Feeling Good Through Food

 This year is the first year we've ever attempted a garden. I had no idea I would end up with at least 2 zucchinis a day! I've been trying to find a good zucchini bread recipe to help use up some of our harvest, this one is our favorite so far. It's from the king aurthur flour website , and I modified it just a little. In a mixing bowl combine: -2 large organic egg -1/3 cup honey -1/2 cup grapeseed oil -1/3 cup coconut palm sugar -1 teaspoon vanilla Add and mix: -2 cups whole white wheat flour -1 teaspoon sea salt -1/2 teaspoon baking soda -1/2 teaspoon baking powder -1 teaspoon cinnamon Add and mix: -2 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini -1 cup good ingredient chocolate chips Pour batter into lightly greased bread pan, bake at 350 for 55-60 min or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on cooling rack before eating. 

This recipe came from one of my favorite Vegan websites Oh She Glows, we modified it just a tiny bit to our liking! They are sooooo delicious and make a great family night treat! -1 cup large flake oatmeal -1/2 cup + 1/3 cup whole wheat flour -1/3 cup raw cacao powder -1/2 cup coconut palm sugar -1/4 teaspoon baking powder -1/4 teaspoon baking soda -1/2 teaspoon sea salt -1/3 cup almond or rice milk (or a tiny bit more if batter is dry) -2 tablespoon pure maple syrup -1 tablespoon flaxmeal -1/3 cup coconut oil, softened -1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract -1/4 teaspoon almond extract -1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut -1/4 cup dark chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl mix dry ingredients together (oats, flour, cacao powder, coconut palm sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt), set aside. In a medium bowl whisk together maple syrup, ground flax, non dairy milk, oil, and vanilla. Add wet to dr...

  This used to be our go to recipe for cookies before changing our diets. Since it's always been a favorite, we decided it was time to make it a little healthier. I love how simple it is to heathify sweets, I really can't tell the difference between these and the old version.  -1/2 cup coconut oil -1/2 cup earths balance or organic butter -1/2 cup evaporated cane juice crystals -1/2 cup sucanat -2 organic eggs -1 teaspoon vanilla -1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour -1 teaspoon baking soda -1 teaspoon cinnamon -1/2 teaspoon sea salt -3 cups oatmeal -1 cup chocolate chips (we use the vegan kind from Costco) Preheat the oven to 350. Beat the oil/butter and sugars together until creamy, add the eggs and vanilla, beat well. In a bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt, stir then add to mixture. Stir in oats and chocolate chips. Drop on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for 10-12 min.

I'm so excited about this recipe, it's divine! So yummy and chocolatey and leaves you with no guilt! Don't expect it to taste like snack pack though, it's far better in every way! I modified the recipe from keeper of the home, I like her idea to blend the chia seeds up since I am not a fan of the texture of soaked chia seeds. If you hate the mild taste of chia seeds, you may not love this recipe. -2 cups unsweetened coconut milk, or other non dairy milk -1/4 cup raw cacao powder -1/4 cup good ingredient natural peanut butter -1/3 cup chia seeds (if you want it really thick use 1/2 cup) -2 teaspoons vanilla -1/2 cup honey (I garnished with 100% cacao bar  shavings but that's not necessary) Blend in a high power blender until smooth, or you can use a food processor. Cover and chill in the fridge for a few hours to let it thicken up.

One can never have too many brownie recipes right? This one is surprisingly delicious, completely gluten free, and vegan. I am not even a huge fan of almond butter but I LOVE these brownies!  Recipe from food babe -1 cup almond butter -2 tbsp flaxseed (I use flaxmeal) + 3 tbsp water or 1 organic egg -1/2 tsp sea salt -1/2 tsp baking soda -1/2 cup coconut palm sugar -1/2 tsp vanilla -1/2 cup “Enjoy Life” mega chocolate chunks (these are vegan) Preheat oven to 350 degrees, line bottom of  a small pan (8×8 or 8×6) dish with parchment paper. Mix all ingredients except chocolate chunks until smooth Fold in chocolate chunks and pour batter into pan. Bake brownies until golden dark brown – about 20-25 mins. Careful not to over-bake, they should be slightly gooey and very moist. Cool brownies for at least 10 mins before cutting. 

