Evolving…

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Gluten-free Apple walnut bread

I’m still in that limbo of trying to figure out who I am, as What A Girl Eats. I guess I should “know” myself after 50 some years. But I am a late bloomer, still evolving. I know I can only post what I feel comfortable supporting and eating, and maybe you’ve seen the changes in my posts.

When Andrew, from Eating Rules, posted about October Unprocessed, I was hesitant. I would have to change the food I make, to a certain extent. Would you still travel that road with me? I know everyone’s journey is personal, but I might have stated somewhere on my site, that once I find out something, everybody around me is bound to learn  about it as well.

As I read more about Unprocessed, I realized flour doesn’t fall in the “unprocessed” category, and therefore would not be allowed. Just about that same time, I began reading Wheat Belly, by Dr. William Davis. I’ve been off wheat products pretty religiously for about 1 month and have lost about 7 lbs. without really trying. People have started to really notice the changes as well. My stomach is flatter than it was pre-childbirth, (flat, not toned…yet!) and my clothes are slipping off. (That’s the bad news, because I hate shopping for clothes!) I’ve been trying to get my 17 year old to go wheat-free as well. This past weekend I tried on her bikini, when she saw me in it, she said. “That’s it, I’ve seen what’s happened to you this past month, I’ll do whatever you tell me to do!”

I used to think that gaining those extra pounds was inevitable with aging. “They” tell us that the average person gains about “10 lbs. a year after 40″. And women in menopause? Forget it! We aren’t suppose to lose weight in menopause! Yet, losing I am, without hunger, without crankiness, without sagging skin. It’s the easiest “non-diet” I’ve ever been on.

If you don’t really want or need to lose weight, there are a host of other health problems associated with wheat and gluten. Wheat consumption can lead to auto-immune diseases, contribute to arthritis, diabetes, asthma, weight gain, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and skin problems to name a few. Men…do you have a “wheat belly“? Hair loss? How about “man boobs“? Wheat increases the estrogen in your body…who had “man boobs” 30 years ago? I would think the hair loss and man boobs would be reason enough to try going wheat/gluten free for a week or two.

BUT I EXPECT YOU TO BE SKEPTICAL! You don’t know me…well, most of you don’t know me. Don’t believe me, try it yourself. Read the book. (I wish I could say I was making a commission for promoting this book, but I’m not.)

When I announced my “wheat free” challenge to the family (they really don’t know or care about October Unprocessed, as long as I feed them!), Spencer was all for it. He tries to eat a mostly wheat/gluten-free diet to combat his allergies. Sophie, my 11 year old, was not so happy. She’s actually been wheat/gluten/cow dairy free since she was 4, when I finally took her to a holistic practitioner. Conventional doctors couldn’t/wouldn’t solve her persistent cough, allergies and asthma. She was on antibiotics, atomizers, allergy meds and a nebulizer. Within days of the holistic practitioner telling us to take her off of gluten and cow, she regained her health and today only lapses into those symptoms when she “cheats” with cow or wheat. Lately she’s been cheating A LOT! So, she was none too happy, “WHY won’t you let me LIVE?! We have nothing to snack on!” I feel some no sadness or remorse. Ok, well maybe a little. To soften the blow, I picked out one of Dr. Davis’s gluten free recipes,  Apple Walnut Bread, hoping to win her over.

Don’t make this expecting something that will be overly sweet and “bread like” in it’s consistency. Yet satisfiying it is, and will curb a sweet tooth, if you actually have one, after going wheat free. Serve it for breakfast with  some cream cheese, nut butter or plain butter. It should tide you over until lunch. Or have it as dessert with a little honey…no guilt!

Apple Walnut Bread

2 cups ground almonds (you can find almond meal in most health food or grocery stores, Trader Joe’s sells it too)

1 cup chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds (also can be found in health food and grocery stores)

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

3 tablespoons honey (I added the honey, opting for a slightly sweeter bread)

1/2 cup walnut oil, coconut oil or melted butter (I used butter)

1/4 cup sour cream or coconut milk (I used sour cream)

1/2 cup raisins (my addition)

Preheat the oven to 325*F. Coat a 9 X 5 inch loaf pan liberally with oil.

Combine the ground almonds, walnuts, ground flaxseeds, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a bowl and stir.

Combine eggs, applesauce, oil and sour cream or coconut milk in a measuring cup. Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and raisins and stir just until incorporated. If the mixture is too stiff, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut milk. Press the dough into the pan and bake until a toothpick comes out dry, about 45 minutes depending on your oven. (Mine took closer to 1 hour)

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