I am truly honored to be sponsored by POM Wonderful for the FitBloggin’ Conference this weekend in Baltimore….
Have a fabulous weekend everyone!
Filed under: Nutrition | Tagged: Baltimore, blog, conference, FitBloggin' | 13 Comments »
Gluten-Free Sherried Turkey Pretzel Balls
Posted on March 18, 2010 by The Healthy Apple
Last night, I picked up ground turkey from the gourmet market on my corner and I couldn’t resist creating a tasty dinner with it…I debated a turkey loaf, turkey mini loaves and turkey balls. Well, the balls won out and they were amazing.
I crushed a handful of gluten-free pretzels for a unique texture to these balls…I also opted for a touch of sweetness by incorporating the sherry, agave nectar, stevia and dried cranberries. These turkey balls were a perfect dinner served atop a bed of sauteed vegetables and Greek yogurt dipping sauce. The best part? I made just enough to bring the leftovers for my lunch tomorrow…
My philosophy: Cook once, eat twice…can’t beat it!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. lean ground turkey
- 1 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup cooking sherry
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh mushrooms, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp. agave nectar
- 1 egg white
- 2 Tbsp. dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup gluten-free pretzel crumbs, mashed
- 1/4 tsp. stevia
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- Sea salt and pepper, to taste
- Organic tomato sauce
- Nutritional yeast
Directions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the above ingredients. Mix well using hands.
- Form into ball shapes and place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake fin the oven or 30 minutes or until browned and completely cooked.
- Serve with organic tomato sauce and sprinkle with nutritional yeast.
- Enjoy!
And, don’t forget to check out my new StyleCaster article:
and
My newest update on my Press Page:
Filed under: Appetizers, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dishes | Tagged: agave nectar, basil, cinnamon, cranberries, dried cranberries, egg white, fresh, gluten free, mushroom, pretzels, sherry, stevia, tomato paste, turkey, turkey balls | 4 Comments »
MaraNatha Nut Butter Giveaway
Posted on March 16, 2010 by The Healthy Apple
I recently received a fabulous surprise from MaraNathat Nut Butters, who sent me a package of their nut butters to try…let’s just say I had a wee bit of fun recipe testing with these tasty nut butters…
Macadamia Nut Butter
Sunflower Seed Butter
Honey Almond Butter
Organic Peanut Butter
Cashew Butter
My favorite nut butter? Hmmmm…that’s a tough one; I’d have to say it’s a close tie between the Macadamia Nut Butter and the Honey Almond Butter…they ‘knocked my socks off’ and I created delicious recipes from breakfast pancakes to dinner peanut sauce to decadent desserts…
There’s something special about nut butters…they’re not just for your typical PB&J…they compliment any dish and keep your meals exciting, as well as your taste buds yearning for more!
My favorite MaraNatha creation was born last night in my tiny lil’ kitchen…
I created a Macadamia Nut Butter Cookie that’s Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free
Macadamia Nut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup MaraNatha Macadamia Nut Butter
- 1 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes
- Egg substitute for 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. ground flax seeds
- Pinch of cinnamon
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup stevia
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Using hands, mix well.
- Form into small balls and place onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and transfer to wire racks for cooling.
- Enjoy!
And, now for the giveaway….Drumroll, please….
The nice folks over at MaraNatha have offered two sets of two coupons to 2 very lucky winners.
Here are 3 ways you can enter to win:
- Leave me a comment on this post telling me your favorite nut butter recipe.
- Link back to this contest on your blog.
- Tweet: @Thehealthyapple is hosting a Maranatha giveaway.
I will pick 2 random winners on Wednesday, March the 17th at 5:00 PM EST.
Good Luck!
Filed under: Appetizers, Breakfast, Condiments, Dessert, Giveaway's, Lunch, Side Dishes, Vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free | Tagged: almond, almond butter, cashew, cashew butter, dairy free, gluten free, macadamia, macadamia butter, macadamia nut butter cookie, Maranatha, nut butter, peanut, peanut butter, sesame, sesame tahini, tahini | 73 Comments »
Pomegranate Pear Treat
Posted on March 15, 2010 by The Healthy Apple
After a relaxing weekend at my parents home by the shore, I arrived home late last night to my tiny Manhattan apartment to find three perfectly ripe pears on my counter top and a half full bottle of POM Wonderful in my fridge…Needless to say, I was yearning for a bit of sweetness and I created this fabulous Pommy Pear Treat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did..it surely is a ‘tasty treat.’
Ingredients
- 3 pears
- 1 tablespoon POM Wonderful juice
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 1 tablespoon chopped macadamia nuts
Directions
- Slice pears lengthwise into eighths.
