The Big Reveal: My Aspiring Grain-Free Cookbook Journey and Your Invitation

“Decide that you want it more than you’re afraid of it.”

– Bill Cosby

As the vibrant days of June draw to a close, marking the halfway point of 2014, it feels incredibly fitting to pause and reflect on the journey so far. This mid-year milestone often serves as a natural prompt for introspection, a moment to assess how far we’ve come and where we’re headed. It’s a time when many of us revisit our intentions, celebrate small victories, and perhaps, bravely confront those resolutions that remain steadfastly on our to-do lists, year after year. For me, this particular June brings a revelation that has been brewing for quite some time, a dream so significant it now demands to be shared.

Can I tell you a secret? A deeply personal one that has been a silent companion throughout my life?

Every single year, without fail, when I dedicate time to penning down my new year’s resolutions – whether it’s in the quiet pages of my trusty notebook or meticulously typed into a digital document – there’s one particular aspiration that consistently secures its spot at the top. Yet, despite its persistent presence, it’s the one dream that has, until now, remained largely unfulfilled. It’s a resolution that embodies a core part of who I am, a yearning that has shaped my perspective and passion for decades. This year, however, something feels different; the time has come to actively pursue it, rather than merely list it.

If you’ve been a loyal reader of this little corner of the internet for any length of time, you might already be well aware of my lifelong ambition: to become a writer. It’s not just a casual interest; it’s an intrinsic part of my being, a calling that resonates deep within my soul. I’ve known this truth ever since I was a spirited ten-year-old, crafting elaborate, make-believe novels filled with adventurous tales and, admittedly, a consistent cast of blond-haired, blue-eyed main characters. Those early stories, scribbled on loose-leaf paper, were my first taste of creating worlds with words, and the joy they brought me was unparalleled. This dream of writing, I’ve always felt, is something so inherently mine that no one, no circumstance, could ever truly diminish or take away from me. It’s my personal anthem, much like Katy Perry’s “Part of Me,” a testament to an unshakeable connection that offers an open window to my innermost thoughts and feelings.

The only significant challenge I’ve faced throughout this enduring journey is that while I’ve always known writing is deeply entwined with my destiny, and that one day I desperately want to publish a book, I’ve never had a crystal-clear vision of *what kind* of book that would be. Would it be fiction, delving into the realms of fantasy I explored as a child? Perhaps a memoir, reflecting on life’s experiences? The possibilities always seemed endless, yet nebulous, leaving me without a definitive path. However, in recent months, a powerful and rather unexpected idea has taken root in my mind: the concept of writing a cookbook. It has firmly planted itself, refusing to budge, and has begun to blossom into a compelling vision. To be entirely candid, I never, ever anticipated that my inaugural published work would be a book centered around food, much less a dedicated cookbook. The thought still takes some getting used to, but the more I allow it to marinate, the more perfectly logical and utterly right it feels.

I mean, when you truly think about it, food is such an undeniably immense part of my everyday life, my identity, and my passion. My days are often spent joyfully crafting posts and articles about culinary delights for this very blog. Weekends are frequently dedicated to the exciting process of testing and experimenting with new recipes, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Beyond the creation and consumption, my deepest joy comes from the act of sharing delicious food with cherished company, creating memories around the table. So, it seems almost inevitable, a natural convergence of forces, that my two profound loves – writing and food – would eventually clash head-on at some pivotal moment in my life. And in that beautiful collision, amidst the aromas of a bustling kitchen and the quiet hum of creative thought, the compelling idea of writing a cookbook was emphatically born. It’s a testament to how our passions can intertwine, creating entirely new avenues for expression and purpose.

This evolving dream recently received an invigorating boost during a wonderful dinner with my dear friends, Reuben and Joyce, who were in town last week. Given how much I trust their judgment and value their honest opinions, I broached the cookbook idea with them once more – a concept we had briefly discussed back in March, when the first faint seeds were initially sown. Their reaction was nothing short of incredible; both of them were so genuinely excited and supportive, practically urging me to dive headfirst into the project. However, with characteristic wisdom, they also suggested a crucial first step: to thoroughly test the feasibility of this grand idea. Their encouragement, coupled with their practical advice, has truly empowered me to take this significant leap.

So, here I am, standing before you, metaphorically speaking, and posing the question directly to you, my cherished readers – what do you think?

