Gluten Free Avocado Toast

March 07, 2018 by Kristen McGowan in recipes

Recently, Avocado Toast is all I've been seeing on cafe menus! It has become such a popular and trendy thing to eat! But for good reason... it is a nutritious, filling, and healthy lunch option! The best part about it is, you can top avocado toast with virtually anything! Avocado is one of those magic ingredients that you can take from savory to sweet with just one change of toppings! I have seen beautifully topped, sweet avocado toasts with walnuts and honey, and savory avocado toast topped with tomatoes and egg! It never gets boring, it's always interchangeable, and most importantly always delicious!

This recipe is probably one of the most highly requested one I've ever made! It's the most classic and simple way to make the perfect avocado toast! It is my favorite go-to snack, lunch, breakfast, and sometimes even dinner! It's honestly good at all times of the day!

Ingredients

2 Slices gluten free whole wheat toast (I use Trader Joes brand)

1 Large ripe avocado

Olive Oil

Garlic Salt (I use Trader Joes garlic salt blend)

Black pepper

Cayenne pepper

This recipe definitely does not need to be made Gluten Free! But I do prefer to use gluten free bread because I find it has a crunchier texture compared to a regular whole wheat toast! It also holds the weight of the avocados better than the regular toast and gives you that difference in texture!

Instructions

Toast 2 slices of gluten free bread
Slice avocado in half and remove pit
Once bread slices are toasted, lightly drizzle olive oil on top of toast
Scoop out avocado halves and press half on one slice and half on the other
Using a fork, thoroughly press avocado until chunks are smooth
Sprinkle garlic salt and pepper to desired taste
If you enjoy a bit of a spice kick, lightly sprinkle cayenne pepper on top
Eat & enjoy :)

As I mentioned, I had many requests for this recipe since I know many of you have seen me make it in videos in the past, I hope you enjoy and can refer to it weekly! :)

PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BALLS - Gluten + Sugar + Dairy Free

March 03, 2018 by Kristen McGowan in healthy baking, recipes, baking

One thing many of us may have in common is, that we love snacks! Well... at least I hope so, because I literally look forward to my snacks everyday! The snacks in my house tend to be a whole bunch of different types of granola bars. They're easy to grab, good for on the go, and have such an enjoyable texture. The only downfall about them is... what's inside of them!

My boyfriend Christian, comes home with boxes of different types of granola bars, nut bars, and protein bars. After buying every "healthy" bar/snack we could find, I would still find ingredients on the back of wrappers that I wouldn't want to eat! I find every one of these "healthy" bars has excessive amounts of sugar and unwanted filler ingredients! So to free my mind from the worry and guilt of eating unhealthy snacks and ingredients, I decided to make my own!

Introducing my new recipe!

PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BALLS

They are practically a healthy granola bar rolled up into a ball! Perfect for snacking on the go!

You may be noticing a common theme with my recipes! I like to find my way around adding sugar, adding dairy, and gluten! To be honest, I do not have any dietary restrictions... but somehow removing these ingredients makes me feel like I am eating a "healthier" snack! These energy balls definitely are healthier than your average granola bar! They use whole ingredients, superfoods, and no filler ingredients! AND they are so delicious, you'll want to eat all 24 of them at once!

The best part about them is they are SUPER quick to whip together, you don't need too many ingredients to make them, and you can swap out or add any ingredients you like!

I love making recipe posts... just to remind everyone that baking doesn't have to be fatty, buttery, and sugary! It can still be yummy, easy, exciting... all while giving your stomach and mind some peace!

Ingredients

*makes 24 energy balls*

2 Cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats

1 Cup Organic Peanut Butter or Almond Butter (zero added sugar)

1/2 Cup Organic Honey

2 Tbsp Chia Seeds

1/3 Cup Flax Seeds

1 Cup Coconut Shavings

1 Tbsp Hemp Seed Hearts

1/2 Tbsp Cinnamon

1/4 Cup Cacao Nibs (or mini chocolate chips)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients
Mix ingredients until mixture is tacky and thick
Refrigerate mixture for 10 minutes until cool. This makes it easier to roll into balls
Using an ice cream scoop/kitchen spoon, scoop mixture and roll into ball form
Place energy balls onto parchment paper lined baking sheets
Put the energy ball filled baking sheets back in the refrigerator over night to chill
Once fully chilled, place balls in a container or tin to keep for the week!
Eat & Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and can reference it weekly to make your own homemade, healthy, energy balls!

Let me know down below if you try this recipe & what you think of it :)

PALEO CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

September 14, 2017 by Kristen McGowan in healthy baking, recipes, baking, gluten free baking

I have tried so many gluten free + sugar free cookie recipes in my life and I swear they all come out tasting like sand (thanks to the coconut flour). The texture is so important when making a good chocolate chip cookie, and I think this recipe nails it right on the head!

They are low in sugar and carbohydrates, and don't contain any gluten! They are SUPER easy to make and take no time at all! I made them for our house the other evening.. and lets just say I should have doubled up on the ingredients because they were gone before morning!

Below you will find the the recipe to these chewy and deliciously healthy chocolate chip cookies!

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies - Kristenmcgowan.com

Ingredients

1 egg slightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup coconut oil melted & cooled (or canola/vegetable oil)

1/2 cup coconut sugar

1 cup almond flour

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F
In a large mixing bowl, add in lightly beaten egg, coconut oil (canola/vegetable oil), coconut sugar and vanilla extract. Mix together until everything is combined
Add almond flour, coconut flour and baking soda. Mix until combined ingredients turn into a smooth dough texture (will not be your typical chocolate chip cookie dough colour or texture).
Pour in dark chocolate chips and mix.
scoop cookie dough out of mixing bowl and roll into small balls (dough will be very sticky). place on baking sheet and press down to flatten.
Once tray is full, place on middle oven rack to bake.
Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Once finished, carefully take cookies out of oven and let cool before serving.

Enjoy :)

Let me know if you are going to try and bake them yourself!