Fall is the season of plenty. Planted in spring and nurtured all summer long, a colorful bounty of crops pours into farmers markets across the country, making it easier than ever to eat a wide variety of local, seasonal ingredients.

(Vegetarian, Vegan, Wheat-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free)

Fig Newtons count as fruit! Really, they do, especially if you've ever had Barbara's Raspberry Fig Bars, which are all natural, wheat-free, multigrain, fruit juice sweetened, and chock-full of raspberries, figs, and dates. Eaten alone these bars are a healthy source of fiber, but dress them up with chocolate chips and you've got a winning dessert on your hands. It's also allergen-free. Please note, that Barbara's Raspberry Fig Bars are allergen-free, but NOT gluten-free. Additionally, they are made on shared lines, so if you are making these for kids with severe/life threatening food allergies, as is sometimes the case with nuts, please use Enjoy Life Soft Baked Snickerdoodle Cookies instead; they lack the fruit, but are absolutely delicious, and made in a dedicated nut-free, gluten-free facility.

(Vegetarian, Vegan, Wheat-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free, Refined Sugar-free)

These energy-packed little nuggets are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, phytonutrients, and fiber. Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin E, and provide added protein. Cocoa powder is high in antioxidants. And best of all, kids love to help make these hands-on treats. So sit back and let them do the work of rolling their own snacks!

(Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Refined Sugar-free)

My kids love anything mini. Mini pizzas, mini paint sets, even Mom's mini muffins that combine super-healthy butternut squash (high in Beta Carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and fiber) with protein rich soy milk and whole grain spelt flour. Spelt flour is an ancient cousin of wheat, with all the health benefits of whole wheat flour, but a much milder, nuttier taste. I prefer it because it is less bitter than regular wheat flour. Muffins are a great place to sneak in fruit and veggies, especially if those veggies come from Stahlbush Island Farms because they have a "Sustainable Farming, Earth Friendly Agriculture Certification," which is even greener than the USDA Certified Organic label. For another healthy option, try Farmer's Market canned organic butternut squash. Incidentally, both lines are owned by the same Oregonian family, leading pioneers in healthy farming with fantastic fruit and veggies!

(Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-free, Egg-free, and Refined Sugar-free)

I no longer eat white sugar. Not because it's "evil" but because it's empty calories. White sugar is the bimbo of the food world, pretty and sparkly, but no substance underneath. And do you think I miss this sweetie? Not for a nano-second! For this soulful old-fashioned dessert, I've replaced the "white" foods with whole foods, trading white sugar for agave nectar and date sugar, and white flour for whole grain spelt flour. The result is food that tastes better while providing greater nourishment and a more even-keeled energy source. The science behind this is simple: date sugar is nutrient dense and high in fiber, while agave nectar is low on the glycemic index--which means it doesn't produce glucose as quickly as white cane sugar, and therefore doesn't cause the surges in blood sugar that lead to sugar crashes. This month, give up white sugar, and in return, you'll get off that roller coaster to gain a greater sense of calm.

This month, at Lime we're making dietary changes. No, we're not running off to the hills to silently meditate on the value of root vegetables, and you can forget about us learning the joys of cooking with seaweed, or emptying our pantries and alientating our families in the process. Instead we're making small changes for big gains. To do the same, try some of my recipes. Go sugar-free with "Whole Grain Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble," meat-free with "Tempeh Stir-fry with Broccoli," and saturated-fat-free with "Light Eggplant Parmesan." In return, you'll find greater calm and vitality, and take a smaller bite out of the planet while you're at it.

Think casseroles are stuck in the 1950s? Think again. This one-pot meal is heavenly, good enough for the Greek Gods themselves. I devised the recipe around the natural aphrodisiacs wine, onion, carrots, and celery, adding lamb, rosemary and mint, to give it a decidedly Greek flavor. It's supremely delicious without the feta, but if you can eat dairy, try adding this robust sheep's milk cheese for an extra bit of zing.

Looking to add something new to your repertoire? We've got the perfect recipes to woo a new love, mend a broken heart, treat yourself, keep the flame alive & fill your family with love. So this Valentine's Day, dare to try something new. Make a romantic brunch for one! Fill your diet with natural aphrodisiacs like bananas, chocolate, honey, peaches, oats, onions, carrots, celery, and alcohol (in moderation, too much has the opposite effect). Rev your libido and mix it up this V-day, with some healthy comfort foods and great new natural products. After all, variety is the spice of life!

Allergen-free Halloween Treats: Chocolate Sunflower Butter Cups, and Old-Fashioned Popcorn Balls

The following recipes are great allergen-free treats for Halloween. Not only are they dairy-free, soy-free, egg-free, peanut-free, tree nut-free, wheat-free, gluten-free (and of course shellfish-free and fish-free!), but they are also made without high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors or colors, making them healthy whole foods options for this holiday season.

Chocolate Sunflower Butter Cups

These are as easy to make as it gets. I make them with my 5 year old food allergic son Lennon, who likes the process as much as the product.

Pasta, the staff of life. They say it's bread, but I don't think so. Does bread come in over 350 shapes, colors and sizes? Does bread have never-ending sauce options? Can you eat bread alone every single night? Maybe, but I'd bet you'd rather eat pasta.