Archives for January 2015

Vegetable Paella. Vegan. Gluten Free.

January 9, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Running/Races, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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.
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— Knead to Cook

Lentil Vegetable Shepard’s Pie. Vegan. GF.

January 8, 2015 by Knead to Cook 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.

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…
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— Knead to Cook

Super Seed Power Bread. Vegan. Gluten Free.

January 7, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Appetizers, Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday, Nuts, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 6 Comments

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….

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— Knead to Cook

The Green Hemp Protein Smoothie. Vegan.

January 6, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 5 Comments

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.

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— Knead to Cook

Curried Potato Spinach Soup. Vegan. Gluten Free.

January 4, 2015 by Knead to Cook 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. 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.

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.
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— Knead to Cook

Lottie’s Oat Banana Peanut Butter Bread. Vegan. Gluten Free.

January 2, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Quick Bread, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Wheat Free 8 Comments

Lottie’s Oat Banana Peanut Butter Bread. GF. Vegan.

Happy 2015!

It’s been an exciting, unhealthy (thanks to the flu), holiday season. My youngest got sick on Christmas Eve. Missed church and stayed home. Sick on Christmas and then recovered nicely. Apparently, she shared her sickness gift with me. Sunday I ran and felt very “off”. Tired 7 miles got done, however, I felt like I was dragging. Monday I had a flaming sore throat and planned to go to the doc on Tuesday. However, I woke up with a raging fever on Tuesday and off to the doc I went. I got a rx for Tamiflu and stayed in bed. Great way to end 2014. One day in bed. The next I felt pretty good. Hubs and I hit up the grocery store. Got ready for NYE dinner. Low key and early to bed for me.

Yesterday we planned on spending the day in New York City and that’s just what we did. Despite not getting to meet up with everyone on my list – I did have lunch with my buddy, Lottie from runningonveggies. We’ve become fast friends who text, lunch and just share our love of all things vegan food related and running. I just adore her! She was so thoughtful to bring this delectable bread for my family and I asked if I could share it with you all. She agreed! I hope you love this as much as we do! I can’t stop eating it.

Lottie (then genius behind this recipe) and me doing a little sale shopping post lunch.

Now onto the good stuff… the recipe!

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— Knead to Cook