You may have noticed that a lot of my recipes are rather nut-heavy. Why? Well, so many of my clients avoid grains for their wellness goals, and nut-based flours can be a fantastic alternative in baking, crusting, and pancake-making (amongst many other things). However, I always caution clients that switching one bad habit, or problematic food, with another isn’t a good idea either...
Read morePear Walnut Pancakes
There’s no question that I’m a breakfast fiend. Because I’m regularly hosting brunches, or just making epic breaky options for my hubby and I to enjoy, I am constantly experimenting with different iterations of one of my favourite go-to’s – pancakes! This particular recipe is decadent and moist thanks to the addition of pear, complimented with the nutty crunch of walnuts...
Read moreStrawberry Rhubarb Compote with Lemon-Vanilla Whipped Coconut Cream
One of my favourite markers of this time of year is the first rhubarb harvest. In addition to the delightfully tangy taste, rhubarb has been linked to weight balance, cardiovascular health, digestive ease, bone strength, cancer prevention, improved circulation, and even prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer’s due to its high levels of vitamin K...
Read moreGrain-Free Carrot Cake with Dairy-Free “Cream Cheese” Icing
As I write this, it’s both Easter and Passover. During Passover, Jewish people avoid foods that naturally “leaven” such as grains and legumes. And then there’s the association of Easter and springtime with rabbits and carrots. Plus a family member who can’t eat eggs and dairy, and then my own personal goal to avoid refined products in my cooking such as white sugar, while keeping it minimally blood sugar disruptive and as clean and natural as possible...
Read moreBaked Chicken Thighs with an Apricot-Thyme Glaze
Don’t be turned off by the title - this super simple week-day saver recipe is as easy as it is delicious. In fact, it’s not only easy, but extraordinary versatile! If you can’t find a good apricot jam or compote, simply sub with some other sweet-spread (I’m a personal sucker for Oregon grape jelly). Don’t have thyme in your pantry? Sub with basil, or rosemary! Essentially all this recipe is showing you is that slathering your bird with whatever preserve and herbs you have lying around is one of the quickest ways of turning an otherwise bland baked protein into an exciting burst of flavour, with no more effort than it takes to butter a piece of toast...
Read moreFudgy Walnut Brownies
Presenting some seriously chocolaty, fudgy brownies with walnut pieces, chocolate chips, that are grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, high fat, moderate protein, and low carb. You can even throw in a scoop of collagen powder into the mix to give them even more protein, and that glorious tissue-reparative benefit of collagen...
Read moreStone Fruit and Berry Crumble
Crumbles aren't inherently bad for you. Take away the refined sugar, and the unnecessarily high-carb often overly-processed topping (ie. refined flour and refined oats), and you’ve got yourself a pretty stellar treat! It’s a great way to use up whatever seasonal fruits you have lying around, and if you’re adding in healthful fats like nuts, seeds, coconut oil, and even that coconut-y cream-y dollop on top, the blood sugar spiking risk of the sweeter ingredients will be significantly diminished.
Read morePaleo Apple Cinnamon Pudding Cake
As I mentioned in the Chewy Chocolate Chunk Walnut Cookie post, I am a strong believer that there are no such things as failed desserts, just opportunities for a new pudding recipe! Enter Exhibit A: the apple cinnamon pudding cake. It was supposed to just be a normal apple cake, but I added a tad too much tahini, liked what happened, then remade the recipe with some warming spices for a delightful fall treat!
Read moreSavoury Herb Bread (grain-free)
One of the biggest things people miss when cutting out gluten or grain-based foods is fluffy moist bread. Rice and tapioca-based gluten-free flours are notoriously chalky, and many people who are avoiding grains in general, or are taking on a low-carb lifestyle, feel that bread is completely off the table. Not so! I am here to tell you that there IS an alternative! I present to you my moist and oh-so satisfying grain-free herb bread.
Read moreChewy Chocolate Chunk Walnut Cookies (grain-free, refined sugar-free)
There comes a time in every chef or home-cook's life when they feel truly accomplished. When they feel complete. When they can hang up their apron, turn off the oven, and sleep soundly knowing they have fulfilled their purpose in life. When they make, the PERFECT chocolate chip cookie. Friends, I feel I have done just that.
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