Hi there, I'm Danielle!
I am the writer, photographer, and recipe developer here at Delightful Mom Food. Journey with me as I share mouthwatering gluten-free recipes, reveal the secret techniques behind every perfect dish, and capture the essence of turning traditional foods healthier.
I've spent the last 10 years learning everything I can about being a home chef, got married, had 4 babies (2 of them at the same time!), became a certified health and nutrition life coach, and worked with a publishing company to write 3 cookbooks.
Let's start from the beginning
I was born in New Jersey and raised in Virginia. My family life was always focused around food, especially my Italian side always eating a healthy pasta recipe. My mother was always cooking in the kitchen making anything from scratch from the best chocolate chip cookies to restaurant style pizza so I watched and learned. Never did I think that would turn into a career.
After high school I headed out west to San Diego, California to go to college, where I met my husband and finished college.
My passion has always been visual arts. In college I got my degree in Advertising with a minor in Graphic design. I thought I would work at a big advertising agency or high profile magazine company. But the big cities and high traffic no longer interested me so I started my own small graphic design company.
Then came the world of blogging...
I started a healthy journey and blogging after a health scare of my own. All through high school and college I had hormone problems and was addicted to diet cola’s and fat-free everything.
When I was 26 - right before my wedding - I found out I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Having children would be difficult and I would have to go through InVitro Fertilization (IVF) methods.
I knew there had to be a natural way to cure myself of PCOS and get my body balanced again. I started on a journey learning how to eat healthy foods that do not disrupt hormones and sought guidance from my holistic doctor.
One of the best natural remedies he suggested was increasing my detox water and drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning to get my body doing its job.
A year and a half later my body found balance, healed and we conceived all of our children naturally - even into our 40's!😊.
My husband, Kristopher, and I have 4 beautiful young children, Chase, Curren, Lyla and Kayla. (They're my very picky taste testers!)
We moved from the Santa Barbara, California area and now live in Texas, which we love!
What I believe
- I believe in clean eating.
- I believe in eating foods in their most natural state, and then you do not have to count calories. Imagine how delicious of a life this can be?
- I believe that a healthy relationship with food exists without lists of restrictions. It just needs the right recipe formula and healthy ingredients!
The mind is a powerful place to start followed by eating a clean eating diet free of preservatives and processed ingredients. I have learned over the years that with the right formula the body can heal itself of disease and shed weight naturally without fad diets.
What you'll find on Delightful Mom Food
- Healthy and Gluten-free Recipes. All recipes are gluten-free and mostly dairy-free and refined sugar free.
- Reliable Recipes. These recipes are tested at least twice and sometimes more before they go on the blog. My little taste testers or husband also have to approve.
- Healthier Sweets and Desserts. I take family favorite traditional recipes and make them healthier without skimping on flavor.
- Every Experience and Skill Level. I guide you through the recipes with step-by-step and detailed instructions. I also provide details and lots of tips to make sure your cooking is successful! I've also got cooking measurement charts to help you.
My top recipes
These are a combination of my all time favorite recipes as well as reader favorites:
- Apple Pie Filling Recipe (No Refined Sugar)
- Blackened Rockfish Recipe With Avocado Sauce
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies (Bakery-Style)
- No-Bake Protein Balls
- Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken Without Breading
- Healthy Potato Salad
- Gluten-Free Blueberry Oat Muffins
- Apple Cider Vinegar Drink for Weight Loss, Detox & Optimal Health
FAQs
Sure! You are welcome to republish one photo on your website/blog/newsletter - please link it back to the recipe or blog post you pulled it from. And in advance, thank you so much for sharing the love!!!
I started an old site as a DIY, craft, recipes, home décor blog for fun then wanted to just share more of my healthy recipes that have helped my family over the years. So I started over and now have Delightful Mom Food, which I do full time as a stay at home wife and mother.
