That title is a mouthful, isn’t it? We’ve been plant based for over a year now and gluten-free for longer, but after being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease last spring our meals have had to be cleaner than ever. This is the first time in my life my food restrictions aren’t just by choice but out of necessity and there is no cheating, no “breaks” on Saturday- this is it. For this particular autoimmune disease, refined sugars (and any sugar in excess) causes inflammation, disrupts the balance of blood sugar, causes gut health problems and triggers autoimmune thyroid flares. To make it short and sweet, sugar is a no-no.

So here was my predicament. Autumn is such a sensory season. Pumpkin doughnuts, caramel apple spice, cinnamon rolls, maple scones, apple pie…i’m sorry if you’re drooling. You’re in good company. I just couldn’t picture autumn without all the delicious foods that hold my childhood memories. Most of all, I didn’t want my kids to be deprived of a “normal” life just because my “normal” has to change, but I also don’t want to pump them full of sugar because I know too much about it.

Enter Sweet Laurel. 

I’m not being dramatic when I say this cookbook has changed my life. I bought it because it was beautiful and I heard it was grain-free, but I had no idea Laurel has Hashimoto’s herself. Everything in the book is catered toward the healing diet I follow while being absolutely delicious. There are no grains, no refined sugars, no artificial anything, no yucky oils or binders…the core ingredients of every recipe are coconut oil, cocoa, 100% organic maple syrup, dates, and almond flour.

While I wish I could share every single recipe with you, here are the ones available on the Sweet Laurel Blog that I can’t wait to make this Fall:

pumpkin waffles with candied pecans and coconut whipped cream

This sounds so decadent and looks so delicious it’s taking everything in my power not to stop writing, head to the store, buy the ingredients and make these waffles this.very.second.

mini caramel apples.

I’m not a huge fan of caramel but there are few things as quintessentially autumn as the first bite of a caramel apple. This one is more for the kids than it is for me but I’m so excited to try it out!

pumpkin spice latte bread

I’m a sucker for anything with “bread” in the title. Add “pumpkin spice” behind it and you couldn’t pay me not to make this.

pumpkin nut milk.

This sounds truly scrumptious. (Did anyone else grow up watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang? Just us Singletary kids singing ‘toot sweet’ in our tank of a van?)

paleo energy bites

these are for simple snacking and made for all the mamas needing a healthy, energizing snacks on the go. Enough said!

raspberry thumbprint cookies

These feel so special. They’re a little more holiday than autumn but sometimes you just need to live life on the edge, you know?

If you eat a grain-free, refined sugar free diet, would you leave a comment with your favorite recipes so I can give them a try? If you haven’t tried this cookbook out, add it to your Amazon cart right away and get ready to enjoy your food again!