Creamy Summer Zucchini Soup (dairy-free)

Roasted root vegetables make the most quintessential side dish to a holiday meal, however, with the addition of a brightly flavored, antioxidant-rich parsley-basil pesto, the root vegetables are elevated to the next level! Celeriac (celery root), carrots, parsnips, and yellow potatoes form the base of this recipe. After they are cooked, the roasted vegetables are tossed with a flavorful dairy-free pesto. Did you know that by consuming flavonoid-rich herbs, such as parsley and basil, you help to regulate your blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and balance your immune system? Fresh herbs, such as parsley, are concentrated sources of powerful flavonoids. Flavonoids are a class of potent phytonutrients (phyto = plant).

If you have children and are in need of some inspiration on getting them to love their veggies, then this kid-friendly recipe is for you. I'm visiting my family in Wisconsin now. My children love to play with my brother's four children who are all in a similar age range as my children.

It's summer! Time to break out the ice cream maker and whip up some dairy-free ice cream—plus, it's cherry season right now. This coconut-milk-based ice cream is a perfect way to indulge in both antioxidant-rich cherries and dark chocolate.

Are you in the process of removing dairy from your diet and searching for a rich, creamy alternative to swirl into your morning beverage? This simple cashew-based creamer might be just what your body and taste buds have been craving. While I don’t personally drink coffee, I love adding this luscious cashew creamer to my turmeric-ginger spice tea, dandelion root chai, roasted dandelion root tea, and matcha lattes. It blends beautifully into warm drinks without overpowering them—unlike coconut milk or cream, which can sometimes have too strong a flavor for delicate herbal beverages.

Spring is finally here! I just want to soak up each and every moment of sunshine we have, as it's been a particularly dark and rainy last couple of months. This healthy gluten-free lemon poppy seed cake will surely brighten any day! Serve it for Easter brunch or as part of a Mother's day breakfast. It's not particularly sweet, but definitely bursting with lemony flavors. It's quite easy to make and free of many of the common allergens, except eggs. The lemon-honey glaze on top seals in moisture and adds even more lemony flavor.

I really love being able to toss ingredients into my slow cooker in the morning in order to have a meal ready to go later in the day, don't you? There's just so much less stress, and I feel so organized, with a clean kitchen going into dinnertime! This recipe for tomato-free, paleo slow cooked beef can be used in a multitude of ways. If you don't want to stuff it into baked sweet potatoes then you could use it as a taco filling for corn tortillas, Brown Rice Flour Tortillas, or simply served with sautéed kale and cabbage!