Paleo Diet 101: How It Works, What To Eat

Out of all the various food diets and trends, the paleo diet has stuck around for quite some time. But what exactly is it, how can you follow it properly, and is it even really that good for you? We’ll provide a paleo diet 101 so all of your answers can be answered.

Essentially, the paleo diet was created to mimic what our long-ago ancestors ate. (So yep, no Cheetos or boxes of cereal!) While it’s impossible to know exactly what our human ancestors consumed, scientists suggest that their diets consisted of whole foods, meat, nuts, and seeds. On the flip side, our ancient ancestors probably didn’t munch on much with carbs or sugar. We’ll get into all the details of what you can eat and what should be avoided below.

Scientists also believe that hunter-gatherers were much healthier much of the population today. Those who follow the diet are hopeful they will have a lower rate for certain diseases, like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. A handful of research has found that in the short-term, following a Paleo diet can lead to losing weight without cutting calories. However, since this diet is still pretty new, the long-term potential benefits are unknown.

 

How To Do Paleo Right

While there are strict things you can and can’t eat on a paleo diet, that doesn’t mean there is only one way to do it right. Instead of thinking in terms of what is off-limits, the success of any diet comes from focusing on what you can enjoy.

In short, paleo-friendly foods include meat, fish, eggs, seeds, nuts, certain veggies, and healthy oils. We’ll expand upon these now.

Foods to Eat on a Paleo Diet

Your diet should be based on these whole, unprocessed foods:

  • Meat: Vegetarians will have a hard time eating paleo, since a good chunk of the diet relies on meat. Items such as beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, and pork are popular menu items for paleo eaters. If possible, choose grass-fed, pasture-raised, and organic meat.
  • Fish: Seafood is another great paleo option. Wherever possible, buy wild-caught fish, such as salmon, trout, shrimp, mussels, and tuna.
  • Eggs: How could you not love bacon and eggs? Cook ‘em in oil, hard boil them for an easy on-the-go snack, or make a paleo-friendly quiche. Paleo eaters are encouraged to find free-range or pastured eggs.
  • Vegetables: Go crazy on veggies when you’re eating paleo! The sky’s the limit when it comes to leafy green goodness, such as kale, broccoli, peppers, onions and more. You can also lump tubers into this category and get a hefty dose of sweet potatoes and turnips onto your plate.
  • Fruits: While fruit indeed has sugar, all types of fruit are paleo because they are natural, unprocessed foods. Lucky for paleo eaters, they also have a lot of health benefits to offer, including antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. Any fruit is fair game, such as apples, bananas, blueberries, and avocados.
  • Nuts and seeds: Much of the paleo diet is focused on getting healthy fats. These include all the nuts and seeds you can think of, such as almonds, pecans, walnuts, sesame seeds, chia seeds, and sunflower seeds. Just make sure to buy the raw versions instead of the ones that are heavily salted, roasted, or even coated in sugar.
  • Healthy fats and oils: Many oils are fair game on the paleo diet, including extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. These oils are always used instead of dairy products like butter and other specific oils (more on that below).

 

Foods to Avoid on a Paleo Diet

Part of the paleo diet 101 is understanding what is off limits.

Avoid these foods and ingredients:

  • Sugar: Anything unnaturally super sweet is a big no-no in the paleo diet, which is a big reason why many people tend to lose weight. Sugar takes many forms, so make sure to be extra careful when reading labels or ordering out. For example, most canned pasta sauces contain sugar!
  • Grains: For many, grains are the hardest to say goodbye to. Types of grains you shouldn’t eat include all types of bread, pasta, quinoa, rye, wheat, barley, and spelt. Basically, if something has “flour” in the title, it’s not paleo.
  • Legumes: All legumes are considered non-paleo. The legume family consists of plants that produce a pod with seeds inside. Foods that are lumped under this category include beans, lentils, peas, and yep, even peanut butter (peanuts are legumes, not nuts!).
  • Dairy: In most cases, all dairy products are considered non paleo, like milk, cheese, and butter. That said, a few versions of paleo allow full-fat butter and cheese as part of a high fat, low carb diet.
  • Certain vegetable oils: As mentioned above, certain oils are not considered paleo. Here’s a list: soybean oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, and peanut oil. This is because they don’t have an ideal ratio of fatty acids, can be highly processed, and might even contain unhealthy molecules for the body once cooked.

Artificial sweeteners: With sugar off the table, some think they can satisfy their sweet tooth with an artificial sweetener. Alas, paleo diet 101 is all about natural and whole foods. So skip the aspartame, sucralose, cyclamates, saccharin, and others, and use natural sweeteners like raw, organic honey instead.

Pancake Puff Banana Split

Pancake puffs served on top of greek yogurt, a split banana and finished off with chocolate, fruit, sprinkles, and honey. A healthy spin on dessert pancakes!  

Are you ready to flip your traditional savory breakfast and give this sweet, almost dessert-like pancake puff banana split a try? We thought so! Who doesn’t love a good sweet start to the day?

Although we usually gravitate towards something savory, we do love a good plate of waffles, bowl of oatmeal, or pancake puff recipe! Dare we say that the pancake puffs might even be our favorite of the three? They just slightly outrank our oatmeal combos that are also pretty much like dessert.

Since our pancake puff ice cream sundae bowls were such a hit, we figured we would create a new spin that would be a bit more in line with breakfast. We must admit, the result was pretty sweet! (pun intended)

We swapped the traditional banana split ice cream for a high-protein Greek yogurt, then we added a banana because you can’t very well have a banana split without the banana! Then we added our pancake puffs, some fresh berries, cherries, mini chocolate chips (totally breakfast friendly, right?), sprinkles and a drizzle of honey for sweetness!

This is the perfect balance of protein and carbs to set you up for a long day! Or, you could serve this as a sweet ending to a long, tiring day. Nothing says happiness and comfort more than a banana split — in any form.

Get the kids involved in making them too! Let them help you create a ‘build your own’ pancake puff banana split bar by picking out the toppings and creating their favorite combo. We guarantee they won’t even know these are healthy-ish!

