So, apparently there is a "blog rally" going on. A rally which requires the blogger who is handed the baton, to write about hope. My wonderful friend, Cara, handed me the baton on Friday. I had something completely different written for this post, but deleted it all in the name of "hope."
The word "hope" is connected to the word "hoping," which in my mind, sounds like a positive spin on the word "wanting." In recent years, though it is difficult to do it all the time, I have tried to eliminate "wanting" or "hoping" from my life. It sounds pretty dismal, but bear with me. I've found that when I want, I lose focus on what I have. When I start wanting a new car, I lose sight of the fact that I have a great car that has taken care of me and gotten me from point A to point B for the last 9 years. When I start hoping for a job, I forget that I am in love with working on Keepin' It Kind and doing things around the house that I never have had the time for in the past.
The word "hope" sounds like something someone longs for in the future. I'm sure this definition is wonderful for some people, but it doesn't work for me. When one focuses intently on the future, they lose sight of the present. The past only exists in our memories and the future has not been promised to us yet. All that we have for certain, all that really truly exists, is this very moment. What a gift that is! At this very moment, you have all you need to be alive. You have air to breathe. Your heart is beating. We are alive at this very moment in time. How wonderful is that? And there's more! Think of everything else that you have in your life. Perhaps you have running water; access to food to provide nourishment to your body; clothes to wear; a roof over your head; if you're reading this, you have access to a computer an the internet. I'm sure, at this very moment, you have much more than I've mentioned to be thankful for.
For me, "hope" is my life, as it is, in this very moment. "Hope" is the fact that I am alive. "Hope" is that I have access to water, food, clothing, shelter, transportation. "Hope" is that I am blessed with even more than I need in order to be alive: a partner to share all my moments with, vision good enough to watch the squirrel in the tree outside my dining room window while he eats his lunch, and a slice of this chocolate loaf in my belly. With so much "Hope," how could I want anything more?
PLUM FULL OF CHOCOLATE LOAF inspired by this recipe from the Post Punk Kitchen
makes 1 loaf
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp salt
- 5 dates, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (or canola oil)
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons boiling water, divided
- ½ cup unsweetened plain vegan yogurt
- ½ cup agave syrup
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ tsp chocolate extract (or omit, and increase vanilla extract to 1 tsp)
- 6-8 plums, pitted and thinly sliced
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 and line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray the interior of the pan with cooking spray. In a small pot or tea kettle, bring some water to a boil (you can measure out what you need later).
- Place your soaked dates in the bowl of your food processor and process until mostly smooth.
- In one bowl, combine the flours, baking soda, spices, and salt. Thoroughly mix them together.
- In a large bowl, mix together the date puree, coconut oil and coconut powder. Add 1/3 cup of the boiling water and quickly mix together. Add the yogurt, agave syrup, coconut sugar, and the vanilla and chocolate extracts. Mix together thoroughly.
- Add about half of the flour mixture, and 1 tablespoon of boiling water to the chocolate mixture, and mix to combine. Add the rest of the flour mixture, and 1 tablespoon of boiling water, and mix until just combined. Fold 3/4 cup plum slices into the batter.
Pour the mixture into your loaf pan and arrange the remaining plum slices on top of the batter, in a pattern of your choosing (or just scatter them on top. Whatever floats your boat).
- Bake at 350 for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Let cool, serve, and enjoy!
Now it is my turn to pass on the baton! I am entrusting it to some of the most inspiring bloggers I know:
Cadry at Cadry's Kitchen
Anne at An Unrefined Vegan
Somer at Good Clean Food
Heather at Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes
Caitlin at The Vegan Chickpea
All Photos taken by Chris Miller
© Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin' It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Annie
What an inspired use of plums (which are all over the markets right now)! My loaf pan has been lonely lately - perhaps it's time to give it something to do ;-). Honored to have the baton of Hope passed my way, Kristy. A rough draft is in the works...
keepinitkind
Yeah, I was going to tell you- your loaf pan called and she's been feeling pretty left out lately. It's probably time to get her into action again. 😉 I can't wait to read your words on Hope- you are always so inspiring.
