This basil creamsicle recipe is a fun way to spice up your summer popsicles. Shanna kindly offered to guest post this week while our family is moving. I've admired Shanna's blog, Food Loves Writing, for many years. Her writing is ...Continue Reading
Panna Cotta Recipe
This panna cotta recipe is a simple, creamy dessert that feels fancy but is very easy to make. It is lightly sweet, smooth, and packed with gelatin, which is one of my favorite ways to support the body. If you are gluten free and ...Continue Reading
Grilled Steak with Green Beans and Mustard-Shallot Sauce
Grilled Steak with Green Beans and Mustard-Shallot Sauce is a hearty dish that can be whipped up in about 20 minutes! Good meals don't have to be complicated and I think this recipe highlights that idea. A steak, green beans and ...Continue Reading
Chicken and “Rice” Casserole (Grain-Free)
Sometimes it’s nice to go back to the basics. Chicken and rice - we’ve all had it in some form or fashion. When I was a kid, it was white rice mixed with cream of mushroom soup and shredded chicken. It showed up at just about every pot ...Continue Reading
Healthy Food for Camping or Hiking
Packing healthy food for a camping or hiking trip can be tricky. You want the convenience of pre-made food, but not at the expense of your health. Last week, we took some time off as a family and headed to Yosemite National Park. I ...Continue Reading
Blueberry Scones with Lemon Curd and Lord Montagu
These blueberry scones with lemon curd are such a treat and pair perfectly with a cup of coffee or hot tea. I have some exciting news to share. My youngest brother, Luke, has worked on a project for four years now and I’m thrilled ...Continue Reading
The Unprocessed Kitchen: Homemade “Samoas” (Grain Free, Paleo, Primal)
This homemade "Samoas" recipe tastes just as good as the real thing, without the unhealthy ingredients! Today, we close our Unprocessed Kitchen series. Over the last two months, we’ve discussed cookware, bakeware, soups, salads, ...Continue Reading
Grain-Free Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting
Like good bakeware, basic recipes are always nice to have on hand. A “white” cupcake recipe is a great staple because you can add different spices, extracts and flavorings to it, and mix up your frostings. A few weeks ago we ...Continue Reading
Paleo Bread (Grain-Free, Gluten Free, Gaps)
Most of us like to sink our teeth into a piece of bread, slather some butter on a muffin or eat a crunchy cracker every once in a while. Eating gluten free, grain free, or Paleo can complicate that for us, though. With all the tricky ...Continue Reading
The Unprocessed Kitchen: Step 5 – Salad Dressing
When we’re trying to eat better, we usually add more salads to our diet. Sadly, many of us don’t realize that most supermarket salad dressings are loaded with soy, preservatives, GMOs, processed salts, additives and other unwanted ...Continue Reading
New Year’s Special and Paleo Meal Plans
Happy New Year! I want 2013 to be your year for a healthy life. So much of our health depends on the food we eat so I’m going to spend the entire month of January giving your step-by-step tips on how to create an unprocessed kitchen. ...Continue Reading
Chocolate Truffles (Grain Free, Dairy Free, Paleo)
Christmas is in the air! Hymns and carols serenade us as I pack foods like these chocolate truffles for family. My giddy girls complete the joyous process of their last few weeks - carefully finding and wrapping gifts for friends and ...Continue Reading
Brussels Sprouts with Lemon and Hazelnuts
Brussels sprouts with lemon and hazelnuts is an easy, nourishing side dish that's perfect for the holidays! Brussels sprouts contain goitrogens which can inhibit the uptake of iodine into the thyroid (which creates low thyroid ...Continue Reading
Eggnog Cheesecake Bars and Cultures For Health
As you know, I’m a “from scratch” kind of girl. Sometimes I enjoy digging a bit deeper by making some of the ingredients for my cooking and baking, like homemade cream cheese for these eggnog cheesecake bars. Making cheese at home is ...Continue Reading
Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (Dairy Free, Paleo, Grain Free)
The homemade variety always trumps processed food found on store shelves for me, like homemade chocolate hazelnut spread. There’s always a way to create the same flavors at home without so many harmful ingredients. I’ve made dozens ...Continue Reading
Chocolate Chestnut Mousse Cake (Grain Free, Paleo, Dairy Free)
Chocolate chestnut mousse cake is the perfect holiday dessert to make for the upcoming Christmas season. I hope you had a restful Thanksgiving with family and friends. We laid low and stayed home - just the four of us. We played ...Continue Reading
Mashed Cauliflower (Grain Free, Gaps, Primal)
Mashed cauliflower is maybe not a fancy dish, but a welcome one. Its creamy and buttery, but without all the carbs. Of course, Thanksgiving comes with indulgences, but if you want to save your indulgence for another dish, creamy ...Continue Reading
Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie
This gluten-free pumpkin pie isn't too sweet and has a nice custard-like filling - nothing too thick. The grain-free crust needs to stay firm without getting soggy because of the filling. After lots of tasting, my family all ...Continue Reading
