Life has been challenging the last while. Lots of changes going on. And all the while, I'm trying to hang on to my sanity. Meditation and a positive attitude was called for. So I decided to draw inspiration from my self-help guru, Dr John Demartini, and come up with as positive an affirmation as I could possibly make it. This was I came up with.

"I am grateful now that I am financially independent, slender, healthy, toned, gorgeous and wise."

It hasn't happened yet but I'm not giving up my dream! Don't give up on yours either! You deserved it because you're worth it.

The Slender Goddess, :)
Cape Town

Cherry Almond Chocolate Cluster

by Ellie Krieger (http://www.healthylivingwithellie.com)

Ingredients

1 cup(s) nuts, almonds, toasted in a dry skillet over a medium-high flame until fragrant, stirring frequently, 3 to 5 minutes and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup(s) cherries, dried tart, coarsely chopped
6 ounce(s) dark chocolate, 72% cacao, finely chopped

Preparation

In a medium bowl, toss together the almonds and cherries. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.

Melt half the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over 1 inch of barely simmering water, over the lowest possible heat, stirring frequently. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rest of the chocolate. Remove the top pan with the chocolate in it, gently wipe the bottom, and set it aside for a moment. Replace the simmering water in the bottom pan with warm tap water. Put the pan of melted chocolate on top of the warm water. This will keep the chocolate at the right temperature while you make the clusters.

Stir the fruit/nut mixture into the chocolate. Spoon out heaping tablespoon-sized clusters of the chocolate mixture onto the baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Put them in the refrigerator to set for 15 minutes. Store and serve at room temperature.

Serving size: 1 cluster.

Nutrient Note: Good source of fiber.