My friend and fellow health coach, Gabriella Makstman, is an extremely talented “food artist” (the words “cook” or “gourmet chef” are too pedestrian to describe what she does).

She runs a website called A Crafty Gourmet which provides free, amazing step-by-step, health conscious recipes with beautiful photos. She was kind enough to share some of her recipes with us. To check out more recipes visit her Web site by clicking here.

Clients and readers always ask me what they can eat when they’re avoiding common food allergens like soy, corn, peanuts, wheat, dairy, eggs and sugar. Here are a few scrumptious desserts, a nutrient-packed dairy substitute, a side dish, a soup and two main dishes that are great for people with tummy issues.

Cooking can be a great creative outlet and a safe place to be adventurous and experiment. Try some new foods and come up with your own creations.

For me, cooking is a spiritual practice because it’s one of the few places in my life that I can totally let go. I don’t care about the results, I just play in the moment. I let inspiration flow through me. I work on pure intuition.

I am often surprised and delighted with the results. If it doesn’t work out, no biggie. I like the reward to risk ratio of creative cooking.

Healthy dairy alternative

Hemp seeds are a great sources of zinc and magnesium, which help heal the gut, ease constipation and prevent colds.

Homemade Hemp Milk

Ingredients:
2 cups hulled hemp seeds (soaked over night)
4 cups water

Process:
1. Soak hemp seeds overnight

2. Run through a juicer with water or blend using a Vitamix (powerful blender)

3. Use a Nut Milk Bag to drain the milk (fine mesh)

4. Add water if you want a thinner consistency

 

Soup and side dish:

Authentic Borscht

Ingredients:

1 lb of pastured/organic beef bones (knuckles and femur are best)
1 large pastured/organic beef short rib
1 large onion
3 medium beets
3 large carrots
1 small red or green cabbage
1/2 cup of sauerkraut
12 green peppercorns
2 tbsp Celtic Salt
1 spring of Parsley and another half spring for later
1 spring of Dill and another half spring for later

Process:
1. Put bones, short rib, onion, peppercorns, salt, parsley and dill into a large pot. I like to put the peppercorns and herbs into a large unbleached teabag 

2. Bring to boil and then reduce to low heat and cook for 24-36 hours

3. After broth is done cooking, let cool and take off layer of fat that forms at the top

4. Remove bones, but leave any meat inside the pot. Remove onion and bag of herbs

5. Peel beets and carrots and add to pot. Bring to boil

6. Shred cabbage

7. After about 45 minutes, remove beets and carrots and shred using a food processor

8. Add shredding beets and carrots back into the pot, add sauerkraut and cook for another 20 minutes

9. Chop dill and parsley and add into the soup

10. Turn off heat

 

Stuffed Delicata Squash

Ingredients:
1 bok choy
1 Delicata squash
1 celery stalk
1/2 tsp cardamon
1/2 tumeric
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cayenne pepper

Process:
1. Cut Delicata squash in half and remove seeds

2. Chop celery and bok choy. Place in a bowl and mix with spices, salt, and oil

3. Spoon mixture in squash

4. Cook in oven at 350 degrees for 35 minutes and leave in oven for 20 minutes with oven off

 

Main Dishes

Click on the links below to get these recipes.

Veal Chorizo with broccoli rabe and nutty spaghetti squash

Root veggies roasted with lamb

 

Dessert

Click on the link below for a super healthy and creamy dessert with protein-packed chia seeds:

Coconut Carob Mouse

or you can try….

Coconut Carob Monsters

Ingredients:
1/4 cup Coconut Butter
1/4 cup Bright Earth Foods Vanilla Coconut Oil
1/4 Raw Carob Powder
1 tsp Ginger Powder
1 tsp Turmeric
1 tbsp Raw Honey (optional)

Process:
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl

2. Use your hands to warm and mix until well blended and lumps exist

3. Pour mixture into silicone ice molds

4. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes

5. Enjoy!

Store in a air tight container in the fridge.

Breakfast

Here is an easy breakfast idea that’s comforting, nutritious and perfect for the holidays. Click on the link below to get the recipe.

Grain-Free Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Porridge

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