This is a family recipe that I have adapted to be gluten free and vegan. I had my oldest helper change this recipe a bit and she did most of the work too. My Mom tells the story of how she, as a kid, would come home and make this as a snack for the rest of the kids in her family. Maybe I am trying to recreate that! 

1/2 cup    Earth Balance or coconut oil
​11/2 cup  Brown Sugar
3/4 cup    Gluten Free All Purpose Flour (I use Cloud 9 or this recipe here)
1/2 tsp     Cinnamon
​3/4 cup    Oats *
2 Tbsp      Ground Flax seeds (mixed with 6 Tbsp of warm water)
1/2 tsp     Baking powder *
1/4 tsp     Salt
1 tsp        Vanilla
3/4 cup    Raisins
1/4 cup    Dried Cranberries
1/2 cup    Sliced Almonds
1/2 cup    Shredded Coconut (unsweetened) 


1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Mix coconut oil, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon and 1/2 cup gluten free all purpose flour until crumbly and blended. 
3. Press into a 8 x 8 square pan. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden brown.
4. Add ground flax to warm water and let sit.
5. Mix 1 cup sugar, 1/2 gluten free all purpose flour, oats, baking powder, salt, vanilla, raisins, dried cranberries, sliced
​     almonds and shredded coconut.
6. Pour over baked first layer and level as much as possible. 
7. Bake 30 minutes and cool before cutting into squares.

*gluten free if necessary.


Have a family recipe that you would love to adapt to suit your dietary needs? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future's Registered Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com 
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It's strawberry season (yay)! Strawberries always feel like summer to me. I couldn't be more excited to be partnered with California Strawberries to create a recipe. I like loaded muffin recipes and decided to create one that includes the goodness of strawberries. (AD) #Snackon8 #CaliforniaStrawberries

First, let's talk about strawberries. When it comes to Vitamin C, people usually picture an orange - did you know that a serving of strawberries (~8 whole strawberries) are an excellent source of Vitamin C, and contain more Vitamin C than an orange? They’re also a source of fibre and contain only 50 calories per serving – so they’re great for snacking! Plus they’re convenient and easy to eat, and hold up well in a lunch bag. Zero complaints from my kids when I pack them fresh California strawberries in their lunch. 

These muffins are both gluten free and vegan.


1 cup               Fresh California strawberries (Pureed)
1 1/3 cup         Gluten Free flour- I like this one here
1/2 cup            Cocoa powder (you can also sub this for carob powder)
1/2 cup.           Cane sugar
1/4 cup.           Almond flour
1/4 cup.           Hemp seeds
1 tsp.               Baking powder
1/2 tsp.            Baking soda
1/2 tsp.            Sea Salt
3/4 cup.           Unsweetened Vanilla almond milk
1/2 cup.           Apple sauce
1/3 cup            Avocado oil
1/4 cup            Maple syrup
1 tsp                Apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup            Chocolate or carob chips


1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Mix flour, cocoa or carob powder, sugar, almond flour, hemp seeds, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. Mix almond milk, apple sauce, avocado oil, maple syrup and apple cider vinegar in a separate bowl.
4. Blend strawberries and add to liquid mixture. It's okay if there are some strawberry lumps.
5. Add liquid mixture to flour mix.
6. Stir in chocolate or carob chips.
7. Fill muffin cups (I like to use a silicone muffin pan) and bake for 20-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. 


*Inspired by Sarah Bakes Gluten Free
Want more ideas of how to snack on strawberries? Contact Jill, Nurture The Future's Registered Dietitian at nf.nutrition@gmail.com