For years and years I've been making my old fashioned banana bread which is naturally vegan but not gluten free. Recently, with whole wheat flour unavailable and just a bag of almond flour in my pantry, I remade the recipe to include nutrient-rich chia seed and flaxseed meal in place of wheat germ and almond and oat flours in place of whole wheat. You just need 3 ripe bananas and 3 bowls for mixing, a loaf pan, a…GO TO RECIPE …
Snacks, Treats & Desserts
Nectarine, Plum and Blueberry Oat Crumble
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Shake
Megan and Riley’s Oatmeal Cookies
Pie Dough
Making pie dough is a magical thing. You start with such a few basic ingredients and end up with a marvelous wonder. Many times in the past, I would get very stressed making pie dough. I was worried that the butter would get to warm, that it would clump together during preparation, or that the dough wouldn't pull together at the end. This was all just silly because the dough would always turn out well enough. Now I…GO TO RECIPE …
Apple Pie with Crumble Top
Apple pie has always been a long time favorite in my family, especially once I discovered the Apple Peeler/Corer gadget by Williams Sonoma. It really should be called an apple peeler/corer/slicer because it does all this and makes the preparation a joy--so much fun and so easy! So before you make this, go online, or to your nearest William Sonoma store, and get this marvelous tool. You will thank me. Once you have it, read on and get…GO TO RECIPE …
Pumpkin Spice Pie
What is Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? First make the pie dough and partially bake the crust (see my Pie Dough recipe), then whip up the pie filling and voilà, simple and even nutritious, deliciously spiced heaven on a plate. Pumpkin gives you the added perk of knowing that you are doing your body good...pumpkin is loaded with fiber which aids with digestion, and vitamins A, E, C, K, iron and magnesium which help boost immunity and more. Enjoy!…GO TO RECIPE …
Vegan Vanilla Shake
With my Vegan son back home from college, and his jaw wired shut from recent jaw surgery, I'm getting creative with the blender! This recipe is great, regardless of whether you are on a liquid diet or not. And, to make it non-Vegan simply use cow's milk and vanilla ice cream. But, if you've got the ingredients on hand, use them! Vegan is so good for the body and the planet. The ingredients I use are pictured below,…GO TO RECIPE …
Nectarine, Plum and Blueberry Oat Crumble
I'm not much of a dessert person but I do always love a fruit crumble. Here I used the last of the late summer fruits--luscious nectarines and pluot plums along with my all time favorite, blueberries. The topping has just a hint of sweetness and a hearty oat and walnut flavor. Save room for this dessert as it is hard to have just one bite! 3 nectarines, diced 2 pluot plums, diced 6 oz. (a little more than…GO TO RECIPE …
Banana Bread
This is a recipe that I've made so many times I know it by heart. I adapted it from one of my first cookbooks as a young adult--Laurel's Kitchen. The book is so used at the page of this recipe, and marked up with my notes, that it is literally now broken into two pieces; so I thought it's time to add this recipe to my blog. My recipe differs from the Laurel's Kitchen version, incorporating more wheat…GO TO RECIPE …
Pumpkin Muffins
I started making these delicious muffins with my kids when they were in preschool, and now that they’re both in college, these muffins are still a fall favorite! While this is definitely a “treat,” perhaps more appropriately called a cupcake, I do consider it to be somewhat nutritious thanks to the 2 eggs, healthy oil, and the pumpkin. Enjoy in moderation! 2 eggs 1/2 cup grapeseed or canola oil 1 1/4 cup fresh or canned pumpkin 1/2 cup brown…GO TO RECIPE …
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Shake
This one is decadent tasting…but with no refined sugar and plenty of protein, it will keep you full all morning long. 1/2 c. nonfat hormone-free milk 1 T. cocoa powder (aka cacao powder) 1-2 T. smooth organic peanut butter 1 T. organic honey 1 ripe banana 1 c. ice cubes Place ingredients into blender in listed order. Blend until smooth. Pour into an insulated cup and enjoy sipping this nutritious yumminess on your way out the door!GO TO RECIPE …
Megan’s Granola Bars
This is a great “go to” sweet treat for those trying to avoid sugar. It also provides a nice little protein fix. My daughter introduced me to this recipe when she was in middle school. Eat one as a an afternoon snack, a dessert after dinner or a breakfast goodie. Jeff likes these best topped with a thin square of 72% cacao dark chocolate. But note to self: these are raw and uncooked, held together by time in…GO TO RECIPE …
