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The Naturally Sweetened Life

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Vegetarian

30 Minute Thai Peanut Noodles (Vegan)

December 11, 2015 by Diane 2 Comments
thirty minute thai peanut noodles vegan gluten free diary free

I finally convinced my husband to try Thai food on a visit to Chicago when we were in college. He was pretty skeptical of it, but I knew that for someone who loved sauce SO much, (as in…can I have a side of ranch for my side of ranch) he would love the saucy spiciness … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Bites, Main Dishes, Uncategorized, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged: pasta, thai, Vegan, Vegetarian

Pumpkin Dip

December 6, 2015 by Diane Leave a Comment
Naturally Sweetened Pumpkin Dip

Mmmm… peanut butter and pumpkin. What a great combo! My favourite snack of all time is an apple with peanut butter. I have it like…..every day. OK, maybe 5 times a week, but still. Who doesn’t love peanut butter!? I didn’t think my go-to snack could be improved, nor did I want to mess with … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Appetizers, Dips & Sides, Bites, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged: breakfast, dip, naturally sweetened, spread, Vegan, Vegetarian

My Go-To Green Smoothie

December 6, 2015 by Diane Leave a Comment
energizing mood-boosting green smoothie with maca flaxseed spinach banana and peanut butter

  This is my all-time favourite smoothie. I love the colour, I love the taste, and I love that it keeps me full all morning long. It’s pretty awesome starting your day with 2 servings of spinach, a serving of fruit, and a giant dose of Omega-3s (More on why those are so important, here), … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Bites, Gluten-Free, Smoothies and Breakfast, Uncategorized, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged: breakfast, energizing, mood-boosting, smoothie, Vegan

Swiss Chard and Sweet Potato Quiche (GF, DF)

December 5, 2015 by Diane 3 Comments
Swiss Chard and Sweet Potato Quiche: Gluten Free and Dairy Free!

My husband and I are brunch people, hands down. Going out for a breakfast date is kind of our thang. We even went out for breakfast together on the day of our wedding, just the two of us, before all the crazy getting ready and picture taking began; it was cute. 🙂 We got married … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Bites, Gluten-Free, Smoothies and Breakfast, Uncategorized, Vegetarian Tagged: breakfast, brunch, dairy free, gluten free, Vegetarian

Naturally Sweetened Banana Carrot Muffins (GF, VG)

December 3, 2015 by Diane Leave a Comment
naturally sweetened banana carrot muffins gluten free and vegan brunch

I’m kind of stoked about these muffins. When I was making them I thought they were going to turn out awful. I almost didn’t even cook them, and then I almost didn’t even bother photographing them and THEN, I took a bite of one. HOLY,  they are amazing!! I thought they would be hard as rocks … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Bites, Desserts, Gluten-Free, Smoothies and Breakfast, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged: banana, breakfast, brunch, gluten free, muffins, Vegan, Vegetarian

Simple Festive Salad with Dijon Ginger Dressing

December 2, 2015 by Diane Leave a Comment

So, Thanksgiving came and went and now you are ready to un-stuff yourself? But you still have sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts on your mind?! Good, those foods are so good for you! This time though, try making them in this salad instead of whipping them with marshmallows or drowning them in bacon; you’re mind and … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Bites, Gluten-Free, Salads, Uncategorized, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged: fall, gluten free, holiday, salad, Vegan, Vegetarian

Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus

December 2, 2015 by Diane Leave a Comment
cilantro jalapeno hummus with chickpeas and tahini dip

Oh Trader Joe’s, how I miss thee. And what I miss the most is their Cilantro Jalapeño Hummus. Oh. My. Good. I bought a container every week, sometimes two, when I lived near one in Chicago. My roommate and I got a little hummus crazy with having a Whole Foods and a Trader Joe’s so … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Appetizers, Dips & Sides, Bites, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged: dip, gluten free, spread, Vegan, Vegetarian

Chewy Chocolate Granola Bars

December 1, 2015 by Diane Leave a Comment
chewy brownie-like chocolate granola bars with toasted coconut and pumpkin sunflower and chia seeds

What if, this Christmas, instead of giving friends and family a bunch of sugary, butter-filled cookies, you gave them a leg up on their New Year’s resolutions and gave them these chewy chocolate granola bars instead? They’re naturally sweetened, dense, chewy, and chocolatey; dare I say…they’re actually quite brownie-like! Plus that pop of dried cranberries … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Bites, Desserts, Gluten-Free, Smoothies and Breakfast, Uncategorized, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged: dairy free, glutenfree, granola bars

Simple Dijon Ginger Salad Dressing

November 29, 2015 by Diane Leave a Comment
simple festive salad with dijon ginger dressing nourishing sweet potatoes brussels sprouts and pomegranate seeds

I came up with this dressing to go with my Simple Festive Fall Salad. It’s light, flavourful, simple, and only contains clean, good for you ingredients. I’ve been putting this on all of my salads ever since! The ginger isn’t overpowering and the dijon mustard and maple syrup really balance out the flavour nicely. Try … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Bites, Dressings and Sauces, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged: dijon, dressing, ginger, salad

Roasted Mushroom and White Bean Soup

November 23, 2015 by Diane Leave a Comment
Vegan and Gluten free roasted mushroom and white bean soup with truffle oil shiitake and portobello mushrooms

My dad’s parents immigrated to the U.S. from Italy before he was born so I was lucky enough to grow up with the most Aaaamazing Italian dinners. My Nonna would make these massive meals on the holidays and we’d all be full after the first course, which was usually some sort of pasta. I mean, … [Read more…]

