Looking for a delicious Halloween snack? Spicy pumpkin seeds tossed in chili powder, olive oil and a touch of salt are a healthy treat during this junk food filled time of year.

These heavily spiced seeds are also great for the change in seasons when everyone seems to be coming down with a cold or sore throat, as chili powder is full of both anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious agents, as well as antioxidants.

If your little ones like chili powder as much as mine (he puts it on everything), they’ll enjoy this quick and easy gluten free snack.

With a bounty of squash and pumpkin this time of year, it is wonderful to harvest the seeds and roast them, which we often do here in my kitchen. This recipe however, uses shelled pumpkin seeds, which I purchased at the health food store. I’m sharing this with you as it is my favorite recipe for spicy roasted pumpkin seeds.

While many people toast pumpkin seeds in the oven, this recipe calls for a cast iron skillet on the stove top. If you don’t have (or want to use a skillet) feel free to experiment and let us know how it goes. As I often say, if you are making changes to a recipe, the only way for me (or you) to find out if your changes work is to actually test them (I don’t have a magic substitution ball at home, I just test a recipe dozens of times until it is exactly the way I want it to be). So don’t be shy, get in the kitchen and experiment!

How do you like to roast your pumpkin seeds? With the shell on? Shell off? What spices do you add when you cook up a roasted pumpkin seed recipe?

More healthy recipes with pumpkin seeds:
-Cranberry Almond Loaf
-Granola
-Multi “Grain” Crackers

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This is my favorite applesauce recipe, I give it out whenever people ask me how to make homemade applesauce. It’s a simple recipe, easy, delicious and healthy too. On top of that? Kids love it –at least mine (and their friends) gobble it down every time we make it.

Another benefit of making applesauce from scratch? It’s an easy and nourishing recipe for children. Mine really get involved in peeling and chopping the apples; we’ve been making apple sauce together to mark the change of seasons (summer moving to fall) since they were toddlers.

Today, September 23, 2011 is the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of fall.

For me, the first day of autumn is about giving thanks for the bounty of the harvest (which is overflowing in my backyard garden at this very moment). It is also about acknowledging the change of seasons and the need to gather together our harvests (think of the squirrel stashing away nuts) and put them away for the colder, less abundant season to come –winter.

I posted this recipe when I first started my website 5 years ago, and I’m re-posting it today for those looking for a family friendly activity to partake in this weekend, honoring the start of autumn.

We will have this simple applesauce recipe when we break our fast at Yom Kippur.

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I’m always looking for high protein snacks to keep me going during the day, and especially after a good workout at the gym. I find this little Paleo snack (my favorite recipe for spicy nuts) slightly addictive and nicely satiating.

I like to eat nuts because they’re full of good fiber, fill me up and don’t leave me hungry and lagging. In fact, I keep a little tin of roasted almonds in my car at all times, just in case my blood sugar dips when I’m out with the boys or running errands.

The idea for this recipe came from a wonderful new book called Paleo Comfort Foods; I just got my copy and have to say it is a gem packed full of useful Paleo recipes and other information.

I’ve followed a grain free diet for a full decade now, even though I don’t mention it that often. I imagine that many of you come to this site because it offers grain free recipes. I feel much better when I follow something that resembles the hunter-gatherer diet, some people call this Paleo, I’m not entirely sure what to call it –it’s just the way I eat.

Let’s have a little chat. Are you gluten free? Are you gluten free plus grain free? Are you Paleo? What type of diet works best for you?

The winner of last weeks giveaway for a copy of the book Everyday Paleo is Kristin!

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My fellow gym rats were delighted when I brought these Paleo friendly, high protein, gluten free snacks to the gym last week. The consensus? These gluten free power bars hit the spot.

Made with healthy, high protein almond flour and nutritious goji berries, the gang wolfed these down, then asked for more. I promised them I would post this recipe for gluten free power bars and so here it is.

First though, a bit about goji berries. Goji berries (also known as wolfberries) are a superfood, slowly gaining attention and popularity in this country.

Research shows that berries are superfoods and that eating berries such as goji berries, blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries can be beneficial for your health.  Berries contain powerful antioxidants and other compounds that can boost the immune system and lower cholesterol; further, it is thought that the nutrient properties in berries can prevent cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.

Goji berries in particular have compounds rich in vitamin A, beta-carotene and B vitamins.  These compounds are thought to have anti-aging benefits and boost immune function. Incidentally, goji berries have been used for centuries in Traditonal Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Dried goji berries tend to be a bit…dry. So I like to plump mine up before I use them by placing them in a bowl and pouring a bit of boiling water over them. This brings out their juicy goodness, makes them easier to digest and simply prevents them from being too hard.

