A few too many years ago than I would like to admit, my oldest son was born with life-threatening food allergies.
Years later, we found that we suffered from candida in our home, and that I had adrenal fatigue.
Over the years, we've had to work to remove toxins from our home while making many changes to our diets to meet our needs, all while making sure we weren't breaking the bank on our food budget.
I've always loved being in the kitchen, but our special diets have stretched me in ways that I never imagined.
I used to pride myself on my homemade whole wheat bread, but now do all of my baking gluten free. And due to my son's allergies we've had to come up with vegan versions of many kitchen regulars like:
– Homemade Easiest Coconut Milk
– Easiest Vegan Condensed Milk and
– Vegan Mayonnaise / Vegetable Dip
and due to candida we've had to become familiar with how to use stevia and how to like it too.
It hasn't always been easy, but I typically enjoy the challenge.
A little about my recipes:
1. I try to make the recipes easy and adaptable to a variety of dietary needs. Please experiment and be flexible and try substitutions. I think this is one of the most important ways to save stress and time in the kitchen.
For example, if I don't have almond butter, I will substitute another nut or seed butter (I make all my own butters and keep them in the fridge so they're ready at a moment's notice).
Sometimes the recipe works out great; sometimes not. Either way, we usually manage to eat it :-).
2. I am not an absolutist. I try to minimize grains, but sometimes we go overboard. We are trying to eat more healthy grass-fed, pastured animal protein, but sometimes I resort to my primarily vegetarian ways (we ate a lot of beans and rice to get through my husband's multiple degrees with no debt :-)).
We buy organic when we can, but not always. Reducing stress is of utmost importance. Take it easy on yourself and don't try to do it all at once.
3. I aim to make my recipes gluten free, sugar free, and allergen free (free of the 8 most common allergens) and my emphasis is on whole foods. Folks on special diets need to take care of our bodies and eating foods as close as possible to the way that they were created will help to keep your body performing at its best.
Special diets don't mean that you can't enjoy the gift of food. It just means that you have the opportunity to be a bit more creative :-).
And even if you're not on a special diet, these are some great recipes that I hope will bring you joy and simplicity in the kitchen as well.
Enjoy!!
Appetizers
Gluten-Free Foccacia Flax Bread
Pizza Dip (Pizza Hummus) – dairy and sesame free
Nut Butter Fruit Dip | Dessert Sauce (with allergy and sugar free options)
Garlic and Chive Cheese (gluten and soy free)
“Temaki” – Easy Grain-Free Sushi
Autoimmune Paleo (AIP) Guacamole – paleo, dairy free, nightshade free
Breads and Muffins
Focaccia Flax Bread (gluten free with vegan option)
Teff Waffles or Pancakes and Caramelized Bananas
Applesauce Bran Muffins (with gluten free option)
Baked Doughnuts (with soaking and gluten free option)
Quick Drop Biscuit Recipe (w/ GF & DF options)
Gluten Free Wraps | Buckwheat Galettes (Buckwheat Pancakes) | (vegan option)
Perfect Potato Pancakes (gluten free with vegan option)
Secret-Ingredient Homemade Taco Shells (grain free & vegan)
Fresh Strawberry Scones – gluten and sugar-free with vegan option
Secret-Ingredient Baked Paleo Tortillas – grain free, nut free, and vegan
Entrees
Oven Barbecued Chicken (with sugar free option)
Adzuki Bean Shepherd's Pie (with low carb Topping)
Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta (w/ gluten and dairy free options)
My Most Requested Recipe – Pakistani Kima (Beef Curry w/ vegan option)
Easy Baked Chicken Nuggets (dairy and egg free w gluten free option)
Healthy Chili Mac (special diet options) & More Quick and Easy Meals
Pasta Primavera with Eggplant Noodles and Vegan Alfredo Sauce (grain free, paleo, vegan)
Allergy-Free Meatballs with DF Cream Sauce
Low-Carb Comfort Food – Shepherd's Pie with Roasted Veggies (grain and dairy free, vegan option)
Bibimbap – Korean Fried Rice (paleo, grain free)
Homemade Hamburger Helper Beef Skillet
“Temaki” – Easy Grain-Free Sushi
Low-Carb Zucchini Lasagna – grain free with dairy free option
Sun-Dried Tomato & Sweet Potato Frittata ~ dairy free
Egg Roll in a Bowl – low carb, paleo, AIP
Soups
Creamy Root Vegetable Soup (dairy free)
5 Tips for Awesome Bone Broth (and a Sure-Fire Chicken Broth Recipe)
Low-Carb Thai Coconut Chicken Soup – gluten free, paleo & dairy free
Beans
Adzuki Bean Shepherd's Pie (with low carb Topping)
Pizza Dip | Pizza Hummus (dairy and tahini free)
Side Dishes
Perfect Potato Pancakes (gluten free with vegan option)
Rainbow Stir Fry – grain and soy free
“Temaki” – Easy Grain-Free Sushi
Addictive 10-Minute Spaghetti Squash Salad
Sweet & Savory Balsamic Baked Red Onions – low carb & AIP
Snacks
Surprisingly-Good Popcorn Seasoning!
