Bowls of Red Lentil Soup There's nothing like a hot bowl of soup on a cold winter's day. So, the next time it's cold and wet outside, make a batch of this hearty Red Lentil Soup. It's full of flavor and easy to make. Red Lentil Soup About Red Lentils Red lentils are a good source of plant-based protein, fiber, and iron. They’re high in antioxidants and polyphenols as well. Its nutritional profile supports heart health, helps regulate cholesterol and blood sugar, aids in weigh

The combination of butternut squash, apples, and ginger makes this soup warming and gratifying. Butternut squash has been absorbing the sun's energy all summer long in the garden. This stored "sun" energy gives squashes a warm heartiness that can comfort you through cold, blustery days. Adding apples to this soup is an extra bonus, because cooked apples are warming and easy to digest. Lastly, the addition of ginger warms you up and helps relieve mucus congestion. So make

As the days get shorter and colder, and sometimes windy, stay inside and cozy up with a mug of Pumpkin Spice Latte.     Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe Ingredients 1 cup milk or milk alternative such as almond milk 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree 1 teaspoon ghee (clarified butter) 1 teaspoon of Pumpkin Spice (or make your own with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and a pinch of ground cloves) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Sweetener of your ch

Fruit crisps are a tasty combination of juicy, sweet fruit with a crispy topping; but many crisp recipes call for too much sugar. This crisp has less sugar than most, and you can cut down on the sugar even more if you'd like. Both blueberries and peaches are in season now, and together they make the perfect summertime dessert combination in this Gluten Free Blueberry-Peach Crisp. Gluten Free Blueberry-Peach Crisp Recipe Topping Ingredients 1/4 cups gluten free flour blend, su

Looking for an easy summertime appetizer or snack? Try this classic Italian appetizer made with fresh juicy melon (cantaloupe) and thinly sliced prosciutto with mint leaves.   Melon with Prosciutto and Mint History of Melon with Prosciutto This classic Italian appetizer is called “prosciutto e melone” and is a combination of salty cured ham with sweet, juicy melon. In ancient Rome, people combined cured meat with fruit for health reasons. A renowned Roman doctor, named Galen,

Sheet pan salmon with spring vegetables is a tasty spring meal. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and the seasonal vegetables are a good source of fiber. The fish and vegetables are seasoned with Baharat, a savory and sweet Middle Eastern spice blend. Baharat means "spice" in Arabic, and it is one of many Eastern Mediterranean spice blends. If you can't find Baharat in your supermarket, it's easy to make. Sheet Pan Salmon with Spring Vegetables Recipe Ingredients 1 tables

Spinach with Chickpeas and Yogurt is a tasty spring-time dish or side dish - perfect for Easter or another spring holiday. Spinach with Chickpeas and Yogurt Recipe Ingredients: 1 large yellow onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 cups of fresh baby spinach (or use a 10-oz box of frozen spinach, thawed, and squeezed-dry) 1 3/4 cup of chickpeas or a 15-oz can chickpeas, drained 1 cup golden raisins 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg Salt and p

For a quick meal, make these gluten-free chicken tenders. They're crispy on the outside but moist in the middle. Gluten-free Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe Ingredients:  1/2 pound boneless chicken tenders, skinless (or cut a chicken breast into strips) 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons Olive oil 4 tablespoons Gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or tinfoil. Combine

My grandmother was a housewife in the 1930s through the 1950s. Sometime during this period, she found a recipe for Irish bread in the Boston Globe ; but I’m not sure in which year she found it. However, her Irish bread was a favorite in our family. Since having to go gluten-free, I’ve tried to make it by substituting the flour with gluten-free flour, but it just doesn’t come out right. This is a heavy, dense bread to begin with, but it was much too heavy. This year, I decide

Kale is a healthy and nutritious plant food. It’s low in calories but high in vitamins, so it’s among the most nutrient dense foods. A cup of kale contains Vitamins A, B6, C, and K, manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, magnesium and more. Kale with raisins and toasted pine nuts is my favorite kale recipe. Kale with Raisins and Pine Nuts Recipe Ingredients: 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts 2 cups water 3/4 pounds (6 cups) chopped kale 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons extra-virgi