- In a small bowl, stir together the POM Wonderful juice, agave nectar, cinnamon and almond extract.
- Spoon mixture over plums.
- Top pears with chopped macadamia nuts.
Filed under: Breakfast, Dessert, Holidays, Side Dishes, Vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free | Tagged: agave, almond extract, macadamia nuts, pear, POM, POM Wonderful, Pomegranate | 4 Comments »
Squash Blossom Guacamole and Giveaway…
Posted on March 12, 2010 by The Healthy Apple
Last night, I had a bit of time on my hands and decided to once again get creative in my kitchen. I recently purchased a few beautiful squash blossoms and I was yearning for a guacamole to have in my fridge for the weekend, therefore I decided to make the best of my blossoms and whip up a tasty guac with a pinch of saffron and chili powder to add a nice kick. The end result: Delishhhy. Let’s just say there isn’t much left as I was tasting it all night long…
Ingredients
- Pinch of saffron threads
- 4 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
- 3 squash blossoms
- 2 Tbsp. lime juice
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. lime zest
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- Dash of sea salt
- Dash of pepper
Directions
- Toast saffron threads in a frying pan.
- Mash in a mortar and pestle.
- In a medium sized bowl, mash avocados with saffron and squash blossoms.
- Fold in remaining ingredients.
- Serve chilled.
- Enjoy!
Wildwood Organics Coupon Give-Away
I have 4 Complimentary Wildwood Organics Coupons to giveaway as well as many discounted coupons, therefore I will be picking 4 winners on Monday, March the 15th.
4 Lucky Winners will each win 1 complimentary coupon along with many discounted coupons!
To enter this Wildwood Organics Coupon Giveaway, leave a comment on this post telling me what Wildwood Organics product you’d like to try.
Good Luck.
In The News This Week…
Avoiding Processed Foods is a Good First Step Toward a More Healthful Diet
Improving Your Diet Doesn’t Mean You Have to Break the Bank
How Healthy is Going Gluten Free?
Salty, Sweet: A Study Says Fat is the 6th ‘Taste’
Monday is the last day to enter the Progresso Souper You Contest at www.Progresso.com/SouperYou.
Don’t forget to set your clocks for Daylight Savings this weekend…
Spring Ahead one hour!
Filed under: Giveaway's, dairy free, gluten free | Tagged: apple cider vinegar, avocado, chili powder, cilantro, contest, coupons, garlic, giveaway, gluten, lemon juice, lime juice, news, parsley, Progresso, red onion, sea salt, squash, squash blossom, Wildwood, Wildwood Organics, zest | 15 Comments »
Tu-Lu’s Gluten-Free Bakery, NYC and My Secret Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
Posted on March 11, 2010 by The Healthy Apple
I recently had the pleasure to sit down with Tully, the proud owner of the fabulous Tu-Lu’s Bakery here in Manhattan. Like me, Tully is gluten-intolerant, as well. Tully graduated from Le Courdon Bleu school in Texas and enjoys creating her own mix of gluten free baked goods. I love Tully’s treats because she offers a vast array of gluten-free and vegan treats that are incredibly tasty.
Me and Tully at Tu-Lu’s Gluten-Free Bakery, NYC
How did you come up with the idea for Tu-Lu’s Bakery?
I had been cooking professionally for about 4 years at catering companies in NYC. I left my job and enrolled in NYU’s Food Studies masters program. While taking a food entrepreneur class, I came up with my business plan to start a wholesale gluten-free company. After being 3 months in business, I quickly decided that I wanted to open a retail shop to sell my baked goods fresh and be able to interact with my customers.
Tell me about your typical day at Tu-Lu’s Bakery.
I think people have the misconception that my day is spent in the bakery. I actually spend most of my time in the office! Placing orders, emailing, dealing with payroll, paying bills, etc. take up most of my time. The best moments are playing with new recipes and talking to customers.
What is your favorite gluten-free dessert?
A Chocolate soufflé.
What is your favorite gluten-free meal to cook?
Parmesan polenta with roasted chicken and oyster mushrooms.
What is your favorite New York City restaurant?
It’s so hard to choose one! From fancy to casual, my picks are Eleven Madison Park, Little Owl, and Caracas Arepa Bar.
What is one kitchen tool that you couldn’t live without?
A microplane.
What do you see in the future for Tu-Lu’s Bakery?
I would love to expand the online ordering to include many of our other treats and perhaps cupcakes.
Describe your kitchen at home.
TINY! It’s crammed with all sort of cooking ingredients and gadgets. I’m thankful I have a dishwasher though.
