Please, please, please accept my apologies…for holding out on you for so long! I teased my Healthy Living How To Facebook Friends with a photo of this lovely and oh so healthy carrot cake a week and a half ago and promised to post the recipe on my birthday. Yeah, my birthday came and went last week and I didn’t hold true to my word.
You see, I haven’t been a good little blogger recently. Actually, you could say I have been in a bit of a mid-winter slump. My mind has been under attack and full of self-doubt. However, after a very inspiring message at church (<—click on the text to watch for yourself) yesterday, I am losing my “but I don’t have what it takes” mindset, dusting the snow off my back, and am back to blogging with a renewed sense of purpose.
If the above paragraph sounds cryptic or has you thinking, I thought Miss Vanessa was full of confidence, let me tell you, I have periods of self-doubt more often than I would like to admit. It is a cross I bear and something I have to consciously surrender to God on a regular basis. The past two weeks has been particular hard for me, which all started with a major disappointment and letdown in a professional relationship that snowballed in to me doubting my abilities, direction, purpose, even my character.
It never ceases to amaze me how God always comes to my rescue. I sat down at church yesterday morning, opened up the program, only to find the title of the message, Losing Our Buts: I Don’t Have What it Takes. It was not a coincidence; I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I was there to “lose my BUT”!
Even the most accomplished people feel inadequate at times. Every single person is insecure in some way. Every one of us doubts we have what it takes in multiple ares of our life. But today, I’m going to give you three truths out of God’s Word, that you can draw from whenever you’re tempted to say, “I don’t have what it takes.” ~Jason Strand, Pastor, Eagle Brook Church
It makes me tear up just typing this as I realize how my recent thoughts do not line up with God’s truth for not only myself but for each and every one of us who put our faith in Christ. So what are the three truths to remember when our mind’s are filled with doubt?
- God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.
- You are God’s masterpiece.
- You have everything you need to do everything God has called you to do.
While every message at church speaks to each of us differently, this message spoke right to my heart. It was exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right moment. I hope that by exposing my weakness and putting it out there for you, that it helps someone, somewhere! Because at the end of the day that is why I started Healthy Living How To. To serve, inspire and help others!
If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:7-8
Enjoy a healthy slice of carrot cake, that is gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free!
Ingredients
- 1 c. Almond Flour
- 1/4 c. Coconut Flour
- 6 Tbsp. Erythritol or 4 Tbsp. Xylitol
- 1/4 tsp. Stevia Extract
- 2 tsp. Aluminum-Free Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Celtic Sea Salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. Ground Ginger
- 1/8 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
- 3 Large Eggs
- 1/2 c. Almond Milk
- 1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
- 3 Large Carrots, Grated
- 2 Tbsp. Coconut Oil, Melted
- Almond Cream Cheese Frosting
- Coconut Oil for Pan
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease 8 1/2 inch round cake pan with coconut oil, cut unbleached parchment paper into circle and line bottom of pan.
- In medium mixing bowl, sift together almond flour, coconut flour, erythritol, stevia, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
- In small mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, almond milk, vanilla extract.
- With electric beaters on medium speed, add wet to dry and mix until incorporated. Then add in grated carrots and finally melted coconut oil.
- Spoon batter into prepared pan and smooth.
- Bake for 40 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
- Invert on cooling rack and remove from pan immediately.
- Once cooled frost and enjoy!
Notes
As you can see from the picture, I made this into a layer cake by cutting the cooled 8 1/2 inch round cake in half and then frosted and stacked. This recipe is dairy-free and is frosted with a non-dairy alternative to cream cheese frosting. It is also lovely topped with whipped coconut cream. Nutritional information without frosting 170 calories, 14 g fat, 9 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 5 g NET CARBS, 7 g protein
Hi Vanessa! I looked up the Erythritol on Amazon, and it really gets some mixed reviews. I’m wondering why you choose this as your sweetener, as opposed to the more commonly available Xylitol? I have xylitol for baking, but would be willing to go with the erythritol if you really think it’s a superior product-
I use both erythritol and xylitol. I prefer erythritol as it has less calories and zero glycemic impact. If you have xylitol, go ahead and use it in this recipe. I added it as a substitution in the recipe.
Also – Xylitol is one of the sugar alcohols (like sorbitol and malitol) that, to put it politely, causes intestinal distress if you eat too much of it. Erythritol does not have that same effect.
As I read your above article- it resounded in me. I sometimes feel like I don’t have the strength to continue cooking/eating low carb- even though my body feels better when I do. A heartfelt thank you for all the effort you put in to making this a website so that many of us can benefit from, and here’s hoping we see many more posts from you in the future.
I cannot use the coconut flour or eggs. If I replace the coconut with almond or another nut flour and use pumpkin or flax eggs replacement. Could you recommend an equivalent amount? I am BAD on conversions.
I am not experienced at egg-free baking. I apologize. My recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free and sugar-free…haven’t ventured in egg-free.
can both these be substituted w 7 tbsp honey ?
6 Tbsp. Erythritol
1/4 tsp. Stevia Extract
I don’t use honey in my baking, never have, so not sure. I can tell you the sweetening equivalent is about 1/2 c. or there abouts.
Oh my! I can’t possibly understand what sparked your “doubt” but I CAN tell you that I love your blog. I love your passion for your message. If this message is going to spread (the fact that we’ve been fed so much misinformation about nutrition) than it’s going to take people like you (chipping away from the bottom up). I often wonder how the likes of Dr. Davis and Dr. Lustig keep their heads up and keep on trucking – it’s must be terribly frustrating running into the wall of conventional thinking constantly. Dr. Davis has said, it’s not our job to convince everyone but the more they hear the message the more they will start to believe. I hope you continue to be one of those voices
Thank you Trina! I appreciate your encouragement. I really do!
