RECIPES – Plum Joyful

Gluten free dairy free Pumpkin Pie with gingersnap crust

PlumJoyful — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 08:00:08 +0000

Ahh the Holidays! It’s time for snuggling up and twinkling lights, and most importantly, it’s time for baking! The Holidays are my excuse to bake delish treats and not feel too guilty about it. I made this pie last year, and of course never wrote down the recipe, or at least couldn’t find it, so I had to start from scratch this time, but it came out even better I think. This pie is really easy to make, has very simple ingredients and if the experience of the holiday season could be distilled into a flavor, it would be the flavor of this pie. It’s warming, and sweet and spicy all at once. Like a really good hug. You can make this with the recommended gingersnap crust, or if you are hardcore Paleo, you could make it with an almond flour pie crust. Elana’s Pantry has a great one. Or you could even go crustless…scandalous! Gingersnap crust 2 cups of Gingersnap crumbs For this you will need 2 boxes Pamela’s Simple Bites Gluten free Gingersnapz (These are the best and only ones I’ve used, but you could try this with any gingersnaps). 6-8 Tablespoons of Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery spread Empty […]

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Paleo Caramel Apples : Dairy free, gluten free, refined sugar free

PlumJoyful — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 07:00:26 +0000

I LOVE caramel apples. Well really I love caramel, and I like apples. But something about the combination really works, and brings back many childhood memories. When I was a kid, on very special occasions, (mainly Halloween), my mom would buy these caramel discs that came on wax paper that you were meant to wrap around an apple to make caramel apples. I loved them so much I would generally just eat the discs straight off the paper before we could even get to making the apples. Hence my lifelong love of caramel began. When I went dairy free almost 15 years ago (Holy moly!), I mourned my beloved caramel. I could never find a dairy free alternative. About four years ago, while on an incredibly restricted diet to heal some autoimmune issues I was having, I discovered this caramel recipe out of sheer desperation. Necessity truly is the mother of invention. I NEEDED something that felt like a treat. I knew I could have coconut milk and I could have honey. I figured if cream and sugar made caramel, then couldn’t coconut milk and honey do the same thing? Luckily for me and for all of us it did! After a little […]

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The best chicken bone broth recipe : A healing elixir

PlumJoyful — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 05:44:42 +0000

Bone broth is having a moment, and rightly so. It has played a major role in the healing of my gut and immune system, and I am a true believer in it’s benefits. I talked about it in THIS post, but I thought that it really deserves its own page. People are catching on to bone broth’s healing properties and it’s starting to go mainstream. Bone broth is different from regular stock in that it is simmered for an extended period of time (from 6 to upwards of 24 hours), and is therefore extremely rich in flavor as well as nutrition. There is something so nourishing and healing about soup. We use it to heal ourselves when we are ill, or to warm ourselves when we’re cold. It is good for the body as well as the spirit. So for those who are curious about wether bone broth may help them, here is some more information on why bone broth is so good for you, as well as my own (and favorite) chicken bone broth recipe. Bone Broth Benefits Rich in collagen – Bone broth is a very rich source of collagen which helps keep skin healthy and glowing, as well […]

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Vegan Avocado Chocolate Mousse : A guilt free divine dessert

PlumJoyful — Mon, 19 Sep 2016 07:00:41 +0000

I love chocolate to an almost inappropriate degree. I consider it a dear friend. One I turn to when I’m feeling celebratory, or when I’m feeling sad. It’s always there with a warm, creamy, smooth embrace. But lately I am starting to wonder if my dear friend chocolate is more of a “frenemy” than a friend? I have a sneaking suspicion that my bestie chocolate likes that I need her so much. She gets really possessive. I mean god forbid I hang out with my other friends vegan vanilla cream or fresh fruit, she starts screaming in my ear like a banshee. This is textbook co-dependency. However, when I really thought about it, I realized why throw the baby out with the bath water? She has so many good qualities! She protects my heart, and keeps my skin good and reduces my stress. It’s not chocolate that’s the problem, it’s all her crappy friends that seem to follow her wherever she goes! For example, her friend Sugar might be the biggest, meanest B of them all. They say she’s “refined” as if that’s a good thing, ugh. If you read THIS post, you know how complicated my relationship with Sugar is. […]

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Turmeric Latte : A better way to start your day

PlumJoyful — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 07:00:26 +0000

The turmeric latte, also known as golden milk, is a healing, energizing, and anti-inflammatory alternative to our morning coffee. I was never a coffee drinker, but after having my daughter, and 20 months of sleep deprivation later, I am a devout double shot espresso drinker. I’m not particularly proud of this. Not because I think coffee is bad, in fact we now know that it has numerous positive health benefits. I’m not proud because I am addicted, and I don’t like that my body is relying on it. If I don’t have it I feel lethargic, achy, and have a headache. Not good. In addition, coffee can be very acidic, dehydrating and according to Dr. Mark Hyman “Habituation to caffeine decreases insulin sensitivity, making it difficult for your cells to respond appropriately to blood sugar. High blood sugar levels lead to arterial deterioration and increased risk of mortality related to cardiovascular disease.” So even though it is rich in antioxidants and has been shown to lower breast cancer, colon cancer and Parkinson’s risks, it can also increase inflammation in those who are sensitive to blood sugar and cortisol fluctuations. So I want to decrease my dependence on coffee, while also […]

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Strawberries and cream popsicles: Vegan and Paleo

