Vegan and GF chocolate chip cookies.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Cookies, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 6 Comments

The BEST vegan and gf chocolate chip cookies.

The BEST vegan and gf chocolate chip cookies | Knead to Cook.

Vegan and GF chocolate chip cookies.

Happy Martin Luther King Day and Monday… yes, we meet again.  Everyone but my husband is off today so it was a bit of a lazier morning for everyone, well except that I got up with my husband at 5:30.  I was planning on taking a rest day after my run yesterday – more on that later.  Plus I had my orthopedist appointment today to check out the progress of my finger.

I’ve been working, tirelessly, on the perfect vegan and chocolate chip cookie.  You know that kind that isn’t gluten free and vegan that you once loved?  Yeah, that kind.  And let’s face it… Monday’s can always use a good chocolate chip cookie break built-in.  Ha ha. So finally, yesterday, I gave it another attempt and success was achieved.  I was quite pleased.  I normally don’t eat cookies but I had one… contemplated 4 more but walked away.  Yet as I type this… they are calling my name again.  Actually my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Okay so in the spirit of giving…. here you go!  I hope you love these as much as we do!
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Horseradish Dijon Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Dips, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Nuts, Party Foods, Sauces, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 1 Comment

Horseradish Dijon Cashew Cheese Sauce.

Horseradish Dijon Cashew Cheese Sauce | Knead to Cook

Horseradish Dijon Cashew Cheese Sauce.

If you think cheesy sauces are off the menu when going vegan you are so wrong!  Before I get into the how-to, let’s go through the various uses.  Let’s see ~ sandwich spread, straight-up dip, atop raw veggies, roasted veggies, sauce for your vegan protein like tempeh or seitan. Grilled tofu fries with this sauce on the side.  Top your baked sweet potato.   Atop your favorite gluten free pasta. Yes!  Just to name a few.  Sauces like this are just incredibly versatile and are only limited to your imagination.  Ohhhh and a chickpea scramble topped with this sauce on the weekend!  Yes!  Okay, now I’m hungry for that too.

First things first… get your cashews soaking.  That’s the key to making a great cashew cheese sauce.  Now onto the recipe.
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Oat Almond Butter Bars. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Nuts, Party Foods, Running/Races, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 3 Comments

Oat almond granola bars. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Oat almond butter bars. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Happy Hump Day people!  How’s the week going for you?  Pretty eventful here.  Booked a big surprise vacation.  Mid term exams happening for my oldest. Swim meet last night.  Anxiety and stress eating are in full swing for her.  The weather is slightly, slightly… warming up.  It gives me hope for spring, which cannot come soon enough.

I created this recipe for my oldest daughter so that she can snack and get good nutrition for optimum function for both her tests and for swimming.  Healthy fats and proteins are necessary for proper brain function.   I’m always so distraught when people avoid healthy oils and fats…. they are needed by the body.  Healthy fats serve three main functions: provide energy.  Some types of vitamins rely on fat for absorption and storage. Vitamins A, D, E and K, called fat-soluble vitamins, cannot function without adequate daily fat intake. These vitamins are essential parts of your daily diet. Fat cells, stored in adipose tissue, insulate your body and help sustain a normal core body temperature.  So in moderation, healthy fats are imperative.
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Cauliflower Cream Pasta Sauce. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Pasta, Running/Races, Sauces, Vegan, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Cauliflower Cream Sauce. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Cauliflower Cream Sauce. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Happy Tuesday!!!  I feel like a new person.  I ran today – outside!!!  After yesterday’s ice storm and being relegated to my house all day -I so needed it.  But more on that later.

I made this pasta sauce yesterday. It was inspired by a Thug Kitchen recipe with a bit of a departure. It was so delicious.  It’s creamy and garlicky without any of the guilt of a traditional cream sauce. It took me 10 minutes to make this dinner from start to finish.  Perfect weeknight dish.  AND a great Meatless Monday idea.  I would also use this sauce atop roasted or steamed veggies. Oh and that lemon in the pic — I grew that!  Yes, my little lemon tree in my sunroom is blooming with lovely lemons. So excited to use one in my recipe.
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Good Morning protein muffins. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Running/Races, Vegan, Wheat Free 4 Comments

IMG_0751

Who doesn’t need to power up in the morning?  These muffins have you covered minus your chosen caffeine fix.  These are packed with protein and fiber – just what every healthy body needs.  These are so good.  Again, made half with and half without vegan chocolate because of my husband’s allergy to cocoa.  These are totally gluten free and vegan – but pinky promise your kids will devour these too!  Why don’t you share and make a batch to share with a neighbor or friend who might need a pick-me-up?  Just a thought.  #kindacts #bestlifeproject
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Vegetable Paella. Vegan. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Running/Races, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 1 Comment

Vegetable Paella. Vegan.

Vegetable Paella. Vegan. Gluten Free | Knead to Cook.

Happy Friday!  So happy the weekend is just hours away.  That’s enough to put a smile on your face. Getting back to the routine has been nice but I’ve weirdly missed the noise in my house during the day that I got accustomed to during the holiday break.

