Delicious Guilt Free Gluten Free Vegan Cornbread

 

There's nothing finer than munching on freshly baked homemade cornbread. Guess what? Eating it can be free of guilt and gluten. Look below to discover how easy it is to prepare and serve this treat, one with good taste, yet without refined sugar, dairy, or gluten.

 

 

Cornbread is versatile, and goes great with a piping hot bowl of Black Bean Soup. It also is the perfect side with Vegetarian Chili or other whole food plant-based stews.

 

Perhaps you prefer cornbread as a snack, when you’re craving comfort without the bloat of wheat-based bread. My recipe is simple to make and doesn't have cholesterol. An added advantage is that baking bread at home saves  bucks. 

 Nan's Exceptionally Delicious & Easy Cornbread

Prep time is approximately 15 minutes and cook time is 30 (cook time varies, and depends on your stove accuracy and elevation).

Fun to Bake

Festive

Fresh

Fabulous

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds
4 Tablespoons warm water
1 cup ground cornmeal (if you like very flaky cornmeal use coarsely ground, for more cake-like batter use finely ground cornmeal)
1 cup gluten free flour of your choosing (I like fava or chickpea flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups almond milk or other nut milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce (healthy substitution for oil, and a product to make cake moist)

Optional ingredients for a sweet tasting cornbread: cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and coriander. For Southwestern style: add chopped roasted poblano and /or a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes, and one half cup of thawed frozen corn or corn off a fresh ear of corn.

Note: I use organic ingredients when available, because organic means nutrient content is higher and product is not genetically modified, not sprayed with chemicals, and is not grown in soil that contains chemical fertilizers.

What to Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Start by selecting a loaf pan (1.5 qt.-2 qt. size), or round cast iron baker's skillet and spray it with cooking spray or use a drop of olive oil on a paper towel to coat bottom and sides of pan.

3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together ground flax meal and water and set aside for 15 minutes. This combo acts as your binding agent. 

4. While that's setting, get a large bowl, and place corn meal, flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into it. Whisk ingredients together.

5. Then, get the bowl with the flax seed mixture and add milk, maple syrup, apple sauce, and any optional spices you want to add to it. Whisk to combine.

6. Pour milk mixture into flour and fold until there are no dry spots and batter is slightly lumpy.

7. Pour batter into a baking pan and put on the middle shelf of a preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. For Southwestern style savory cornbread mix in a teaspoon of any form of chopped chili pepper or chili flakes you enjoy, a cup of sweet red bell pepper, and 1/2 cup of corn kernels. Pour all ingredients into a baking pan and put on the middle shelf of a preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

9. If you're not eating the cornbread right then, let it cool to room temperature, and place bread in an airtight container and refrigerate. To serve as a dessert or sweet snack, eat a delectable slice of cornbread with berries or fruit spread. Serves about 3 or 4 people. 

Wishing you a hearty appetite and mouthfuls of good flavor. Serve this scrumptious cornbread for a family dinner, solo meal, snack food, or even for Thanksgiving. Just don’t forget to give thanks for this bounty. Cornbread stays fresh for 1 to 3 days at room temperature, 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator, and up to 3 months in the freezer. 

What type of cornbread do you enjoy? Sweet or savory? Please share in the comments section below.

I must admit I like them both. I like savory with soups, casseroles, stews, and chili. Sweet is neat as a snack and dessert. 

Please comment below.  If you try this recipe, please let me know how it worked for you.

I appreciate every comment, but will not be able to share those that contain links. Thanks for understanding.

This post has been shared at Talking About it Tuesday 9 15 2026

 

Ways to Update and Improve Autumn Routines

 

A fun way to get exercise this fall

As the seasons transition from summer to fall, we may want to dive back into working, learning, and creating with renewed energy. 

 

In fact, a change of season can motivate us to declutter and release things that no longer serve us well. This adjustment may help us clarify which goals and methods improve self-care practices, so they more closely reflect our current needs, wants, and dreams.

 

A shift from summer to autumn can spark interest in get-togethers with friends and family, checking out new recipes or fall fashions and fall colors, and ideas for home projects. The reality of shorter daylight hours, can encourage us to set priorities, and focus on those things that matter the most to us.

 

Rust, yellow, orange, brown, and forest green are popular fall colors

 

Here are practical self-care tips 

for this season of change and 

letting go

Tune into sleep routines and make necessary adjustments.

Try to sleep eight hours every night. In other words scroll less and tune off TV or electronic devices at least a half hour before getting into bed for the night.

If you have a hard time falling asleep, try listening to an audiobook, nature sounds, or sleep meditation a half-hour before bedtime to unwind.

For best sleep results, try using a sleep mask or blackout curtains, keep bedroom temperature cool, room clutter-free, and store tech appliances off and away.

 

Eat mindfully and choose seasonal and local foods to amp up health and well-being.

