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February 27, 2025

Hello Followers,

Welcome to Thursday!

We all want to be happy, right?

After all, life is better when we are happy and feel positive.

Happiness is not the absence of problems; it is the ability to deal with them.

Let us get started on another suggestion on how to be happy.

It is time to put yourself first.

Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future. —Deepak Chopra

If you have read some of Dan’s and my posts, you know we are big fans of putting ourselves first.

We are also advocates for taking charge of ourselves and our own lives, which falls in line with this type of thinking.

In the past, my life was completely dominated by other people; I came to realize that if I did not change, I would continue relinquishing control of my life to be accepted by others.

One aspect of achieving happiness is giving up the idea that you must live your life the way others say you should.

It involves coming to the realization that your life is precious, and you deserve just as much as anyone else to live it the way you want to.

It often means choosing actions, behaviors, and decisions that please you rather than conform to what you think you ought to do.

When you can live comfortably with your choices, you create the conditions for happiness to enter and stay in your life.

Tomorrow Dan and I will explore controlling our thoughts.

𝟏𝟓 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠

(Best Replacements)

Whether you are intolerant or out of all-purpose flour, it helps to learn about the many flour substitutes for baking.

All-purpose flour is the universal wheat-based powder used for baking cakes, cookies, pies, and other pastries.

But I am pretty sure you have seen many kinds of flour in the grocery store, too.

If you are wondering if they all work the same way all-purpose flour does, this guide is for you.

Fun fact: Did you know that there are at least fifteen kinds of flour?

Some flours can be used as an equivalent replacement to all-purpose, others you will need to alter the measurement.

There are flours that should be used only for specific recipes.

There are also others that are gluten-free, which is great for those with gluten sensitivity.

Whatever your reason is for needing flour other than all-purpose, here are the best options.

𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Almond flour is made by grinding dried-up almonds. The fact that it is nut-based makes this flour gluten-free.

It is higher in calories than all-purpose flour.

But almonds are a great source of healthy fat and protein, so it is still the better choice.

It is healthier and will keep you full longer.

Almond flour is great in banana bread and cookies.

Use 3/4 cup almond flour with 1/4 cup of arrowroot or tapioca starch as a replacement for one cup of all-purpose flour.

Not only will it make them gluten-free, but it will also give them extra flavor.

Oh, and if you are making macarons, almond flour is the only option.

𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

It is high in fiber and low in carbs, making it a great option for those following the keto diet.

It has a high moisture content, as well, and absorbs liquid very well.

This means using this flour alone will result in a dry and dense baked good.

That said, you will want to use coconut flour with additional fat or liquid to achieve the perfect good baked texture.

𝐂𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Cake flour is made from a softer kind of wheat and has the least gluten among all gluten-based flours.

It is specifically created for baked goods that are supposed to have an ultra-light and tender crumb.

That said, cake flour is perfect for desserts such as angel food cakes and chiffon cakes.

Avoid using it when making chewy bread like sourdough or dense desserts like pound cakes.

Use equal parts cake flour when using it as an alternative to all-purpose flour.

Do you not have cake flour on hand?

You can DIY it!

Here is how:

1. Measure one cup of all-purpose flour.

2. Remove two tablespoons of flour and replace it with two tablespoons of cornstarch.

3. Sift the mixture twice.

Pastry flour is very similar to cake flour and therefore has the same uses.

The only difference is it contains slightly more gluten than cake flour.

𝐎𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Oat flour is one of the most common substitutes to use when you are out of regular flour.

It is basically finely ground oatmeal, and it could not be easier to make.

Just throw oats in a blender and pulse until they turn into a fine powder.

Just like almond flour, oat flour is also gluten-free.

It is slightly sweet, which makes it a great option for cookies, pancakes, and muffins.

You can also use it to make breading.

Oat flour, along with almond and coconut flour, is also great for no-bake recipes such as raw cookie dough.

It is much safer than all-purpose flour, which may contain E. coli.

Do not use it to thicken soups and sauces, though.

It will mess up the consistency.

𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Whole wheat flour is a hearty grain made from the whole kernel of wheat – bran, germ, and all.

It is not only more nutritious but also gives baked goods a rich and nutty flavor.

Take note that it is more absorbent than regular flour, though, and can lead to dry baked goods with a coarse crumb.

But there is an easy fix.

When using it to make bread, use a 50/50 combo of whole wheat and white flour.

When we say white flour, we mean either all-purpose, cake, or bread flour.

