The Butterfly Bakery

I'm pretty sure you have seen my other posts about The Butterfly Bakery and their delicious gluten-free products. I received some goodies from them in the mail recently, and I was so excited to try them! Let's talk blueberry muffins…

The Butterfly Bakery offers a package containing mini blueberry treasures, which are surprisingly low in calories and full of fiber. These light and moist muffins make a great snack! Breakfast, lunch, dinner… You name it! My favorite thing about these is the fact that they taste like real muffins. My family couldn't even tell they were gluten-free! 

Did I mention that The Butterfly Bakery also offers sugar-free products? Well, they do! Want to find out more? Please visit www.thebutterflybakery.com for more information!

September Favorites

Happy Friday! As you can see, I put together some clips of my favorite gluten-free products in the video above. Naturally, my favorites change every month, but these served as the perfect transition into autumn.

Candy Granola Cookies

Happy Saturday! With just a few days away from the second most festive month of the year, I thought it would be a lovely idea to share a quick recipe with you. It really does make for the perfect treat during the upcoming holiday.

Have you tried KIND bars yet? There are literally over 15 delightful flavors, and each is uniquely delicious! KIND bars are extremely satisfying, and they are really convenient to carry with you. Sure you want to keep a stock in your pantry, but you definitely want to keep a stash in your purse too! I like to alternate the flavors with each season, so here are my picks for this fall...

Strawberry Coconut Shortcakes

Is it too early for Halloween themed sweets? Nah... Surprisingly, I have never made strawberry shortcakes before! I whipped up this recipe to share with you and I truly hope you enjoy giving it a try. These shortcakes are delicious, and the unconventional flavor combinations add a nice twist to a traditional dessert dish! In my opinion, these make for a great Halloween party treat!

Crunchy Pebbles

Happy Monday! When noon rolls around, I like to grab a quick snack. Oftentimes, making your very own snacks at home is much more budget-friendly than grabbing something from the store. With that said, I'm always on the lookout for healthy snack recipes, especially those that are vegan and gluten-free. My schedule is another important factor that can determine whether I will be able to make something from scratch, so simple recipes that don't require much effort are my go to!

Conscious Box

Hellooooooo! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend... Can you believe it's now officially autumn?! This means Halloween is just around the corner, and my brain is overwhelmed with ideas! Anyway... I wanted to make a quick post to let you know about Conscious Box - a monthly subscription service that delivers healthy and sustainable product samples right to your door!

Coconutty Owl Sandwiches

So... I think it's time for a quick update on my life. As you probably know, I took a break from blogging for about a year. Naturally, a lot can happen during that time. I transferred to a new school, and I am now pursuing a degree in graphic design. It's pretty exciting! In other news, I went through a series of allergy tests, which was a less exciting experience. That is, until I got my results back! As it turns out, I am not allergic to peanuts nor tree nuts. Also, I have been gradually incorporating corn into my diet, and so far so good! However, I am still gluten-free and my diet is mostly plant-based. With that said, I have been able to enjoy PB&J sandwiches again!

Gluten-Free Find: Fruit Bliss

It's Wednesday again... I am so excited to finally share the new review series that will be incorporated into this blog! As you probably know, I have been doing "Gluten-Free Find" posts for a while now, so I decided to do something a little different by occasionally making videos. Feedback is much appreciated, especially since these are purely for your enjoyment!

So... Today's topic is Fruit Bliss - a lovely company dedicated to making wholesome gluten-free snacks. These are great for individuals who are incredibly busy and need a satisfying snack on the go! All Fruit Bliss products are deliciously packed without any added sugars, guilt, or preservatives. Plus, they are loaded with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins! But wait... Where does the fruit come from? These healthful snacks are made with high-quality fruit sourced from Turkey, France, and Tunisia. Apricots, dates, figs, and plums... You name it. Fruit Bliss is a hit with the kids too!

Personally, I really enjoy having some Fruit Bliss goodness between meals. I have a feeling you will too, so give these tasty snacks a try! Please visit www.fruitbliss.com for more information. Thanks Fruit Bliss!

Gluten-Free Find: Qrunch Foods

Helloooooo! It has been quite a long time since my last blog post, but I am really happy to be back! Fall is just around the corner, so I decided to celebrate the parting of summer with a simple formula for a delicious lunch (or dinner). What's the secret? Qrunch Burgers! These are a great gluten-free alternative for individuals on vegetarian and vegan diets. Surprisingly, these are also dairy-free, soy-free, corn-free, egg-free, and nut-free! Aside from being the most allergy-friendly burgers I have ever eaten, Qrunch Burgers are certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified.

