Although life seems to have eased up a bit now that our twin babies will be 15 months old tomorrow, the pace has begun to ramp up. Most days I feel like I am herding cats! For example, the other day I was out for a morning walk with the boys while the girls were in school. The boys really enjoy walking for part of it and if were up to Sam, he would walk for miles without stopping. As we neared the duck pond on a wooded trail near our house the boys began to merge onto the trail that leads down to it. I stopped the baby jogger and rounded them up like two footballs under each arm.
Although life seems to have eased up a bit now that our twin babies will be 15 months old tomorrow, the pace has begun to ramp up. Most days I feel like I am herding cats! For example, the other day I was out for a morning walk with the boys while the girls were in school.
I like food. I love the contrasting colors, pungent flavors, and good feelings that come from it. And eating these naturally delicious whole foods is just as wonderful when eating gluten-free. For those of you who have just begun the process of switching to a gluten-free diet, I offer you these suggestions for making wrap style sandwiches work with gluten-free tortillas. I know it can be frustrating to make a wrap with a cold, and somewhat dry brown rice tortilla only to look away for a second and find the whole thing in pieces. Think about it though, what happens to rice when you put it in the refrigerator? It becomes dry and hard, right? And to make it edible you heat it up with a little water? This holds true for using rice tortillas also. For best results steam them, in a steamer basket or over a pan of piping hot food. Flip them, and wait until they get ultra pliable before removing and proceeding with your wrap or fajita, or whatever your meal may be.
I like food. I love the contrasting colors, pungent flavors, and good feelings that come from it. And eating these naturally delicious whole foods is just as wonderful when eating gluten-free. For those of you who have just begun the process of switching to a gluten-free diet, I offer you these suggestions for making wrap style sandwiches work with gluten-free tortillas. I know it can be frustrating to make a wrap with a cold, and somewhat dry brown rice tortilla only to look away for a second and find the whole thing in pieces. Think about it though, what happens to rice when you put it in the refrigerator? It becomes dry and hard, right? And to make it edible you heat it up with a little water? This holds true for using rice tortillas also. For best results steam them, in a steamer basket or over a pan of piping hot food. Flip them, and wait until they get ultra pliable before removing and proceeding with your wrap or fajita, or whatever your meal may be.
Sound too good to be true? Here I present to you a fabulous-tasting chocolate layer cake. Moist and delicious. Tender and rich. Chocolate at its best. Allergen-free. No gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, or sugar!
Seriously, you just can't go wrong here.
Sound too good to be true? Here I present to you a fabulous-tasting chocolate layer cake. Moist and delicious. Tender and rich. Chocolate at its best. Allergen-free. No gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, or sugar!
Seriously, you just can't go wrong here.
Love is in the air now, can you feel it? The girls and I have been making Valentine's for over a week now. There is glitter all over the house!
What do you do to celebrate Valentine's Day?
I know for most of us chocolate is involved. Maybe roses, a massage, a nice dinner. These are all wonderful things, but what about love?
Love is in the air now, can you feel it? The girls and I have been making Valentine's for over a week now. There is glitter all over the house!
What do you do to celebrate Valentine's Day?
I know for most of us chocolate is involved. Maybe roses, a massage, a nice dinner. These are all wonderful things, but what about love?
So you want to eat nutritious, healing foods AND need to eat gluten-free? Look no further. Having simple, easy-to-prepare recipes like these can make this type of lifestyle very doable.
So you want to eat nutritious, healing foods AND need to eat gluten-free? Look no further. Having simple, easy-to-prepare recipes like these can make this type of lifestyle very doable.
I have this recipe that I created a few months ago and I thought I would share it with you. It is one of those recipes that is so delicious and so perfect that you don't want to give it away, or share your secret. But here it is! A gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, sugar-free delicious and nutritious little muffin, the Teff Breakfast Muffin.
I have this recipe that I created a few months ago and I thought I would share it with you. It is one of those recipes that is so delicious and so perfect that you don't want to give it away, or share your secret.
After a temporary break of much needed spring-like rain, summer is back! We spent the day at the beach. The kids waded in the ocean and found purple and orange starfish in the tide pools. The boys were happy to dig in the sand for a few hours. And me? Well I got to lounge in the sun and talk with a friend while I ate this refreshing summer salad.
