If you're one of those people that likes to skip to the end of a book to read the last chapter first...let me save you some time. The net result is a recipe for some pretty darn good chocolate chunk cookies, that are gluten free and just happen to be made with agave nectar. If all you're looking for is the pictures and recipe then go ahead and skip to the bottom. If you want the story...here it is.

It all started last weekend (Saturday) when my son looked up at me and said "Momma. This is my super blaster and makes people want to blast things."

Me, feeling a little under the weather responded. "Yeah, well this is my super belly and it makes people want to exercise."

Sigh...Time to go on a diet. The holidays are coming; I have cute fall clothes to wear that just happen to be a size to small; we're going home for Christmas and I don't want to hear relatives comment "Looks as if you've taken this food thing a little too seriously." So...what to do.

I rummaged through Experience Magazine (Lifetime Fitness freebie with membership) and read a featured article on liver detox. This caught my eye, "Many people experience significant and immediate weight loss on this program, but the net benefits for energy and long-term health are every bit as dramatic."

I was in at "significant and immediate weight loss."

At a high level, the plan calls for eliminating caffeine, all sugars (refined, artificial and honey), gluten and trans fats. There are a number of things that you should consume (apples, oranges, leafy greens, etc) but when it comes to dieting I'm all about knowing what I need to leave out. Consuming things has never been an issue. It's the elimination that I struggle with.

I successfully participated in the plan for 4 days. And felt lousy. And lost no weight. None. Nothing. Zip.

On the evening of the fourth day I decided to do a little research on the author. And...I discovered that in addition to coming up with this detox plan she believes that using cell phones makes you fat.

Sheesh. Why don't I look before I leap? I suffered four days because I believed that someone (who just happens to think that using cell phones make you fat) knew more about nutrition than me.

So, needless to say, I'm off the detox program.

The truth of the matter is that there is no magic formula for weightloss. Eat less and exercise. If you put less into your body than you use, you will lose weight. Very simple.

BUT...something good did come from the detox plan. I learned to use Agave Nectar in more things (Agave has a lower sugar content than honey or sugars) and I developed a large amount of empathy for people that cannot tolerate gluten. Gluten is in practically everything (that I typically eat at least). It's a protein that is found in refined wheat products...think bread, pasta, even some soy products. I personally found that by cutting down the amount of sugar and gluten that I consumed, I felt better, had more consistent energy levels and less cravings.

If you'd like to give it a try...check out these cookies. They are gluten free and use Agave Nectar. I like them as much (if not more) than a traditional chocolate chip cookie. They stay moist and are quite simple to prepare. Since they are made with dark chocolate which tends to be less sweet than milk chocolate, kids don't usually find them quite as yummy. (At least mine didn't)  Dark chocolate tends to suit the taste buds of older folks, since our preference moves toward bitter from sweet.

Pulse blanched almonds in food processor until texture resembles that of flour. 2-3 minutes.

Combine almond flour, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Whisk.

In a smaller bowl, combine melted butter, vanilla and agave nectar. Whisk.

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir in the chocolate pieces.

Roll into balls the size of a golf ball. Place on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. 9 cookies per sheet (they spread when baking)

Bake for approximately 10 minutes until the outer edges are a nice brown color and the top of the cookies are beginning to turn golden in color.

Adapted from Paula Deen's recipe, these cupcakes offer a nice twist of flavors for fall and have become one of my personal favorites.

P.S. Why am I the only person who writes a food blog that can't photograph cupcakes? Arrrgh!

The Muse Gourmet

Sunday is a perfect day to spend time with family and friends.  Most of us find ourselves busy on Saturdays getting caught up on errands, laundry, bill paying, and yard work.  By Sunday, the "must do's" are off the list and we have some time left to spend doing the things we enjoy. 

My Mother loved to bake pie.  Her pies are legendary.  Seriously.  :)  It's not just me saying that.  When I was young, my father sold real estate.  His office was in our home and my mother always had a homemade slice of pie ready to greet visitors.  People would stop by to say hello just for the pie.  I grew up thinking homemade pie was a staple.  Years later, with a different time schedule than Mom and a need to watch calories, I limit the number of pies I have on hand. 

But, when I'm feeling nostalgic, nothing reminds me of home more than the smell of a pie in the oven. I decided to make an American favorite...Apple Pie.  I've made the Dutch variety (crumbly topping as opposed to another crust)...which is my favorite.

If you're looking for a good pie plate, I've had the best luck with plates from Emile Henry.  I adore the variety of bright colors and love the fluted detail on the top. 

Peach Cobbler.  It's one of those things.  Either it's good or it's not.  And living in Texas...it's just one of those things you ought to know how to prepare...pretty darn well. 

For the past few years I've been trying desperately to find a recipe that worked (for me).  You see, I'm not a native Texan.  I've lived here long enough to squarely call myself a resident, but I swear the peaches can tell if you're native or not while they're baking. 

If you're a Texan, they turn themselves into the best cobbler you've ever had.  If you're not a native Texan, they get together and form a conspiracy to ruin your cobbler, each and every time you make it.  I had tried everything from Bisquick to Patty LaBelle, and I never came up with a peach cobbler recipe that was successful for me.  Until now.  :)

Enjoy!

The Muse Gourmet

So I was having a little craving for cheesecake. 

Not the full fledged cheesecake that's thick,... and rich, ...and, mmmmm..... full of calories.  The kind of cheesecake that tastes like cheesecake but doesn't make you feel guilty for breaking a few of those New Year's resolutions already.  So...here's a torte version of cheesecake that I've been making since I was 8 years old.  I remember typing this recipe exact out on my Dad's typewriter.  Karen is my sister.  And for the for the past oh, say, many moons, this is the only version of cheesecake that my family ever prepared.  I will say, that as simple as it is....this recipe has earned its share of praise over the years.  It's requested for birthdays and holidays and goes down as "The best cheesecake I ever had!" according to my nephew. 

PS  When this original recipe was typed, there weren't precrushed graham crackers available in the store.  I've adapted the recipe to "modern times" and thrown in a low fat, low sugar version if you're feeling really guilty about breaking some of those New Year's resolutions.