Did you give up baking and eating baked goods?

I'm with MinusTwo on this, everything in moderation. Baking is one of my most favorite hobbies--getting my hands into some bread dough is a great stress reliever to me I bake just as much as I did prior to breast cancer. I just try to be mindful in my eating and if I over indulge one day I don't stress about it. I'll eat more balanced the next day. My mom brought a homemade pie over for my husband for a birthday gift for him. Being a good husband, he shared with me I ate a piece last night, tonight and I assume I will tomorrow night also. But then the rest of each of those days was filled with healthier eating.

My MO told me just to eat a basic balanced diet that included vegetables, fruits and whole grains--she said that I didn't need to eat any differently than some one who didn't have a breast cancer history. I like her philosophy!

I've followed a Paleo diet for several years-no processed sugar, grains, artificial stuff, or much dairy-but I also love to bake. Because of the popularity of the Paleo diet, there are tons of good recipes to be found online and ingredients are becoming pretty easy to find. Our local Walmart now carries both coconut sugar and almond flour. I still buy my tapioca flour online from Amazon though.

This is our favorite cookie recipe, but I also make Paleo bread and muffins-not too often, because treats, even Paleo treats, ought be enjoyed in moderation. Paleo baking satisfies my sweet tooth and the desire to bake.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter, preferably grassfed, softened, hormone free or organic *
1 cup almond flour
1/2 cup arrowroot flour OR tapioca flour
1/4 cup coconut sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup-real maple syrup, not the stuff made with corn syrup!
1 large egg, preferably pasture raised
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of dark (not milk) chocolate chips

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In either a food processor or with beaters, cream the butter, coconut palm sugar, egg, maple syrup and vanilla for about 30 seconds. You might need to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula to get it all mixed in.
• Add the almond flour, arrowroot or tapioca, baking soda and salt and mix until combined.
• Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.
• Drop by tablespoons on a parchment lined baking sheet-leave plenty of space/or make them smaller, these cookies spread out as they bake and definitely use the parchment paper. Paleo baked goods with nut flour stick!
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Transfer to a wire rack to cool, or at least as long as you can stand it. Makes about 24 cookies.

A word about Paleo sweeteners-honey, maple syrup and coconut sugar are all acceptable Paleo sweeteners; however, only coconut sugar is lower than processed sugar on the glycemic index.

No, I didn't give up eating baked goods. I exercise a ton, keep at a healthy weight, and enjoy all sorts of great food (including desserts) in moderation (or not in moderation but then be very good for awhile). Life is too short to give up the things you enjoy!!!!

Wow! This is a Paleo recipe? Sign me up!!! I'll have to try it. Unfortunately, I don't like chocolate anymore, since the chemo but I hope that taste comes back one day and I can make it without the chocolate and still be happy!

Thanks for this recipe!