Valentine's Day ACD style

Flax hearts

I love Valentine's Day, mainly because it signals that the worst parts of winter are over. This winter has been especially rough on me because of injuries that just won't heal which has made it difficult to do my favorite winter outdoor activities, like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing.

But since I eliminated all those foods/spices/herbs that were interferring with my healing, I am doing much better. I am getting hopeful that I am on the right track by lowering my inflammation caused by those additional food allergens I discovered were sabotaging my efforts. I'm beginning to think that blood testing for delayed food allergies was a worthwhile investment.

I am celebrating by planning a delicious Valentine's Day dinner for my family.Of course, it's all ACD-friendly.  Here's what I have planned:

1.  Pomegranate-glazed roast chicken
2. Roasted vegetables
3. Mixed green salad topped with shaved parsnips and pomegranate seeds
4. Chocolate fondue and fruit chunks http://catsinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/chocolatesunbutter-fondue-acd-friendly.html
5. Flax hearts glazed with chocolate

Get entree and salad recipe here: http://catsinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/more-valentines-recipes-for-acd-diet.html

Dessert is the best so that's where I will start. I saw a recipe for flax cakes somewhere and loved them. I decided to change them up a bit for Valentine's Day.

Flax hearts
(makes 6 large or 12 small)

Ingredients:

1. 1 1/2 cups ground flax
2. 2 T. coconut oil
3. 2-4 T. water
4. 2 T. shredded, unsweetened coconut
5. Liquid, alcohol-free stevia to taste
6. Chocolate glaze for hearts (3 ounces cacao with no sugar, 1 T. coconut oil, stevia if desired; melt in microwave, stirring every 20 seconds)

Directions:

1.  Mix flax, shredded coconut, coconut oil, water and stevia in a bowl. Add additional water if needed to get the mixture to stick together.
2. On a baking sheet, press mixture into a heart-shaped cookie cutter to mold flax hearts.
3. Place molded flax hearts in the freezer to harden.
4. In the meantime, prepare the chocolate sauce.
5. When hardened, remove from freezer and dip into chocolate glaze to coat the tops. Return them to the baking sheet and the freezer to harden the topping.

This is definitely a heart-friendly Valentine's treat but you might want to make small ones if you are not used to flax.