My local Natural Food Coop has been making a fiesta quinoa salad for years (10+). I ate it like crazy when it first showed up in the deli and would also pick some up for potlucks or for dinner. A few years ago I started making it myself. I remember it was a blistering hot summer, and for weeks it was over 100 degrees and I refused to turn on my oven for most of it. Like most summers, we live off of cool meals such as avocado mint soup, salads galore, raw treats and homemade ice cream. This quinoa salad is super refreshing and it’s a favorite among my family and friends. Maybe this dish will make an appearance at your next party…or for dinner one hot summer night. xo, –Amber Continue reading
Author Archives: Amber
Southwestern Quinoa Salad
Labels: allergy-friendly, grain free, salads, summer cuisine, vegan, vegetarian.
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Shea & Mango Butter Lotion (with video)
Hello friends. I’m super excited to share an amazing new lotion ingredient with you: mango butter! I am in love. Mango butter is a soft, non-greasy butter extracted from the mango kernel (not the meat) and it has a soft earthy scent. Here are just some of mango butter’s benefits: (1) it is rich in powerful antioxidants, vitamins (A, C, & E) and minerals that help reduce degeneration of skins cells (aka, fights wrinkles), improves elasticity of the skin, and offers protection again the sun’s UV radiation, (2) powerful anti-inflammatory agent, good for bug bites, rashes, wounds, scars, and poison ivy/oak, (3) beneficial for the scalp and hair, and (4) excellent for eczema, dry skin, and other skin conditions. Continue reading
Labels: Holistic healing, homemade beauty products, homemade remedies, how to.
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Almond Flour Blueberry Mini Muffins
Last year I finally bought myself a mini muffin pan…and I love it! I try to keep snack time creative and healthy for the kiddos and mini muffins were a perfect new addition. I love using almond flour for the muffins, as they are packed with protein. Any flavor combo is possible and I adore that they are easy to make, easy to pack, and easy to eat. Today I am sharing blueberry, as blueberries are in season and such a delightful little berry. I also use cherry, strawberry, or raspberry or any combo of each. The kids also love banana chocolate chip, which I will share soon. Have you ever made mini muffins? I am addicted! Continue reading
Labels: grain free, kids, muffins, Paleo, snacks, summer cuisine, summer treats.
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Winter Garden & How to Build a Basic Planter Box
I was so excited about our winter garden this year and wanted to share it with you! A while ago we made some new planter boxes (a super basic and easy design – see video below). I love doing a winter garden every year, as I have great success with peas, carrots, and lettuce. But this year I finally grew beets! And broccoli! And cabbage! and *sort of* onions/leeks. I garden in a fairly small space but still we have such fun and the kids LOVE it. I live in Northern California where we have mild winters and blazing hot summers. In fact, summer gardens around here go until early/mid November, then I switch over to the winter crops. But really, it’s never too late to start a garden…with a little research, you can find any crop to grow anytime of the year. Winter gardens are just so fun! Mother nature provides the rain and those delicious root veggies grow and grow in the frosty cold weather – lettuce thrives and the peas go crazy. And I love seeing all the green leaves popping up during those cold winter months. I’ve included some pictures for you of my gorgeous beets (first time growing!) and a few other winter crops. I’ve also included my video on how to build the simple planter boxes we use. Enjoy and let me know what you like to plant during the winter…or anytime. xo, Amber.





Orange Kissed Apple Pie
When I was a little girl I loved helping my Gramie make apple pie. She did not play around when it came to the apples. She piled them apples a mile high in a huge mound and placed the crust on top. When the pie cooked the apples settled and there was at least a 4 inch space from apples to the top of the crust. I will always remember how cool it looked. When she broke into the pie, the crust fell nicely onto the apples. What I loved most about her apple pie, however, was the filling. She made it thick and gooey. The liquid ran all over the place. The apples were tart yet sharp with sweet cinnamon flavor. I loved extra scoops of the apple pie liquid on my ice cream which was the ultimate flavor combo. We remember those we love through food. When I taste my apple pie it takes me right back to her kitchen – standing there next to her oven, smelling the cinnamon and drooling for that flaky crust. I’m happy to say I’ve perfected my version of her apple pie with a dairy, gluten, and cane sugar free spin. It’s comforting to smell, taste, and physically enjoy a memory. Food has a way of bringing us closer to those we have lost, and really, then, suddenly they don’t feel so far away. Continue reading
Labels: allergy-friendly, dessert, fall cuisine, holidays, pie, summer treats.
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Allergy-Free Wednesdays Week 120: June 4, 3014
Hello and welcome to Allergy-Free Wednesdays (AFW).
AFW is a weekly blog hop where folks can share their allergy-free cuisine, gain knowledge about allergy-related topics/issues, and connect with others living or caring for someone with food allergies.
Please read HERE for AFW guidelines before linking up. Thank you!





Allergy-Free Wednesdays Week 118: May 21, 2014
Hello and welcome to Allergy-Free Wednesdays (AFW).
AFW is a weekly blog hop where folks can share their allergy-free cuisine, gain knowledge about allergy-related topics/issues, and connect with others living or caring for someone with food allergies.
Please read HERE for AFW guidelines before linking up. Thank you!





5 -Ingredient Chocolate Free & Sugar Free Frosting
My son turned 5 years old yesterday! My kids are starting to look VERY BIG to me these days. I’m loving the independence each year brings, but I would love to hold them each again as a baby (until they start crying and pooping – the fantasy ends there). The teenage years will be here before we know it so I am ever reminding myself to treasure small moments and not let the silly stuff feel so big. Continue reading





Allergy-Free Wednesdays Week 117: May 14, 2014
Hello and welcome to Allergy-Free Wednesdays (AFW).
AFW is a weekly blog hop where folks can share their allergy-free cuisine, gain knowledge about allergy-related topics/issues, and connect with others living or caring for someone with food allergies.
Please read HERE for AFW guidelines before linking up. Thank you!





Allergy-Free Wednesdays Week 116: May 7, 2014
Hello and welcome to Allergy-Free Wednesdays (AFW).
AFW is a weekly blog hop where folks can share their allergy-free cuisine, gain knowledge about allergy-related topics/issues, and connect with others living or caring for someone with food allergies.
Please read HERE for AFW guidelines before linking up. Thank you!





Sounds delicious! Hope you’re getting some cooler weather today. We have a nice breeze over here today.
Thanks Emily. We are actually in San Diego on vacation. It’s so nice to be out of the smokey air. Much cooler here – very tropical (like Hawaii but less humid). I do love that Delta breeze we get though through the Sacramento valley. So nice!! Hugs to you.
This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing it on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, I’m featuring it this week 🙂
Awesome! Thanks for the feature. 🙂
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Have a great day and enjoy your new Red Plate.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Awesome!! Thanks so much for the feature Miz Helen! 🙂