I do not have Celiac disease, but I do have a slight gluten sensitivity. I actually started eating gluten-free because gluten products have added iron and I have high iron so I couldn't eat regular flours for years. Once I went gluten-free I found how healthy I felt and less bloated so I eat that way mostly. I perfected the chemistry of gluten-free flours in baking so I share how to bake gluten-free with others in hopes they can feel better too!
My work
Along with the recipes here, I am a contributor for Food + Home Magazine publications.
I have also written and developed three published cookbooks. They are Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Baking Cookbook, Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cookbook, and Dairy-Free Cookbook for Kids. You can find them on Amazon.
Delightful Mom Food has been featured in theFeedFeed, Foodgawker, Buzzfeed, Shape, Popsugar, Yummly, Southern Living, Country Living, Chicago Tribune, Delish, and Blogher - to name a few.
Keeping in touch
- If you are interesting in working with me, please email me at daniellefahrenkrug(at)gmail.com
- Subscribe to my mailing list to get a free detox book of drink recipe and stay up to date with new recipe posts. Stay in with what is new!
- Shop my Delightful Mom Food Amazon Store for all of my favorite kitchen items, fashion, wellness products, home décor and more! As a mom of 4 I share everything that makes life easier and beautiful!
- Stay in touch via social media! I am social and would love to connect with you on social media too. Follow me on: Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Linkedin, and Twitter.
Thank you so much for being here!
Cheers & XO,
Danielle Fahrenkrug
Joanne Smith says
I am interested in making your GF pie crust and pumpkin pie. Do you use flour mixes with xanthan gum in them? Also, do you add additional xanthan gum?
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
I use gluten-free flour with xanthan gum like Bob's Red Mill. If you don't have any you can leave it out. It jut helps bind it slightly more but is not too much noticeably different.
Eunice says
I'm glad I found this site. I look forward to learning healthy eating. Thank you Danielle.
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
You are welcome, and glad to have you here!
Marlene Campbell says
I have bought a variety of ingredients to make baking mixes. I don't have sweet white rice flour. How is it different from white rice flour? Can I substitute plain rice flour for sweet rice flour.
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
Hi Marlene! I found many people are having the same trouble finding sweet white rice flour. You can substitute it for plain white rice flour. The sweet just has a bit more binding, which is the only difference.
Roni says
i would like to receive your post
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
Thank you! I will add you to our email list:-) You can also sign up by clicking the pop-up to get our free detox book. Thank you for staying in touch!
Terry says
Thinking about trying your New You plan. Is it a detox and weightloss plan? What kinds of things do you eat/drink? The price is not bad but how much is all of the groceries for the re ipes?
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
Hi Terry! Everything in the plan is whole foods and nothing processed formulated in a manner to promote weight loss. It comes with vegetarian and omnivore so it fits most lifestyles. Price for groceries depends where you live and if you are adding meats. But it is all very affordable and if you find you have any extra, most of the meal can be frozen for a later week. An example of some of the meal in Week 3 include: Chicken and Hummus Bowl, Sweet and Savory Tuna Salad, Black Eyed Pea Salad with Egg, Turkey Wrap with Sunbutter Sauce, Apple Basil Salmon Cranberry Kale Salad, Spicy Cauliflower Wings with Salad & Zucchini Quinoa Soup, Ginger Quinoa Shrimp Stir Fry & Side Salad, Roasted Chickpea Zen Bowl & Spicy Chicken and Black Bean Soup. I hope that helps your decision and let me know if you have any more questions.
Água Japonesa says
Hello, I loved your blog, incredible recipes, I'll share with my friends
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
Anne says
Hi Danielle,
I was looking into purchasing your dairy free and gf baking book for a Christmas gift. However right now due to covid-19 am unable to look at the book in person, are generally the recipes soy and corn free also? And do you specift what types of gf flour to use or is it just mixes? Thanks!
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
Hi Anne!