Carob or Chocolate-Coated Almonds
Herbes de Provence Popcorn (Warning: It's Addictive!)
Kale Chips – Veggies Your Kids Will Love
Gourmet Chocolate Caramel Apples w special diet options
“Dorito”-Flavored Popcorn (dairy free)
Yummy Gummy Candy (sugar free) and How “Ew” Turned to “Yum”
Homemade “Cheez-It's” – grain and dairy free with vegan option
3-Ingredient Strawberry Sage Popsicles
Vegan Homemade Crackers Made From – Lentils?! grain free & nut free options
Chocolate Avocado Truffles with a Kick – paleo & vegan
No-Bake Coconut Avocado Grasshopper Bars – paleo & vegan
Creamy Avocado Lime Pudding – paleo & vegan
Can't Stop Eating ‘Em Crispy Green Bean Chips
“Almond Joy” Bars {Revised} (sugar free with allergy options)
Key Lime Popsicles (low carb & dairy free with AIP & vegan option)
Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Fudgesicles – low carb with AIP & vegan option
Caramelized Coconut Chips (like “Dang” Brand)
Healthy Popsicles: A Berry Superfood Recipe – low carb with AIP option
Desserts
Cookies and Bars
Soft Pumpkin Cookies (egg and dairy free w/ gluten free and sugar free options)
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles – New Grain-Free Option! (with dairy, egg, gluten and sugar free options)
Luscious Lemon Bars (gluten & dairy free with egg & sugar free options)
Homemade Chocolate or Carob Bar
Healthy Almond Joy Bars (Revised)
Homemade Mint Chocolate / Carob Chips
Homemade Chocolate / Carob Chips
No-Bake Coconut Delights (sugar, dairy, egg, and grain free)
20 Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes
Frosted Chocolate Mint Cookies (GF, & V)
Secret-Ingredient Gingerbread Cookie Bites (grain free & V)
Secret-Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Macaroons (gluten, dairy, and sugar free)
“Who Ate My Chips?!” Chocolate Chip Cookies – gluten free & vegan option
Fruit & Nut (or Seed) Cake Squares – grain free with vegan and sugar free option
Grain-Free Almond Butter Coconut Cookies – vegan, paleo, and sugar free
No-Bake Coconut Avocado Grasshopper Bars – paleo & vegan
Raw Chocolate-Topped Fudge Brownies – grain free, vegan, & paleo
Grain-Free Cinnamon Raisin Breakfast Cookies – paleo, vegan, low carb option
5-Minute Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Balls – paleo, grain free, egg free, low carb
Grain-Free No-Bake Protein Bars
Low-Carb Almond Crescent Cookies – dairy-free option
Candy
Nut or Seed Butter Balls – sugar free, low carb, allergy friendly
Chocolate / Carob Coconut Nests
Homemade Chocolate or Carob Bar
Secret-Ingredient Mint Fudge – vegan and sugar free
Chocolate / Carob Almond Fudge (dairy free with sugar-free option)
Healthy Almond Joy Bars (Revised)
Almost Reese's Candy (with allergy & sugar-free options)
Gourmet Chocolate Caramel Apples with special diet options
Homemade Mint Chocolate / Carob Chips
Homemade Chocolate / Carob Chips
Homemade Marshmallows – with sugar free option
White Chocolate Chips (dairy, sugar, and soy free)
Yummy Gummy Candy (sugar free) and How “Ew” Turned to “Yum”
Easy 5-Ingredient Peppermint Fudge
Simple Festive Coconut Fudge – dairy and sugar free with natural colors
Easy Chocolate Avocado Truffles with a Kick – paleo & vegan
3 Ridiculously Easy & Delicious Truffle Recipes – dairy and sugar-free
Naturally-Colored “Fun” Fudge – low carb with AIP option
Puddings, Mousses, Custards, etc.
