The last time I attempted to bake a gluten-free, dairy-free birthday cake was 6 years ago. I decided to try again. I wanted to make a chocolate layer cake to celebrate my birthday this year—as well as my sister’s recent significant birthday. One of the most effective ways that I manage my Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an […]
Banana Mint-Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Back when I enjoyed frozen dairy treats, one of my favorite summer indulgences was homemade gelato. I especially loved pistachio gelato or an authentic Italian olive oil gelato—finished with a generous drizzle of robustly flavored olive oil. I have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), and, these days, my body is unable to tolerate dairy. Several years […]
Beat the Heat: Homemade-Mango Ginger Popsicles
I often see clients who have autoimmune conditions, like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or multiple food sensitivities (myself, included). Often, they are highly reactive or intolerant to sugar and dairy foods. Happily, this homemade mango-ginger popsicle will make your store-bought dairy cravings yesterday’s news. And, if you have an autoimmune condition—and are not sensitive to any of […]
Ultra-Dark Chocolate-Sweet Potato Brownies
Who doesn’t love brownies? This dairy-free, gluten-free version combines two superfoods—dark chocolate and sweet potatoes—resulting in a delectable, nutrient-dense batch that you could have for breakfast…! It’s also a man-friendly recipe that essentially involves mostly mixing and stirring, with a little chopping (the chocolate). Studies have linked dark chocolate consumption with improved heart health. Dark […]
No-Guilt Flourless Chocolate Cake
Nothing says “love” like a flourless chocolate cake. Especially when it’s homemade. You don’t have to be gluten-free or wheat-free to appreciate the sheer decadence of a flourless chocolate cake. It’s a delectable way to enjoy a combination of healthy fats: pasture-raised eggs, grass-fed butter, dark chocolate and cocoa powder (ideally, unsweetened and 100% cocoa)—all […]
Sweet Taste of Summer: Watermelon
Watermelon is a delicious and detoxifying warm weather food that deserves recognition for its many health-promoting properties. A welcome finale at the end of any summer meal, it’s also the easiest, fuss-free dessert you’ll ever serve! Naturally sweet-tasting, yet crisp and refreshing, watermelon is an extremely hydrating “wet” food, about 92% water. Like other high […]
Adventures with Chia
Truth be told, I was slow to warm up to chia seeds. As a “healthy” addition to smoothies and shakes, they didn’t hold much appeal for me. But chia pudding? Different story. I’ve always had a thing for tapioca pudding—I loved the taste and texture of tapioca “pearls” and took great comfort in its vanilla-infused […]
Raw Cacao “Truffles”
Do you find yourself crashing—fatigued, unfocused and flagging—mid-afternoon, between 2pm and 4pm? Or, if you’re doing a clean eating cleanse, do you find yourself feeling more draggy than usual? Instead of reflexively reaching for a hit of sugar or caffeine, try a few bite-sized protein balls for an energy pick-me-up. Gently sweetened by dates, these […]
Baked Pumpkin-Ginger Custard
I love pie. A few years ago, I even won a red ribbon at a local, upstate apple pie baking contest for both my filling and my pie crust. That was then. Since being diagnosed with low thyroid in 2013, I have followed a strict wheat-free, gluten-free Paleo diet. This has been a good thing […]
Blackberry Hill
This August has been glorious in our slice of Hudson Valley paradise. Dewy mornings give way to warm, sunny days, perfumed by honeysuckle. Evenings turn cool as the sun sets, leaving a pink dusk in its wake. And, as the light fades, settling into a pitch-black country sky speckled with stars, we often take to […]