Here I used English cucumbers and basil from the Farmer's Market, and local heirloom tomatoes from our food co-op. Add shaved parmesan cheese or fresh mozzarella cheese if you tolerate dairy products!
After a temporary break of much needed spring-like rain, summer is back! We spent the day at the beach. The kids waded in the ocean and found purple and orange starfish in the tide pools. The boys were happy to dig in the sand for a few hours. And me?
Your circadian rhythm isn’t guided only by light. Food timing tells your internal clocks when to be alert and when to wind down. When meals are irregular, or too heavy too late, your body receives mixed signals that can disrupt the natural evening drop in cortisol and the rising tide of melatonin. The way you structure your meals throughout the day has a powerful influence on your sleep at night. Blood sugar swings, skipped meals, and unbalanced macronutrients shift your hormonal rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake feeling restored.
Your circadian rhythm isn’t guided only by light. Food timing tells your internal clocks when to be alert and when to wind down. When meals are irregular, or too heavy too late, your body receives mixed signals that can disrupt the natural evening drop in cortisol and the rising tide of melatonin. The way you structure your meals throughout the day has a powerful influence on your sleep at night. Blood sugar swings, skipped meals, and unbalanced macronutrients shift your hormonal rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake feeling restored.
If falling asleep feels hard, or your body is exhausted but your mind won’t slow down, magnesium may be the missing link. Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, many of which directly affect the nervous system, stress hormones, and sleep chemistry. Yet it’s also one of the most commonly depleted minerals due to stress, inflammation, blood sugar imbalance, medications, and modern diets. When magnesium runs low, the nervous system struggles to downshift. Muscles stay tense. Thoughts keep looping. Cortisol lingers. And deep, restorative sleep becomes harder to access. The good news? Restoring magnesium, through food and supplementation, often brings noticeable changes quickly.
If falling asleep feels hard, or your body is exhausted but your mind won’t slow down, magnesium may be the missing link. Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, many of which directly affect the nervous system, stress hormones, and sleep chemistry. Yet it’s also one of the most commonly depleted minerals due to stress, inflammation, blood sugar imbalance, medications, and modern diets. When magnesium runs low, the nervous system struggles to downshift. Muscles stay tense. Thoughts keep looping. Cortisol lingers. And deep, restorative sleep becomes harder to access. The good news? Restoring magnesium, through food and supplementation, often brings noticeable changes quickly.
Summer BBQ's, potato salad, layered jell-o salads, fireflies, and sparklers flashing through the humid July night sky....these are my 4th of July memories growing up in the Midwest.
Since layered jell-o salads just aren't in my cooking repertoire anymore I have devised something even more delicious...and good for you!
Summer BBQ's, potato salad, layered jell-o salads, fireflies, and sparklers flashing through the humid July night sky....these are my 4th of July memories growing up in the Midwest.
Since layered jell-o salads just aren't in my cooking repertoire anymore I have devised something even more delicious...and good for you!
A warm cup of herbal tea in the evening gently tells your nervous system that the day is complete. Heat, aroma, and familiar flavors activate the parasympathetic response, helping cortisol fall and melatonin rise naturally. Unlike sleep aids that push the body into sedation, calming herbs work by lowering neural noise and restoring a sense of safety. When the nervous system is supported, sleep can emerge organically. This sleepytime herbal blend brings together traditional nervines and calming botanicals that help the body soften, the mind slow, and the stress response unwind. Below, you’ll learn how each herb in this blend gently guides the body toward rest.
A warm cup of herbal tea in the evening gently tells your nervous system that the day is complete. Heat, aroma, and familiar flavors activate the parasympathetic response, helping cortisol fall and melatonin rise naturally. Unlike sleep aids that push the body into sedation, calming herbs work by lowering neural noise and restoring a sense of safety. When the nervous system is supported, sleep can emerge organically. This sleepytime herbal blend brings together traditional nervines and calming botanicals that help the body soften, the mind slow, and the stress response unwind. Below, you’ll learn how each herb in this blend gently guides the body toward rest.
Yesterday I was standing in my kitchen at 5pm, with four hungry children underfoot, wondering what to make for dinner. I made the usual rounds to the pantry, fridge, and garden. Something spicy, green, and with noodles was brewing in my mind. A green curry sauce, over noodles, with tempeh, broccoli, spinach and zucchini. Hmm, and how about roasted cashews too? Every now and then I make a simple Thai Green Curry Sauce. Yesterday evening I took note of the ingredient amounts to be able to share it with you.
