Testimony of the Day
“Hi Maria! On 02/15/13 I was diagnosed with a 12mm Pineal Gland Cyst after a sever migraine. In late July I flew to Colorado in hope of finding some answers and second opinions. I was given no information from the 2-3 Neurologist that I have seen as to what caused or is “feeding” this. The doctors are very unhelpful due to where my cyst is located (dead center of my brain). Their fearful that it will grow thus forcing them to operate, so they shove RX’s at me in hopes that something will help. Only more bad news followed. Not only was the Cyst causing problems, I was on my way to getting Type 2 Diabetes and leaky gut. I knew I needed to change my life and fast.
I found out about “The Maria Way” from some very good friends. I have followed your plan since the being of August. On 08/20/13 just 2.5 short weeks of being on your diet plan, I had my follow up MRI. It showed that the cyst was now only 1.1cm in size. It had already shrunk 1mm! I know that sounds tiny but when you’re talking about something growing in the middle of your brain it means a lot! I have stopped all med’s and have been migraine and headache free for almost a month now thanks to you!
My skin has improved and my body has never felt better. I can’t wait to see how i feel in a month! My holistic doctors believe that a change in diet and the right supplements will probably shrink or even make my cyst go away. I am really looking forward to TOTAL body health. I truly do feel that “you are what you eat”.
I have never felt better! Not only am I losing weight but very soon I will be completely healthy! Thank you Maria!!!!” Megan
Click HERE to start your journey to a keto-adapted diet!
Happy Halloween!
Have you ever noticed our kids get sick a lot from Halloween until Valentine’s Day? HMMMM, there are a lot of Holidays in between that time that focus on candy. Sugar depresses the immune system. Vitamin C is needed by white blood cells so that they could phagocytize viruses and bacteria. White blood cells require a 50 times higher concentration inside the cell as outside so they have to accumulate vitamin C.There is something called a “phagocytic index” which tells you how rapidly a particular lymphocyte can gobble up a virus, bacteria, or cancer cell. In 1970, Linus Pauling, discovered that white blood cells need a high dose of vitamin C and that is when he came up with his theory that you need high doses of vitamin C to combat the common cold.
We know that glucose and vitamin C have similar chemical structures, so what happens when the sugar levels go up? They compete for one another when entering the cells. And the thing that mediates the entry of glucose into the cells is the same thing that mediates the entry of vitamin C into the cells. If there is more glucose around, there is going to be less vitamin C allowed into the cell. It doesn’t take much: a blood sugar value of 120 reduces the phagocytic index by 75%. So when you eat sugar, think of your immune system slowing down to a crawl.
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| My Avocado Angel Eggs recipe |
Simple sugars aggravate asthma, cause mood swings, magnify personality changes, muster mental illness, fuel nervous disorders, increase diabetes and heart disease, grow gallstones, accelerate hypertension, and magnify arthritis. Since sugar lacks minerals and vitamins, they draw upon the body’s micro-nutrient stores in order to be metabolized into the system.
So what are you sending your kids off to school with? A bowl of cereal and skim milk? A Poptart? To keep your kids healthy and focused at school, try organic eggs with lots of omega 3’s and healthy protein, or a Jay Rob whey protein shake. A protein filled breakfast is proven to increase focus and success in children as well as adults.
| Click HERE to find how to make cute Halloween Eggs |
My new Kids Color Cookbook is filled with tons of ideas to keep your kids healthy without them even noticing the changes! It is now offered in an electronic version!
I also wanted to take the time to thank all of you for your love and support. My husband lost his job just after we adopted Micah and Kia and we have been trying to make it on one income. All of your help with buying my books and purchasing through my aStore really helps my family. You all are blessings to us!
Click HERE to find my books and other healthy products!
If you are transitioning you kids from sugar filled Halloween, to a “healthified” one, here is a ‘baby step’ to take: Try xylitol sweetened candy instead. Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and is even produced by the human body during normal metabolism. Manufacturers make it from plants such as birch and other hard wood trees and fibrous vegetation. Click HERE to find the products I prefer. This is what I will be giving out for “trick-or-treat” visitors. Last year I gave out stickers and tattoos but I think this will go over better!But my kids will enjoy homemade spooky looking treats instead!
“HEALTHIFIED” HALLOWEEN BROWNIES
Ingredients
BROWNIES:
- 2 large avocados ripe, mashed
- 8 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate melted
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil or coconut oil
- 1 1/4 cup Natural Sweetener or more to desired sweetness
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or switch it up with mint extract
- 4 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Redmond Real salt
OPTIONAL:
- 2 ChocoPerfection Bar chopped (I used Milk Chocolate, but Mint Chocolate would be awesome!)