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I thought I would share a recipe for my favorite Thanksgiving dessert. Yummy pumpkin pie made with Sucanat. Recipe modified from Libbys website   Crust: -1 cup whole wheat flour -1/2 teaspoon sea salt -1/3 cup coconut oil -3-4 tablespoons of cold water Mix flour and salt together; cut in coconut oil with pastry blender or fork till pieces are the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon water at a time over part of mixture.  Gently toss with fork; push to side of bowl.  Form into a ball.  Flatten on lightly floured surface by pressing with edge of hand.  Sprinkle lightly with extra flour.  Roll from center to edge between two sheets of waxed paper till 1/8 inch thick, then press into pie pan. Pie Filling: -3/4 cup Sucanat -1 teaspoon ground cinnamon -1/2 teaspoon salt -1/2 teaspoon ground ginger -1/4 teaspoon ground cloves -2 large organic eggs 1 can 15 oz. pumpkin puree 1 1/2...

My husbands absolute favorite dessert is lemon meringue pie, since changing our diets about 10 months ago he hasn't had it! I wanted to surprise him by making a healthified version for his birthday and it turned out really good. This was my first ever attempt at making  pie crust so it's not pretty but it tasted just fine. Please know that this recipe is a treat, I don't consider it healthy really. Mainly it's just less harmful to your body than the previous version we used to make. It's fun to have a special treat on a special occasion!  Crust: -1 cup whole wheat flour -1/2 teaspoon sea salt -1/3 cup coconut oil -3-4 tablespoons of cold water Mix flour and salt together; cut in coconut oil with pastry blender or fork till pieces are the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon water at a time over part of mixture.  Gently toss with fork; push to side of bowl.  Form into a ball.  Flatten on lightly floured surface by pressing with edge of hand....

This is a recipe I got my my blendtec recipe book and modified it just a little. These muffins are the perfect fall treat. My kids can't get enough of them! -1 cup rice or almond milk -1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice -2 medium apples, peeled, quartered and cored, divided -3/4 cup coconut palm sugar or sucanat for a sweeter taste -2 organic eggs -2 tablespoons coconut oil -1 teaspoon vanilla -3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice -1/2 teaspoon sea salt -1 tablespoon alum. free baking powder -2 cups whole wheat flour divided  Preheat oven to 375°F.  Add milk, lemon juice, 1/2 an apple, coconut sugar, eggs, coconut oil, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice and salt to blendtec and secure lid.  Press “Batters”.  Add baking powder, 1 cup of flour, remaining apples and last cup of flour and secure lid.  Press “Pulse” 6-8 times or until dry ingredients are barely incorporated and apples are chopped in bits.  Allow batter to sit 5 minutes.  Pour b...

This is another great recipe I got from my friend Sarah. I already have a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe on here but this one is soooo tasty I had to post it as well. I love that it uses coconut sugar and maple for sweeteners, and you would never know! They are so good! -1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour -1/2 teaspoon baking soda -1 teaspoon baking powder -spices: about 1 1/2 teaspoon. cinnamon, 1 teaspoon. ginger, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon cloves -1/2 teaspoon salt -1/4 cup coconut palm sugar -1/2 cup pumpkin puree -1/4 cup pure maple syrup -2 teaspoons. vanilla extract -2 tablespoons coconut oil -1 organic egg (large) -3/4 cup vegan chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 combine the all the dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another, mixing. Slowly combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Spoon onto a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 12-13 min.

 For my birthday this year, my husband made me this delicious chocolate cake with coconut frosting. It was really good, the frosting was a bit too sweet for me so next time we are going to use less evaporated cane juice crystals. And I can't wait to have this again!! Recipe from simple healthy tasty and modified to our liking. -1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour -3 tablespoons  cacao powder -1 teaspoon baking soda -1 cup agave or sucanat  -1/2 teaspoon sea salt -5 tablespoons coconut oil -1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar -1 tablespoon vanilla -1 cup cold water Mix the wet igredients together in one bowl and dry ingredients together in another. Then combine the wet and dry and mix until there aren't any more lumps and pour into a 9x9 inch baking pan.Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Frosting: -1/2 cup coconut oil -3/4 cup evaporated cane juice crystals (next time I'm using 1/2 cup) -1 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut -1 cup chopped pecan...

