Pumpkin Mini Muffins

I was asked to do a presentation at a large company in Stillwater, MN. The woman I am working with asked me to bring a few samples of foods from my cookbook. I thought "tis the season" with Pumpkin Muffins. There was just one problem...I needed 200 samples and everytime I would frost one, it would disappear! They are very tasty!1 ½ cups blanched almond flour¼ tsp Celtic sea salt½ tsp baking soda1...

Broccoli Cheese Soup

No Velveeta found in this recipe!1/2 cup butter1/4 onion, chopped1 (16 ounce) chopped broccoli (from my garden:)4 (14.5 ounce) cans veggie/chicken broth4 oz cream cheese1-2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded (depending on how "cheesy" you want it)1 TBS garlic powderIn a stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion in butter until softened. Stir in broccoli, and cover with chicken broth. Simmer until...

Pluot Galette

Galette is a French Pastry,which I think is more like a pie made without a pie pan.Its flaky crust is achieved by using good amount of saturated fat(here I use only the best kind) and not over mixing the dough.Any kind of fresh tart fruit makes an ideal filling.Pluots(a cross between plums and apricots) are still in season before the pumpkins invade,I thought why not make a simple dessert requiring...

Shepard's Pie

MASH TOPPING:3 cups cubed daikon OR 1 medium head cauliflower2 cups broth1 TBS cream cheese, softened1/4 cup grated Parmesan1/2 tsp minced garlic1/8 tsp straight chicken base or bullion (watch for MSG)1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper1/2 tsp chopped fresh or dry chives, for garnish1 egg yolkSet a stockpot of broth to boil over high heat. Clean and cut daikon or cauliflower into small pieces. Cook in beef...

Clam Chowder in a "Bread" Bowl

So after I ate the soup, I was reminded of the clam chowder in a bread bowl that I had in San Fransisco years ago. So the photo is showing the bread bowl and the soup separate, but you all should put the two together for maximum enjoyment.I know the recipe sounds weird, instead of heavy cream, I used cream cheese. This added an amazing flavor without extra calories, 1 TBS of cream is 50 calories,...

Baked Cheese "Grits"

1 tsp Celtic sea salt3 cups Cauliflower "rice"1/4 cup butter1/2 tsp black pepper1 TBS chopped garlic1 cup Cheddar, coarsely grated2 large eggsPreheat oven to 350 F. Place cauliflower flowerettes in a food processor and pulse until small pieces of rice. In a saucepan, add butter, salt, pepper, garlic, and cheese, stirring until butter and cheese are melted. Lightly beat eggs in a small bowl, then stir...

Chocolate "Pudding" and What Makes Us Fat

Have you seen the ingredients in pudding? Yikes! Some have as much sugar as a candy bar. Jell-O pudding contains really high levels of glucose syrup and is also full of refined carbohydrates and artificial additives which can aggravate children's behavioral issues. No only that, if you buy the "No Sugar Added" Pudding, that is no better!NO SUGAR ADDED Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding Cups Ingredients:...

Grilled Tuna ,Sauteed Mushrooms and Bulgur Pilaf

If red meat is disqualified from your diet for its cholesterol issues then the dark colored hearty seafood such as Tuna or salmon is next best alternative,the benefits are commendable.Ahi tuna or Yellow fin Tuna from Hawaiian sea waters is best for grilling,baking and also in salads.Tuna tastes best when cooked rare(with pretty pink center) but if eating raw fish concerns you,please do cook the fish...

Creme Brulee

Craig's favorite dessert is Creme Brulee. It sounds like a difficult dessert, yet it is so easy.6 egg yolks6 TBS Swerve (or erythritol and a drop of stevia glycerite)1/2 tsp vanilla extract (I used 1 vanilla bean)2 1/2 cups heavy creamPreheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Beat egg yolks, 4 tablespoons Swerve and vanilla in a mixing bowl until thick and creamy. Pour cream and vanilla bean...

"Apple" Dippers

Do you make your kids get the Apple Dippers at McDonald’s instead of the french fries? I would choose a different battle for the day. The Apple Dippers seem like a good option, but have you ever noticed that the apples never turn brown? This is because of all the preservatives they use. Check out the McDonald’s ingredients: -Apple Dippers: Apples, calcium ascorbate (a blend of calcium and vitamin...

Peanut Flour Pancakes

Here's is a yummy way to enjoy a relaxing Sunday morning.1 3/4 cup peanut flour1 TBS aluminum free baking powder2 TBS Just Like Sugar (or a few drops of stevia glycerite)1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt2 eggs1 cup unsweetened almond milk1/2 cup softened butter or coconut oilPreheat skillet. In a medium sized bowl, mix the dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients together. Slowly...

PFB #1 : Health Nut in a Shell.

Project Food blog hosted by Foodbuzz is a thrilling challenge inviting all bloggers to show the best of their culinary skills.Even though on vacation past month I was very keen on participating in the challenge.Today being the last day of submission of the first challenge and also my first day back home,amidst the jet lag hangover and the unpacking mess,can't believe I could make the post happen.In...