Pancake Puff Banana Split Ingredients:

Pancake Puff Banana Split

Pancake puffs served on top of greek yogurt, a split banana and finished off with chocolate, fruit, sprinkles, and honey. A healthy spin on dessert pancakes!  
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Pancake Puffs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings 1

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or yogurt of choice
  • 1 small banana split in half lengthwise
  • 1 serving Pancake Puffs cooked according to package directions
  • 2-3 tbsp fresh berries
  • 3 fresh cherries
  • 1 tsp mini chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp sprinkles
  • drizzle of honey

Instructions

  • Layer all ingredients into your favorite ice cream sundae dish (or any bowl) starting with the yogurt, then your banana, pancake puffs, berries, cherries, chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
  • Finish off with a drizzle of honey and then enjoy!

How to Meet Your Protein Needs with Less Meat

The times, they are a changin’, and this is also true when it comes to our diet. Contrary to what was once a popular belief, you can still fulfill your protein needs with less meat. Vegetarians can be nourished with whole foods that provide enough protein for the body without consuming animal products.

Now, we’re not here to tell you whether or not you should completely give up meat. Your diet and food choices are completely personal. That said, there are reasons why consuming less meat is good for both the body and the environment.

For one, cutting out red meat could help reduce your risk of cancer. A recent study from JAMA Internal Medicine suggests people who eat vegetarian have a 22 percent lower risk of cancer. Limiting meat intake can also aid with healthy weight loss and lower cholesterol. As for the planet, consuming meat, especially beef and pork, contribute to both climate change and polluted landscapes and waterways. Even just cutting back a bit can be beneficial to the environment.

 

How Much Protein Do We Need?

The Daily Value for protein is 50 grams based on a 2,000-calorie diet, a value most people get easily. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating a variety of proteins to get your fill, such as eggs, low-fat milk, beans, and soy products.

 

To better understand was 50 grams of protein looks like, here are two examples:

  • Some 6 ounce servings of Greek yogurt contain up to 20 grams of protein
  • One cup of rice and beans has 15 grams of protein

 

These two food items right here is more than half of the protein your body needs — no meat in sight.

Of course, your individual protein needs will vary based on factors such as body size, health conditions, and activity level. If you’re not sure how much protein you need, it’s best to speak with your doctor.

 

Plant-Based Foods With Protein

Here is a list of some plant-based foods that contain high amounts of protein. Use these items to plan your meals and get your protein needs with less meat.

  • Tofu: 11 grams of protein per serving (¾ cup)
  • Tempeh: 15 grams of protein per serving (3 oz)
  • Edamame: 18.5 grams of protein per serving (1 cup cooked)
  • Lentils: 12 grams of protein per serving (½ cup cooked)
  • Greek yogurt: 20 grams of protein (6 oz)
  • Chickpeas:15 grams of protein per serving (1 cup cooked)
  • Peanuts: 7 grams of protein per serving (28 peanuts)
  • Almonds: 6 grams of protein per serving (23 almonds)
  • Chia seeds: 2 grams of protein per serving (1 tablespoon)
  • Quinoa: 8 grams of protein per serving (1 cup cooked)
  • Beans with rice: 15 grams of protein per serving. (Note: Separately, rice and beans are incomplete protein sources. Eat ‘em together to get that protein!)
  • Potatoes: 5 grams of protein (1 medium potato)
  • Broccoli: 3 grams of protein (1 cup)
  • Kale: 3 grams of protein (1 cup)

 

Plant-Based Meal Ideas — Meet Protein Needs With Less Meat

Here are suggestions for what to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner without the meat and with all the protein:

Breakfast:

Oatmeal with full-fat plain Greek yogurt: Cook up a ½ cup of oatmeal (you’ll get six grams of protein!). Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or sprinkle in some almonds for extra protein.

Seed bread with egg and hash browns: Eggs also contain a lot of protein — there are six grams in one egg. Eat ‘em with a slice of seeded, whole wheat toast. Enjoy a side of hashbrowns for an extra kick of protein from the potatoes.

Banana with peanut butter: For a lighter breakfast, enjoy a banana (1.5 grams of protein) with a generous spoonful of peanut or almond butter.

 

Lunch:

Rice and beans with broccoli and tofu: Cook up some rice and beans (remember, together they provide a good amount of protein!). Stir fry some broccoli and tofu for other essential vitamins and minerals.

Lentil soup with kale and veggies: For a hearty soup, make your own lentil stew with kale and other extra veggies. Lentils are low in calories and rich in iron and folate.

 

Dinner:

Quinoa salad with roasted almonds and chickpeas. For a lighter fare that will still keep you full, cook up some quinoa. Add chopped, roasted almonds, chickpeas, and any veggies you like. For an easy dressing, squeeze lemon juice over the salad with a drizzle of olive oil. Add garlic and salt to taste!

A homemade veggie burrito with cheese and beans: Skip your local Mexican joint and make your own burrito with rice, beans, veggies, and cheese. Fun fact: There are nearly 7 grams of protein in one slice of cheese. For even more protein, add a dollop of plain Greek yogurt. This is a nice substitute for sour cream.

Simple Ways to Keep Moving Without Disrupting Your Workday

Getting your body moving during a busy work day sometimes seems impossible. It can be difficult to get steps in while working behind a desk all day – we get it. Thankfully, you don’t need to disrupt your workflow in order to move around during work hours. If you’re looking for some simple ways to keep moving without disrupting your work day, you’re in luck! We’ve broken down ways to keep active both morning, evening and night.

Simple Ways to Move In the Morning

If you have a few minutes to kill in the morning, take a couple laps around the office and say good morning to your coworkers! It can be tempting to get into the office and sit down right away at your desk. If this isn’t already a part of your work routine, it is a simple change you can make in no time. Who knows, maybe some of your coworkers will be motivated to move with you! By starting the day off with movement, you’re mood and energy levels will spike! Who wouldn’t want to star their day off on the right foot?! We understand mornings can be busy but don’t worry – you don’t need to take out a chunk of your morning to do this. In fact, according to the Primary Care Companion 30 minutes of exercise is needed in order to be beneficial. Luckily, those 30 minutes don’t need to be completed in one go! This morning routine could be one of three 10 minute walks to move without completely disrupting your workday!