I do not like using soy often in recipes, and I do believe all the recipes are soy free. I use corn starch in flours, but cornstarch can be substituted for arrowroot flour in the recipes. Other than that not many recipes use corn kernels and the ones that do it can be left out such as Chicken Tortilla Soup (there is also a Skillet Corn Bread Recipe). Let me know if you have any more questions:-) And thank you for gifting!
Wendy Telford says
Hello - Am loving reading all these recipies that I am going to try. Looking forward to feeling better! Quick question . . . in Dairy-Free Gluten Free Baking Cookbook on page 140, the ingredients list has 1 teaspoon vanilla extract two times. Should there really be 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract? Or just one? I didn't want to overdo it by adding it incorrectly. Many thanks!
Danielle Fahrenkrug says
Hi Wendy! Thank you for catching that. I will have my publisher correct that misprint, but it should only be 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Lisa A Judkins says
I am a newbie here.. Hello I am so interested in getting new recipes and learning new ideas.. I was eating so healthy and workingout everyday but I recently fell off the wagon .. I work afternoons and I am always going out to get food I usually meal prep but I haven't had any time or money latley to do so. My dog eats better and healthier than me Lol .. Not kidding he gets meat , veggies , rice greek yogurt and cottage cheese .. Lol .. Ok so back to me I really need to get back on track but the money is the issue with me I am trying to get a car and a house right now so money is tight . I need to be able to do this on a budget can you help me please?
Danielle | Delightful Mom Food says
Hi Lisa! Thank you for your comment. Most of the meals on my website are healthy and affordable. Some can be made in advance and taken to work for a quick healthy choice. I suggest searching mason jar meals on my site, and spaghetti squash- which are all wonderful recipes to take to work that help with weight loss, energy and are affordable:-). Stay in touch! - All the best, Danielle
RL says
can we freeze your gluten free pumpkin zucchini muffins?
Danielle | Delightful Mom Food says
Yes, you can freeze muffins in a tightly sealed freezer bag (with as much air as possible removed) for up to two months.
Dakota Storm says
I am so stoked about this site!! I am trying to raise my daughter eating only non-processed foods, non-gmo, fresh veggies and all that. It has been a struggle only because her Grandmother on her fathers side does not pay any mind (its all hot dogs and baloney to her) LOL. I am working on it. And I get so irritated when people tell me I wont get any protein from being a vegan "because vegetables don't have any protein, and you need protein and calcium from milk and meat" (I just shake my head). Any way this blog is the bomb! so glad I found it, your recipes look sooooooo good! I cant wait to show my friends who support me LOL! You are an AMAZING woman, mother, wife and, goddess. Keep doing your thing girl.
Thank you!
Danielle at Delightful Mom Food says
Dakota, This is such a sweet comment! Thank you so much for taking the time and your beautiful encouraging words. I am so glad you found me too! My mom also shakes her head when I tell her I'm feeding my boys vegan pulled pork or veggie soup commenting "are they getting any protein -wheres the protein?! Haha, there is so much delicious natural 0 cholesterol protein from plants (as you will notice on some of the nutritional info in recipes) such as my cabbage soup has 9 grams of plant based protein! Soooo great you are getting your daughter on board too to healthy eating. If she ever has questions too have her email me and I am always here to help!
CC says
These sugar cookies are DELISH!!! After the first bite I immediately subscribed to your newsletter. I can't wait to try more of your recipes! Thank you so much. ?
Danielle @ Delightful Mom Food says
I am so glad you enjoyed the sugar cookies and hope you make more!
Dalina says
Omg Danielle! This site is fantastic. What a talent you are! I would like to request some of the chocolate caramel oat amaze-bars for our next meeting! They look incredible and sound yummy. I could stay on your site all night oogling over these recipes and your posts!
Danielle @DelightfulMomFood says
Dalina, you are so kind, thank you for your sweet comment!
admin says
Hi Laurie - Thank you for visiting and glad you like! Would love to help you with yours:-)