Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

Ive been working on a chocolate cake (PaleoNONPaleo) and today I created something pretty close to what id consider successful! The whipped cream topping was amazing! Im still trying to get the flavor right but Ill be sure to post it as soon as I get it perfect...Heres a sneak peak!

Thankful Thursdays

During the month of November Ill be doing my Thankful Thursday Link up with some other blogs. This is a way to really keep my heart and head where it belongs and remember what is important.

• This week I am thankful for the safety of my family. As many of you know my husband, mother and sister were all visiting family in NY and NJ this past weekend and their trips took a horrible turn with the arrival of Sandy. Every single person Im related to (minus my brother and father) were affected by Sandy. I feel for all the families that have lost things they hold dear. {Red cross donations can be made HERE}
• I am thankful for my children. For the first time I am a mom to 2 boys and taking care of them alone has been quite the learning lesson! I am reminded to be patient and understanding. 
• Im thankful for will power! Halloween has been a true test to that! With many pounds of candy sitting on my table (and my son constantly looking over it) I am tempted by the smells of chocolate and sour treats. I've stayed strong and avoided eating any!
• Im thankful for the Navy. The men and women on this base have kept us safe through the bomb threats made earlier this week. As frustrating as some of it may be, I feel safer knowing we are protective by brave men and women on a daily basis. 
• I am so thankful for my friends. I have an amazing group of ladies doing a Paleo challenge that started this week! Even though I may not actually know many of them, Im glad to have their support and support them on a daily basis! Keeps me honest and ready for more!

Happy eating!

For the holidays I made The Gracious Pantry's Clean eating Apple Pie. It was AMAZING!

Clean Eating Apple Pie
(Makes 1 [8 or 9 inch] pie)

Ingredients
1 batch of clean eating pie crust (You’ll need two crusts, top and bottom)
Apples, cut and seeded – Enough to fill the pie tin. (About 2-3 cups)
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup honey or agave
1 tbsp. organic cornstarch or tapioca starch
1 tbsp. lemon juice

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 1 – In a large mixing bowl, combine your apples, cinnamon, honey or agave, cornstarch and lemon juice. Stir well to coat the apples thoroughly.

Step 2 – Pour the apples into your pie crust (which should be IN the pie pan already… just sayin’…).

Step 3 – Top the pie with the second crust and pinch all around the edge to seal it. 

Step 4 – Cut a vent in the top so steam can escape and transfer the entire pie to the oven.

Step 5 – Bake for approximately 1 hour. It’s done when the juices start to bubble up through the vents you cut in the top.

Nutritional Content
1 serving = 1/16 of the pie

Calories: 169
Total Fat: 7 gm
Saturated Fats: 1 gm
Trans Fats: 0 gm
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 149 mg
Carbohydrates: 25 gm
Dietary fiber: 3 gm
Sugars: 7 gm
Protein: 3 gm

(Makes 1 [8 or 9 inch] pie)