PlumJoyful — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 12:00:20 +0000

The weather here in LA has been hot! We had scheduled work on our Air conditioning, and of course it coincided with this heat wave, so needless to say staying cool in our house has been a challenge. I wanted something cool and delicious, and since we always have coconut milk on hand, and we had a surplus of strawberries, this popsicle was born. It’s quick and easy to make, and the ingredients are clean and healthy so it’s the perfect treat for kids. It’s creamy, dreamy, and oh so good. What you will need 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk 1 1/2 cup fresh strawberries 2 Tablespoons maple syrup 1/2 tsp vanilla extract Little squeeze of lemon juice if you want to play up the tartness of the berries (optional) Popsicle mold I used THIS one. Directions Combine milk, 1 cup strawberries (saving half a cup to chop up), maple syrup and vanilla in blender. Blend until smooth. Chop the leftover 1/2 cup of strawberries. Place a spoonful of chopped strawberries in each popsicle mold. Pour liquid in to fill the mold. Place your sticks and lids on. Makes 4 popsicles, adjust recipe as needed for more popsicles. Freeze for […]

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Easy Mezcal Cocktail

PlumJoyful — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 07:00:40 +0000

Here at Plum Joyful we are dedicated to a healthy lifestyle. And although cocktails aren’t exactly healthy, moderation is and sometimes you just want a cocktail! Fourth of July is days away, the weather is warm, and the idea of a cocktail amongst friends underneath a sky filled with fireworks is too good to resist. I also have been wanting to learn how to make a proper cocktail, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity. I turned to cocktail specialist Leandro DiMonriva, owner of The Vintage Bar Company. Vintage Bar Company is a cocktail catering company specializing in high end custom cocktail menus. He suggested this Mezcal cocktail as a great companion to a balmy night of fire works. Mezcal is Tequila’s sexy, smokey cousin. This drink adds a little sweet and a little spice to the smoke for a complex delicious drink your friends will love. Not to mention the crisp summer taste of lime. It is also very easy to make as far as cocktails go. Mezcal Cocktail Ingredients 3/4 oz Fresh Lime juice 3/4 oz Honey Syrup (see recipe below) 2 oz Mezcal (1 1/2 if you want it less smokey) Cayenne Pepper to garnish Making the […]

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Grain free Berry Shortcake

PlumJoyful — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 07:00:14 +0000

The Fourth of July is fast approaching, and I want to share an easy and patriotic treat with you all. This Berry Shortcake is a healthier take on the all american OG Strawberry Shortcake. It’s light and delicious and is dressed in red white and blue. Wether your throwing a traditional barbecue, or a fancier Fourth of July affair, you can’t go wrong with this dessert. It is suitable for anyone on a gluten-free, dairy-free, Paleo, SCD or GAPS diet. It is not suitable for vegans because coconut flour requires egg as a binder. Sorry my vegan friends! More for you guys coming! For the rest of you, this is a must try dessert. So much yum. Berry Shortcake Ingredients 1/2 cup Coconut Flour 4 eggs 1/2 cup Grapeseed oil 1/2 cup honey (If your diet allows, you can use Agave for a more traditional vanilla cake flavor) 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 TBSP vanilla extract Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine wet ingredients and mix. Sift in dry ingredients and whisk well. Pour into silicone or paper cupcake cups. I prefer silicone because they are reusable and so easy to peel off after baking. Also with silicone […]

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Coconut milk whipped cream: Dairy free and Paleo

PlumJoyful — Fri, 24 Jun 2016 07:00:04 +0000

This coconut milk whipped cream is a simple and incredibly delicious whipped cream substitute. It is thick, creamy, oh so yummy, and will spruce up anything from ice cream (stay tuned for a great dairy free ice cream recipe) to simple strawberries. It takes all of two minutes to make and is paleo, SCD, GAPS, and vegan friendly for those on special diets. For vegans just substitute agave for the honey, or if you like sugar you can use coconut sugar. Here’s what you will need. INGREDIENTS 1 can full fat coconut milk or 1 can of coconut cream 1 Tablespoon honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract pinch of salt (optional) DIRECTIONS If you’re using a can of regular coconut milk ( FULL FAT, Lite will NOT work), you will need to leave it in the fridge for at least a day. The cold temperature will cause the cream to rise to the top. Because supermarkets are so cold, I often find that the coconut milk cans have already separated on the shelf. You can tell by picking it up and shaking it vigorously. If you don’t hear any liquid or sloshing then it’s already ready to go. If it […]

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The best coconut flour pancakes: Paleo Perfection

PlumJoyful — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:20:02 +0000

These gluten free, dairy free coconut flour pancakes are the bomb diggity. As you know if you read this post, I’m trying to give up sugar. Let me just say the struggle is real. Life at the moment is rather busy between a toddler (who doesn’t sleep, Oh joy!), work, a traveling husband, and all the other day to day rigmarole. Sugar is my go to fuel right now. Normally I stay away from refined sugar at all costs, but not having slept more than three consecutive hours for a year and a half has driven me to desperation. A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do ya know? So I caved to the sugar high and it continues to dig its powdery meat hooks into me on a daily basis. I have to give it up, but in my exhausted state I’m not prepared to go cold turkey. I need reinforcements! I need a gentle transition! I need healthy tasty treats/substitutions to ease me into this! So the plan is no refined sugar, but a little honey and maple syrup is A ok for the moment. These pancakes are saving my ass right now. They aren’t too high […]

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