By Audrey van Petegem, Chief Editor
Did you know that the number one New Year’s resolution this year was to lose weight*? Did you also know that almost half of Americans make a resolution every year and only about 8% succeed to reach their goal? If you are one of the many whose New Year’s resolution was to lose weight – or at least not gain any, there are some great products available to help you reach your goal.
Here is a list of my favorites:

Hapi Fork - Introduced at this year’s CES (Consumer Electronic Show), the Hapi Fork is getting a lot of [...]

So, how is your new year’s resolution to “eat clean” going? Probably not so hot around 3 or 4 pm, if like me, your energy level – and attention span – has you wishing the day was over. But noooooo. There’s still a mountain of things to do, errands to run and calls to return. Among other pressing matters.
Clearly, I need a snack, a picker-upper, a little edible energy. The easy fix is to pick up something easy & fast from the pantry or the vending machine. And we all know what hazards that holds. Those carb-filled, sugar-filled, fat-filled and [...]

By Amie Valpone, Culinary Marketing Consultant & CEO of the gluten-free blog, The Healthy Apple.
Summer is truly the time to enjoy the outdoors and organize impromptu gatherings and salads make it easy to feed a hungry crowd. Here’s a refreshing gluten-free and vegetarian pasta salad for those summer BBQ or picnics that would satisfy anyone’s palate.
FRESH PARSLEY ASPARAGUS PENNE SALAD

Ingredients
1/4 cup macadamia nuts
1 pound gluten-free penne pasta
1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed, halved lengthwise, and cut crosswise into thirds
4 ounces goat cheese, broken into pieces
2 scallions, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon zest
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
¼ tsp. smoked paprika
½ tsp. [...]

By Amie Valpone, Culinary Marketing Consultant & CEO of the gluten-free blog, The Healthy Apple.
Here’s a fun summer snack for your summer gatherings; perfect for your BBQ or picnic!
BLACK RICE N’ QUINOA STUFFED MUSHROOMS 
Gluten-Free and Vegan

Ingredients
24 large button mushrooms
1/4 cup white onion, minced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup cooked black rice
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
2 carrots, peeled and grated
1/2 cup cashews, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. organic salsa
1 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
2 chives, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a baking dish with nonstick baking spray.
- Clean mushrooms and remove stems. Set mushroom caps aside; discard stems.
- In a small [...]

By Amie Valpone, Culinary Marketing Consultant & CEO of the gluten-free blog, The Healthy Apple.
Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone….I’ve created this amazing chick pea guacamole that will surely knock your socks off and keep your Cinco de Mayo festivities rollin’…
SMOKED CHICKPEA GUACAMOLE for Cinco de Mayo
Gluten-Free and Vegan

Ingredients
2 avocados, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks
1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 Roma tomato, diced
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 scallions, chopped
1/3 cup red onion, chopped
1 Tablespoon lime juice
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/3 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
Directions
In a large [...]

By Amie Valpone, Culinary Marketing Consultant & CEO of the gluten-free blog, The Healthy Apple.
Here’s a quick and easy dish that is perfect for a cool spring evening. I opted for walnut butter instead of the usually peanut butter because it adds a nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with sesame oil and dried cranberries. You can serve this dish warm or room temperature – either way it’s sure to be a family favorite.
Get those chopsticks ready; this is a perfect dinner for tonight!
WALNUT CRANBERRY PAD THAI
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Vegetarian

Serves 4
Ingredients
4 Tbsp. walnut butter
1 tsp. honey
1/3 cup San J gluten free [...]

By Jolee Patterson, Contributor – Sharing the Power of Food
Jolee and I have known each other during our days working at the same yoga studio, 12 years ago. She has always been a champion for eating right, exercising regularly and enjoying life. For the last two years I have asked her to share her knowledge of eating healthy with The Succulent Wife readers and I am very happy she finally obliged.
For over 50 years they have told us that we would be healthier if we eat a low-fat diet, stay away from saturated fats and tropical oils, and to eat [...]

By Amie Valpone, Culinary Marketing Consultant & CEO of the gluten-free blog, The Healthy Apple.
Here is a quick and easy cauliflower recipe that’s roasted to perfection- perfect for a breezy March afternoon or a warm April evening.
SAGE BAKED CAULIFLOWER with Honey Yogurt Dipping Sauce
Gluten-Free and Vegetarian

Ingredients
1 large organic cauliflower, cut into florets
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 fresh orange
2 Tbsp. curry powder
1 tsp. smoked paprika
5 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. orange zest
1/6 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
1 cup Greek plain yogurt
1 tsp. honey
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl combine all ingredients, [...]

By Amie Valpone, Culinary Marketing Consultant & CEO of the gluten-free blog, The Healthy Apple.
Ready for a sweet treat on ‘Love Day’ but not ready for the sugar overload and empty calories? Look no further than this healthy and fiber-rich chocolate bread that will wow your Valentine with one bite! Try this Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free recipe:
GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE SUNFLOWER BREAD

Ingredients
2 cups white rice flour
1/4 cup gluten-free cereal, crushed (rice crispies or any puffed rice cereal)
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 large eggs, beaten
4 large bananas, mashed
1 Tbsp. almond extract
1 ripe avocado, peeled
1/4 cup [...]

By Amie Valpone, Gluten-Free Recipe Contributor, Culinary Marketing Consultant and food writer at the gluten-free blog, The Healthy Apple.
Looking for a healthy spin on a classic winter comfort food? Here is a ‘lighter’ recipe for stuffed mushrooms that is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. They are filled with lots of fiber and natural sweetness in each bite. Whether you’re preparing these for a football game on Sunday or a dinner party on Saturday night, they’re sure to be a crowd pleaser.
ORANGE MARJORAN STUFFED MUSHROOMS
Gluten-Free and Vegan

2 lb. baby bella mushrooms
1 1/2 cups gluten-free crackers, very finely crushed
3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive [...]