Prepare seasonal produce including apples, pumpkins, and squash to provide essential nutrients and support local agriculture. Read "What to Know About Seasonal Eating" from WebMD Editorial Contributors.

Recipe for Baked Apples 

Incorporate warming foods including soups, stews, and roasted dishes to help maintain body warmth and comfort during colder weather. 

Contemplate fall nutrition needs and plan to include foods that provide immune support.  Foods rich in vitamins C and D, such as citrus fruits, whole grains, and protein helps strengthen the immune system as flu season approaches.

 

Eat citrus fruit to raise natural immunity, especially in cold and flu season

Whole foods provide the vitamins and minerals we need to function at our best. On the other hand, eating lots of processed foods that are high in sugar and fat can negatively affect energy levels and overall health. 

Small, consistent actions compound into something significant over time, and refresh a lagging spirit. 

A few sit-to-stands a day, A short walk, and a balance exercise before bed doesn’t feel dramatic in the moment, but our bodies respond every single time. We need to keep showing up.

Be active and get outside. Cooling weather makes it more comfortable to walk, ride a bike, hike, or run.

Host a virtual dance party or gather together for square or line dancing.

Participate in yoga, whether it be in an Online Grounding into Gratitude Root Chakra Yoga Class with Adrienne, a home practice, or an in-person class. Read "Phenomenal Reason Yoga Enhances Health" for motivation and additional information.

Yoga is exercise that can be practiced year round

Follow a YouTube or Netflix workout video.

Read for pleasure, engage in a book club, or listen to an audiobook or podcast under the shade of a Maple Tree.

Meditate in a quiet corner of your home or get involved in a group spiritual or reflective practice.

Plan for coffee/tea breaks with friends and family, or set up virtual ones.

Get creative and let your authentic light shine

 

Build, repair, or refinish furniture or paint a bookcase an autumn color.

Craft cards, write in a gratitude  journal, or do a short creative writing exercise.

Take piano lessons, sing songs, or learn a new language.

Pen a poem, or finish a puzzle.

Forage a fall centerpiece by letting nature supply all the materials needed including autumn leaves, pine cones, evergreen sprigs, autumn fruit and nuts, pumpkins, etc.

Use foraged autumn leaves, mums, pine cones, and the like to make a colorful centerpiece 

Plan ahead to prepare for and celebrate holidays and special events that take place in the fall.

Note: I start early to simplify autumn entertaining to prevent feeling overwhelmed. A month in advance, I shop for non-perishable foods, and prepare and freeze certain fresh food dishes that would spoil if I made them too far in advance. I do this for the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kipper and Thanksgiving. To reduce clutter and work, I also update decor accent pieces seasonally instead of for each holiday. 

Which self-care activities mentioned in this post or ones you have in place already are effective and which ones can you let go of as part of autumn routine clean-up? 

Please comment in the space provided below.

Want to know more about autumn self-care practices? Read "Essential Self-care Tips to Ace Autumn."

Share below about self-care practices that nurture your mind, body, or spirit. For example, some cozy activities may include lighting candles, sitting by the fire, drinking a cup of cocoa, or eating popcorn as you watch a movie at home. Perhaps self-care means going to a farm stand to pick out a pumpkin and fall-hued potted mums as a colorful welcome for all who come to your front door.  

What self-care techniques do you want to include more often this fall and beyond? Please share that too.

I read and appreciate all comments, but won't be able to include any that contain links. Thanks for understanding.

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Delicious & Easy Tomato Cucumber Salads

Photo and Recipe f rom Nancy Andres

 

An easy to assemble tomato cucumber salad is a refreshing dish that combines fresh tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers, and is often enhanced with onion and garlic, fresh herbs, and a light dressing. It's perfect for simple, relaxing summer meals and can be prepared quickly without any cooking.

I savor this type of salad in late summer, because it’s refreshing, colorful, and takes full advantage of Mother Nature’s Bounty, by featuring veggies when they are at their peak.

Discover Ingredient Star

 Players Below

Tomatoes:

Photo and Recipe from Nancy Andres

Tomatoes are juicy and sweet when ripe, and usually bright red, but can be yellow, purple, orange, deep crimson, or even black.

Tomatoes are low calorie, a good source of several essential nutrients including vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, a plant-based antioxidant linked to improved heart health, cancer prevention, and protection against sunburns. Read Tomatoes 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits for details.

 

Cucumbers:

Cucumbers are a form of green vegetable that grows on a vine, and technically classified as fruit from the same family as watermelons and pumpkins. There are many varieties of cukes from Kirby, to garden, to English. Cucumbers are native to India, and have a slight melon-like taste or slightly bitter one. Use whatever variety is freshest for the recipes below.

A ½ cup serving of cucumber (raw and sliced or chopped) is about 19 calories. Cucumbers contain small amounts of vitamin K and vitamin A and are about 95% water. For more see Cucumber Health Benefits, from the WebMD website.