Rich Chocolate or Carob Pudding (dairy free and sugar free options)
Homemade Lemon or Lime Gelatin | Homemade “Jello” (sugar free option)
Spiced Whipped Coconut Pudding (Dairy-Free Whipped Cream Substitute)
Cream of Rice Cereal (Rice Porridge)
Coconut Panna Cotta Citrus Cups – vegan and sugar-free options
Creamy Avocado Lime Pudding – paleo & vegan
Easy Pumpkin Custard – paleo, low carb, vegan option
No-Cook Pumpkin Chia Pudding – paleo, vegan, & low carb
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Chia Pudding ~ low carb & dairy free
Cakes and Pies
Chocolate or Carob Silk Pie with Nut or Seed Crust
Baked Oatmeal (or Oatmeal Cake) (dairy, egg, gluten, and sugar free options)
Easy Pie Crust Recipe (gluten free, whole grain)
Triple Berry Cobbler – sugar and gluten free, with egg and grain free options
Chocolate Chip Cheesecake-Filled Chocolate Cupcakes (gluten, dairy, and sugar free option)
Carob Cardamom Cupcakes with Sweet Potato Frosting – grain free with vegan option
Buckwheat Crepe Cake with Chocolate Avocado Filling and Hazelnut “Cream”
3-Ingredient Apricot Shortbread Crisp – paleo & vegan with low carb option
Fruit & Nut (or Seed) Cake Squares – grain free with vegan & sugar free option
Cinnamon Crumb Coffee Cake – grain free & paleo, with low carb & vegan options
Ice Cream
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (with dairy free and sugar free options)
Chocolate Almond Chip Coconut Milk Ice Cream (with sugar free option)
3-Ingredient Strawberry Sage Popsicles
Vegan Mocha Chip Ice Cream (dairy, sugar, and coconut free)
Lemon Poppy Seed Ice Cream – vegan and sugar free
Easy Chocolate Coconut Milk Ice Cream (dairy free and sugar free)
Key Lime Popsicles (low carb & dairy free with AIP & vegan option)
Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Fudgesicles – low carb with AIP & vegan option
Mint Chocolate Ice Cream with Ganache Swirl
Healthy Popsicles: A Berry Superfood Recipe – low carb with AIP option
Frostings and Sweet Toppings
Secret Ingredient Allergy – Friendly Chocolate “Buttercream” Frosting
Nut Butter Fruit Dip | Dessert Sauce (with allergy and sugar free options)
Holiday and Special Occasion Recipes
Chocolate / Carob Coconut Nests
Secret-Ingredient Mint Fudge – vegan and sugar free (for St. Patrick's)
Healthy Superbowl Food Galore!