Simple Ways to Move In the Afternoon

The afternoon is prime-time for getting up, moving and taking advantage of all the benefits walking has to offer. Thankfully, you can accomplish this without disrupting your workflow! We don’t suggest you take your whole lunch break to go on a walk – food is important too! Instead, split your break in half – spend the first half walking and the other refueling your body with food. If the weather is nice, we recommend taking a walk outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunlight. If you can’t get out, you can always try walking in and around your building! Really, anywhere you feel comfortable walking – do it! Walking in the afternoon is great because you’re not disrupting your normal workflow to get those steps in. Actually, your job benefits from you moving throughout the day too! Charlotte Andersen of Reader’s Digest points out that walking and moving your body improves creativity, eliminates stress and enhances brain performance. Not only will you physically benefit from an afternoon walk, but your mental and cognitive state will as well.

Simple Ways to Move In the Evening

Before your work day ends, try standing up behind your desk to stretch your body out. If you have a height adjusting desk, this would work perfectly and allow you to continue working until the end of your shift. Don’t sweat it if you don’t! If you’re not working behind a computer, walk around the office to file your paperwork or clean up your work space. When the end of the day starts to slow down, get in a few laps by walking around the building or block to decompress after a long day. Being able to move around at the end of the day is great if you have a long commute home. If you work from home at night, try tackling your tasks while you move. For example, if you work on your phone often and have access to a gym why not do both at the same time? Of course everyone’s routines are different – see what works best for your workflow and body.

Any Time in Between

We get that it can be difficult to work in time to move during a busy and hectic schedule. That being said, you can take some small steps (pun unintended) to add movement in between down time. For example, if there is someone in another department or part of the building you need to meet with, try walking to their office instead of calling them on the phone. Similarly, if there is paperwork that needs to be filed, copied or saved, take a walk to do so instead of waiting until the end of the week. If you are lucky and do get some down time, use that time to your advantage! Instead of browsing social media or scrolling the Internet, take a quick lap or two around the office. Additionally, if you usually buy lunch from the office café, take a walk to a restaurant or café near you to pick up lunch and enjoy some fresh air! Remember – you don’t have to stop moving once you leave the office. Here are some super fast workouts you can complete at home when you need to get your sweat on.

You may be surprised that small tweaks to your daily work routine could help you get some movement into your day. We suggest taking this change slow, altering your routine day by day. That way, you will find yourself getting into the swing of things in no time! With these suggestions of simple ways to keep moving, your mental and physical state will thank you when you take that quick 10 minute walk around the office!

9 Ways To Make A Balanced Plate

With so many various nutrition advice thrown your way, it can be hard to know what should go on your plate. Should you focus on healthy fats? Eliminate carbs? Eat raw? Meat or no meat? While certain health needs and preferences means every plate is going to look a little different, there’s still a way to build a balanced plate — regardless if you’re vegan or a meat lover.

A good place to start when trying to eat a balanced meal is USDA’s MyPlate. This is a government-mandated recommendation for how we should eat.

Interestingly, USDA food guides have evolved over time as we’ve become more aware of various food nutrients and how they impact our health. The early 20th century focused on establishing guidance based on food groups and household measures, and included things like foods that small children needed. As we entered the 1940’s and 1950’s more rules were set to include tips for nutrient adequacy, but these lacked serving sizes and did not include guidance on recommended fat, sugar, and calorie intake.

Fast forward to 1992, when the USDA introduced the Food Guide Pyramid, the previous food guide many people are familiar with today. That stuck around until 2011, until Michelle Obama and the Agriculture Secretary created what we use now: MyPlate.

How MyPlate Works

Today, the US recognizes five food groups people should focus on consuming: fruits, veggies, grains, protein, and dairy. However, it’s not as simple as that, since each food group has subgroups as well. For example, the veggie category includes the following subgroups: dark green vegetables, like broccoli and kale, red and orange vegetables, such as acorn squash and red peppers, starchy vegetables, including green peas and potatoes, and other veggies, like avocado, mushrooms, and eggplant.

The general portion guidelines for MyPlate include:

  • Filling 1/2 of your plate with fruit or vegetables
  • Filling 1/4 to 1/3 of your plate with a protein
  • Filling 1/4 to 1/3 of your plate with fiber, like whole grains
  • Consuming a small portion of dairy with every meal

9 Ways to Make a Balanced Plate

With these guidelines in place, here are nine ways to make a healthy plate chock-full of all the nutrients you need.

Check for protein, fiber, and fat.

While fruits and veggies should take up half your plate, protein, fiber, and/or fat is what is going to keep you full. All of these ingredients take longer to digest in the body, ensuring you’re not rummaging through the fridge one hour after eating. Consider adding whole-grains to your plate for fiber — quinoa and brown rice are great here! — and consuming lean meat, beans, or lentils for protein. Don’t be afraid of eating some healthy fats as well, like avocado, full-fat yogurt, or nuts and seeds.

Consider how it’s cooked.

While half a plate of veggies is great, if they’re deep fried they lose some of the nutritional value. Don’t just think about what’s on the plate — consider how it’s prepared as well. Using healthy oil for cooking, like olive or avocado oil, is a great way to make things taste delicious while adding healthy fats to your meal. Sauteing and baking is better than frying. Or, considering eating your veggies raw while boiling your grains in water or vegetable stock.

Use your hands.

Clean your hands, then use ‘em to help figure out correct portion sizes. Generally, your palm equals a serving of protein (so if you need both hands to hold your steak, it’s definitely too much!). Your fist equals a serving of fiber, such as rice or another whole grain, while a serving of fat (oil, butter) should be about half of a thumb.

Green is great.

While veggies are important, getting those dark, leafy veggies (like kale and spinach) will have way more nutritional value than lighter-colored veggies. So choose kale and spinach over iceberg lettuce — it will be packed with vitamins A, C, K, magnesium, potassium, folate, and antioxidants. All the things your body is craving!

Get whole grains and unprocessed fiber.

While grains and fiber can easily be found in certain grocery aisles, a lot of fiber sources can be found in processed packages, like rice with flavor packaging, high-fiber bars, and cheddar popcorn. Focusing on getting fiber from unprocessed sources like air-popped popcorn, quinoa, brown rice, and sweet potatoes.

Drink more water.

Eating balanced should also imply drinking balanced, too. Avoid sugary sodas and juices, and drink up eight, 8 oz glasses of water a day. This will help with hydration, digestion, and maintaining a healthy metabolism.

