By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
Searching for new ways to get veggies into your little one? Let’s get bakin… Buckwheat Zucchini Muffins (suitable for 12 mos and beyond) While buckwheat is commonly referred to as a cereal grain, it is actually a fruit seed. It is in… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
This recipe has the taste of a slow cooked stew, but it only takes about 35-40 mins. I used red lentils, which are very small, making them fast to cook and very soft. I make a double batch so I have some left over… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
Forbidden rice is a black rice from Asia rich in both taste and nutritional value. It is so named because it was considered the Chinese Emperor’s rice, and anyone else was forbidden to eat it. It has a rich, nutty flavor. Forbidden rice is a… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
These vegetable pancakes are like hash browns, but are filled with so much goodness. Unlike potatoes, these patties will not spike your glucose (ie. lower on the glycemic index). They are colorful, meaning they are rich in antioxidants. Always aim to eat lots of colorful… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
Need a boost? Top your food with these items and turn your food from just so-so to super! 1. Ground flax seed- Add 1-2 tbsps to your favorite soups, salads, sauces, yogurt, oatmeal and cereal. Grind them in a coffee grinder to… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
It is best to introduce solid food at 6 months. It is optimal to avoid grains and cow dairy for the first year of your child’s life. Why, you ask? It really comes down to human physiology and anatomical (intestinal) development. Babies GI systems are… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
Is your little one hungry before bed? Maybe he didn’t get enough protein today… Or it was a challenge to get him to eat his veggies today…if so, a green smoothie is the perfect “last snack.” Try a smoothie packed full of… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
Baking with nut flours adds lots of satisfying protein and heart healthy fat to your baked goods in addition to cutting down on carbs. These muffins are low on the glycemic index (ie. diabetic friendly) and gluten-free! And one more bonus- they… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
One of my favorite sayings, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” is getting renewed interest lately. Functional foods are defined as any healthy food claimed to have health-promoting or disease-preventing properties beyond the basic function of supplying energy or calories. Today,… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
A gluten-free, dairy-free (cow dairy, that is) lifestyle does not have to mean bare cabinets. Here are some essentials to help you and your family stay healthy without going hungry. Veggies Any fresh veggie is a healthy one- my favorites include… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
Heart Disease is the number one cause of death. And it’s preventable! The most common heart disease in the US is coronary artery disease presenting as a heart attack. February is National Heart Month so it’s time to take steps to prevent… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
Just because you want to lead a healthy organic lifestyle does not mean that you can’t indulge in something sweet every once in awhile. Growing up my mom always had cookies or brownies baking in the oven. There is nothing wrong with… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
As a naturopathic doctor, I frequently ask people if they have any food cravings. Food cravings can reveal a lot about your health. Food cravings can be both emotionally based, but they can also tie into your physical health. Like physical symptoms, food cravings give… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
Cece and I made these today after I picked her up from daycare. They were celebrating a birthday at daycare with chocolate cupcakes, and since Cece couldn’t have one (we are trying to be strictly gluten-free with her lately), I told her we’d make some… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
In honor of Mother’s Day, this post is for all you tired mamas out there that need a an natural boost! Maca is a plant native to the Andes, revered for its many nutritional and medicinal properties. Maca is a true super-food, for it… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
I recently discovered a recipe for “Vanilla Pops” in Cece’s Highlights magazine. Usually these recipes are not even worth glancing at, but this one looked decently healthy (once manipulated a bit) and delicious. Popsicles are an obvious favorite when its hot outside… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
These nut and seed balls are a great vehicle to pack in nutrients. They are full of protein and essential nutrients, such as vitamin E, zinc (good for the immune system), and magnesium. They are also full of essential fatty acids, particularly… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
Sometimes you just have a craving for some tasty comfort food…like lasagna. But if you are like me, you want a dish high in protein and veggies and not high in gluten, or empty carbs for that matter. So here is a delicious recipe that… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 24, 2014
Pesto is my favorite summer spread. And it does not need to contain dairy to be delicious. Follow this recipe below for a quick and easy dairy-free pesto. The nutritional yeast is in place of cheese, giving it a creamy (and not to mention a… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
Coconut is a super-food. It is not only delicious, but it also has many health promoting properties. Here are 5 reasons to indulge in the tropical fruit. 1. In the past, coconut has gotten a bad rap due to its saturated fat intake. Saturated fat… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
This soup is divine. I whipped it up in less than an hour, and the whole family devoured it. Cece kept saying, “mmmm….this is good, mama!” That kind of response to a healthy meal makes my day. It is a complete meal,… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
My brother called me and wanted to know some healthy snack ideas ideal for people on-the-go and for the not-so-skilled in the kitchen. So here ya have it- power snacks appropriate for all ages and all lifestyles. A healthy snack always includes protein. This will… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
After a lot of traveling and the usual hustle-and-bustle of the holidays, my family is feeling a bit under the weather. My 3-year-old daughter and husband have a cough and a cold, and I am feeling a tickle in my throat on the verge of… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
If you and your family have a hankering for something sweet, You MUST try these. Including strange yet healthy items in baked goods/sweets and then knocking people’s socks off when they taste it and you reveal the secret ingredient makes my day. Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
According to our natural circadian rhythm, morning is a time when we should feel most energized…but that is not the case for a lot of people. If you are feeling sluggish in the AM and are relying a bit too heavily on… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
Ginger root is one of my most favorite herbs. It adds pungency and spice to foods; it is a nutrition all-star; and I think I am partial to it because of my 3 beloved gingers at home- Chris, Cecelia and Louisa! It’s very… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