Even though you are a famous baker, do you consider yourself to be more of a cook or a baker at home?
Well…I wouldn’t call myself famous! I am definitely a cook. I did not go to culinary school to specialize in pastry, but when I went gluten-free all I wanted was baked goods. That’s how it all started.
What is your best kitchen advice?
Prep all your ingredients (chopping, grating, etc.) before you being so you complete the recipe quickly and correctly.
What inspires your baking?
I try to think of what people miss eating the most. We just came up with a delicious peppermint chocolate cookie that resemble another cookie whose name I won’t mention. I hope that people will be thrilled to find treats in my bakery that they used to love!
Did you always have a passion for food growing up as a child and throughout your adolescence?
Growing up I loved being in the kitchen with my mom and taking cooking lessons. I’ve always read cookbooks like novels.
What is always in your pantry?
Olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, agave, sliced almonds, dried cherries, polenta, brown rice pasta…and so much more. Remember? I have a small kitchen that is about to burst!
Desert island cookbook?
Any of the Barefoot Contessa books. I love the simplicity of her cooking.
The next time you find yourself in the East Village of Manhattan, stop into Tu-Lu’s Bakery and taste Tully’s delicious baked goods…my favorite are the chocolate chip cookies and dark chocolate brownies..they’re quite delish and by far the best freshly baked gluten-free treats I’ve come across here in Manhattan.
And, to go along with the ‘Gluten-Free Bakery’ theme of today’s post, I thought I’d share my secret Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookie recipe with all of you…Enjoy!
The Healthy Apple’s Secret Gluten Free Peanut Butter Nibbles
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp. gluten-free vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp. almond extract
- 1/4 tsp. ground flax seeds
- Pinch of Salt
- Optional: Pinch of Cinnamon
- 1 tsp. organic smooth peanut butter
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat egg, sugar, baking soda, almond extract, vanilla extract, salt and cinnamon on medium-low speed with an electric mixer.
- Slowly add in peanut butter.
- Spoon teaspoon sized amounts onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
- Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and transfer to wire rack for cooling.
- Enjoy!
Filed under: Appetizers, Breakfast, Dessert, Holidays, On-the-go-Snacks, Product Reviews, Restaurant Review, Side Dishes, Vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free | Tagged: almond, bakery, brownies, cookies, egg, gluten, gluten free, gluten free peanut butter cookies, Manhattan, NYC, peanut butter, salt, Tu-Lu's Bakery, Tully, vanilla, vegan | 5 Comments »
Gluten-Free Red Velvet Pistachio Coconut Muffins
Posted on March 10, 2010 by The Healthy Apple
Last night while walking home from work, I passed not one but two Crumbs Bakery’s, which are famous for their cupcakes…one glance into the adorable bakery is all it took for me to scurry home and bake these tasty gluten-free red velvet muffins…I opted for a pinch of coconut and a handful of pistachios to add a sweet n’ crunchy kick. These babies are made with roasted beets for an all-natural rich, red velvet hue.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup roasted beets, shredded
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 2 eggs or egg substitute
- 1/4 cup agave nectar
- 1/4 cup pistachios, ground
- 1/2 tsp. gluten-free vanilla extract
- 1 cup gluten-free baking flour (rice, bean, etc.)
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup coconut flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Toppings
- Greek plain yogurt (I use Fage for its thickness) or dairy-free alternative
- Additional coconut flakes
- Additional pistachios, ground
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Shred beets in a food processor.
- In a large bowl, combine all wet ingredients.
- In a separate large bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Slowly add wet mixture to dry mixture; mix well.
- Transfer batter into muffin tins; fill to the top.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Cool on baking racks.
- When muffins are at room temperature and ready to serve, top each muffin with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of coconut and pistachios.
- Enjoy!
Filed under: Breakfast, Dessert, On-the-go-Snacks, Vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free | Tagged: agave, agave nectar, beets, coconut, coconut oil, gluten free, Greek yogurt, muffins, pistachios, red velvet, roasted beets, vanilla | 5 Comments »
Siggi’s Yogurt Gift Certificate Giveaway
Posted on March 8, 2010 by The Healthy Apple
Remember back in October when I visited the Back to Basis Food Farmer’s Market? I had the amazing opportunity to meet Siggi, himself…and since I’m still hooked on his incredibly delicious Icelandic yogurt, I thought I’d pass along some Siggi’s to all of you.
I’m excited to announce my Siggi’s Yogurt Gift Certificate Giveaway. I will be picking TWO winners on Wednesday, March the 10th at 12:00 noon EST.
To enter the giveaway, visit the Siggi’s yogurt website and comment on this post with the flavor you’d like to try.
