How to Make Chicken Stock with Nettles
Stocks or broths can be used in many different ways, well beyond soups. Homemade stock is far more nutritious than store-bought stock, even the organic brands. For one, commercial stocks, whether chicken or vegetable, use many different "natural" flavorings. What is a natural flavoring anyway?
Healthy Easter Basket Ideas
Did you know that Americans spend around $2 billion each year on Easter candy? Did you know that loading up Easter baskets with candy is a relatively new phenomenon? Eggs have always been a part of Spring and Easter festivals predating passover. Eggs are a pagan symbol of fertility and rebirth.
Stevia Sweetened Sugar Cookies (gluten-free + vegan)
These beautiful holiday cut-out cookies are made with whole food ingredients and sweetened only with stevia. Not only are they gluten-free, but grain-free as well. I use a combination of almond meal and shredded coconut pulsed in the food processor to create a nutritious, low-glycemic, and naturally sweet "flour" blend.
Gluten-Free Bread (xanthan-free, vegan)
Today I have a very unique recipe to share. A gluten-free bread recipe that needs to be kneaded! It is made of whole grain flours and is also free of xanthan gum, starches, nuts, eggs, and dairy. Last August I began creating kneadable dinner rolls and braided bread free of the above mentioned ingredients. But something was missing.
Carob-Banana Bars (grain-free + sugar-free)
These moist, delicious, high-protein gluten-free, sugar-free bars are made with almond flour, carob powder, and a touch of cinnamon. They are sweetened only with mashed banana and liquid stevia. Carob powder is naturally sweet unlike cocoa powder which is very bitter.
Grapefruit, Radish, Cabbage Salad
For the past few months, citrus and cabbage have become two of my favorite foods! This light and flavorful salad combines them both in the most refreshing way. I use napa cabbage, which is especially tender and mild—more delicate than green or red cabbage, with a slightly sweet flavor and soft, crinkled leaves. It’s also a favorite in our house. My oldest daughter even likes to pack napa cabbage leaves in her school lunch! All four of our children devour this salad in no time. Napa cabbage is high in folate, calcium, vitamin C, along with gentle levels of glucosinolates—compounds that support your body’s natural detoxification processes through liver enzyme activation.
Healing Chicken Ginger Soup
I’ve been making this soup a lot these days. It’s spicy, warming, and deeply nourishing—just the thing to help kick the lingering cold I’ve had. It starts with a simple homemade broth made from bone-in chicken breasts, a generous amount of fresh ginger, a whole head of garlic, fresh lemongrass, and a few cups of chopped shiitake mushrooms. After simmering for a few hours, the broth is strained and returned to the pot with fresh vegetables, the shredded cooked chicken, and some Thai rice noodles. We serve it topped with crisp napa cabbage, basil, and cilantro—and for the grown-ups only, a few slices of fresh Thai chiles.
Almond Goji Berry Truffles (refined sugar-free)
Happy Valentines Day! I wanted to share this luscious truffle recipe made with goji berries. The filling is a deep red color covered in dark chocolate. What could be better on a day like today? Oh, and it only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to prepare!
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Super Bowl Recipes!
I have to admit, we don't watch football at all and never go to Super Bowl parties! But I know many of you do, and so I wanted to share a round-up of healthy gluten-free party recipes that you can choose from for this Sunday's big game. Who is playing, I don't even know? Packers, right?