By Dr. Tim Cummings, PT, DPT
Editor's Note: This blog post was originally published on June 16, 2016. Happy #TBT everyone!
Food. We love food. If you are familiar with the Cummings family, this is as about as surprising as the sun rising in the morning.
However, given the various food sensitivities and health concerns I've developed over the years, it has taken some digging to find recipes that combine the joys of comfort food with the dietary needs my family and I have.
What follows is a shortlist of the great recipes we've tried and loved over the last quarter. We hope you enjoy them as much as we have. Feel free to add links below in the comments section and we will give some of your favorites a shot in our kitchen (they may even end up in this blog in a future quarterly review).
Here's the list:
BREAKFAST
Smoky Grits Casserole
If you're tired of bacon and eggs but still need a shot of protein on balance with healthy fats and clean carbohydrates, we've discovered this recipe from the folks at Power Athlete. This one sticks with you, and if you're a couple without kids, it will serve the two of you throughout the workweek.
Coconut Flour Pancakes
If it's Saturday morning in the Cummings household, you know pancakes are on the menu. This recipe is a great alternative for gluten-sensitive folks and tastes great with a little spread of nut butter and sliced bananas on top (my personal favorite way to prepare them).
DINNER (a.k.a. “Tomorrow’s Lunch")
Baked Chicken with Spinach and Artichokes
A super-simple one-pot recipe, minimal prep time, and great flavor. During the week, can you ask for more?
Andouille Spaghetti Squash Pie
A little more prep time (about 30 minutes) but this recipe is well worth it as there is nothing we've found that tastes closer to a pizza casserole without any milk or wheat. This is another great-tasting meal that can last several days if you serve it with a salad or veggie on the side.
Beefed Up Spanish Rice
Another great recipe from the folks at Power Athlete. Enough to feed a growing family of four for several days.
DESSERT (a.k.a. "The Most Important Meal of the Day”)
Katie over at Wellness Mama has produced two amazing dairy-free ice cream recipes that our family has simply destroyed on multiple occasions this summer.
Strawberry Coconut Milk Ice Cream
First, Strawberry Coconut Milk Ice Cream. Everything that strawberry ice cream should be, without the fillers.
Butter Pecan Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Second, for those looking for something a little richer, try Katie's Butter Pecan Ice Cream.
It's hard to describe how amazing this is (and I'm not one who usually lacks for words to describe food). You owe yourself to try it if you're a self-respecting ice-cream fan.
Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Brownies
Last, a recipe J.C. surprised me with for my birthday this year. These Dark Chocolate Raspberry Fudge Brownies made my eyes roll into the back of my head when I first tasted them. As both a discerning chocolate and brownie fan, these are at the head of the class in both categories. What's more, we've brought these to several friends and they have no idea these brownies are actually dairy and wheat-free.
We hope you have some fun trying these recipes! And feel free to share some of your favorite healthy comfort foods in the comment section below.