“Decide that you want it more than you’re afraid of it.”
– Bill Cosby
Somehow it seems fitting to look back on this year as we come to the end of June, which inevitably signifies the end of the first six months of 2014, and the beginning of the second half of the year.
Can I tell you a secret?
Get delicious GLUTEN-FREE recipes each week!
Every year, when I get down to writing my resolutions, be it scribbling in my notebook or typing them down in some Microsoft Word document, there is one resolution that somehow always makes it on the list, but one that I haven’t gotten down to fulfilling.
If you’ve been reading this space for a while, you might already know that my dream is to be a writer.
Ever since I was ten years old and started writing make-believe novels for myself (mostly including blond hair blue-eyed main characters), I’ve known that writing is something that’s inherently a part of me.
Something that no one could ever take away from me (chime in Katy Perry’s “Part of Me” song), no matter what situation I’m in, and something that will give people a open window to my soul.
The only issue that I had was that while I’ve always known writing is part of my destiny, and that one day I would love to publish a book, I’ve never actually had a clear idea of what kind of book I would write.
But recently, it seems that the idea of writing a cookbook has planted itself in my head and refuses to let me go. To be completely honest, I never thought that when I actually get down to writing, the first book I would write would be a book about food, and in this case, a cookbook. I still can’t quite wrap my head around it, but the more I think about it, the more it seems to make perfect sense.
I mean, food is such a big part of my life.
I spend my days writing about food on this little blog; I spend weekend testing and trying out new recipes; and most of all, I love creating and eating food, and the joy of sharing food with amazing company. So it seems only natural that my two loves for writing and food clash head-on at some point in my life, and in that collision, the idea of writing a cookbook was born.
I had the most wonderful time bonding over dinner with my friends Reuben and Joyce who were in town last week, and because I trust them and value their opinions, I told them about the cookbook idea again (we’ve spoken about it before, sometime in March, when the first seeds of the cookbook were sown). Both of them were so incredibly excited about it, they were literally urging me to write it, but first of all, they said that it was best to test if the idea was feasible.
So here I am, asking you – what do you think?
I feel like I’m putting my heart out for you to see, and it feels pretty scary to do that – but as the quote above says, I have to decide that I want it more than I’m afraid of it. And if your dreams don’t scare you, then they aren’t big enough, right?
And so, this is my huge dream, that sometimes scares me.
And the notion of telling people about it, putting it on the blog for everyone to read, is quite overwhelming. But I’m plunging ahead, like I did during cliff-diving in Boracay, the Philippines, and like I did, jumping in head first and re-locating to Buenos Aires four years ago.
As I said, it’s still very much an idea in its infancy, but because you readers mean the world to me, I wanted to tell you about it first. I want to hear your opinions, your suggestions and everything constructive that could help me turn this dream into a tangible reality.
Would you be interested in a grain-free cookbook? Would you support me in taking a life-long wish and making it come true?
I’m so excited I’m bouncing in my chair. I can hardly hold my excitement as I type these words on the page. I feel like Tigger bobbing up and down! Oh my goodness, it’s such a relief to be able to finally let it all out.
Dear friend, please, please please, if you’re out there and reading this, please take one minute of your time and tell me your thoughts.
I’m asking (literally begging) for your support, and if you feel that this blog has made some sort of a difference to you, I urge you to give me your feedback.
Thank you all so much, from the bottom of my heart.
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.
Hi Felicia,
I just discovered your blog and I am thrilled. I am Celiac and have Rheumatoid arthritis. Food for me is health. I am always searching for gluten free recipes that taste good and are nutritious. I am in the process of making your grain free chocolate banana bread.
I hope you take the leap and write a book. I would definitely purchase it.
Angela
Angela! You don’t know just how happy your comment makes me! I’m so glad the recipes on my blog are useful to you – and I hope the chocolate banana bread comes out well for you!! Thank you so much for your support and encouragement! I will write the book one day! 🙂 Let me know how the bread turns out, crossing my fingers that you’ll like it!
Felicia — if you write a cookbook, I’m buying! I think you are an incredible writer and amazing chef, and say go for your dreams because they will not disappoint. 🙂
Rachael!!! Thank you so much for your vote of confidence!! It really made my day!! I still have a long way to go before the book can become a reality (I’m thinking more along the lines of a self-published ebook, since digital is the future), and knowing that you as well as others are rooting for me is a great motivation to get the book done!! Thank you a gazillion times!!! Hope you are well!! xoxo, felicia
Okay so first off – I LOVE your new banner image!! Second: MAKE THAT COOKBOOK HAPPEN MISS FELICIA! Though I love all things flour-related, I still love your grain-free goodies and I have a grandmother very near and dear to my heart who has celiac and would LOVE your cookbook. Make this dream come true; we’ll all be here rooting for you and supporting you every step of the way. <3
JESS JESS you’re the besT! Haha, i sounded like a high-school cheerleader there. Thanks for you all-time encouragement my dear blogging friend! I’m getting very encouraged by all the comments and what other people tell me too, so hopefully, crossing my fingers, that this will become a reality one day!! Sending much love to you and your Nana!!! And thanks for your support in advance!!
hey gal! I think you should totally go for it, esp if you are writing about baking gluten-free / dairy free goodies (rare) 🙂
If you are thinking of testing out the feasibility of the idea, i would suggest putting out a title of your book and short description on https://publishizer.com/, and you can garner interest for your book before the launch. They can also help you with the printing / editing part of it if you exceed the minimum threshold of interest. 🙂
Good luck and i enjoy your writing! 🙂
Christine!!! Thanks so much for dropping by and for your encouragement!! And, what a great idea about testing the feasibility of the book! Thanks for the tip!! Hope you’ve been well!! 🙂 and thanks so much for reading dear!
I forgot to add- saw that quote up there by bill cosby! I am an unabashed fan of the Cosby show!
I second Aunty Grace!!! I also say – go for it 🙂
Dear flea, you have a precious gift, and I have no doubt that you will harness this gift to bless many, many of us. I say, your cookbook will be the gift that keeps on giving.
YAY! YAY!! Here’s to hoping I make this cookbook dream come true!!! And with friends like you and family that support me, I know it will become a reality one day!!! Maybe starting with an e-cookbook first!!
Yeah Felicia ! 🙂
I say GO FOR IT!
I can literally see with my mind’s eye how the book that you will be presenting to the world – Grain-free Cookbook – will make such a significant difference in the lives of many health-conscious foodies who enjoy creating and eating sumptous healthy meals.
You have my full support in this ground-breaking manifestation of your desire into tangible time and space reality for yourself. This first fruit birthing from your passionate desire to write will be followed by many more great books unfolding in your life time.
Darling, follow your Heart and be abundantly blessed by Father God in heaven 🙂
With ALL of our Love for you, you will be the joyful writer you are meant to be!
God bless!
Mum
MUMMY!!! Yes, I hope I’ll be able to write the book one day…hopefully by the end of this year!! Thanks for your prayers and love!! I love you!
Hi Felicia, I think you should do it, your writing is wonderful and very engaging. Your recipes always look and sound delicious.. Follow your heart.
Cheri, you don’t know how happy I am to read your comment! Thank you so much for your support, for reading, for commenting, and now for encouraging me to write the book!! 🙂 Sending love!