I imagine that when most people go home to visit the parents, they're served things like pot roast and mashers for dinner. For me it's the opposite; going to visit my mom in LA is like going on a healthy eating retreat. She brings us green smoothies for breakfast, we'll venture to vegan or raw restaurants for lunch, and dinner consists of big salads, raw soups, greens cooked with legumes, and naturally sweetened fruit-based desserts.
I wish the fare were always so healthy wherever I traveled, and in my own home, too. I'll be staying in NorCal this mother's day, but wanted to share some beautiful, vibrant comestibles from my favorite spaces around the web in honor of the lady who taught me that "your health comes first."
Spring is also a grand time to up your flower arranging skills (and make them better than this guy's). My dear friend Ana of Fluxi On Tour is holding a flower arranging and Instagram photography workshop in San Francisco on May 30th. It will be held in a beautiful space in the Dogpatch (my favorite neighborhood) - that and brunch at Piccino would make a bright and beautiful gift for yourself of a mother in your life, just sayin'. Get the details and register here.
Speaking of flowers, here are a bunch to arrange in your face, courtesy of the edible flower virtual potluck put together by Renee. And if you're still in need of a great gift, I'm giving away a copy of The 52 New Foods Challenge by my friend Jennifer Tyler Lee, which is a bible for inspiring kiddos to explore the world of fruits and vegetables on their own. Pop over to this post and leave a comment to enter.
And now, for all the health-minded mamas out there like mine, here are a host of spring recipes that'll make you feel good from the inside out.
Sweet:
Ricotta Crèpes with Whipped Ricotta, Citrus, Honey + Mint
Baked Rolled Barley with Berries, Figs + Cardamom
Labneh with Strawberries and Pomegranate Molasses | Team Yogurt
Broiled Apricots and Cherries with Ricotta and Thyme | Dash and Bella
Rhubarb Berry Baked Oatmeal | Edible Perspective
Pumpkin Buckwheat Waffles with Sauteed Apples {GF} | The Year In Food
Raised Buckwheat Waffles + Vanilla Stewed Rhubarb | The First Mess
Pecan Cookies with Whipped Chocolate Filling {vegan} | Jessica Murnane
Chocolate Hazelnut Tart with Maple Ganache {vegan} | Oh, Ladycakes
Ricotta Strawberry Cake | Brooklyn Supper
Popovers and Blackberry Butter | Just Putzing Around the Kitchen
Chocolate Orange Buckwheat Doughnuts {GF} | London Bakes
Mini Millet Muffins with Goji Berries {GF} | Salted Plains
Savory:
Dukkah Deviled Duck Eggs
A Farmer's Market Cornbread
Saffron, Ricotta + Pea Pancakes
Potato and Green Garlic Crustless Skillet Quiche
Arugula Cremini Quiche with Gluten-Free Almond Meal Crust | Cookie + Kate
Savory Rye Waffles (with Poached Eggs + Smoked Salmon) | Turntable Kitchen
Veggie Frittata Bites | Vegan Yack Attack
Little Gem Spring Salad with Toasted Seeds and Herbed Goat Cheese | Snixy Kitchen
Quinoa and Egg Enchilada Skillet | Alaska From Scratch
Honeydew Melon Feta Salad | Fluxi on Tour
Tomato and Egg Breakfast Pizza | I Am a Food Blog
Avocado Toast with Cilantro Lime and Cashew Cream | With Food + Love
Spinach Pesto Polenta with Smoky Chickpeas | Naturally Ella
Roasted Carrot Daikon Galette | Le Jus d'Orange
Kale, White Bean and Farro Salad | Spoon Fork Bacon
Spring Orzo Salad with Asparagus and Peas | She Likes Food
Drink:
Grapefruit, Ginger + Lemongrass Sake Cocktails
Inverness Cocktail Pitchers | Honestly Yum
Fresh Squeezed Heirloom Harissa Bloody Marys | Vegetarian Ventures
Strawberry Coconut Smoothies | A Couple Cooks
Strawberry Rosewater Cardamom Lassi | Salt & Wind
Raspberry Tahini Smoothie | The Briny
Soothing Turmeric Milk | Heartbeet Kitchen
Pineapple Hibiscus Mocktail | Desserts for Two
Coconut Citrus Sunshine Smoothie | Dolly and Oatmeal
Super Green Smoothie Bowl | Minimalist Baker
And if you're looking for an alternative toast, this takes just minutes to whip up:
Multi-Grain Nut + Seed Bread {GF + vegan}
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*Bojon appétit! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, purchase my gluten-free cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email.
london bakes says
Such a delicious collection of recipes!
Alanna says
Thanks lady!! WANT those doughnuts.
culinary postcards says
I'm thinking about celebrating a natural woman in me for the next 42 weeks of my life with these recipes..thank you for this gorgeous collection!
Alanna says
Yes! Love that idea. Can I come too? :)
tuulia talvio says
Love the roundup! And your mama sounds super :)
Alanna says
Thanks! She sure is. :)
stephanie le says
your brunch game is strong. those saffron pea ricotta pancakes are calling my name :)
Alanna says
Thanks lady! Trade you for some breakfast pizza. :)
Sarah @ Snixy Kitchen says
Can I be your mom this weekend and have you make all of these dishes for me?? Especially those crepes! (Thanks for including my salad in the line-up!:)
Alanna says
YES!!!
Sherrie says
The list is the bomb dot com -- I want it all. Thanks for featuring my avocado toast sweet Alanna, xo!!
Alanna says
Haha, right?? So many talented bloggers and recipes, so little time! (But always time for avo toast...) Love your photos so much Sherrie. :)
CaliZona says
I was wondering what all your @'s were about on Instagram. I get it now : D What an inspiring list! Your mom sounds like my mom with her kale smoothies in the morning, but my mom will indulge with a mocha or some ice cream too : )
Alanna says
Your mom sounds cool! Thanks so much for the sweet note. :)
Anne says
AHHHH you have a list of healthy mother's day recipes??? I wish I found this earlier... Just baked my mom a cake. A matcha meringue cake with whipped coconut cream...
I'm obsessed with this list!!! So many delicious looking recipes that I'll probably end up making just because I want to.
Alanna says
Whoa, that sounds amazing! (Also sesame matcha macarons!)
Pang says
Look at those links of yummy things to eat & drink!!! (Thank you so much for including my strawberry cordial, lady) I need to bookmark this post to gradually check those links out. :)
By the way, you have such a cool + so L.A. mom :)
Alanna says
Haha, thanks lady. :)
Izzy says
Your mom sounds awesome!! I hope she had an amazing mother's day! Brunch is something that I don't eat enough of but I always talk about how I need to go brunching more often, especially because morning drinking isn't frowned upon when you are at brunch! Thank you so much for including my orzo salad! you are the best :)
Alanna says
I hope so too, I was sorry I didn't get to spend it with her. Hear hear for day drinking (aka brunch ;) ), also rad orzo salad. Yums!
betty | le jus d'orange says
Alana, this is an amazing batch of healthy brunch recipes! Thank you so much for including my weird carrot daikon galette <3.
Alanna says
Thank you for making beautiful edible art. <3