Then a really weird thing happened. Dessert. Out came my healthy chocolate cupcakes, the raw key lime pie that I also made, a store bought iced cookie cake, a trifle made with pudding, angel food cake and cool whip and lastly, Aunt Viv’s Famous Apple Cake. I prepared my other brother-in-law Jim beforehand that no matter what he thought about my desserts, he had to pretend publically that he liked them (he’s a health “nut” and I needed his moral support). Okay, back to the really weird thing . . .
No one really liked the healthy desserts.
Except for me. I thought they were amazing.
And it hit me, after 9 months of living and eating this way, refined sugar no longer has its grip on me. Real food just tastes way better. Looking at the iced cookie cake made me want to, let’s just say, regurgitate. So, if you are reading my blog like I hope you are and testing out some of the recipes for yourself, just remember the source. And I hope and pray for you that if you don’t already know it that you will someday, real food just tastes better.
This just in from my brother-in-law, 2/9/10: “I would like to publicly apologize to Wendy about my premature ridicule of the cupcakes. It must have been a fluke cross-contamination of cupcake and another dessert or other Superbowl specialty, but that initial odd taste has not returned in the slightest bit through the subsequent 3 cupcakes that I have devoured. So Wendy – please accept my deepest regrets for my comments. They are great, and you can make them for me any time! The pie — I’ve learned my lesson. Long live healthy eats. Love, Rob”
On behalf of Dr. Fuhrman and myself, thank you Rob!
Wendy,
You do have to keep your audience in mind. I think your cupcakes sound great, and I'm sure I would love them, but you are completely right that most people used to refined sugar standard deserts probably wouldn't appreciate them. You don't have to make excuses though- if you love something and think it's great, then there are others out there who will love it too. Keep sharing the good stuff.
Winnie,
Did you have a moment when you realized that your tastes had diverged significantly from the people around you? When my 10 year old daughter told me never to make those chocolate cupcakes again (and I consider her a willing subject in my healthy cooking experiments) it really left me wondering if I was crazy. Not that I would want it any other way!
(I'd probably like your cupcakes, but I really am not that into sugar. Iced giant cookie-cake? *gag*)
Have you seen The Candle Cafe Cookbook? From a vegan restaurant in NYC that we used to eat at a ton. They have wonderful desserts (that even my sugar freak husband would voluntarily choose to eat.) They do use some whole wheat flour and occasional unrefined sugar in their desserts, but in smaller-than-usual quantities, and many recipes don't have that stuff. It might be a way for you to start to transition your audience from traditional desserts to something more healthy.
Let's talk about dates. How crucial are they for this little treat? I can't seem to get behind them. I am also happy that you chose to put Max in the sink and not in the food processor. I'm working on a roasted raspberry and rhubarb cupcake that might change the world. Store bought baked goods are still no bueno for me. Thanks for sharing!
I'm going to look up The Candle Cafe Cookbook. Sounds very interesting!
I am a huge fan of dates. They are as sweet as can be and don't seem to cause me to gain weight. I love them on their own, in smoothies and as a sweetener for healthy baked and raw desserts. They are so versatile, you should give them another try. Have you tried agave syrup as a sweetener in your baking?
Rhubarb and roasted raspberry–sounds incredible!
I adore agave syrup. I will give the date a second chance. hmm, sounds like the men in my life.
You should save the photo of Max in the sink and show it to his date when he goes to prom (in 15 years).
hi wendy – i was looking through your dessert recipes … but didnt see a recipe for healthy brownies? i heard you recently made them and they were great! please post! liza
Liza-Below is the link to the recipe. It is on Dr. Fuhrman's blog (he's the dude who wrote Eat to Live). I suggest reading what other people wrote about how they improved the recipe. I tasted the batter and added about 1/3 cup of agave syrup because it just wasn't sweet enough. Let me know if you make them!
http://www.diseaseproof.com/archives/recipes-black-bean-brownies-for-valentines.html
Liza–Did you make the brownies? Did your kids eat them? My little ones will eat them but my big one won't. It's possible your kids are too old to be tricked!
Will you be my next "skinny" girl guest blogger? My readers want to hear strategies from the real world, and I know you have a lot of good strategies up your sleeve!