Archives for May 2014

Raw salted vanilla nut butter cookies.

May 15, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Party Foods, Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

I love raw desserts! I stopped eating processed sugary foods about two years ago. Once I gave it up I felt so much better. I then shied away from desserts until I had a few “raw” desserts and fell in love. These came together so quickly in my food processor and then I store in the refrigerator. I prefer them cold. Perfect summer treat too! You can sub out the almond butter for whatever you have in your pantry. Peanut butter, of course, is heavenly which is normally how I make them. This time I used Justin’s Almond Butter in their vanilla flavor and added vanilla paste (you can use extract) for a super vanilla packed flavor. These are gluten free and vegan but I hope that doesn’t scare anyone from trying these. There is a weird stigma with vegan food, as I’m learning. People think it’s flavorless… it’s quite the opposite. You get to actually taste the ingredients because nothing is masked with oils and preservatives. Kids totally love these too!
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— Knead to Cook

Edamame Pea and Corn Salsa Salad. {vegan} {gf}

May 13, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Appetizers, Brunch, Dips, Gluten Free, Mexican, Party Foods, Salsas & Guacamole, Side dish, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 5 Comments

The hot weather has my mind going right to salsa. I’m known, in my close circle of friends for my tomato salsa. Seriously, I think my friends just come over to eat it first then enjoy our friendship on a secondary level. Ha ha. I always make salsas, margaritas and we enjoy relaxing nights around the fire pit making s’mores and enjoying the warm weather. Well this is my first batch of healthy salsa for the season. It’s light. Refreshing. Not heavy and packed with vitamins and much needed protein. I eat this by the bowl full for lunch or dinner. I require so little in life to be happy.

This would make a great side dish salad or served with tortilla chips as a salsa. It’s quite versatile. Totally vegan and gluten free. No nuts. Perfect dish to take to a party. No fuss because this beautiful dish whips up in seconds and can be made all with frozen veggies (like I did).

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— Knead to Cook

Blueberry coconut muffins. {vegan}

May 12, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Quick Bread, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian 2 Comments

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend with family and friends. Saturday we took my gift card that I won from Nordstrom and went shopping with my family. I have to admit, we had so much fun and remarkably 1. I have plenty of money left to shop in the future and 2. I didn’t buy the most items – my husband did! Both surprises if you know me. Sunday was spent at brunch then enjoying the glorious weather with walks, bike rides with my cool new helmet and laying in the grass and I even managed a nap.

This is a new week and I’m getting back on schedule after a week of resting post two races. Today I started my day with a difficult tempo run and then 2 dog walks. Afterwards, I had a meeting at the local coffee shop in my grocery store. After that was over I did a quick loop through the store, how could I not, and spotted the most enormous, glorious blueberries. I love blueberries. I picked up two packages and thought that I needed to whip up some muffins. These are not gluten free but they are vegan. I also used coconut palm sugar instead of regular – but regular would work. These will be a welcome surprise snack for my family as everyone, minus my oldest, loves blueberries!

Happy Monday!

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— Knead to Cook

Almond butter coconut oatmeal. {gf} {vegan}

May 8, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

I apologize for being so neglectful this week with posts. Between recovery and life, my blog has been a bit on the back burner. I wanted to post this recipe because I just whipped it up. Hope you enjoy it!

I love oatmeal. I haven’t always been a fan but I’ve grown to absolutely love it! It’s a blank canvas. You can add fruit, nut butters, coconut mana… pretty much anything and its perfection! I have bouts from time to time with low blood sugar and before heading out to a friend’s house and then a business lunch I started to feel lightheaded. I thought I would whip up some oatmeal and add some good protein – Justin’s Maple Almond Butter to help continue to heal my muscles. It was just the trick! Whips up in about 2 minutes and it is to die for! Perfect quick breakfast for children too v. the store packets which are filled with refined sugar.

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— Knead to Cook

Post races and a Harvest Snaps Month Supply Giveaway.