Since we always have breakfast for dinner on Sunday's I decided to introduce my kids to the delicious taste of crepes. Oh they were in heaven. Dinner has long since been cleaned up and my poor little 2 year old is still walking around saying "more, more crepes pleases?" This healthy version of crepes taste the same as any crepe I had before we started eating better! I love how easy it is to make a recipe healthy without noticing any change in the taste. Recipe modified from 100 days of real food. . Ideas for crepe toppings/fillings are fruit spread (pictured), pure maple, peanut butter, any kind of fruit etc.. -3 organic eggs -1 cup rice milk or other non dairy milk -1 cup whole wheat flour (I use fresh ground white wheat) -3/4 cup water -1 tablespoon coconut oil (plus more for greasing pan) -1 tablespoon honey -1 teaspoon pure vanilla -1/4 teaspoon sea salt  Put all ingredients in blender and mix well. Let stand about 15 minutes.Use some coconut oil to greas...

 So it's clear by now that I am not a food photographer (or any kind of photographer for that matter). I was so excited to try this recipe , a cookie without wheat and sweetened with honey. I must say I was pleasantly surprised! I definitely liked them much better refrigerated than hot from the oven. My kids also loved them. It's a yummy, quick, easy, healthy recipe, you can't go wrong! I decided to use carob chips because I like carob with peanut butter but of course some good ingredient chocolate chips would be good too! -2 cups cooked quinoa (I made some in my rice cooker 2/3 cup dry quinoa with 1 1/3 cup water) -1 cup rolled oats -3/4 cups peanut butter (no added sugar or hydrogenated oils) -1/3 cup honey -1/2 cup dry shredded unsweetened coconut -1/2 cup grain sweetened carob chips or chocolate chips Preheat the oven to 325.  Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Form into cookies, flatten, and place on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 25-3...

After healthifying this recipe, it's one of my most favorite cookie recipes (have I mentioned my weakness for cookies?) It's great that even though these cookies are still a treat, they are better for you than cookies that call for refined flour, refined sugar, and bad oils. I hope you try them out! -2 cups whole wheat flour (I use fresh ground white wheat) -1 1/2 teaspoons aluminum free baking powder -1 teaspoon baking soda -1/2 teaspoon sea salt -1 teaspoon ground cinnamon -1/4 teaspoon nutmeg -1/4 teaspoon ground cloves -2 organic eggs -3/4 cup sucanat -1/2 cup coconut oil -1 cup canned pumpkin -1 teaspoon vanilla -1/2 -1 cup dairy free chocolate chips (you could try carob chips too)  Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Put a little olive oil on a cookie sheet. Stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices together in a medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the eggs and suca...

These oatmeal squares were so good, my kids kept begging me for more! They are such a great snack and make the perfect family night treat, I think they would also make a great breakfast! If you like oatmeal, you will most likely love these! Recipe inspired by gingerbread bagels and modified to our liking. -1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats -1 teaspoon baking powder -1/2 teaspoon kosher salt -1 teaspoon ground cinnamon -1/4 cup raw honey -1 teaspoon vanilla extract -1/4 cup unsweetened rice or almond milk -1 large organic egg, lightly beaten -1 large mashed banana -1/4 cup creamy natural peanut butter (no hydrogenated oils or sugar) In a medium bowl mix all the dry ingredients together. In another medium bowl combine the wet ingredients (all the remaining ingredients) mix well, then add the wet to the dry and mix until combined. Use olive oil to lightly grease a square baking pan. Add the mixture and spread out evenly. Bake at 350 for 20 min. Enjoy!!

You have to try this recipe, these are the best brownies I have EVER had in my life! And also by far the healthiest, and easiest to make! I got the recipe from my new roots , be sure to check out her post too because she goes over each ingredient and it's health benefits. I always half the recipe just because the ingredients can be pretty expensive! After trying these, you will never crave a sugary, cheap chocolate brownie again!!! It's pretty much a miracle! -2 cups whole walnuts or pecans (costco) -2 1/2 cups medjool dates, pitted (they have these at costco) -1 cup raw cacao (I get this at whole foods or vitacost ) -1 cup raw unsalted almonds, roughly chopped (optional) -1/4 teaspoon sea salt (optional) In a food processor or blender (I used my blendtec) blend the walnuts/pecans until finely ground. Add the dates one by one pulsing as you go. If using a blender, you may need to stop and help get things moving a bit with a spoon since there is no liquid. Add the caca...

