Soy, you think it’s healthy? Tofu, soy milk, soy cheese? Think again. This so-called healthy-alternative to dairy products and other protein-rich foods, is a misnomer with a long history of contradictory research. Did you know that soy, if not processed properly, is toxic for human consumption? Also, the digestive system really doesn’t know what to do with this legume. So, where does it go? More alarmingly, soy is one of the top foods classified to incite allergic reactions; it’s almost as fatal as peanuts in the allergy department. Soy is proven to prevent some cancers; however, it is also proven to promote cancer, especially breast cancer in women and prostrate cancer in men.
And what about dairy? It’s in just about every packaged food product on the market, just like soy. It’s just as difficult for the human body to digest as soy. And, what’s really scary is that both soy and dairy are among the top ten allergens in North America – right up there with the ever-so-well-known allergen, nuts!
So, what can you do? Aren’t you just a little worried now that I’ve mentioned it? I know I am. And, what’s even scarier is that both soy and dairy products are so altered, genetically and through production, that they are no longer pure when used in the food industry.
Well, the good news is: you can eat healthy and delicious and still avoid soy and dairy. Here are five of my recipes to get you started – totally soy and dairy free. Create, eat and enjoy. And, if you want more, check out my cookbook, Still Delicious
4SPICE CAKE
Ingredients:
½ cup extra light olive oil
¾ cup extra fine maple sugar
2 eggs
½ tsp vanilla
3 cups all purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp sea salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
½ tsp allspice
¼ tsp ground cloves
¾ cups rice milk
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix olive oil, maple sugar, eggs and vanilla. In a smaller bowl, mix all purpose flour, baking powder and spices. Add to oil mixture alternately with rice milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Stir well to blend. Pour into a 9-inch square baking pan lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool thoroughly. Ice with Boiled Maple Icing.
Boiled Maple Icing
1 cup maple syrup
1 tsp cider vinegar
2 egg whites
Pinch sea salt
In a medium sized saucepan, boil together first 2 ingredients until the candy thermometer registers the soft ball stage. Remove from heat. Beat egg whites and sea salt until stiff. Slowly add slightly cooled syrup and continue beating until the frosting forms stiff peaks. Enough frosting to ice one medium sized cake.