Chicken Noodle Soup (Grain Free, Paleo, Primal, Gaps, Gluten Free)
A bowl of chicken noodle soup is comfort and nourishment. Nothing fancy. Just simple, whole ingredients. Like most people, I’ve watched the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy with a heavy heart. Many people have no power or ...Continue Reading
Pumpkin Ice Cream with Graham Cracker Crumbles (Dairy Free, Paleo, Gaps, Grain Free)
I saw a new Ben and Jerry’s flavor at the grocery store the other day - Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream with Graham Cracker Swirl - and knew I needed to try out a recipe at home. I skipped the “cheesecake” flavor so those of you who are ...Continue Reading
Apple Cake (Grain Free, Paleo, Gluten Free, Gaps)
I posted a whole wheat recipe for this apple cake a couple of years ago and now I've adapted it so it doesn't include grains! What a whirlwind week! I spent the last six days in North Carolina working for Lisa on her upcoming ...Continue Reading
Spinach Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash
Spinach salad with roasted butternut squash is a lovely salad that's perfect for the fall and winter seasons. As the temperatures drop and we get closer to the holidays, I like to stock my pantry with flavorful herbs, spices and ...Continue Reading
Pumpkin Pie Shake (Grain Free, Gaps, Paleo, Primal, Dairy Free)
A pumpkin pie shake is a blend of nourishing ingredients that tastes like fall! Sometimes I make it as an after-school snack, but you can make it for an easy breakfast or, topped with whipped cream, a nice ...Continue Reading
Sautéed Leafy Greens
It's been a busy week. A family member was very sick, so I spent most of my week in Texas helping to provide care. What a privilege to spend precious time with family, cooking soups, organic, grass-fed meats, and sautéed leafy ...Continue Reading
White Beans and Sausage in the Crock Pot
White beans and sausage in the crock pot is my Gaps diet take on red beans and rice, one of my favorite childhood dishes. In a time when so many companies and farms seem to add unnecessary steps and ingredients to their food, it’s ...Continue Reading
Banana Bread (Grain Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Primal)
Banana bread is a comforting staple, and now it can be grain-free! Somedays I start feeling discouraged about the food situation in America. I try to focus on the good being done by so many, but it often seems we’re up against ...Continue Reading
Zuccotto (Grain Free, Paleo, Primal, Gluten Free)
I think I might be having too much fun with desserts, like zuccotto. I haven’t developed a new sweet-tooth, but am fascinated and challenged by just how many recipes there are to create without grains. I fell in love with this ...Continue Reading
Chocolate Chip Cookies (Grain Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Primal)
Grain free baking is the best, and this chocolate chip cookie recipe is just one example! The ingredients and methods are usually very simple. There’s no worry about over-mixing and causing too much gluten to form. The cookies don’t ...Continue Reading
Back-to-School Lunch Ideas (Paleo, GAPs, Grain Free, Gluten Free)
I think every back-to-school post starts with “I can’t believe the summer is gone!”. That’s exactly how I feel. Summer was great, but all of a sudden it’s time to buckle down, get back to a schedule, and start packing lunches each ...Continue Reading
Hazelnut Frangipane Tart with Peaches and Creme Fraiche (Grain Free)
Sometimes, I want to get creative and whip up a beautiful, fancy dessert like hazelnut frangipane tart with peaches and creme fraiche. Wonderful ripe stone fruits and berries abound this time of year and I love letting my ...Continue Reading
Vegetable Tian
A vegetable tian is a nutritious side dish loaded with vegetables and lots of flavor! Traditionally tian is a layered dish that features thin vegetable slices atop a tomato sauce base. Overtime, other vegetables have been added, ...Continue Reading
Chopped Waldorf Salad
A chopped Waldorf salad is full of crunchy fruits and vegetables and makes a great side dish in the summer! For this recipe you'll need: Boneless skinless chicken breasts Mayonnaise - I like to purchase this one, or make ...Continue Reading
Coconut Tart (Raw, Paleo, GAPs, Grain Free)
Every once in a while, I come across a dessert that makes me head straight to the kitchen, immediately working to adapt my own version. I had my first bite of this delightful coconut tart while in Texas and proceeded directly to Whole ...Continue Reading
July 4th Menu
Fresh produce from the market makes preparing an Independence Day meal much easier. Tomatoes, cherries, herbs and pastured organic beef will headline our menu tomorrow. Here's a look at what we're cooking up: Grilled (Bunless) ...Continue Reading
Roasted Eggplant with Mozzarella, Tomatoes, and Basil
Roasted eggplant with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil features some of the best summer has to offer. Start with eggplant brushed in ghee and roasted (or grilled) until golden on the edges. Then include one of the most popular ...Continue Reading
