A Clean Bake

Midnight Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies (gluten free, dairy free, and whole grain)

One of the most commonly (and arguably trendiest) vilified ingredients in food these days is gluten, a protein that occurs in wheat, barley, rye and oats (except those labeled "gluten-free"). This isn't news, probably, unless you've been living under a rock - or in a wheat field - but I've seen gluten blamed for everything from digestive upset to muscle and head aches to ... well just about anything you can find wrong with a person. Anecdotally (meaning I haven't done any formal research on ... Read More about Midnight Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies (gluten free, dairy free, and whole grain)

Clean Green Smoothie

This real food clean green smoothie is a fantastic way to start your day! Packed with tons of fruit and veggies, it's delicious and healthy. Happy New Year! How was everyone's holiday? I don't know about you but I ate everything in sight. I'm still full.  I feel like I have been eating nonstop for the last 3 weeks, and I really did have the best intention of working out but seriously, why doesn't someone warn you that the show Scandal is so darn addictive? There is now a permanent ... Read More about Clean Green Smoothie

Mean Green Smoothie (Gluten free, paleo, vegan & raw)

Green juices and smoothies are all the rage lately, and while I certainly do not in any way encourage juice fasting, or smoothie fasting, or "cleansing", or whatever you call it, it's amazing how much better you can feel if you just incorporate green veggies into every meal (you were right, Mom!!). Lunch and dinner are pretty easy, but breakfast? No one is going to have a salad for breakfast, I assume. At least not whole. But you can certainly hide one in a fruity, filling, and delicious ... Read More about Mean Green Smoothie (Gluten free, paleo, vegan & raw)

Lavender Lemonade Sparkler (Gluten free, paleo, vegan, & naturally sweetened)

For a simple and refreshing mocktail, try a lavender lemonade sparkler! All right, America. You only get one birthday (per year). And if all goes well, the weather will be warm and sunny, and highly conducive to enjoying a cold and refreshing sparking beverage. So, let's get this party started. The Fourth of July is the ultimate BBQ: The same comfort foods, but made a little bit special - know what I mean? It wouldn't be a BBQ without lemonade, but it would be disrespectful to Messrs. ... Read More about Lavender Lemonade Sparkler (Gluten free, paleo, vegan, & naturally sweetened)

Double Chocolate Flourless Brownies (Gluten Free)

Satisfy your chocolate craving with these easy and healthy flourless double chocolate brownies. They're naturally gluten free! Ever since I started revealing my excessive baking habit to the world blogging, I am constantly asked by friends and family "who eats all of that?" I guess I should - and do - take it as a compliment, because the implication is "I know you don't eat everything you bake because if you did you'd be as big as a house and you're not". So, thanks. My response is almost ... Read More about Double Chocolate Flourless Brownies (Gluten Free)

Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites

If you're looking for a quick and wholesome cooling dessert on a hot day, these frozen chocolate peanut butter banana bites are exactly what you need! I don't think that it's any secret that I love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. I love it even better with bananas. But I love it best in easy, no bake form like these frozen chocolate peanut butter banana bites. This is one of my favorite anytime-and-all-the-time sweet snacks. There are only 4 ingredients involved here: ... Read More about Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites (gluten free, vegan, & whole grain)

These chocolate peanut butter energy bites will power you through everything from a tough workout to a hungry afternoon! Finally, finally, the weather is warming up. Did I mention finally? This winter seemed especially long and dark and punishing, so the increasingly mild weather and longer days make Chicago morph into a completely different city. You know what I mean, right? All of a sudden, people who have been holed up in their houses since last year come pouring out their front doors ... Read More about Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites (gluten free, vegan, & whole grain)