For anyone experimenting with low-carb/higher fat protocols, or those folks (like myself) who have full days and are always looking for little nourishing nibbles to get you through the busy abundance, fat-bombs are where it’s at…
Read moreSpiced Butternut Squash with Greek Yogurt, Walnuts, and Black Currents
Not only is butternut one of the most delicious (and popular) of all squashes, but it’s incredible fibre content make sit a fantastic prebiotic (yes, that's right PREbiotic), supporting a balance of healthy bacteria in the gut. High fibre foods also help with blood sugar management, reduce inflammation and diseases associated with inflammation (cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity), and increase immune function, not to mention butternut squash’s high vitamin C content, which as we all know is also integral for immune support...
Read moreGrain-Free Gingerbread
In North America, when we think of “gingerbread” we often think of people-shaped cookies with gumdrop buttons and icing sugar smiles. While these are more accurately referred to as “gingerbread men” the only thing they have in common with traditional gingerbread is that telltale spicy flavour profile. Classic gingerbread is just that, bread. Or perhaps more accurately, a loaf. Because of this, it is also known as gingerloaf, pain d'épices ("spice bread") in French, or lebkuchen (“loaf cake”) and pfefferkuchen ("pepper cake") in German. Whatever you call it, it’s damn tasty and wonderfully warming especially during the winter months when most mouths savour the spicy flavours of this delightfully dense folk food...
Read moreRoot Veggie Latkes with Honey Spiced Sautéed Apples and Greek Yogurt
You guys have probably figured out by now that I love me some fats. Fats are an integral part of our diet – they are a slow burning and long lasting energy source, help with inflammation control and management, improve cognitive function, contribute to heart health, and are integral to hormone balance. In fact, every single cell in our body is made up of something called a phospholipid bilayer (lipids being fats), and therefore are a major component to literally the structure of our entire body and existence...
Read moreDecadent Dark Chocolate Espresso Cashew “Cheesecake”
This decadent dark chocolate espresso cake is grain/gluten-free, refined-sugar free, dairy-free, egg-free (in fact it’s totally plant-based), and therefore hopefully pleasing to a number of your brunch guests with dietary considerations. And the mocha flavour goes smashingly with a latte, espresso shot, or even Bailey’s and coffee (hey, this is a no-judgement zone), as the feasting comes to a close. Best part of all, you can make it the day before and let it set in the fridge overnight so it’s ready to go without a fuss as the stunning centrepiece of your sweet-treat side table...
Read moreSpiced Sweet Potato Loaf
The fall baking frenzy has officially begun in the Whole Happy kitchen! To be quite honest, I bake a tonne all year round (if you haven’t already noticed, coming up with alternative baked good recipes is one of my favourite things to do), but there’s something special about baking during this season. Perhaps it’s the inherently warming and comforting nature of baked goods that lend so well so that cozy fall vibe. Perhaps spending time indoors when the whether gets colder and wetter doesn’t feel so bad when you have something sweet and aromatic wafting from the oven. Or perhaps it’s because autumnal produce lens so well to sweet treats like pumpkin spice muffins, apple cinnamon pudding, and spiced plum cake, and as I’m sure you can guess…sweet potato loaf...
Read moreChai Spice Coconut Cream Rice Pudding
Another one of my favourite ways to "rice-ycle" is with a creamy rice pudding. Thick coconut cream, and a number of anti-inflammatory and immune boosting spices make it the perfect weeknight dessert, especially when the colder weather moves in. And the best part is it seems to only get better with time, reheating easily, and satisfying many hungry mouths (tip for all you family folks out there).
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 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 moreRecovery Cookies
Wanting to make some grain-free, dairy-free treats, that also worked to reduce inflammation and aid in tissue recovery from the wounds of the C-section, I constructed my client some anti-inflammatory recovery cookies, and man are they tasty! My client even mentioned to me that they were the perfect thing to munch on during those middle-of-the-night feedings when baby is needing a snack of his own...
Read more