Gluten-Free Graham Crackers (Paleo)
There’s something so nostalgic about a good graham cracker. Whether you’re making s’mores, whipping up a pie crust, or just want a crunchy snack with a glass of raw milk — this homemade gluten-free graham cracker recipe checks all the ...Continue Reading
Coconut Flour Waffles (Grain-Free, Paleo)
These coconut flour waffles are the perfect nutritious Mother's Day breakfast. Mother’s Day is Sunday and the traditional act of love is breakfast in bed. Many kids and husbands can have a little trouble trying to figure out what to ...Continue Reading
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Some like it crunchy, others doughy. I waffle back and forth, but lately I wanted a grain-free cauliflower pizza crust I could pick up, eat cold, and send with the kids to school without worrying it will fall apart. I love my recent ...Continue Reading
Coconut Flour Cake with Lemon Curd, Strawberries and Cream (Grain Free)
Coconut flour cake with lemon curd, strawberries and cream is a lovely dessert for the summertime! Before beginning my real food journey, I had a terrible sweet tooth. I couldn’t go a day without some form of sweet: honey, maple ...Continue Reading
Cottage Pie
Cottage Pie, known as "Shepherd's Pie" in America, is a comforting stand-alone meal. Cottage Pie has a bottom layer of ground beef, onions, celery, carrots and thyme. It's traditionally topped with creamy mashed potatoes, but for ...Continue Reading
Smoked Salmon, Poached Eggs and Micro Greens
I’ve been a bit preoccupied with breakfast lately. Staying grain-free can lead to mundane breakfasts, and nothing bores me more than eating the same thing over and over. Taking grains out of my diet has fueled my creativity, though. ...Continue Reading
Baked Eggs in Prosciutto Cups
Baked eggs in prosciutto cups is our new favorite breakfast. The prosciutto crisps and creates the perfect shell to hold the runny eggs. If you prefer fully-cooked eggs, you can whisk the eggs together before pouring them into the ...Continue Reading
Coconut Bars
I love these subtly sweet and easy coconut bars. I love the versatility of coconut. The water in the middle of the fruit is full of electrolytes and makes for a refreshing drink. The meat can be dried and flaked to make any number of ...Continue Reading
Pizza (Grain Free, Paleo, Primal, GAPS)
You won't believe how good this grain-free pizza recipe is! I spend most Friday afternoons outside with my neighbors. We pull up our lounge chairs, pour some wine, and catch up from the week. For the past couple of months, I've ...Continue Reading
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach artichoke dip is a great addition to any game-day party or get-together! This spinach artichoke dip is a combination of spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, mozzarella, sea salt and garlic powder. It's rich, ...Continue Reading
Blueberry Muffins (Grain Free, Paleo, Primal, Gluten Free, Gaps)
Blueberry muffins are a quick gluten free and grain free breakfast you can even eat on the go! Many of you have requested recipes without almond flour, so I’ve been busy testing baked goods this week. My first is blueberry muffins ...Continue Reading
Creamed Kale and Eggs
One of my favorite grain-free breakfast recipes is creamed kale and eggs. I don't count calories anymore. I used to ride the low fat bandwagon and stressed over every little morsel that touched my lips. I felt trapped. I couldn't ...Continue Reading
Pancakes and Waffles
This pancake and waffle recipe is a new family favorite! In my mind, this recipe shouldn't work. 5 ingredients - nut butter, egg, yogurt, vanilla, and honey. With skepticism, I whisked them together, poured them on a griddle and ...Continue Reading
Dark Chocolate Cream Tart (Gluten-Free)
Dark chocolate cream tart is a decadent way to end a meal and is perfect for special occasions. The chocolate cream tart is a combination of finely ground almond flour, coconut flour, cocoa powder, cane sugar, gelatin, arrowroot, ...Continue Reading
Granola (Grain-Free)
Boy have I missed granola lately! It makes for a quick snack, packs easily for trips, and forms the perfect substitute for store-bought cereal. I've avoided granola for the past few months because it's usually loaded with grains, ...Continue Reading
Gingerbread with Whipped Cream (Grain-Free)
Gingerbread with whipped cream is the perfect holiday dessert to make for friends and family. We are off to be with family for the holidays, but I wanted to share one last recipe before Christmas. A moist, sweet gingerbread cake ...Continue Reading
Almond Coconut Fudge (Paleo, Primal, Dairy Free)
This almond coconut fudge is the perfect treat for the holiday season! As the holiday rush starts to creep in, I'm doing my best to fight it and keep everything calm. This week featured a whirlwind of events from parties to ...Continue Reading
Baked Shrimp with Fennel and Feta
Is there ever a time when a one-dish meal like baked shrimp with fennel and feta doesn't come in handy? Either for a quick dinner at the end of the day or for last-minute guests, I turn to soups, stir-fries or anything else I can ...Continue Reading
Pecan Coconut Muffins (grain-free, gluten-free)