Yesterday I was standing in my kitchen at 5pm, with four hungry children underfoot, wondering what to make for dinner. I made the usual rounds to the pantry, fridge, and garden. Something spicy, green, and with noodles was brewing in my mind. A green curry sauce, over noodles, with tempeh, broccoli, spinach and zucchini.
Cortisol often gets labeled as a “stress hormone,” but in a healthy body, cortisol is not the enemy. It’s a guiding hormone. One that helps regulate energy, blood sugar, inflammation, blood pressure, and the sleep–wake cycle. When cortisol follows its natural daily rhythm, mornings feel alert, energy stays steady, and sleep becomes deep and restorative. When the rhythm is disrupted, the body can feel wired at the wrong times and tired when energy is needed. The good news is that cortisol rhythm responds quickly to daily habits—how you eat, sleep, move, manage stress, and expose yourself to light. Small, consistent changes can help bring this rhythm back into balance.
Cortisol often gets labeled as a “stress hormone,” but in a healthy body, cortisol is not the enemy. It’s a guiding hormone. One that helps regulate energy, blood sugar, inflammation, blood pressure, and the sleep–wake cycle. When cortisol follows its natural daily rhythm, mornings feel alert, energy stays steady, and sleep becomes deep and restorative. When the rhythm is disrupted, the body can feel wired at the wrong times and tired when energy is needed. The good news is that cortisol rhythm responds quickly to daily habits—how you eat, sleep, move, manage stress, and expose yourself to light. Small, consistent changes can help bring this rhythm back into balance.
Just in time for summer BBQs comes an easy recipe for homemade barbecue sauce! It is sweet and tangy with a nice kick from the chipotle chili powder. I don't shop around much for barbecue sauce and therefore am not on the up-and-up with ingredients and allergens commonly found in sauces. Many barbecue sauces contain soy sauce or tamari and, therefore, potentially wheat as well. Barbecue sauces are often also hidden sources for refined sugars or high fructose corn syrup, and some contain other types of processed ingredients that most of us would like to avoid.
Just in time for summer BBQs comes an easy recipe for homemade barbecue sauce! It is sweet and tangy with a nice kick from the chipotle chili powder. I don't shop around much for barbecue sauce and therefore am not on the up-and-up with ingredients and allergens commonly found in sauces.
What to do when the weather turns warm? Make ice cream, of course. We’ve been making “ice cream” quite a bit lately. Last week, the temperature lingered in the low 80s for days, and this week has been just as beautiful—hovering in the 70s. These early warm spells always inspire us to bring out the blender, freeze fresh organic fruit, and get creative in the kitchen. This ice cream is a favorite with our kids—we love scooping it into bowls and topping it with extra sliced strawberries and fresh mint leaves. Sometimes I pour the mixture into popsicle molds instead of the ice cream maker, which makes it a fun frozen treat for summer afternoons (and an easy way to sneak in more fruit!). However you serve it, it’s simple, luscious, and satisfying.
What to do when the weather turns warm? Make ice cream, of course. We’ve been making “ice cream” quite a bit lately. Last week, the temperature lingered in the low 80s for days, and this week has been just as beautiful—hovering in the 70s. These early warm spells always inspire us to bring out the blender, freeze fresh organic fruit, and get creative in the kitchen. This ice cream is a favorite with our kids—we love scooping it into bowls and topping it with extra sliced strawberries and fresh mint leaves. Sometimes I pour the mixture into popsicle molds instead of the ice cream maker, which makes it a fun frozen treat for summer afternoons (and an easy way to sneak in more fruit!). However you serve it, it’s simple, luscious, and satisfying.
Black cod is exceptionally rich in omega-3 fatty acids, making it a powerful ally for reducing inflammation and supporting heart and brain health. Though often grouped with cod, it isn’t a true cod at all. It’s a cold-water Pacific fish with a higher natural fat content and a uniquely buttery, tender texture. This simple butter-dill preparation highlights the fish’s richness without overpowering it, allowing the flavors to remain clean and balanced while creating a naturally flavorful pan sauce.
