Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Vegan sausage veggie soup. GF.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Giveaway!!!, Italian-inspired, Soups, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Vegan sausage veggie soup.  Gluten free.

Spring has sprung and I’m steadfast in my soup mode.  Our weather has been a bit psychotic to say the least.  One day is warm and springy with the next cool, damp and a bit miserable. I made this soup several days ago and my dad, our steadfast carnivore, commented to me how much he loved it.  Wow!  I normally get the disclaimer that it was good BUT he knew there was vegan “meat” in there.  This time… nada!  Okay, good. Progress.

This recipe makes a nice batch of soup, half of which I ended up freezing for a client.  It froze perfectly.  I’m thinking of adding cooked quinoa or gf pasta to add more substance the next time I prepare it.

So this soup was made with Tofurkey’s vegan sausage links.  They have a bit of spicy kick to them but you can easily add another flavor profile if you wish to go with a more mild flavor.  This recipe, like most of mine, is super forgiving allowing you to add or subtract what you have on hand or love.  This also is a recipe that you can prepare and then just allow it to simmer on a low heat all afternoon long (like I do).  I serve it with crackers or a crusty French baguette.  Hope you enjoy!
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— Knead to Cook

What’s all the pHuss. Essence pH10 water.

by Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Giveaway!!!, Product Review., Sponsored, Vegan 71 Comments

Essence pH10 hibiscus alkaline water. About three weeks ago, while scrolling through my Instagram feed, I saw a post about cancer and the pH scale that correlates.  I admit, I became completely engrossed in the topic.  In 1931 Dr. Otto Warburg won the Nobel Prize for proving that cancer cannot exist in an alkaline, oxygen rich environment.

Wait, what does that mean? I did further research to label which foods are acidic and which are alkaline.  I mean let’s face it, we’ve all been faced with cancer either in our lives or someone close to us.  So some of these foods included:  pastries, red meat, artificial sweeteners, milk, peanuts, processed meats, ketchup, corn oil, canned tuna and ice cream to name a few.  Conversely, alkaline foods include:  green chard, lettuce, sprouts, wheat grass, onions, peppers, garlic, celery and greens!

Just around that time I was delivered two cases of Essence pH10 alkaline water.  I had an opportunity to review and share a giveaway with you all.  In all honesty, I wouldn’t have really given the pH value much thought if I hadn’t seen this cancer correlation a few days prior.  Now, I’m not a doctor or nutritionist but I know foods can heal and work with the body to produce and end result.  I was really interested in testing out this water. Working out 6 days a week, I lose a lot of water through sweat.  I drink about 3 liters of water each day.  So what is pH and why is it so important? As humans, a normal pH of all tissues and fluids of the body (except in the stomach) is slightly alkaline. The most critical pH is in the blood. All other organs and fluids will fluctuate in their range in order to keep the blood a strict pH between 7.35 and 7.45 (slightly alkaline). This process is called homeostasis.

The company states: Essence pH10 is a premium alkaline water that contains 10% of the daily recommended allowance of calcium, magnesium, and zinc acetate. Additionally, we add organic hibiscus making this the only nutritional water on the market. This patented formula is designed to produce a sustainable pH10 that helps to restore the bodies pH balance. Essence pH10 is 100% sodium free.  MIST currently comprises four of the most commonly used minerals – Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Zinc; additional minerals are under development in order to create unique blends that are nutritionally superior to individual minerals and that resemble mineral mixtures found in natural products. So my overall take on the water.  Well, its free of flavor (just what you want in water) and completely hydrating.  I have used it right after my training runs, while I complete my HIIT workouts and even on rest days to hydrate my body.  Overall, I highly recommend especially if it can help balance my pH. I was supplied this product to review as stated earlier but the opinions and review are solely mine. #sweatpink #essenceph10 #superiorhydration #alkaline #hydrate #drinkup Would you be interested in trying out Essence pH10 water for yourself?  Check out the giveaway below.

