Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Archives for May 2017

The best crispy mushrooms. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Salads, Side dish, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment


The best crispy mushrooms, really?  But let me share a little something with you all – I hate mushrooms.

I’ve been researching nutritional information on different foods, as I  normally do and I consistently come to the conclusion that I need to find a way to tolerate this weird textured fungus.  It’s all about nutrition with me.  If its void in a benefit…then why consume it?  Food is of course your body’s roadmap to how your cells respond, inflammation, energy source or just plain ole crap that harms your temple.  Remember, your body is your temple and you need to treat it right.  End of story.  Yes, a treat here or there is acceptable but on a daily basis the food you choose must be food that your body understands and knows unlike genetically modified crap out there.  Sorry to be harsh but it’s food now or medicine later.

Mushrooms are the answer.  Seriously.  But let’s get a bit of background.  Mushrooms are classified as vegetables in the food world, but they are not technically plants but belong to the fungi kingdom. Selenium, rarely found in fruits or veggies is found in mushrooms.  It helps detox the liver and aids in detoxify some cancer-causing compounds in the body. Additionally, selenium prevents inflammation and decrease tumor growth rates.

High fiber diets, hello mushrooms, can aid in reducing type 1 diabetes. Has beta-glutan which aids in cholesterol reduction. Because of the fiber, your satiety level is higher leaving you filled for longer periods of time.  One cup has only 15 calories, 2.2 grams of protein and less than 2 grams of carbs.

Okay all the benefits but these babies have the weirdest texture, right?  Well by slicing them super thin… tossing them with really good spices and some other goodies… these little fungi crisped up perfectly and were the best salad, soup or mac n cheese topper out there!  Let’s get started…
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— Knead to Cook

Cavit Pinot Grigio and Summer Chickpea Salad. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Raw, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

 

Chickpea salad.  

Are you excited?  Summer is finally upon us.  Parties, family gatherings, dining al fresco are all on my mind.  I can’t wait for relaxing evenings, foods harvested from my garden and beverages to celebrate a more relaxed vibe for the next several months.

As the temperatures rise, our plates are filled with colorful foods and refreshing beverages.  I’ve partnered up with Cavit Collection to pair up a summer recipe along with their light & crisp Pinot Grigio (hello, National Pinot Grigio day this Friday) for that perfect pairing.  I love easy recipes, that are quite flexible and can be prepared ahead of time so you can enjoy your family, friends or party go-ers.  Along with a wonderful veggie/bean salad, I love to stock up on lighter wines for guests. Featuring one of our favorites, Cavit Pinot Grigio is the perfect, light summer wine.  I know wine selection can be quite difficult if you aren’t familiar, but this Pinot is a wonderful option that everyone will love.

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— Knead to Cook

Easiest overnight protein-packed oats. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations 1 Comment


Overnight oats revamped and packed with protein to recover muscles, satiate you all morning and kick-start your nutrition for the day.  

Desperately seeking more protein in each meal?

Adding more plant-based protein in each meal has been my mission.  As summer approaches, I gravitate towards my overnight oats.  They are so easy to prepare the night before and are completely fail-safe, I promise!  This year I wanted to add more protein to mine as I’ve been focusing hard on that macronutrient with all the lifting I’ve been doing.  You can swap out your favorite toppings or ingredients but this recipe will lead you down the right path for a successful base.

So without any further delay… let’s get started!
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— Knead to Cook

Vegetable Ribbon Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Easter, Gluten Free, Raw, Salads, Side dish, Vegan, Vinaigrette, Wheat Free 1 Comment

 

IMG_9475

Summer has made an impromptu appearance this week with our 90+ degree temperatures.  Hotter temps drive me to eating lighter foods.  I’ve created many salads like this but it worth an update and share with you all here.

Parties, picnics, brunches and gatherings are all starting and my menu planning is in full swing.  This salad is so beautiful. Local farmer’s markets are brimming with rainbow carrots, beets, zucchinis…. pretty much any color veggie that you can slice on a mandoline or with a hand peeler will work in this recipe.  It can be prepped a few hours ahead of time and serves up beautifully without concerns of spoiling with the hotter temperatures.

I love pairing up salads like this with some rice or quinoa for a nice dinner idea as well.  Leftovers also make a tasty lunch the next day.  Hope you’re having a lovely day enjoying the sunshine and warmth.  Remember to hydrate!

