Delicious Healthy Vegan Carrot Cake

I must say I'm pretty sceptical when it comes to vegan desserts. However, this recipe indeed was a success! Not only is it Vegan but guilt-free! The aromas wafting in the air tease your taste buds right before taking the first bite.

INGREDIENTS

Carrot Cake

Wet Ingredients

• 180ml / 3/4 cup maple syrup

• 80ml / 1/3 cup smooth almond butter

• 105ml / 1/4 cup+3tbsp apple sauce

• 240g / 1/2lb carrots, coarsely grated

Dry Ingredients

• 210g / 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

• 3/4 tsp baking soda

• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder

• 2 tsp cinnamon + 1/2 tsp cardamon

• pinch of salt

Pistachio - rose - Frosting

• 30-45 ml / 2-3 tbsp coconut milk

• 4 tbsp maple syrup

• 3 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp of rose-water

• 195 g / 1 1/2 cups pistachio, soaked in boiling water for 20 minutes

• chopped nuts for decoration

INSTRUCTIONS

Cake

1. Set oven to 180 degrees C / 355 degrees F

2. Grease and lightly flour cake tin

3. In a large bowl, mix together maple syrup and almond butter until smooth

4. Mix in apple sauce

5. Next, mix in grated carrots

6. Place a sieve over the bowl with wet ingredients and sift all dry ingredients through it

7. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ones using a spatula and a gentle clockwise folding motion until no flour pockets remain

8. Transfer the batter into baking tin

9. BAKE FOR 45 MINUTES (Depending on your oven) - It's done when a toothpick comes out clean.

10. Let it cool down before removing from the tin

11. Once completely cool remove the tin and decorate !

Pistachio Frosting (recommended to be made the day ahead)

1. Place all the liquids in a blender. Start off with 2 tbsp of coconut milk and the 3rd one later (if needed)

2. Add about half of the drained and rinsed pistachio. Blend until smooth, adding more as the mixture gets thicker and thicker .

3. place in fridge over night (preferably)or a few hours (if in a rush freezer for 30 minutes).

Romans 10:17 - Listen

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Listening, one of the easiest things we do, yet it is one of the hardest. There is a significant difference between simply hearing and listening; hearing, in biological terms - is a process using ears to detect and perceive sounds - sound waves that transmit in a wide range of frequencies. While listening, our mind processes the sound into information that is taken into heart.

A skill that requires time, thought and practice to achieve masterfully—a requirement to obtain a caring relationship with our family, friends, and especially in missionary service.

Why is it so difficult to listen?

We now live in a high-tech world, where our minds and thoughts are preoccupied with multi-tasking and distractions that surrounds us. Unconsciously we do that, while sitting with a friend for a chat while at the same time, texting on our phone simultaneously - This prevents us from having a deep intimate connection with each other. We have become Isolated by the mind of technology – A poor substitute for human connection. With that, it breaks the channel God needs to connect with us.

"know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger." – James 1:19

Quick to hear and slow to speak. That's a good way to start. It is in our human nature to need to be heard, eager to speak our minds, our thoughts and what is in our hearts. With patience, our turn to speak will come eventually.

Becoming a good listener

Patience

"Unfortunately, many of us are too preoccupied with ourselves when we listen. Instead of concentrating on what is being said, we are busy deciding what to say in response or mentally rejecting the other person's point of view." – Dunn Lament.

Good listening requires concentration and patience - Which means we hear the other person out until they're done speaking. The speaker would rarely begin the conversation with what is most important; instead, they would build their way up to it.

One of my many bad habits is interrupting and impatience. I'd already know what my sister wants to say, so I'd interrupt her and give her my thoughts and advice. I later realized that sometimes, she doesn't want to hear my advice or opinions; instead, she needed someone to help discover her inner feelings and express what she needs to say. Still, I do at times get impatient, but becoming a "patient listener" requires time and practice.

Good listening is an act of love.

"Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them" - Bonhoeffer.

Bonhoeffer mentioned, "love to God begins with listening to His Word," God asked us to Love one another as He loves us, a commandment emphasized throughout the Bible.

Listening, patiently with undivided attention is an act of love.

Just as Paul the apostle mentioned in the book of Philippians, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition.." and "Let each of you look out not only for his own interest but also for the interest of others.." (Philippians 2:3&4) When we humble ourselves and conversate with one another selflessly, this is an act of love that shows compassion and kindness, as reflected in Corinthians 13:4 "Love is patient, love is kind.."

Just as my friend would patiently listen an hour to every word of venting from me, it reflects her love and cares towards me, rather than someone who would interrupt and walk out. "Poor listening diminishes the other person while good listening invites them to exist and to matter."

Good listening gains wisdom and understanding.

"Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out." - Proverbs 20:5

How else can we draw out the deepest water when we are not given full access in one's heart?

One best way is to listen to their inner thoughts and deepest feeling, is to fully understand and comprehend their needs and desires. We ask and dig deeper beneath the surface with an open mind until we find our answers, while carefully without interrogating the speaker if the speaker doesn't want to share the details. Instead, if the speaker cannot open up, we help them by giving them a fresh perspective of things that may lead to a solution. This requires wisdom and again, patience.

