Happy Friday friends. It’s a good feeling. Even though I still work weekends, there’s just something about that Friday feeling. Anyway, today I have something very special to share. I sound like Mr. Rogers, but I promise you’ll like it.

Today I have my DEAR friend ABBY sharing a recipe (yes, I’m referencing the Dear Abby columnist.  Clever, eh?).  Abby is my fantastic neighbor I also gush about. You know the one that makes me delicious foods, shares my love of wine, kombucha, and running. Plus she will help me roll healthy bites if needed. Yep, that one of a kind neighbor. I highly recommend you get yourself one of those.

Well my DEAR ABBY is also a Holistic Nutrition Consultant and I’ve finally convinced her to write a recipe and post for me. Okay I bribed her with wine, but it worked!

Now… go read DEAR ABBY!

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Well hello there blog world! First of all, many thanks to my dear neighbor Lindsay, for gracing me with the honor of guest posting on her beautiful blog. According to her, it is high time I stop being a creepy blog stalker, and introduce myself.

My name is Abby Bounds and I am a newly certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant, specializing in diet analysis, meal planning, and general nutrition support. I believe God created food for more than sustenance alone, it is meant to be enjoyable as well as healing. My dream is to use my certification to first, help others achieve health and lifestyle goals, and second, to be an added financial support for our household.

I absolutely love food, working out, and spending time doing pretty much anything with my best friend, who also happens to be my husband.

Speaking of husbands… “someone” we all love and admire just celebrated 5 years with her best friend/husband! I decided last week a romantic dark chocolate based dessert was in order to celebrate properly! Rum Chocolate Macaroons. I stumbled across this recipe and happily discovered a fabulous new blog in the process! I’m not a huge peppermint fan and know Lindsay isn’t either, so I replaced it with real spiced rum. Yum!

Wedding Anniversaries require the real stuff no rum extract here. But you can feel free to add any extract or flavor you like. I’ll definitely add more rum next time–a little extract goes a long way, but real rum…meh, not so much. Oh well they were still tasty!

Chocolate Rum Macaroons

Gluten Free _ Dairy Free (except for the egg)

{adapted from Danielle at www.againstallgrain.com }

• Ingredients (makes 2 dozen)
• 3 cups shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup cacao powder
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon rum extract or 1/4-1/2 cup spiced rum (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg white
• dash of sea salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a bowl.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, or using an electric mixer, beat the egg white with a small pinch of salt. Beat for 1-2 minutes until soft peaks form when you lift the mixer out.

Fold the egg white into the coconut mixture and mix gently until fully combined.

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out balls of dough and pack them together tightly either by lightly knocking the scoop onto the side of the bowl or pushing it down with your fingers.

Place the dough on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 30 minutes, rotating the tray half way through.

Cool on a wire cooling rack for 1 hour. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

Optional – dip the bottoms of the macaroons in melted dark chocolate for an even more decadent treat!

Enjoy!

Anyone in need of Nutrition support or simply interested in returning the favor and stalking me:

• Promenade Wellness FB Page 
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/abby_g_bounds/
• Or email me: abbyg.bounds@gmail.com

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Stalking her is quite fun!  Just sayin.    Thanks Abby! I am hoping to have guest post with some other DEAR ABBY Friday’s in the future. So feel free to ask questions in the comment section about nutrition, etc. Or email Abby or myself.

Okay, who’s your dear Abby in your life? Neighbor, sister, friend, both?

Cheers!

LC

Tagged as: dairy free, dear abby, Friday, friends, grain free, guest post, recipe