When you plump your gojis, let them sit in the hot water for 10-15 minutes until the water is mostly absorbed, then discard any remaining water (there won’t be a lot).

Here are some more Paleo friendly bars that you may also like:
-Spicy Power Bars
-Cherry Vanilla Power Bars
-Apricot Power Bars

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When I was a child I loved crackers.  Still do.  I especially loved Wheat Thins.  Can’t have those anymore.  Solution?  I’ve made my own.  These tasty Wheat Thins remind me of the yummy little crackers in the yellow package of my childhood.  The ones my mother bought for parties.  The ones that weren’t gluten free.

That was back in the days before we knew about celiac disease and gluten free living.  Before my mother was diagnosed with celiac.  Before I was diagnosed, and my son, and my sister.  Before this auto-immune disorder wreaked havoc on my family.

The good news?  Treating celiac is as easy as going on a gluten free diet, and now we all are.  Even my husband.  He’s gone gluten free because he feels better on the gluten free diet.  And he wants to be like us.

Now, forget about all of that disease talk, and grab yourself some tasty gluten free wheat thins.

The winner of last weeks giveaway for a copy of The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone is Katie!

Here are some more yummy gluten free cracker recipes you may enjoy:
-Pepita Parmesan Crackers With a Warm Scallion Dip by AndreAnna of Life as Plate
-Almond Crackers with Garlic & Rosemary by Shannon of Nourishing Days
-Almond Poppyseed Crackers with Ricotta and Honey by Carrie of Deliciously Organic

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Way back when, in 1997, during the dark ages of gluten free, I was diagnosed with celiac disease.  Now, 14 years later, this disease has had a devastating effect on my family –my mother has celiac, my sister has it, even my 12 year old son was diagnosed with celiac when he was 3 years old.  On the other side of the family, my mother-in-law lives with celiac disease.  This disease has been a scourge on my loved ones.

Celiac is a serious disease, many in the medical community think of it as a gateway auto-immune disorder –something that can lead to thyroid disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and even cancer.  This is why the gluten free diet is so important for people that have been diagnosed with celiac.  You can’t be on a “low gluten” diet.  If you have celiac you need to be 100% gluten free every single day of your life.  Thankfully, in my house we are.

While the gluten free diet is paramount for people that have celiac, some people are in the habit of saying that eating gluten free is such a challenge it will ruin your life.  I’m here to tell you that’s not the case.  Most wholesome natural foods are naturally gluten free.  Think veggies, fish, poultry, meat, fruits, nuts, seeds and a whole lot more.

That’s why I’m so pleased to be a part of Diane’s blogging event called 30 Days to Easy Gluten-Free Living.  Here’s how Diane summarized the event:

“I often read how difficult it is to live gluten free.  How gluten free tastes terrible and you’ll spend tons of money.  Some people talk about it like it’s a death sentence.  Well we’re here to tell you they are flat out wrong.  They are exaggerating to get you to buy their products. We are going to show you in 30 different ways over 30 days how living gluten free is easy, tasty and as inexpensive or expensive as you want to make it.”

This super quick and easy power bar recipe is my contribution to Diane’s fabulous event.  If you’re taking mom out for a hike this Sunday, pack these gluten free, vegan, high protein Cherry Vanilla Power Bars for a yummy Mother’s Day, energy boosting snack.

I just want to take a moment to thank Diane from The W.H.O.L.E. Gang for organizing this amazing event.  Diane is a very inspirational person and blogger.  She is a social activist who brings people together and educates the public at large.  Frankly, I just don’t have enough good things to say about her!

Here are some more yummy gluten free power bar recipes you may like:
-Melissa’s Mile High Energy Bars by Melissa from Gluten Free For Good
-Chocolate, Cardamom and Coconut Power Bars from Naomi of Milk for the Morning Cake
-Popeye Protein and Fruit Bars from Shirley of Gluten Free Easily

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I’m kinda obsessed with these deviled eggs, and given that Easter is near, what could be more appropriate? They’re easy to make, full of protein and naturally gluten free to boot. My boys love to chow down on them after school and I like to snack on them all day long. Deviled Eggs are perfectly simple and elegant for a party, and make a great casual everyday type gluten free snack as well.

When I make these, I like to double the recipe below, boiling 10 eggs at night, and then make them the next morning.