Good listening is an act of service.

"Listening can be a greater service than speaking." - Bonhoeffer.

During one of the medical trips, I sat among the doctors, watching them diagnose their patience. They sat there, patiently listening to all their patients' concerns about their pain and health. By gathering that information, the doctors were able to provide the needed cure. I've come to learn the important of listening. Listening, in silence can have a bigger impact than speaking in words of preaching.

Sometimes, one just needs a shoulder to lean on and share their emotions, and as they would walk in with a heavy burden on their shoulders, they would walk out lifted and feeling lighter. We ask others to pray for us, pray for our loved ones or for a particular occasion, God uses us as a channel to Him.

"God simply wants to use me as a channel of His affirming love as I listen with compassion and understanding.." - Bonhoeffer.

Good listening reflects our relationship with God

"He who can no longer listen to his brother will soon be no longer listening to God either.." - Bonhoeffer

God is the stranger that is knocking on your door. He is the sick waiting for your visit, the hungry poor that is need of clothing and the lonely prisoner that needs company and compassion. (Matthew 25:35-40).

Those who think that his time is too valuable to spend listening quietly will eventually have no time for God instead of for himself only.

God poured His grace into our lives, becoming His means of grace in the lives of others. Becoming His channel towards others as our acts reflect Him to the world. "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14).

5 Heavenly Crowns

5 heavenly crowns

1. Crown of life

2. Incorruptible Crown

3. Crown of Righteousness

4. Crown of Glory

5. Crown of Rejoicing

5 heavenly crowns, are unlike the usual crowns we know that crowned kings and queens, but each crown represents a reward as promised in the Gospels for a specific act of service or perseverance.

.1.

Crown of Life

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tired, he shall receive the crown of life.." – James 1:12

Those who compete in the Olympics devote their entire lives solely for that end goal - the Olympic gold medal. Their days and hours are dedicated to exhausting training, pushing their bodies beyond boundaries, testing their limits and their strong commitment to strict dieting while resisting temptations. What stops them from quitting? And what motivates them to go through this exhausting daily routine?

Our faith is constantly tested whenever we face challenging times in life. Temptations lure us towards the darkness, and we face trials and tribulations where our patience and perseverance is evaluated. It doesn't get any easier with time. It gets harder.

"For when he is tired, he shall receive the crown of life.." Knowing this gives us the motivation and hope to endure all of life's obstacles.

So what is the crown of life?

"..Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown" - Revelation 3:11

The crown of life is not eternal life let's not get that mistaken, as the eternal life is a gift, given to everyone and to those who believe in Christ for it. The crown of life is a recognition and honour to those who earned it by faithfully serving Him, which then, as mention in Revelation 3:12," will make him a pillar in the temple of My God... and will write on him My new name."

.2.

Incorruptible Crown

"And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown..." - 1 Corinthian 9:25

What am I competing for ? And what must I do to earn the prize? Two valid questions we each should ask ouselves.

The olympic runner must run a 10 K run, which is 25 laps to reach the finish line at the end of the race. Through training, the runner has disciplined his body, his endurance and successfully run all 25 laps to the finish line.

"Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.." - Corinthians 9:26-27

Our existence here on earth is a race where we need to keep running until we reach the finish line. This requires a lot of endurance and self-control! With self-control, we can resist temptations and distractions that are a detour from the finish line. With our goal being clear, we are motivated to keep running and keep fighting until the end.

Unlike our flesh in this world we live in, the incorruptible crown is imperishable, just like His incorruptible blood and flesh given to us through communion, His incorruptible holy spirit bestowed upon us through baptism and the incorruptible inheritance that we are promised. This crown is Immortal.

.3.

Crown of righteousness

"Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me one that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." – 2 Timothy 4:8

The crown of righteousness is a crown for those who are ready and waiting for Christ's coming. A more intimate crown for those with a close, loving relationship with Him.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." – 2 Timothy 4:7

The Apostle Paul mentioned three things he achieved – He fought a good fight, completed his course, and kept his faith in his achievements; he is ready to receive Him. A promise given to those who Love Him and waiting for His second coming will receive "The crown of righteousness" personally by the Lord Himself.

.4.

The Crown of Glory

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly, nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

– 1 Peter 5: 1-4

Specifically for all the pastors, apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, ministers, and every person responsible for watching over God's flock – His children.

"And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." – Mark 16:14

It is not a task that you are "forced" to do, nor to gain an advantage or power. Because you love, you have taken on the responsibility of being a shepherd of God's flock. Compassion, kindness and patience. We are reminded that God is the "Chief Shepherd" from Whom we will receive "the crown of glory". A selfless act with a glorious reward.

.5.

Crown of Rejoicing

Also known as the Crown of Exultation.

"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?" - 1 Thessalonians 2:19

This crown gives us hope. God is asking us to be patient and not to worry because when the day comes, He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more pain or suffering as mentioned in Revelation 21:4. We are given peace of mind and hope. A comforting reminder that in the end, our perseverance with our faith will soon be rewarded, and in the end, it is all worth it.