This sheet pan roasted chicken sausages and vegetables is a simple, grounding meal that comes together with minimal prep and cleanup. Everything roasts together on one sheet pan, making it an ideal choice for busy evenings. It’s a well-balanced meal that works just as well for a quick family dinner as it does for leftovers the next day. Serve with a simple arugula or lettuce salad for a fresh, balanced meal.
After addressing inflammation, healing the gut, replenishing missing nutrients, prioritizing protein, and restoring sleep, the body is finally ready to step out of survival mode. Cortisol—the body’s primary stress hormone—acts as a master messenger, influencing blood sugar, immune balance, thyroid function, and sex hormones. When cortisol rhythms are disrupted, the body remains on high alert, even when external stressors are reduced. Restoring healthy cortisol patterns helps shift your physiology into repair, resilience, and hormonal harmony—supporting deeper energy, steadier moods, and long-term healing.
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~Albert Einstein
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that acts as a master messenger, influencing blood sugar regulation, immune signaling, thyroid function, and sex hormone balance. When cortisol rhythms are disrupted, the body can remain locked in survival mode, even after major stressors have been addressed.
Cortisol is not a “stress problem” to eliminate. It is an essential survival hormone that allows the body to respond appropriately to demand. In healthy physiology, cortisol rises when needed and recedes when the signal has passed. Problems arise when stress signals never fully turn off, keeping cortisol either chronically elevated or insufficiently responsive. This loss of flexibility reduces the body’s ability to adapt, recover, and regulate itself efficiently, contributing to fatigue, mood changes, and metabolic strain over time.
Under healthy conditions, cortisol follows a natural circadian rhythm. Levels rise in the early morning, typically between 6 and 8 a.m., to support alertness, energy, and metabolic readiness. From there, cortisol should gradually decline throughout the day, reaching its lowest point around midnight to allow for deep sleep and cellular repair.
Chronic stress—whether physical, emotional, or biochemical—can flatten, spike, or invert this rhythm. Ongoing inflammation, food sensitivities, poor gut health, unresolved trauma, infections, toxin exposure, excessive caffeine intake, and nutrient depletion all place continuous demand on the stress response system.
When cortisol is out of balance, downstream effects often appear across multiple systems. Blood sugar becomes unstable, sleep quality declines, hormones lose their natural communication patterns, and energy becomes unpredictable. This is why cortisol regulation comes after restoring nourishment, digestion, protein intake, and sleep. Once these foundations are in place, the body is far more responsive to recalibration.
Restoring healthy cortisol rhythms begins with steady nourishment. Balanced meals containing protein, healthy fats, and fiber help prevent blood sugar drops that trigger cortisol release. Starting the day with adequate protein supports the natural morning cortisol rise and prevents the overstimulation that often follows skipped or carbohydrate-heavy breakfasts.
In the evening, the goal shifts toward downshifting. Including slow-digesting complex carbohydrates at dinner—such as sweet potatoes, winter squash, root vegetables, quinoa, or brown rice—helps reduce nighttime cortisol and supports the natural rise of melatonin. This gentle signal of safety allows the nervous system to soften.
Key nutrients play an essential role in cortisol metabolism. Vitamin C supports adrenal function but is rapidly depleted during stress. B vitamins are required to break down excess cortisol, while magnesium helps buffer the stress response and calm the nervous system. A nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory diet provides the foundation for this regulation.
Environmental cues also matter. Morning light reinforces healthy cortisol timing, while warm, dim lighting in the evening supports its natural decline. Reducing blue-light exposure after sunset helps prevent artificial cortisol stimulation at night.
Gentle movement, time outdoors, and emotionally supportive relationships further signal safety to the nervous system. When cortisol remains dysregulated despite these supports, hidden stressors such as chronic infections or toxin burden may need to be addressed with practitioner guidance.
Restoring cortisol balance is not about eliminating stress. It's about restoring adaptability. When cortisol follows its natural rhythm, energy stabilizes, sleep deepens, blood sugar evens out, and hormones begin to communicate clearly again, allowing healing to unfold.
Elevated cortisol levels can greatly affect the ability fall asleep and stay asleep. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. It's a messenger that tells the body how to function. Cortisol is naturally highest beginning early in the morning, from around 6am to 8am. Then it slowly decreases throughout the day, getting to its lowest point around midnight. Acute stress, chronic stress, and trauma can all affect cortisol levels and cause this stress hormone to be higher late in the day when it shouldn't be.