Just a quick note, your Deviled Eggs will not look exactly like the ones in the photo above. I shot those when I thought I was done with working on this recipe; however, I kept tweaking it. Basically, if you follow the recipe above, your Deviled eggs will be a lighter yellow and more creamy looking. Hope you enjoy these Deviled Eggs –they’re one of my all time favorite snacks!

More gluten free deviled egg recipes from other food bloggers:
-Mom’s Deviled Eggs from Shirley of Gluten Free Easily
-Mayo-less Deviled Eggs with Capers from Angie of Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free
-Deviled Eggs from Heidi of Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom

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This recipe was adapted from one by Pam Vagnieres‘ in an article called Make Your Own Protein Bars that ran last year in my local newspaper The Daily Camera.  These high protein, gluten free power bars are easy to make and remind me of a Lärabar, though these are super fresh since they’re homemade, and they’re also not quite as sweet.

My boys and their friends loved these bars and gobbled them up during spring break, when our house was boys central.

If cranberries aren’t your thing check out my other gluten free power bar recipes, Chocolate Espresso Power Bars, Spicy Power Bars and the crowd favorite Almond Power Bars.

For more yummy power bar recipes from other gluten free food bloggers check out:
-Sesame Snack Bars (Gluten-Free & Casein Free) from Lexie of Lexie’s Kitchen
-Popeye Protein and Fruit Bars from Shirley of Gluten free Easily
-The Best Ever Gluten-Free Power Bars from Debbie of The Gluten-Free ‘Dish’

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I’m a bit of a cracker-a-holic.  I think the quest for crunchy food intensifies when one goes gluten free. So, I’ve made a habit of baking crackers at least once a week, if not more.  However, many cracker thieves dwell in my abode.  As quickly as I make crackers they disappear.  Therefore, some weeks, the cracker quest continues day in and day out.

Crackers made with almond flour (or in this case almond milk pulp, more on that in a minute) are highly nutritious and slightly addictive.  They’re perfect with any number of spreads including Homemade Goat Cheese, Fig Tapenade, Sesame Dip or Savory Avocado Spread.

These particular Almond Pulp Crackers are a bit of a recycled treat.  I know that sounds odd, maybe even unappetizing, though let me explain.

After I make Almond Milk I use the leftover pulp of the almonds to create these delicious, high fiber crackers.  Seasoned with fresh thyme, they’re vegan, gluten free and super healthy.  If you make them in your dehydrator (I don’t have one) they’re even raw.  I bake mine in the oven on low to preserve as many of the live enzymes in them as possible, though because my oven doesn’t go lower than 135° technically they are not raw.  Still, they’re good.

Of course, I have other gluten free cracker recipes that don’t require almond pulp, including: Sesame Crackers, Walnut Crackers, Vegan Herb Crackers, Multi “Grain” Crackers, Rosemary Fig Crackers, Chardonnay Crackers.

The winner of last weeks giveaway for a copy of The Simple Food {for winter} ebook from Shannon of Nourishing Day’s is Lori Misener. Congratulations Lori!

Here are some more gluten free recipes that use leftover pulp:
-Gena’s Juice Pulp Crackers from Choosing Raw
-Carrot Pulp Bread from Milk for the Morning Cake
-Raw Cheesecake from Gluten Free Krums

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Don’t be confused by these gluten free Multi “Grain” Crackers.  Because they are in fact gluten free and grain-free.  That’s right, these crackers don’t contain grains.  What are they made of?  They contain a multitude of high protein, high fiber superfoods including almonds, flax and hemp.

So as you can see, even though these are called Multi “Grain” Crackers, I have not started eating grains again.  And yes, I’ve been grain free since 2001, on an eating plan (don’t like the word diet) that is similar to those referred to as Paleo or Primal.

The idea for these gluten free crackers is from my dear friend Betsy.  She came over one Saturday afternoon last November so that we could go for a hike.  We did, and then we set out to bake our way through my kitchen.

These crackers were the first thing we made.  It was a lot of fun because Bets (that’s her nickname), cooks the way I used to, before I started cooking for all of you.  She just throws ingredients around without any measurements and says things like, “a few handfuls of this,” and “a lot of that.”  I translated her handfuls and throws into exact measurements and then made the crackers a few more times to get them exactly the way I wanted.

Here are some more gluten free, grain free cracker recipes you may enjoy:
-Savory Grain-Free Crackers from Gluten-Free Goddess
-Honey Graham Crackers from Eat the Cookie!
-Herbed Almond Crackers from At the Bakers Bench

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