Rose petals in bed, the full moon's violet hue,
Tonight I celebrate the true love I've for you.
- St. Valentino

VALENTINE'S DAY is one of life's most intimate opportunties to celebrate relationships of all forms. It is a date where lovers, friends, family members, and often even total strangers send intimate gifts, fancy handmade cards, confections & fresh-cut flowers as outward expressions of the music in their hearts, minds and souls.

Do you remember how excited you got as a child when Valentine's day approached? Most all of us remember something special about our early Valentine's experiences as children. If nothing more than decorating shoe boxes, or giving away miniature Valentine cards, candy hearts with clever sayings, chocolate kisses or carnations. Most all of us have at one time or another placed a token of our affection into the hands of our potential "love interest" on St. Valentine's Day. Or at the very least we remember secretly wishing to receive one of the famous gifts shared on this special day of love.

Have you ever truly stopped to consider what a gorgeous holiday this is?

This year, we hope you take the time to enjoy the opportunity Valentine's day extends to you and the special companions in your life. Why not bring a special moment to someone you love this year in your own unique and special way? Why not celebrate the experience of human love in new and exciting ways and enjoy our "healthier" desert ideas this month!

Happy Valentine's Day to you!
In Love,
The PLW Staff

Diana's Chocolate Ecstasy Cake

This is a delicious chocolate cake recipe for anyone seeking an alternative to granulated white sugar. As a nutritionalist I have enjoyed it many times and hope you do also. If this is being prepared for a diabetic use xylitol, otherwise date sugar is fine. This recipe will serve about ten. ~ Diana

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease bottom and sides of 9-inch round cakepan; line bottom of pan with parchment paper.

2) Combine cocoa, brown sugar, flour, espresso powder, salt and pepper in mediumsaucepan; gradually stir in milk and vanilla and mix until smooth. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until mixture is hot and sugar is dissolved (do not boil).

3) Remove saucepan from heat; add chocolate, stirring until melted. Whisk about1/2 cup chocolate mixture into egg; whisk egg mixture back into saucepan. Cool to room temperature.

4) In medium bowl, beat egg whites until foamy; add cream of tartar and beat to soft peaks. Continue beating, gradually adding sugar until stiff, but not dry, as peaks form. Stir about 1/4 of the egg whites into cooled chocolate mixture; fold chocolate mixture into remaining egg whites.

5) Pour batter into pan. Place pan in large roasting pan on center oven rack; add 1 inch hot water to roasting pan. Bake until just firm when lightly touched, 25-30 minutes (do not test with toothpick, as cake will still be soft in center). Cool completely on wire rack.

6) Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight.

To make frosting: Mix margarine, confectioners' sugar, cocoa and vanilla with just enough milk to make a thin spreadable consistency. Remove cake from refrigerator. Loosen side of cake from pan with sharp knife. Remove from pan and peel off parchment paper. Frost.

Anna's Pumpkin Muffins
(No butter, sugar, or wheat flour. Yummy!)

A couple of years ago,
I started experimenting with "healthier ingredients" in my baking and cooking .
I am allergic to wheat, and sugar and butter aren't the healthiest of ingredients for every day eating. I purchased a couple of cookbooks that use a variety of wheat, butter and sugar alternatives as ingredients in their recipes, but honestly most of the stuff just didn't taste good. After some experimenting, I came up with this recipe for muffins, and they taste great! I use all organic ingredients, and usually make a double recipe (one can of pumpkin, and double all other ingredients). Once the muffins have cooled, I freeze them in a freezer safe bag, and pull out a few every once in a while for a healthy breakfast or snack. I hope you enjoy!

~ Anna from Penn Valley, PA.

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2)Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
3) Fill 12 muffin cups
4) Bake for 18 minutes
5) Enjoy Joy Joy!

Wholegrain Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is a delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe for anyone seeking an alternative to granulated white sugar. As a nutritionalist I have enjoyed it many times and hope you do also. If this is being prepared for a diabetic use xylitol, otherwise date sugar is fine. This recipe will make about 48 cookies. ~ Diana

1) Preheat oven to 350 F.

2) Cream together butter & xylitol / date sugar.

3) Add egg, vanilla, non-fat drymilk and water. Beat 1 minute at medium speed.

4) Fold in chocolate chips. Drop from teaspoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.

5) Bake at 350 F. for 20-25 minutes.


© PlanetLightworker.com, 2005

If you have any favorite cooking recipes that you would like to share with us for future publications of PlanetLightworker.com, we would love to hear from you. We appreciate sugarless and flourless, and also vegan recipes that you might wish to share with our readers. Please send them by email to our editor Sandie at: Sandie@PlanetLightworker.com