Ladies and gentleman, I have never in my life experienced a quesadilla this good. EVER. Goat cheese, chicken, handmade corn tortillas, garbonzo beans, kale, onions, carrots – this dish had it all. It was healthy, delicious and is big enough to reserve some for leftovers or to serve as your one big meal of the day.

Verde Cocina Cafe does gluten/dairy/soy-free eaters good!

Order this at Verde Cocina, or share with us any of the other goods you’ve enjoyed there in the comments section below. I will definitely be back!

Happy Eating!
xoHeather

One of things I love about Tula, other than the delightful smell of the cafe, is that they do an excellent job of labeling all of the items in their pastry case (which look delish!) with the various allergens they contain. It makes the ordering process move a lot more quickly and takes the guess work out of what I can/cannot eat. Check out my tasty dishes below. From top to bottom – Red Nectar Rooibos tea with hemp milk, large mixed greens salad with balsamic dressing and pear turnip soup (doesn’t sound good but was divine!) with gluten-free crustini. Oh, and be sure to pick up a bag of their GF granola or focaccia bread to go!

Rooibos tea and hemp milk - creamy goodness!

Mixed greens salad and pear turnip soup with gf crostini - yum!

I am feeling so blessed to live in Portland, Ore. where we have access to so much healthy, allergen-free food. Thanks Tula and thank you Portland!

Happy Eating!
xo

Great breakfast or lunch option - easy too!

2 organic, cage-free eggs
1-2 slices of pepper jack almond cheese (or goat mozzarella is delish too!)
1 c fresh spinach
2-3 slices of organic turkey meat

Heat skillet to medium heat and crack two eggs into the pan. Season with sea salt. Cook eggs until they are ready to flip, turn over and place cheese on top. Let cook for 1 min. Then add spinach, begin to saute around eggs and cheese. Next, lay down turkey slices until they are seared and warm. Once eggs are done, put them on a plate, followed by the sauted spinach and turkey. Voila!

Happy Eating!
xoHeather

Mmm...coconut

Grow Your Family Healthy presents: Kettle Corn, sweetened with coconut nectar crystals
This is one of my favorite treats to bring to potlucks. It’s a huge hit AND it keeps you from eating the entire bag by yourself. Unless of course, you’re like me and stand next to the bowl the entire night long, making faces at anyone else who attempts to eat this delicious and healthy treat. Find it at Food Front on Capitol Hwy in Portland, People’s Co-Op in PDX, Lillian’s Market in Gresham and Lifesource in Salem.

Larabar, Coconut Cream Pie
This is my go-to bar snack. Not every store carries this flavor. New Seasons and Whole Foods do.

So Delicious Coconut Nog
Yes, I will be buying out Whole Foods stock on this one. It is divine and half the calories of regular nog. Heat it up and serve with a shot of brandy for a cozy evening beverage. Or do what I’m doing and sip on some after lunch or dinner as dessert!

Jennies Coconut Macaroons
By far my favorite cookie these days, and they only contain three ingredients. Love bringing this to potlucks as well. People are always surprised how delish, simple and healthy they are.

Coconut Bliss Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge
You will forget you even knew about dairy ice cream after digging in to this delectable flavor. Whatever you do, do not eat straight from the container. Before you know it the entire thing will be devoured. I warned you, okay?

Well, there you have it – my coconut love is complete! Do you have any favorite coconut gluten/dairy/soy, low-sugar goods you want to share? Leave a comment below.

Happy Eating!
xo

Primrose Schools, the nations Leader in Educational Day Care, is using Feeding America’s virtual food drive to help support the charity and to teach their students the true meaning of giving. Based on the foundation of a balanced learning curriculum, Primrose is teaching the children the importance of volunteering and helping others. To get involved and help support Feeding America and Primrose Schools check out their Facebook page where a “like” donates 1 can (or $1), and a “share” donates 2 cans (or $2).

So Delicious Makes a SOOOO Delicious Holiday Drink

1 10 oz coffee mug
1 c of So Delicious Coconut Chocolate Mint Milk
2 shots of light rum

Steam milk on stovetop until to the desired level of warmth (I like mine hot!). Pour milk into mug, add rum. Stir. Top with Rice Whip if feeling very festive!

Happy Eating!
xo

Fortunately, I stumbled across Jill Muhm’s pumpkin pie recipe (of the Healthy Muhm). It is delicious, easy and tastes just like pumpkin pie from the old days (you know when we could eat gluten/dairy/soy/refined sugar!). And you can top it with Rice Whip (Whole Foods has their own brand in the refrigerated section and it’s yummy!).

Gluten/Dairy/Soy/Refined Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie

Holiday pumpkin pie with rice whip - yum!

15 ounces organic pumpkin puree
3/4 c coconut palm sugar (I recommend SweetTree Sustainable Sweetener)
1 T cinnamon
3 organic eggs, lightly beaten
1 c organic light coconut milk
1 Whole Foods Gluten-Free pie crust (butter used)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients until creamy and smooth.
Pour pumpkin mixture into the unbaked pie crust. Bake for one and a half hours (or until knife inserted in the center comes out clean.) Let cool 1 hour before serving.

Happy Eating!

Gluten/Dairy/Soy-Free Flax Breakfast Muffins

Homemade flax muffins - delish!

1 1/4 c ground flax meal (I use Bob’s Red Mill)
2 t baking powder
1 T cinnamon
1 t salt
3/4 c sweetener (brown rice syrup is my recommendation, although I’ve also make it with XyloSweet as well)
4 organic eggs
1/4 c organic canola oil
1 T vanilla
2 ripe bananas, mashed
Baking cups

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all of the above ingredients and mix until thoroughly blended. Using a cookie scooper (one of my fave kitchen tools), take 2 scoops and place in a muffin tin. To keep the mess to a minimum and to support our delicious environment, I recommend If You Care large baking cups. Bake muffins for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the middle. Let cool 10 minutes and enjoy. You can also double this recipe and freeze the muffins. They thaw (on the counter, no microwave or stove necessary) perfectly.

Happy Eating!

Happy Thanksgiving 2011!

Happy Almost Thankgiving! Are you ready?

I went to the store already this week (in an attempt to beat the crowds) to stock up on my holiday recipes. This year I’m trying out a gluten/dairy/soy-free and low sugar pumpkin pie (inspired by health coach Jill Muhm) and can’t wait to share it with you.

In the meantime, below are a few links to some of my favorite holiday recipes:

-Gluten/dairy/soy-free Crockpot Stuffing
-Gluten/dairy/soy/sugar-free Sweet Potato Casserole
-Gluten/dairy/soy/sugar-free Pumpkin Bread
-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
-Gluten/dairy/sugar-free Pumpkin Pie (there is soy)

Products I love for the holidays:

-Kinnikinnick Pumpkin Spice donuts
-Trader Joe’s Turkey Gravy (gluten/dairy/soy-free!)
-Trader Joe’s Cranberry sauce (simple, elegant and yummy! Some sugar added.)

Acorn Squash

1/2 of acorn squash, scoop out seeds
1 T extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c raw mixed nuts and cranberries (or any mixed nuts/fruit)
1 t brown rice syrup

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush extra virgin olive oil all over the acorn squash half. Add mixed nuts and cranberries in the middle. Drizzle brown rice syrup over the top of the squash and mixed nuts/fruit. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour until squash is soft and flakes easily. Let cool for 5 minutes.

Happy eating!
-Heather