Get colorful.

By making your plate colorful, you’re by default getting a lot of various nutrients your body needs. Choose the rainbow and get dark, leafy greens, red, orange, yellow, blue and purple fruits and veggies, and save white for potatoes and cauliflower, and other whole grains.

Think calcium, not dairy.

While MyPlate recommends dairy at every meal, there’s a debate around whether you truly need it or not. Many experts suggest focusing on getting calcium versus dairy — calcium can be found in whole foods like almonds, kale, and sardines. If you’re going for dairy, don’t be scared of the full-fat versions. Just pay attention to portion. Full-fat yogurt, almond milk, or shaved cheese also have great sources of calcium and dairy to get your body what it needs.

Still, remember to treat yo’self.

Part of any healthy diet includes saving room for guilt-free indulgences. Just because you’re eating healthy does not mean you can deprive yourself of the good stuff, like ice cream, french fries, or baked goods. Allow yourself some sweets and salty foods, just as long as you’re aware of portion control. Enjoy a square or two of dark chocolate at night, a glass of red wine, or a small bowl of tortilla chips with homemade salsa.

How To Read A Nutrition Label

When you glance at a nutrition label, it’s easy to fall into the trap of looking at the number of calories and then skipping the rest of the information. While keeping an eye on calories is important, there’s more to nutrition than this number alone. Besides, without taking a look at servings per package, you might be eating more than you think!

We’ll break down the latest nutrition label guidelines and point out the most important things to pay attention to.

Before we dive into the good stuff, let’s briefly discuss the history of nutrition labeling. Interestingly, it wasn’t until the late 1960s that we started providing and regulating the nutrient content of food. Between 1941 and 1966, only a handful of foods contained nutrition information, and these labels only included calorie and sodium amounts. By 1969, a White House Conference on Food, Nutrition, and Health declared that the FDA develop a system for identifying the nutritional values of food.

What the labels actually look like has evolved drastically overtime, and today they are relatively simple to read and highlight the most important facts about our health. Still, there’s a few tips and tricks to read them correctly to ensure you’re making the most out of each meal.

Why Reading a Nutrition Label Is Important

Properly reading nutrition labels allows you to do a few things beyond simply “knowing” what you’re putting in your body. You can also use a nutrition label to:

  • Compare products. If you’re choosing between two brands or two products, use the nutrition label to pick the healthier option
  • Understand the nutritional value of foods. It’s not only about calories in versus calories out. Rather, it’s understanding the quality of foods — ensuring they’re not just a certain caloric amount but also filled with a variety of important nutrients
  • Take control of your intake of a certain nutrient. If you’re looking to increase potassium or fiber, or trying to eliminate saturated fats or sodium, use the nutrition label to monitor what you’re consuming

 

5 Steps to Reading a Nutrition Label

Here are some easy steps to follow to help you learn how to read a nutrition label and know exactly what kind of nutrients you’re putting in your body.

Examine the serving size

First thing’s first: knowing how many servings are in the container. For example, a bag of chips might contain seven servings, which means that the nutritional information you see below is only for one of those servings — not the entire bag. For support with portion control, considering removing the exact portion from the packaged good versus eating out of the bag or box.

Look at the calories

Calories is really just how much energy you get from a serving of food. In other words, a lower the calorie number doesn’t always mean something is better for you. Examine the calories on the label and be ready to compare them with the nutrients they offer. In other words, are the calories coming from fiber and protein, or saturated fat and sugar? Look at the number of calories and make sure your calories count. As a general rule, any serving over 400 calories is considered “high.”

Check out % Daily Value

The % Daily Value puts nutrients on a scale from 0 to 100% and can be found on the right side of the label. This value essentially explains how much of a particular nutrient is in a serving of food. If something contains  5% Daily Value or less, it’s considered a small amount, whereas 15% Daily Value is a lot. In real life, you want the good-for-you nutrients (more on that below) to be 15% or higher while unhealthy ingredients at 5% or lower.

Focus on getting certain nutrients

When you’re looking at the % Daily Value of various nutrients, there are a few you should pay close attention to. Aim to fill up with key things like fiber, potassium, vitamin D, calcium, and iron. Pro-tip: You’re likely to find these nutrients if you opt for fresh foods and packaged goods that are not highly processed.

Avoid or get less of these nutrients.

On the flip side, you’re going to want to aim for less than 5% DV of other nutrients found on the label, including certain types of fats, cholesterol, and sodium. On the fat front, remember that not all fat is bad! Look for foods low in saturated and trans fats, which will help reduce the risk of heart disease. Fats that are good to eat include polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which can be found in fish, nuts, and certain meat. As a general rule, fat should be in the range of 25-30% of your overall caloric intake. Another nutrient to look out for is sodium. Various studies show that eating less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium (that’s one teaspoon!) a day could reduce the risk of high blood pressure. While you’re at it, try to up the ante on your potassium intake (found in bananas, sweet potatoes, yogurt, and beet greens) which could counteract some of the sodium side effects on your health.

Easy Late Night Snack Alternatives

cashews, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries in bowls

Quick & Easy Late Night Snack Alternatives

With summer night’s getting longer and our desire to stay out later, it is not uncommon for our bodies to need a little late night re-fueling. We understand that some nights it’s tempting to grab a bag of chips or devour a pint of ice cream. However, there are countless amounts of guilt-free options that will still settle your cravings. We believe that late night snacks can be both tasty and leave you feeling good too. Our easy late night snack alternatives will keep you satisfied no matter what you’re craving!

If you’re craving something creamy

Try whipping up a bowl of yoghurt topped with your favourite summer fruit! Some of our favourite toppings include peaches, strawberries, and blueberries – really any fruit that is in season near you! If you want an extra layer of sweetness, try adding a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips! This is a great alternative when you are craving ice cream because it’s cold, creamy and sweet. You even get to enjoy an extra layer of natural sweetness from fresh fruit and bitterness from the dark chocolate!

If you’re craving something salty

Go ahead – pop up some fresh popcorn with olive oil! While microwavable popcorn is convenient, cooking up fresh kernels at home allows you to alter the fat and salt content. If you want to eliminate fats from your snacks, switch butter for oil. Olive, canola or coconut oil are all good alternative to butter! To satisfy your salty craving, we recommend a sprinkle of sea or pink Himalayan salt immediately after the popcorn is done – this ensures that every piece is coated with flavour! According to Dr. Steven Lin, natural sea salt is less refined than traditional table salt due to its iodine levels while pink Himalayan salt is rich in minerals and provide a number of benefits for your body!

