Cristy's Kitchen

Enjoy an abundance of healthful gluten-free and dairy-free recipes—all inspired by a mother’s passion

In 2019, after a bankruptcy left her family with nothing, Cristy Kisner; her husband, Sebastian; and their five daughters moved from Peru to Roswell, Georgia, to give them a better future and to fulfill Cristy’s dream of opening a healthy café in the United States. When the Covid-19 lockdown came, they never closed their doors, working sixteen-hour days for a year. In March 2021, Brandon Stanton, the creator of Humans of New York, became a regular customer and fell in love with the food at the café and Cristy’s incredible story. He wrote about Cristy and sponsored a fundraiser, and her moving story went viral, allowing the family to stay afloat and continue to live their American dream. 

The food at Cristy’s Kitchen is gluten-free, dairy-free, organic, nourishing, and thoroughly tasty. Back in Peru, Cristy had developed her recipes after two of her daughters experienced medical issues ranging from allergic rhinitis to digestive problems to an autoimmune disease. They switched to organic ingredients; removed dairy, gluten, and processed foods from their diets; and got each diagnosis under control. Her daughters’ special packed lunches gained the attention of other parents, and Cristy started teaching classes on healthy food prep, which evolved into the dream of having her own bakery and café serving sweet and savory baked goods, prepared foods, and more, many inspired by favorite ingredients from her native Peru. 

Cristy provides helpful health information and sources on the more unusual ingredients in the book, including those she’s refined into her celebrated gluten-free baked goods. The delicious and healthful recipes in this book include favorites for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and desserts, including:

• Golden Milk Pancakes
• Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie Bowl with Caramelized Bananas
• Pear, Spinach, and Fennel Soup with Chicken, Avocado, and Cashew Parmesan
• Yucca Gnocchi with Carrot Greens Pesto
• Stuffed Poblanos with Lamb
• Paleo Molten Lava Cake
• Passion Fruit Super Gummy Candies

The incredible stories and recipes in Cristy’s Kitchen will inspire you to cook and eat more healthfully, cherish the blessings in your life—and understand the miracles that can happen when love and determination go hand in hand.