FROSTING:
- 1 large avocado ripe, mashed
- 1 cup Natural Sweetener or powdered erythritol and 1 tsp stevia glycerite
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or mint extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch square pan. In a large bowl, whisk mashed avocado, melted chocolate and oil. Stir in natural sweetener until combined, add in eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well. Add in coconut flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt, mixing until combined and smooth.
- Fold in chopped ChocoPerfection bars (if using), then spread batter in pan. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until middle is set. Remove and let cool completely, then frost and top with grated chocolate if desired. For the frosting, in a medium sized bowl, mash avocado until creamy. With the mixer on low speed, add in vanilla then slowly add in powdered sweetener, scraping down the sides if needed, until a smooth frosting forms. Frost brownies once cooled and enjoy.
Nutrition
C’est une fête que j’aime particulièrement puisque je suis née le 31 octobre 🙂
Je prends note de ces délcieuses choses à réaliser
Merci
Agréable soirée
Valérie
Our baby Kai’s first birthday is October 21st so we are having a halloween brithday for him this year! 🙂
Nice memory….
Baby Kai’s first birthday
These brownies look amazing! Cant wait to give them a try. I love all the info on sugar. I gave up sugar and all refined grains and everything and I feel amazing. My mood swings are gone and my energy is thru the roof so I can totally relate. Sugar is bad! I love that you offer healthy options for kids so that they can still enjoy the halloween season. Oh btw…I just bought your book, Secrets of a Healthy Metabolism and Im already digging into it. LOVE it!
I had a few questions about how to get started in the nutrition field too…I wasnt sure where to ask though. Would an email be better?
Thanks so much!
Thanks! You can just ask here so others that might have the same question can see the answers. 🙂
Thanks Maria! I would love to enter into the field of nutrition but I am currently in a different field. So I was wondering how to get started. I would love to take a more holistic approach as well. Healing through food and lifestyle is my goal and so I was wondering about the different degree programs that are out there.
If you dont mind me asking, what programs have you gone through? And what path did you take?
Thanks so much!
I did it brute force, getting countless books from the library and reading every scientific study about nutrition I could get my hands one. This program is a good one that I have referred several people to. 🙂 http://www.integrativenutrition.com
thank you!!
Those owl eggs are so cute! I feel for you and your husband with the loss of a job. I am a single adoptive mom and lost my job about seven weeks before I was to leave for China to adopt my nearly 7-year-old and I already had a 6-year-old I adopted as a baby. We had to live off my adoption savings and went to China with a credit card already near the top! That was eight years ago and I struggle still. Adoption should not cost so much but it is so worth it! Your boys are just so precious. I so appreciate your good recipes and am going to get that book soon!
Thank you! Yes, adoption is way to expensive. It shouldn’t be that way! Happy baking! 🙂
My girls are turning 14 on the 13th, it’s a great month for birthdays!
Those are eggcellent ideas!!! what cute recipes!
That brownie recipe looks AMAZING! I’ve not cooked this way with avocadoes, can’t wait to try!
Maria,
I love your books and I love your blog. Thanks so much for all of the useful information.
I just wanted to mention that people thinking about giving out Xylitol candy should know that it is extremely poisonous to our dogs. It takes only a small amount to wreak havoc if not death for them.
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenting-family/vet-views/story/2011/02/Vets-view-Xylitol-can-be-deadly-to-dogs-/43576818/1
Thanks Again, Maria, for all that you do! 😀
Linda in Western NC
Hi Maria,
Just started my healthy eating and found your blog wonderful information. Just got your book The Art of Healthy eating Kids and saw you have many cookie and cracker recipes. In my recent switch I have a hard time getting crackers and cookies crunchy with almond flour is this just the way or is there a trick? I’m attempting your fudge striped cookies for my 20 month old this weekend and hoping for a crunch 🙂
Thank you! Did you do any substitutions? Mine are nice and crunchy when I make them. 🙂
Those look amazing!!!
Your treats look really cute and yummy!!!! Thanks for all you useful information. You are a blessing to the many individuals that you inspire.
Does the Avacado frosting on the brownies turn brown after a while? If so, I guess you just “have to” eat them fast. HeHe 🙂
Yes, after a while they will turn brown. But as tasty as these are, I don’t think you will have that problem!! 🙂
Ooh, these look yummy! Will the frosting stay green, or will it discolor if made ahead, like a cut avocado would?
Yes, after a while they will turn brown. But as tasty as these are, I don’t think you will have that problem!! 🙂
what can i sub for avocados?
I don’t like avocados and love this! So if it is the taste you are worried about I think you should give them a try. Otherwise you could just sub a different frosting of mine. 🙂
But can I sub abocados in the batter I still dont.want to add avocados.would sour.cream help? Or cream cheese?
