Book Review: Sweet Freedom
Are you one of those people who sometimes feels a little bit trapped by her love of sugar?
I am.
Sometimes I feel like I can’t go a day without something sweet.
Not to worry. Ricki Heller, the dynamo behind the amusing and informative site, Diet, Dessert and Dogs, has come to the rescue with her book, Sweet Freedom: Desserts You’ll Love without Wheat, Eggs, Dairy or Refined Sugar.
Ricki provides recipes for over 100 delicious treats that are free of refined sugar, but not free of sweet delight. As she writes, “With Sweet Freedom, I hope to prove that you can have your cake, and great health too!” And she does.
Keep reading Kim’s review of Sweet Freedom on The Balanced Platter
Blueberry Breakfast Cake and Balance – or Lack Thereof
Balance has taken on a whole new meaning since the birth of our first and only son eight weeks ago. Before Nate was born, I knew balance was something I could work toward, and some days my life even looked like maybe the scale was evening out.
But once he got here – forget it.
Nothing seemed even close to being balanced. Our house was messier, the laundry got done a little slower, getting dinner ready could take hours because he needs a meal or a diaper change. Exercise the morning after sleepless nights had no appeal at all. And, I craved me time. You know, those 30 minutes I used to get all to myself in the morning before Joe got out of bed. Or, the quiet time I’d take for myself in the middle of the day with a hot cup of coffee.
Now, when he’s asleep I’m either napping too because we were up all night or I’m trying to catch up on laundry or finish something on my blog.
There are the moments, though, when balance doesn’t matter. Like when he looks at me with his big blue eyes and smiles the biggest grin. Or when he’s fussy and only Mommy knows how to calm him. And my heart always melts when he cuddles up on my chest and falls asleep. Exercise, dinner, laundry, and the blog can wait. I would stop time forever to hold on to those precious minutes.
There have been a few times, too, when it looks like balance might be trying to creep back in. I’ve had 15 minutes to read a book while he napped on my lap. A few times he’s actually enjoyed the Moby Wrap long enough for me to get through a recipe, beginning to end.
It was one of those moments when I made this Blueberry Breakfast Cake. He was content to move around the kitchen with me while I mixed, scooped, and baked. He eventually dozed off and all was well in our world.
I was reminded that sometimes being out of balance is a gift, a short detour that moves me to deep gratitude for the very simple things in life. You know, silence, clean clothes, a good nap, and a simple, healthy recipe.
Stop by the Attune Foods Blog where I’m sharing my Blueberry Breakfast Cake recipe.
What kind of balance is going on in your life?
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Zucchini Pie With Cilantro, Cumin and Lime
I’ve always been crazy about savory pie. Spinach pie, quiche, frittata—I love them all. My husband says it’s a girl thing 
Maybe so.I know I’ve had savory pie of some kind or another at many bridal showers, baby showers, and other girlie get-togethers.
Since I make all the food in our house, sometimes I have to make something just for me. That’s not to say that they don’t like pie and quiche, but if it were up to my husband and kids they could live without it. I would rather not.
The main ingredient in savory pie is usually cheese. The cheese holds it together (along with the eggs). Cheese also creates a chewy texture, and a creamy taste.
Keep reading for Kelly’s Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Zucchini Pie recipe
Book Review: Welcoming Kitchen
These days, it seems almost everyone knows at least one parent whose child has food allergies.
Well, Kim Lutz was that parent. Shortly after her son, Casey, was born, she discovered he had multiple food allergies. Rather than hand over control of Casey’s food to pre-packaged convenience foods, Kim determined to create recipes herself, in her own kitchen, to assure that her son could safely enjoy them. She envisioned a “welcoming kitchen” in which everyone—not just her son—could sit at the table and partake of delectable dishes free of eight key allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish.
Keep reading for Ricki’s review of Welcoming Kitchen…
Recent Comments