#NoSugarNoProblems: A Lovely Collection of Paleo Sweetener-Free Desserts

I cannot contain my excitement about this announcement.

I’ve been hinting for awhile about a secret project I’ve been working on, and I have been waiting for what feels like forever to give you the details.

It’s finally time.

MY NEW EBOOK IS OUT!

#NoSugarNoProblems: A Lovely Collection of Paleo Sweetener-Free Desserts is my new baby. I worked very, very hard on it, and I’m very, very proud of this creation.

What is #NoSugarNoProblems? Well, like I mentioned, it’s an ebook filled with 30 paleo, sweetener-free desserts. When I say sweetener-free, I really mean sweetener-free. Obviously, that means no sugar. However, that also means no sugar substitutes. No coconut sugar, no stevia, no xylitol, no erythritol, no monkfruit, no maple syrup, no honey, and no yacon syrup. No bananas or dates, either. I kept everything as low glycemic as possible. I want this to be useful for everyone, whether you’re low-carb, keto, diabetic, on a Candida protocol, following low-FODMAP, generally sugar-free, paleo, primal, vegan, vegetarian, or anything in between. I want to give options for people who want a quick treat that they can throw together in just a few minutes, as well as options for those who want a more extravagant dessert that requires a few more steps.

What’s included? Cookies, cupcakes, brownies, cheesecake, cream pie, puddings, milkshakes, fudge… the list goes on. This ebook is very me. It’s a collection of sweetener-free desserts that I personally love, many of which are always stocked in my freezer for backup. I’ve been making some of these for years, while others are newer recipes, but I truly adore them all. This is my ideal dessert ebook. Many of you know what my dessert preferences are like based on what I post to social media and based on the recipes I’ve posted to my blog, so that should give you an idea of the type of recipes inside!

Why was I inspired to create this? Ohhhh, it’s been building. I have been on a Candida diet for almost 10 months now, which means no fruit or sugar. Many people ask me how I survive on a restricted diet for so long, saying they couldn’t do it. Well, I think you could. I know what it’s like to actually feel good, and that is highly motivating. It’s all about mindset and finding ways around your “restrictions.” I truly believe there is a replacement for everything.

I’ve been on a number of elimination diets in the past few years. It started off with a Candida protocol a few years ago, then moved to low-FODMAP, SCD, food intolerance diets, and a few other “trial” elimination diets sprinkled in here and there, all in an effort to help heal my gut. I got used to it. There were many times I felt restricted, angry, and desperate to just give in and eat the things I wasn’t “supposed to.” Sometimes I did, and I felt worse. Sometimes I did, and I felt fine. Sometimes I didn’t, and I regretted it. Sometimes I didn’t, and I was glad I stuck to the protocol.

What I realized, though, was that the difficult part was in my head. It was because of my mindset and an emotional attachment to food. So I learned to flip my mindset, and I told myself there was a replacement for everything. I could always find another option. I challenged myself to prove that, again and again.

Awhile back, I posted the recipe for my Sugar-Free Vanilla Coconut Collagen cookies, and I was shocked at the overwhelmingly positive response. I thought I was the only weirdo who liked totally sugar-free dessert recipes! By this point, my taste buds had gotten very used to real, whole foods, and I was finally able to fully appreciate the natural sweetness of food. I didn’t know if others would be able to taste that natural sweetness, too. However, so many of you became obsessed with that recipe as well. How great is it to be able to eat cookies and not get stomach pains or a sugar crash after? To keep your blood sugar stable, and to have a sweet treat while still complying with the Candida protocol or sugar-free diet that your practitioner put you on?

I’ve had people message me and tell me that those cookies are now a family staple. I’ve had women tell me that they made them every week for their diabetic husbands. I had a girl with severe gut issues who has been sugar-free for over 5 years tell me that she had never been so excited because she could finally eat dessert again. This response made me so insanely happy. Then, I posted my Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Coconut Zucchini Muffins. Again, the response was incredible. So many mothers have told me that their kids adore these, and it’s their go-to sweet treat for an after-school snack. I’ve had girls tell me that they bake them all the time with friends, and that girls’ night no longer means having a stomachache for two days after, feeling bloated and sluggish after a sugar binge.

After that, I received many more requests for sugar-free recipes. There are a lot of sugar-free desserts I’ve kept up my sleeve, but I didn’t realize other people would be interested in them as well. I’ve been sugar-free for so long, and I know most people don’t have to be. Why would they want a sugar-free mug cake when they could have a super sweet, sugar-filled one?

Well, times are changing. People are realizing what sugar truly does to our bodies and brains. I don’t want to make it out as evil, or sound like no one should ever eat sugar again. That’s unrealistic and a little too extreme. However, we do need to recognize its consequences, because the overconsumption of sugar causes far too many issues to ignore. High-sugar diets are linked to brain and mood disorders like depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s, and autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, colitis, and Crohn’s disease. They’re linked to weight gain, gut issues, skin issues, and hormonal imbalances. Even if you’re not struggling with any of these issues now, it’s important to do what you can in this moment to prevent negative outcomes later on. Like I’ve said before, don’t wait for a diagnosis. Being aware of your sugar consumption is a huge part of this. As functional medicine progresses, people are finally understanding the value of nutritional therapy, and how much changing your diet can truly change your life.

