Cinnamon Coconut Pancakes with Coconut Cream Sauce (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Paleo)

Pancakes conjure up memories of my Saturday mornings as a child. My parents would be in the kitchen cooking up a storm on the griddle. Pancake after pancake hit the plate, drowned in butter and syrup. It was something I so enjoyed; I would eat until I could no longer eat anymore. While I still cherish the memory, I also know that Bisquick pancake mix and Hungry Jack syrup aren’t exactly a tradition I want to continue in my kitchen! But when the pancake pang strikes, it’s great to have a healthy equivalent. Enter Cinnamon Coconut Pancakes…

Let’s just face facts for a second: coconut is amazing. I eat some form of coconut every single day, and each time I do it not only makes me happy because it tastes so darn good, but because I know how nutritionally beneficial it is as well. Coconut has some pretty amazing stuff going on — good fats, lauric acid, caprylic acid; supports digestion, fat loss, keeps you full and reduces inflammation… and that taste? So indulgent.

Cucumber Cabbage Slaw (No Mayo, Sugar-Free, Vegan)

Coleslaw comes in many forms, but perhaps the most ubiquitous is the cabbage/carrot/mayonnaise concoction so commonly sold in grocery stores. It seems to be an omnipresent staple among spring picnics and summer barbecues, lurking in round plastic containers between the chips and potato salad, with thick white sauce camouflaging the few vegetables inside . While some folks love that white, mayo-laden side dish, I personally cannot stand it. In my mind, too much mayo = a whole lotta yuck. So when I got a beautiful head of cabbage in my CSA box, I put myself to the challenge of creating a no-mayo, sugar-free slaw that was still packed with flavor.

I used creamy avocado and nutritious cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil to create the thick, fatty flavors of the mayonnaise. Toasted sesame oil adds great depth to the sauce while lemon gives it just the right amount of pop. Add in some salt and pepper, and it’s light, crisp, tangy slaw perfection. I like my sauce thinner so I only used half an avocado, but if you like yours a bit thicker just use the whole thing instead.

Sugar-Free Coconut Cashew Chia Pudding

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Though a somewhat cliche holiday, I love taking part in the festivities in one way or another. Usually it’s with themed baked goodies or chocolate covered strawberries and champagne, but this year I’m on such a strict anti-candida diet that those activities are quite unfortunately a no-go. So for all you candida sufferers out there, consider this my Valentine’s gift to you.

Instead, here’s the tasty treat that’s been keeping me sane. It’s made with chia seeds, a good source of omega-3 fatty acids (“good fats”), fiber, calcium, and even protein. Mixed with coconut milk, it’s a creamy, delicious dish that’ll keep you satisfied throughout the day.

Even if you don’t make this for Valentine’s, it’s a great dessert to have on hand when cravings strike! Let it set in a small canning jar and you’ll have the perfect on-the-go breakfast or snack. So tasty, so versatile — all you need is a spoon.

Vegan Eggplant Burger Stacks

I’m still obsessing over the Simple Seasoned Eggplant Steaks that I made a couple weeks ago. The tangy flavor and toothsome texture of the eggplant were so tasty, I just couldn’t pass up using the steaks in another recipe. So here you have it: Vegan Eggplant Burger Stacks!

All the goodness of a lettuce-wrapped burger with no meat — and being a meat-eater myself, I promise you won’t even miss it. After your first crunch of the lettuce “buns” with a delicious assortment of burger toppings, you’ll be a believer. I used tangy red pepper slices, baby spinach leaves, Clean Caramelized Onions (nomz), and creamy avocado slices instead of spread. Feel free to top your burger with your favorite gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, or Paleo toppings. The best part about this recipe is how completely customizable it is!

Whether you’re vegan, detoxing, or just looking to get more veggies in your diet, this simple “burger” stack is a perfect, healthy option.

Paleoats: Grain-Free Cauliflower Oatmeal

Imagine with me for a second: it’s a cold, rainy morning. You get out of bed, put your slippers on, and shuffle into the kitchen to put on a pot of tea. Your stomach rumbles a bit. There’s a slight chill in the air. You seek the comfort of something warm and sweet. Suddenly, the craving kicks in: oatmeal.

Sounds pretty good, right? Well, what if you can’t have oats? Then what? An increasing number of people are following a Paleolithic or other type of grain-free diet, be it for health or personal reasons. For example, I’m currently on a restrictive anti-candida diet that allows no gluten (many oats are grown in wheat fields — I make sure to buy certified gluten-free oats when I do!), and very minimal grains, only about 1/4 cup per meal. I don’t know about you, but I can’t just eat a measly 1/4 cup of oatmeal! Enter cauliflower…