Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Red beans & rice bowls. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Beans, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Mexican, Pressure Cooker, Side dish, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Red beans and rice. 

Happy Monday my friends!  After a lovely weekend of sleeping (I slept 30 hours between Friday night and Monday morning) I feel great.  I have no idea where that came from but my body/mind so needed it.  I hit the ground running today and was at the gym nice and early. In fact, after speaking to a trainer friend of mine… I bumped up all of my weights 10-15 lbs per machine and I killed my workout.

IT
FELT
SO
GOOD!

So back to the kitchen for menu prepping, client cooking and all things food.  I made this dish over the weekend and I was excited to share a super easy recipe that is perfect for week/leftovers for lunch or freezer for a future quick dinner on the fly.  I also love this for your taco bar on Tuesday!  It’s really easy to prepare and you can add or subtract your favorite veggies/spices etc. I’ve also made this with leftover quinoa for a hefty protein-punch!  Think about serving this with your favorite main protein, with tortillas, in a salad or alongside a tofu scramble!

Time to get started… happy new week!

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— Knead to Cook

Veggie protein burritos. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Breakfast, Brunch, Gluten Free, Mexican, Party Foods, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Veggie protein burritos.  I took this pic at night so sorry for the lack of photo perfection.

The universe, I believe, is trying to knock me down.  Again, I wiped out on a run.  Seriously, what in the world is going on with me?  Ha.  I think I keep biting the pavement, a–hem road, because I completely zone-out, praying, meditating and just stop paying attention to each and every step.  My poor husband.  I walk in, covered in dirt, rocks and blood and he looks at me in dismay —– again.  But on the positive note, the weather was insanely cool and lovely.  My run felt really good till I wiped out.  And my daughter’s veneer (if you’ve been following me on Insta-story) has finally arrived, fit and looks so awesome!  My youngest had smacked my oldest’s front tooth, well 1/3rd of it, out ten years ago and we wanted it more secure before she heads off to college.  Check, check and check!  She looks awesome!

So this little, sweet recipe.  I made it for a client for breakfast and morphed it into a lunch or dinner (or after-school snack) that my family has been totally digging!  I thought if they are – I better share. These are perfect to freeze and prep ahead.  I hope you love these as much as we have!

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— Knead to Cook

Everything bagel seeded crackers. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brownies, Brunch, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Everything bagel seeded crackers. V. GF.

I’m starting to think that Tuesdays are going to surpass Mondays on the suck factor.  Weird situations keep happening that 1. kill my run times 2. make my daughters cry and 3. make me feel like the worst mom on the planet.

Last Tuesday my youngest stepped off the bus and snapped her ligament that connects her leg to her foot.  We spent all morning at the doc, hospital, X-rays, resting, eating, ice etc.  Thankfully my sweet girl is on the mend and off crutches as of Monday but has a wonderfully bruised foot.  It was my oldest daughter’s turn this week for a rough patch.  Long story short, when she was younger my youngest smacked out about 1/3 rd of her front tooth out and it’s been bonded ever since.  With her moving 10 hours away to attend her university we wanted to get a veneer on that tooth for more stability.  While we await the 2nd attempt at the veneer (the first one the cosmetic dentist was not happy with) her temporary shattered at 1a this morning.  This was the 2nd time in 3 days.  Problem is that our wonderful cosmetic dentist teaches at Penn on Tuesday in Philly and isn’t here.  His assistant was able to help however without pain meds.  My daughter tried to handle the exposed nerve pain but after too long gripping my hand with great force, tears and pain… we found a nearby periodontist to come and administer Novocain. I felt like the worst mom EVER!  Finally repaired and home.  I won’t even get into my orthodontist appointment details and my pain because it doesn’t matter at this point.  My oldest opted to sleep this afternoon and not go to school.  Phew.  Can this day be over, please?

Sorry for the long tirade… I made these crackers yesterday and they came out great!  I wanted to share with you all because I feel like we all need a good cracker in our life.  Great snack with jam, almond butter or hummus.  Super easy to make.  Store perfectly for a week.  I hope you give these a try!

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— Knead to Cook

Healthy Muesli Cereal. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gift ideas, Gluten Free, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

    

Healthy muesli cereal.

Happy Monday & May!  I know winter officially ended several weeks ago but when May arrives… it always seems real.  We did survive another winter!  Hallelujah!

This weekend my husband was making his beloved cereal and I thought I would share my favorite on here with you all because I’ve neglected to do this in the past.  I love this cereal – it’s awesome soaked overnight in your favorite non-dairy milk.  Oats are so good for your body – slowly digesting- therefore keeping you satiated & packed with fiber.  With the added nuts and seeds for healthy fats – this breakfast sets you up for success all day long.  This muesli is also perfect atop your favorite yogurt or ice cream (non-dairy of course).  This recipe is fail-safe so even if you aren’t passionate about cooking – this recipe is super easy!  Plus this one is great to pack up and ship or gift to teachers/friends etc.

