Archives for July 2014

Cherry Sage Toasted Quinoa.

July 24, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Appetizers, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Nuts, Party Foods, Running/Races, Salads, Side dish, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 4 Comments

Cherry Sage Toasted Quinoa by Knead to Cook

After a busy morning and what seemed to be endless doc appointments, I was thrilled to get home and cook something and wait for it…. blog about it! Seems like a rare event lately. Summer is just so hard with crazy schedules. My day started out with an early doc appointment so I got an early workout in – 4 fast miles (see below) and then weights. After that was swim, tennis and then the orthodontist. Running lunch/dinner to my daughter who is lifeguarding all day… does this sound familiar? Well swim season ends Saturday (my daughter qualified for a championship meet in backstroke) and after that – we are on vacation! I cannot wait to breathe for just a moment in time.

This afternoon is quiet in my house. I wanted to whip something up with all of the cherries I’ve been buying ($1.99 lb) and I cannot resist! I thought this recipe sounded perfect and it turned out so good… I keep sampling it and need to stop! I have a food problem, actually, I have an eating problem. I cannot stop! Would make a great breakfast – yes, just add a touch of maple syrup or you can eat it for lunch or as a side for dinner.

Okay so without further adieu…
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— Knead to Cook

Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies. Vegan. Gluten Free.

July 21, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies. Vegan. Gluten Free. By Knead to Cook.

Peanut butter coconut cookies that are vegan AND gluten free – not to mention oil-free. These cookies turned out perfecty. Protein packed and so delish! These will not last long in my house. So it’s a brand new week. Actually it’s the last week for us of summer sports/training. Then we celebrate summer! I am really looking forward to some quiet, down time with the family. So this recipe is super easy… even the kids could make it if they are looking for something to do when they’re “bored”. You can use whatever peanut butter you have on hand. I used a chunky organic but creamy would work well too.

It’s hard to believe the end of the month is creeping up. Time just flies after the 4th of July! This weekend we finally got back out on the bikes because last weekend we were away seeing Katy Perry in NJ. This weekend concert series continued… Fall Out Boy and Paramore but thankfully it was local. This concert left my husband a bit groggy Sunday morning so we got out late for our bike ride. I have to admit, I’m not a fan of the Sunday rush-to-church traffic but I just got through it. I’m really trying hard to embrace road cycling. This weekend I was really excited, for some reason, to get back out there. We rode 26.5 miles! I was thrilled. I clipped in and didn’t even fall. Very proud – it was my furthest and fastest so far. So enough chit chat… onto this awesome recipe.
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— Knead to Cook

Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffins.

July 17, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Cakes, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Muffins, Quick Bread, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 9 Comments

Vegan Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Muffins by Knead to Cook

Vegan and gluten free chocolate chip muffins? Why YES!!! Summer baking just doesn’t happen in my house… I hate turning on the oven when it’s hot out but thanks to this lovely polar vortex we are experiencing – the doors and windows are open to let the fresh, cool air in! It is perfection. Can the weather stay like this forever? Pllllleassse????

Today started out as usual. I hit the gym and happily got my remaining weekly miles in (26.14 in 3:31:35) with a tempo run 5.11 miles at 7:56 minute mile. Then home to refuel then off to swim practice, tennis practice and then art camp. Sound familiar? Two weeks to go until vacation… I cannot wait! So my afternoon has been quiet. I’ve been cleaning. Prepping dinner and I wanted to make some muffins for my family (well, minus hubby who’s allergic to chocolate). They turned out great and I was excited to share. They aren’t overly sweet but you can certainly add a bit more sugar if you prefer. See notes below.

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— Knead to Cook

Strawberry Salsa. Vegan. Gluten Free.

July 16, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Mexican, Raw, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Strawberry Salsa by Knead to Cook. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Strawberry salsa is vegan, gluten free and screams of summer! I could eat salsa day and night. I eat it right out of the bowl, with taco chips or on my favorite spoon – displayed here. Ha! We had our last regular season swim meet last night during a lovely thunderstorm and that ended (due to the weather) just before 9 so we missed Taco Tuesday. I make it a point to indulge my girl’s request for tacos each week. I know they will eat everything on their plate and that makes this Italian mama a happy girl.

This salsa is super easy to whip up and you can easily control the spice level. It’s colorful and eye-catching. Filled with vitamins and healthy carbs – providing lots of energy for the pool or the beach! Totally easy make-ahead recipe too!
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— Knead to Cook

Massaged Kale Salad. Vegan.

July 14, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Raw, Running/Races, Salads, Side dish, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vinaigrette, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Massaged Kale Salad by Knead to Cook.

All hail the massaged kale salad. Kale has become increasing popular and trendy but this is one trend that nutritionally needs to stay around. The nutritional benefits to kale are astounding. Kale is low in calorie, high in fiber and has zero fat. Kale is high in iron. Kale is high in Vitamin K. Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants. Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. Kale is great for cardiovascular support. Now I realize, despite all of those fabulous details, some people don’t particularly care for the harsher flavor of this green giant. Trust me, lover of kale or not, this recipe will make you love it more or enlighten you on the fabulousness of this green powerhouse.
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— Knead to Cook

Mexican Quinoa. Vegan. Gluten Free.