Fried Goat Cheese

Hello! Hope you've been enjoying the recipes I've posted so far... Here's another delicious one from the spring issue of Delight Gluten-Free Magazine!

Vegan Crispy Rice Treats

Hello world! I realized it has been a really long time since my last post. I'm planning on giving this blog a new look very soon, and I will also be expanding my posts into other of my interests. Hope you're as excited as I am! Here's a recipe from the spring issue of Delight Gluten-Free Magazine! Please enjoy...

Easy Peasy Chocolate Robot Cake

Happy birthday to my little brother! Even though he is not so little anymore, he will always be my little brother. As usual, I was kindly asked to bake his birthday cake... I agreed! I love baking, especially if I have a legit reason for engaging in this activity. Don't worry! I haven't forgotten my New Year's resolution. I'm working on some healthier recipes for you guys, but yesterday was a special occasion!

I wanted to do something fun... something different! I'm quite fond of cake decorating, but I never got myself to take a course. As an independent learner, I generally enjoy learning through observation. After a few minutes of looking at cake ideas and loads of pictures, I decided I wanted to bake him a robot cake!

Showing King Arthur Flour Some Love

I have been working with King Arthur Flour products for quite some time now. I baked a couple of gluten-free gifts for family and friends over the holidays. Of course, I didn't tell them that what they were eating was gluten-free at first. I did tell them once I saw a smile on their face. I'm trying to teach people (very skeptical people) that gluten-free food can taste even better than your average glutenous foods.

I visited some family in Miami about a week ago. It was my first time in Miami, so I was excited! The city is beautiful and the people are lovely! The restaurants are pretty good too! I made sure I stuck to my new pescetarian diet and ordered a delicious "Mahi-Mahi" Filet from a restaurant called  La Carreta! I had no idea Cuban cuisine was that good!

DeVine Lip Shimmers

Hello world! As you probably noticed, I have been making a few changes here and there. In addition to a new layout, I'm also happy to announce that A Healthful Gluten-Free Life will now have a gluten-free beauty section. From gluten-free cosmetics to skincare to hair care... You name it! It's important for those with Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance to be aware of the hazards that can be caused by gluten in beauty products. I will go into more detail further on, so be sure to check back frequently! Believe it or not, there are many gluten-free companies that offer beauty products, and one of them is DeVine! Below is a guest post from Michelle Bucaro (Brand Manager DeVine Lip Shimmers):

We created DeVine with a health conscious consumer in mind, and we believe that living a gluten-free lifestyle doesn't mean giving up the thrill of a great lip shimmer. 

Coconut Cranberry Oat Bread

Here's another recipe inspired by the holidays! My favorite kind of holiday cookie is a classic oat cookie with cranberries and white chocolate chips. I came up with this recipe yesterday by adding ingredients as I went along, and the final result was a huge hit! The beauty of this recipe is that it can be easily turned into a delightful gift. Have you heard of King Arthur Flour Bake and Give Pans? I sure have, and I love using them! Aside from being convenient, you won't have to worry about your pan returning. Click here to see a full selection of pans and supplies! 

Ingredients

1 Toosie's Gluten-Free Bread Mix

2 Large Eggs

1 ¼ Cup Water

1 ½ Tablespoon Vinegar

¼ Cup Butter (Softened)

¼ Cup Walnuts

¼ Cup Packed Brown Sugar

½ Cup Shredded Coconut (Sweetened)

½ Cup Dried Cranberries
½ Cup Gluten-Free Rolled Oats

Preparation

In a large bowl, combine eggs, water, vinegar, and butter. Mix thoroughly and add mix as well as yeast package included in the box. Stir and add walnuts, sugar, coconut, cranberries, and oats. Pour batter into bread pan of your choice. Smooth top and let stand for 50 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F and bake for 40-50 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

P.S. What's your favorite holiday bread recipe?

- Janice

Cherry Pecan Coffee Cake

Happy Holidays! I finally finished decorating for Christmas and shopping for gifts. With that said, I had a little bit of free time yesterday and I decided to work on some recipes. My family loves having warm coffee in the morning during this time of year, especially if it's accompanied with something extra. From bagels to coffee cake, it's always a treat! Here's a delicious recipe for coffee cake...

