By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
Just in time for Father’s Day, a do-it-yourself kit beer making kit from Brooklyn Brew Shop. Whether your patriarch is familiar in the kitchen or not, this no-brainer, easy-to-follow process allows even the I-can’t- boil-water type to make high quality and complex beers on top of the stove.
Brooklyn Brew Shop’s user-friendly beer making kit uses only fresh, whole ingredients, such as cracked barley, hops, spices and yeast, and follows the traditional brewery method to producing beer that has been used for centuries. This kit includes a one gallon reusable glass fermenter, chambered airlock, thermometer, tubing, [...]

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 Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
I love discovering products that make my life easier in the kitchen and with my small kitchen it is imperative that these clever finds take little or no space in my cupboards or drawers. Grilled cheese sandwiches are a quick meal staple in our home and to find something that allows my six year old daughter the ability to make one herself is pure genius.
The Toastabags allows you to make grilled cheese sandwiches in a regular toaster. Just stick the sandwich in the bag and toast to your liking. The grilled cheese comes out perfectly [...]

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 [...]

By Amie Valpone, Culinary Marketing Consultant & CEO of the gluten-free blog, The Healthy Apple.

When it comes to making healthy holiday choices, things can get complicated. Restaurants and food stores are stocked with processed foods and the items on sale are often the worst for us. This time of year, our schedules can get a bit hectic and crazy; we’re running around wrapping gifts, shopping for last minute presents, traveling and baking hundreds of Christmas cookies. If your head’s not spinning already it surely will be in a few weeks. It’s important to sit back, take a deep breath and [...]

By Amie Valpone, Culinary Marketing Consultant & CEO of the gluten-free blog, The Healthy Apple.
It’s certainly not your typical Thanksgiving without stuffing and bread pudding, but going gluten-free doesn’t mean you have to say good-bye to your favorite holiday dishes. Simply tweak them a bit by substituting gluten-free bread and grains such as buckwheat or quinoa and you won’t even think twice about those gluten-ous grains.
At first, it may seem a bit odd not to reach for your favorite loaf of whole wheat bread or your Grandmother’s famous stuffing but believe me…with a swap of pasta with quinoa and a [...]

By Audrey van Petegem, Senior Editor
Little did I know that October is Women’s Small Business month until Dove Chocolate Discoveries offered to send me (through Mom Central Consulting) a starter kit to host a Chocolate tasting party for my gal pals.
Dove Chocolate Discoveries has taken the home-based business plan to a whole new level with one of the biggest (and healthiest, after red wine!) indulgences. The Chocolate Tasting kit comes with six boxes of Chef-Series Chocolate (three dark and three milk), four packages of Chocolate Mouse, a box of Chocolate Chai Tea, Chocolate Cover Nuts, Chocolate Martini Mix, Chocolate Fondue [...]