The time has come!

Hi there!

I've switched to Wordpress.com....yes. I finally did it!

So here's the new blog:

www.abigailrosy.wordpress.com

Hope to see y'all there! :)

Etsy finds! :)

Here are some random things I saw on Esty.com just right now...

Alphabet Letter Tiles in bright colors

This Dress

This hat

These really amazing reusable sandwich bags

:)

Chocolate Cake, anyone?

Yesterday I was reading this fantastic cookbook that has brought me much joy(it contains my all-time favorite truffle recipe, which I'll have to share with you once I get some more chocolate). And guess what I found??

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE!!! :) 

It contains no gluten and sugar. I find that a lot of chocolate cakes can be really dry(Like, it clogs up your throat unless you soak it in milk. Overnight. Ick.), especially if they're healthy. 

Well, as you might know, I am eating gluten-free because I've had joint problems for a few years. And eating gluten-free holds symptoms at bay if one has anklosing spondylitis(arthritis that affects the back, arms, hands, feet, etc). I also got my blood tested and found out that I have an extreme deficiency in Vitamin D(my level was 54, it's supposed to be about 250)- and the result of Vit. D deficiency is joint pain, among other things. So that's probably much of the reason, but because I was getting results with eating gluten-free as well, I decided to keep going with that just in case. 

Anyways, I got a bit off-track there. Where was I? So. I'm eating gluten-free, and also sugar-free because, well, sugar is pretty much poison. haha :) 

And this cake is JUST perfect! It makes me happy. :) 

So, without further ado, as you requested, my friends, here is the recipe!

Flourless Chocolate Cake(Gluten-free, sugar-free)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

8 ounces(squares) unsweetened chocolate, chopped into small pieces

5 large eggs, separated

Pinch of sea salt

1 cup light(or blue, or amber) agave nectar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Lightly butter or oil a 10-inch round cake pan.

2. Place the butter and chocolate in a double boiler and melt over lightly simmering water, or in a saucepan. Stir well to melt the chocolate completely(but don't burn!)

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, salt, 3/4 cup of the agave nectar, and the vanilla extract. Set aside.

4. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 1-2 minutes. Gradually drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup of agave nectar and continue to beat the egg whites until stiff and glossy, but not dry, approximately 1-2 minutes. 

5. Stir the egg yolk mixture into the chocolate mixture, then gently fold the egg white mixture into the chocolate, until no white streaks remain. 

6. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for about 75 minutes(1 hr 15 min), until cake is set. Remove from the oven and turn out the cake onto a large plate. Carefully invert again onto a cooling rack so that the top side is up. Cool until just warm. Slide the cake onto a serving plate using 2 large spatulas. 

7. Serve warm with any combination of sauce*, whipped cream**, and ice cream.

*Hot Fudge Sauce(Gluten-free, can be vegan)

3/4 cup light/blue/amber agave nectar

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

2 tbsp unsalted butter(or substitute)

1/3 cup heavy cream(or substitute)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1. In a small saucepan, bring the agave nectar to a boil. Decrease heat to medium and simmer for 2 minutes. 2. Stir in the water. 

3. Return to a boil and add the cocoa powder. Decrease the heat to low and simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly. 

4. Add the unsweetened chocolate, butter, and cream and bring back to a boil. 

5. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. 

This sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks; to serve, just warm in a saucepan on low(or microwave for 1 minute), stir well, and serve. 

**Agave Nectar Whipped Cream(Gluten free, too!)

2 cups heavy cream

5 tbsp light/blue/amber agave nectar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

Pinch of sea salt

1. Beat all ingredients with mixer until stiff peaks form, approximately 2-3 minutes. Can be stored in fridge for 2-3 days. 

Tip: My Gram often adds cream of tartar to her whipped cream, to thicken it. 

I was going to try the fudge sauce and whipped cream, but I didn't have enough unsweetened chocolate, and I didn't know that we had cream. So...if you try it, can you let me know how it turns out? Thanks! :) 

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus

This Friday we remember the day upon which the Blood of the Lamb of God was spilled, poured out for the forgiveness of our sins. When we come to know the Lord and confess His Lordship over us, we are washed in the blood of the Risen King- Jesus. His blood washes us from all iniquity- and because we are covered in the blood of Jesus, we are justified, redeemed, and passed over. We are cleansed from our inherited sinful nature.

"And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt."

                                                                                           -Exodus 12:13

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His Blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed."

                                                                                          -Romans 3:23-25

"for this is My Blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins."

                                                                                           -Matthew 26:28

"In Him we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us."

                                                                                          -Ephesians 1:7-8a

"And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

                                                                                         -Hebrews 9:22

"knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the Blood of Christ."

                                                                                        -1 Peter 1:19

 "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean, sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more then will the Blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God?" 

                                                                                -Hebrews 9:13-14 

 

Oh, praise the Lord for His unmerited love and grace towards us!

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

 

If you were at our house tonight, this is what you'd be served.

Creamy Alfredo(this is a favorite of ours- and it's vegan too!)


1/2 cup raw cashews
1 tbsp unbleached white flour
1 tbsp all-vegetable chicken-flavored boullion
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp onion powder(we never put this in because we never have it/can't find it)
1 1/4 cups water
1 tsp basil

1. Pour cashews, flour, seasoning, onion powder, and salt into blender/food processor. Add water and blend until creamy.
2. Pour blended mixture into saucepan and bring to a slow boil.
3. Add basil and remove from heat.
4. Ladle over cooked noodles(fettuccine, etc) or serve with steamed broccoli pieces. You can top with white cheddar cheese if you so desire.

Salmon
1. Prepare your salmon.
2. Slather butter on it- generously.
3. Sprinkle brown sugar all over.
4. Shake dry mustard on top
5. Squeeze lemon juice over all.

OR, after butter, cover the salmon with onion slices. We sometimes do half the salmon with the brown sugar/mustard stuff, and half with the onions.

Anyway, I'm in a food-making mood so I expect you'll be seeing more recipes on here.

Greek Salad

Salad:
-1 Tomato
-1 cucumber
-A bunch of fresh sprouts
-A handful of fresh, organic olives
-Feta cheese, however much you like

Dressing:
-1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
-1/8 cup cold-pressed olive oil
-A couple shakes of oregano
-Garlic, to taste

Mix...and eat! Quick and easy!
(Makes enough for two servings)

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

"There is none like the God of Israel, Who rides the heavens to your help,

And through the skies in His majesty.

The eternal God is a dwelling place,

And underneath are the everlasting arms;

As He drove out the enemy from before you..."

                -Deuteronomy 33:26-27