Weeknights can be full, and sometimes the last thing we want to do is figure out what to cook for dinner. That’s why I love sharing simple, wholesome meals like this one—because nourishment doesn’t have to be complicated. This one-pan roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots is one of my favorite fallback meals when life feels especially full. It’s deeply satisfying, easy to prep, and gives you that cozy, comfort-food feeling with just a few whole-food ingredients. Did you know that potatoes—especially the purple and red varieties—contain antioxidant levels comparable to dark cherries and berries? They’re rich in phenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, all of which help calm inflammation and protect cellular health.
Looking for an easy, nutrient-dense meal you can make at the end of a long day? This simple sheet pan meal uses garden vegetables and wild salmon, and it can be prepped and cooked in under 30 minutes! Salmon is a rich source of a carotenoid called astaxanthin. This potent compound is also found in crab, shrimp, lobster, krill, and salmon eggs (roe), however, wild salmon contains the highest concentration of this potent anti-inflammatory compound.
Flaxseeds are a powerhouse of nutrients and fiber that help feed your beneficial gut microbes, reduce inflammation, regulate your digestive system, improve cardiovascular health, and help normalize blood sugar levels. This healthy muffin recipe uses 1 ½ cups of flaxseed meal, in addition to a small amount of oat flour and a cup of wild blueberries to pack in the nutrients! The soluble fiber found in plant-based foods is essential for increasing gut health and longevity. Serve muffins for breakfast with a cup of tea and hard boiled eggs, or pack a muffin in your child's lunchbox.
Take the guesswork out of what’s for dinner. With Nourishing Meals®, you’ll get access to over 1,800 nutrient-dense recipes and fully customizable meal planning tools that adapt to your unique dietary needs. Plan with ease, cook with confidence, and nourish your body—one meal at a time.
Last week, I received an email from the President of Omega Nutrition. You’re probably familiar with this company—they’re best known for their flaxseed and coconut oils. He offered to send me free samples of their coconut flour, flax flour, and pumpkin seed flour. These unique flours can be used as gluten-free, grain-free, and nut-free baking alternatives. I was especially excited to try the pumpkin seed flour. It just sounded so exotic and new! I had never seen—or baked with—this type of grain-free flour before. Immediately after reading his email, an image of a rich chocolate cake began to take shape in my mind—right down to the minute details of sliced strawberries and mint leaves for garnish.
Last week, I received an email from the President of Omega Nutrition. You’re probably familiar with this company—they’re best known for their flaxseed and coconut oils. He offered to send me free samples of their coconut flour, flax flour, and pumpkin seed flour. These unique flours can be used as gluten-free, grain-free, and nut-free baking alternatives. I was especially excited to try the pumpkin seed flour. It just sounded so exotic and new! I had never seen—or baked with—this type of grain-free flour before. Immediately after reading his email, an image of a rich chocolate cake began to take shape in my mind—right down to the minute details of sliced strawberries and mint leaves for garnish.
The final step in the 12 Gifts of Health journey brings healing full circle—beyond food, nutrients, and physiology—into relationship. True restoration happens not only through what you eat or how you care for your body, but through how you relate to yourself and others. Supportive, loving connections help calm the nervous system and create the internal safety required for deep healing. At the center of it all is the most important relationship you will ever have: The relationship with yourself.
“Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.” ~Stephen Covey
Restoring with self-love is about aligning your daily choices with your highest well-being. This often begins by letting go of what is no longer serving you—whether that’s a habit, a food, a pattern of overgiving, or a lifestyle that keeps your body and nervous system under strain. Each time you release something that creates harm or imbalance, you reinforce the truth that you are worthy of care, nourishment, and change.
Self-love is not a single decision, rather a practice built through consistent, compassionate action. This may look like creating a nourishing sleep routine, planning meals that support your health needs, spending more time outdoors, moving your body regularly, prioritizing protein and balanced meals, or allowing more joy and laughter into your life. Small, repeated choices create momentum and gently shift the trajectory of your health and your life.
At the core of real, lasting change is mindfulness. When an unhealthy habit or food is associated with pleasure, change can feel like loss. Mindfulness invites you to bring conscious awareness into the body and ask: How does this actually feel? Do I feel energized, clear, and calm, or inflamed, fatigued, and disconnected? When the body’s feedback becomes clear, internal conflict softens. Habits that once felt comforting naturally lose their grip, and new, supportive choices begin to feel aligned rather than forced.