I’ve seen this firsthand, as have many of my friends, family members, and clients. That being said, food, and dessert, is part of our culture. We must be realistic about that. I understand how difficult it is to be the only one who can’t have birthday cake at the party, who can’t eat the cookies during movie night, or who can’t enjoy a chocolate fudge brownie every so often. When you’re on a sugar-free protocol for any reason, it’s usually mainly in social situations when you feel left out and resentful. Food is very social in our society, and it can be stressful to feel like you can’t take part in that.

This is especially true during the holidays, which is why I wanted to release my ebook before Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’ve spent a holiday season on a Candida protocol before, and it was emotionally very difficult for me at first. A lot of my Christmas traditions revolved around food – baking, drinking cocoa and watching movies, decorating and eating the gingerbread house, throwing a holiday dessert party, decorating sugar cookies…you know how it is. After going through an entire holiday season without a mug of hot chocolate or Christmas cookies, my attitude around what made Christmas Christmas changed. At the same time, though, how nice would it have been to have been able to keep some of those traditions without deviating from my Candida protocol?

As I approach another holiday season sugar-free, I know that so many others are in a similar situation. I see it with clients, family, friends, and those I’ve connected with on social media. They feel like they have to choose between being social and doing what is best for their health. I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to choose. And that’s why this ebook is my passion project.

Beyond that, I know how confusing it is to choose a sweetener to begin with. That’s one of the top questions I get asked – “Should I use honey, maple syrup, stevia, xylitol…?” The truth is that there are going to be pros and cons with every single sweetener, and there isn’t always enough information out about a lot of the newer sugar-substitutes to really make a fully informed judgment about them. What if you didn’t have to choose? What if you could have all of your favorite desserts without the sugar or sweetener at all? Now you can.

How do I make things taste like dessert without using sweetener? I do so by taking advantage of the natural sweetness found in foods without sugar. Vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and other spices are the key. Cacao, cocoa, carob, coconut, almonds, pecans…they all have a natural sweetness that can be enhanced when paired with the right ingredients. Of course, these recipes aren’t going to taste like sugar bombs. But if you’re the type of person who appreciates a nice bar of dark chocolate over a bar of Hershey’s, you’ll definitely fall in love with this ebook. This ebook might even help you retrain your taste buds to appreciate those natural flavors. Foods that didn’t seem sweet before might magically start to have a whole new flavor. You can have your sweet treat, and still feel amazing afterward.

What kinds of recipes are inside? Like I mentioned, they are all sugar-free, sweetener-free, and low-glycemic. They’re all paleo and most are vegan, or can be made vegan. Only three contain fruit, and the fruits used are blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Those fruits have very low glycemic loads and can usually even fit into ketogenic diets.

Well, there’s also lemon. But I don’t count that as a fruit…even though it is. ;P

Anyways, here is a list of some recipes you’ll find inside:

• Brownie Mug Cake with Chocolate Filling
• Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Pie
• Blueberry Crumble
• Chai Ice Cream
• Coffee Cookie Sandwiches
• Horchata Milkshake
• Edible Cookie Dough
• Gingersnap Cupcakes with Spiced Cashew Cream Frosting
• Lemon Pound Cake with Coconut Lemon Frosting
• No-Bake Vanilla Cinnamon Cheesecake
• Peppermint Fudge Brownies
• Yellow Cake with Dark Chocolate Frosting
• Pumpkin Cookies with Pumpkin Spice Frosting

…and many more! There’s a mixture of super easy, “pull-it-together in 5 minutes” recipes, and a few that are a bit more complex and require more prep time. There is something here for everyone. I kept the ingredients as basic as possible without compromising flavor, and also gave ideas on substitutions where possible!

If you’re limiting sugar in your diet for any reason, I know you’ll adore this ebook. The point of eating a whole-foods diet is definitely not to simply create paleo versions of all of your old favorite unhealthy foods. However, it’s nice to know that when you want to have a cookie or cupcake or piece of cake, you certainly can.

If you have a health issue that can be helped through a change in diet, I don’t want you to ever feel like that has to limit your life. If you don’t have a specific health issue but you’re simply trying to be more aware of your sugar consumption, I don’t want you to feel like that causes difficulties socially or emotionally. I want you to be able to enjoy some cake and not feel like a moody, sluggish wreck afterward when the sugar coma hits. I want you to enjoy the benefits of a real food diet, without feeling like you have to make any compromises. If your dietary changes feel unsustainable, it can be very challenging to stick with them. I think this ebook will make things a lot easier.

I know it was long-winded, but this is my explanation of why this project means so much to me. I’m so proud of it, and I wanted the chance to explain why. Honestly, I was nervous to release it, because I still wonder if I’m the only person who enjoys totally sweetener-free desserts. Thankfully, though, I’ve learned that I’m definitely not. These recipes passed multiple taste tests with family and friends, so I know I have at least a few votes! Despite the nerves, I’ve been so excited about this release that I could barely sleep. I know how many people this can help, and I want to provide that resource for you. This is the ebook I wish I had two years ago on my first Candida protocol to get me through that sugar-free holiday season. I didn’t have it then, but I have it now. I hope it helps you, too!

You can get your copy by heading to the ebooks tab at the top of my site, or directly by heading to this link. I’m so happy to see how many of you are already making the desserts – it lights up my heart! If you make something from the ebook, please tag me in a photo and use the hashtag #NoSugarNoProblems! That way, I can see your beautiful creation! 🙂