July 10, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Beans, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Mexican, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Mexican Quinoa. Vegan and Gluten Free by Knead to Cook.

Mexican Quinoa that is vegan, gluten free and a one pot dish! My daughter found this recipe online and asked me to make it. I loved the ease and how lovely it looked. Plus anything Mexican is favorited in our family. This dish was so easy and perfect served at room temperature or hot. I’m thinking this would be lovely for a bbq or summer party. Perfect Meatless Monday idea. Packed with protein and healthy fats. This recipe was inspired by this One Pan Mexican Quinoa.
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— Knead to Cook

Raw Key Lime Pie. Gluten Free. Vegan.

July 9, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Nuts, Raw, Snacks, Vegan, Wheat Free 12 Comments

Raw. Gluten Free. Vegan. Key lime pie by Knead to Cook.

Raw Key Lime Pie. Gluten Free. Vegan. A summery favorite that I have been dying to make but couldn’t find a suitable crust that would give this pie justice. Since my oldest went gluten and dairy free, I’ve been on a mission to make food for her that she wouldn’t think was lackluster compared to her regular old diet. But thankfully we’ve had incredible results with her acne, having a beautifully clear complexion now and making all our food efforts worth it.

This recipe can be made in a 8×8 pan or a springform pan for a pie like I did. Making raw desserts is way more forgiving than regular baking so it’s perfect for the timid baker. I whip things up, taste them and adjust as I go… I encourage you to do the same! Again, it’s hard to have a fail on this one. Plus the avocado, almonds, coconut provide healthy fats and nutrients versus the classic sugary counterpart.
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— Knead to Cook

Gluten Free Coconut Banana Muffins.

July 7, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Quick Bread, Running/Races, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Gluten Free Coconut Banana Muffins by Knead to Cook

I baked these super tasty GLUTEN FREE Coconut banana muffins yesterday. Perfection for breakfast, snacking or on-the-go eating thinking beach food, road trip snacks… or just because!

I hope everyone had a lovely 4th of July weekend. Ours has been extended a bit due to the next household item breaking – our hot water heater! Boy we’ve been on quite a streak. Keeping a rolling total… my SUV, my fridge, my bedroom fan and now my hot water heater. All I can say is caaaaa-ching! On a positive note, I finally had my bike fitting (3 hours long) and it was phenomenal. I’m always into data and information on my body, form and function. The long and short of it was that I needed a new seat thanks to my boney tush, ordered new pedals to clip-in, got new riding shoes, shorter handlebars (the ones on my bike were too wide) and my right side is longer than my left. The fitter adjusted everything and made the bike much more comfortable for me. So Saturday I tested clipping in… unclipping. I did this about 300 times in my garage with my poor husband acting as the bike trainer.

Sunday we went for a ride… 21 miles to be exact. I fell once. Not bad! The ride overall felt better and I increased my mph by 1 minute. Nice! I also finished last week out the week running 30.18 miles in 4:03:46. My goal, to stay healthy and to run over 100 miles this month as I did last month but to increase my biking miles/speed. I’m off to a fairly good start. I did run 8 miles today to kick off the week. Now that you’re updated… on to this lovely little recipe I made yesterday. [Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Bread Pan Raw Cookie Bars.

July 3, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Gluten Free, Holiday, Nuts, Party Foods, Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 8 Comments

Raw bread pan cookie bars. Gluten free. Vegan.

Necessity is the mother of invention, right? Well, I had a bread pan, not many Medjool dates and some other ingredients and I needed a gluten-free, dairy-free dessert for tomorrow night. We’re having some dear friends over for dinner and I wanted a fun dessert/treat that even my daughter could enjoy. The base of this recipe is fairly “basic” in the raw dessert world. It is really easy to make and comes together in literally minutes. I also noted options and changes that you can make to this recipe to work for you if you don’t need it to be gluten-free.

Get ready to kick-off the 4th of July long weekend of parties, pool, beach, family and friends.
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— Knead to Cook

Watermelon Juice.

July 1, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: 4th of July/Patriotic, Beverages, Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Party Foods, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix 2 Comments

The one thing I simply cannot control myself around is watermelon. My friends laugh hysterically at me because I often eat an entire watermelon in under 1 day. I keep picking at it and just can’t stop. My drug of choice. Could be worse! Due to it’s extremely high water content, it’s a low cal food packed with nutrients. It is also a great post workout beverage to help prevent sore muscles after they’ve been torn up. During working out, muscle cells rely heavily on glycogen, the storage form of carbohydrates in your muscles and liver. Consuming watermelon shortly after your workout can help replenish glycogen storage, refueling your muscles for your next workout. Watermelon helps prevent the formation of free radicals, known to cause cancer. And the lovely watermelon also contains vitamin A which helps skin and hair. You just can’t go wrong! Pair this up with the power- packed coconut water, which helps replenish electrolytes and packs in more potassium than bananas —- why would you drink anything other than this after your next workout?! Refreshing on a hot afternoon by the pool too or for your next party! Although perfect, you can always transform this into an adult beverage by adding vodka as option.

As the hot weather lingers, my appetite drops but my thirst goes through the roof. This is the perfect beverage to refuel and refresh.

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— Knead to Cook