bananarama.

This was my first day off in, well, I can't remember how long, and it technically wasn't a full day off.  After an amazing day with Mr. Charming, I put in two hours on a freelance e-commerce writing project I took on.  Other than that it was a day off.  And it was lovely.  Excited to be refreshed and gear up for a week of editing as we head into Fall fashion season.  It was a smooth workweek, my writing staff has been amazing and productive, so this weekend I wanted to celebrate a little. 

Mr. Charming's family got some sad news of a family member passing, so we've said a lot of prayers and are looking forward to church in the morning.  After a little retail therapy with a girlfriend of mine yesterday, stocking up some of my pre-fall wardrobe, me and Mr. Charming splurged and bought ourselves some archery equipment. 

And that is how we spent part of this drizzly Saturday.  And it was blissful. 

And what is a better way to wrap up a cool & rainy evening after shooting bows & arrows than to bake something delicious?

Mr. Charming had mentioned we had a bundle of organic banana's about to go bad and he told me to come up with a banana recipe to use them.  I immediately craved a muffin of some kind.  And then I craved chocolate, so I went to the internet to find a good recipe.  Most of the good banana muffin recipes called for a ton of sugar and coconut flour.  Both of which I don't care for, so I came up with this almond flour/oat flour muffin with unsweetened cocoa powder and honey and they came out amazingly well. 

Foods been on my mind a lot lately.  And not just because I've learned how to savor it, and what to savor. But because sometimes I feel I need to defend this lifestyle I've chosen.  I saw an amazing open letter posted by a woman recently, and I've altered it below to fit me, and my story... and I hope that one day, those that support me, or simply don't understand my lifestyle, will understand that I do this because I have too.  Because I respect my one body and because I want to thrive, not just survive, and inspire others, and my family to eat right, and live a active and healthy lifestyle.  

I am not eating gluten-free as part of a fad or Hollywood diet. 
I am not eating gluten-free to annoy anyone, or to make it hard for you to host a party or a dinner for me. 
I am not eating gluten-free to be the center of attention or to make all party and dinner conversations about me.
I am not eating gluten-free so that I can spend my entire paycheck on supplements, organic food and special flours.
I am not eating gluten-free to constantly worry if what I am going to eat will make me sick. 
I am not eating gluten-free to constantly worry if my waiter really did listen to what I ordered. and I am not eating gluten-free because I love to analyze every food label.


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I am eating gluten-free because under the care of my doctor, medical tests showed that doing so was making me very sick.
I am eating gluten-free because I value the body God gave me and I make my health a priority
I am eating gluten-free because that little protein that you can enjoy in your breads, cakes and cookies makes anxious, and angry, harms my digestion and gives me cold sores. It causes me muscle pain and could lead to infertility issues in my life.
I am eating gluten-free because I want to be healthy & happy to be the best me I can be.  Isn't that reason enough. 

If anyone ever has any questions, I of course am an open book. I'm not a doctor, I don't know everything, but I do know quite a bit, having studied this for three years, and I know enough to know this is the best choice for me.  I guess I'm putting this out there to those of you that have friends and family that have food allergies, intolerances, or celiac's disease.  We kindly ask that you don't judge what you don't understand.  

And though sometimes people look at me with sadness in their eyes as I pull out my packed lunch, I let them know they don't have to.  Some people are so very kind and accommodating, and I so appreciate that support.  But I took the challenges presented so far, on this journey with God that will go up and down, and I try to make it a wondrous adventure of making the most delicious food I could. 

And you know what?  I've ending up not only eating some of the most enjoyable gluten-free food I thought I could.

I've created some of the most delicious food I've EVER had.   These banana fudge muffins that were so perfect on this drizzly summer evening. 

And with that, I wish you all a blessed and amazing weekend.