Sorry, you would have to try that to find out. Otherwise you could use one of my other brownie recipes. 🙂
Maria, I learned about you thru Dr Davis’ Wheat Belly blog. I was so intrigued by the info on your blog that I purchased 5 of your books and a bunch of stuff thru your Amazon-linked store. I know that eating coconut oil is good for health and that eating coconut oil can help people with Alzheimer’s disease, and you had a section about the benefit of eating coconut oil under “Coconut & Fertility” in your ‘Art of Eating Healthy’ book. How does one eat coconut oil? Straight out of the jar? Use it as a spread on a ‘healthified’ cracker? Dollop it into hot tea? And how much is recommended per day? Can you please elaborate on this? Thanks so much!
Thank you for your support! You can use coconut oil anywhere you would use butter in recipes. We also fry eggs in it, spread on my healthified bread, etc. 🙂
You may have already addressed this but how do you feel about coconut palm sugar and can we substitute it 1 :1 with the Swerve?
Okay…I love this blog. Everything turned out wonderful ;))))
Thank you! 🙂
Wondering why you use swerve and not stevia or yacon? They are less processed and not GMO/pestides? Just curious.
Swerve is non-GMO and no pesticides. That is why I use it. I also use stevia. I don’t use Yacon because of the fructose content. More info about that here: http://mariahealth.blogspot.com/2011/05/rhubarb-crisp-and-fructose-facts.html
Maria, do you mix everything with a spoon, or do you use a hand mixer or stand mixer when mixing the eggs?
I just use a hand mixer. 🙂
Maria, I made these today, but they turned out a little dry. I baked them for 30min. Yours on the picture look so fluffy, might look much more dense, more like a bar vs a brownie. I did not add the choco bars as I didn’t have them. I noticed as I was whisking the eggs (in my stand mixer on low), the batter got really thick before I even added the flour, etc. Is the batter in the end supposed to be thick or not too much? Wonder if that could be the problem.
I also made the bread today and that turned out great! I didn’t have the unflavored whey protein so added the vanilla, turned out a little sweeter I think. LOVE your recipes and books!!
Just a suggestion – if you make your directions much more detailed, such as what equipment you use (mixer – stand/hand), what the dough/batter is supposed to look like at various points of the process, and just more steps, etc., you might avoid so many questions as I think so many of us are novices 🙂 I know there are not that many steps in the protein bread, but I watched that video at least 10 times, lol! But like I said, all the recipes are just wonderful. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you! Avocados can be different from one to the next (size, moisture amount) so that may affect it. Next time you could try adding another egg if the batter is similar. 🙂
What a delicious way to use over-ripe avocados! Fantastic without frosting – they will not last that long.
How do you feel about subbing cocoa powder w/ addition of added fat in appropriate proportions for the baking chocolate?
Yes, cocoa powder, coconut oil and a little sweetener work great. 🙂
I made these yesterday with an 8 ounce block of cream cheese because I didn’t have avacado:) They are very yummy and satisfy that need for chocolatey goodness. I only have a 8×8 glass pan so they were thicker and there for took a bit longer in my oven… but still very yummy:) Thanks Maria!
Thanks!
Maria, do you have any recipe’s for fat bombs, or have you even heard of them?
Here you go. (from my 30 day accelerated meal plans)
1 Coconut Fat Bomb
Fat Bomb Recipe:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
2 tbsp of cocoa powder
1/4 cup Swerve (optional)
Melt and mix until smooth. Pour into 8 cupcake liners. Store in fridge.
Maria,
I made these brownies last night in hopes of making a treat with coconut flour for my nut-allergic sister. Oh. My. Goodness. These are super rich, very tasty, and satisfied my chocolate craving within 2 bites. I had to put the rest in the freezer otherwise my sister won’t get any! Amazing Recipe! Thank you!
Thanks!
These are the best brownies I have ever made. I do not like avocados, but figured I had to try this especially since my pregnant sister adores avocados. I am so glad I did; they have the rich texture of a brownie (and I can adjust the sugar less/more to my liking). Best of all they do not give me heartburn, or make my sugar crazy. I am so surprised that I like these…I never ever would have thought of using avocados in this way. Now since my sister has had her baby, I am planning on making these for her as a quick healthy dessert (or anytime) alternative (and she is nursing so this will be good for both the baby and her). Thank you very much! Very creative baking, I must say!
Awesome! Thank you!
Do you really use 8oz. of baking chocolate in these?
Yes. 🙂
OK, thanks! I didn’t mean to sound skeptical. Just checking. I went ahead and tried it. They look and smell wonderful. Now to taste! Can’t wait!
Any idea how many cups 2 large avocados equal? The avocados in my store don’t look large to me and I really want this recipe to turn out correctly.
Thanks!
I would say about 2 cups or so.
I just made a pan and had to improvise; I didn’t have enough bakers chocolate so added 2 T cocoa and cut back the coconut flour by that amount. I had only confectioners Swerve and I don’t know how that would measure so used 1 C and added stevia to taste.