This is the easiest and most desired dinner dish at our house. Cece commonly requests “pink lentils” for dinner. Red lentils (or to cece, pink) are one of my most favorite to cook with because they are quick-cooking and kids seem to love them. I… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
I’ve been baking more with blackstrap molasses. I like it because it is a natural sweetener rich in minerals, especially iron. I included pumpkin seeds and raisins in this recipe too- other iron-rich foods. So with the combination of the molasses, raisins and pumpkin seeds… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
Nothing is more comforting than pizza! Dinner is never a battle when it’s pizza night! I have been playing around with using veggies as crusts. The zucchini one is AMAZING! It’s sort of like a quiche as the crust, and then when you top it… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
Delicious sauces are a great way to get kids to eat their not-so-favorite vegetables. Cece will eat broccoli, sweet potatoes and spinach plain with no problem. But cabbage and brussel sprouts are a different story. Here are some nice toppers to encourage your little one… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
Teff is my favorite gluten-free, whole grain baking flour. Teff is an ancient Ethiopian grain, tiny in size but packed with nutrients. It’s higher in protein than wheat and has a high amount of calcium, and thiamin (a b vitamin). AND it… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
Most kids (and adults!) love peanut butter and sweet potato…so why not combine them for a healthy dinner? This recipe is reminiscent of an African peanut stew. It is rich in protein and best of all, flavor! So it is sure to leave you satisfied. Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
This quinoa salad is protein-packed, keeping you full and satisfied for hours. It makes for a great lunch. Make a big bowl of it at the beginning of the week and package it up for an easy, delicious on-the-go lunch at work. This salad… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 16, 2014
This pesto is one-of-a-kind! It is packed with flavor AND nutrients- lots of antioxidants, minerals (iron and calcium), chlorophyll (a detoxifying component of green leafies) and omega-3 fatty acids. The pesto is dairy-free, but trust me, you won’t be missing the cheese! I add… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJuly 8, 2014
Curry powder is full of tasty goodness. It has a kick to it, which is complemented by the sweetness of the blueberries and currants. Curry powder contains turmeric, which is a potent anti-inflammatory. And the blueberries are full of cancer-fighting antioxidants. This dish is sure… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 23, 2014
IN THE PRESS: This recipe was featured in Natural Awakenings Magazine in 2022 If you are not familiar with miso, you are missing out! Aside from your traditional miso soup available at sushi restaurants, there are many other uses in your kitchen. It… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 23, 2014
These cookies are grain-free, dairy-free and refined-sugar free. They contain all the goodness of sweet potatoes, including potent antioxidant, Vitamin A. Vitamin A is fat soluble so in order to utilize this beneficial nutrient, you need some fat in your meal or dish. This recipe… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 23, 2014
These make a nice alternative to your everyday beef or veggie burger. They are packed full of protein and best of all FLAVOR! I used the kale walnut pesto to flavor these lean mean lentil machines. If you or your family are not fans… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 23, 2014
These make a great after-lunch snack or desert. I love making fruit and nut/seed balls with my girls. We have fun getting our hands sticky while rolling the mixture into balls, licking the bowl and eating the finished product together. These are packed… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 23, 2014
This dish is super satisfying. Creamy, savory and sweet all in the same bite. I especially like it because of the nutrition is provides. Lulu, my 9 month old, devoured it (despite it having a bit of a spicy kick to it). The coconut provides… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 4, 2014
I have been baking with coconut flour a lot these days. I like it because it is grain-free so it is well-tolerated even by those who have problems digesting and metabolizing grains. And in general, I am a big fan of coconut– coconut flakes, coconut… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 4, 2014
Cece and her grandmother, “Mimi,” planted collard greens this summer. They have flourished over the past couple months, and my go-to recipe for these greens are collard wraps. I’ve been experimenting with different fillings, and I especially like this one (see below). The… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 4, 2014
This takes less than 2 minutes to make. Once you combine the ingredients you chill it for a couple hours and voila-you have a nutrient-packed super pudding! Kids LOVE this! It makes a nice energy-packed breakfast, snack or desert. I often speak about super… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 4, 2014
Healthy Holiday Recipe: Black bean, sweet potato enchiladas This is a delicious entrée ideal for entertaining. It can be made the night before and it travels well, so it’s great for a holiday party or a potluck. It is vegetarian but is sure… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 4, 2014
This recipe was inspired by one of my patients. I always love learning healthy recipes and tips from my patients! This smoothie recipe makes an ideal breakfast- packed full of blood sugar stabilizing protein, antioxidant rich pumpkin, seeds for essential micronutrients and fiber,… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 4, 2014
These cookies are made with almond flour, making them not only gluten free but also grain-free. Almond flour is packed full of protein and essential fat. For more on cooking with nut flours, see my previous post. I get my almond flour at Trader… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 4, 2014
Cereal is not a healthy breakfast food. As a general rule of thumb, if it comes from a box it is not real food. I am always suggesting my patients (and friends and family!) to eat REAL food. By this I mean substance from the… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 4, 2014
Hemp hearts are my new favorite plant-based protein source. Hemp contains all 10 essential amino acids. Hemp also provides a nice balance of essential fats. Hemp hearts (or seeds) are a complete protein, providing 10 grams protein per 3 tbsp. Adding hemp hearts to oatmeal… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onJune 4, 2014
The most common thing I hear from people when I ask if they like quinoa is, “Eh…it’s ok.” Rather than boiling a batch of plain old quinoa, try this recipe. It’s something to get you excited about this ancient grain. This recipe makes about 15-20… Read More
By Sarah Axtell, ND onNovember 29, 2013
During the dry, cool winter months, warm, moist, spiced foods are recommended to ground and replenish the body. Since there is less moisture in the air, your body requires more moisture from food. Eating soups and stews with warming spics, such as ginger and turmeric,… Read More