If you’re craving something sweet

Why not cut some slices of your favourite apple and smear on some nut butter?! According to Women’s Health Magazine, apples are high in fiber which decreases your hunger levels and leaves you satisfied for longer. This is a great option when you need a little something at night because it will naturally help you avoid over indulging. By adding a few dollops of your preferred nut butter, you’ll be getting in some protein and natural sweetness. Whatever combination you choose, we promise it will satisfy your late-night sweet cravings!

If you’re feeling peck-ish

We recommend digging right into a bowl of unsalted or lightly salted mixed nuts! If your first instinct is to chow down on a bag of potato chips, this is a great protein filled alternative. There are a lot of benefits to snacking on nuts and each kind provides different nutrients. For example, according to Medical News Today, pistachios, almonds, cashews and walnuts provide great nutrients to your body (in addition to protein). Some of the most popular nuts such as almonds and pistachios provide a good amount of calcium to the body  as well vitamin E and iron! If you’re allergic to nuts and still feel like getting a bit of protein in at night, our Egg White Patties contain 6 grams of protein per patty. Top it off with a slice or two of avocado and you’ve got yourself the bite!

If you’re snacking with the kiddos

It’s always fun to put together a quick snack with the kids and get them involved in the process. We totally understand not all kids like the same foods and that’s okay – especially with this next snack idea! While rice cakes are pretty low in nutrients, they make a great slate for toppings of your choice and are usually pretty low in calories and fat in comparison to other crackers or breads. Rice cakes come in various flavours, which is a perfect way to cater to your child’s eating habits. This will give the kids a choice to mix and match while making their snack! Some of our favourite toppings for rice cakes include nut butter, honey, and fruit if you want something sweet. If you’re craving a savoury snack, avocado, hummus and sliced veggies pair great with rice crackers too. This is the perfect family friendly snack and allows every member to build their own with their favourite ingredients. Instead of an ice cream sundae bar, try setting up a DIY rice cake bar for you and your family!

Regardless of what you’re late night cravings are, there are always alternatives if you’re debating on what to snack on. Even if you’re not looking to limit your sodium, calorie or sugar intake, there are always small changes you can make  – you don’t always have to give up that bowl of ice cream! At the end of the day, you know your body best. You will know exactly if you’re craving a handful of chips or an easy late night snack alternative.

5 Reasons Why Mocktails Are Your Summertime Best Friend

Everybody wants a nice, cold beverage in the summertime. While it’s easy to opt for a chilled beer or a glass of rose, choosing the non-alcoholic version of your favorite boozy drink is one of the best things you can do for your health and lifestyle. Why are mocktails better, you ask?

Here are 5 Reasons Why Mocktails Are Your Summertime Best Friend

Reason 1: You’ll Save Money

 Your wallet will be very pleased with you if you decide to cut back on the booze. One beer at a bar can quickly become two or three, which will do some damage to your bill. Even buying your own alcohol at a liquor store can be pricey. While this example might be a little extreme, if you have three drinks a day, five days a week, at an average of $10 a pop, you’re spending about $150 a week or $7,800 a year — just on alcohol! To think of this a bit differently, the cost of a bottle of white wine averages $14.41, while an average bottle of red wine costs $15.66. If you drink one each per week for a year, that’s more than $1,563. Mocktails leave out the priciest ingredient in a drink: the booze.

Reason 2: It’s Way Better For Your Health

The only thing that will thank you more than your wallet is your body. While a boozy drink every now and then is fine, making it a habit can do a lot of harm to your health. Not only is the extra sugar and calories not going to be great for your waistline, but short-term effects of alcohol include poor judgment and increased accident risk, trouble concentrating, mood swings, raised blood pressure, and passing out. The long-term effects of excessive drinking could cause memory loss, liver problems, and a host of other health issues. The bottom line? Keep your alcohol indulgences at a minimum, and replace most of your boozy drinks with a delicious mocktail.

Reason 3: It’s Inclusive

There’s, unfortunately, a social component to drinking, and oftentimes being the one in the room without a drink can feel exclusive, or even cause unnecessary negative comments from people with a drink in hand. That’s why holding onto a mocktail can come to your rescue — you don’t feel left out and nobody will know whether there’s vodka in it or not.

Reason 4: It’s Fun!

Coming up with mocktail recipes can get your creative juices flowing and making them are super fun, too! You get to experiment with different fruits, sodas, garnishes, and muddling techniques, which makes putting a mocktail together way more fun than pouring yourself a simple glass of beer.

Reason 5: It’s Pretty Delicious

Lucky for us, mocktails taste great and probably even better than their alcohol-filled relatives. Who wouldn’t want a hydrating, fresh, and bubbly drink to sip on in the summer, without the extra alcohol calories and risk of a hangover?

 

5 Delicious Cocktail to Mocktail Swaps

To DIY your own mocktails, here are some swaps inspired by some of our favorite summertime beverages.

Watermelon Margarita

Ingredients (Serves 4!)

  • 1 medium seedless watermelon, cut into chunks
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  • 4 teaspoons agave
  • 5 tablespoons sparkling or soda water

Instructions

Puree watermelon chunks in a food processor until you yield four cups of watermelon puree. Then, add the lime juice and agave and mix again. Pour into four cups, and top each with sparkling water.

 

Moscow (Mango) Mule

Ingredients

  • 5 slices of cucumber
  • 1 oz honey
  • 1.5 oz mango puree
  • 1.5 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1.5 oz ginger beer
  • Ice

Instructions:

Muddle the cucumber and honey in a cocktail shaker. Then, add the mango puree, lime juice, and a handful of ice. Put the cover on the shaker and shake everything for 10 seconds! Strain into a glass or use a copper mug for a true Moscow mule feel. Top your drink with ginger beer and stir.

 

Mint Mojito Mocktail 

Ingredients

  • ½  oz lime juice
  • ½  oz agave
  • ½ oz blood orange purée
  • 4 fresh mint leaves
  • Splash of sparkling or soda water
  • Ice

Instructions:

Muddle the mint, lime juice, agave in a glass. Then, add ice and blood orange puree before topping with soda water. Garnish with fresh mint.