Good Luck!
And what better way to kick off your week with a fabulous offer from Amazing Grass, who is running an amazing promo on their 8.5 bottle of Berry Green SuperFood at 40% off. Simply click on the ‘Amazing Grass’ icon on the left sidebar of my website and enter the promo code ‘berry10′ upon check-out. This great Amazing Grass offer runs from today thru March the 15th.
Filed under: Appetizers, Breakfast, Condiments, Dessert, Dinner, Giveaway's, Holidays, Lunch, On-the-go-Snacks, Product Reviews, Side Dishes, Vegetarian, gluten free | Tagged: amazing grass, Icelandic, Siggi's, Skyr, yogurt | 38 Comments »
Sweet Potato Almond Soup
Posted on March 5, 2010 by The Healthy Apple
Last night, I created a deliciously simple sweet potato and almond soup that warmed me up after my chilly walk home. Let’s just say that it hit the spot and paired perfectly with a side of grilled vegetables and tofu smothered with organic tomato sauce and sprinkled with nutritional yeast…delicious is an understatement.
Dig in, this is a tasty protein-packed soup with a nice dose of beta carotene that is sure to fill you up (and warm you up) on a chilly March evening.
Ingredients
- 3 large sweet potatoes
- 1 Tbsp. oil
- 1 small sweet onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp. lime juice
- 3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 2 cups Greek plain non-fat yogurt
- 1 tsp. all spice
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- ½ cup Krema Almond Butter
- Pinch of sea salt and pepper
- Topping: fresh cilantro
Directions
- Prick sweet potatoes with a fork to create air pockets. Place into the microwave for 10 minutes. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, heat oil. Add onion and cook until they begin to brown, approximately 3 minutes. Add garlic; stir for 2 minutes. Add lime juice, all spice, chili powder, and sea salt and pepper. Cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Peel sweet potatoes and chop into small chunks. Place into a food processor along with the vegetable broth, Greek yogurt and Krema Almond Butter; puree until smooth. Add the puree to the pot and mix well.
- Transfer to serving dishes and garnish with cilantro.
- Enjoy!
In The News This Week
March is National Nutrition Month
Blood Test Might Sort Out Milk Allergies
Filed under: Appetizers, Dinner, Lunch, Nutrition, Side Dishes, Vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free | Tagged: almond butter, chili powder, cilantro, garlic, Greek yogurt, Krema, Krema Almond Butter, lime juice, news, nut butter, onion, sea salt, soup, sweet potato, vegetable broth | 2 Comments »
Mini-Larabar Giveaway
Posted on March 3, 2010 by The Healthy Apple
Larabars are one of my favorite bars because of the simplicity of the ingredients:
Pure fruits, nuts and spices!
Now, that’s hard to beat.
The best part? Each bar is gluten, dairy and soy free, non-GMO, vegan and kosher! Wow…
Larabar is a delicious blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices – energy in its purest form. Made from 100% whole food, each flavor contains no more than eight ingredients. Pure and simple, just as nature intended.
GLUTEN FREE * DAIRY FREE * SOY FREE * NON-GMO * VEGAN * KOSHER
Sweet with no added sweeteners. Sustaining with no added fillers, supplements or flavorings. Larabar is what your body needs – real, whole food loaded with nature’s own minerals and vitamins.
All of the vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, good carbohydrates and healthy fats are derived exclusively from the whole food used to make Larabar.
Larabar sources the best possible ingredients. Every time. Every bar. Enjoy.
Larabar firmly believes that the foundation of a sound mind, body and spirit is derived from what you eat. And what you eat is healthiest and most satisfying when it’s in a whole, natural state.
You can expect an unmistakable urge to humm after every Larabar bar you eat.
Let the humming begin!
For your chance to win Mini-Larabars, visit the Larabar website and leave me a comment on this post telling me what flavor you’d like to try. I will pick a winner on Friday, March 5th at 12:00 noon EST.
Good Luck!
Filed under: Appetizers, Breakfast, Dessert, Giveaway's, On-the-go-Snacks, Product Reviews, Vegetarian, dairy free, gluten free | Tagged: apple pie, banana, banana braed, Breakfast, cashew, cherry pie, chocolate coconut, cinnamon, cocoa mole, coconut, dairy free, Dessert, dried fruit, ginger snap, giveaway, gluten free, healthy, key lime, kosher, Larabar, lemon, non GMO, nuts, peanut butter and jelly, peanut butter cookie, pecan pie, pistacchio, Snack, soy free, spices, tasty, tropical fruit tart, vegan | 70 Comments »