Best of luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway My weekly recap so far…

Sunday:  5 outdoor, windy miles
Monday:  1h 25m weightlifting/core/kettle bell
Tuesday: 7.34 miles in the pouring rain  🙂

— Knead to Cook

Vegan nachos. GF.

by Filed Under: 4th of July/Patriotic, Brunch, Dips, Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Holiday, Mexican, Party Foods, Running/Races, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Vegan & gluten free nachos.  My final recipe in my week long vegan Super Bowl party food fest.  I wanted to share several plant-based football watching foods that were easy to prepare for hosting or taking to a party.  This is quintessential football food for sure.

This recipe is super flexible, allowing you to add or remove whatever you have on hand or prefer.  Add beans in lieu of the meatless crumbles, mix up the vegan cheese, add pickled jalapeños for extra spice.  Also top with salsa, hot sauce or guac for extra food fun.  The other wonderful thing about this recipe is that you can make a small or large tray depending on the amount of food you need.  You simply cannot go wrong with this dish.

My recipe gives you what I used along with substitution ideas.  I hope you enjoy!
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— Knead to Cook

Buffalo Tofu Bites. Vegan. GF. Valentine Giveaway.

by Filed Under: Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Running/Races, Snacks, Tofu, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 27 Comments

Buffalo tofu bites.  What? Yes, the vegan version of Buffalo wings.  The Super Bowl is this Sunday and this week I’ll be sharing some football/tailgating/party foods with you all.  If you’re hosting, attending a party or having an intimate little football party – having some festive, yes festive food, always makes the game better, right?  I mean seriously, unless your team is in the Super Bowl, sadly my team is not, the game is all about the commercials and overeating all the food.  Period.  End of story.  So plant-based people of the world do like to partake in the bar-inspired snacks/appetizers and football menu items.  We don’t always eat salads but we do always eat tofu – HA!

These bites are super easy to prep.  Even my meat-loving peeps love these and let’s face it… they aren’t artery clogging and gut busting like their carnivore counterpart.  The tofu can be pressed and cooked up easily earlier in the day with the sauce made right before you serve.  Toss the bites and sauce in the pan to warm and you are good to go!  So let’s get started.
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— Knead to Cook

Tempeh Veggie Scramble. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Breakfast, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Product Review., Running/Races, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 19 Comments

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Smilling Hara Tempeh veggie scramble.  

Not all tempeh’s are created equal… trust me, I feel like I’ve personally sampled every single one on the market.  I was contacted by the awesome folks at Smiling Hara several years ago and I’ve never found or eaten another tempeh that rivals their products.  Seriously.

So a little bit of tempeh product knowledge: Originated in Indonesia.  Tempeh is made from a process of culturing beans.  Result is a highly digestible and nutrient dense plant based protein.  Organic soy.  Gluten free.  Vegan. 

My good friend reached out to me a few weeks ago asking if I wanted to try out their new flavor combinations and I jumped at the chance.  Raspberry habanero, miso ginger and smoked salt/pepper have all captured my tastebuds.  The day they arrived I made this scramble and I’ve been waiting to share it with you all (taking pics/blogging the recipe does take time after all).  Finally!  Today, post long run, I was committed to getting this recipe up on the blog to share with you guys.  PLUS, Smiling Hara is also wanting to share the love with you all and is giving me 3 boxes to share with one lucky friend of Knead to Cook!  Ahhhh!
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— Knead to Cook

Fall running favorites. Garmin Fitness Vivoactive HR Smartwatch Giveaway.

by Filed Under: Fitness., Friday Favorites Series, Gift ideas, Giveaway!!!, Running/Races, Sponsored 110 Comments

 

 

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Not a food post but an exciting giveaway with Garmin Fitness. If you follow me on Instagram I announced a fun giveaway for this beauty last evening.  Vivoactive GPS Heart Rate Smart watch.  You can read all about it here.  Retail is $249.99.  I realize some people aren’t on Insta so I wanted to share this giveaway here as well. Please comment on this post or any recipe posted from now till November 6th.  8p EST a winner will be announced, tagged and emailed.  A 24 hour reply is mandatory or we randomly select another winner.  U.S. residents only.

