The Ultimate Foodie Gift Guide

Healthy food lovers, aspiring chefs, eco-friendly...we have it all!  

1. Mini Waffle Maker - pair with quick waffle mix or a homemade waffle mix and this would be the cutest gift!

2. Vitamix - Complete splurge but I use mine just about every day! True investment if you love to make smoothies, soups, ice cream, plant-based milk, flour, etc.

3. Food Processor - Everyone needs a processor! I use this one just as much as the Vitamix.

4. Chef Knife - A good chef knife is essential! I bought this one a couple years back and have only sharpened it once! It’s also a splurge but you can usually get this one on sale!

5. Glass Food Storage Containers Set - I have been using these for years and still in good condition! They are glasslock, BPA free, oven safe, and microwavable. Great for the meal prepper!

6. Instant Pot - Pretty much self-explanatory. Currently on my Christmas wish list!

7. Stainless Steel Drinking Straws - Why pollute the planet with plastic straws when you can get these reusable drinking straws?! Great as a stocking stuffer!

8. Cast Iron Skillet - Because it’s a sin if you don’t have one!

9. Morning Beautiful Mug - Well, really anything from the “Hearth and Hand” by Magnolia collection!

10. Dutch Oven - Non-Negotiable kitchen staple. Just love Chrissy Teigen's kitchen line at Target right now!

11. Stasher Bags - A great eco-friendly replacement for Ziploc bags. They are reusable, heat, bake, and freezeproof!

12. Anthropologie Cheese Board - Great for the party hostess on your list!

13. Bee’s Wrap Food Wraps - Do you see a trend here? Lol Eco-friendly, reusable, and plastic-free food storage alternative to plastic wrap!

14. Anthropologie Perasima Platter - I absolutely love everything Anthropologie so you could just go straight to the website’s kitchen section!

15. Sriracha Keychain - Great for the condiment lover!

16. Nutrition Stripped Cookbook - One of my all-time favorite food blogger/dietitian. Her cookbook is a great start if you are new to eating nutrient dense whole foods.

Most of these products will be on sale for Black Friday so check them out soon!

Leave us a comment if you love this gift guide! We would love the feedback!

The Ultimate Fitness Junkie Gift Guide

From stocking stuffers to fun splurges, we have it all! 

1. Adidas Ultraboost Shoes - Currently on my Christmas wishlist! This shoe is great if you are a neutral runner.

2. Athleta Cozy Karma Asymmetrical Pullover - Because, who doesn't like a good cozy pullover!

3. Skylar perfumes - Currently my favorite clean, hypoallergenic, and cruelty-free perfume. I know I'm weird, but I have to smell good before a workout. It just makes me think that I won't smell like nasty sweat afterward! Lol, my favorite scent is coral!

4. Further Food Turmeric Tonic - This powder is great to make instant golden lattes! Bonus, it's made with natural anti-inflammatory & immune boosting ingredients. A win for those really heavy workouts! Here is a discount code for 10% off your first purchase, FROMTHEROOTSBLOG10.

5. Hair Ties - Great as a stocking stuffer!

6. Gaiam Yoga Mat - Great for the yogi and they have many patterns!

7. Mario Badescu Facial Mist - I love these inexpensive mists for post-workouts. Feels refreshing and smells heavenly!

8. Vooray Workout Bag - The cutest yet functional and affordable workout bag I have seen. Currently on my Christmas wish list!

9. Elite Surge Jump Rope - If you are a Crossfitter and/or do DU's (double unders), then you will love this jump rope! Personally, I wouldn't get this style if you are just jumping rope as a warm up because the string is very thin=rope burns!

10. RX Bars - Great to throw in your workout bag for a pre or post workout snack!

11. Natural Vitality - Anti-stress powder that is great in restoring healthy magnesium levels, supporting a healthy immune system, and keeping bones strong. Magnesium is an essential mineral that supports blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is required for producing and storing energy. I love taking this supplement after a long run, when I'm stressed, or if I'm having trouble sleeping.

12. Mountain Ocean Skin Trip Moisturizer - This is the only lotion I use! Hands down, the best moisturizer I have ever owned. It also has a very subtle coconutty beach water smell.

13. Knockout Leggins by VS - Best workout leggings ever and bonus, they have pockets!

14. Qalo Wedding band - Whether you are engaged or married, these inexpensive rings are great to wear at the gym especially if you do weightlifting, gymnastics, or CrossFit type workouts.

15. Sports Research Collagen Peptides - Collagen is an important nutrient needed to ensure the health of your skin, hair, cartilage, joints, and bones. I like to add a scoop of collagen with MCT oil in my coffee every morning.

16. Foam Roller - Because, who doesn't love a good foam roller!

17. Hydro Flask water bottle - Little pricey but worth every penny! Has a BPA free straw lid and double-walled, insulated which means water stays cold for up to 24 hours, what!?