December is a powerful time to pause, reflect, and take stock of what you are ready to release. As you let go of what no longer aligns, space opens for your authentic self to emerge. Healing unfolds not through perfection, but through presence, patience, and a consistent return to yourself. Choosing transformation over familiar habits and patterns often opens the door to unexpected gifts.
Healthy relationships play a profound role in healing by signaling safety to the nervous system. When relationships are supportive, authentic, and emotionally nourishing, the body can move out of survival mode and into repair. When relationships are chronically stressful, dismissive, or harmful, they can undermine even the most diligent efforts around diet, supplements, and lifestyle.
At the core of a healthy relationship is mutual respect—honoring boundaries, individuality, and emotional truth. Healthy relationships allow space for honest communication, shared responsibility, and emotional safety. They support growth rather than demand self-abandonment. In these environments, the nervous system can relax, cortisol levels can balance, and resilience naturally increases.
Equally important is recognizing when a relationship—of any kind—is no longer aligned with your well-being. Letting go of an unhealthy dynamic is not failure; it is an act of self-respect. Choosing yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar, often becomes a catalyst for profound healing and renewal.
No one moves through this process perfectly. Every human is working through patterns, learning, and evolving. Healing is not about avoiding challenge, it is shaped by challenge. Growth often asks us to step beyond the familiar and into the unknown, trusting that something healthier awaits on the other side of release.
As this journey comes to a close, hold close your vision of who you are becoming—your inner “north star.” Healing unfolds through consistent practice, compassion, and choice. With each step forward, you strengthen your relationship with yourself and create space for relationships that truly nourish you in return.
Take the guesswork out of what’s for dinner. With Nourishing Meals®, you’ll get access to over 1,800 nutrient-dense recipes and fully customizable meal planning tools that adapt to your unique dietary needs. Plan with ease, cook with confidence, and nourish your body—one meal at a time.
This lentil soup has been a family favorite since I first developed it in 2004 while running my personal chef business. It’s one of those deeply comforting, reliable recipes that has stood the test of time—and you’ll also find it in my first book, The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook.
It's spring and the salad greens are luscious and sweet. Our garden is filled with as many varieties of greens as we could fit. Spicy and mild salad mixes, arugula, spinach, romaine lettuce, butterhead lettuce, bok choy, kale, collards, cilantro, and more are growing out our back door. We have a hundred or so volunteer sunflowers that I have not thinned out yet. Some of them will make great shade later on in the summer for the tender, cool weather-loving greens.
It's spring and the salad greens are luscious and sweet. Our garden is filled with as many varieties of greens as we could fit. Spicy and mild salad mixes, arugula, spinach, romaine lettuce, butterhead lettuce, bok choy, kale, collards, cilantro, and more are growing out our back door.
I have a special place in my heart for this phase of life. This is where it all begins—in utero, and then in those first precious days and weeks spent nursing while gazing into your little miracle. Making milk is truly an incredible process. I remember the first sensations of my milk coming in with my firstborn—the tingling, the fullness—and then the gulping, eyes rolling back... “punch drunk on mommy’s milk,” Tom would say.
I have a special place in my heart for this phase of life. This is where it all begins—in utero, and then in those first precious days and weeks spent nursing while gazing into your little miracle. Making milk is truly an incredible process.
Rhubarb is not difficult to come by during this season. In fact, you probably have neighbors or friends begging you to haul some away.
Rhubarb can be great in crisps, sauces, or compotes, but the tart, tangy flavor rhubarb offers to gluten-free muffins is unequivocal. These little beauties are delicious hot out of the oven spread with strawberry jam.
Rhubarb is not difficult to come by during this season. In fact, you probably have neighbors or friends begging you to haul some away.
If digestion feels unpredictable—bloating one day, discomfort the next, reactions to foods that should be fine—it’s easy to assume the problem is the food. However, digestion doesn’t begin in the stomach. It begins in the nervous system. Digestion is a parasympathetic process. When the body feels safe, relaxed, and supported, digestive secretions flow, motility is coordinated, and nutrients are absorbed efficiently. When the nervous system is under stress—whether from inflammation, blood sugar instability, poor sleep, or ongoing emotional or relational strain—digestion downshifts in favor of survival. You can’t digest well while running from a lion.
