Food Philosophy: Recipes and ramblings from a gluten-free naturopath

According to the groundhog, and to the calendar, we have about another month of winter and cold weather....I know!! It's no fun to think about spending that much longer in the deep freeze, but don't shoot the messenger.   I've got 3 fantastic hot drink recipes for you today that will warm your tummy and your soul during this last cold blast from Jack Frost! Let's begin with just the basics...Hot Cocoa!  I know that you can grab a packet to mix with water, or buzz down the road to Starbucks (unless you live in the middle of nowhere like I do and the closest one is 20 miles!), but nothing tastes as wonderful as a cup of homemade cocoa!  It's so rich and creamy and satisfying that it will(almost) make you wish that every day was a cold, snowy wintry day... Hot Cocoa Recipe: 1/3 cup cocoa 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 cup water 3 1/2 cups milk (use at least 2%, whole is the best!) 1/2 tsp. vanilla (optional) Combine sugar and cocoa in a medium saucepa...

I don't think there's ever a time that popcorn isn't the right choice for a snack!!  I love popcorn in every form...plain, with butter, Italian style, cheesy, caramel, spicy, hot from the popper or cold the next morning....you name it and I love it!! January 19th was National Popcorn Day (if anyone's interested).  I personally don't need a special day to entice me to make a batch of fluffy kernels and chow down.  But, since it was a special holiday set aside to celebrate this most wonderful of treats, I decided that I absolutely couldn't be left out of the celebration! I make a Caramel Corn that is so addictive....well, you think of the most addictive thing you've ever come across and then, multiply it by 1,000 and you'll come up with this yummy snack!  In fact, it's so sweet and so addictive that I've started only using 1/2 of the amount of caramel topping that I used to use because it was just too much!! So, here's the recipe in...