Ingredients

1 Toosie's Gluten-Free Muffin Mix

2 Large Eggs

6 Tablespoons Butter (Softened)

1 ½ Cup Dried Cherries

¾ Cup Milk

¼ Cup Chopped Pecans

¼ Cup Gluten-Free Rolled Oats

¼ Packed Brown Sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease pan (square or round) and set aside. In a large bowl, combine mix, eggs, butter, cherries, and milk. Mix thoroughly and pour into pan. Smooth top and sprinkle pecans, oats, and sugar. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

P.S. What's your favorite coffee cake recipe?

- Janice

Pressed Sugar Cookies

It is finally December, my favorite month of the year! Over the last two weeks, I have managed to finish up all my school work. With only one course left for the semester (which ends in March), I can happily take some time off to enjoy with my family this holiday season. We finished putting up Christmas decorations this weekend, indoor decorations that is. There are still some lights we plan on putting up here and there, and I'm thinking we will be doing that this coming weekend. 

So anyway, I also finished working on some assignments for Delight. Speaking of, if you are interested in subscribing to the magazine (and you should)... click here! I asked you guys on Facebook about what recipes you would like to see on my blog during December. My first reply was... sugar cookies! With that said, I decided to take one of my favorite recipes from my cookbook and share it with you! In addition to being gluten-free, this recipe is also dairy-free, egg-free, peanut-free and nut-free! There are two ways of making these cookies. The original recipe is meant to be made with the help of a cookie press, but you can certainly make these delicious cookies without it! Enjoy...

Ingredients

Cherrybrook Kitchen® Gluten-Free Sugar Cookie Mix

½ Cup Butter (Melted)

¼ Cup Dairy-Free Vanilla Milk

2 ½ Teaspoons Gluten-Free Vanilla Extract

Preparation

Preheat oven at 325°F. Combine ingredients in a bowl. Place dough inside cookie press. Using your shape of preference, press cookies onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Sprinkle decorating sugars. Bake for approx. 15 minutes or until slightly golden.

P.S. Looking for more holiday recipes? Check out Sweets & Treats: A Gluten-Free Guide to the Holidays! Click here to see...

- Janice

Choco-Coco Peanut Butter Squares

Hey guys! I feel like it has been ages since the last time I made a blog post. Last night, I was feeling a little guilty because I used to post recipes during most days of the week, and that hasn't been the case lately. For this reason, I really wanted to create something to make-up for all those recipes I haven't been posting. The holidays are finally here (almost), and it's time to indulge a little. I combined a variety of my favorite ingredients and formulated the ultimate dessert recipe. Even though I can't eat peanut butter, I still like to incorporate it into my recipes from time to time. Just because I can't eat it, doesn't mean anyone else can't. To me, it can be very rewarding seeing people smile as a result of trying my gluten-free creations. Those moments are the ones that give me the motivation to continue blogging and sharing my recipes.

Gluten-Free Find: Navitas Naturals

Photos © Navitas Naturals

Even though I'm not vegan, I still like to eat raw food from time to time. I came across Navitas Naturals and knew I wanted to try their products for sure! I love the Organic Raw Power Snacks, which come in three different varieties: Cacao Goji, Blueberry Hemp, and Citrus Chia. These are perfect as a post-workout snack simply because they provide all the necessary nutrients to restore your body's energy. This is the beauty of Navitas Naturals products! They taste great, but they are also bursting with all sorts of vitamins and nutrients. These include antioxidants, iron, omega fatty acids, and protein. Considering the fact that I can't eat several foods, Navitas Naturals products have become an essential. These help replace any nutrients my body doesn't obtain due to my restricted diet. 

Aside from the snacks, I'm also a huge fan of their Organic Superfood Chocolate Kits. Something chocolaty that's also healthy and good for me? I will take that any day! This brings me to coconut oil. I haven't tried it yet, but everyone seems to be reaching for it nowadays. According to research, it does wonders for your skin, and it also promotes a lean physique. What do you think? Have you ever tried coconut oil?

Sweets & Treats: eBook Is Out Now!

Like what you see? This is one of many eye-catching recipes you will find in my cookbook titled Sweets & Treats: A Gluten-Free Guide to the Holidays. It consists of 25 delightful recipes that are free of the most common allergens (gluten, dairy, peanuts, and eggs). This cookbook is the perfect holiday gift for anyone seeking to live allergy-free! The digital version is now available on Lulu! Paperbacks will be available on Thanksgiving Day, but for now get the eBook. Thanks for all your support! ♥