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.

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!

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!

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…

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…

DAIRY-FREE PUMPKIN PIES
++ Gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegetarian, heart-healthy, single-servings ++
I love the spicy flavor and creamy texture of a great pumpkin pie. However, I won't eat dairy and needed to create my own dairy-free, authentic pumpkin pie. I made my crust using oat, almond and brown rice flours. The crust is tender, like a shortbread cookie with the perfect crumb. When you hold this beautiful pie in your fingers, you look at layers of deep golden pumpkin pie, spiced like a warm chai latte. The final touch is fragrant, grated ginger on top. Serve these on any elegant table. People won't believe these are dairy-free.

CARAMEL CHOCOLATE PROTEIN COOKIES
++ Gluten free, refined sugar-free, low-glycemic, heart-healthy, high protein ++
This is my high protein version of a vegetarian chocolate cookie that is quick and easy. But then there is a surprising caramel filling. For the cookies I combined high protein peanut butter, healthy eggs, and vegan protein powder making them chockfull of high energy fuel. I made a melt-in-your-mouth date caramel filling and popped it inside these cookies. Together with the low-glycemic carbs from chocolate and coconut sugar these cookies provide me long-lasting fuel for tough workouts. Bake a batch and bite into a surprisingly yummy cookie!

CHAI-LACED FLOURLESS FUDGE BROWNIES
++ Gluten-free, dairy-free, low-glycemic, sugar-free, high-protein, Paleo ++
Yummy Chai-laced goodness… No one can resist brownies. Seriously - chocolate, coffee and spice are the best combo in these unique fudge brownies. My recipe has the perfect balance between healthy plant fats, carbs, and plant proteins. I added three secret ingredients that make these brownies stand out: sweet potato, coffee and seed butter all come together in a perfect brownie. The surprising flavor boost comes from the chai spice. And finally, switching up the nuts to walnuts gives these brownies a lot of “something extra” without much effort. These brownies are gluten-free, dairy-free and high-protein.

ALMOND OLIVE OIL CAKELETS
++ Dairy-free, gluten-free, low-glycemic, sugar-free, high-protein, Paleo, single-servings ++
Olive oil cakes are more tender and fruitier than any cake made using butter. I use high quality olive oil for a fruity, bold flavor. Almond pairs well with olive oil, so I pumped up the flavor using four almond ingredients: almond flour, almond milk, sliced almonds plus almond extract. Then the final flavor addition of lemon zest and lemon juice enhances the fruity olive oil compounds. These little cakelets are also gluten free and dairy free. This is honestly a perfect combo of flavors in heart healthy, beautiful cakelets.

MOCHA CUPCAKES WITH VEGAN CREAM FILLING
++ Refined sugar-free, dairy-free, high antioxidant, heart-healthy, gluten free, vegetarian ++
This is a classic, American-style chocolate cake—dense, moist and dark. But my cupcakes come with a surprise inside: VEGAN whipped cream filling! This recipe makes such perfect, moist cupcakes thanks to olive oil and an entire cup of coffee. No one will ever suspect they are healthy since I am using only coconut sugar as a sweetener which is not only low-glycemic but also retains quite a bit of the nutrients found in the coconut palm tree. Finally, I capped off each cake with a melted dark chocolate jacket to hide the surprise cream inside this beautiful pastry.

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE EVER
++ Refined sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten free, high antioxidant, heart-healthy ++
This is a classic American-style chocolate cake that is fluffy and very moist. It is hard to find a really good gluten free cake recipe. When I say this is the best one I have ever had…I mean it! This recipe makes such a perfect, tender texture for cupcakes using olive oil and a cup of hot coffee. I used unrefined coconut sugar as a sweetener plus cocoa powder to make the cake extra chocolaty This has become my go-to chocolate cake recipe in all my baking now as the perfect recipe for layer cakes, cupcakes or cream filled cakes. Bake a batch and you will see. It really is the best cake ever...

EASY PALEO BROWNIES (aka WALNUT TEFF BROWNIES)
++ Paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-glycemic, sugar-free, high-protein, single-servings ++
We all need an easy, healthy brownie recipe to bake quickly when friends are coming for a visit. These moist chocolate brownies melt in your mouth and satisfy your chocolate cravings. I use gluten free teff flour which has a warm, nutty, cocoa flavor, so it's a natural choice for brownies. (Teff flour is a ground seed, rather than a grain). My recipe comes together quickly and results in a deliciously, moist, fudgy, chocolate brownie. No dairy, no refined sugar, these brownies are a great choice for a healthy treat.

CHUNKY BANANA CHICKPEA COOKIES
Gluten free, low-glycemic, Paleo, vegetarian and made with heart-healthy fats
Made with oats, quinoa flour and chickpeas, these cookies are full of protein and fiber. All these superfoods combine in a simple drop cookie which bursts with yummy stuff, like dates, pumpkin seeds and chocolate. I dare you to try eating just one of these powerful recovery treats!

PUMPKIN SWIRL COFFEE CAKES
++ Gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, heart-healthy, high fiber ++
My golden colored pumpkin cakes are extra special with a swirl filling and topper made using creamy pumpkin, cashew butter and protein powder. These cakes are not only beautiful on the outside, but once you bite into one you find a moist spice cake with loads of pumpkin flavor. The cakes themselves are very simple to bake. They are gluten free with the help of brown rice and buckwheat flours. The cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg spices turn these cakes from yummy to irresistible!

MOCHA POWER BROWNIES
++ High protein, flourless, refined sugar-free, low-glycemic ++
This is my high protein version of a classic chocolate brownie. But there is a twist…it’s got coffee to help fuel your workout or just a busy day! Plus, I used no flour at all in this recipe. I combined coconut sugar, almond butter and protein powder for a gooey, fudge batter. Then I added strong, hot coffee for an extra high-energy hit. Together with the low-glycemic carbs from dark chocolate these brownies provide me long lasting fuel for tough workouts. Pack them for your outings as a healthy treat that tastes delicious.