gluten-free

Growing up, my sister and I were vegetarians, in a family full of meat-eaters. So, our dinner plates often seemed incomplete because our family didn’t really know how to work around our diet restrictions.

However, one night, my mother was making tuna noodle casserole, and decided to switch things up a bit, in order to fit our needs. She made a separate, vegetarian-friendly casserole dish that has been one of my all-time favorite go-to comfort foods ever since. It’s one of those things where you really can’t help yourself. I’m known to go for seconds (okay, thirds).

If you haven’t heard of quinoa, the superfood, by now, it’s time to get out from underneath that rock. For those of you who are still unsure of how to say it (let alone spell it), it’s pronounced “keen-wah.”

With the New Year here, Whole Foods has released its predictions for food trends in 2017.

Among the ten predictions compiled by industry experts were some seemingly out-of-the-blue suggestions. Others, as the gluten-free crowd will be happy to hear, came as no surprise. Whether you're resolving to adopt a new lifestyle change or simply a conscious shopper, here are five trends to look for in 2017:

Looking for a gluten-free quiche crust recipe? Search no further and file this gem away for safe keeping, but don’t forget to share it with your friends first. No matter what the filling, this flavorful crust will be a welcome complement to any savory egg custard you can imagine. Using what is on hand this winter season, I wanted to combine the sweet taste of sautéed leeks and shallots with the more robust flavor of Roquefort bleu cheese. It is a match made in heaven.  This hearty vegetarian quiche will be the hit at your next brunch!

Dough

½ cup Oat Flour

After a season of overly sweet treats, these chocolate cookies are the perfect dessert. Adapted from bakerita, these cookies have no refined sugars but are just as good with a glass of milk.

Everyone loves pancakes, especially over the holidays. There’s nothing more comforting and indulgent than gathering together with your loved ones over a sticky-sweet breakfast, washed down with plenty of hot tea.

Of course, a lot of that pleasure is diminished when you grow up and realize just how unhealthy that fluffy stack of pancakes is. Add in maple-flavored “syrup” and you have a meal which is going to leave you feeling heavy, sleepy, and in serious need of a salad.

Growing up, my dad would frequently bring Chinese food home for dinner. Those amazing take-out meals usually consisted of lemon chicken, chow fun noodles, and Chinese chicken salad. Every single dish was always mouthwateringly good, but do you know which dish was the star? That’s right—lemon chicken. That unique, tangy, sweet sauce truly made it what it was. If you open up my family’s refrigerator, you’ll mostly see bottles of various sauces, and not much else (we’re sauce people, or connoisseurs, if you will).

When you are following a restrictive diet (maybe you are gluten-free, vegan or diabetic), it can be hard to find snacks that are healthy, taste good and are easy to take on the go. I used to buy all kinds of granola bars, dried fruit snacks, protein bars, etc. But eventually I found out I was spending a lot of money on these packaged snacks when I could easily make my own. Not only is it healthier to make your own tasty treats, but it's easier on the wallet too! These superfood granola bites only took 15 minutes to make and before I knew it, I was munchin' away on some tasty bites!

Chia seeds are a whole grain, gluten-free food. Slightly nutty in flavor, they can be added to almost anything you eat. Dating back to Mayan and Aztec civilizations, they have been readily consumed for their energy-boosting nutrients. In Mayan, chia means “strength.” Consume an ounce and you will see why. A rich mineral and antioxidant content strengthens the body, leaving you feeling good. Bursting with nutrients, these tiny seeds pack a healthy punch. 

High in Fiber

Goodbye, summer; hello, autumn. It really did sneak up on us, huh? I’m ready to be able to close my windows at night, and bundle up instead. I know it’s still September, but we’ll be carving pumpkins and drinking hot cocoa in no time. In the meantime, it’s time to think about all the warm and delicious foods that we tend to eat when the air becomes chilly. That’s right. I’m talkin’ about comfort food.