Homemade Gummies

ingredients:

• 2 cups fruit juice (I often use Lakewood Black Cherry, Blueberry Blend or Grape)
• 1-2 T lemon or lime juice
• 1/2 cup gelatin powder (I use Great Lakes Gelatin)
• 1 - 4 T maple syrup (depending on desired sweetness)

directions:

• Bring fruit juice and maple syrup to a simmer
• Slowly add gelatin to the simmering juice, use a whisk or immersion blender to avoid clumps
• Once gelatin is dissolved pour mixture into silicon molds 
• Put gummies into the refrigerator or freezer till the gelatin is set

Lavender Honey Latte

 Add 1 T culinary lavender and 1-2 tsp honey to about 1 1/2-2  cups of almond

 Simmer milk mixture while you brew espresso

I use a stovetop espresso pot because it is simple and makes great espresso.

Strain lavender from the almond milk, froth milk if desired, fill your mug 3/4 full of lavender infused honey milk, then pour your desired amount of espresso over the top.

Caper and Olive Tuna Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 can of tuna (I love Wild Planet's Albacore Tuna...and you can find it at Costco!)
• 1-3 T mayo (depending on your preference)
• 1 T capers
• 3-4 olives (I used giant green ones, but use what you like)
• 1 dash lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 T onion, chopped
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

Mix it all together and serve it over your favorite combination of greens. I'm using an organic spinach and arugula blend that I found at Aldi! I find that this combo of greens doesn't get slimy as fast as some of the more delicate greens.

Almond Butter Brownies

- recipe adapted from Elana's Pantry "Gluten Free Brownies"

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 oz) jar of almond butter 
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey (I have cut this to even 1/4 cup and still delicious)
• 1 T vanilla
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 t sea salt
• 1 t baking soda
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• Blend almond butter till smooth with a hand blender
• Blend in eggs, honey/syrup and vanilla
• Blend in cocoa, salt and baking soda, then fold in chocolate chips
• Line a 9x13 pan with parchment or grease the pan
• Pour in batter
• Bake at 325 degrees for 25-40 minutes. I like my brownies gooey, but done. So, usually around 30 minutes. Check them with a toothpick in the center. If the toothpick is clean, you are good! Don't over cook them!

Chinese Five Spice Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 T coconut oil 
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 inch fresh ginger grated, or about 1/2 tsp dried ginger root
• 1/2 to 1 tsp Chinese 5 Spice
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1 cup carrots, chopped
• 4 cups chicken bone broth, chicken stock, miso broth or veggie stock
• 2 tsp coconut aminos
• salt and pepper to taste
• cilantro and/or scallions for garnish
• hot sauce if desired
• ramen or rice noodles if desired

Directions:

• Heat coconut oil in a pan
• Add onions and cook on low till transluscent
• Add garlic, ginger and 5 Spice, cook 2 minutes
• Add celery and carrots, cook on medium heat till veggies begin to soften (about 10 minutes)
• Add broth of choice and coconut aminos, bring to a simmer and cook 10-15 minutes.
• Add salt and pepper to taste
• Serve garnished with cilantro and/or scallions. Add hot sauce if desired. 
• Add cooked ramen or rice noodles to bowl when serving if desired.