For Valentine’s Day make a batch of these Rose Petals and Chocolate Chip Herbal Candies  for you and your valentine.  Rose Petals and chocolate are classic aphrodisiacs. Rose is the "Queen of Flowers" and has been known for thousands of years for its beauty and fragrance.  Rose fills your heart with love and peace.  If you don’t have dried rose petals, check your local herb shop, or you can order online from Mountain Rose Herbs.   Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is high

Sweet potatoes are considered a superfood.  They’re one of the most nutritious vegetables with lots of vitamins and minerals.  Sweet potatoes are loaded with antioxidants, which protect your body from free radicals, promoting gut health and brain health.  They’re high in fiber and complex carbs, so they may be an ideal food for those with blood sugar issues.  Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A to support your immune system and eye health

This nutritious and hearty lentil soup is an excellent high-fiber lunch option. As a high-fiber food, lentils offer a feeling of gratification and fullness, helping you stay satiated all afternoon. Fiber also reduces your risk of heart disease, helps lower blood pressure, regulates blood sugar, and helps protect against colon cancer. So, prepare a batch of this soup for lunch. Hearty Lentil Soup Recipe Ingredients 1 cup green or brown lentils  1 tablespoon olive oil (or ga

If you love garlic, then you’ll love this garlic-infused olive oil recipe. It’s great for so many recipes, such as stir-fries, sautés, roasted vegetables, mixed into mashed potatoes, home-made hummus, and salads.  Actually, for any recipe that calls for oil, I use my garlic oil. For those that love garlic but can’t eat it because of digestive issues, such as colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel, SIBO etc., and must follow a Low-FODMAP diet (FODMAP stands for F ermentable

Whipped body butters are super-rich and great for your skin. They're very effective at rejuvenating dry, damaged skin; and can be applied all over or just on problem areas, such as elbows, knees, or the heels of the feet. Although you can use them any time of the year, they’re especially beneficial during these cold winter months. This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but so worth it. It yields about 10 ounces of butter. Whipped Body Butter Recipe Materials Needed  2 oz. Unref

Have you ever had a bowl of oatmeal that looked like a gelatinous blob?  Well, there are a few simple tricks to making a rich, creamy bowl of oatmeal.      Creamy Oatmeal Tips You'll need to use steel cut oats or old-fashioned rolled oats; this doesn't work for instant oatmeal. If you're gluten-free, Bob's Red Mill food company offers gluten-free options. The amount of liquid is important.  You need three to four times the amount of liquid to dry oats; so, if you’re using a

On a chilly winter day, prepare a pot of this filling Tuscan White Bean Soup to keep cozy and warm. To make it vegetarian, simply leave out the sausage, or try my Mediterranean White Bean Soup recipe. Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil or garlic-infused olive oil 3 garlic cloves, minced (omit if using garlic-infused olive oil) 1/2 large onion, diced 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 2 celery stalks, diced   1 pound ground Italian sausage or t

If life has been hectic lately with all the holiday celebrations, why not relax one afternoon and cozy up with a mug of Peppermint Hot Chocolate?  Peppermint is refreshing and stimulating to the nervous system, so it’s a great pick-me-up.  It also encourages healthy digestion; and if you've been over-indulging, it's a carminative, so it can help with gas and bloating.      Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients 2 tablespoons dried peppermint leaf 2 cups milk or milk alte

Here are a few more gluten-free holiday recipes to share with you. Gluten-free Holiday Recipes Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies The Peanut Butter Blossom Cookie recipe originated in 1957; and although there are variations of the original recipe around, I use the original recipe and simply replace the flour with gluten-free flour. Ingredients 48 Hershey's Kisses Milk Chocolates - wrappers removed 1/2 cup butter 3/4 cup creamy Peanut Butter 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup packed

Growing up my Mom would spend all of December baking Christmas cookies, breads and other desserts.  At a young age, I joined in; and over the years I’ve added my own recipes.  When I had to go gluten-free, I was determined to make some gluten-free holiday cookies.  Some recipes came out great, but others not so much.  Here are a few of my favorites.  (I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-free 1-to-1 Baking Flour , but there are a few other choices out there to try.)   Gluten-free Holi