If digestion feels unpredictable—bloating one day, discomfort the next, reactions to foods that should be fine—it’s easy to assume the problem is the food. However, digestion doesn’t begin in the stomach. It begins in the nervous system. Digestion is a parasympathetic process. When the body feels safe, relaxed, and supported, digestive secretions flow, motility is coordinated, and nutrients are absorbed efficiently. When the nervous system is under stress—whether from inflammation, blood sugar instability, poor sleep, or ongoing emotional or relational strain—digestion downshifts in favor of survival. You can’t digest well while running from a lion.
Today I have a very simple grain and bean salad recipe for you. Something you can easily whip up if you have leftover grains and beans. My children love this salad. Today I made it for Tom and packed it up for him to take on a two day trip to Seattle.
Today I have a very simple grain and bean salad recipe for you. Something you can easily whip up if you have leftover grains and beans. My children love this salad. Today I made it for Tom and packed it up for him to take on a two day trip to Seattle.
I have had a number of emails over the summer for a gluten-free flatbread recipe. I also get emails and requests for yeast-free breads. So here is is, the best of all worlds....yeast-free, gluten-free, rice-free, whole grain goodness, and quick & easy! What more could you ask for. Oh yes, it tastes great too.
I have had a number of emails over the summer for a gluten-free flatbread recipe. I also get emails and requests for yeast-free breads. So here is is, the best of all worlds....yeast-free, gluten-free, rice-free, whole grain goodness, and quick & easy! What more could you ask for. Oh yes, it tastes great too.
Today I thought I would share a very simple pancake syrup recipe that is full of blueberry lusciousness. This antioxidant-rich, blueish-purple syrup is great atop freshly made pancakes and also can be used as a Phase 2 Elimination Diet recipe!
Today I thought I would share a very simple pancake syrup recipe that is full of blueberry lusciousness.
The other day, while Tom was out of town, I got home from running a few errands at 5pm. The kids were all hungry and ready for dinner….like now! I had a beautiful fillet of wild Coho salmon which I had bought the previous day, ready to be seasoned and baked. My friend who was helping out with the kids thought I should use some of the blueberries we still had sitting on the counter waiting to be processed and frozen. Mashed blueberries with ginger to top the salmon was her idea. I thought yum, but I don’t have time for that right now.
The other day, while Tom was out of town, I got home from running a few errands at 5pm. The kids were all hungry and ready for dinner….like now! I had a beautiful fillet of wild Coho salmon which I had bought the previous day, ready to be seasoned and baked.
The sultry days of summer are upon us and refreshing, cooling foods seem to be the daily mainstay. Watermelon has a high water content and is naturally sweet making it perfect for sorbet. This recipe is very easy to make and does not require an ice cream maker.
The sultry days of summer are upon us and refreshing, cooling foods seem to be the daily mainstay. Watermelon has a high water content and is naturally sweet making it perfect for sorbet. This recipe is very easy to make and does not require an ice cream maker.
We had a cooler evening yesterday, perfect for Indian food I thought. I made up a double batch of the Lentil and Spinach Dal recipe from my cookbook along with two different curries. One was a potato chickpea curry and the other was a patty pan squash curry. We served everything over brown basmati rice. With all of the cooked food I like to serve something raw that will help digest the meal.
We had a cooler evening yesterday, perfect for Indian food I thought. I made up a double batch of the Lentil and Spinach Dal recipe from my cookbook along with two different curries.
I received an email from a reader about two weeks ago for an allergen-free ginger cookie. When I saw the recipe I knew I had to give them a try. Here is the lovely email that Pam sent me: Ali, I have been following your blog for a while. We are gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free, and some other stuff, and I have enjoyed reading your recipes. Recently my niece has been tested as intolerant to gluten, rice, dairy, egg, corn, cane sugar, yeast, vanilla, cinnamon, apple, and others. I sent her family a link to your website for rice-free recipes.
I received an email from a reader about two weeks ago for an allergen-free ginger cookie. When I saw the recipe I knew I had to give them a try. Here is the lovely email that Pam sent me: Ali, I have been following your blog for a while.
Today I have a delicious Cranberry Orange Punch recipe for you! Today's punch recipe is very simple to prepare and only takes a few minutes. You'll need one 8-ounce bottle of unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate. I buy it from our local food co-op in the juice isle (it is not refrigerated). Simply mix the cranberry concentrate with sparkling mineral water, orange juice, and either liquid stevia or agave nectar. I like to float orange slices and cinnamon sticks in the punch bowl which add extra flavor and make for a nice presentation.
Today I have a delicious Cranberry Orange Punch recipe for you! Today's punch recipe is very simple to prepare and only takes a few minutes. You'll need one 8-ounce bottle of unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate. I buy it from our local food co-op in the juice isle (it is not refrigerated).
The holidays are famous for overeating, aren't they? I thought I would share with you a digestion-stimulating herbal tea recipe of ours. It is a unique combination of roots, leaves, and flowers. First you simmer the roots, called a decoction, and then you add the leaves and flowers to steep.
We make a pot of this herbal brew a few times a week. Sometimes we add nettles, sometimes burdock root, but always ginger and licorice.
The holidays are famous for overeating, aren't they? I thought I would share with you a digestion-stimulating herbal tea recipe of ours. It is a unique combination of roots, leaves, and flowers. First you simmer the roots, called a decoction, and then you add the leaves and flowers to steep.
If you are looking for a great alternative to traditional cheesecake for your Holiday celebrations, I’ve got one for you. A dairy-free, egg-free cheesecake with a gluten-free pastry crust….and the filling? Well, fresh baked sugar pie pumpkin to start, then cashews, and maple syrup….but what else? Hint: it is also soy-free!
If you are looking for a great alternative to traditional cheesecake for your Holiday celebrations, I’ve got one for you. A dairy-free, egg-free cheesecake with a gluten-free pastry crust….and the filling? Well, fresh baked sugar pie pumpkin to start, then cashews, and maple syrup….but what else? Hint: it is also soy-free!
This fantastic gluten-free yeast bread recipe utilizes high protein hemp flour along with other gluten-free flours such as teff flour and brown rice flour. It is dark and hearty, perfect for sandwiches. For a slight variation you can create a flavorful "Rye" bread by adding onion powder and caraway seeds.
Here is the feedback from my taste testers: rustic, hearty, "dessert bread," mmm, I'd like to make this!
This fantastic gluten-free yeast bread recipe utilizes high protein hemp flour along with other gluten-free flours such as teff flour and brown rice flour. It is dark and hearty, perfect for sandwiches. For a slight variation you can create a flavorful "Rye" bread by adding onion powder and caraway seeds.
We really are not just about sweets here. Really, we're not! But this week it seems we are, huh. Hope some of you enjoyed the White Nectarine Ice Cream I posted last weekend. More main dish recipes to come next week I promise!
We really are not just about sweets here. Really, we're not! But this week it seems we are, huh. Hope some of you enjoyed the White Nectarine Ice Cream I posted last weekend.
I wanted to take a moment away from the Elimination Diet frenzy and post a gluten-free cracker recipe. I have been very excited to share this awesome recipe and now is my chance. Before I move on to phase 2 recipes I thought I would offer this to those of you not following the Elimination Diet.
This is a crispy cracker made from cooked quinoa, sorghum flour, extra virgin olive oil, seeds, and NO xanthan gum! It is very easy to make if you own a food processor. Plus, there are so many ways to tweak it.
I wanted to take a moment away from the Elimination Diet frenzy and post a gluten-free cracker recipe. I have been very excited to share this awesome recipe and now is my chance.
This vegan nut cheese recipe is perfect for topping homemade gluten-free pizza or for using in between layers of lasagna noodles, vegetables, and sauce. It is easy to make using a high powered blender, such as the Vita-Mix.
I find the flavors of this dairy-free "cheese" sauce are best balanced with the acidity of tomatoes, such as my Homemade Pizza Sauce recipe.
This vegan nut cheese recipe is perfect for topping homemade gluten-free pizza or for using in between layers of lasagna noodles, vegetables, and sauce. It is easy to make using a high powered blender, such as the Vita-Mix.
For those of you following a soy-free diet, and who are desperately missing your tamari, I have found a fantastic alternative! The South River Miso Company makes a wonderful gluten/wheat-free and soy-free tamari! How do they do it?
For those of you following a soy-free diet, and who are desperately missing your tamari, I have found a fantastic alternative! The South River Miso Company makes a wonderful gluten/wheat-free and soy-free tamari! How do they do it?