 

Paloma Mocktail 

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz lime juice
  • 1 oz grapefruit juice
  • 1 oz agave syrup
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Sparkling or soda water

Instructions:

Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake, shake, shake with ice. Strain over ice into a glass and top with sparkling or soda water.

 

Blueberry Bee’s Knees Mocktail 

Ingredients

  • 1 oz filtered water
  • ½  oz lemon
  • ½  oz honey
  • 5 blueberries + 1 blueberry for garnish
  • Ice
  • Sparkling or soda water

Instructions:

Muddle five blueberries at the bottom of a glass. Then shake all the ingredients together with ice and strain into the glass. Top with a splash or two of soda water and garnish with another blueberry.

 

Don’t forget the food! From dip to nachos and even sliders. Your guests will be eating and hydrating well with these mocktails and tasty treats!

Pancake Puffs and Rainbow Fruit Platters

Pancake Puffs and Rainbow Fruit Platters aren’t just colorful, they’re healthy too! These colorful mini pancake puff and fruit trays are super versatile and easy to make. 

Pancake Puffs and Rainbow Fruit Platter

This breakfast platter is sure to make your mornings happy! Our Non-GMO Belgium Pancake Puffs are so easy to prepare. You pop them into the microwave for 30 seconds, sprinkle some powdered sugar on them and then serve them along-side your favorite fresh fruit. This vibrant platter also has some creme fraiche to take it up one more notch.

Michelle finished it off with a bit of fresh mint to elevate the flavors.

The combinations don’t just stop with fruit, though. You could also add fun things to this plate to take it from breakfast to a stunning dessert board. Melted chocolate, a Greek yogurt dip, melted peanut butter, etc. would all be excellent options. You could turn this brightly colored fruit platter into a sip on your favorite fondue board.

Getting the kids involved in creating Pancake Puffs and Rainbow Fruit Platters is also a fun way to help them learn to make healthy choices. They can help by picking out their favorite fruit and sprinkling the powdered sugar on the pancake puffs.

Instead of making one large platter, you could also use small salad plates so each child can create and enjoy their creation. Using maple syrup or a sweetened Greek yogurt dip will make eating both the fruit and pancake puffs so much fun for both kids and adults alike.

The only struggle might be getting them to eat something other than pancake puffs from breakfast moving forward.

Pancake Puffs and Rainbow Fruit Platter Ingredients:

1 bag Original Pancake Puffs

2 tbsp powdered sugar

2-3 cups mixed fruit of choice

1/4 cup creme fraiche

fresh mint, if desired

Recipe courtesy of our Instagram friend, Michelle from Michelle Sips and Savors.

Pancake Puffs and Rainbow Fruit Platters

Pancake Puffs and Rainbow Fruit Platters aren't just colorful, they're healthy too! These colorful mini pancake puff and fruit trays are super versatile and easy to make. 
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword Pancake Puffs
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 1 bag Original Pancake Puffs
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 2-3 cups fresh fruit use your favorites!
  • 1/4 cup creme fraiche
  • fresh mint optional

Instructions

  • Cook pancake puffs according to package directions.
  • Arrange fruit onto a large platter leaving space to add your pancake puffs and creme fraiche.
  • Add your powdered sugar to a sieve and sprinkle it over the pancake puffs.
  • Add your creme fraiche to a small dish and place it onto your plate.
  • Finish it off with fresh mint, if desired.
  • Enjoy immediately!

50 Recipes to Spice Up Your Summer: Recipe Roundup

Summer’s almost here, and that means you’re probably stocking up on fresh fruits and seasonal veggies to liven up dinnertime. Whether you want the comfort of a quick, ready-in-minutes meal or like to take your time playing chef, here are 50 (yes, 50!) simple and nutritious recipes for occasions of all types—summer barbecues, park-side picnics, or sunny beach days—and groups of all sizes. 

As the weather heats up and the sun gets stronger, it becomes even more critical to get creative with both staying hydrated and dodging a case of getting “hangry.” After all, summertime salads five nights a week can get boring pretty fast. Discover new flavors and combinations you might not have expected, like refreshing watermelon and feta, keto friendly recipes, and inventive dishes for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and everything in between. When it comes to summertime in the kitchen, we know the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven, so we’ve included a variety of refreshing, no-cooking-required lunches and dinners for the hottest of days. 

Vine-ripe tomatoes, sweet and soft mangos, and cool watermelon are just a few of the seasonal staples you come to expect every June through September. Make dinner more colorful with every dish, and don’t forget to leave room for dessert. 

Spicy Corn Carbonara

Bacon, corn, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and tasty pasta come together to form a creamy dinnertime staple: the Spicy Corn Carbonara. A comfort classic for a dish that’s ready in less than an hour.

Hawaiian Barbeque Skewers

Three words: Sriracha honey butter. Slather this zesty, lime-y delight over Hawaiian barbecue skewers. Perfect for a party or just dinner for two, plus plenty of color thanks to the red, orange, and green bell peppers and cilantro.  

Grilled Chicken Caprese

If you’re looking for a date night dish with a hint of sophistication, a chicken caprese is always a good choice. Summertime tomatoes are the shining star of this dinner, plus the grilled chicken topped with creamy mozzarella cheese and fresh basil is filling and pairs well with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

Tequila Lime Shrimp Zoodles

Zoodles have been having a moment for a while now, and for good reason. They’re a great way to sneak veggies into your dinner and go easy on the carbohydrates. This recipe features plenty of zucchini zoodles, tangy grilled shrimp, and a little bit of tequila for some fun. Squeeze a lime over the whole thing and enjoy! 

Watermelon, Tomato and Feta Salad

You might not automatically think to pair your juicy summer watermelon with ingredients like feta, tomato, and onion, but you’d be missing out on one of the best party salads of the season. Garnish with mint and bring along to a summer picnic. A surefire crowd pleaser ready in minutes. 

Honey Glazed Salmon with Citrus Avocado Salsa

You might think of fresh-caught or frozen salmon as a complicated ingredient, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, this honey-glazed salmon with avocado salsa takes only a half hour from start to finish. Orange and lime zest mingles with a sticky, delicious honey glaze to make an omega-3 packed dinner.