Onions, Scallions,  Garlic, and Shallots:

Add a chopped red or sweet yellow onion or scallions, and garlic or shallots. One or more of these veggies add a lively dimension to any salad. Pick your favorite in-season organic produce to add to your late summer salad, both for good flavor and eye appeal. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper to taste.

Fresh Herbs:

Fresh Herbs including basil, parsley, dill, and even cilantro are summertime herb  favorites,  as each adds a refreshing note to most any salad. Pick one or add all of those you enjoy.

Vinegar and/or Lemon Juice:

Red Wine Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar, or White Vinegar are used as a salad dressing base. I find lemon juice more palatable. Vinegar has a sharp, more potent acidity, while lemon juice provides a fresh, citrusy tang. Lemon juice is often used in lighter dishes and dressings, whereas vinegar is commonly used for pickling and sauces. 

Keep on Scrolling to See a

Collection of Tempting Tomato

Cucumber Salads

Each one is Different from the

Others, yet all are Winners!

  

First up is Jessica, an award-winning photographer, videographer, and home chef! She's a wife, a new mom, and excited to meet you. There are over 1000 recipes at her website, Jessica in the Kitchen, so there’s plenty for you to choose from. 

Here's her recipe for "Cucumber and Tomato Salad." It incorporates vegan feta cheese in the salad, giving the recipe a Grecian flair.

Photo and Recipe from Jessica Hylton

Next to share is talented food blogger Judee Algazi, with her rendition of "Lemony Israeli Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Cucumbers." 

Look for more of Judee's posts at Gluten Free A-Z Blog, where her vegan lifestyle puts the focus on nutrition, wellness, and personal development. 

Photo and Recipe from Judee Algazi

 

Last but not least is yours truly, Nancy Andres, creator and wellness blogger at Colors 4 Health, the place where colors and a healthy lifestyle intersect.

 

 🍅Delicious & Easy Tomato

 Cucumber Salad🥒

Photo and Recipe from Nancy Andres

 

My recipe for Delicious & Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad is colorful, easy to assemble, and features in-season organic produce. I selected each fruit, vegetable, legume, or bean for its good taste, eye-appeal, and health promoting benefits. Delicious & Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad can be served as a side dish or a light main course.

Ingredients:

Note: If one type of tomato, cucumber, or onion isn't available or not at its peak of freshness, choose another

2 large organic beefsteak tomatoes

1 organic English cucumber, washed and sliced thin

1 small organic zucchini, washed and sliced thin

1 large organic yellow sweet pepper, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces

4 scallions, cleaned and sliced thin (both white and green parts) and a handful of red onion sliced thin

3 cloves fresh organic garlic, peeled and minced

2 cups fresh organic parsley, washed and chopped well

1 cup fresh organic dill, washed and chopped well

1 15 oz. can organic white beans that are rinsed and drained (I used great northern beans, but feel free to use any type of white bean you like. If necessary, substitute a 15 oz. can of lentils that have been rinsed and drained)

 

Oil Free Dressing:

1 cup lemon juice

1 or 2 T Maple Syrup

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1T Italian Seasoning Blend

 

 

 What to Do:

1. Gather and prep all ingredients as outlined above. Put them in an air tight glass container with cover and refrigerate for use within that day.

2. Get a salad dressing bottle that has a cover (a glass jar with cover will serve just as well) and pour all salad dressing ingredients into it. Cover and refrigerate dressing until ten minutes before mealtime. Then, take out the dressing bottle and let it sit on kitchen counter.

3. Take all prepped veggies out of refrigerator about 10 minutes before you're ready to serve the salad. Place prepped veggies into a medium-sized salad bowl. Get tomatoes and wash and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Add tomatoes to other veggies. Shake dressing in the covered bottle, until well blended. Then pour and fold dressing into salad.

4. Serve portions of salad in individual salad bowls or salad plates, or on a dinner-sized plate either alongside soup, a sandwich, veggy burger, or crusty whole grain bread. Recipe serves approx. 4-6 people.

Photo and Recipe Nancy Andres

Delicious & Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad is full of brightly colored veggies, protein-rich beans or legumes, and light, lemony dressing. You'll want to make it often for no-fuss lunches, picnics, potlucks, and more! 💖

Photo and Recipe Nancy Andres

Thanks for checking out this post. Before you go, please comment below and then reach out to my fellow bloggers to comment on their contributions too. We love to hear from you, so thanks in advance.

Have you ever eaten a salad that didn't contain lettuce? Did you enjoy it? What veggies are your go-to ones, and do you eat salad every day? Please share. 

I welcome and appreciate all comments, but cannot publish those that contain links. Thanks for understanding. 

Please visit again. You'll find easy-to-prepare whole food plant-based recipes, food facts and cookbook reviews, color energy information, and sustainable lifestyle ideas.  

 

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