BIRTHDAY PARTY BANANA CUPCAKES ++ Refined sugar-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, high fiber, heart-healthy, gluten-free ++ Here you are…a perfect banana cupcake ready to decorate with your favorite frosting and playful topping. This is such a simple cupcake to make - all in one bowl. It is a yummy canvas for chocolate, banana or vanilla frosting. It even works well with strawberry. I used organic rose petals to decorate mine. The flavors melt perfectly with sweet ripe bananas. You could also pair these with mango or coconut flakes. Have a party just to decorate your festive cupcakes! A perfect gluten-, dairy- and refined sugar-free cake to share with kids.

NO BAKE ENERGY BITES WITH GINGER ++ Refined sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, heart healthy, high fiber, vegetarian ++ I love anything made with honey, oats, seeds and GINGER! When you need powerful fuel for action-packed energy in one bite, these balls are perfect. My cute little energy bites fit easily into lunch boxes or snack packs for hikers and cyclists. I made my naturally sweet bites using dates, high quality honey and vanilla. Then I crammed them full of whole grain oats, seeds and dried fruit. You can make these bites easily in one bowl in just minutes.

CRUNCHY CHOCOLATE GRANOLA BITES ++ No bake, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, heart healthy, high fiber ++ These No-Bake-Bites are delicious and easy to make. I used my favorite granola and made a quick energy snack that is truly addictive! Seriously, I could not stop wanting these crispy bites with a tempting chocolate and vanilla flavor combo and just the right amount of sweetness from honey. You can make them vegan by using maple syrup or brown rice syrup instead of honey. Kids love this recipe. So, make a batch together with your favorite kid and indulge their sweet tooth with healthy nutrition.

VEGAN TRIPLE CHOCOLATE OREOS ++ Vegan, dairy-free, heart-healthy, antioxidants, high fiber ++ I love a hardy, dark chocolate cookie that combines the smoky notes of raw cacao, coconut and rye. The rye flour gives these cookies extra fiber and the cocoa nibs and dark chocolate add not only amazing flavor but also a load of healthy antioxidants. Then I sandwich the cookies with vegan chocolate frosting and dip them into dark chocolate. It’s finally here…”a healthy Oreo cookie”

VEGAN STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE ++ Vegan, gluten free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, high fiber ++ Here is my easy strawberry shortcake recipe made with simple pantry ingredients. My tender vanilla scented oat cookie crust is somewhere between a biscuit and a scone: crumbly and crispy, not overly sweet. The base holds up to the toppings of dolloped, cold, vegan whipping cream and soaked strawberries with a hint of lemon. Topped off with another shortcake crust and a sprig of fresh mint - this charming dessert is a crowd pleasers on a warm day. Bake a batch for a refreshing snack or lovely dessert for family and friends.

EAT-THE-RAINBOW MORNING COOKIES ++ Vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, heart-healthy ++ Start your day energized with my grab-and-go, colorful, morning cookies. Have all your breakfast nutrients packed in one wholesome and colorful cookie. Who does not want a cookie for breakfast? I made my vegan cookies using lots of soluble fiber from beats and oats, natural sugars from banana and anti-inflammatory ginger and heart-healthy olive oil. This is the perfect pick me up paired with a great big cup of chai tea. Plus, you can store them in the freezer ready for you as soon as you wake up - ready for a new day.

BANANA JAM MUFFINS ++ Refined sugar-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, high fiber, heart-healthy, gluten free ++ Here is my one bowl recipe for gluten-, dairy- and refined sugar-free banana muffins. I make them so easy by using brown rice flour for the perfect crumb. Then I add in fresh walnuts for the perfect pairing to the bold flavor of bananas. Make sure your bananas are extra ripe to add that sweetness you crave. I use organic refined sugar-free jam and I usually eat mine while still hot from the oven.

COCOA CRISPY BITES ++ No-bake, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, heart healthy, high fiber ++ Imagine your favorite childhood snacks like rice crisp treats, and then add extra adult pleasure…CHOCOLATE! These no-bake energy bites are made with the simplest pantry ingredients. No-fuss-one-bowl and you have the yummiest, crunchiest snacks you can’t help but crave. There is something about a snack that crunches in your mouth and promises bold chocolate flavors with a hint of almond. Make a batch and tell me how good these are…cracking good!

VEGAN GOLDEN PROTEIN BITES ++ Vegan, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, heart healthy, high fiber ++ Turmeric and lemon are the magic ingredients in my golden yellow bliss bites. These are better than any health food energy bar you can buy. Here is a wholesome, satisfying snack made with bright lemon flavor and simple pantry ingredients. Easy to make and so pretty with their fresh yellow color with speckles of chia seeds.

PINK STRAWBERRY PARTY CUPCAKES ++ Refined sugar-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, high fiber, heart-healthy, gluten-free ++ Here are darling, blush-pink cupcakes fit for a party. I made these healthy cupcakes with plenty of fresh strawberries. My cupcake recipe is simple and beautiful to look at. Play with decorating them using any frosting you love. The cupcakes are a perfect canvas for rose petals, mint leaves, natural sprinkles or even melted chocolate. Who does not love chocolate covered strawberries? Go ahead indulge your sweet tooth and make a batch of playful, PINK cupcakes!

