Advent (A time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas) is a season of preparation. We are to slow down enough to prepare our hearts to receive the LORD who came as an infant AND to look with great expectation for His second coming. Who ever associates the phrase “slow down” with any week between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day in the year of our Lord 2013? But prepare we must, especially if the plan is to survive the holidays without our waistlines expanding as large as our goodwill towards men in this season of joy.
None of these desserts are “low calorie”. If you want a low calorie dessert, skip it altogether. I personally do not recommend ANY “diet desserts” to clients I work with. The ingredient lists are a paragraph long and most of the ingredients are items that only the chemical engineer could easily identify. Artificial sweeteners send a message to the brain that something sweet is coming on board but when the calories don’t follow, one is left feeling unsatisfied…and looking for more food shortly thereafter. So if you’re going to have dessert, HAVE DESSERT.
Here are two recipes for you to try this season that are comprised of genuine and wholesome foods. Both are relatively easy to make with less than 15 minutes “hands on” preparation. Both have ingredients that give an additional nutritional boost to the meal. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
GINGERBREAD
“Had I but a penny in the world, thou shouldst have it for gingerbread” William Shakespeare. This dark molasses cake flavored with ginger is wonderfully spicy and fills the kitchen with its comforting aroma. William Shakespeare would have needed two pennies for this!
Serves: 9
½ cup molasses ½ cup cane sugar, organic 1 egg, large 1 cup white whole wheat flour (King Arthur for example) ½ cup whole wheat flour 1 ½ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon nutmeg 1 teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon cloves, ground ½ teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ cup canola oil ½ cup boiling water
1. Preheat oven to 350-degrees F. Grease and 8-inch or 9-inch square pan. Put kettle on to boil water. 2. Add molasses, sugar and egg to large mixing bowl. Mix at low speed until combined. 3. Add flours, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, salt and baking soda to bowl. Mix well. The dough will be thick. 4. Add oil and boiling water to dough. Mix on low speed to avoid splash-back then increase speed. Beat for 30 seconds or until well mixed. Batter will be thin. 5. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a tester/ toothpick comes out clean.
Serve with whipped cream or lemon curd as desired but it really is awesome as is. Nutritional attributes: Molasses is a source of iron, magnesium and potassium; use of whole wheat flour increases fiber, white whole wheat flour contains wheat ONLY. (All-purpose flour also contains barley.)
”FRIED APPLES”
This is more of a technique than a recipe but the end result tastes suspiciously like apple pie without nearly the time or work! Use two kinds of apples to add flavor interest.
Serves 3
1 tart apple, unpeeled (Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Honeycrisp) 1 sweet apple, unpeeled (Rome, Empire) ½ tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon butter Cinnamon to taste 2 Graham Crackers, crushed Whipped cream, optional
1. Wash apples, core and slice OR use an apple slicer 2. Crush graham crackers into crumbs and divide between 3 individual bowls, set aside. 2. Heat oil and butter in a large skillet. 3. Add apples and stir until softened slightly, about 5 minutes. 4. Shake cinnamon generously while stirring. 5. Spoon apples over graham cracker crumbs. 6. Serve with whipped cream
Nutritional attributes: Apples with peels are a good source of fiber, phytonutrients and antioxidants.
Good nutrition has to make sense for you. When healthy eating is fun, enjoyable and anticipated you create a pathway to better nutrition. Eating healthier happens when it is functional – when it is a practical and natural part of your daily diet – your daily routine. Making smart and wholesome choices is a good way to enjoy dessert this season. Do it for your family, friends, co-workers, church members and especially those who are really focused on ‘diet’. Dessert makes every meal a little sweeter. Your dessert will deliver the extra benefit of being healthier too.
Elizabeth Barge, MEd, RD, CLT, a Certified LEAP Therapist in private practice, helps people calm inflammation by addressing food sensitivities. She is also the Substitute Teaching Leader for the Bible Study Fellowship evening women’s class in Virginia Beach.
