Welcome to my blog where I share egg free, dairy free, gluten free and wholesome recipes made with short ingredient lists! I'm Dee Dine, a certified nutritionist (CNS), have authored two 4-ingredient healthy cookbooks, am the nutritionist for Wikihow, and I have degrees in nutritional science, food science, and biochemistry with emphasis on immunology. I have also begun a new venture, making stress-relief coloring books for grownups. I am also a former UX web developer but that is a story for another day. I'm also a mom of three, plus a few fur babies, living in Washington DC - that's my story every day!
What to Expect on GSG
I have 650+ recipes on my blog that can be eaten and enjoyed by everyone. The ingredients are always gluten-free, dairy free, and plant-based so you won't see eggs or meat. However, I also add options so you can adjust each recipe to how it fits you best. I have paid attention to low carb, low histamine, hormone-balance, cortisol-control and nickel free needs. In short, you can expect my recipes to be:
- Made with Real foods - I keep ingredient lists short, often 4-5 ingredients, and full of easy-to-find, budget-friendly foods found in most grocery stores.
- Quick & easy - I don't have time to waste, and neither do you so I make recipes that can be made fast, often in one bowl, easy clean up and even no bake.
- Balanced - My recipes help you feel good and often, with desserts, give you a feeling you indulged. That's balance.
A Few Favorites...
Q&A with Dee
Why did you name your blog Green Smoothie Gourmet?
Because I started my healthy cooking journey making green smoothies. Then I expanded to include juices, desserts, snacks and recently 20-minute dinners.
What is the most important tool I need to start cooking healthy?
I suggest a blender. You can make most of my recipes on my blog with a blender. Some need cooking, many do not. The blender I use is a Blendtec, and I often use the small wild jar that fits it, especially for making my coconut butter and date paste. But my smoothies and other lighter recipes don't always need a high speed blender.
What is plant based nutrition?
Eating plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and grains has strong nutritional benefits including a lower risk of disease, cardiological support, gut health, blood sugar balance and more. In addition, there is evidence that plant-based nutrition positively impacts the planet because reducing consumption of animal products reduces carbon footprint.
Do you have to be plant based or vegan to eat your recipes?
Not at all! Several members of my family do not regularly eat plant based or vegan, and are not even dairy free, and yet they are my first taste-testers and my biggest fans of my recipes. My recipes can be eaten by everyone, including those with no specific dietary requirements, and those who eat vegan, non-vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and refined-sugar-free, and mostly gluten-free, and reduced or even no sugar. And many of my recipes are no-oil, and friendly for a paleo or Whole30 or keto diet.
In my recipes I stress the use of single ingredient foods, and occasionally I'll recommend reputable food brands including Bob's Red Mill with whom we share a mutual respect (see their spotlight interview of me).
I hope you can find something on my blog that you like, and if you want to drop a comment and share your ideas or variations, I'll see that first.
Dee xx
My Cookbooks With 4 Ingredients
Both my cookbooks have 4-ingredient recipes and are color-coded (yes, pretty tabs!) for the healthy aspect they target, such as fiber, protein, energy, weight loss, immunity, sleep, etc.
1. Crazy Healthy with 4 Ingredients: Desserts & Snacks
2. 4-Ingredient Smoothies & Juices: 100 Easy Nutritious Recipes for LifeLong Health