Peppermint Whipped Cream.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Brunch, Condiments, Dips, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, No bake/cooking required!, Pies, Smoothies, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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This week I’m whipping up easy peppermint recipes that will make your holidays sparkle with little to no time or effort.  Who has extra time with so many other pressing holiday plans, parties and tasks at hand.  Homemade whipped cream is the easiest thing to make and I feel like so many people are intimidated by it.  No need.  So simple.  And adding a bit of peppermint to the base makes this whipped cream perfect for your lattes, fraps or hot chocolate.  It would also rock a chocolate pie or sundae.  Simple ingredients, takes only a few minutes and tastes so much better than the store-bought version.  A must try this holiday season.

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— Knead to Cook

Peppermint Simple Syrup.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Brownies, Candy, Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegetarian 3 Comments

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Are you ready for peppermint week?  I hope so!  There is nothing that embodies the flavor of this season to me other than peppermint.  I love it.  I always have.  Peppermint patties, candy canes… you name it!  I’m all over it.  We keep a stash in our pantry for our peppermint hot chocolate recipe and it has endless uses.  It always calls my name when I see them adorning desserts or cocktails.  I have a weakness.  This recipe is so versatile.  It can be used in coffee, tea, hot chocolate, whipped cream or cocktails.  Once cooled, refrigerate and it will last for weeks.  I will be sharing recipes all week that use this simple syrup if you’re looking for inspirations.  Stay tuned.

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— Knead to Cook

Oatmeal peanut butter cookies. {no flour} {no butter}

by Filed Under: Cookies, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 12 Comments

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This recipe was created a few years ago when I ran out of butter and needed to bake some cookies.  Necessity is the mother of all inventions!  These cookies are perfect as they are gluten free, butter free and flour free!  Great baking idea for the holiday.  I like this recipe as it packs protein in a delicious form that my kids love.  I used Bob’s Red Mill rolled oats that are gluten free.  Available in most grocery stores in the GF section.  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.  Grab a hot cup of hot chocolate or cold glass of milk, a blanket and sit by the fire enjoying this yummy treat.

Update:  Made a batch yesterday – completely gone this morning.  Making more for our swim meet tomorrow…. maybe even a triple batch!

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— Knead to Cook

Caramelized vanilla blondies.

by Filed Under: Brownies, Cookies, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Vegetarian 7 Comments

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These blondies are perfect for baking and holiday gift-giving.  They have a caramelized flavor making them irresistible.  Not clean-eating by any stretch of the imagination but everything in moderation.  With a husband who is allergic to chocolate (yes, gasp!) these are the perfect treat.  I’ve had this recipe for about 20 years – my little stained index card.  A true favorite I always make around the holidays.  Flaky tops.  Ooey gooey centers, does it get any better?  Commence drooling.

So in my house, I always try to have a wide variety of “treats” for my kids and I made protein bars yesterday… today I knew I had to make a fun sweet for an after-practice/dinner dessert option.  Perfect wrapped up in a cellophane bag with a plaid ribbon.  Pay a bit of happiness forward and make someone’s day extra special or eat them all yourself and then hit the gym hard tomorrow…. it’s your choice!

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— Knead to Cook

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.

by Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Vegetarian 11 Comments

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Peppermint is so reminiscent of Christmas to me.  It seems like I only really use it in recipes late November and December despite a deep love for it.  As I sit here, on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving, I’m rushing today to get three new recipes created, cooked/baked and photographed and then blogged so that I can take some down time this week with my family.  This is my final recipe.  It’s indulgent.  Not clean eating.  I created this recipe for my daughter to take to a sleepover tomorrow night.  The girls have all been swimming so much that the calories don’t matter (ah to be a teenager) and it’s a special treat to enjoy with girlfriends at a sleepover.  On top of using some mint in this recipe, I also added a fun little extra to this recipe.  A fun baking holiday idea that is a must try!

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— Knead to Cook

Classic Oatmeal Cookies.

by Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts, Holiday Baking Ideas, Vegetarian 2 Comments

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This week has been filled with a lot of preparation especially with Thanksgiving being next week – how did that happen already?  My girls are both full-on into swim practice, in fact my oldest swam 7200 yards at 2 practices yesterday. I need to have healthy and indulgent snacks around that provide with some much needed refueling and protein/calories for muscle rebuilding (and a sweet treat as a reward for all their hard work).  Being a bit short on time today, I wanted to whip up some oatmeal cookies as I noticed the chocolate chip cookies I made were long gone with not even a crumb remaining in the cake stand.  These are a family favorite – crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, just like the cookie should be.  Grab your milk!