Eggs in a Frame

Today is the first day of bow hunting season! Yahoo! I'm on my way out to my stand before the sun comes up. My dad was the one who got me into bow hunting. My dad use to make "Eggs in a Frame" for me on Sunday mornings, but it was with Wonder Bread:) Here is my version made with eggplant!1 wide eggplant, cut into round or square bread-like shapes4 eggsCoconut oil or gheeCeltic sea salt and pepperPeel...

"POPCORN" and weight gain

By now, we all know we need to stay away from Trans-Fat for our health and to maximize weight loss...But do you know where to find them?Pop-Secret Kettle Corn (4 cups popped)180 calories13 g fat (6 g trans)The only “secret” here is that they use partially hydrogenated oil to pop their kernels, turning this snack into a nutritional nightmare of heart-wrenching proportions. This box has 3 bags of popcorn,...

French Onion Soup

When you order French Onion Soup at restaurants, do you know what you are actually consuming? Check our these ingredients: Culver's French Onion Soup - Water, onions, seasonings (hydrolyzed corn gluten, soy and wheat gluten proteins, salt, dextrose, sugar, autolyzed yeast extract, caramel color, natural flavor, tartaric acid, disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate, spice), water, margarine [liquid...

Cream of "Wheat" cereal

Oh, my goodness! This adaptation of Cream of Wheat tastes awesome! I liked it better than B&G Brand! And it was fast and simple to make. What an easy way to send your kids off with a healthy protein-filled breakfast!1 cup of B&G instant CREAM OF WHEAT, prepared with water is 128 calories and 27 grams of carbs, and very little protein. If you prepare it with 1 cup of skim milk...it totals 218...

Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

In my family we treat corn, carrots, potatoes, and white rice as if they were sweets (i.e. sugar = excess weight gain). They are all simple carbohydrates as are the products made from them (chips, cereal, rice cakes and pretzels...). So we never use alternative flours made from corn, rice or potatoes. Remember 4 grams of carbohydrates equal 1 teaspoon of sugar in our body! My new favorite is peanut...

Crockpot Philly Cheese Peppers

Here is my version of the classic Philly without the bread and a lot more nutrients. For those of you who think that wheat is a healthy whole grain...listen to this.2 TBS coconut oil or butter1 pound thinly sliced grass fed sirloin steak strips8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms6 green bell peppers1 medium onion, sliced6 slices provolone cheese1(14 ounce) can beef broth1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt1/2 tsp ground...

Sticks and Dip

Have you ever seen those pre-packaged sticks and cheese dip? I just saw them at the grocery store and thought...What the heck is that cheese made out of? It wasn't even in the refrigerator section!!! AND it has the SCARY TBHQ junk in them too!Here are the ingredients in the crackers and "cheese:" *Bold = TRANS-FATEnriched Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1),...

Roasted Chicken and Pecan Rice

PECAN "RICE:"3 cups riced Cauliflower2 TBS butter1/4 cup finely chopped onion1/2 cup finely chopped pecans2 TBS minced parsley1/4 tsp dried basil1/4 tsp ground ginger1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt"RICE": Place the cauliflower heads into a food processor (click HERE to find the one I use), pulse until small pieces of 'rice.'In a pan, melt butter and mix in "riced" cauliflower and...

Eggless Mango Chocolate Cake,Eid Delicacy 2

I don't dislike eggs ,but its good to experiment without them every once in a while to create a lighter calorie baked goodies.Also,for those with egg allergies(like my mom ) and on restricted diets this(and the previous) eggless bake wouldn't be a let down.Talk about the star ingredient in the cake - the mangoes.The mango puree not just replaces the eggs but also adds to the sweetness of the cake.The...

Chicken "Noodle" Soup

I remember enjoying a bowl of Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup as a kid, but now that I know what the ingredients are in that little metal can...no thank you!INGREDIENTS: Chicken stock, enriched egg noodles (wheat flour, egg solids, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine, mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), cooked chicken meat, water, contains less than 2% of the following ingredients: salt, chicken fat,...

Triple Hot Chocolate and WEIGHT GAIN

I always enjoyed a little warm drink around the campfire, but I had a hard time finding a replacement for the good-old packages of hot chocolate mixes that have trans-fat in them.NESTLE HOT COCOA INGREDIENTS: SUGAR, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, VEGETABLE OIL (PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED COCONUT OR PALM KERNEL AND HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN), DAIRY PRODUCT SOLIDS (FROM MILK), COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, AND LESS THAN...

Vegan Almond Coconut Cookies , Eid Delicacy 1

The sumptuous Sheerkhorma and Saffron Sevia are definitely the classic delicacies served on the big holiday of Eid,but I also love to compliment the Eid feast with some adorable baked goodies.These nutty cookies are ridiculously simple to bake and quite a treat on the special day.Did I mention these are also incredibly nutritious ?Recipe : Vegan Almond Coconut Cookies with Dark Chocolate Drizzleyields...