Every 4th of July is a bittersweet affair for my family.  I am going to bear my heart with you in this post so forgive me if my witty self moves over and shares a tender moment with you. After all, we have been together in this thing called the “blog world” for a few years now, right?

I do have a patriotic heart since I come from a family who served in the Navy and gratefulness for all my freedoms in America! I love to celebrate even in the dismal climate of our ever changing Nation. Don’t worry, I am not getting political on you {tempted but will refrain wink wink}!

What I did want to share is the fate we each hold in life & death. Yikes! That sounds so heavy hearted but there is a rainbow in the end if we choose to seek it.  I am no different than you who have lost a loved one and in my case it was my only sibling, Bryan.

If you know me, you know my heart and the experiences I went through searching and studying to find some truth and answers for my broken heart.  As an 18 year old I was knocked off my naïve feet when my brother was killed.  I wanted answers and unfortunately all I found in my searching was I had more questions until I came across enough science to build my faith in this omnipresent God.

I was NOT intending on  getting religious on you either so please don’t take it that way. I am not into man-made legalistic religion per se but I am into this Jesus guy!  The two things {politics & religion} they say to avoid in conversation and well I am batting zero about now with that. Seriously, if you have ever lost a loved one you can’t help but question your existence, wouldn’t you agree?

I questioned away for years, studied all kinds of philosophies and found my way back to the promises God gave us. My studies even took me to China where I meditated among majestic Budda statues and studied Qigong.  I even stayed at an ashram in the states for several days only to have my husband, Tom talk some sense into me. By the way, talking was forbidden at this ashram; it was a silent retreat but I did open my mouth to eat some AMAZING vegan food!

If time is of the essence keeping the pudding in it’s firm Jello form is delicious too. I prefer to whip it and eat as a parfait but I love options!

Bryan was a bright, funny, sensitive and outgoing teenager when his path on earth ended up taking his life.  It was tragic and life changing for my family. I will tell you this, he did not die in vain as he saved my life in all my searching to have found out that science and truth equal peace.

He and some friends went to see the Batman movie and while waiting for my dad to pick them up they decided to take a walk in the plaza.  Boys will be boys and they spotted {in their minds} some really cool machinery. The plaza was newly built and still under construction.  Sparing you details, the steamroller killed my brother.  My father arrived only to see my brother in a puddle of blood as he took his last breath.

You would think writing this would be easier than speaking it but man this is rough…..{wiping tears away with a sigh}.  So July 4th was my sweet brother’s favorite holiday and ironically the day we buried him.  Every July 4th we have a tradition in our family to light one of the bottle rockets my brother had purchased before he died.  He had a plentiful stash as we are on our 26th year sending one of those rockets into the heavens.

I would like to dedicate this post to my only brother, Bry who taught me to laugh {at his corny jokes} and live fully because we never know when our last breath might be.  We can sigh a breath of relief knowing the promises God gave each of us.  Seek my dear ones, and you shall find peace that surpasses all understanding.

Creamy Lemon Parfait {paleo, dairy and gluten free}

 

Print

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

25 mins

 

Author: Dawn Rofrano

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• PUDDING
• 1½ cups cold milk {coconut, almond or other nut milk}
• 1 14 oz (approx) can of full fat coconut milk
• juice of 1 small lemon
• 1 packet or 1 tbsp of gelatin
• 2 tbsp. raw honey
• ⅛ tsp stevia (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp lemon extract
• pinch of fine pink Himalayan sea salt
• CRUMBLE
• 1 cup raw pecans
• ½ cup shredded coconut
• 5 dates
• lemon zest
• 3 tbsp. coconut oil

Instructions

1. In a small pot on medium heat add can coconut milk, salt, lemon juice, nutmeg and vanilla.
2. Be careful not to boil this mixture. Keep it at a low simmer and consistently mixing.
3. In a big bowl add cold milk and sprinkle packet of gelatin evenly over the top. Let it sit for 1 min.
4. Take coconut mixture off burner and mix the honey and lemon extract.
5. Pour the hot coconut mixture over the cold milk and mix well until gelatin is blended.
6. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours in same bowl or you can pour the pudding in small ramekins.
7. If you have left it in big bowl, after it firms up you can whip it to get a creamy pudding texture.
8. Using a mixer, blend firm pudding; adding a few tbsp. of milk can help cream it.
9. To make the CRUMBLE in a food processor pulse all ingredients a few times.
10. Spread crumble on a cookie sheet and bake 15 min. in a 350 oven. Raw taste great too!
11. Layer your parfait alternating pudding and crumble if whipped or sprinkle it over firm pudding.

Notes

I add the raw honey after I take liquid off the heat to preserve it's health properties. At this point you can taste the blend to see if you need stevia. I find that adding a few dashes brings out the honey's natural sweetness with out adding sugar or calories. You may notice the gelatin has a wrinkled appearance after it sits for a minute on the cold milk. This is perfectly normal. There are several ways to enjoy this pudding either in a flat casserole dish or in mini cups after whipping it. If time is of the essence keeping it's Jello form is delicious too. The nut crumble is optional as we have enjoyed it with just fruit. However, I think these are best served in jars with it's pretty layers! Please use organic when you can and look for BPA free cans.

3.2.2802

Share!

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

2 Comments on "Creamy Lemon Parfait with Nut Crumble {paleo, dairy and gluten free}"