When making cookies and quick breads, on the other hand, use 7/8 cup of whole wheat flour in place of one cup of all-purpose flour.

Final tip: let the batter rest for 10 minutes before baking to hydrate the flour’s bran and germ.

This will result in a more tender baked good.

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Bread flour is also made from wheat, much like all-purpose flour.

The difference is it uses a harder wheat berry, which gives it more protein and gluten.

It is precisely why this flour is perfect for making bread and baked goods that are supposed to have a stronger structure and a chewier texture.

Do not use bread flour when making light and fluffy cakes and cupcakes, otherwise, the goods will be heavy and dense.

𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Rice flour is, as you may have guessed, made from rice.

It is great for making gluten-free cakes and cookies.

It is also the number one choice when it comes to making Asian dishes like mochi and dumplings.

Rice flour is also a fantastic ingredient for breading such as tempura and fried chicken.

It gives such fried treats a light, crunchy, and crispy outer coating.

Its versatility does not end there, as rice flour is also ideal for thickening stews and sauces.

Pro-tip: when buying rice flour, be sure to use one that is finely ground.

Regular rice flour tends to be sandy and gritty, which gives finished products a similar texture.

𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Millet flour is another gluten-free substitute.

In case you are not familiar, millet is a whole grain with a mild nutty flavor.

It is best used along with all-purpose flour (1:4 ratio) to make bread.

𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Buckwheat flour is made from an ancient seed that also happens to be gluten-free.

I know that sounds strange considering it is called buckwheat flour.

But like I said, buckwheat is a seed, not wheat.

This flour is rich in fiber and vitamins and has a lightly floral and nutty flavor.

It has a bit of a chalky texture, though.

You want to use it with equal parts of another kind of gluten-free flour, such as almond or oat, when substituting for all-purpose flour.

𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐩𝐞𝐚 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Made with ground chickpeas, chickpea flour (also referred to as garbanzo bean flour) is popularly used in India.

There, they call it besan.

It is rich in fiber and protein and is also gluten-free.

Apart from being a healthier option, it is also a versatile flour that can be used to make bread, dessert, and curries.

Unlike other gluten-free flours, the wildly dense chickpea flour has more binding powder.

Just mix it up with a bit of water, oil, and salt, and it transforms into a dense paste that you can use to bind anything, from fritters to meatballs.

𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Potato flour is a gluten-free flour made from ground whole (but peeled) potatoes.

It is very good at retaining moisture and makes fantastic, yeasted breads with a moist crumb and a long shelf-life.

Use potato flour to make potato bread rolls, brioche bread, biscuits, and more.

It is also a fantastic thickening agent for sauces, gravies, and soups.

𝐑𝐲𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Rye flour comes in different colors: white, light, medium, and dark.

Its hue is dependent on the amount of bran that remains on the grain used to make it.

The darker the rye flour, the heavier it is and the fruitier it tastes.

It is great for making sourdough bread, fruitcakes, scones, pasta, and crackers.

Of course, we cannot forget about pumpernickel bread, which is made with the darkest kind of rye flour.

Rye flour is NOT gluten-free.

𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Amaranth flour is a gluten-free flour made from ancient grain that is loaded with protein and amino acids.

It has a dense grain with a slightly earthy flavor, so do not use a 1:1 ratio when using it to replace all-purpose flour.

Go for a 50:50 ratio instead of another light flour, such as all-purpose or whole wheat flour.

𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐚 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Cassava flour is yet another gluten-free and grain-free flour.

It is made from yucca root and has a very similar flavor and consistency to all-purpose flour.

It is more absorbent, though, which means you will need to use less of it to avoid a dry baked good.

When using it for baking batter-based goods, start by adding just a small amount and gradually add it until you get the best consistency.

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐚 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫

Made by grinding quinoa seeds to a fine powder, quinoa flour makes for another fantastic alternative to all-purpose flour.

The use of high-protein, high-fiber superfood makes this flour super nutritious.

Plus, it is versatile flour that you can use to make cakes, muffins, and quick breads.

Keep in mind it has a distinctive earthy and nutty taste, though.

Consider using it in baked goods with bold flavors such as chocolate and spiced cakes to mask its taste.

This 10-minute meditation is designed to help you recognize and celebrate your unique qualities, fostering a positive self-image and a deeper appreciation for your life.

By taking just ten minutes to focus on your undeniable self-worth, you can shift your mindset towards gratitude and self-love.