This creamy dairy-free and nut-free pesto is made with soaked pumpkin seeds, offering a mineral-rich, low-oxalate alternative to traditional pesto. Fresh basil brings its signature aroma and anti-inflammatory properties, while extra virgin olive oil adds a smooth richness and supports heart and brain health. Spoon it over baked wild salmon, grilled chicken, or roasted summer vegetables.

Do you need more ideas for using up all of that kale growing in your garden? We've been making green smoothies, raw kale salads, sautéed kale with garlic....and now creamed kale as well. This dairy-free version is very easy to make as long as you have a blender. Raw cashews and water make the cream-base, sautéed onions and garlic give it depth, and the jalapeño gives it flavor! Our three year old twins love this recipe, in fact, one of them had three servings tonight and the other one literally licked his bowl clean!

This anti-inflammatory salad makes an excellent lunch—for home or on the go. Rich in omega-3s from wild salmon and packed with detox-supportive vegetables, it’s designed to nourish both body and mind. For easy meal prep, simply cook the salmon the night before and portion the lettuce, cucumber, radish, and broccoli sprouts into serving-sized containers. Wait to add the avocado and lemon-olive-oil dressing until just before serving to keep everything fresh.

These grain-free lemon poppy seed muffins are bursting with bright citrus flavor and nourishing ingredients. Made with almond flour, a touch of maple syrup, and plenty of fresh lemon zest and juice, they’re soft, satisfying, and free from refined sugar. Naturally gluten-free and nutrient-dense, they make a perfect snack or breakfast option to keep your blood sugar steady and your taste buds happy.

Rhubarb is in season here! It is almost like the first fruit of the season. There are so many creative ways to use rhubarb, such as in compotes, pies, jams, sauces, crisps, scones, and ice cream! If you have any more ideas please share. These gluten-free, vegan rhubarb scones make a tasty breakfast treat or afternoon snack with tea. This is another recipe of mine that doesn't require any starches or xanthan gum. The binding action comes from the chia seeds and sweet rice flour.

The Farmer's Market was bursting with luscious dark leafy greens on Saturday. I couldn't help but buy at least one bunch of every variety of kale! I made this raw kale salad tonight and my children devoured it. They are accustomed to eating many different types of greens, but for a child who isn't, below are a few tips.

Tips for adding more variety, vegetables, and greens to your child's diet:

Your body has exquisite detoxification systems—your liver, kidneys, lymph, gut, and even skin are constantly working to eliminate what you no longer need. But those systems can’t function optimally when they’re overwhelmed by sugar, alcohol, pesticides, plastics, and synthetic chemicals. Remove what burdens the body and replenish what nourishes. This is the guiding principle in functional medicine and behind the "remove and replace" phase in our 12 Gifts of Health journey this year. Month 5 is about removing dietary and environmental toxins—a sacred pause in which we clear space for healing by gently and intentionally removing the substances that burden our bodies. And at the top of that list? Refined sugar.

Tom and I returned home from Kauai yesterday. We had a wonderful vacation without children this time. They had plenty of fun at home with grandma though! This post is more than a recipe. In fact, after I learned more about mercury levels in Hawaiian fish, I debated posting this at all. But we all make mistakes, and I want to share what I have learned.

Using mashed, ripe bananas in recipes is a simple and nourishing way to replace sugar. I've used it before in my sugar-free, grain-free Carob Banana Bars and in these lovely Teff Pancakes. My four-year-old twins have been eager to cook lately—and if I don’t jump in quickly, they take over and start cooking on their own. Hmm… I have no idea where they get that from! Most recently, cookies have been on their minds.

I don't think I've shared a beef recipe yet on this blog. Beef is a concentrated source of protein, minerals, fats, and vitamins. For the deficient person, beef can be extremely beneficial. Eating beef raised on corn, which is most likely GMO-corn, leads to the need for medications for the cattle, different types of fat deposited in the meat, and a reliance on a type of agriculture that is not sustainable for our planet.

