Monday, July 24, 2017

The Right Thing


Where do I begin….
I have spent the last two weeks working, Working and thinking and trying to figure out if I’m doing the right thing. And trying to convince myself that my job matters, that it’s worth it, that anyone really cares if these things get done or not. Trying to make this stuff matter, knowing that there is so much that matters more.
This is the story of a girl….a fragile, yet strong girl who came fighting into this life, who I have watched grow and blossom and shoulder too much, far too much for her age.  I have dried her tears every time she has had to leave me,  I have rejoiced in her innocence, her smile, her laughter, I have had my heart broken by her sad, sad eyes at times.  What do you do when faced with a choice to try to help the hopeless or save the innocent? What is the right thing to do when you are trashed and attacked for the umpteenth time in this vicious cycle of mental torture, and you have a chance to save at least one of the victims. At least one.
The choice is clear. I know now that I cannot save the attacker. That ship has sailed, it’s beyond my power as matriarch, mother or friend to do anything to change it.  But the child who is no longer a child, the innocent victim who longs only for a normal happy life after too many years of conflict, too many years of carrying the responsibilities that never should have been hers.  She is the victim in this, she needs us,  needs shelter and protection and unconditional love.  And so we have spent the last two weeks doing just that. Discussing her future, college. We took her out east to the farm stands, to lunch, took her to her first concert, we let her be who she is. This beautiful young lady who still loves Disney, yet watches NCIS and Law and Order.  We crammed all of the unconditional love and support and encouragement we possibly could in to these days with her, and tried to teach her to rise above the adversity, rise above the attacks, walk away from the toxicity and never, never let it destroy her.  In all of the insecurity and confusion, I can only hope that we have become an island of serenity and security for her, a safe place where we will not tolerate anyone hurting her like that ever again, where we can do our best to fade the memory of the cruel words and names that were hurled at her out of anger, out of jealousy, out of rage.  That we can be here for her always to come home to, always to count on, always to trust not to use or abuse her, not to steal from her or con her, but to be her family, because that’s what we are. Unconditionally accepting, loving, supporting this beautiful girl, and helping her to grow into the best young lady that she can be. I know I made the right decision, it’s what my parents would have done. In different ways, in a different time, it’s what they did.  Stepping in when I faltered, when I was unsure, offering security where I was unsure.
Offering love when I was hating myself and my life. They let me sort out my own demons, but saw to it that my kids were secure. What comes around goes around, and history does repeat.  In this, I will try to break the cycle, try to give this beautiful young lady a positive path to follow, the foundation that she should have had all along, and the common sense to rise above and shine, despite the demons, despite the hurt, despite the sorrow and loss. She does not have to fight the demons alone, she does not have to wallow in the past. Never again..




This is the story of a girl
Who cried a river and drowned the whole world
And while she looks so sad in photographs
I absolutely love her
When she smiles...
~Absolutely by Four Years Strong~

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Sinful

Sinful
So, I came across this recipe* on Facebook. Low Carb Chocolate mousse?  Living with a carb conscious fiancé, having two kids who are trying to eat healthy and lose weight?  Yes, thank you!  Of course, skepticism crept up on me. I mean, I’m a baker. I excel (she said modestly) at desserts. Chocolate mousse cannot possibly be low carb OR easy. I know. I’ve made it before. No eggs?? No cream?? HA!  No way is this gonna come out decent.
I stand corrected. I got the Coconut Cream, the Splenda and cocoa I had. Oh, and the Ghiradeli special dark bakers chocolate for shaving…which I totally forgot to use but it’s fine. Next time. Which will likely be tomorrow.
Two cans of coconut cream go in the fridge (Overnight). I did not know coconut cream did what it did in there. The liquid stays at the bottom, the fat and cream rise to the top. THAT’S what you use. Literally scoop that thick muck out of the top and dispose of the coconut water that’s left. Or drink it, if you’re into that. I am not. Bleh. The coconut thing was a huge hurdle for me as far as wondering how this was gonna taste. I strongly dislike coconut for no good reason.
As far as putting it all together, I pretty much followed the recipe exactly.




Blend, blend, and blend more...
The sugar, I used 3 Tablespoons of baking Splenda. The cocoa was Hershey’s special dark. Oh and I skipped the salt. And forgot the shaved chocolate, but as I said, next time. The main objective here is the mousse itself. So easy, too. Beat the hell out of the coconut cream til it’s smooth (remember, you’ve got those bits of milk fat that need to be broken down) with the Splenda. Fold in the cocoa then beat the hell out of it some more til it’s smooth. That’s it. Done. Too easy for it to be anywhere near actual chocolate mousse, no? Yea, surprise.
Coconut Cream...who knew it could do that!





It. Was. Amazing.  I normally do not taste the many low carb desserts I have made because that Splenda aftertaste. There is no hint of artificial sweetener in this stuff.
Four perfect portions...
None. It is just creamy, smooth, rich, chocolatey bliss. Trust me, if I rave about a low carb, sugar free dessert, you can believe it’s phenomenal.
Then the fiancé (the original Mr. Low Carb, mind you, and I say that with the utmost affection) tried it. He says his mouth is still watering. I guess it was pretty damn good then.
In a world of things he can’t have, it gives me endless happiness to find a dessert substitute that isn’t cardboard. I fear I will be making this one over and over again.


Ready to serve with reserved coconut cream, and strawberries

















3- Ingredient Chocolate Mousse (Low Carb)
Rich, chocolaty bliss!
Rich Chocolate Mousse in minutes! No eggs. No dairy. And only 3 ingredients to thick, creamy and rich chocolate mousse that happens to be low carb and real really good for you.

Weight Watchers: 5pp per serve (out of 8 serves)
Servings: 8
Calories: 192 kcal
Author: Karina - Cafe Delites
Ingredients
·         2 x 400ml (13.7oz) cans full fat coconut cream or coconut milk *See Notes
·         2 tablespoons confectioners sweetener (or confectioners | icing sugar if not counting carbs)
·         3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
·         pinch of salt (optional! About 1/4 teaspoon. Adjust to your tastes)
·         20 g | 2 squares 70% chocolate , shaved (optional for extra richness -- or sugar free chocolate chips)
·         extra shaved chocolate to garnish
Instructions
1.    Place sealed cans of coconut cream (or milk) in the refrigerator overnight. Without shaking the cans, open and scoop out the thick cream sitting at the top over the water. Transfer the cream to a bowl and discard the liquid left in the cans.
2.    Add the sweetener (or sugar) and beat on high using a hand mixer (or whisk) until thick and creamy (about 1-2 minutes). Reserve about 4 tablespoons of the plain 'whipped cream' to use as a topping to serve with (optional), and set aside.
3.    Fold the cocoa powder and salt through the cream and beat (or whisk) again until smooth, well combined and thick. Fold through the shaved chocolate. Depending on the coconut milk you use, a mousse will form almost immediately once the cocoa powder is mixed through. If not, refrigerate until set and ready to serve, or serve immediately. Dollop the 'plain whipped cream' over the mousse and sprinkle with shaved chocolate (if using).
Recipe Notes
*I found coconut cream worked the best, but you can use coconut milk. Do not try to use light or reduced fat. You need the fat content in both the cream and/or milk to make the cream successfully or it may not work.
Nutrition Facts
3- Ingredient Chocolate Mousse (Low Carb)
Amount Per Serving (0 g)
Calories 192Calories from Fat 167
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18.6g  29%
Cholesterol 3mg  1%
Total Carbohydrates 3.6g  1%
Dietary Fiber 0.6g   2%
Sugars 1.2g
Protein 1.6g  3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Credit where credit is due-it came from Café Delites website.