People often ask me how I knew it was time to get out of my marriage, and the answer is always very simple, my gut told me so.
I woke up most days questioning my decision. I dreamed of a life other than the one I was living. I was obsessed with traveling as a means to escape my own reality. I never wanted to come home. Shopping became my addiction. I felt lost. I felt defeated. I felt hopeless. 
By no means was my ex a bad guy, on the contrary, he truly was and still is a good person, we just weren't right for one another. 
Just like any girl, I had a plan. I was almost 30, I was dating my best-friend for two years, and now it was time to get married. Although I knew all along I was making a huge mistake, little did I know what marriage entailed. That's the part no one tells you about, what happens after the "supposedly" Happily Ever After.
Women are blessed with a sixth sense - our intuition - and many times we (me) fail to listen to that inner voice. The biggest lesson I learned throughout this entire experience was I learned to trust myself, believe in myself, and listen to myself. I learned to make decisions based on what is right for me, rather than giving in to fear and insecurity. I learned that we always have the answers to all our problems, we just need to ask ourselves those tough questions in order to get to them.
Having said that, I've also been around enough successful marriages to know that if you are married to the right person, as challenging as life can sometimes be, marriage can be good. The biggest piece of advice I've received has been this, "marriage is hard work, but it shouldn't be that hard."
Hopefully I haven't depressed you. At this moment you are either relating to me, or thanking your lucky stars you aren't in my shoes, and you should. I'm a big believer in limiting the information that's shared on a public forum to what's appropriate, but I wanted to share this life experience and hope that it will be of some meaning to someone somewhere in the world.
So let's lighten things up here and talk about these Avocado Walnut Brownies. I've been baking with avocado recently and they add so much moisture to baked goods without the calories and saturated fat. These brownies are rich, fudgy, and delicious, but keep in mind, they will never taste like brownies made with butter.
If you keep your expectations in check, you'll love these delicious, healthy Flourless Avocado Walnut Brownies which will satisfy your chocolate craving. Hope you guys try them out and let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Flourless Avocado Walnut Brownies (healthier, gluten-free, low-carb)
Ingredients
- Organic Coconut Oil - 2 tbsp
- Ghirardelli 60% Dark Chocolate Chips - ½ cup
- Avocado - 1 large
- Eggs - 2
- Maple Syrup - ½ cup
- Pure Vanilla Extract - 2 tsp
- Dagoba Unsweetened Organic Cacao Powder - ¾ cup
- Organic Coconut Flour - ¼ cup
- Salt - a pinch
- Walnuts - ½ cup, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray an 8"x8" baking pan with coconut oil spray. Line with foil and spray the foil with coconut oil spray as well.
- In a double boiler on low-medium heat, add coconut oil and dark chocolate chips. Once melted, turn off the stove. Set aside to cool.
- In a food processor, add the avocado, eggs, maple syrup and vanilla. Blend until well-combined.
- Now add the cacao powder, coconut flour, salt and the cooled dark chocolate. Blend.
- At this time you can add the walnuts and pulse a few times in the food processor, OR you can chop up the walnuts and fold it into the batter. I personally prefer folding the walnuts into the batter so the walnuts are more obvious in every bite and not chopped up into tiny pieces.
- Batter is ready.
- Pour brownie batter into the lined foiled pan.
- Spread evenly.
- Into the oven for 30 minutes.
- Done.
- Cut into 16 squares ( I did 12, but 16 is the right amount ). Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Tag @honeywhatscooking on Instagram and hashtag it #honeywhatscooking.
I love seeing your creations!
John/Kitchen Riffs says
I'm really lucky -- I found the world's best mate in Mrs KR. We're perfect together. Hope you get to experience that sometime, too. And hope I get to experience these brownies! Love brownies, and these look terrific. Thanks!
honeywhatscooking says
You are really lucky. I love hearing stories like that, gives me hope in love. I hope so too! Thank you for your kind words, John. 🙂
Megha says
Love your story. I know it was a hard time, but it takes a lot of courage to leave in your 30s. You make me want to wait for the real thing, if it's out there. I try to listen to my inner voice, but it's hard at times. I'm glad I'm not alone. Thanks for sharing your story, I feel like you just helped a lot of people out by sharing this. You never know who is reading.
honeywhatscooking says
Awww thanks Megha. That's really sweet. I'm glad my story helped you, definitely wait for the right person. Just not worth being with the wrong one. It's better to be alone than with someone who is wrong for you because you will feel lonelier. 🙂
-Em says
Omg Nish! I honestly was thinking if i should ask you, how you igured it out cos it may help others. But then I thought it would be too much to ask - to discuss / talk about it in public. Then I thought should I inbox her. But then I was thinking, will it sound like I am being nosy. But then the intrusion said, she would share thinking that it might help someone out there. And you did!!!
Every time, I go against my intrusion - I call it the 7th sense that only women have. Haha. Now now edit that para. It is not 6th. It is 7th haha - I got into so much mess. All my mothers good deeds are paying off cos many ppl around me holding the pieces for me. I am blessed in that way. I wanted to experiment. Idiot! And some wounds never heal. Worst part is, you lend a hand thinking someone is suffering like you, but they just stabbed you pretty hard - and I find it hard to deal with. I curse myself for allowing someone to use me. Or even someone to treat me like that.
Generally people get bitter about their ex. But you are being honest about him. That is so great!!!
And yes just because two people are good, doesn't mean they can be married. I have seen great marriages. My parents and another ones I considered as parents too. But I know I will never be able to survive a marriage. Haha.
Thanks for talking about it. We just need that one person to say it loud. And make others feel like they are not alone. And it is ok to have ups and downs.
Hugs & Kisses
PS: Signing off with a different name. But you know who I am 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
Thanks for sharing your story - I think you should start a blog now. Lol. Yes, two good people does not equate to a good marriage. I am not bitter towards my ex, I wish him the best. He's a good person and was always kind to me, my friends and family. It's important to recognize that. Marriage isn't for everyone, but I believe when you do meet someone, you just know. Whether or not you choose to get married is a personal choice, but you will know what's right for you. Wish you the best!
Cara says
This recipe sounds so good and the pictures look amazing!
honeywhatscooking says
Thanks Cara. Hope you try it, they were really good. So mosit and fudgy. 🙂
Jhiane says
That is very brave of you to share . I love brownies and excited on making this healthy brownie recipe of your
honeywhatscooking says
Thanks Jhiane. Appreciate your comment. Yay, I hope you try this! xoxo
Raya k says
These are AMAZING!! I subbed the eggs for flax eggs (had no eggs in the house), used 1/4 cup honey and no choc chips and thought it would mess it up but they tasted like actual brownies. Love!
honeywhatscooking says
Hi Raya. I'm so glad to hear that. Such a great swap, I'm sure a lot of vegans would appreciate the flax egg. So awesome! Thanks!!!