Laurel Greene

It got me thinking about real food and why that’s good for us. I’m guessing I’m like you: I want to feel my best, be my strongest. And I don’t want to spend a lot of time fiddling in the kitchen. For our bodies, the best fuel is real food and it’s the easiest to prepare.

Building on 800 years of tradition, Aiya now brings you Matcha To Go Sticks. Snap open a matcha stick, pour it into a bottle of pure cold water and give it a shake. It’s that easy. With matcha sticks, you get the benefits of premium whole-leaf tea in a powder. So one cup of matcha contains ten times the nutritional and antioxidant values of regular green tea. Healthy and naturally gluten-free, matcha is a refreshing thirst-buster for your workday or your workout. You can also enjoy it as a hot beverage and in smoothies. Check Aiya’s website for recipes.

aiya-america.com, 310-212-1395

A powerhouse of protein, Kañiwa is a heritage grain that provides a fully balanced meal when paired with vegetables. This unique seed, which is half the size of quinoa, is crunchy and earthy in flavor, a perfect side. It also makes a tasty, textured addition to soups, salads and stir fries. A product of Peru, offered by Zócalo Gourmet, Kañiwa is naturally gluten-free, satisfying and delicious. Prepared like rice in 30 to 40 minutes.

zocalogourmet.com, 425-398-9761

Harvest Stone’s new Crispy Mix gives you reason to celebrate. Pretzels, crackers and chips are tossed together for flavor and fun in the first certified gluten-, wheat- and cholesterol-free snack mix on the market. High-quality gluten-free whole grains and seeds are blended with mouth-tingling spices in Bold, Cheese and Original flavors. Gotta love that the mix has 40 percent less fat than regular potato chips.

harveststonesnacks.com, 800-896-2396

Protect your skin and baby it against the harsh elements of everyday living. If you have sensitive skin, you know what you need—no artificial fragrance or colors, no chemical irritants. Take a close look at everclen, a personal care product line from Home Health. Clinically tested (not on animals) to be non-irritating and hypoallergenic, everclen is non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan friendly. It won’t clog your pores and will keep your face feeling soft, clean and fresh. Facial cleanser, toner, face cream and more provide a complete program of care for sensitive skin.

everclen.com, 855-646-0794

From beets tied with pearls on the cover to the culinary gems inside, Living Luxe Gluten Free (Salut Studio) by Michelle Lee shows that you can live large and eat well without gluten. You’ll find over 110 exceptional, upscale recipes—appetizers like Truffle Popcorn, desserts like Velvet Devil Cupcakes, entrees and even a cocktail section. Each recipe comes with a chart that displays level of effort, prep time and pairings. Beautiful photos make this little book even more impressive.

Little ones love to eat finger foods starting with cereal “Os.” Love Grown gives them the opportunity to practice on a wholesome and tasty cereal that’s gluten-free. Strawberry Power O’s have natural strawberry flavor and purple carrot color, along with a powerful bean and brown rice blend and a bit of dried cane syrup for sweetness. Power up your morning with Power O’s in Chocolate, Honey and Original, too. Free of GMOs, high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils.

lovegrownfoods.com, 855-328-5683

It’s said that Aztec warriors were nourished by chia. These tiny seeds are a superfood packed with Omega-3s, protein, calcium, iron, zinc, fiber and antioxidants. A delicious way to enjoy chia and a host of other fab ingredients is Mamma Chia Vitality Granola. Gluten-, soy- and dairy-free, one bowl in the morning provides 10 grams of protein, 1500 mg of Omega-3s and plenty of gluten-free whole-grain fiber. Wild Blueberry, Vanilla Almond and Cinnamon Pecan clusters offer healthy, wholesome variety.

mammachia.com, 855-588-2442

Jennifer Katzinger shares healthy and delicious recipes in Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family: Nutritious Plant-Based Meals and Snacks Everyone Will Love (Sasquatch Books). Her sandwich bread on page 7 is a tasty clue to the theme of this cookbook—easy, flavorful and nutritious. Make your own nut milks and the nut cheeses will follow! Amazing muffins, power-packed snacks and simple yet sophisticated one-course meals, like kebabs and cassoulets, are topped off with inspired desserts.

Aviva Kanoff presents Gluten Free Around the World (Brio Books). This creative cookbook is a combination of recipe box, travel log, diary and postcard. Tantalizing pictures accompany favorite foods from “locals.” That translates into delicious local recipes from all corners of the earth—Ecuador to India, Vietnam to Scotland. We’re talking an amazing variety of dishes, like bhurtha (curried roast eggplant), fish tacos with creamed corn, Irish apple cake. Basic ingredients, creative spices, easy instructions, global cuisines, delicious results.