Seaweed? Yep, that's right, those beautiful vegetables that grow in the ocean. They're really quite tasty! I realized recently that I had not yet highlighted this wonderful, mineral-rich plant. Did you know that sea vegetables offer a concentrated source of trace minerals, particularly iodine? Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is incredibly important for normal function of the human body. So important that every single cell has a receptor for this amazing "master switch" of metabolism. Want to have perfectly regulated body weight and body temperature?

Every single day, your body is working quietly and powerfully to protect you. With every breath you take, every bite of food, every sip of water, your cells are assessing, sorting, and transforming what’s needed—and what must be let go. This is detoxification: your body’s innate ability to process, neutralize, and eliminate harmful substances. But in today’s world, that natural process can become overwhelmed. The air we breathe, the foods we eat, the products we put on our skin—all contribute to a growing toxic burden. A Detoxification Diet offers a way to reduce that load while nourishing your body with the nutrients it needs to restore balance and resilience.

The marriage of chocolate and bananas is truly divine. This bread is light, yet rich with chunks of sweet banana melting in your mouth with every bite. Have a slice as a mid-afternoon snack or an after-dinner treat, however, our favorite is always fresh out of the oven! Or, try pairing a slice of this bread with a mug of Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa on a cold snowy day.

Did you know that the food you consume actually changes how your genes are expressed? Every time we eat we tell our bodies which genes to turn on and which genes to turn off. Did you know that there is more gene expression within two hours after eating than any other time of the day? Why? Because food contains gene signaling substances. This is the fascinating world of nutrigenomics, the idea that food is information not merely calories. The Standard American Diet (SAD) turns on genes for heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, and more.

Making your own hemp milk is easier than buying it! Plus by making your own, you don't get any extra added ingredients, just pure creamy goodness. However, since there are no added flavorings, this milk tastes a lot like hemp seeds (as it should) so the flavor might be a tad stronger if you are accustomed to store-bought hemp milk. I buy Nutiva shelled hemp seeds in bulk through amazon.com.

My mother-in-law was visiting earlier this month and she likes to make fruit bowls every morning along with a green smoothie right after her her morning "blissipline" routine. She's almost 70 and is in much better shape than me! Our children love to watch her do the splits and headstands. When Tom was 10 years old she transitioned the family to a vegan diet with the help of their family doctor at the time, Dr. John McDougall.

What if the exhaustion isn’t you—but what you’re carrying? You’re eating better. Drinking more water. Trying your best to care for your body. And still…your energy is low. The inflammation lingers. The spark feels just out of reach. Sometimes, what drains us isn’t a lack of effort—but an unseen burden. Alcohol. Pesticides. Plastics. We’ve all heard these aren’t great for us—but what do they actually do once inside the body? These hidden stressors quietly disrupt hormones, damage the gut, block detox pathways, and drain the nutrients your body needs to function and heal. Understanding the science behind their impact brings conscious awareness—and with it, the power to change. This post reveals what these everyday toxins are really doing—and how their release can begin clearing the way back to wholeness.

This creamy sunflower seed dressing is one of my favorite ways to offer a nut-free option without sacrificing richness or flavor. Sunflower seeds blend into a silky, ranch-style dressing that’s beautiful over crisp romaine, tender spring greens, or even folded into a picnic potato salad. With a little less water, it turns into a luscious dip for carrots, celery, or cucumber sticks—simple nourishment you can feel good about. Because the base is made from soaked raw sunflower seeds, the dressing stays fresh, vibrant, and full of living enzymes. A quick overnight soak works beautifully! Just cover the seeds with filtered water before bed, and they’ll be ready for blending the next day. If you’re preparing the dressing for dinner, starting the soak around lunchtime is perfect.

This is my healthier take on the traditional Thanksgiving yam casserole recipe. It has a delicious grain-free crumble topping made from ground pecans, a little arrowroot, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and real butter. I think the topping would also work on an apple or pear crisp/crumble. It could also be the streusel topping to an apple pie. Lots of ways to use it!

