ABOUT SOLANA’S SWEET LIFE
Solana Nolfo is a healthy baking expert and culinary wellness & health coach who upholds that dessert (at any point in the day) can still be an enjoyable part of a well-balanced eating pattern. Instead of focusing on what to substitute or cut-out, she believes that fewer, nutrient-packed ingredients can be the foundation of your recipe, producing monumental results for a healthy body and healthy life. Her “empowered baked goods” were inspired when her boys were young—she needed portable foods that were boosted with protein, fiber, and healthy fats – and what’s more portable than a cookie?
Solana is a Certified Health Coach through both The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Nutritious Life and a proud member of The New York Women’s Culinary Alliance. Her sought-after baked goods and recipe curations have been sold in restaurants and distributed throughout the competitive wellness industry of New York City, and her recipes are frequently featured on the social channels of Nutritious Life. A long-time New Yorker (Puerto Rico-born and California-raised), Solana resides on the Upper West Side and loves cooking for and with her husband and twin sons.
Learn more about Solana’s favorite ingredients that make for irresistible Empowered Baked Goods!
Empowered Baked Goods
Solana’s All-Star Ingredients
Take a look at Solana’s recommended go-to pantry items and specialty brands to nutritiously boost your baked goods and produce the best results in your gluten-free and grain-free baking.
Shop for your sweet life below!
Almond Flour
The go-to for grain-free goodness! Almond flour adds protein and healthy fat (along with other nutrients) without the carbs.
Cassava Flour
The starch solution for structure and texture. It has a neutral flavor and is packed with key vitamins and minerals, including loads of Vitamin C.
Buckwheat Flour- Naturally gluten-free, there are two types of buckwheat flour that bring entirely different flavor profiles and textures to the party. Dark buckwheat flour, or ground seeds with the hull, gives your baked goods that more grainy, coarser texture--great for granolas or buckwheat pancakes. Light buckwheat flour, or ground seeds without the hull, is very fine in texture and is the PERFECT choice in baking, giving your creations that airy feel with a delicate, moist crumb. Whatever adventure you choose, buckwheat flour is a great source of protein and fiber.
Coconut Sugar
It’s similar to brown sugar, but coconut sugar contains nutrients as well as inulin, a type of fiber that is a prebiotic. Prebiotics help the good bugs in your intestines grow and help digestion.
Maple Syrup
More than just a partner to your pancakes, maple syrup contains important minerals and antioxidants including iron, calcium, and zinc. (Pro Tip: dark maple syrup is richer in antioxidants and minerals than other varieties.)
Organic Refined Coconut Oil
Like one’s aesthetic, we like our coconut oil refined so our baked goods don’t smell or taste like we’re hitting up the beach. When coconut oil is steam refined, it achieves a solid neutral flavor and, when used in moderation for baking, gives your body those awesome energy-supportive MCT’s!
Organic Olive Oil
Olive Oil isn’t only reserved to top your salad. When used in baking, it adds extra antioxidants and vitamin E to your baked goods for a heart-healthy boost and gives your creations a sweet and delicious fruity flavor.
Organic Vanilla Extract
Vanilla is critical to rounding out and enhancing the flavors of your baked goods. In general, the sky's the limit when it comes to flavor enhancing spices. Believe it or not, cinnamon and ginger aid in balancing blood sugar and reducing inflammation. Spices are a fun & simple way to experiment in the kitchen-a little goes a long way!
GOOD chocolate
Emphasis on GOOD! Chocolate is personal, so ultimately you must choose what speaks to your soul, BUT something in the 70% cacao range is preferable to reduce the glycemic load!
Pro Tip: Take a close look at your labels-things like sugar content and where the chocolate is sourced all play a key role in the flavor profile of your ideal, dreamy chocolate brand.
Santa Barbara Chocolate (not Amazon)
Seeds
A game changer in your baked goods for flavor and aesthetic! Chia, Hemp and Flax are a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3’s and an easy way to add additional protein and fiber to your recipe. Sprinkle liberally
Bonus Pro Tip: Get Creative with your PRODUCE! Need to use up some of your ripe, seasonal produce? MASH it, PUREE it, SHRED it! Finding unique ways to incorporate your fruits and veggies will give your baked goods some incredible texture and natural sweetness, not to mention heaps of nutrients. Clear out your freezer or go shopping in your compost bin, and let’s get baking!