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I have been thinking a lot about food lately. Funny I know. I write a food blog (sometimes). I cook a lot. It seems natural that food should be on my mind. But my thought have been running a little deeper.

I have been thinking about food as it relates to my personal journey to health.

I have been thinking about food as it relates to my relationship with God.

I have been thinking about the fact that even though I have lost 100 pounds that I still struggle with food and my view of it every day.

I have been reading a book called Women Food and God and have been having small epiphanies about myself and how I have used food as a comfort and security blanket for a long time.

My pastor has often talked about good things God has given us that we as humans have taken and made profane. It is a phrase I often use because it resonates with me. He says that we have taken things that are sacred and have made them profane. Sex, money, food, relationships, and community are all things taken by humans in their sinful nature and made profane.

I am still in the midst of these thoughts, and as always working through them slowly. I will post some resources that I am using if anyone wants to join in discussing this with me.

God, Women and Food by Geneen Roth

Not written from a distinctly Christian view, but interesting non the less.

Paul Matthies has preached some sermons about gluttony at my church. These have been helpful to me as I am thinking through these issues.

The same friend who recommended the Roth book told me about this one as well. I have yet to read it, but I have picked it up from the library.

In the midst of all of this I am in the middle of writing my thesis for my masters degree. My thesis is a study of nutrition and fitness education (a curriculum we call Fitnessistas) with 5th and 6th grade girls aiming to help them to be able to make healthier decisions about their health. I am learning a lot as I hear their struggles and perceptions of health and fitness. It is humbling and exhilarating.

And a recipe, because this is supposed to be a food blog…

I got to work last night to make a muffin inspired by my Jamaican neighbor from Philadelphia. I was in Philly a few weeks ago and got to go to Marjorie’s house and she of course came out of the kitchen carrying a piece of cake. She always made wonderful rum cake and other ‘healthy’ whole wheat treats. The cake she gave me a few weeks ago had shredded carrots and ginger, and I loved it.

Warning. These “muffins” were an experiment to make something sweet that was more ‘whole’ food based. Less sugar, flour, and fat. Because of this they are not typical muffins and came out dense and moist. I put them in the freezer for a quick sweet treat and warmed one up in the microwave this morning for a nice addition to my breakfast.

Jamaican Sunshine Muffins

Ingredients:

3 carrots shredded

1 small piece of ginger grated

2 medium bananas

1 cup oatmeal flour (1 cup of oats grinded fine in the food processor) (flour would substitute)

1/2 cup almond meal (flour would work for this as well)

1/2 cup almond milk

1 Tbs flax seed meal

1.5 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cardamom

1 tsp cinnamon

1/8 cup honey (or agave/maple syrup)

Directions:

In one bowl mash the bananas until smooth. Mix with the grated carrots and ginger until combined.

Add the almond milk and flax seed meal and let set.

In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients and mix.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixing until just combined.

Scoop the batter into a muffin tin with liners.

Bake at 350 degrees for 23 minutes.

Let cool and enjoy. They freeze well.

Makes 12 muffins

That is around 100 calories, and a heck of a lot better for you than a 100 calorie pack of processed junk.

WW p+= 2 or 3 (2 on weight watchers website and 3 if the nutrition info is added)