Creating simple, nourishing meals is a powerful way to care for yourself—day by day, bite by bite. This turkey and brown rice stir fry offers the kind of ease and balance that makes healing feel sustainable. With high-quality protein, fiber-rich whole grains, vibrant vegetables, and fresh herbs, it’s a one-pan meal designed to energize and restore. For an added boost of greens, serve it over a bed of baby arugula or toss a few handfuls in just before serving.

This cranberry sauce leans on ripe pears for just the right touch of natural sweetness, softening the tart berries without losing their bright, lively flavor. A touch of coconut sugar brings the flavors into balance without spiking blood sugar, thanks to its lower glycemic impact. You can make this recipe several days before Thanksgiving and serve it chilled or warmed on the stovetop. It’s lovely alongside roasted turkey or chicken, seasonal vegetables, pumpkin pie, or as a bright counterpoint to richer holiday dishes.

These thin, flexible flatbreads are a staple in our kitchen—simple to make, endlessly versatile, and deeply nourishing. Made with sprouted chickpea flour, they’re rich in plant-based protein and naturally gluten- and grain-free. Sprouting enhances digestibility and lends a mild, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with both sweet and savory fillings. Cooked in a hot cast iron skillet until golden and pliable, they’re perfect as crepes, wraps, or warm dippers for soups and stews. Once you make them, you’ll want to keep a batch on hand for every meal.

This comforting split mung bean dal is a nourishing staple—easy to prepare, deeply satisfying, and rich in plant-based protein. Cooked in the Instant Pot for convenience, the creamy mung dal is gently spiced and soothing to the digestive system. What truly elevates this dish is the aromatic tempering poured over the top. Hot oil infused with cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and dried red chilies that sizzle into the dal, adding depth, heat, and traditional South Asian flair. Serve it with basmati rice or flatbread for a grounding, healing meal.

Roasting beets softens their earthy flavor and brings out a wonderful sweetness. This way of preparing beets is so simple that you'll probably never go back to steaming, pressure cooking, or roasting in foil. All you need is a baking dish with a lid.

What can you do with roasted beets? The sweet-earthy flavor of beets is tempered by pairing them with acidic and pungent foods like orange, lemon, balsamic vinegar, feta cheese, shallots, and red onions. Adding fresh herbs like savory, thyme, and parsley can brighten the flavors even more.

When summer's produce is in abundance we like to create meals that revolve around it, like this one. If you are vegan or vegetarian you can substitute cooked blacked beans or sautéed tempeh for the chicken. I think you'll find the Spicy Avocado Dressing rather addicting! I like to make a batch of this dressing with the whole jalapeño—seeds and all, but for the children I make it without the seeds.

This is another guest post by my 10-year old daughter, Lily (I helped her format the recipe). For those of you who have been reading this blog for a while you might remember the first guest post she did on Homemade Seaweed Snacks. This is another yummy creation of hers, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! ~Ali :)

What if your lingering fatigue, hormonal imbalance, or brain fog isn’t just about what you eat—but what you absorb, inhale, and apply to your skin each day? From body care products and household cleaners to non-stick pans and plastic containers, everyday toxins can quietly disrupt your hormones, burden your detox pathways, and block your body’s natural vitality. This article reveals the most common sources of hidden toxicants in your home—and offers empowering, practical swaps to help you reduce your toxic load and reclaim your energy, clarity, and path to wholeness.

The other week I was picking my daughter up from art camp and another mother came up to me to let me know the changes in her health that came about after following our Elimination Diet years ago. She said that she looks and feels so different now and is not the person she used to be....in a good way. She was beautiful and her skin was glowing! One of the things she discovered through the elimination diet process was a severe sensitivity to nightshade vegetables. You know what those are, right?

Summer's bounty is here and needs to be preserved or used right away! What do you do to preserve the summer harvest of fruits and vegetables? For fruit, we freeze it, dehydrate it into fruit roll-ups or small pieces, make jam, make fun cakes or crisps, and just enjoy it fresh.

