Gluten Free, Healthy, Delicious Desserts

Cortney Smith of Sage Whole Foods

As a gluten free chef, I am always on the lookout for desserts that fit into our lifestyles. While swiping through instagram a few months back, I found a company in Redding, CA that was making treats within the parameters of the paleo diet and lifestyle. The company is Sage Whole Foods, whose products are all made without soy, gluten, dairy. The company is the creation of Cortney Smith, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who says, “You can satisfy your sweet tooth without compromising your health.”

After speaking with Cortney and ordering her delicious items myself, I couldn’t wait to share a little about her!

Cortney was a college athlete when she discovered the importance of quality, whole foods in her diet and how daily food choices impacted her overall health and performance. Her interest grew and led her to pursue a degree in Dietetics at the Olivet Nazarene University.

Real, whole foods that taste good

As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, she taught nutrition at the university level, spent the past several years developing recipes and healthy alternatives while growing an e-commerce business with her husband. As a wife and mother, Cortney became passionate about discovering how to make real, whole foods that taste good for her family and friends. This past year, Cortney started Sage Whole Foods, a snack and dessert food company that offers organic, gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free treats. She is continually inspired to create and provide healthy alternatives  for those who want to enjoy delicious treats without compromising their health.

Sage Whole Foods offers simple, quality whole food desserts and snacks that are convenient with your health in mind. All the treats are available  at several Redding locations, by the dozen  for purchase online, and in bulk for your next party or event. Each product is made with the highest quality ingredients that are organic, whole food derived, and sweetened only with raw honey, pure maple syrup, coconut sugar or pure monk fruit. The treats use no gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, GMO ingredients, processed sugars, sugar alcohols or cane sugar.

Right now you can pick up organic power balls, dessert bars, cookies and gourmet chocolate truffles. The Cashew Cookie dough is one of my favorite gluten free desserts.

You can  order items from Sage Whole Foods online, from My Oven’s Meals online, or pick up their treats at several locations in Redding, including Asis Juicery, Hebrews Coffee, The Stirring Coffeehouse, The Station, and River Rock Cafe.

More local options in the North State

In Mt. Shasta, Berryvale Natural Grocery and Cafe always has lots of gluten-free, healthy options for desserts, sides and snacks.  Among the many choices in Chico are the Upper Crust Bakery and Cafe, Om Foods, Lovely Layers Cakery and Tin Roof Bakery and Cafe.

Sage Whole Foods Dessert Recipe Book coming this summer

Cortney is currently creating  Sage Whole Foods Dessert Recipe Book, planned to launch this summer. The book will feature 15 classic and simple dessert recipes — all healthy, gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free.

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Sage Whole Foods

Serves 8-12

Crust:
• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1 cup almond flour
• ⅔ cup coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Filling:
• 2 cups raw cashews, soaked (for 6-8 hours in water)
• 1 cup coconut cream, (canned)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• ¼ teaspoon monk, pure sweetener powder (NuNaturals)
• ¼ cup peanut butter (add more to your liking)

Topping:
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• ½ cup 100% cacao chocolate bar or chips
• drizzled peanut butter
• sprinkled chocolate chip pieces, chopped fine

Directions:
1. Mix all crust ingredients together and spread in an 8″ cheesecake springform pan.
2. Bake crust at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or until slightly brown.
3. Place baked crust into the freezer, while prepping the filling.
4. Drain and rinse the soaked cashews. Add cashews + remaining filling ingredients into blender. Blend until smooth texture.
5. Take crust out of freezer and add filling on top of it.
6. Melt coconut oil + chocolate together until smooth, drizzle on top of filling. Drizzle peanut butter and sprinkle chocolate.
7. Place in freezer for 4-6 hours, or overnight.
8. Enjoy!
*keep stored in the refrigerator for 2 weeks or freezer for up to 3 months