Gluten-Free New Year's Eve Party Snacks

Whether you have an allergy to gluten, issues with yeast (Candida) overgrowth, follow a low-carb diet, or are allergic to wheat, these healthy recipes use natural, whole ingredients to give your New Year's Eve celebration impressive, delicious, and wholesome things for you and your guests to eat.

Ginger Broccoli

This easy and delicious Chinese-inspired appetizer will impress guests and be satisfying

1. Toast 1/4 c. sesame seeds on a toaster oven tray at 200 F until light brown.

2. Wash and cut three heads of broccoli. Drop into boiling water and boil until bright green, then remove and plunge into cold water.

2. Mix together 1.5 tbs. Sesame oil with 1.5 tbs. Olive or canola oil, 3 tbs. Wheat-free tamari or soy sauce, black pepper, 2 tbs. Fresh diced ginger, and 2-3 sliced fresh scallions.

3. Strain broccoli and pour mixture over, mixing well. Stir in sesame seeds. Serve warm or cold.

Curry Quinoa

High protein and low-fat, this warm and satisfying dish is both comforting and satisfying.

1. Sautee 2 cups dried quinoa with 1 tbs. turmeric, 1 tsp. dill, 1.5 tsp. curry powder, 1 tbs. dried ginger, 2 tsp. cumin, 1/4 c. olive oil, and salt, stirring over medium heat for five minutes.

2. Add 5 cups of water, turn heat to medium-low, and cover.

3. Check periodically and add more water if necessary. Quinoa is done when soft. Add more salt to taste.

Poached Eggs with Greens

Use organic vegetables for this well-balanced dish high in vitamins B, C, and D, calcium, and zinc. The bitter greens are good for calming and detoxifying the liver, making this one a perfect complement to New Year's partying.

1. Wash, cut, and steam one bunch of collards, two bunches of broccoli rabe, and half a bunch of dandelion greens in 1-2 inches of water, covered, on medium-high heat.

2. When soft, remove vegetables and set aside.

3. While water is still hot, crack four eggs into pan, cover, and set heat to medium. Poach eggs until centers yield but do not feel liquidy. Remove eggs with a slotted spoon, salt and pepper, and serve over rice with steamed vegetables on the side.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

These delicious treats are not too sweet and very difficult to stop eating.

1. Scoop out rounded teaspoons of natural (unsalted, no additives, preferably organic) peanut butter, refrigerated, and hand-roll into balls.

2. Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks in a double boiler or a metal bowl placed in a pan of boiling water, stirring constantly.

3. With toothpicks, dip peanut butter balls into melted chocolate. Cool on a tray lined with wax paper.