This week I outlined a menu and proudly adhered to that. It’s funny when you have a scheduled menu planned, it makes the week so much easier.  I shopped early, had ingredients on hand and everyday, without fail, the dishes were prepared and happily consumed.  I’m starting to plan next week and wanted to get more input from my kids on what they would like to see.  I like to involve them and their unique preferences to select a menu item and the night they would like to have it.  Some static themed nights are Monday’s being meatless for everyone, Taco Tuesday and Pizza Fridays.  Just a few other variable nights to play with.  I’ll be sharing the menu choices with you all once that’s completed.

Do you plan your menu for the week or just wing it?

Now onto a classic one pot dish made vegan.  Get all of your veggies in one beautiful dish!  Perfect weeknight dinner idea.
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Lentil Vegetable Shepard’s Pie. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, St. Patrick's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Lentil Vegetable Shepard's Pie. Vegan.

Lentil Vegetable Shepard’s Pie. Vegan.

This post was slated for earlier in the week but somehow it got bumped by other posts.  I was excited to share this recipe because not only is it totally customizable – it was so easy and can be prepped a day ahead of time and then baked/broiled prior to serving making it a great weeknight meal.  I haven’t made Shepard’s Pie in years.  Plus I was able to make vegan versions for us and carnivore versions for the rest of my family.  Okay now onto it…
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Super Seed Power Bread. Vegan. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: Appetizers, Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday, Nuts, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 6 Comments

IMG_0625

Super Seed Power Bread. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Super Seed Power Bread. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Super Seed Power Bread.  Vegan. Gluten Free.

I have tried and created many seeded bread recipes before but never shared on my blog for one reason or another. Then my husband got me Heather Crosby’s book YumUniverse as a Christmas gift and I tried her recipe and it was perfection!  I modified it slightly but kept the true basis of her recipe and I have to agree with her – it is heavenly!  She is a wonderful inspiration with her book chronicling her plant-based journey after many stomach issues.  Her book is a wonderful tool, not just a cookbook, on food storage, prep and everything you need to know about transitioning to a plant-based diet.   I highly recommend.  *This is not a sponsored post.  

This bread was easy enough to prepare although I needed some ingredients I didn’t have on hand. Nothing hard to find but also not something I had in my pantry. This also needs to be prepared a day in advance prior to baking.  Once baked and cooled, I was addicted.  I don’t eat bread but wow…. it was so good!  Just think of it toasted with a bit of almond butter or jam.

Working from my kitchen table snacking on a piece while my carpets are all being cleaned (much needed after holiday traffic). You can also tell when I adore a recipe because I take too many pics of it for a blog post.  I captured it all step-by-step for you!  Okay on to this fabulousness….

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

The Green Hemp Protein Smoothie. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 5 Comments

IMG_6247

It’s that time of year again, right?  You vow to eat more veggies, less sugar.  You commit to being healthier.  That “D” word is thrown around like crazy.  The intention ~admirable.  But I’m going to let you in on a little secret.  It isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle.  That’s what the commercials, the ads and everyone won’t say!  Honestly, there is no magic pill, diet, cleanse or what have you.  I know, I was 33 lbs heavier 3.5 years ago than I am right now.

I don’t really like to share my raw images but I did a few weeks ago, if you follow me on Instagram.  It some how added some validity to my journey, the food I blog about and recipes I create. Most followers of my IG account just assumed that I always looked this way.  And how would anyone know, right?  I felt overweight and unhappy.  In hindsight, I ate too much sugar and food.  One interesting note:  I trained then the same as I do today.  Make sure you actually read that – my training hasn’t changed from 33 lbs ago however my running has gotten faster due to the weight loss.  I hit a point that I was sick and tired of feeling that way so I decided to start on my journey to change.  I went from hardcore carnivore to the person sitting here typing this blog post today – a plant-based vegan.  I realize extreme to some but this has been an ongoing metamorphosis over 3.5 years.  I happily celebrate my vegan 1 year anniversary this month and have never felt better in my life.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Curried Potato Spinach Soup. Vegan. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Indian-inspired., Potatoes, Running/Races, Soups, Vegan, Wheat Free 1 Comment

Curried Potato Spinach Soup.

Curried Potato Spinach Soup.

Curried Potato Spinach Soup. Vegan. Gluten Free.

New Year, new me?  Ha. Not so much. I’m not a big fan of resolving things. Every day I try to be a better person. Ignore nonsense.  Be more organized. Patient. Do more kind acts for others.  And I try with my eating to be mindful of my choices.  And finally push my fitness.  Happily I  made it through the holidays shredding a few LBs.  Overall, a win-win.

This year I am vowing (not resolving) to make menus and stick with them.  That way my food bill stays in check and I stay on task.  I cook for me – a vegan, my husband – a budding vegan but claims to be vegetarian, my oldest who is gf and dairy free and my father and youngest daughter who are both carnivores.  Making food choices that can be modified each night can be a struggle but I really despise playing diner making many dishes for everyone so simplification is key!

Here is this week’s menu prominently displayed on my chalkboard wall in my kitchen. All items will be customized per each person’s dietary needs.  Remember to always have a leftover day so you don’t waste any food that may get “lost” in the back of the fridge.

IMG_3179

This soup was on the menu for Saturday and it turned out great.  It’s inspired by a famous vegan restaurant in NYC named Candle.  It has a wonderful warmth of spices.  Perfect to make on a rainy or snowy day.  Makes a ton so you can freeze some for future use.
[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook