Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl and DIABETES AWARENESS DAY

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Diabetes Awareness Day

Today is Diabetes Awareness Day. If you need a little help on why everyone should be eating the low-carb and grain free lifestyle, please watch this:

Craig secretly took this photo in the middle of one of my creations. He thought it would be a neat "behind the scenes" photo for all of you....Please ignore my slippers and PJs! It was early:))) The boys are usually right by my side the whole time, from the mixing to the baking to the photos... and then the EATING, which is Kai's favorite part!

Inspirational Testimony

This is such an inspiring and touching testimony! 

My son, an adult, had always complained of "gas" from early teens on. He was constantly popping tums, milanta, pepto and eventually moved on to prescription. Then it all came to a head 2 years ago to full blown SIBO, small intestinal bacteria overgrowth. The pain was unbearable. He is 6' tall and dropped to 138#'s, was depressed and withdrawn....gave up hope of a normal life and really wanted to die. I was terrified for my sons life!! Doctors got him in this mess in the first place, so health insurance wouldn't cover anything since it was "pre-existing"! Which was really his saving grace because he had to find alternative healing. I am happy to say he stumbled upon a great natural healing doctor and he's almost 100% better. He has gained 5#'s which is something to be celebrated. But, what Maria has done with her books and recipes is awesome! Everything in her books is so informative and beneficial. I'm not sure anyone can appreciate her until they have known someone or personally gone thru some health or nutritional life altering devastation! These books and recipes are greatly appreciated by us. It's helps me to change my own life and I'm slowly chaninging my daughter and grandchildren over to this better way of eating. My son will always eat this way forever. He will never go back to refined foods and heavy, empty carbs.

Thank you Belenda! That makes me smile!

My first taste of real Clam Chowder in a bread bowl was a trip to Monterey California when Craig had to live in that area for work. It was love at first bite! But now that I am aware at how detrimental the traditional chowder is with gluten, potatoes and starch, I prefer this recipe!

Note: if you have any issues with deflating after removing from oven or getting an air bubble, try using less psyllium (half).  Some psyllium is more active than others. :)

"HEALTHIFIED" CHOWDER:

BREAD BOWL:
1 1/4 cup blanched almond flour (or 1/2 cup coconut flour)
5 TBS psyllium husk powder (no substitutes) 
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp Celtic sea salt
3 egg whites (8 whites if using coconut flour)
1 cup BOILING water (or broth- for extra flavor)
CHOWDER:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 cup celery, diced
2 cups cauliflower flowerettes
3 cups broth (veggie or chicken)
4 oz cream cheese or mascarpone cheese
1 tsp Celtic sea salt
2 (6.5 oz) cans clams, drained
1/4 tsp psyllium powder (for thickening)
OPTIONAL: 4 slices of bacon, into small pieces

BREAD BOWL: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium sized bowl, combine the almond, psyllium powder (no substitutes: flaxseed meal won't work), baking powder and salt. Add in the egg whites and combine until a thick dough. Add boiling water into the bowl. Mix until well combined.

Divide the dough into 4 balls. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 45-55 minutes or until golden brown.

CHOWDER: Place the butter in a saucepan and heat on high until brown specks appear, making "brown butter." Turn on medium heat and add the onion, celery and cauliflower (and bacon if using). Saute for 10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender (and bacon is cooked). Add in the broth and softened cream cheese (use a whisk to incorporate the cream cheese or little specks of cream cheese will be in the soup). Season with salt. Add in the clams. Whisk in the psyllium to desired thickness... a little goes a long way! Makes 8 servings.

NUTRITIONAL COMPARISON (per serving)

Traditional Chowder Bowl = 480 calories, 19g fat, 12g protein, 77g carbs, 3g fiber (74 effective carbs)
"Healthified" Almond Flour Chowder = 340 calories, 26g fat, 12g protein, 10.7g carbs, 5.7g fiber (5 effective carbs)
"Healthified" Coconut Flour Chowder =  272 calories, 20g fat, 11.5g protein, 11g carbs, 6.2g fiber (4.8 effective carbs)