Chicken Burgers with Avocado Corn Salsa

Tired of firing up the grill for heavy hamburgers? Make an easy protein swap for tender chicken burgers, paired with an easy-to-make avocado and corn salsa. Corn, avo, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper—that’s all it takes! Grab a bun or eat alone for a low carb alternative.

Cucumber Quinoa Salad

Light and refreshing, a cucumber quinoa salad is a gluten-free and colorful addition to any summer barbecue. With the help of feta and onion, the quinoa packs a flavor punch while only taking 10 minutes to chop and prep, so you can be out the door and on your way to the beach or pool faster. 

Blackened Salmon with Mango Salsa

Nothing says “summer” like a mango salsa, a bright pop of yellow and orange that’ll make your mouth water with fresh flavor. Lime, cilantro, and peppers add a much-appreciated kick. Slap a few salmon filets on the grill until it’s flaky and light pink, topped with a hearty scoop of salsa.

Summer Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Part of the fun of making these Vietnamese spring rolls are the transparent rice papers you wrap them in, meaning you can see all the colorful ingredients inside. Thinly sliced carrots, chopped shrimp, cucumber, and more peek out from the rice paper. Wrap tight, then dip in a rich peanut sauce to serve. Trust us, there won’t be leftovers.

Skillet Roast Chicken with Peaches, Tomatoes and Red Onion

Pop all the ingredients in one skillet for an hour and voila! Easy roasted chicken made a little sweet with the help of some roasted Georgia peaches, blistering skillet tomatoes, and red onion. Winner winner, chicken dinner, as they say. 

Summer Glow Bowls

Packed with veggies, these summer “glow” bowls are a cool, colorful solution to a summertime dinner that won’t send you straight to bed. Fluffy quinoa mixed with a curry vinaigrette makes for an easy bowl o’ goodness.

Abundance Kale Salad with Savory Tahini Dressing

Our favorite game to play is, “What can we add to this salad to make it completely over the top?” This kale salad with a hearty tahini dressing looks good when dressed up with roasted sweet potatoes, avocado, or lots of crispy chickpeas. Did we mention it’s vegan, too?

Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette 

Cilantro. You either love it or you hate it. We love it so much, we think you should make an entire vinaigrette out of it. Super green and creamy, it’s the secret ingredient to this chipotle chicken and cobb salad, packed with summer corn and crispy bacon. Drizzle or douse how you please.

Tangy Tropical Chicken

For slow cooker fans, summertime is the perfect season to let things simmer so you can enjoy the great outdoors. Pineapple, orange, and mango bring a tangy, almost sweet flavor to frozen or fresh chicken. 

Grilled Ribeyes with Greek Relish

Red meat lovers will rejoice at the chance to eat a juicy ribeye this summer. This Greek relish ribeye recipe is anything but boring. Skip the A1 sauce and go for something with a lot more feta instead. 

Keto Steak and Blue Cheese Salad for One

Sometimes you just want to enjoy a fancy dinner alone in peace, and that’s where the keto-friendly steak and blue cheese salad comes in. Who says you have to share a juicy steak? Take yourself on a dinner date without breaking your keto diet. 

Blistered Green Beans with Tomatoes, Pounded Walnuts and Raw Summer Squash

Blistered green beans are summer personified. They’re easy, delicious, and ready in less than 20 minutes. Walnuts add crunch, and tomatoes some color, but the green beans are the true star here. 

Soft Polenta Mushroom Bowls

Love polenta but not all the butter and cheese that typically comes with it? This recipe is for you. Who says polenta can’t be a health food? Topped with mushrooms and veggies, it’s a reimagining of a comfort classic. 

Spicy Shrimp Stacks with Mango Salsa

Just 20 minutes of prep time and some creativity gets you these shrimp stacks, which are kind of like a big sushi roll and have a healthy helping of avocado, sweet mango, and bang-bang sauce to keep things interesting.  

Refreshing Quinoa Black Bean Salad

When it comes to vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes at the summer function or pool party, there’s usually slim pickings, but this quinoa black bean salad checks all the boxes for the meat avoidant. Protein packed quinoa and black beans are nutrient-dense and make an easy lunch at the office.

Chili Chicken Burger Bowls with Avocado Pesto

When you’re making pesto, there’s a hack you’ve probably never even heard of—swap the Parmesan cheese for an avocado and watch as the creamiest pesto appears. Smear all over a grilled chicken burger and call it a night. 

Chicken Fajita Foil Packets

Who doesn’t love fajita veggies? Seasoned perfectly and easy to make, these chicken fajita foils are a low carb and practically paleo alternative to the tortilla-heavy fajitas you might get at the local Tex Mex restaurant in town.

Spicy Butter Salmon in Foil

Fresh summer salmon is one of the best things about the warmer months, and you should take full advantage while you can. Wrapped in foil and seasoned with garlic, paprika, onion powder, and plenty of butter promises a moist, buttery dinner with easy cleanup, too.  

Herbed Ricotta and Fresh Tomato Tart

What could be a better combo than ricotta and fresh summer tomatoes on a toasted puff pastry? Cut into squares and serve at a party, or make in less than an hour for lunch or dinner at home.  

Mediterranean Bulgur Bowl

Ever tried to make bulgur? Hummus and feta bring a Mediterranean spin to your summer, plus it takes less than half an hour to make. 

Poached Egg Buddha Bowl 

Enjoy a vegetarian take on the classic Buddha bowl, where you just might eat your first serving of wheat berries. Let the yolk of the poached egg pop and drizzle onto the cherry tomatoes to savor every bite.

Pad Thai Zoodles

When you get tired of takeout calorie bombs and expensive Pad Thai, make your own low-carb version with zoodles instead. This keto, Whole30, and paleo-approved pad thai will be ready to eat in less than 30 minutes—faster than the delivery guy. 

Salmon and Fennel Dinner Salad

You might think prepping ingredients like salmon and fennel is complicated, but you haven’t tried this recipe yet. Couscous and an herb yogurt dressing add heartiness. Salmon salad will quickly become your summertime favorite.

Easy One Pan Ratatouille

This ratatouille is a glamorous side to any dinner party, and you’ll quickly impress your friends with colorful roasted veggies. Luckily, it’s a low maintenance take on the normally labor-intensive French classic.

