A cool spring rain storm came through the other night and made everything outside perfectly fresh and clean. I'm pretty sure heaven smells like the desert when it rains. It seemed like just the right time for nibbling something savory and simple. I just so happened to have some fresh artichoke that were just waiting to be eaten. There was a time I didn't use fresh artichoke because I wasn't really sure how to prepare or eat them. If you're like I was then here's a link to a quick video on how to prepare an artichoke. You can either leave it whole like in the video or cut it in half like I did. Either way works. The point regardless is to get to the meat at the ends of each spiky leaf and the nutritious heart in the middle and stem.Artichokes are one of the most underappreciated super foods. That's right, super food. Fresh artichokes are high in natural phytonutrient antioxidants, fiber, and folate (folic acid). Artichokes are also high in vitamin K, which aid in brain health as well as bone health. These thorny green veggies also supports healthy liver function, blood pressure, the immune system, and metabolic function.Now add all that natural artichoke goodness to this savory organic butter, tarragon, garlic, and lemony-hinted dip. I'll admit, I was that kid who used to just eat straight butter. When it's organic butter from free range cows with this kind of flavor...let's just say I may revert back to my childhood tendencies. It's so good! Remember, despite the fat-free craze that was pushed for so many years, new research supports a diet rich in healthy fats for weight loss and overall health. If you'd like to read about it here's a great research article to learn more.

Anything that can pack a full-sized punch of flavor into a miniature fit-in-one-hand package is bound to be a hit. These seasoned turkey burger sliders with caramelized onions and apples over melted provolone cheese on homemade gluten free rolls are perfect for a Labor Day barbeque or to kick off a new season of football. Making the rolls before hand makes this bitesized meal come together even quicker, too.Serve them along with some Fresh Veggie Southwestern Salsa and corn tortilla chips, Cantaloupe Caprese or Watermelon Bruschetta With Marinated Basil Cucumbers & Feta, and some GF Double Chocolate Brownies for dessert."Wait. Wait. Is this healthy party food you're suggesting?"YES! We humans are social eaters, but wouldn't it be awesome if no one had to make compromises when they got together with friends? Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy one anothers company while eating yummy food, and not feel sluggish, bloated or otherwise exhausted from the simple act of digestion?I didn't think I had any problem with how I ate until I did a little purification. Our house is gluten-free now, and although I can and do eat wheat when I'm out with friends, I've found that eating refined, bleached wheat and sugars makes me feel kind of sick. I never knew how much that stuff was effecting me until I stopped eating it.The point is, eating clean (unprocessed/unrefined) while accommodating food allergies doesn't mean you have to sacrifice taste or make 10 different meals. You can have the best of both worlds, trust me!For starters, having some gluten free rolls in the freezer ready for whenever is just a good idea. Gluten Free Quick Roll recipe coming soon! Now for the sliders...Using a nonstick skillet works best for turkey burger. I made the mistake of using my stainless steel pan and ended up scraping the bottom a lot. A nonstick will help eliminate that issue. Also I didn't bother coring the apples. I just rinsed, sliced, and popped out the seeds. Steaming them over the onions helps to soften any tough middle parts.Enjoy! 

 I get asked the question when people find out our family eats gluten free and minimal refined sugars, "So what do you eat? Vegetables?" Yes. Yes, we eat a lot of vegetables, but I promise there is so much more to food than wheat flours and sugar. There are so many more healthy options than "just vegetables" (although I do love me some vegetables.)Sometimes I have to get creative, but a lot of the time I just go with what's really simple. Here is my really simple, healthy, gluten free, sugar free, delicious snack or appetizer....Cantaloupe Caprese! It's the best when the cantaloupe is cold and sweet, the mozzarella is a little cooler than room temperature, and the basil is freshly picked. Skewer the cantaloupe, basil, and mozzarella onto a large toothpick or trimmed bamboo skewer. Bring to your next barbecue or get together for a yummy, healthy, and simple appetizer.Enjoy!  

 The first little sunburn of the year after an afternoon playing at the park reminds me that spring is coming to an end and summer is almost here. It also reminded me of this time a year ago, right after Miah was released from Primary Children's Hospital for Celiac crisis. They had just removed the PICC line that had been sending nutrients straight into her veins and she was finally gaining weight and eating again. My sweet neighbor at the time, Guilma - who also happened to be a chef and mother of a child with Crohn's disease - invited us over for a tea party and to teach me how to make some yummy gluten free dishes. She walked me through making tapioca rolls and spring rolls. We ate them all as we sipped raspberry tea sweetened with big globs of honey.  

  Need something quick and yummy for a get together? This is my go-to. It's super simple and is a great appetizer for your holiday dinner, a summer barbeque, or whenever. It's also a very tricky way to get your kids to eat their veggies since they can scoop them up with corn tortilla chips! (F.Y.I. just because it says "corn" chip, doesn't mean it's gluten free. Be sure to check where they were made or better yet, make your own out of some quinoa tortillas by adding a little extra coconut oil on the griddle and cooking them till they're crispy. Cut them in fourths and sprinkle with sea salt.) 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped 2-3 roma tomatoes, chopped 1 ripe avocado, pitted and chopped 1 bell pepper; red, green, yellow, or orange 1 cup frozen corn, thawed or grilled corn on the cob, corn cut off 1 green onion, sliced lime juice few sprigs fresh cilantro leaves dash or two smoked paprika sea salt and pepper to taste chili powder to taste This is such a simple throw-together that I never measure the spices. Just sprinkle, dash, stir, taste, and repeat until it tastes good to you. I chopped my veggies a little big, but chopping them smaller will make it a little easier to scoop.  This recipe was featured on Good Things Utah!  Enjoy!    

There's a little restaurant tucked into an old building off Main street in St. George called Cappalletti's.  The food was authentic and amazing!  As an appetizer I had the caprese bruschetta on a crispy baguette, which was the inspired for this delicious recipe!  An Italian classic served in a guten free way.

Appetizers are great because they're so versatile!  You can serve these savory meatballs at your next get together or as part of "finger food" night with your kids along with a Rosemary Hummus Snack Platter!  Plus, your kids and guests may not know how good for you these cute little meatballs are since they're blended with sweet potatoes which are naturally packed full of vitamins C and A, folate, calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals.