The holidays often bring a wave of indulgence, with tables full of cookies, pies, and sugary treats. Yet for Vayla Orr, the season doesn’t mean letting go of her commitment to clean eating. “I realized a few years ago that I could still enjoy desserts without feeling heavy or guilty afterward,” she explained while stirring almond flour into a mixing bowl. Her philosophy is simple: keep ingredients wholesome, natural, and free from refined sugars.
Instead of butter-laden cakes, Vayla makes spiced apple crisp sweetened with a touch of honey and topped with oats. She loves experimenting with coconut cream for dairy-free whipped toppings, paired with fresh berries or roasted pears. “It feels festive, but my body thanks me the next day,” she laughed.
For her, clean eating desserts are not about restrictions, but about feeling good. She believes that using ingredients like almond flour, maple syrup, and dark chocolate can transform the idea of holiday sweets. Guests are often surprised that her desserts taste so satisfying without processed sugar or heavy cream.
Her gatherings now have a new tradition—family members ask her to bring her signature pumpkin pie with a date-and-nut crust. “Even my dad, who used to roll his eyes at anything labeled ‘healthy,’ goes back for seconds,” she said with pride.
This holiday season, Vayla hopes more people will discover that clean eating can be joyful. “Food should make us feel alive, not sluggish,” she added. Her kitchen proves that desserts don’t have to sacrifice flavor to be nourishing.