Green Bowl with Chicken Citrus and Herbs

Ready in 25 minutes, make yourself several days’ worth of lunches when you attempt this popular green bowl recipe. The real secret? Store-bought green goddess dressing takes leftovers to the next level.

Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets 

Summer is the time when grilling out and barbecue is a rite of passage, and these barbecue chicken foil packets are sure to be a hit at the next neighborhood BBQ. Make it your own with veggies of all types, but don’t forget the roasted corn on the cob. 

Grilled Summer Vegetable Quesadilla

Who says quesadillas have to be overly carb-heavy and cheesy? (Let’s face it though, we love cheesy.) These grilled veggie quesadillas can use whatever you’ve got in the fridge, like squash, zucchini, or peppers. Just don’t forget to use at least two varieties of cheese.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Salad

Slow Cooker Taco Salad is a twofer: kids love it, and it’s very low in lift. Just leave the chicken in the slow cooker for a while until you achieve max tenderness, then put the shredded chicken on a bed of romaine and call it a day—plus whatever other veggie toppings fit your fancy. 

Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa

Can you tell we just love mango salsa? It goes with pretty much any meat, though this recipe calls for tender, slow-cooked pork seasoned with Mexican beer and sweet pineapple. A surefire way to get you out of a dinner rut. 

Lamb Pitas with Yogurt Sauce

Some nights simply call for Mediterranean on the menu, like these slow cooker lamb pitas featuring the traditional (and oh so easy) tzatziki sauce, a mix of cucumber and yogurt. The lamb simmers for at least six hours or until deliciously tender. Almost no prep work required!

Caribbean Shrimp Rice Bowl

You don’t have to go on a Caribbean vacation to bring back the flavors and smells of the islands with these Caribbean shrimp and rice bowls. Easy prep and ready in no time, you can skip the cooking and get to sipping a rum cocktail instead. 

BLT Quinoa Bowls

So you want a BLT without all the bready carbs? Look no further than these BLT quinoa bowls, which bring the bacon, lettuce, tomato (and avocado) goodness to every bite. More interesting than a sandwich and more filling, too. 

Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Wrapped up in lettuce (or a tortilla for the kids) and filled with lean ground turkey, a Thai turkey lettuce wrap is a crowd pleasure for adults cutting carbs but also for kids with an adventurous appetite. Caramelized vegetables bring a flavor explosion. 

Garden Chickpea Salad

Looking for a vegetarian friendly salad without compromising on protein? A Garden Chickpea salad will keep you full far past lunchtime, plus crispy chickpeas over a bed of fresh lettuce is a combination that can’t be beat. Light and refreshing, this salad is great for vegetarians but also a great side dish if you’re peckish. 

Grilled Veggie Pizza 

Can you believe there are people in the world who don’t think veggie pizzas are delish? We hardly can either, especially after trying this recipe, which makes good use of summertime vegetables, flavorful mushrooms, and plenty of peppers. Plus, it bakes in just 10 minutes! 

Red, White and Blue Summer Salad

Looking for something special to bring to the Fourth of July party? This Red, White, and Blue Summer Salad will have folks seeing fireworks. Sweet and savory combine in this recipe, where mozzarella cheese and bright red cherry tomatoes compliment seasonal fruits like blueberries and peaches. 

Summer Garden Fish Tacos

The true sign of summer isn’t the fact that the days get hotter or the sun sets later—it’s the beginning of fish taco season. Tilapia, tomatoes, and sweet corn, plus a big helping of avocado, set these tacos apart. See for yourself. 

Meatball Stuffed Peppers

Did you hear? They’re calling hearty roasted peppers stuffed with meatballs the new meatloaf. It’s easy, cooks in just 15 minutes, and a sure-fire crowd pleaser for all ages. 

Bacon Kale Caesar Salad 

Say goodbye to the boring kale salad you thought you knew, and bring on the bacon instead. Plus toasted cashews and fine-chopped kale make this a lot easier to eat, so no one will accuse you of eating too much “rabbit food.” The more creamy Caesar dressing, the better. 

Salmon Cakes with Avocado Tartare Sauce

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these salmon cakes also happen to be gluten-free and paleo-friendly. The tartare sauce uses avocado instead of mayonnaise for maximum creaminess. 

Apple Chicken Recipe with Bacon and Potatoes

You wouldn’t normally think to put chicken and apples together, especially not in the summertime, but this combination—along with plenty of crispy bacon—is a one-pan staple that should be added to your dinner rotation ASAP. 

Mango-Raspberry Grilled Chicken Salad

Summertime is the best time to combine your seasonal fruits like raspberry and mango into a savory, chicken-y salad. Crumble some goat cheese over a hearty bed of lettuce and sliced chicken. It’s a lunchtime or picnic favorite that’s sweet and refreshing in all the right ways. 

Pork Burritos

Break out the slow cooker one more time for this tasty pork burrito recipe, which cooks perfectly over the course of an eight hour day. Pork shoulder brings all sorts of flavor while chili powder and jalapeño peppers add the kick. Wrap in a warm flour tortilla with a big dollop of sour cream for burrito perfection. 

Bonus Recipes! 

Egg White Patty & Guacamole Breakfast Bagel

Egg White Patty & Guacamole Breakfast Bagel

Two words: breakfast bagel. These everything bagels with a guacamole spread mean you can say goodbye to boring summer breakfasts like cereal or just toast. Packed with low calorie and nutrient dense egg white patties, you’ll stay full until lunch.

Buffalo Style Chicken Mac and Cheese Sliders

buffalo style chicken mac & cheese sliders

Whether it’s after a long day at the office or a long day at the beach, the Buffalo Style Chicken Mac and Cheese Sliders are comfort food at its finest. They only take minutes to make. Buffalo saucy, cheesy, and packed with flavor sandwiched between tiny sliders? What could beat that? 

Gluten-Free Strawberry Parfait

parfait

For something a little lighter and sweeter, why not try a gluten-free strawberry parfait? Bring to a party or make ahead an entire week’s worth of breakfasts for the office. Top with more fruit and any type of granola you like best.

So, which of the 50 recipes are you most excited about? Don’t forget to tag us in your creations #GoodFoodMadeSimple.