18. IABMFG shorts - If you can’t seem to find squat proof workout shorts then look no further. I love this particular style because of the fabric and length but they also have many fun patterns and different inseam lengths. One pair is expensive but this website is always giving out really good discounts!

19. Nutrition Stripped Good Food Good Vibes t-shirt - Great to workout in because it is lightweight, breathable, and sends positive vibes!

20. Beats PowerBeats 3 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones - By far, the best pair of headphones. I have gone through many, let me tell you, but these bad boys will stay in your ears through long runs, heavy HIIT and cardio sessions and just casually walking the dog.

Most of these products will be on sale for Black Friday so check them out soon!

Leave us a comment if you love this gift guide! We would love the feedback!

Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole

Perfect for the holidays or as a side dish! Bonus - vegan, gluten-free and naturally lower in sugar.

Let’s be honest, the only time I think about eating sweet potato casserole is during Thanksgiving; amiright?! Like a complete cooked turkey, it seems like sweet potato casserole only falls within a Thanksgiving side dish category.

Maybe after you make this, you can see that this side dish can be made year-round! I’m thankful for that because when recipe testing a month before Thanksgiving, I was glad this could be eaten with most any dishes. For example, we had this casserole with my pecan crusted spiced salmon and broccolini and it was amazing!

When it comes to sweet potato casserole, I have noticed the toppings can fall within two categories: marshmallows or with a crunchy texture. I fall in the crunchy texture category 100%! Personally, I am not the biggest fan of marshmallows (I know, I know -- crazy, right?). If you enjoy marshmallows, you can still go that route.

What I love about this recipe and what sets this casserole apart from the rest is the secret ingredient: oranges. After watching Samin Nosrat’s Salt Fat Acid Heat on Netflix, she made a good point that many Thanksgiving dishes lack acid which is why cranberry sauce is often served. With that in mind, I knew I needed to change that! I’m so glad I did because the orange zest and juices completely elevate the spices and sweetness in the sweet potatoes perfectly!

The rest of the ingredients are pretty standard for a traditional sweet potato casserole sans butter and heaping cups of sugar. To make them naturally sweeter without adding so much sugar, I simply baked the sweet potatoes instead of boiling them to maintain their natural sweetness.

With Thanksgiving in mind, I would bake the sweet potatoes a day before the big day so that when you are at the point of cooking all your casseroles/side dishes, you will just need to prepare the mixture and topping and pop them in the oven 23-30 minutes. It’s that easy.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole with a crunchy nut topping - Perfect for the holidays or as a side dish! Bonus - vegan, gluten-free and naturally lower in sugar.

ingredients

• 3 large sweet potatoes

• 1 cup plant based milk

• 1/4 cup orange juice (1/2 orange)

• Zest of 1/2 orange

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp allspice

• 2-4 Tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1/2 tsp salt

Crunchy Nut Topping

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

• 1/4 cup chopped almonds

• 1/3 cup GF old fashioned oats (regular is fine)

• 1/3 cup GF all purpose flour (regular is fine)

• 1/2 cup light organic brown sugar (coconut sugar is fine)

• 4 Tbsp cubed coconut oil

instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Use a fork to poke holes in sweet potatoes and place potatoes on a foil-lined baking sheet.

3. Roast for about 45 min to an hour or until fork tender. Allow potatoes to cool for 5-10 minutes before discarding the skin.

4. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees while potatoes are cooling. Spray an 8x8 inch pan or a 1 ½ quart to 2-quart oven safe baking dish with nonstick cooking oil. Set aside for later.

5. Place sweet potato flesh in a large bowl and add milk, seasonings, orange juice and zest, and maple syrup. Use an electric mixer or potato masher to beat mixture until smooth and creamy.

6. Pour mixture into a prepared baking pan and smooth top.

7. To make the crunchy nut topping: Whisk together nuts, oats, flour, sugar and oil.

8. Sprinkle topping all over the sweet potato mixture.

9. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.

Notes

1. You can make this casserole ahead of time! Cover and place in the fridge. When ready, bake as directed.

2. If you do not have coconut oil, you can use vegan or regular butter.

3. Don’t make the mistake I did and use quick oats! First bake is crunchy but reheating will make the topping mushy so use old fashioned oats!

4. I love using Spice Islands seasonings for this recipe, particularly their ground saigon cinnamon!

Chai Latte Donut Holes

Made with nutrient dense filling and a coconut butter glaze, you will soon fall in love with a healthier take on donut holes...bonus - no bake!

Starting out as a new blogger, it can be easy to follow seasonal trends. For example, my Instagram feed was filled with pumpkin spice this and pumpkin spice that for a month! Now, in all genuineness, I truly love pumpkin and all things pumpkin spice, but I know not everyone feels the same way!

