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Can you feel the excitement? It’s almost the New Year!!

Although it wasn’t quite a “white Christmas” here in the Toronto area this year, it’s been great taking some much-needed time to chillax with the HH and Girls, and really enjoy the holidays. And I’m really looking forward to the new year!

As is my habit this time of year, I’ll be settling down to review the past year and thoughtfully set out some goals and plans for the new one. New recipes, new videos, and a complete overhaul of The Sweet Life Club so that it can support more people in a more convenient and helpful way. I can’t wait to share it all with you!

As always, I’d like to wish you the very best for the year to come. But even more, I want to say THANK YOU.

I so appreciate being able to share great food, health information and more here with you on the blog (and in person with those of you who’ve signed up for one-on-one coaching or courses), as well as through my weekly newsletters.

As this year comes to a close, I wanted to let you all know how much it means to me to be able to share this part of my life with you each week, and especially to hear from all of you via your comments, feedback and interactions on social media.

I love hearing from you. And every time I receive an email from a reader who’s no longer distraught about having to start an anti-candida diet, or when I hear from clients who are acing their food restrictions with ease, or when someone writes to tell me how much they loved a recipe on the blog or how much one of my books has helped them. . . it honestly does touch my heart. It makes me realize anew how much I love what I do every day and how very lucky I am to do it. This blog wouldn’t mean very much without you! 🙂

So, on that note, I’d like to send you off to the new year with a great selection of my favorite party food–nibbles an dips to carry you through to a happy, healthy, and stellar new year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE–HERE’S TO A JOYFUL AND SUCCESSFUL YEAR TO COME.



With loads of appreciation and big bear hugs,

[Clockwise from large photo: Chocolate-Peppermint Popcorn; Quinoa Pizza Balls; Kick-Ace Cheese Ball; Serendipitous Black Bean Spread; Herbed Chickpea “Fries” with Garlic Aioli; Raw Collard Rolls with Curried Carrot Pate.]

These are my top picks from the blog for dishes that work well as appetizers, nibbles, offerings on the buffet table, or hors d’oeuvres for a cocktail party. Most of these are easy and quick to make–so you’ll have more time for that celebration! (Oh, if you’re throwing a sit-down dinner instead, you’ll want to check out this menu).

For each recipe, I’ve indicated to which stage(s) of the Anti-Candida Diet (ACD) they correspond as well.

Nibbly Snacks (Finger Foods):

These are great for more informal, hands-on snacks. No utensils required!

Chocolate-Peppermint Popcorn (Stage 2 and beyond)

Sweet Cinnamon-Curry Roasted Pumpkin Seeds (all stages)

Thai Quinoa Balls with Peanut-Free Dipping Sauce (all stages)

Raw Collard Wraps with Curried Carrot Pate (all stages)

Easy, Smoky BBQ Kale Chips (Stage 2 and beyond; for Stage 1, sub macadamia nuts for the cashews)

Quinoa Pizza Balls (a real favorite on the blog!–Stage 2 and beyond)

Herbed Chickpea “Fries” with Avocado-Garlic Aioli (all stages)

Fava Bean Balls with Cranberry-Tomato Chutney (all stages)

Coconut Crusted Tofu Appetizer Bites with Pineapple and Creamy Green Curry Dipping Sauce (Stage 3 and beyond)

Sweet Potato and Kale Balls (all stages)

[Clockwise, from large photo: Easy, Smoky BBQ Kale Chips; Coconut Crusted Tofu Bites with Creamy Green Curry Dipping Sauce; Sweet Cinnamon-Curry Roasted Pumpkin Seeds; Fava Bean Balls with Cranberry-Tomato Chutney]

Appetizers/Hors D’Oeuvres:

For something a wee bit more formal, or if you have snacks set out on a buffet table, these spreadables are perfect.

Veganzola (“Cheese Ball”) Spread (all stages, with noted substitutions)

Kick-Ace Cheese Ball (all stages, with noted substitutions)

Sweet or Savory Sweet Potato Spread (all stages)

Eggplant and Chickpea Spread (all stages)

Serendipitous Black Bean Spread (all stages)

Mock Liver Pâté (Chopped Liver) (all stages)

Carrot Pâté (a personal favorite!) (Stage 2 and beyond)

[Clockwise from large photo: Veganzola Spread; Holiday Nog; Mock Liver Pate; Sweet or Savory Sweet Potato Spread; Carrot Pate; Faux Kombucha.]

Beverages:

What’s a party without some yummy drinks? These are perfect for teetotalers, but you can add rum or brandy to the nog–the HH always does!

Holiday Nog (Stage 2 and beyond)

Almost-Instant “Kombucha” (all stages)

Chestnut Spice Latte (all stages)

Red and Green Festive Cocktail (if you’ve got a juicer–pretty AND delicious! Stage 2 and beyond)

[Clockwise from top photo: Chocolate Caramel Bars; ACD-Friendly Chocolate Fudge; Coconut Raspberry Truffle Cups.]

Sweet Snackin’:

Because we can all use something sweet!

Coconut Raspberry Truffle Cups (stage 2 and beyond)

Grain-Free Peppermint Nanaimo Bars (all stages)

Chocolate Caramel Slice (ie, Bars!) (stage 3 and beyond)

Carob Coconut Bark (a huge hit with everyone I’ve ever served this to, even carob haters!–all stages)

Grain-Free Hazelnut Biscotti with Cinnamon Glaze (all stages)

Bonus Sweet for All Stages: ACD-Friendly Chocolate Fudge!



Disclosure: Links in this post may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase using those links, at no cost to you, I will receive a small percentage of the sale.