I feel as though I’m laying my heart bare, exposing a deeply personal aspiration for the world to see, and it’s undeniably a pretty daunting and scary thing to do. Yet, the profound wisdom of the quote at the beginning of this post echoes powerfully in my mind: I must decide that I want this dream more than I’m afraid of it. And isn’t it true that if your dreams don’t possess a certain magnitude of fear, if they don’t push you beyond your comfort zone, then perhaps they aren’t quite big enough to truly transform you? This is precisely what this cookbook journey represents for me – a dream so expansive, it both exhilarates and frightens me in equal measure.

And so, this is my huge dream, one that sometimes sends shivers down my spine with its sheer ambition.

The very notion of openly declaring it, of putting it out on this blog for every single one of you to read, is quite frankly, overwhelming. But I am plunging ahead, with the same determined spirit I summoned when I went cliff-diving in Boracay, the Philippines, a thrilling act of faith and courage. And I’m approaching this endeavor with the same head-first, intrepid mindset I embraced four years ago when I made the life-altering decision to relocate to Buenos Aires. This is a leap of faith, a step into the unknown, and I’m ready to embrace it. As I mentioned, this idea is still very much in its nascent stages, a tender seedling awaiting nurturing. But because you, my incredible readers, mean the world to me and are an integral part of this blog’s community, I wanted to share this intimate aspiration with you first. I am genuinely eager to hear your opinions, your valuable suggestions, and absolutely anything constructive that could help me transform this exciting dream into a tangible, delicious reality. Your insights could be the very fuel that propels this project forward.

So, tell me honestly: Would you be interested in a grain-free cookbook crafted with passion and dedication? Would you be willing to support me in taking a lifelong wish and making it undeniably come true?

I am so incredibly excited that I can hardly keep still; I’m literally bouncing in my chair as I type these words onto the screen! The sheer joy and anticipation are almost too much to contain, much like Tigger exuberantly bobbing up and down. Oh my goodness, it’s such an immense relief to be able to finally let this all out, to share this deeply personal journey with you. It feels like a weight has been lifted, replaced by a surge of creative energy and renewed purpose. This isn’t just about cooking; it’s about storytelling through food, creating recipes that nourish both body and soul, and building a community around healthy, delicious living. My vision for this grain-free cookbook is not just a collection of recipes, but a guide to vibrant eating, filled with wholesome ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, all born from my own culinary explorations and experiences.

Dear friend, please, please, please, if you’re out there reading this, I implore you to take just one minute of your precious time and share your thoughts with me.

I am not just asking, but quite literally begging for your support, your ideas, and your honest feedback. If you feel that this blog, my recipes, or my stories have made even a small difference in your life, I deeply urge you to contribute your voice to this pivotal moment. Your encouragement, your constructive criticism, and even your simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ will be invaluable as I navigate this exciting, yet daunting, path. Help me shape this dream, not just for myself, but for a community that values wholesome, delicious food.

Thank you all so, so much, from the deepest corners of my heart, for being a part of this journey and for considering this big step with me.

As a little taste of what my grain-free cookbook might offer – a blend of comforting flavors and wholesome ingredients – I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite recipes that truly embodies the spirit of delicious, healthy eating. This Grain-Free Chocolate Banana Bread is a testament to how delightful and satisfying grain-free baking can be, perfect for a cozy morning or an afternoon treat. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek into the kind of recipes you can expect!

GRAIN-FREE CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD (Makes 1 loaf)
Inspired by: Paleo Spirit

Ingredients:

1) 2 1/2 cups of almond flour/ almond meal

2) 2 teaspoons of baking powder

3) 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

4) 1/4 teaspoon of salt

5) 1 cup of mashed bananas (around 2 medium-sized bananas)

6) 4 large eggs

7) 1/4 cup of honey

8) 1/4 cup of butter or coconut oil (melted)

9) 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract

10) 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

11) 1/2 cup of chopped dark chocolate bits

Steps:

1) Preheat oven to 325 deg Fahrenheit (160 deg Cel)

2) Grease a loaf pan

3) In a medium-sized bowl, sift all the dry ingredients together (almond meal, baking powder, cinnamon, salt)

4) Combine mashed bananas, eggs, honey and butter in a food processor and blend until well combined

5) Create a small valley in the bowl of the dry ingredients and pour banana mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing well until well-incorporated

6) Gently mix in half of the chopped walnuts and chopped chocolate into the batter

7) Pour batter into the greased loaf pan, and then sprinkle the remaining chopped walnuts and chocolate on top of the batter

8) Bake for around 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean

9) Let chocolate banana bread cool for at least 15 minutes before removing from the pan and serving.