So I went back to what life was like before pumpkin spice, chai spice! When I was in school, I would have collections of chai teas from coconut chai teas to dark chocolate cayenne chai tea; I was obsessed! Now that I have perfected the chai spice mix, I think this nostalgia will never leave!

I’m chasing rabbits here, the focus lies on these chai latte donut holes that are out of this world! Probably my favorite “energy balls” to date! The reason why they are called donut holes is because of the mouthwatering glaze! The glaze is made with coconut butter and coconut oil that hardens at room temperature. It provides the perfect shine while cracking just as you take a bite!

The “donut holes” are made with nutrient dense ingredients that are nothing like a real donut. Unlike a fried donut hole, you will feel satisfied eating one or two. Bonus, these donut holes are naturally sweetened with medjool dates!

The DIY chai spice mix really takes you down chai latte heaven in these bad boys. With a cup of coffee or tea, these chai latte donut holes are the perfect match!

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A post shared by Candace Dorsey| From the Roots (@fromtherootsblog)

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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ingredients

Donut Holes

• 1/2 cup walnuts

• 1/2 cup cashews

• 1/2 cup almond flour

• 1 cup pitted dates (about 12)

• 1 tsp chai spice mix

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 Tbsp water

Glaze

• 1 Tbsp coconut butter

• 2 Tbsp coconut oil

• 1 Tbsp maple syrup

• pinch of cinnamon

instructions

1. In a food processor, add all donut hole ingredients and pulse until desired consistency (picture for reference). You should blend until a tacky dough forms. You may need to add more water if the mixture is too dry.

2. With a tablespoon or cookie scooper, scoop about 1 Tbsp per ball to create 14 round balls.

3. Place balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet and put in the freezer for up to 10 minutes.

4. While the balls are in the freezer, make the glaze by adding all ingredients to a small bowl and warm in the microwave in 30-second increments until mixture is melted. (separation is natural - just stir well before glazing).

5. Take the balls out of the freezer and roll each ball into the glaze mixture using a spoon. Place back onto the parchment paper and put back into the freezer for 30 minutes.

6. Repeat the previous step again and put back in the freezer for 30 minutes or until glaze is set. You can repeat this step up to three times (or until mixture is used up) but I have found the glaze is perfect in two rounds.

7. Store donut holes in a storage container for up to two weeks or freezer for up to 1 month.

Notes

1. Even though the glaze is the best part, the chai latte donut holes will still taste just as good if you omit the glaze; they will just be chai latte balls!

2. If you would like a single serving amount of chai mix and pushed for time, simply add 1 tsp cinnamon, scant ¼ tsp cardamom, ¼ tsp ginger and a pinch of cloves. Just start slow with each seasoning and taste as you go since these spices are naturally strong.

3. With that said, if using chai is new to you or you're worried about the donut holes being too spicy, start by adding a ½ tsp of chai spice mix and gradually increase to the desired flavor.

DIY Chai Spice Mix

A must-have pantry staple that’s perfect for tea, baking, and other recipes.

It never dawned on me that I needed to make my own chai spice mix until I strolled past every grocery store’s herb and spice section to find no chai mix in sight! Now, sure there is chai spice powder and chai tea but there are times that I would just like to have the seasoning.

The perfect chai spice mix can enhance so many traditional recipes that you may not have thought of. For example, add a teaspoon or two of chai spice mix to plain pancake batter and you my friend, will have chai spiced pancakes!

This mix is also great to have on hand if you would like to make a latte, chai latte donut holes or to add to most recipes like pancakes, oatmeal, donuts, bread or vegetables like sweet potatoes...the possibilities are endless!

Seasonings that are used in this chai spice are quite traditional so feel free to mix things up if you would like! For this recipe, I used cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom.

You can add all the spices to a mortar and pestle to make sure the seasonings are fully incorporated and nicely grounded or you can simply mix all ingredients using a small whisk or spoon. Funnel seasonings into a spice jar and store in a dry place until ready to use!

To make a chai spice latte:

• Add 1 cup plant-based milk, 1/2 cup water, 1 black tea teabag, ½ tsp chai spice mix, 1 Tbsp honey and simmer in a small saucepan for 5 minutes. Add a cinnamon stick and star anise to really enhance the flavors! Discard tea bag, optional cinnamon stick and star anise, and pour into a mug and enjoy!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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ingredients

• 3 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 1/2 tsp cardamom

• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp allspice

• 1/2 tsp cloves

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a mortar and pestle or small bowl and combine until fully combined.

2. Transfer to a spice jar and store in a dry place until ready to use!

Notes: ⅛ tsp black pepper (optional for spicier flavor)