NO BAKE CRUNCHY ENERGY CUPS ++ Refined sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, heart healthy, high fiber ++ My delicious energy cups combine the best of two worlds – crunchy, fresh granola goodness with flavorful dark chocolate – to make one irresistible healthy treat. I love to take these chocolate cups on long hikes and my friends pack them in their kids’ lunch boxes since they provide tons of balanced energy. Packed with almond butter, pistachio, cranberry and chia seeds- what is not to love! I feel like I am eating a bowl of sweet granola with a chocolate surprise! No baking required…You got to make these now!

COOKIE DOUGH CHOCOLATE CUPS ++ Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, high protein, heart-healthy ++ This is one of the best mini candy bars or chocolate cups I've ever made. You bite down into the dark chocolate cover and find a smooth cookie dough center. The cookie dough is perfectly creamy, and you will smell the warm flavor of vanilla and taste sweet maple and satisfying nut butter. These cookie dough cups are high in protein, and the dark chocolate gives me extra antioxidants to power me through a long day. These cups also freeze well, so you can pull them out at any time for a quick midday-pick-me-up or a beautiful handmade dessert for friends. Don't forget the addition of vanilla protein powder and plant-based milk give them extra nutrition.

VEGAN COOKIE DOUGH BROWNIES ++ Vegan, gluten free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, high protein ++ Warning: fan favorite brownies! Seriously, my Cookie Dough Brownies are so tender, they melt in your mouth. The brownie batter is great all by itself, but I added as a special treat the cookie dough, which is loaded with heart-healthy fats and protein. Coffee and maple syrup give the soft brownies extra mocha/butterscotch-flavor. Super simple to make, the recipe comes together in minutes and kids love these festive, stuffed brownies. You get cookie dough as a bonus surprise inside your brownie. Yea!

CHOCOLATE COCONUT CRUNCH
++ Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, heart-healthy ++
This is a very simple recipe to make. My coconut candy is really yummy starting with a 4-ingredient crunchy cookie base which I made healthy with a combo of coconut and oats. These candies are low glycemic using unrefined coconut sugar as a sweetener. The dark chocolate coating adds the right amount of bling to a perfect, heart healthy wafer candy.

PUMPKIN ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
++ Refined sugar-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, high fiber, heart-healthy, gluten free ++
Here is my dairy free, golden pumpkin cake filled with vegan vanilla ice cream. This combination of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg spices in my soft cake - paired with creamy ice cream - makes my taste buds sing. To complete the flavor profile for the perfect ice cream sandwich, I poured dark chocolate sauce over the tops. You can even sprinkle a few toasted pumpkin seeds on the plate to create another pleasurable texture Serve these healthy ice cream treats for dessert and your guests will be asking for your recipe - only you will know they are secretly heart-healthy, dairy-, refined sugar- and gluten-free…

APPRICOT DATE BARS
++ Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, heart-healthy ++
These are my mom’s favorite bars ever. She is a real fan of apricots, especially those from my orchard fruit trees. If you love sweet, gooey dates, tart apricots and toasted walnuts, this bar if for you! An easy recipe using simple pantry ingredients like oats, banana and lemon juice. People rave about these bars since they not only taste great, but they also pack well and are prefect for hiking or a long car trip. High in fiber, endurance carbs and just plain yummy. Bake a batch and indulge guilt-free!

PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS
++ Refined sugar-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, high fiber, heart-healthy, gluten free ++
I remember getting the most delicious pumpkin chocolate chip muffins in Santa Cruz in the late 80s. I kept going back for more of the perfect combination of earthy chocolate chunks within a moist pumpkin muffin. I needed to re-create those flavors in my healthy version of gluten free, spicy pumpkin cake with baby chocolate chips in every bite. Here it is, the perfect crumb using buckwheat seed flour, combined with brown rice flour and soaked with vegan butter to make a dense and high fiber muffin. I eat one for breakfast or with tea and dream about the 1980’s Santa Cruz at the beach. Yummy!

PUMPKIN SPICE CAKE TRIFLE
++ Refined sugar-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, high antioxidant, high fiber, heart-healthy, gluten free ++
I am a fan of decadent, layered trifles. Especially ones that are golden pumpkin orange layered with vegan vanilla ice cream. This combination of my pumpkin spice cake - cut into bite sized pieces, layered with creamy ice cream makes my taste buds sing. To complete the flavor profile for the perfect spice trifle, I added candied ginger and fresh ginger root grated on the tops. Serve these healthy trifles for dessert and your guests will be asking for your recipe - only you will know they are secretly heart-healthy, high in fiber, refined sugar- and gluten-free…

VEGAN ORANGE OLIVE OIL CAKES
++ Vegan, low-glycemic, gluten-free, dairy-free, high fiber, heart healthy ++
This is a classic flavor combination with a modern, plant-based twist. One bite into this delicious, moist cake makes you close your eyes to savor the flavor of sweet orange in your mouth. I combined almond and corn flour with brown rice flour to get a perfect crumb that holds together and satisfies my craving for a little crunch. The orange marmalade brings me back to memories of childhood in my mother’s kitchen making marmalade from our orchard oranges. This recipe consistently gets 5 stars from every test baker. Try it yourself!

CHOCOLATE PUDDING POWER BARS
++ Vegan, low glycemic, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, high fiber, heart-healthy, high protein ++
Look at the layers of creamy chocolate pudding nesting inside a healthy power bar! What is not to love in these high protein, high fiber, low glycemic bars? The vegan pudding is made using yummy, full fat coconut milk and tastes like a happy blend of dark chocolate and vanilla. These bars hold together on a camping trip or at a picnic. I eat mine for breakfast and I get to have my oats, protein and chocolate all in one delicious, healthy meal. Bake a batch and be happy!