Somer
Holy cow, up to the challenge! I read Cara's post about hope and was completely inspired. That plum chocolate loaf is pretty inspirational too. I may finally give in to pinterest so I can keep track of all the recipes of yours that I want to make (like every single one).
keepinitkind
Thank you! I can't wait to read your words on Hope- I felt like you were someone who knew a lot about the subject. 🙂
Pinterest is like crack and a huge time suck. I've had to limit my time on there to about 30 minutes a week. But you should totally try it! 😉
Caitlin
now THAT is one inspiring post! you are an amazing woman, kristy, and i love your outlook on life. and the plum cake- AMAZING.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Caitlin. I think we're all pretty amazing, aren't we?! 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
This is such a beautiful post Kristy. I think your outlook is so refreshing and what a great reminder to be thankful of all we have! We are so lucky to be able to want and hope for things beyond the basic needs, something many people are not fortunate to be able to do. Thanks for writing this, it really made me smile!
And of course, amazing loaf 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, Gabby! As usual, your words totally warmed my heart. 🙂
Hannah
You've just made me realize that I haven't had ANY plums yet this season. This is just wrong! Okay, I'm going to start making up for it first thing tomorrow, starting with this cake. It looks amazing!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Hannah! Now what are you waiting for? Go get some plums! 🙂
Richa@HobbyandMore
that is one gorgeous loaf! i havent picked up plums this season yet too. that stone/slate/rock whatever that is= me want. scratch that, i have enough props:)
just yesterday i was going to yell at the long line at the cupcake and ice cream store, then i remembered cara's post and tried really really hard to enjoy the moment( hot and sweaty with a bunch of people breathing on me). thank god for vegan chocolate cupcakes that do not melt in the heat!
keepinitkind
Yes! Thank god for vegan cupcakes that do not melt in the heat! I second that!
I think you need to get some plums (they're everywhere right now) and that slate (it's from west elm). 🙂
michelle
Nice post to read after the longest day ever flew up to san fran at 7am to drive almost straight home ....exhausted.... (did have breakfast at Lyfe Kitchen)
Isa's loaf is so good ...love the addition of plums
keepinitkind
Wow! That is a long day! Glad you made it home safely.
Isa's loaf was a huge hit with my family this last Christmas. I switched out the pumpkin and applesauce and sugar, but it was still amazing. 🙂
Bex @ Vegan Sparkles
Oh what a beautiful post Kristy, and so much of it resonated with me. I have to remind myself often how important it is to remember the present and to feel gratitude for everything we have in this moment, whilst also feeling hopeful towards the future. The cake looks pretty special, too!
keepinitkind
Thank you so much for your kind words. This moment is pretty wonderful, isn't it? 🙂
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy
i love this. Hope is being alive. That is so awesome. and wow what a cake!
keepinitkind
Hope IS being alive! What a blessing it is. 🙂
Cadry
What a lovely post! I like the way that you've identified that hope or longing can keep you from being content in the present moment. It's almost as if in hoping, we postpone our own happiness. I'll be happy when... I have plenty of money for exotic vacations, I live in a more exciting city, I have a more stimulating career... At the risk of being one of those people who quotes country songs, it reminds me of Trace Adkins' song, "You're Gonna Miss This." No matter where we are in our lives, there are going to be imperfections. That's life. But if we miss out on all of those things we have to be thankful for, we've really missed the best parts of our lives.
Cadry
Oh, and thank you for handing off the baton! I'll have to start thinking of my post!
keepinitkind
Thank you, Cadry! That's so true- but I'm thankful for the imperfections too. They're more like unmet expectations, which create situations for better things to come. All of it is so awesome.
I can't wait to read your post! 🙂
Heather
Beautifully written Kristy - I am so honored that you thought of me, you absolutely made my day.
The title of your recipe is super cute and not to mention the recipe itself delish!
keepinitkind
THank you so much, Heather. And how could I not think of you? You provide so much creative inspiration as well a ton of positivity and light. 🙂
Gail Elise
This loaf looks amazing! I love the pictures.
keepinitkind
Thank you, Gail! Your words totally brightened my day! 🙂