May 8, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Product Review., Running/Races, Vegan, Vegetarian 30 Comments

I’ve been resting my legs the past three days post my second race in a week’s time (not a good idea, I admit). I had a massage yesterday and thought I would be good to run today. I just wanted to go out and just run. No speed work. No monitoring my pace… just go. I was tempted not to wear my Garmin but wanted to log my miles for May so I did. Despite feeling really tired my short, sweet run was good. I was happy to get it in and hope to have my running legs back by the weekend. I’m really trying to listen to my body as opposed to a schedule for running. I’m also looking to do a few short 5 and 10ks to work on different muscle groups in the next few weeks.

I also had to retire my beloved Mizuno Wave Rider 16’s. After 400 miles it was time to go. Today I got back to breaking in my Saucony Rides. I won’t lie, it felt good to get into new sneakers. Plus these can be seen for miles warding off any more cars from hitting me.

Okay onto my next fun giveaway.

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— Knead to Cook

Raw Triple Chocolate Banana Bites.

May 6, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brownies, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Featured, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegan, Wheat Free 1 Comment

Mountain of deliciousness. Clean eating does not have to be boring or without chocolate!

Before we headed out of town last Friday for our race weekend, I wanted to whip up a healthy treat for my girls to have on hand. These are totally dairy and gluten free. They are a twist on my classic energy balls/bites that I make. I also rolled these in organic unsweetened cocoa powder which added a complimentary bitter to sweet balance. Protein packed these are great for a post-workout snack or just a treat when you’re craving something chocolate. No guilt here! I store these in the fridge and love them cold. I make them bite-sized so you can pop them and go! Portable perfection. [Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Philadelphia & the Broad Street Ten Miler.

May 5, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Fitness., Running/Races, Vegan, Vegetarian 6 Comments

Spring racing continued for me this weekend. The Broad Street Run has been the only race that I will consistently do year after year without fail (with the luck of the lottery of course). I’m not a fan of doing the same races year in and year out. This race, to me, is the perfect distance. Great running conditions, typically and the support of the community is second to none. This year I set up a team so other friends could get in on the lottery with us. Thankfully, another successful year and we were accepted. My friends Jessica and Cindy joined us along with another friend and elite runner Kelly. A friend from Instagram was supposed to meet up with us but unfortunately got strep throat and couldn’t run.

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— Knead to Cook

Coconut Oatmeal. {Gluten Free} {Vegan}

May 2, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Easter, Holiday, Nuts, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

I love wandering around the grocery store. Particularly the organic, gluten free aisles which thankfully have been growing at my local grocery stores. I love investigating new products. Reading labels. I’m definitely the informed shopper. I want to know what’s fueling body and my family. I stumbled upon this on Monday. I was excited to try coconut manna. Apparently it’s made from dried coconut flesh. The one I had was organic, non-GMO and can be used like butter for spreads, in smoothies or whatever your mind could create. My mind was rushing as I had the most incredible coconut butter at a restaurant on the weekend and still couldn’t shake how good it was at brunch. When I got home I did some research on it and found that many moms give it to children right on a spoon from the jar. Okay… so definitely not like coconut oil. I opened the jar and it was solid like coconut oil. I softened it and it became very thick and caramel creamy in texture. I tasted it and oh my goodness —– HEAVENLY! I’m sold!
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— Knead to Cook

Chickpea Salad. {Vegan} {Gluten Free}

May 1, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Beans, Brunch, Easter, Gluten Free, Nuts, Party Foods, Raw, Salads, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 1 Comment

If you love tuna or chicken salad as a sandwich or on a bed of greens you’re going to need to try this one asap! I actually came up with an idea for this salad while running my half marathon on Sunday. I had two products that I really wanted to combine together both from Maille and I bamm! this came to me around mile 7. I whipped this up and have eaten probably half of it already. I needed to put it away to stop. I’m going to serve this tonight to my husband on a bed of mixed field greens which will make a lovely dinner. I had some on gluten free crackers for lunch. And admittedly, I ate some straight out of the bowl too! Pathetic, I admit. But packed with protein and flavor. So good!

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— Knead to Cook