Seriously Tempting {and Healthy} Valentine's Treats Galore
Healthy Sugar-Free Easter Recipes Galore – Mostly Grain Free
No-Bake Coconut Avocado Grasshopper Bars – paleo & vegan
Easy Pumpkin Custard – paleo, low carb, vegan option
Autoimmune Protocol Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend – No Seed or Berry Spices
Secret-Ingredient Gingerbread Cookie Bites – grain free and vegan
Condiments, Sauces, Dressings, Seasonings & Spreads
Homemade Vegetable Broth Mix | All-Purpose Seasoning
Herbes de Provence (secret ingredient for the best popcorn topping ever!)
The Best Cinnamon Sugar – Made Healthier
Easiest Homemade Vanilla Liquid Stevia Extract
Our Favorite Salad Dressing – Five Ways
Dairy-Free Whipped Cream Substitute (Whipped Cream Pudding)
Five-Ingredient Salad Dressing – Our New Favorite
Easy Homemade Ketchup (sugar free)
Garlic and Chive Cheese (gluten and soy free)
Pumpkin Pie Spiced Creamer – Dairy and Sugar-Free
Allergy-Free Ranch Dressing – dairy. egg, and nut free
Easy Fruit Dip | Dessert Sauce
AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) Taco Seasoning
Easy Homemade Granulated Garlic
Zingy Avocado Dressing (or Dip) – dairy free, low carb and AIP
Beverages
Homemade Sugar-Free Lemonade (with sweetener options)
Rich and Delicious Coffee Substitute
DIY Meal Replacement Shakes – like “Pediasure®”
Homemade Hot Chocolate – dairy and sugar free
Pumpkin Pie Spiced Creamer – Dairy and Sugar-Free
Easiest Coconut Milk Recipe – Improved
Healing Adrenal Cocktail ~ My Version of the “Singing Canary”
Do It Yourself
FOODS
Aluminum and Corn-Free Baking Powder
Homemade Chocolate or Carob Chips
Homemade Natural Blue Food Coloring
Homemade Coconut Milk – Improved
Vegetable Broth Mix Recipe | All-Purpose Seasoning
How to Make Powdered Sugar | Powdered Sugar Substitute
Easiest Homemade Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Kale Chips – Healthy Snacks Your Kids Will Love
Herb-Seasoned Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Homemade Rice Milk (or Milk Substitute)
Easy Baked Chicken Nuggets (dairy and egg free w gluten free option)
Powdered Egg Replacer (Compare to Ener-G)
Homemade Mint Chocolate / Carob Chips
Easiest Homemade Vanilla Liquid Stevia Extract
Homemade Marshmallows – with sugar free option
Easiest Dairy-Free Condensed Milk
Whipped Cream Pudding (a.k.a Dairy-Free Whipped Cream Substitute)
Easy Frugal Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas
DIY Meal Replacement Shakes – like “Pediasure®”
Homemade “Cheez-It's” – grain and dairy free with vegan option
Make Your Own Probiotics – Easy Homemade Sauerkraut
Vanilla Extract Substitute – Toasted Vanilla Powder
Autoimmune Protocol Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend – No Seed or Berry Spices!