They are really good but I may’ve been able to add another T of coconut flour….maybe next time. Also will def have enough chocolate on hand.
Still, very yummy and a keeper.
Can’t wait to try these!
I’m torn! Dr. Sarah Ballantyne says:
“I don’t like sugar alcohols because they are gut irritants (with the possible exception of erythritol, but I’m not comfortable enough with its benign-ness to actually recommend it). Just stick with glucose/sucrose (your body knows what to do with it) and don’t eat too much.”
I know sugar is toxic, but what does the science say about Swerve in your opinion?
I can’t imagine life without some sweets! (I eat a piece of your Keto Fudge almost daily!) I don’t want to raise blood glucose, but also don’t want to undo any progress I’ve made in healing my leaky gut.
In my opinion, it is a much better option than sugar. It can give some people gas if they have too much of it, but I always say treats in moderation, even if they are healthy treats. 😉
Thanks! Do you know of any science connecting it to gut irritation? Do you feel a piece of Keto Fudge daily is too much?
I haven’t seen good science on it, no. But you can easily sub stevia for the swerve in the keto fudge if you like. 🙂
Those brownies really don’t look appetizing at all. Has anyone made them without the frosting?
Yes. I only made them with frosting twice. Now I make them without or just use a ‘glaze’ (coconut oil with powdered swerve). I also made them without the flour and use psyllium husk instead and crushed walnuts instead of choco bars. There are endless variations.
so excited to try these Halloween recipes
Hi! I’ve tried making these twice, and each time the batter is really, really thick -much more like sticky dough than batter. It is really hard to mix and distribute evenly in the pan (i.e. I have to use a spoon to scoop it in). I’ve made sure the coconut oil and chocolate is is melted. Do you have any idea what I may be doing wrong? Thanks!
How did they turn out after baking?
Overall, I think they came out tasty 🙂 Because I couldn’t mix the batter well, I think some of the ingredients didn’t get mixed in as well, since on occasion I would get a strong hit of cinnamon, for example, but it wasn’t a significant issue. Also, the top was very chunky looking, instead of smooth, which caused a little bit of too much browning/burning on the tops of some peaks, but again, it didn’t take away from the overall taste. I was tempted to add some hot water to the mix to makes it less solid. Is that a good idea? Thanks.
Some brands of coconut flour absorb more moisture than others. So maybe try a little less next time. 🙂
Are you sure about the 8 oz of baking chocolate. That is 2 whole bars.
Yes. 🙂
Just made these. They are a moist, rich dark chocolate with smooth texture and rose very well in the oven. Just wished I had made 1/2 of the recipe. My husband loves these but hates avocados!!! I’ll never tell him what is in them. I’m not sure what I think of the Swerve. This is the first time using it. Do you think you could get the same result with liquid Splenda?
Thanks! I am not a fan of sucralose. Here are some natural sweetener options (the monk fruit ones you might like). 🙂
http://astore.amazon.com/marisnutran05-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=13
is there anyway to use a substitute for the eggs and still have them turn out the same?
I would use this to sub for eggs. 🙂
http://thecuriouscoconut.com/blog/how-to-use-gelatin-as-a-gut-friendly-egg-replacer
Hey Maria, I used the swerve that you’ve suggested. Mine as 5g of carbs per 2 table spoons… Is that the correct amount?
Yes. But they are not digestible and do not count towards total carbs;)
When I made this I did not make the icing, just the brownie receipe alone. I used 2 avocados, which measured out to 250g of avocado, that’s the only ingredient that I can see being a different in calories (albeit only a little) than the “2 large avocados” listed here.
Everything else is fairly standard, and I used the same chocolate as well. I get 258 calories each for 12 … A 48 calorie difference per brownie with 12 servings means somewhere there are about 600 calories of ingredients missing…and no difference in avocado size is going to make up for that.
Plus, I never made the icing! That’s a whole extra avocado that I didn’t use you still has far less calories than me.
Not sure why you rejected this comment question the first time, I’m genuinely curious what I’m missing here
The calories can come from anywhere…are you counting the calories in your sweetner? Which sweetner are you using? If you are using xylitol or erythritol or stevia don’t count the calories…your body does not digest them, so they don’t count, the same is with the carbs as well…there could also be calorie differences in the ingredients your using, perhaps a different brand of coconut flour, chocolate ect…I hope this helps you find your extra calories
I just made these! They just came out of the oven and oh my gosh!!! Me entire house smells incredible! The brownie batter was so smooth and delicious! I could have eaten the whole bowl!! Haha but I forced myself to pour it in the pan and pop it in the oven…and oh man an I glad I did! These are the BEST brownies I have EVER tasted!!! Better then store bought! Better then boxed brownies! Better then anything I have ordered from a restaurant! Simply amazing…I will be making these whenever I can! Thank you so much for this amazing recipe!
Thank you!!!