Archives for February 2014

Brown Rice Krispy Treats. Clean Eating.

February 11, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Easter, Gluten Free, Holiday, St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegetarian Leave a Comment

Valentine’s Day is this Friday and I’ll admit, I don’t get caught up in all of the pomp and circumstance like I used to. I know that sounds really lame but I like to think that I show my husband and family love throughout the year and not on one special day. Please no hate emails! I will make a special dinner at home, quiet and low key. I found the cutest gifts for my girls in January that I’m actually excited to give to them and my husband… my rock! I got him several pieces of Lululemon summer shorts/tees on sale and already gave it to him. Ha. I’m pathetic- yes I know.

With Valentine’s ready to go to school for my youngest, I did want to whip up a fun treat for my family to enjoy without tons of junk in them. So I thought of what was gooey and sticky and would work to grab ahold of these fun X and O sprinkles I had on hand. Rice Krispy treats! Perfect! Also, with the frigid temps we have… they would set up in seconds outside… and that’s exactly what they did! My daughter gobbled two down on the way home from school. Super cute! Super yummy and PROTEIN packed! Now there is something to LOVE {swoon}.

Customize these to your holiday or event. Would be perfect shaped like eggs for Easter, with green sprinkles for St. Patty’s Day. Let your mind go wild with fun ideas!

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— Knead to Cook

Whole Wheat Apple Bundt Cake with a vanilla drizzle.

February 10, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Cakes, Desserts, Easter, Fruit, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegetarian 2 Comments

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to host more gatherings, (even small ones) throughout the year. I had planned on an intimate brunch with a few swim friends and booked/sent invites out early in January. After much turmoil with my daughter’s health, endless testing down in Philadelphia – tears, uneasiness etc., the date finally came around and I looked forward to being surrounded by close swim friends (and many of my oldest daughter’s friends – my youngest was away) who have been an amazing support system for us.

I whipped up this cake, an old favorite recipe from years and years ago, on Saturday so that the dessert portion of the brunch menu was taken care of. It turned out well and everyone loved it. There is something about a cake filled with cinnamon and apples that always gets me. Just feels so homey and comforting. It was perfect and I whipped up a vanilla bean drizzle for the top. Great make-ahead dessert for your next get-together or special occasion.

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— Knead to Cook

Pineapple Cilantro Green Monster.

February 8, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

If you’ve been following my blog over the last 14 months or so, you have noticed a shift in my cooking and overall eating. I’ve become very passionate about what I put into my body – avoiding refined sugar and processed foods. My husband has recently stopped eating meat and fish and has become a smoothie master in my house. He loves the Vitamix! Creating fun and tasty smoothies is so easy and this recipe was a home run! This smoothie was whipped up after my workout at the gym and was a welcome kick-start to my refueling.

Did you know that drinking your greens will actually help you radiate health from the inside out. Please just look at that color?! How can you not be illuminated by such a beautiful green smoothie! Yeah, yeah… think I’m kidding. I’m not! Plus it will provide a boost of vitamins that your body craves to keep your engines humming along. You don’t taste the spinach – I promise! You can also omit the jalapeño if that isn’t your style. I just like the heat.

Trying to be healthy – start with a smoothie. It’s a fantastic way to incorporate more veggies into your diet.

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— Knead to Cook

Roasted Tomato and Chickpea Soup.

February 7, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Oh the snow. Oh the ice. I have to admit, I grew up in Pennsylvania and fully expect snow and ice in the winter but this winter! This winter has been like no other – our kids haven’t been to school for a solid week of school since before Thanksgiving 2013! Craziness. So yesterday was just like all the other days… a delay then a cancellation. My husband decided to stay at work overnight because he works an hour away and with an ice storm it was just safer. Blessed with our power not impacted, unlike many of my friends, I got cooking. I whipped up some fun treats and made a big pot of roasted tomato soup and added some chickpeas.

Okay, why chickpeas? I know, chances are you’ve never heard of anyone adding them to tomato soup but with my vegetarian lifestyle – I try to find opportunities where I can add fiber-packed foods, I do it. This wonderful combination pairs up beautifully together and keeps you full for hours. Perfect winter food to warm your soul too, which we all need with this crazy winter.

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— Knead to Cook

Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding.

February 6, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Featured, Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 7 Comments

I’ve been a chocolate aficionado for a very long time. It’s definitely one food passion of mine that I refuse to give up. I’ve curbed back and definitely avoid sugar-laden desserts with my cleaner eating over the past 15 months so changes had to be made. I needed to find better options to satisfy my love of chocolate. My kids are the same. They love chocolate. One loves milk the other follows my passion for deep, dark, rich chocolate. I’m not a fan of store-bought puddings filled with tons of sugar and other preservatives. My option: Make my own! I’ve been making chia pudding for several years now. In fact, way before the chia seed popularity took the world by storm. My farmer’s market that I go to year round sells bags of chia for a great price and I began experimenting with it after reading about how nutritionally packed it was – how couldn’t I?

Last year I had the opportunity to travel to New England twice in only a few months and popped by King Arthur’s crazy fabulous store (both times) and my friend Jenny suggested I buy this deep, rich dark cocoa powder because it was the best. I bought several bags and I concur, Jenny, my friend – you were right! It makes this pudding over-the-top delectable. My kids eat it for breakfast with a mashed banana mixed in. It is so good and it curbs all of those chocolate-crazed moments in our lives (and yes, we all have many of them DAILY!).

I’ve also made this pudding with some powdered peanut butter mixed in as well for a peanut butter cup type of pudding. I’ll add that suggestion below.

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— Knead to Cook

Stuffed mini pepper appetizer – Vegan, Vegetarian or Meat lovers.

February 5, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Beef, Cheese, Gluten Free, Ground Turkey, Mexican, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

I made these for the Super Bowl this past Sunday and everyone loved them. I apologize for the picture but I snapped these fast with my iPhone before everyone devoured them. I made two versions but you can easily make these for your carnivores, vegetarians and vegans by mixing up the ingredients a bit. These bite-sized poppers are fun appetizers or serve alongside some quinoa or kamut for a fun dinner idea. Take minutes to whip up and then broil to finish them off. Doesn’t get any easier than that. Plus kids love eating with their fingers – and this is a great way to get some beans and corn into even your pickiest munchkin.

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— Knead to Cook

Oat apple muffins.

February 5, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breads, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Muffins, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 6 Comments

We’ve had non-stop snow or ice days here in Pennsylvania. My kids keep making muffins – because they’re so easy and fast! Today’s version… oat apple with flaxseed oil. Healthy and oh so good. I admit, I need to start posting dinner recipes but it seems like this week we’ve been so fragmented – my husband is living at work because of the weather. My oldest has swim meets/swim dinners wrapping up the season. It’s just been nutty. Hoping tomorrow we get back on track… but until then grab a cup of tea and enjoy a muffin. oxo~Robin

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— Knead to Cook

Clean eating mixed berry smoothie.

February 3, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Smoothies, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free, Yogurt 1 Comment

I don’t know about you but anything reminiscent of spring or summer makes me quite smitten right now. We have been in this non-stop pattern of snow and I’m starting to think that winter may never end. Today we got hit with yet another snowstorm that I believe wasn’t predicted until yesterday. 9 inches later…. I sit here with smoothie in hand smiling that we are done snow blowing and shoveling – dreaming fondly of warmer days. Mother Nature, Punxsutawney Phil or someone better save us… soon!

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— Knead to Cook