paleo — Blog — Melody Lyons

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My last three babies have received the most benefit from my healthy dietary changes. They were gluten and garbage food free in the womb, through the duration of nursing, and only very slowly did junk food come into their lives after that. It's always a little sad when that happens. And... it usually happens at Grandma's house... as it should be!

For two of the three, their introduction to the world of sweets came at their first birthday party. Who is going to deny that sweet face a piece of birthday cake and ice cream??

But I just couldn't do it this time. Soon enough, he will be sneaking sugared orange gummy candies out of Grandma's candy jar. But not yet.

So I made him a little cake that I knew would nourish him and wouldn't end up making him feel crummy at his own birthday party. It's paleo, gluten free, and obviously delicious.

The rest of my kids were not as excited about a non-sugar birthday party so I broke down and made our favorite junk food box mix cake for them. We were at Grandma's after all. But I shared the baby's cake with him and we were just as happy as the little sugar fiends hopping all around us.

The Essential Paleo Carrot Cake is not only a healthy treat for the littles but also happens to be MY birthday cake of choice! The frosting recipe is a light and refreshing paleo coconut cream. Or you can just cover your cake in berries like my daughter did for my birthday (below). But if you don't mind some dairy and a sugar splurge, the traditional cream cheese frosting is a great option.

This is my favorite brand of coconut milk because it doesn't have any ingredients other than pure coconut milk and water. Coconut Milk

This recipe makes two 9-inch rounds or 24 cupcakes. To make a little smash cake, bake your cake as directed and cut a smaller cake out of the center (one or two layers... one layer is pictured above). I used a bowl as a guide and cut around with a sharp knife before frosting. Do what you like with the outside edge scraps. I freeze them for an amazing breakfast treat.

The Essential Paleo Carrot Cake

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Anyone who is on a restricted diet for any reason, knows the challenges of eating well while living an active and free lifestyle. This is primarily because most commercial food providers don’t deviate from the standard American diet and customers don’t demand it.

So the challenge is finding sources that provide beautiful food in every respect; to keep the joy in eating as well as help the consumer stay on a healthy path in life.

I have been a gluten-free clean eater for five years and Sweetpotato Awesome products are still my hands down favorite. Absolutely no question about it. It has been over a year since I first reviewed these delicious treats and they still holds the number one status on my growing list of resources. I would eat Sweetpotato Awesome just as often as I have it in my hands. I would be happy to receive it as a gift on my birthday. Yes... it's that good.

Super crunch that we gluten-free peeps so often miss.
Exceptional flavor
Nutrient dense
Clean, organic ingredients that can be counted in the single digits.

On top of all that, Sweetpotato Awesome was created by entrepreneur, Joshua Kingdon, who is a man of true integrity and excellence. If there's one thing I love more than food (??), it's supporting small business and the hearts and souls behind a product.

What is my favorite flavor?

I'm sorry... I cannot choose. Each one I tried became my new favorite and then, after I finished the last one, I'm pretty sure I missed them all equally. I may have a slight preference for the flavored because I love the beneficial and taste qualities of herbs and feel like I’m eating my way to good health!

Dill and Garlic
Sea Salt
Cinnamon
Dill ,Garlic and Chipotle
Sea Salt Fries
Sea Salt Bits

Remember, these are not chips, they are SLICES... of organic freeze dried sweetpotatoes goodness prepared with organic, nutrient dense ingredients. There are so many ways to eat them... check out the website for ideas.

Don't balk at the price. It reflects the quality and goodness of what is in these bags! It also reflects the blood, sweat, tears, and regulatory hoops that entrepreneurs must jump through in order to be awesome.

I used to feed my toddlers fish crackers. Now that we are gluten free, I don't intend to replace processed junk with gluten free processed junk from Walmart. Junk is junk.

But Sweetpotato Awesome?

Baby loves these. Mama is happy. Please visit the Sweetpotato Awesome site to get your own... (and put another bag in the cart for me).