These pecan coconut muffins are so delicious that you'll have a hard time eating just one! Almond flour is a relatively new ingredient for most of use, especially those who’ve recently gone gluten or grain free. I’ve received ...Continue Reading
Huevos Rancheros (Grain-Free)
Many mornings I rush around trying to get the kids off to school and also cook a healthy breakfast like huevos rancheros. I find myself simultaneously signing school papers, emptying the dishwasher, getting a load of laundry ...Continue Reading
Pumpkin Bread (Grain-Free, Paleo, Primal, Gaps)
As family rolls in this week, help stay stress-free by having some loaves of pumpkin bread and easy-to-fix items in the kitchen. You can bake this bread over the weekend, put it in the freezer, thaw overnight, and toast slices for ...Continue Reading
Homemade Chicken Stock
There's no comparison between homemade chicken stock and stock poured out of a can. The flavors are much deeper, and the quality of nutrients far surpasses anything you'll find wrapped in aluminum. Chicken stock serves as the ...Continue Reading
Roasted Eggplant with Bell Peppers, Chicken, and Mozzarella
Eggplant has become one of my favorite vegetables lately, so I thought I'd share this recipe for roasted eggplant with bell peppers, chicken, and mozzarella with you. In the past I would buy one or two a year, but never really got ...Continue Reading
Homemade Almond Joy Candy Bars
I like to have a piece of candy occasionally, and making some of our favorite candy bars at home isn't difficult, like these homemade almond joy candy bars. The kids have fun helping, too. My kids are getting really excited for ...Continue Reading
Eggplant Involtini
Eggplant Involtini. Don't be intimidated by the name. It's a fancy title for eggplant rolled around gooey cheese and baked. We're over halfway through the challenge! How are you doing? Are you finding it gets easier as you go? I ...Continue Reading
Buttermilk Panna Cotta
When you're so used to cakes, cookies, and muffins it can be hard to think of a satisfying, but grain-free dessert, so I'm sharing this recipe for buttermilk panna cotta. I'm here to tell you there are thousands of options out there ...Continue Reading
Sesame Crusted Salmon
I made sesame crusted salmon this week and didn't even miss the breading! How's it going? Have you found it challenging to remove the grains from your diet? I want to warn you about replacing grain with sugar. It's an easy thing to ...Continue Reading
Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas
I absolutely love these chicken and black bean quesadillas! They're flavorful, filling, and easy to whip up for any meal. ...Continue Reading
6-Ingredient Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (gluten-free)
You won't believe how good these peanut butter chocolate chip cookies taste! Six ingredients, gluten free, dairy free, and they taste amazing. They actually taste like they have flour in them. When it comes to peanut butter, ...Continue Reading
Strawberry Cheesecake Icebox Pie
I noticed at the market this week the summer produce is slowly starting to dwindle. I sighed a little when it hit me: cherry season is really, truly over. Happily, several bags of cherries wait safely in my freezer for use later this ...Continue Reading
Almond Poppyseed Crackers with Ricotta and Honey
Almond poppyseed crackers with ricotta and honey are one of my go-to snacks. The crackers are great by themselves, but you can take them to the next level by smearing ricotta on top and drizzling them with honey. Some might enjoy ...Continue Reading
Red Pepper, Corn and Potato Soup
I love this red pepper, corn and potato soup! I was inspired to make it after this past week when my husband and I took the kids to Disney World. We had a fabulous time watching the girls eyes fill with wonder and excitement, eating ...Continue Reading
Strawberry-Raspberry Soup
This strawberry-raspberry soup is such a fun recipe that I got from a my good friend Gail. Gail was our wedding designer (almost 12 years ago) and had an incredibly successful event production company for many years in Dallas. Gail ...Continue Reading
Sautéed Beets
This recipe for sautéed beets is a side-dish staple! I have never been a huge fan of beets. I've tried many methods of cooking them but they never had the flavor I was looking for until yesterday. I was talking with a friend, she ...Continue Reading
Kale Salad with Currants and Walnuts
This kale salad with currants and walnuts is the perfect side for any dinner party. My 3rd grade daughter came home from school recently tearfully reporting the other kids have been making fun of her for eating vegetables. What? As ...Continue Reading
Chocolate Pudding (Grain-Free, Paleo)
As the days are getting shorter and cooler, I've been craving my smooth, creamy and sweet chocolate pudding to end the day. My husband thanked me for my cravings the other night because he has been able to benefit from my endless fits ...Continue Reading
Raspberry Coconut Smoothie
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine told me about this raspberry coconut smoothie recipe she has been making for her family. She said that they didn't change anything in their diet or lifestyle, except this smoothie, and they are all ...Continue Reading