Archives for April 2016

Lentil and Bean Chili. V. GF.

April 27, 2016 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Beans, Chili, Crock Pot, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Mexican, Soups, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 3 Comments

I’m such a chili and lentil fan – I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to combine the two. Packing beans into any dish is a major vegan score. The more protein the merrier. This one pot chili, is perfect to simmer all day long or is perfect for lunch – leftovers get better and better. Plus cleaning up is a breeze.

Yesterday’s temperature was a balmy 80 degrees and now today is a chillier & dreary 55. Today I felt like soup and realized I had everything for chili in my pantry so I went with that. I desperately need to get to the grocery store. This big pot of chili serves 8-12 people easily, if not more. I have 5 in my family and we will have plenty of leftovers for lunches. I don’t only make chili in the fall/winter and love it year round. I pair it up with brown rice or quinoa for extra punch of protein. How do you eat your chili?
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— Knead to Cook

Muscle Recovery Green Protein Smoothie. V. GF.

April 20, 2016 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Running/Races, Smoothies, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Your Life Edit Foundations 2 Comments

I pretty much have one to two protein smoothies per day. With the intensity of my training, running in excess of 80 miles most weeks plus strength workouts — this is my easy go-to, quick prep meal. Plus packing in 4 or more cups of greens, is a great boost for my system post hard training. This smoothie used a new protein powder I was testing, Amazing Grass Protein Superfood Chocolate Peanut Butter with some of my added spices for an extra boost of healing properties. #FeelAmazingEveryday

Amazing Grass Protein SuperFood contains a unique blend of USDA Organic pea, hemp, chia and quinoa, delivering 20g of complete plant-based protein per serving plus 7 alkalizing organic greens and two-full servings of wholesome fruits and vegetables. Each flavor is also grain-free, paleo friendly, and can be enjoyed alone with water, added to a smoothie or almond, cashew or coconut milk. The line’s unique pea protein is the only available source that is 100 percent grown, harvested and processed in the USA, providing one of the smoothest, best tasting plant-based proteins on the market.

To this super protein I add turmeric, which is a natural anti-inflammatory (hello, please help my leg muscles recover) and has been shown to help with Rheumatoid Arthritis (which I also suffer from) with joint pain and swelling. Also, adding chia packs an Omega, calcium, protein and fiber punch to your diet. And some ground cinnamon to help regulate sugar in the body. This smoothie is quick to make and has so many health benefits for your body.
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— Knead to Cook

Banana PB Chia Bread. V. GF.

April 18, 2016 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Nuts, Quick Bread, Running/Races, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 5 Comments

I have a thing for banana bread. And with the volume of bananas we have in our house… I pretty much always have super ripe bananas and that means banana bread or nice cream. I needed an after-school snack so I whipped up this super easy recipe in my food processor. Made mini loaves – one without chocolate and three with. My kids love banana bread. My dad has it with coffee and my husband always eats it as dessert after dinner. I typically like a piece before my runs because it’s easy. I added some chia and flax to this to amp up the Omega’s and protein. Totally plant-based and gluten free as the oats serve as the flour. Can be made in your blender or food processor so that makes it easy to clean up too.

I hope you guys had a great weekend. Our youngest went on a church retreat. We had a nice relaxing weekend. Dog walks, bike rides and a run through Amish country. This week begins my three week taper/recovery after last week’s peak of 86+ miles. My body needs a recovery, refueling and a reboot. I’m still struggling with the new meds I was put on for my restless leg so I’m going to deal with that and focus on lots of stretching and rolling.
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— Knead to Cook

Chickpea and Broccoli Rice Bowl with a Dijon Vinaigrette. V. GF.

April 14, 2016 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Beans, Breakfast, Brunch, Dressings, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Running/Races, Salads, Sauces, Side dish, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vinaigrette, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations 2 Comments

I’m excited to share a nutritious, protein-packed dinner that you can make in under 15 minutes (with leftover rice or quinoa). Every Sunday we make a big batch of rice or quinoa for a staple in the week’s dinner recipes and partly for our dog food that we make for our pups. I always have plenty and this dinner came together so quickly on a fast-paced night. Everyone loved it and actually my husband has been eating leftovers for lunch ever since. Would be great served warm or at room temperature. Start thinking about summer parties and this one would be a winner!

Packed with valuable nutrition – this dish can be a side or served as a main dish. I paired it with grilled tofu and it was so satisfying.
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— Knead to Cook

Granola Oatmeal Cookies. V. GF.

April 12, 2016 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Nuts, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Hi again! It’s hard to be believe but the weeks seem to be flying by. Our weather has been so crazy lately. Freezing days and it finally seems that spring is making it’s 2nd appearance and hopefully, a lengthier stay this time. We had snow Saturday… April has been colder than December. Mother Nature is a bit crazy.

Well, I’ve been training like a madwoman the past two weeks. I did find some time to get in the kitchen last week to test out some cookie recipes. This one was by far the favorite pairing it up with Purely Elizabeth’s new grain-free granola. The granola and oats are a nutritional punch along with the nut butter adding valuable nutrients and proteins to your diet. My kids were grabbing these for their lunches, after-school or before work snacks and before they headed out the door to school. Gluten-free too using the oats as the binder so no funky gf flavor or after-taste. I hope you enjoy these!
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— Knead to Cook

Purely Elizabeth Banana Nut Butter Muffins. V. GF.

April 7, 2016 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Nuts, Product Review., Quick Bread, Running/Races, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 16 Comments

When Purely Elizabeth reached out to me to ask if I would like to try their new grain-free, over-the-top, new granola —-well of course I would! They promptly sent me two flavors (1 Banana Nut Butter and 1 Original Grain-Free Granola), both of which are heavenly and totally addictive. I created two different recipes, this being the first I wanted to share as they released the product online today! These muffins were made exponentially better but the crunch from the granola clusters. These muffins are packed with healthy, delectable goodness that your whole family will enjoy.
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— Knead to Cook

Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Energy Bites. V. GF.

April 2, 2016 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Raw, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

A new bite recipe was been rattling around in my mind for about two weeks. One of those things that I think about but then life gets in the way. Bound & determined today, while I had a break in the weekend activities, I grabbed my ingredients and food processor and made these delicious, nutrient-dense treat. I love grab-n-go, healthy snacking. And these are date-free.

So hemp protein, do you know all the benefits? Crazy but hemp is an excellent source of plant-based protein (33% per serving). It also contains 35% of essential fatty acids including Omega’s 3, 6 and 9. Contains all 9 essential amino acids. Has more Omega-3 than raw tuna! Rich in trace minerals and high in fiber. Many people use hemp protein in smoothies but I wanted to put a fun twist on it. Plus I covered some of the energy bites with hemp seeds for extra nutritional punch.

I cannot stress this enough… food is your fuel. It helps you heal. Recover. Food is power.
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— Knead to Cook