I also wanted to share some fall running favorites with you all before fall is over & I miss my opportunity.  I run at 4:30a or so & require lots of reflective & WARM gear.   These are my top favorites.

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— Knead to Cook

Instant Pot Chipotle Black Beans and Rice. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Mexican, Pressure Cooker, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 5 Comments

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I’ve expressed my love for my Instant Pot when I first got it several months ago & I still remain quite smitten. It’s a magical gadget that revolutionizes the speed at which you prepare food.  It’s absolutely crazy. Everything we’ve made in it comes out perfectly. We use it several times and week and recommend it highly.  AND this is not a sponsored post.  Plus you can ditch the rice cooker, slow cooker because this pot does it all.

Spicy Indian & Mexican food is our favorite as of late.  So many easy options that suit everyone’s dietary needs.  This recipe is no different.  You can make this as spicy as you prefer.  I love making rice dishes like this one to add to my daily salad, as a side dish or to use on Taco Tuesday.  It is also great for a quick lunch idea. It is perfect served warmed up or at room temperature.   And the addition of the black beans serves as a wonderful source of plant-based protein.  Cumin, cayenne and chili powder are a beneficial to the blood, metabolism and body.  Let food be your medicine.  Okay so let’s get started…
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— Knead to Cook

NOW Foods. Giveaway.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brownies, Desserts, Fitness., Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Knead to Cook Promotions, Nuts, Pasta, Product Review., Sponsored, Travel & eating, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 76 Comments

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As a blogger, I have opportunities to join forces with companies in both the food and supplement industry.  I’m very selective about the products I share on my blog and use in my life.  I was thrilled last week to attend the NOW Foods Ambassador event in Chicago.  There is so much I want to share with you all and an awesome giveaway too!

Let’s start with a little history of NOW Foods.  In 1968, NOW Foods was founded under the belief that good health was not a luxury available only to the wealthy. For the past forty-five years, we have made it our life’s work to offer health food and nutritional supplements of the highest quality, at prices that are fair and affordable to all those who seek them.

Today, NOW Foods is one of the top-selling brands in health foods stores, an award-winning manufacturer, a respected advocate of the natural product industry, and a leader in the fields of nutritional science and methods development. And while we have grown considerably over the past four decades, one thing has never changed – our commitment to providing products and services that empower people to lead healthier lives.
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— Knead to Cook

Purely Elizabeth Banana Nut Butter Muffins. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Nuts, Product Review., Quick Bread, Running/Races, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 16 Comments

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When Purely Elizabeth reached out to me to ask if I would like to try their new grain-free, over-the-top, new granola —-well of course I would!  They promptly sent me two flavors (1 Banana Nut Butter and 1 Original Grain-Free Granola), both of which are heavenly and totally addictive.  I created two different recipes, this being the first I wanted to share as they released the product online today!  These muffins were made exponentially better but the crunch from the granola clusters.  These muffins are packed with healthy, delectable goodness that your whole family will enjoy.
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— Knead to Cook

Carrot Pear Oat Muffins. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Fruit, Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Nuts, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 4 Comments

Carrot Pear Oat Muffins. V. GF.

Carrot Pear Oat Muffins. V. GF.

Happy Friday Eve!  I’m looking forward to the weekend.  The weather is looking up this weekend and next week – like 70’s!  No projects.  No college tours.  I’m hoping for some downtime.  I’m looking forward to a vegan date for breakfast and the farmer’s market.  I’m very simple and maybe even boring but I love our rituals.

I started working on this recipe a few days ago and finally nailed it.  Great success for a blogger. I’ve made no bones about it… I much rather cook than bake.  Baking requires precise measurements and I don’t think my brain works well in those parameters.  I love flexibility.  These turned out so moist and delicious that I made a dozen and in less than 20 hours one lone muffin remains.  So I guess I will call these a victory!  I hope you enjoy them too!
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— Knead to Cook