5 Tips for Awesome Bone Broth (and a Sure-Fire Chicken Broth Recipe)
Easy Homemade Coconut Shreds and Chips
Homemade Unrefined Powdered Sugar
Amazing Paleo Pizza Crust – vegan, autoimmune paleo & cauliflower free
The Best Cinnamon Sugar – Made Healthier
AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) Taco Seasoning
Sugar Substitute (Homemade Truvia®)
Pumpkin Pie Spiced-Creamer – Dairy and Sugar Free
Easy Homemade Granulated Garlic
Easy Homemade Elderberry Syrup – low carb & AIP
Homemade Alcohol-Free Vanilla Extract ~ low carb & AIP
10-Minute Marinara Sauce – no sugar added & low carb
PERSONAL CARE
Homemade Rose Water Spray Recipe
Jojoba and Rose Water Facial Cleanser
Homemade Decongestant Chest Rub – Compare to Vicks
Nourishing Homemade Sugar Scrub
Natural Lip Scrub – Cure for Chapped Lips
Make Your Own Saline Nose Wash (plus loads of tips)
Simple Nourishing Hand and Body Lotion
The Easiest and Cheapest Natural Wart Treatment
Homemade Alcohol-Free Hair Spray that Works
Homemade Tooth Powder Recipe (Why I Stopped Using Toothpaste)
Keep Your Kiddos Toxin-Free! Easy Homemade Wipes
Make Your Own Soap Without Lye
DIY Acne Cream aka Why I Wore Sunscreen At Night
DIY Essential Oil Blend for Hair Growth
Home Care
Super Simple Natural Dishwasher Rinse Aid
Amazing Homemade Glass Cleaner
Natural Dishwasher Rinse Aid ~ Important Update
Why I Don't Make Laundry Detergent
Easy Frugal Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas
Homemade “Soft Scrub” | Revised Homemade Shower Cleaner
Easiest DIY Weed Killer Recipe
How To
Save Time and Money Cooking Pasta
How and Why to Dehydrate – Part Three (Increasing Nutrition by Dehydrating)
How and Why To Dehydrate – Part One (Saving Money by Dehydrating)
How and Why to Store Prepared Beans
How and Why to Soak and Dehydrate Nuts and Seeds
How and Why To Dehydrate – Part Two (Saving Time and Space with a Dehydrator)
Soaking Grains – The Why and How
The Easiest Way to Peel Garlic
The Easiest Way to Preserve Herbs
The Easiest Way to Preserve Tomatoes
Such fabulous info; thank you! I saw your post re: adaptogens and you mention possibly Sharon more detail in upcoming posts. I am interested in Maca Powder as an energy source and didn’t find that info. Did I miss it? Thanks again!
Autocorrect turned ‘sharing’ into Sharon in my comment above *gah!
I haven’t written that. I’m behind but hope to get to it soon – thanks for reading!
Hi there. I’m curious to know about your diagnosis and also about your son’s diagnosis. Is there a way you could contact me or me contact you?
Hello there. I’m not sure which diagnoses you mean. Let me know.
How did you know it was candida that was the problem
I had heard others talking about candida and really didn’t want to know that was my problem (b/c I loved sugar so much) but had a hunch. Then I started doing research online and everything matched up. This post might help: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/what-is-candida-the-beginning-of-my-sugar-free-lifestyle/
Hi there Adrienne
I’m interested in a home made electrolyte drink for endurance running without sugar. Any ideas please?
Ooh- good idea! Let me think on that!
I am looking at your avocado truffle recipe. 3/32 t of stevia and 3/8 cup of cocoa butter and cocoa. Is tis a misprint or is this the correct measurements? I’ve never seen these in a recipe before. Want to make this for Easter this Sunday
It’s accurate. Enjoy them!!!
Your all good miss ADRIENNE
BTW i heart the world and your RECPIES
+___+
Thank you!
Awesome things here. I’m very satisfied to look your post.
Thanks.
Thank you!!!
About a month after I went off all grains, my fibromyalgia went away. All the pain and aches are gone. This requires total elimination. I have read that even a bite of a grain food can bring back symptoms for as long as a month or more. You must look up all the hidden sources of corn, too.
I have heard others say that kind of diet helps w/ migraines too. Glad you are doing better!!
What a phenomenal website! I especially love your grasshopper bars. I just printed out a bunch more recipes and am so excited to try them out! I especially appreciate your “how to peel garlic” and freezing herbs tips. SO helpful! Thank you!!!
Yea! Thanks so much. I had to redo that recipe – glad you like the new version!!
I am absolutely new to breadmaking and gluten-free diet. I read and followed recipe for gluten-free sourdough starter and am NOW trying to find out what to do with it to make gluten-free sourdough bread and sandwich bread using this starter. I just finished 7 days of feeding this starter. How do I use it and now keep this particular starter? Already frustrated: either recipes don’t load or they are void of using this starter. Do I have to use xanthan gum or guar gum since I made this starter? Please help; don’t want this starter to go unused or bad.
Hi there. If you click on the first bread recipe at the bottom of the page it tells you how to use the starter in a recipe. Hope that helps.