This fresh, summery smoothie will quench your thirst and rejuvenate your cells! My ingredients veer a little from the smoothie ingredients we typically use. This one makes use of all of the produce (except ginger) you can find at your your local Farmer's Market or food co-op right now! Since I have a smoothie recipe for winter, spring, and autumn, I thought a summery green smoothie recipe was in order.

I love summertime's bounty of fresh produce! I created this recipe while visiting family in the Midwest, where you can actually find a variety of tomatoes this time of year. In the Pacific Northwest the tomatoes are not in abundance until August. Heirloom tomatoes have not been hybridized over the years and have a sweeter taste, but are also generally less resistant to disease, which is why they are not produced on a large scale. Look for them at your local food co-op or Farmer's Market in the summertime.

When we think about detoxification, we often jump to supplements, superfoods, or strict protocols. But one of the most profound—and often overlooked—ways to support your body’s natural detox pathways is also the most elemental: water. Water is not just a vehicle for hydration. It’s a solvent, a transporter, and a cleansing force that touches every cell, every organ, every process of renewal within you. Without adequate hydration, your liver, lymph, kidneys, colon, and skin cannot do their sacred work of releasing what no longer belongs. Yet many of us walk through our days dehydrated—reaching for caffeine instead of mineral-rich water and ignoring the body’s gentle thirst signals until they become fatigue, headaches, or cravings.

If you’ve been drinking more water but still feeling depleted, this vibrant electrolyte drink may be exactly what your body has been missing. True hydration isn’t just about water—it’s about how well your cells can absorb and retain it. That’s where electrolytes, phytonutrients, and trace minerals come in. This refreshing blue spirulina drink blends coconut water, sea salt, lemon juice, and purified water to restore balance and support detoxification. The result is a beautifully balanced beverage that helps your body absorb water at the cellular level, reducing fatigue, brain fog, and that dried-out feeling so many of us experience—even when we're drinking enough.

This blue spirulina electrolyte drink is a mineral-rich elixir for deep hydration and cellular replenishment. Made with coconut water, purified water, blue spirulina powder, lemon juice, and a pinch of sea salt, this vibrant drink helps your body absorb and retain water—delivering essential electrolytes and antioxidant support in every sip.

We just got back from visiting family in the midwest. This recipe is one my mom likes to make often, though I have put my own twist to it. She asked me to make it one evening for dinner, but we were out of sliced almonds, which she toasts on the stove with a little bit of honey and sprinkles over the salad. I found raw pumpkin seeds in her freezer and devised my own version of candied seeds. I made this salad again and again during our trip and everyone enjoyed it! My mom also likes to use thinly sliced red onion in place of the green onions.

This flavor-packed, low-carb meal brings the vibrant spices of the Middle East into your kitchen with ease. Salmon fillets are rubbed in a warm shawarma spice blend and oven-roasted until tender, then served over a creamy yogurt-tahini sauce and paired with a refreshing cucumber, tomato, and fresh herb salad. Every bite offers a satisfying balance of richness, crunch, and brightness—without any grains or gluten. Whether you're following a grain-free lifestyle or simply craving a deeply nourishing meal, this dish is as grounding as it is energizing.

This gluten-free dutch baby pancake is a wholesome, high-protein twist on a beloved childhood classic. Growing up, my mom would often make this puffy, oven-baked pancake on slow weekend mornings—its golden edges rising dramatically in the skillet, ready to be topped with fresh berries. This version is completely gluten-free, made without added sugar, and dairy-free (aside from a touch of butter to crisp the edges). It's light, custardy, and incredibly easy to make—just blend, pour, and bake.

These bison breakfast sausage patties are a flavorful, protein-rich way to start your day—packed with classic sausage spices like fennel seeds, pepper, and sage. Bison is naturally leaner than beef, making it a nourishing option for those looking to reduce saturated fat without sacrificing flavor. These patties are quick to prepare and can be stored uncooked between pieces of parchment paper in the fridge or freezer for easy, make-ahead breakfasts.