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Posted in: Bites, Gluten-Free, Main Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged: mushroom, soup, Vegan, Vegetarian
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insightfulbite

2 weeks with little miss Hazel. We are smitten! 💗
Instagram post 17900528072956202 Instagram post 17900528072956202
A whole week of celebrating my sweet little guy. L A whole week of celebrating my sweet little guy. Love you my little Jamesie James!
It’s always an adventure with these two 💙💙 It’s always an adventure with these two 💙💙
So grateful that I get to spend my days with these So grateful that I get to spend my days with these two. How did I get so lucky to be their mom?! 💙💙
There are 3 things I strive to really avoid feedin There are 3 things I strive to really avoid feeding my kids: ⁠
⁠
1. Artificial Sweeteners⁠
2. Artificial flavours⁠
3. Artificial Colours⁠
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If nothing else, lets keep the food real, shall we?⁠
⁠
Starting with artificial sweeteners: ⁠
Research has linked artificial sweeteners to hyperactivity, mood swings, headaches, learning disorders and TANTRUMS in children. Do I need to go on? Sure thing. ⁠
⁠
Artificial sweeteners are linked to weight gain and obesity, and with the childhood obesity epidemic, we do not need to be adding fuel to the fire. They mess with hunger cues, glucose metabolism, and even disrupt the oh-so-important microbiome (aka, a healthy gut, which is key to immune health, nutrient absorption, digestion, and mental health!)⁠
⁠
Several studies on animals link artificial sweeteners to cancer growth, liver and kidney disorders, and the malfunction of neurotransmitters. I for one, am not taking that chance with my kids! ⁠
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Here are some common names for artificial sweeteners to look out for: Sucralose, aspartame, sweet n' low, saccharine, xylitol, sugar alcohol...and many more!  Read those labels! ⁠
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Common foods with artificial sweeteners: ⁠
⁠
Flavoured yogurts, especially if it's labelled "sugar free"⁠
(If it tastes sweet, I assure you there's a nasty artificial sweetener in there)⁠
"Sugar-free"m cookies, ice cream, etc. (if it seems to good to be true, it probably is!)⁠
Chewing gum and diet pop (Probably not best for us moms either!)⁠
Salad dressings⁠
Flavoured waters⁠
Dried fruit⁠
Canned fruit/peaches⁠
conventional toothpaste⁠
Anything labeled "low sugar" "reduced sugar" "low calorie" "lite"⁠
⁠
If I'm giving my kids a special treat, I give them things sweetened with maple syrup, honey, molasses, dates, bananas, apple sauce or other fruits. And if it's a genuine special occasional that deserves cake-we eat the real deal sugar, none of that zero calorie fake crap! ⁠
⁠
Check those labels! ⁠I wrote a full blog post on this. Click the link in my profile and search "artificial sweeteners" for more info! ⁠
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🎅Coconut Breakfast Cookies⁠🎅 ⁠ Any cooki 🎅Coconut Breakfast Cookies⁠🎅
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Any cookie lovers out there?! @wildflower.superfoods and I created these for a healthier way to start the day this season! Maybe even Santa wants some nutrients to get him through his night of deliveries?⁠
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These are full of pretty much allll the goodies along with protein, fibre and healthy fats, so a few chocolate chips shouldn't make the kids too crazy either! We hope you enjoy making these beauties! ⁠
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1 cup rolled oats⁠
1/4 cup almond flour⁠
¼ cup shredded coconut ⁠
¼ cup Adapt powder by @wildflower.superfoods⁠
½ tsp baking soda⁠
½ tsp baking powder⁠
1 egg or chia egg⁠
¼ cup melted coconut oil⁠
1/3 cup pumpkin puree⁠
¼ cup maple syrup⁠
1 TB molasses⁠
¼ cup pumpkin seeds⁠
¼ cup hemp hearts⁠
½ cup cranberries or mini dark chocolate chips⁠
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To Make:⁠
⁠
Combine all of the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Add in the wet ingredients and stir in the chocolate chips. Scoop out about ¼ cup size balls and flatten down on the baking sheet.⁠
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Bake at 325 F for 20 minutes. Let cool on a baking sheet for 5 – 10 minutes before eating. You can store these in the fridge for 10 days or make a double batch and freeze for later. ⁠
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#healthyholidaytreats #breakfastcookies #holidaybreakfastideas #healthyholidays⁠
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Raw Strawberries and Cream Sandwich Cookies are su Raw Strawberries and Cream Sandwich Cookies are super fun to make with your kids and even more fun to eat! ⁠
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These naturally sweetened cookies are full of goodies like oats, dates, coconut and adaptogenic superfood powers from the addition of Adapt by @wildflower.superfoods  Adaptogens help to manage the stress response and contribute to overall well-being, which I'm feeling we all could use right now, no?! ⁠
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Grab the recipe on my blog by clicking the link in my profile. Enjoy! ⁠
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#sandwichcookies #healthyholidays #holidaytreats #bakingwithkids #nourishedkids
Who else needs to bribe their kids to get them ins Who else needs to bribe their kids to get them inside before they (you) freeze?! ⁠
⁠
I've been using hot cocoa for that very thing. And let me tell ya, it works like a charm! We make this kid-friendly health supporting version that has so many good-for-you  ingredients like raw cacao, reishi mushroom (thanks to the addition of Mighty Maca from @wildflower.superfoods), and raw honey! ⁠
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Keeping my kids nourished this season is my goal and this is one way they are always happy about :) ⁠
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Recipe is on my blog. Link in profile. Enjoy!⁠
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#superfoods #superfoodhotchocolate #hotchocolate #hotcocoa #kidfriendlyhotcocoa
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