{Gluten-Free} Snickerdoodle Banana Bread

 Last week, in the midst of Storm Jonas, our entire small group trudged through the blustery streets of NYC to have a snow day brunch with us.  The weather outside was chaotic, but inside we were warm and cozy. Our neighbourhood was exceptionally beautiful blanketed in snow; I actually love slow, snow days tucked inside with some of my favorite people.  For the occasion, I whipped up some vegan breakfast burritos, and finished off the meal with this sweet, treat.   So enjoy some gluten free Snickerdoodle Banana Bread during your next cold night.  Continue reading “{Gluten-Free} Snickerdoodle Banana Bread”

Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Muffins

Another gem from our girls brunch! These aren’t cake-y like traditional, bakery bought muffins but they pack some serious flavor. Gluten-free baking can be tricky, but these protein packed muffins were a snap to whip up.  You can also stir in some fresh raspberries or chocolate chips if you want to punch them up a little! They also freeze well, so they are great for making big batches to have on hand when visitors drop by at the last minute. Happy baking! Continue reading “Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Muffins”

Canadian Butter Tarts

 So as a Canadian living aboard I feel it is my patriotic duty to propagate Canadian culture wherever I go. So this year when deciding what holiday treats to whip up for my favourite Hungry Ghost Baristas and coworkers, I settled on the Canadian Christmas Classic, Butter Tarts. I packaged up each tart in a holiday box accompanied by a Christmas note (and explanation of the Canadianisms of this truly festive dessert).  They were loved by all who received them. Merry Christmas! Continue reading “Canadian Butter Tarts”

Simple, Gluten-Free, Vegan Apple Crisp

 Autumn is all about apples. Whether it is apple picking, apple cider or apple pie I am a major fan. Don’t even get me started about the apple cider doughnuts from Bad Seed Cider co. each week at the Fort Green Green market. We have gone nearly every week for the doughnuts alone. We try to balance our indulgences by picking up some actual locally grown apples. But then cave and turn them into dessert.  So I have gone and done my best to clean up the traditional apple crisp with this gluten-free, vegan and nearly paleo rendition. Happy fall everyone! Continue reading “Simple, Gluten-Free, Vegan Apple Crisp”

Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles

 So as you can probably tell I couldn’t make up my mind, which led me to make not one, but three holidays desserts for Canadian Thanksgiving. I have already highlighted my (and seemingly everyone else’s) favourite ice cream treat, Butter Brickle, as well as a vegan-paleo options in my Pumpkin Spice Balls. So today I bring you Pumpkin Spice Snicerdoodles. With the inclusion of real purréd pumpkin, these cookies have a soft, almost cake like texture.  They are light and tasty, and you can make the case that you are eating your vegetables while you enjoy them 🙂 Happy fall to all! Continue reading “Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles”

Paleo Coconut Macaroons

 I have mentioned again and again that life has been active for us these past number of weeks, resulting in an upswing of baking and cooking to calm my buzzing mind.  Work has been especially busy in the most wonderfully, engaging, dynamic way.  However, one of my amazing, spectacular colleagues is not only in the midst of our normal 9-5 routine but happened to also be smack in middle of hell week (the week preceding a show opening) for a musical she is producing.  There isn’t much I can do to share her load. However, the one thing I know how to do well is prepare food, and I have learned from experience that cookies quell a whole myriad of woes.  So with her in mind I began to adapt the traditional coconut macaroons to concoct this truly paleo, gluten-free version. Now for the most part my food is not the least bit Pinterest worthy. I focus more on the use of simple, whole foods rather than my photog and photoshop skills.  So needless to say I was a touch excited when these gems turned out to be perfectly pretty little domes. These treats not only taste good but they look great too. Culinary win! Continue reading “Paleo Coconut Macaroons”

Flour-less Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

IMG_3548 When I started upping my recipe game again last week, my amazing, talented friend Joanna (the woman behind Wellness with Joanna) commented how happy she was to see me back in the kitchen. Her encouragement (always) means a lot since she is one bad ass healthy lifestyle powerhouse. If I can accomplish half of what she does when I am a mama of two I will consider myself a massive success. So with her prodding I  figured I would just keep all the new recipes coming your way instead of hoarding them on my computer.

This version of my cookie recipe came about after our (seriously wonderful) friend Sophia took a stab at my Flourless Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies. However, since the peanut butter she used was runny (or perhaps non-stablized) they didn’t firm up they way she had hoped.  Non-traditional/healthy baked goods can be finicky because when you are trying to cut ingredients out you are messing with the tride and true chemistry of baking.  Also, the texture and consistency of goods such as peanut butter vary wildly which impacts the overall product when you are skipping the flour.  So be patient with the product and be creative with the process. Anyhow, last weekend we had a lazy Sunday of church, binge watching the Jinx and baking.  This afforded me ample time to find a solution to Sofia’s predicament by adding a little PB2 to my dough.  However, during the process Jameson sweetly requested something with a hint of chocolate.  So I threw in some chocolate chips and the result was pretty great.  Enjoy! Continue reading “Flour-less Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies”

Flourless (almost Paleo-ish) Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies

 Last week I made Quest-Style Protein Bars for the Crossfit NYC open WOD secret Santa.  This week Jameson drew our lovely, sweet fellow west-coaster, Kaylin.  Again Jameson was away in the midwest most of the week traversing state lines so I pitched in to help prep her gift.  I wanted to make her a treat to reward all the hard work she has put in during these grueling work outs, while still being mindful of overall healthiness.  I played around with my traditional cookie recipe to create this completely flour-less cookie that is as healthy as a cookie can be.  Better yet, you only need five ingredients to whip them up, and you only mess up one bowl in the process.  Thus prep and clean up is moderately effortless. Happy Saturday! Continue reading “Flourless (almost Paleo-ish) Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies”

Slow Cooked Homemade Buns

321287_896434497146_48646962_nHere is another recipe from our Canadian Thanksgiving.  By sharing all my kitchen secrets, I am really ensuring all you Americans are ready for your feast in just over a month.  Now baking isn’t always my area of expertise, and I find bread to be a tricky culinary pursuit.  However, as soon as I discovered that I can turn my slow cooker into an almost bread maker I was sold.  Not only are these buns low maintenance and simple but they are also super healthy.  You can pronounce every ingredient in them, and unlike their store bought counterparts there are no added sugars.  Making bread at home is always a sure fire way to wow guests (little do they know how little work and how simple it is to do).  Continue reading “Slow Cooked Homemade Buns”

Canadian Thanksgiving: Really Simple Pumpkin Cheesecake

cake

So first an aside: I am sitting here watching the new show on fox, Gracepoint.  It is a pretty good show if you’re into crime dramas, but my main motivation for watching is that seeing my city on the screen fills me with even more hometown pride (I know you didn’t think it was possible I could love Victoria even more but rest assured there are no limits on my affections).  But then right this very second the whole experience just got even better (and my homesickness got a touch worse) because the filming location for the house of the main characters is three doors down from our house in Victoria. Meaning I just glimpsed the corner our yard on television. I mean that makes us practically famous right?

Okay, I will stop my over-exuberant nostalgia and get down to business.  Pumpkin Cheesecake. Apparently, everyone loves pumpkin everything this fall.  So this recipe from our Canadian Thanksgiving Feast is right on trend.  This was one of the non-vegan, non-paleo and full gluten dishes.  Because really dessert should just be decadent. It also happens to be super simple and more or less fool proof, while appearing complex and labor intensive.  Enjoy!

Continue reading “Canadian Thanksgiving: Really Simple Pumpkin Cheesecake”