My husband grew up having "general conference coffee cake" every general conference . I wanted to start a similar tradition, a special treat we could make to go along with conference twice a year. When I found this recipe, I thought it would be perfect! It was a huge hit! The pecans are so good with maple! Recipe inspired by simple healthy tasty and modified to our liking. -1 recipe of your favorite whole wheat dough (I used this one in my bread machine) -1 cup chopped pecans -1/2 cup sucanat divided -1/3 cup pure maple -1/3 cup coconut oil melted -1 tablespoon cinnamon Grease a bunt pan with some coconut oil. Put the pecans evenly around the bottom of the pan. Mix 1/4 cup sucanat, maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons of the coconut oil in a medium bowl. Drizzle some of the mixture over the pecans. In another small bowl, mix the remaining sucanat with the cinnamon. In another small bowl add the remaining coconut oil. Create little balls (golf ball size) out of your dough and dip...

My friends and I were having a get together and talking about this rice pudding. I love rice pudding. When I heard the ingredients I thought I could definitely make a vegan version of this. I turned out SO good. I have never had a rice pudding turn out for me. It is also really easy to throw together in your rice cooker and have it ready in no time. Rice Pudding 1 cup brown rice 1 can coconut milk (not light) 1 can full of water, just reuse the coconut milk can 2 cups milk of your choice 1/2 cup agave 1 tsp or so of cinnamon Whisk all ingredients together and cook in rice cooker or over the stove. When it is done it is a little bit runny, but it sets up as it cools. Easy as that!

This recipe was really good, my husband and kids especially loved it. My husband thought it tasted so much like apple pie. The cooking time is quite long, which makes it hard to prepare for breakfast if you have hungry little ones. We had this for brunch but I am wondering if an overnight crockpot method would work. I'll update if I figure that out. Recipe was inspired by healthful pursuit and modified to our liking. -3/4 cup water -1/2 cup apple juice -2-4 medjool dates, pitted (I thought 4 was too sweet but everyone else in my family loved it) -1 teaspoon vanilla -1 teaspoon cinnamon -1 tablespoon pure maple -1 pinch ginger -1 pinch nutmeg -1/4 cup millet rinsed -1 tablespoon quinoa rinsed -1 apple diced (not peeled) Preheat oven to 350, add first 8 ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Grease a round or square casserole dish with olive oil. Pour mixture into dish and add rinsed millet, quinoa and apple. Cover with foil and bake for 80 min or until grains are fully coo...

I really loved this recipe. It made more than we could eat at one time, but it saved well in the fridge and we kept snacking on it through the next couple of days. I got this recipe from here and I tweaked it a little bit for us. But, it's definitely a keeper! Raw Fruit Pizza Crust: 2 1/2 cups pecans 2 1/2 cups dates 1 tsp. cinnamon Blend together in a food processor or blender, then press onto your pan. I used a cookie sheet. Creamy topping: 3 cups raw cashews 4 lemons juiced 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 4 Tablespoons coconut oil 1/2 cup agave nectar Blend together until smooth. I loved the lemony flavor of this, and my kids ate it just fine, but they would have preferred if it had less lemon flavor. So, depending on how you like things you could easily use a few lemons and then add a little milk to get the consistency you want. Spread out onto your crust. Top with whatever fruit you please. This time I used bananas, kiwi, and nectarines. My kids requested that I use strawberries, grape...

This is another recipe that came from my whole foods expert friend Emily. These cookies are soooooo yummy, oh my gosh! These are made with evaporated cane juice crystals. Not quite as nutrient as the sucanat but still much, much better than refined sugar. So they are a good occasional treat and much healthier than your average cookie, and much better tasting I must say! -1/2 cup coconut oil -1/2 cup earths balance (I get the soy free kind) -1 cup organic evaporated cane juice crystals -1/4 teaspoon black strap molasses -2 large organic eggs -2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract -2 cups hard white wheat flour -2 teaspoons aluminum free baking powder -1/2 teaspoons sea salt -2 cups old-fashioned oats -1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut -1 cups raisins (0ptional) -1/2 cup good ingredient chocolate or carob chips (optional) Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet. Cream oil/butter, sugar and molasses in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs a...