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— Knead to Cook

Almond Meyer Lemon Cherry Biscotti.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Italian-inspired, Nuts, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegetarian 3 Comments

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Growing up Italian, I think I was given biscotti as a teething cookie while a toddler.  I always remember them being around in a big glass jar.  The adults would imbibe in a dark coffee dipping their crunchy biscotti in between gulps.  This crunchy cookie is the favorite of kids (especially when dipped in chocolate) and adults.  The crunchier the better.  They are so versatile too.  You can add whatever your favorites are from nuts to fruits and chocolates.  My Meyer lemon tree is bursting with lemons and I wanted to use them as the fresh essence in these delectable cookies.

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— Knead to Cook

Oatmeal Nut Granola Bars.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 1 Comment

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I’m coming up on my one year anniversary or epiphany that changed the way I was eating.  It was last November.  I had put on a ten extra pounds and basically was disgusted with how I felt.  I worked out 6 days a week – running, weights, spinning, cardio – you name it!  Then one day it all changed.  It all came into focus and I realized that it wasn’t my effort that needed to change it was my diet.  In particular, how much I was eating.  You know, snacking here or there.  Walk by and grab this or that.  I started to keep track and I have to admit, I was flabbergasted.  I just changed.  I was tired of it.  I had lost 20 lbs two summers prior and I knew I just wanted a change.  I was also sick of hearing how when you turn 40 it’s all over.  If you know me well… I don’t take well to accepting things that I can change.  I don’t roll over and play dead easily.  I’m a fighter by nature and this was not going to knock me down.

So one year, here I sit.  I’m now a vegetarian for the past 7 months.  I’m down 30 lbs total.  I run about 1.5 minutes faster than I did before.  I feel awesome.  I’ve discovered through my evolution the friends who support me and those who sadly don’t.  I’ve inspired people so that they can do the same and receive hundreds of emails that inspire me to continue from fans of my page.  It’s a cycle… pay it forward.  Pay your energy forward.  Pay you knowledge forward.  Build up and don’t tear down!  That’s the whole gist of my blogging.  Inspire others to do good, eat good and pay it forward.

Okay now off my soapbox (for now).  So here sits this granola bar.  Doesn’t look more special than any other granola bar out there I’m sure.  But when I created this granola bar I strived to make it as healthy and clean as possible.  Packed with tons of vitamins and minerals.  Great for recovery after a walk, a run or a workout.  It can be made vegan or simply vegetarian.  It’s packed with goodness.  No preservatives.  No ingredients that you can’t pronounce or let alone be able to identify like the store bought counterparts.  It’s also gluten free.  Even the crumbles that break off the bars when slicing can be stored and used to top yogurt or eat straight up.  Okay enough… time to move onto the recipe.

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— Knead to Cook

Mini Chocolate Almond Butter Pies.

by Filed Under: Desserts, Easter, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Party Foods, Snacks, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian 5 Comments

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I don’t think there is anyone on the planet that doesn’t love the chocolate/nut butter combination.  I’ve been working on some Thanksgiving menu ideas, as I host this holiday each year, and wanted to make some fun – different than the typical apple or pumpkin pie, portion-controlled desserts.  This way people can try a variety of desserts without overdoing it and being riddled with the holiday food regrets.  Plus, mini food that is totally poppable (is that even a word? ~ well it is now) into your mouth makes it even better.  These can made with homemade crust or store-bought if you’re in a pinch for time.  Whip up really fast and can definitely be made a day or two in advance.

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— Knead to Cook

Roasted Sriracha Pumpkin Seeds.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Gluten Free, Halloween, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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I know, I know… a bit late on the roasted pumpkin seed recipe.  In fact last year I never even got around to posting this recipe!  As Halloween approaches everyone’s schedules blow up and it seems like we rush (if we do) to carving our pumpkin and harvesting the seeds.  This year I had been on a training run and hurt my foot (stepping on something in the dark) and I was icing my foot.  Hubby got home late from work and carved the pumpkin for me (very appreciative) and cleaned the seeds and stored them for me.

Yesterday, before the trick or treaters started and our dinner guest (my daughter’s boyfriend) arrived – I quick roasted these up so we had them to snack on.  They are one of my favorites and really pack some awesome healthful benefits.  As always, adjust the spices to your liking and enjoy!

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— Knead to Cook