I think all of us have doubts from time to time. I hope you continue to listen to God and continue teaching us how to take better care of ourselves. I am new to your blog and to the low carb/gluten free lifestyle. When I saw this cake, I just had to make it! It is wonderful! (My only change is I used cream cheese instead of the almond cream cheese. We haven’t gone completely dairy free yet.) The cake really doesn’t need the frosting though. It is delicious by itself. I am making these as mini cupcakes to take to a Superbowl party this Sunday. Thanks so much for all you do!
Jennifer Wofford
As to your doubt…I doubt I would visit your page daily or follow your Facebook page is there was any doubt that you should have no self doubt!
Thank you Lee.
We all have bad days. Your enthusiasm keeps me going! You do great work!
Thank you Caitlin…you inspire me as well. So glad our paths have crossed!
Vanessa,
Please know that you and your posts have been such an inspiration. I am trying to get healthy and your sharing and caring help make this journey easier. As I have gotten older I have realized that in those moments of self doubt and disappointment that, ultimately, there is a reason and purpose and that I have to trust God to know best. I often find that these moments lead to wonderous things that would not have occurred if the journey’s path had gone a different, easier path. You touch many lives.
Thank you for taking the time to encourage me Sabrina!
Dearest Vanessa!
You have been to me in the last year an inspiration, a lifeline, an anchor, and a mentor in a this walk of faith back to wholeness! No Buts about it! The Enemy has been working overtime to discourage you! The is an ETERNAL IMPACT that you are making and Satan is stinking mad! God is up to something GOOD in and through you! “In this world you WILL HAVE TRIBULATION…but Jesus said..Vanessa, be of GOOD Cheer…I HAVE OVERCOME the world!
Blessings! Loved the sermon! Now you can listen to ours. Mountaincc.org
It was a GREAT sermon…on this topic…”What keeps you up at night”…. Fear…this week Love and great respect. Linda and Don Moore
Thank you Linda and Don! I am watching one of your messages this morning… thank you for sharing!
Vanessa,
You have been and will continue to be in our greatest esteem but more importantly…our prayers! You are a precious child of God! We are so impressed with you health inspiration.
Thank you Linda! I enjoyed the message this morning.
I have just started following your blog and I have been in a slump too. You have inspired me to keep pushing forward with my “New” healthy lifestyle;) I have the eating down……BUT I need to get the fitness and healthy mind back;) Soooo hard! Can you give me some fitness tips on what you do to stay in such great shape? Thanks for your courage to reach out to all of us;)
Amy
Hi Amy! My fitness regimen includes strength training 3 times a week and lots of walking.
Vanessa! I am so grateful that you shared your heart with us…it’s easy to read blogs and feel discouraged by all the “perfect” people with all kinds of knowledge, great health, and seemingly “perfect” lives. Not that you aren’t anything except super awesome but it’s actually an encouragement to have you share your frustrations and self-doubt with us. Being in relationship with Christ is the key to good health…and that’s what your life reflects to us, especially in this post you shared. And it reminds me too that my seasons of self-doubt can be overcome with Christ’s love and redirection to His purpose for me!
You are such a blessing to me and so many others! You must be doing exactly what God called you to do…It is no understatement to say that your encouragement, knowledge, gentle heartfelt comments, and recipes on this site have literally turned my life around. I can’t even recall how I first got here 2 months ago…all I know is that it was the grace-filled hand of God.
I have new and energized bodily health, but having this has also given me energy and focus in my SPIRITUAL life. You are changing lives in many many ways and I pray that your heart would be encouraged with the love of the Lord and by the knowledge that you are such an encouragement to so many of us out here.
Wish I knew you in person to give you a hug, but consider yourself cyber-hugged.
Oh, and by the way, I made this carrot cake last night and we had some for breakfast! LOL My kids were shocked that I let them have “cake” at 8AM but it’s a whole new exciting world in this house!
Thank you and may God bless you in this work you do.
Oh Melissa, I hope I never come off as being perfect. We all have different crosses to bear! I oh so appreciate you taking the time to leave such a lengthy encouraging comment. It means the world to me.
Hi Vanessa,
I saw the picture on facebook before and my mouth started to water waiting for the recipe. Waiting for the cupcakes to cool right now. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe and so much more with us.
You are an incredible inspiration to us all to lead healthier lifestyles and more importantly healthier spiritual lives. For me it is hard to keep it all in balance but I am learning through spending more time in my Bible, in prayer and through reading other peoples testimonies.
Thank you a million times over for living the life God has called you to and helping others like me along!
Hugs and Prayers,
Stephany
Thank you Stephany! I appreciate your encouragement.
Just so you know, this has been my favorite blog post of yours EVER! And it has nothing to do with the carrot cake. I didn’t even look at the recipe! I read what I needed to ‘hear’ and was ministered to deeply. Self-doubt can sink us so very deeply. I get paralyzed by my self-doubt. And why? We have the perfect rescuer in Jesus! Amen?!
Amen! Thank you Julie.
Just made the carrot cake last night and it was fantastic, Vanessa.
Thank you so much for your blog, for sharing your recipes, your life and your heart with us. This is a very special place.
So glad you enjoyed it. And thank you!
Hey Vanessa, I have liquid stevia and swerve any suggestions on how that could be substituted as the sweetner in this recipe. My birthday is coming up and my favorite cake is carrot! I would love to “practice” making a cake for myself to celebrate my new lifestyle.. oh and another year older!
You can use Swerve alone in this recipe…1/2 – 1/3 cup depending on how sweet you like it.