We’re hosting a big brunch in June and this will for-sure on my yogurt bar!  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

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— Knead to Cook

Walnut Hemp Blender Muffins. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Well this has certainly been an exciting/drama-filled week thus far & these muffins were oh-so-necessary.  My youngest has torn a ligament in her ankle on Tuesday and of course that meant doc appointments, X-rays at the hospital so on… & so forth.  She’s good, sore and has a very swollen and colorful ankle but back to school hobbling around on crutches.  That interspersed with some colorful emails… I was done with the week by Tuesday night.

Wednesday I shipped out food to clients and went into the kitchen to just create.  Not job-related… just for me to bake something for my family.  I’ve been obsessed lately with blender muffins and my family eats them at rapid speed… I was in need of a fresh batch.  I focused on healthy fats and a bit of decadence (hello chocolate) and my youngest gave these 5 stars!  I knew I better blog them before I forgot what I used to make them… #bloggerproblems

Okay so let’s get started…

 

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— Knead to Cook

Sprinkle Protein Cookies. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Cookies, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Nuts, Running/Races, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment



Sprinkle protein cookies.

I was looking for a sweet little cookie present for a friend’s daughter who broke very recently.  I was flipping through Arman Lieu’s cookbook and I found this recipe.  It was perfect.  It made about 10 mini cookies that I decorated with fun heart sprinkles and they’re perfect.  You an easily make this recipe into 2 larger cookies or several minis.  Fun but so healthy and packed with protein!  34 grams of protein in this serving (serves 1), 20 grams of fat and 11 grams of fiber.  I also wanted to test out the Nuzest protein I received.  The vanilla worked perfectly!

Well happy Monday & let’s get this started 🙂

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— Knead to Cook

Chocolate chunk cookie bars. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Brownies, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Easter, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 4 Comments

Chocolate chip cookie bars.  Vegan. Gluten free.

I made these bars for my family & for a friend today to spread a bit of joy through food.  I often do this as a kind and unexpected act.  It’s funny how something so small can impact someone so greatly.  These are a bit on the decadent side but I cut these into small cubes and a little goes a long way.  Plus, removing all treats from your diet isn’t practical.  A treat, especially those protein-packed like these, are a wonderful little departure when necessary from clean eating.

I made this entire recipe in my stand mixer with minimal cleanup.  These bars freeze and package to ship nicely.  I’ve shipped these to friends/clients many times and would make a great care package treat for a loved on.  I’m already thinking of care package ideas for when my daughter is off to college this fall.

Okay so without further adieu… let’s get on to this recipe.

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— Knead to Cook

Chocolate chunk banana blender muffins. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 5 Comments


Blender chocolate chunk banana muffins. Vegan. Gluten free.  

Oh blender muffins how I love you so!  Incredibly easy prep and clean-up.  Tender and moist… these muffins are to die for.  And did you check out that chocolate swirl around the coconut sugar on the chocolate chunk?  HOLY yum!  Seriously.  I made this recipe and literally 5 were gone while cooling. Ha.

I make a lot of muffins and cookies during the week for clients and my own family.  They get packed in breakfast bags (hello 5a swim practice), lunch bags or they serve well as an after school snack or dessert.  My dad grabs one with his coffee in the afternoon.  Endless eating opportunities.  Be warned… these go fast!  I also freeze these perfectly in an airtight ziploc or plastic container.

 

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— Knead to Cook

Blender Carrot Ginger Baked Donuts. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Quick Bread, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Blender carrot ginger baked donuts on this marathon Monday.  Everyone needs a donut post Easter weekend, right?  Well my day was filled with running, nervously tracking friends/clients running the Boston Marathon.  So I baked.  A lot!  Then I was glued to my tv and computer tracking.

So donuts.  Let’s chat.  I’m not a huge sugary, sweet kinda gal. Knowing I wanted these for my kiddos and husband’s breakfast – I wanted to do a healthier version that had just the right amount of sweetness to keep my girls interested.  These are a spicy/sweet combination that are moist and quite decadent.  Perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Let’s get on with it 🙂

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— Knead to Cook

Protein blender brownies. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Brownies, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments


Protein blender brownies.  Vegan & gluten free.

I was terribly excited to get my hands on my talented friend/blogger’s Armen Liew new cookbook.  Arem is the genius behind the blog The Big Man’s World.  His is absolutely phenomenal & I highly recommend it.  This is NOT sponsored in any way, shape or form but my opinion.  If you love sweets but don’t love the calorie bomb/destruction to your eating.  Aren’t a huge fan of sugar-overload.  Check his blog and cookbook out.  Today I whipped up his 4 ingredient flourless brownies in my Vitamix and man… I’m in love!

These brownies came together super fast.  Perfect when you need a treat in a hurry… in fact the waiting for them to cool/slice took longer than prepping and baking!  I hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

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— Knead to Cook