Raspberry Linzer Tarts… and Finding Your Passion

If you would have told me eight years ago (at the height of all my health issues) that in 2015 I’d be running a successful blog about healing and healthy eating I would have said you were crazy!  I was unhealthy, I REALLY disliked to cook, and although I always enjoyed writing, I never considered it to be anything worth sharing.  So how did I get here?  It wasn’t by accident. Over the course of the twenty years I was sick, quite a few of those years I felt completely forgotten about by God.   But MOST of those years I felt guided by him, and guided most recently in a pretty miraculous way.  To read that story click here.

As I prayed for healing all of those years, not only did I feel my prayers did not get answered (in the way I wanted) but at some points my condition even worsened.  What I did receive however was a closer relationship with God.  It was during those rough times that he revealed himself to me, guided me, and sent people in my path to help.  As time allowed circumstances to unfold I realized he didn’t desert me at all but instead he had a plan.  As I look back upon that dark time I’m glad he didn’t answer my prayers by immediately restoring my health.  Although I went through dark times I wouldn’t change a thing as I know I am some how better off today.  For one, I wouldn’t have this beautiful forum in which people can gain support and help one another other get well. I wouldn’t have the relationship with God that I have, and I wouldn’t have met the amazing people I’ve had the privilege of meeting on this blog journey. As you know, I did regain my health back and I feel healthier than I have ever felt in my life.  All of my former health issues were resolved years ago (with the exception of my sinuses) and even though I still struggle in my sinuses I am starting to see the purpose in that as well.

So how did this blog get started and how did it get catapulted into success so quickly? Because it’s all from God! On March 30, 2015 I laid in bed dreading getting up to start my day. My day job left me feeling restless and stagnant and I often felt there had to be more to life than what I was experiencing. Although it’s a wonderful company with fantastic people I wasn’t satisfied.  There was something inside of me that wanted to do something bigger.  Something that made a difference and something that made me want to leap out of bed with excitement in the morning!  On that particular morning I prayed for God to show me what I can do with my life, I could no longer sleep walk through my life lacking passion.  It wasn’t audible but I felt like I was asked what I like to do?   Instantly I thought to myself I love photography, I love to write, and I love creating healthy recipes. But my very next thought was “but there is nothing I can do with that”.  There was no delay; I felt “start a blog”.  I can promise you the thought of a blog or sharing my writing or recipes NEVER crossed my mind prior to that morning. I drove to work excited about life and by the time I got there I had the entire blog laid out in my head.  I immediately contacted my husband (who happens to be a computer programmer).  Coincidence?  I don’t believe so!   God knows what he is doing.   I told him I know nothing about running a blog but that I wanted to start one right away. My husband either believes in me (or just loves me that much) that without hesitation he immediately said “then that’s what we need to do” and for the next 5 months we worked tirelessly on this blog.

Now let’s talk about the blog’s growth in the first 90 days. Eat Pray Get Well (EPGW) went live on September 13, 2015 (a little over 3 months) and the following has happened which I still cannot completely wrap my head around. America’s most popular alternative health TV show Know the Cause tweeted Eat, Pray, Get Wells’ content several times (know the cause was also the inspiration for eatpraygetwell) which has increased EPGW traffic. (Which in turn helps more people- I love that)! I have received social media acknowledgements and shout outs from several food companies, many of which I partnered with over the last few months. I was asked to write two guest blog spots, I watched one of my posts receive 10,000 views in 30 days (which is fantastic for a blog that was less than 60 days old at the time), and most importantly I received feedback from people who are suffering that have said they had been searching for answers and that this blog not only provided them with direction but also gave them hope.  All of this didn’t happen so quickly because I am special or particularly talented but because a dream was placed in my heart and I didn’t question it. I didn’t talk myself out of it because it seemed too big and overwhelming, or argue that I wasn’t talented enough. I saw the opportunity God was placing before me and I dove in head first. God doesn’t let our suffering go to waste. He uses all of it, and he turned mine into my purpose and my passion, which is teaching people how to eat in order to restore their health.  I’ve often heard people say “God has a plan for your life” but I thought those words were for other people who had particular talents I didn’t have. But those words are for all of us including you! Do you have something in your heart you always wanted to do but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you are still trying to find out what excites you and what your purpose is? If you have a dream in your heart don’t let go of it. If you’ll seek him  and ask what he’s doing in your life you will be shocked to see that his plan for your life is so much bigger than anything you could ever dream up for yourself.  So don’t go it alone, if you are lacking passion and purpose why not just try asking? It might just surprise you that he’s been waiting to show you and that he will use you in the most incredible ways!

UPDATE:  Little did I know just a few months after writing this I would be on national television telling my story on tv’s Know the Cause.  Then two months later on PBS American Health Journal!

These cookies make a fantastic Christmas gift for people in your life who are health conscience but also have a big sweet tooth.  The beautiful “enjoy” container was purchased at Michaels for under $5.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.  I will release my next post on December 24th titled Chicken Soup and 7 ways to ensure you will be miserable so don’t miss it!  I will be back January 1st to respond to all emails and comments. Enjoy!

Raspberry Linzer Tarts

Erin Porter

Enjoy these easy sugar free raspberry linzer tarts!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Desserts, Snacks

Ingredients

  

• Linzer Tarts:
• 1 cup Almond flour
• 1 cup Coconut flour
• 1 3/4 cups Tapioca flour
• 3/4 lb Butter
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup Xylitol
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• Raspberry filling:
• Raspberry Jam (I used Nature's Hollow brand as it is made with xylitol and not sugar.)

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• With an electric mixer, mix together the butter and sugar then add the vanilla.
• In a medium bowl, mix the flour and salt, then add them to the butter and xylitol mixture. Mix on low speed until it’s thoroughly combined.
• Place on wax paper dusted with tapioca flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap it up in the wax paper and place in refrigerator for 30 -45 minutes.
• Roll the dough 1/4-inch thick and cut with linzer tart cookie cutters. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle additional tapioca flour on top before rolling. One side of the cookie will be flat and the other you will pierce with the lizer cutter (they come in different shapes) hearts, circles, stars, etc. Choose what you like.
• Bake the cookies for approximately 10 minutes, you barely want to see any golden brown. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Spread raspberry preserves on the flat side of each solid cookie then add the top of the cookie (the one you have pierced with your shape).

Notes

Kaufmann 1 Diet (Kaufmann Phase I)

Instead of using prepackaged raspberry jam, you could also blend your own fresh raspberries in food processor with xylitol for your own sugar free filling.