Rhubarb is a very tart-sour vegetable (think 100% unsweetened cranberries). Rhubarb stalks resemble celery but have a reddish hue. Unlike celery, however, rhubarb is best eaten COOKED (versus raw). High in fiber, rhubarb is known to have a laxative effect: it can help promote regular bowel movements or reduce strain during bowel movements. As an […]
Buckwheat Ginger Chocolate Chip Cookies
When I bake, buckwheat flour and tiger nut flour are my go-to gluten-free flours. Because I have Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) and hypothyroidism, I stopped eating wheat and gluten-containing grains (oats, barley, spelt, rye) about seven years ago. Since then, many symptoms of digestive distress that I once assumed were “normal” have disappeared. Do I […]
Tiger Nut-Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache
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—as well as my sister’s recent significant birthday. One of the most effective ways that I manage my Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid […]
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 […]
Sweet Potato Brownies
Who doesn’t love brownies? This dairy-free, gluten-free version combines two superfoods: dark chocolate and sweet potatoes. The result? Delectable, nutrient-dense brownies that you can eat breakfast! It’s also a man-friendly recipe that involves mostly mixing and stirring—with a little chopping (the chocolate). Dark Chocolate and Heart Health Eating a small amount of dark chocolate on […]
No-Guilt Flourless Chocolate Cake
Nothing says “love” like a flourless chocolate cake. Especially when it’s homemade. A flourless chocolate cake is decadent. 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 gently sweetened with maple syrup. You can use 1/2 cup raw honey […]
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 […]