snacks + treats

raspberry coconut paleo bliss balls

This recipe for Raspberry Coconut Paleo Bliss Balls from Emily Butler’s blog The Lazy Paleo came across my email last week and looked amazingly delicious. They are. I’m on my second recipe and I think I’m addicted. Using Medjool dates provide just the right … more




chocolate dipped macaroons

I really think macaroons are the poster child for gluten-free treats. Plus, you’ve got to love a “cookie” that dates back to 16th century Italy. Over the years, Italian Jews adopted the recipe due to a lack of leavening (no … more




banana berry scones

Okay, admittedly I’m on a bit of a scone kick. I can’t help myself with my recent discovery of Lucy’s amazing almond flour and all the fresh, organic berries Southern California has to offer. A note about Lucy’s and other … more




almond butter cookies

My friend Nili introduced me to these cookies yesterday. Got to love a neighbor who drops by with goodies! They are incredibly moist and chewy and would be a good base for a variety of different iterations – white chocolate, … more




applesauce cranberry muffins

This is a twist on my staple muffin. I had some leftover applesauce and wanted to make good use of it. Adding cranberries with a layer of orange flavor adds another lovely dimension. Soft and moist with a streusel topping, these freeze great … more




oven applesauce

My son and I have a habit of watching the cooking channel together. He salivates and tells me what he likes to eat and I take notes. A few nights ago, we watched The Barefoot Contessa, otherwise known as Ina … more




gluten-free pumpkin ginger scones

I know…more pumpkin. But I’ve devotee, so I eat a lot of it in the fall. Here’s my offering for a delicious pumpkin scone with tons of ginger. If you like less ginger, simply cut back. The flavor here is … more




gluten-free blueberry lemon scones II

I’ve been experimenting with scones and muffins now that the kids are back in school. The ease of pulling these from the freezer the night before for a quick breakfast is a huge help in the morning. These are made … more




gluten-free pumpkin spice cookies

I love fall – everything about it. On the west coast, we have a fairly narrow corridor of color compared to the rest of the country, but as a native, I can always find a fall day in lengthening shadows … more




gluten-free vegan almond spread

Good for the brain and good for the heart, almonds are also a great way to regulate cholesterol. When I want something fluffy and creamy to dip my veggies or rice crackers in, this is a great option, and a … more




blueberry lemon scones

Adapted from Elana’s Pantry original recipe of Gluten Free Cranberry Orange Scones, I’ve combined two of my favorite flavors, with almond flour as the base. Due to my nightshade allergy, and because potato starch is such an integral ingredient for … more




all fruit breakfast smoothie

Containing all acid and sub-acid fruits, this smoothie is a great way to cleanse your body first thing in the morning.  A complete food with a perfect balance of protein and starches which are already broken down into amino acids … more




gluten-free almond flour chocolate chip cookies

Elana of Elana’s Pantry came up with the original recipe for these delicious cookies. I’ve made a few changes here as a splurge, substituting butter for oil and brown sugar for agave syrup, which gives the cookies a bit more … more




body parts in goo

My friend Sandra came up with these gruesome crowd pleasers. The kids loved these at our last Halloween party. You can use gummy worms or any thing else disgusting that will delight your children. Prep time:  30 minutes Total time: … more




blueberry smoothie

Using a Magic Bullet makes this one serving smoothie a snap. If you want to double it, use the blender. Full of antioxidants, this smoothie can get you going first thing in the morning or provide a pick-me-up for a … more




pamela’s chocolate chunk cookies

Another great short cut compliments of Pamela’s. GFCF, but with a bit of soy in the chunks of chocolate, these are my son’s favorite cookies, bar none. Using a mini-ice cream scooper makes beautiful, uniform cookies every time. Prep time: … more




lettuce wraps

Hydroponic lettuce is one of my new favorites. The bonus is that the Costco near me sells a big container of it. The brand is eva produced by Grupo Altex. I try to purchase food as locally as possible. For … more




chocolate puffed rice treats

A classic American treat that is almost always gluten and dairy free! You can use traditional marshmallows or get the more health conscious variety at your local co-op or Whole Foods. My son’s 8th birthday party is tomorrow and this … more




banana strawberry no-milk shake

One more creamy gfcfsf alternative to offer yourself or your kids as a treat. I like mine around 4:00 p.m. when I start my afternoon lag. With lots of fruit and protein, and so thick you can float a slice … more




chewy chocolate chip cookies

These gluten-free chocolate chip cookies are packed full of protein, thanks to almond flour and quinoa flakes. The soft cakiness of these cookies are great for my daughter after her braces get tightened. Dipped in almond milk or coffee, they … more




the goodie box

When I was 7 years old, I had my tonsils out. To break up the monotony of my 10 day recovery, my mom put together a goodie box that I pulled from each day. It was filled with crayons and … more




bbq chicken pizza

A word about “pizza”. You know those things that your mom made you eat as a child that were just short of a scarring experience? In our house it was Montana Stew which was comprised of ground beef, kidney beans, … more




ham & cheese rolls kids lunch

With lots of protein, fruits and vegetables, this is a wonderful packed lunch for kids. My two are like hobbits, except instead of eating two breakfasts, they eat two lunches – one at school and another when they get home, … more




creepy cupcakes

If you’re looking for some fun treats for your child’s class party, these cupcakes offer a bit of whimsy with a slight ick factor. Just use a packaged mix – I like Cherrybrook Kitchen or Pamela’s Chocolate Cake mixes and … more




chips and hummus

My kids like hummus in their lunches with carrots and chips, so I always double this whenever I make it. It’s wonderful in place of mayonnaise in sandwiches or wraps and you can serve it with fresh, raw vegetables. But … more




banana pumpkin muffins

The sweetness and depth of these muffins actually comes from the addition of a ripe banana. In fact, pumpkin and banana are an amazing combination that you’ll see time and again. With the cinnamon, these muffins have the scent of … more




quick chocolate chip cookies

Not just for little kids, but for big ones too – chocolate chip cookies are the universal comfort food, right up there with mashed potatoes and popcorn. Busy individuals and families take heart. Cherrybrook Kitchen has a wonderful gluten, dairy, … more




cinnamon chocolate snack bars

Full of oats, puffed rice, chocolate and cinnamon, these bars are great not only because they’re tasty, but because you can control the size. My kids rarely finish one of those nutrition bars on their own. Last week, while in … more




pb&b s’mores

Other than a perfectly ripe strawberry, peanut butter and banana on a graham cracker was maybe my dad’s favorite thing to eat. S’moreables makes a gluten-free graham style cracker that doesn’t taste much like a traditional graham cracker, but it … more




carrot cake muffins with cream cheese frosting

Remember, this has a tiny amount of milk in it. Delicious with a cup of tea or coffee. Great for a grab and go breakfast on the way to work. Prep time: 20 minutes Total time: 40 minutes Yield: 6 … more




chocolate chip muffins

Using Pamela’s mix makes these muffins a snap. Remember, there’s a small amount of milk in these. Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 35 minutes Yield: 12 muffins 2 1/2 c. Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix 1/2 c. water 1/2 … more




blueberry coffee cake muffins

My husband grabs one of these from the freezer and by the time he gets to work, it’s ready to eat. Using Pamela’s mix makes these muffins a snap to throw together. Remember, there’s a tiny bit of milk in … more




old fashioned popcorn

Compared to the stuff you put in the microwave, popping corn the old fashioned way is almost as fast, tastes so much better and is a fraction of the cost. Besides, it’s fun and kids love the sound it makes … more