A GLUTEN FREE EASTER

I love tradition, holidays, family gatherings and FOOD, but when I learned that I had a severe gluten intolerance almost 6 years ago, I thought everything would have to change.

What would Christmas be like without my mom's homemade gnocchi and meatballs, or Thanksgiving without stuffing, or Easter without my aunt's famous pineapple bake???

Now, I understand that holidays and family gatherings are about so much MORE than just food, but I don't know if I was thinking rationally at the time and often found myself going "back to gluten," each time feeling worse and worse.... UNTIL I realized that I could learn to adapt recipes for special occasions!!

I will admit that much of gluten free baking is still trial and error (boy, have I had my share of errors), but it IS possible to make (or find) some of your old favorites to meet your new lifestyle.

That being said... I try to reserve gluten free baking for special occasions, holidays, or the random snow day only, and same goes for gluten free processed cookies, doughs, etc... choosing to get the majority of my nutrition from whole foods - fruits, veggies, nut butters, oils, eggs, lean meats, eggs, brown rice, yams... you get the idea!

If you're still wondering what to bring to Easter brunch or dinner tomorrow, read on for 2 recipes that can be made from start to finish with minimal ingredients.

Note: I would not consider the Pineapple Bake "clean" by any means, but it is gluten free and a once-a-year-only treat!  The Peanutty Butter Squares are clean, but just keep in mind portion control! ;-)

Gluten Free Pineapple Bake
Ingredients:

• 1 loaf Udi's White Gluten Free Bread (found in freezer section at grocery store), defrosted to room temperature
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 cup of sugar
• 6 eggs
• 2 cans of crushed pineapples

How To:

1. Preheat oven to 350*
2. ​Cut bread into small cubes, place in a large bowl.
3. Cream the sugar and butter together in a separate bowl.
4. Whisk the eggs.
5. Pour the sugar/butter mixture, eggs, and crushed pineapple over the bread.
6. Toss until bread is entirely coated.
7. Transfer the mixture to a greased 11x14 baking dish.
8. Bake for about 45 minutes.
9. Let cool.
10. Serve and enjoy!

Peanutty Butter Squares (from the Fixate Cookbook)
Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups peanut butter
• .5 cups maple syrup (or raw honey)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 large eggs (at room temperature)

How To:

1. Preheat oven to 350*
2. Lightly coat 8×8-inch baking pan with spray. Set aside.
3. Combine peanut butter, honey, extract, eggs, and baking soda in a large bowl; mix well.
4. Evenly spread batter into prepared pan. Smooth top with a spatula.
5. Bake 20 to 23 minutes. Squares may be a little soft when coming out of the oven, but they will continue to cook.
6. Let cool.
7. Serve and Enjoy!

I'll be honest, these are one of the BEST clean treats I've EVER made, and I can tell you, I've tried A LOT of different recipes!  It's sweet, but not too sweet.  And it's 21-Day Fix approved!!!

Definitely a win in my book!
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​The FIXATE cookbook was developed by Autumn Calabrese, the creator of the 21-day fix and the 21-day fix extreme to help adapt to portion controlled clean eating included within the nutrition guide from the program while thinking outside the box a bit with some great new recipe combos that won’t leave you missing out on the old comfort foods!

She includes everything from Vegan to Gluten Free to Paleo and Vegetarian broken down by  breakfasts, main dishes, sides, snacks, shakeology and of course deserts!

As I mentioned above, the FIXATE cookbook was created in connection with the 21-day fix and 21-day fix home DVD workout programs. The portion control system is also applicable to the Insanity Max:30 workout program, CIZE!, Hammer and Chisel and the NEW 22 Minute Hard Corps program!!  I run monthly wellness groups to help others get started with healthy living including regular exercise, meal planning, eating clean etc… and to also to stick to it and hold yourself ACCOUNTABLE to your health and fitness goals!