A Clean Bake

Coconut Cashew “Amazeballs” Energy Bites (Gluten Free, Paleo, and Vegan)

Quick and easy delicious energy bites that are so healthy, but taste a little like cake! (gluten free, paleo, vegan, raw, and low carb) If, hypothetically, your weekend is shaping up to be cold, rainy, and cabin fever-y, the only solution might be to break out your food processor and make some snacks. Or if, not so hypothetically, this weekend promises to offer 2 of the nicest days of the year (so far and, given that it's Chicago, potentially for the rest of the year), you might ... Read More about Coconut Cashew “Amazeballs” Energy Bites (Gluten Free, Paleo, and Vegan)

Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites (Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb, and Whole30)

Oof. I missed Tuesday. Sorry posting has been so erratic; work has been crazy! Yep, I still have that pesky day job that pays for pesky things like the mortgage, so sadly it has to take priority. I think things are a little more under control (bahahaha famous last words) so I will be back to a 2-a-week schedule. Or not. We'll just have to see what happens, won't we? Because things have been bonkers, I'm really enjoying simple, FAST, snacky things lately. Oh, did I tell you I made Deviled Eggs ... Read More about Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites (Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb, and Whole30)

Gluten Free and Paleo Brownie/Cookie Bars AKA Brookies

You wouldn't know it by looking at these, but they were a labor of love.  Not the recipe, per se; the recipe is actually very straightforward and requires two bowl, a spoon and a baking pan (you know how I love a simple recipe), but the concept. See, I made this recipe in honor of someone pretty darn special: my friend Meriem. When I was planning my wedding, Meriem was my one-woman cheerleading squad. When I was tired and overwhelmed with details, Meriem reminded me that even the tiniest details ... Read More about Gluten Free and Paleo Brownie/Cookie Bars AKA Brookies

No-Bake Chocolate Macaroons (Gluten Free and Paleo)

No-Bake Chocolate Macaroons take a few minutes and a few stirs to transform a handful of pantry ingredients into a decadent chewy chocolate cookie! Hallelujah, praise your deity of choice, we have chocolate! It has been an alarmingly long time since we've shared a chocolate recipe together. I'm so glad we're fixing this, aren't you? And just in time for Passover. What does chocolate have to do with Passover, you ask? Nothing at all, but chocolate macaroons do. To clarify, these are ... Read More about No-Bake Chocolate Macaroons (Gluten Free and Paleo)

Homemade Almond Milk (Gluten Free, Paleo, Vegan, and Whole30)

Homemade almond milk is so easy to make with only a few household ingredients, and you wouldn't believe the difference in flavor compared to store bought! It's been eleven and a half lifetimes since I've made us a drink. This isn't a *fun drink* (wink wink) though. Sorry. Depending on your point of view, this drink can be many things,  but I'm guessing a shmancy change of pace ("Homemade almond milk! How decadent!") or a hippie wet dream ("break out your Birkenstocks and grab a mason jar of ... Read More about Homemade Almond Milk (Gluten Free, Paleo, Vegan, and Whole30)

Jerk Salmon with Radicchio Blueberry Slaw and Sherry Vinaigrette (Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb, and Whole30)

I'll bet you were wondering why I posted nothing but that simple spice mix on Tuesday, because what do I do with a jar of mixed spices? Nah, just kidding. I know you guys are way more competent than that. What have you made (or do you plan to make) with it? I'm all for encrusting a few chicken breasts and thighs with it and throwing it on the grill - you can't go wrong with a classic - but if you're looking for something a little bit more off-the-beaten-path and a little bit less ... Read More about Jerk Salmon with Radicchio Blueberry Slaw and Sherry Vinaigrette (Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb, and Whole30)

Carrot Orange Bread (Gluten Free and Paleo)

I can personally attest to the fact that this carrot orange bread is killer. It's awesome fresh out of the oven, it's a winner for breakfast, and it's an absolute gem topped with  almond butter and dark chocolate chips. But don't take my  word for it: take my experience eating nine loaves of this for it. Yeah, this bread and I, we've very well acquainted. Although I wouldn't recommend making nine loaves in the span of, like, 2 weeks or so, you can rest assured that the pleasantly ... Read More about Carrot Orange Bread (Gluten Free and Paleo)

Eating Gluten Free at Restaurants: A Cheat Sheet

I get this question a lot from people who are changing their diets, or curious how I changed mine. Actually, the first question is "what can you eat?"(lots of things!), followed occasionally by "but don't you miss gluten/sugar/carb-y things?" (surprisingly, not very much), but then people get around to questions about how I manage to eat away from home. Dining out is a bit of a headache at first, but just like traveling, once you learn to do a little research, arrive armed with a plan, and ... Read More about Eating Gluten Free at Restaurants: A Cheat Sheet

Homemade Pad Thai (Gluten Free and Paleo)

If you haven't already, go ahead and cancel your dinner plans. That's right, go ahead. I'll wait. This homemade pad Thai is SO much better than whatever you had in your meal plan. A number of you who answered the reader survey (if you haven't yet, it's not too late! Your responses are always helpful!) have requested DIY versions of takeout and/or Asian dishes, so I knew you'd like this one. I've made it approximately one million times (ok, ok, give or take a few... I had to leave a few shrimp in ... Read More about Homemade Pad Thai (Gluten Free and Paleo)

Green Meatballs (Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb, and Whole30)

I've never been one for green beer (or really any beer), and I've seen the Chicago River dyed green enough times in my life that it has lost its novelty completely and sort of skeeves me out, actually. I'm not Irish, and I always forget about St. Patrick's Day until Pinterest blows up with neon green-hued concoctions. And yet, sucker-for-a-good-theme that I am, I always fall prey to it, year after year. Last year, and the year before I made gluten free and grain free Irish soda breads, ... Read More about Green Meatballs (Gluten Free, Paleo, Low Carb, and Whole30)