter and find a good snuggle partner.  I would also highly recommend a big cozy sofa, a good cup of tea, wicked good shearling slippers, and a roaring fire in the fireplace.

Very First Post

So today I decided to start a Blog.  What exactly does that mean?  Have I made an irreversible commitment to a presumably devoted future public?  It's a little scary, isn't it?  I mean, what if I forget to blog for a couple of months?  Who will check in on my progress as a new blogger--will I offend and then lose my following?  Yeah, that could happen, I guess.  But for now I am just going to take it easy and think about the potential for blogging.  Nighty night--I'm turning in.