Throughout our “Waste Less and Be Green in 2015” series we’ve been interviewing other women-owned businesses.  We’ve learned about their passions, interests and gained some valuable tips and inspiration.

Fancy Peanut Food's logo

Fancy Peanut Food’s logo

Today I introduce you to Kyndra from Fancy Peanut Food.   She’s going to give us some simple tips for healthy eating and a yummy recipe.   Fancy Peanut specializes in making allergy and dietary friendly foods and loves to help provide education and information to people with dietary restrictions.  One of her passions is preserving the harvest and making sure that no food goes to waste.  She also strives to make products that are super delicious and super tasty.  I hope you’ll enjoy the advice and words of encouragement she has to offer for us this week!

 

 

 

Hi Kyndra, Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you wanted to start Fancy Peanut?

I’m a Mom of 2, a young daughter not quite 2, and a 7 year old son. One year my CSA had huge crops, cheap 2nds and I couldn’t help myself in buying up boxes of pears and apples, cabbage, pickles and other items. I noticed a distinct lack of healthy local foods in the area I was living. The Northeast part of Denver was considered a “food desert” and no where near my could you really go to get fresh produce, or quality made items without paying a huge premium! So, a friend of mine who i’d been selling some beets, pickles and peach preserves to, suggested that I sell it, as a business… and I looked into the Colorado Cottage Kitchen law and launched Fancy Peanut! It was not long after that I started making and baking allergy and dietary restriction friendly cakes and baked goods for people who couldn’t find anyone else do to so.

Why is it important for you to serve your family healthy foods?

My son was diagnosed with severe food allergies, so I started to learn how to cook and bake things for him so he wouldn’t feel left out at parties, school functions and other gatherings where a potluck style atmosphere was terrifying for all of us. So, I just had to learn myself! Trial and error and lots of cook books lead me to figuring out how to use alternative ingredients, flours, egg replacers and all sorts of other tricks, to have the end result taste and look good.

Food, in general should be pleasing to the eye and the pallet, but it’s what powers your engine. If you stuff your tank full of terrible ingredients, you shouldn’t be surprised when your “car” starts to break down. You have to eat the most nutritionally dense food as possible to stay healthy!

What’s your favorite recipe?

Just one!? Oh my gosh, I’m not sure I can pick just one. I would say thought, that my salted caramel made with coconut milk because it goes on EVERYTHING… (try it in your coffee!)
14 oz can full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk – or make your own!
1/2 cup coconut palm sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter or coconut oil (if you need it dairy free)

Combine the coconut milk and coconut palm sugar in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
Bring to a boil, then turn heat down so it doesn’t boil over, and boil until thickened, dark amber in color, and reduced to about 1 cup. This will take about 15-20 minutes, whisking frequently – Patience is required. Don’t walk away!

Turn off heat and quickly whisk in the vanilla, salt, and butter until smooth.

Cool completely, and then use or store in lidded glass jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

What is your favorite quote, song or phrase that you hope would empower women?

It’s a troublesome thing, feeling empowered. Some confuse that feeling empowered means taking away power from someone else to get there. You don’t have to tear down anyone else to build yourself up. I love this quote as it really embodies that;

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou

What would you suggest as a first step for anyone wanting to start eating healthier?

Start small. You don’t have to change EVERYTHING. Pick ONE way you can make a sustainable change. Maybe it’s making the switch to drinking water instead of soda (though that’s a big on, just do that ONE thing). Once you’ve mastered that, maybe add something else. Try to add just 1 vegetable to your day… instead of buying a shopping buggy full of vegetables you’ll end up throwing away, start with something you can keep in your freezer like green beans or peas where you are not at a risk of wasting money while you adjust your life style.

Any other tips or words of encouragement you want to share with our readers?

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be something that consumes you or makes you feel BAD when you “fall off the wagon”. Listen to you body, honor your cravings, THROW AWAY THE GUILT of feeling like you deserve to eat junk food. You deserve to feel awesome. That is worth it.

-Thanks Kyndra for sharing with us today!!

 

Make sure to enter below to win a FREE Keeper or Moon Cup of your choice!! We will pick a new winner every month so make sure to keep coming back to enter!

ABOUT THE WASTE LESS AND BE GREEN IN 2015 AUTHOR

Olivia lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband and 4 year old son. She enjoys spending time in the mountains, studying about essential oils, natural remedies and herbs, as well as upcycling/ DIY projects. Olivia’s family made the move last year towards becoming a Zero Waste household. They have gotten down to one bathroom sized trashcan a month of garbage but hope to be totally Zero Waste by the end of 2015.

Like this? Check out the rest of our Waste Less and Be Green in 2015 series for more tips!

Giveaway rules: Giveaway ends August 31, 2015 at 10pm EST. Entries will be accepted until 10pm EST via the Rafflecopter widget. Winner will be notified via email and winner will be posted on our Facebook page. Winner shall choose either a Keeper or a Moon cup in either size A or size B. The winner will have one week to claim prize at which point a new winner shall be chosen.

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