Thanks that helps. What do I do with the remainder of the starter so I can use it next week etc?
no idea but Martha apparently knows. http://www.marthastewart.com/916683/good-thing-saving-sourdough-starter
hey can u plz help me out………………….
how to reduce darkcricle round the eyes by using home made recipes within week and
what kind of diet i should refer…????
Hi and sorry for the delay. I don’t have a recipe for that…..I know my doctor told us that dark circles can be a symptom of allergies. Sorry.
Where is the recipe for the Key Lime Coconut Milk Popsicles? I only see a picture; there is no recipe to be found.
(???)
Hi there, Stuart. Did you find the image on a roundup of recipes? Candace stopped blogging and I have bought the recipes from her — we’re working on getting them posted. I can possibly help you if needed. Let me know. Thanks!
A local newspaper had an article talking about the mesquite tree in the SW and how from it’s seed pods, the Native Americans ground the “beans” into flour and cooked w/it. Have you ever tried bakery goods with it? I’m interested in knowing how it turned out with taste, looks, etc.
I haven’t tried it much, but Ricki Heller uses it a ton on her site. It is a brown powder and tastes, I’ve read, like cinnamon, chocolate, and coffee. Mmmmmmm…gotta go and find mine now :).
Hi, came here to look up some soap/lotion etc recipes and found lots of other great looking stuff. But I have a question about making your own cranberry juice, as the store version that comes in a carton has less than 30% actual juice in it and has a variety of other ingredients that aren’t what I want. I have tried over the last week or so to make my own but can never seem to get the right amounts of fruit – water – sweetener, was wondering if you had ever tried this?
Never but that’s a GREAT idea. I would keep trying and you’ll get it!
Have you tried actually putting your cranberries through a juicer and then adding water and stevia to taste?
that’s my new email my old one was [email protected]
Not sure what you are trying to tell me – thanks.
Love your postings and recipes.
Have you come up with a recipe mix like a Jiffy mix? Also, do you have a good recipe (easy) for Belgian Waffles?
Keep up the good work.
No, I haven’t – but thanks! You mean their corn muffins?
Thanks for the rapid response. Corn muffin mix would be great to have too. But I was referring to the general biscuit mix, which makes a terrific base for many items, such as for strawberry shortcake, etc. I would like to be able to make up a mix, organic and gluten free that could be used as a base for many things. Adding in the liquids when needed for a recipe.
I’ve thought about this. I hope to do it someday. Thanks!
Try Paleo “cornbread” search online and you should find plenty of recipes 🙂
I follow on FB, and notice a lot of great recipes and ideas. Do you all have one for a puff type finger food for a baby… 7 month old to be exact. Not a fan of all the sugars in the organic ones at the store. Thanks.
I don’t – sorry. Do you mean a puffed cereal? Those you need a machine for and the grains are terribly altered so it’s not good to eat a bunch of those:). Though they do taste good…
Ok, thanks anyways.
Hi again Cassie. I just was thinking–have you ever tried soaking buckwheat? It turns out kind of like puffs.
I have not. The whole grain? And then bake it? I may have to experiment with that. I am nervous the rice puffs I have been giving her may be stopping her up. Thanks for the idea.
Here is a post about it. I hope to write some more about the buckwheat in the future. https://wholenewmom.com/recipes/soaking-grains-the-why-and-the-how/
Arrowroot is a great alternative starter biscuit type food. I would try 1 egg, 1/2 tsp maple syrup or coconut sugar (or leave out), dash of salt, 1/4 tsp. baking powder or baking soda, and keep adding arrowroot flour/starch until it becomes “doughy”, then shape however you like and bake at 350 for about 10 min or until browning.
This is just me winging it, I made these years ago, so not sure of the exact portions, hope this helps someone 🙂
Hello i love your recipes but Im looking for a healthy 12 grain gluten free bread can you help me
Do you need a yeasted bread? We are doing fewer grains but perhaps I can help. Does it need to be all 12?