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— Knead to Cook

Tahini Coconut granola. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gift ideas, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Pantry, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations Leave a Comment

 

Hello my friends & happy Tuesday!  I had this post ready to roll yesterday and forgot to hit publish.  So let’s start out today with a fun twist on a classic recipe.  I’ve been up since 4a and got my run in, volunteered at my local polling place (we have voting today) and got 3 recipes prepped and packaged for a client.  Can you say PRODUCTIVE?  Ha.  Rare but all good.

So let me focus.  I love making granola to stash in my pantry and for clients.  It’s nutrient-dense, protein-packed and low in sugar versus grocery store options.  We love it on top of muffins we bake, for a yogurt topper or for ice cream.  My husband keeps a baggie in his office for when he needs a snack.  It’s just good food, fast.

Let me share a bit about tahini if you aren’t familiar.  Tahini has the texture and consistency of a creamy nut butter.  It’s made from sesame seeds, similar to nut butter but without nuts.  Rich in magnesium, potassium and iron.  Great source of calcium.  High in vitamin E, B1, B2, B3, B5 and B15.  It has a high alkaline content.  Packed with healthy fats.  Easily digestible.

This recipe is for those seeking easy food that is healthy and good for you.  You can add in what you need or remove what you don’t… its a very forgiving recipe.  Also perfect for a teacher or hostess gift wrapped up in a Ball glass jar.  Just an idea.  Okay… let’s get on to the recipe.

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— Knead to Cook

Green Matcha Tea Muffins. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations Leave a Comment

Green Matcha Tea muffins.

Happy almost weekend!  I’m sorry I’ve been a bit MIA this week.  I’ve been planning two parties, one of which is this weekend to celebrate my daughter’s sweet 16, along with working, training and living – my blog has suffered by my absence.  So FINALLY  I’m sitting down post dinner to get these yummy muffins up right now!  These are perfect for your Matcha lover, maybe a fun Mom’s Day treat? I made these yesterday and already they’re gone in my kitchen.

Okay my husband is an admitted Matcha fan a—hem addict.  I’ll tolerate it but don’t drink it daily.  It is without a doubt, oh so healthy however and I’ve recipe tested so many failures.  I knew I needed to find a recipe because I’ve had NO success on my own, hey – sometimes it happens.  So I found a recipe from Nuts.com and morphed it a bit.  I’m still testing a banana/matcha recipe but until I reach an acceptable level of perfection — this will have to do. I hope you enjoy this tasty recipe.  It’s a great muffin for breakfast and I especially loved it teamed up with some chocolate chips mixed in – shocker.

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— Knead to Cook

Red beans & rice bowls. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Beans, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Mexican, Pressure Cooker, Side dish, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations Leave a Comment

Red beans and rice. 

Happy Monday my friends!  After a lovely weekend of sleeping (I slept 30 hours between Friday night and Monday morning) I feel great.  I have no idea where that came from but my body/mind so needed it.  I hit the ground running today and was at the gym nice and early. In fact, after speaking to a trainer friend of mine… I bumped up all of my weights 10-15 lbs per machine and I killed my workout.

IT
FELT
SO
GOOD!

So back to the kitchen for menu prepping, client cooking and all things food.  I made this dish over the weekend and I was excited to share a super easy recipe that is perfect for week/leftovers for lunch or freezer for a future quick dinner on the fly.  I also love this for your taco bar on Tuesday!  It’s really easy to prepare and you can add or subtract your favorite veggies/spices etc. I’ve also made this with leftover quinoa for a hefty protein-punch!  Think about serving this with your favorite main protein, with tortillas, in a salad or alongside a tofu scramble!

Time to get started… happy new week!

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— Knead to Cook

Veggie protein burritos. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Breakfast, Brunch, Gluten Free, Mexican, Party Foods, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations 2 Comments

Veggie protein burritos.  I took this pic at night so sorry for the lack of photo perfection.

The universe, I believe, is trying to knock me down.  Again, I wiped out on a run.  Seriously, what in the world is going on with me?  Ha.  I think I keep biting the pavement, a–hem road, because I completely zone-out, praying, meditating and just stop paying attention to each and every step.  My poor husband.  I walk in, covered in dirt, rocks and blood and he looks at me in dismay —– again.  But on the positive note, the weather was insanely cool and lovely.  My run felt really good till I wiped out.  And my daughter’s veneer (if you’ve been following me on Insta-story) has finally arrived, fit and looks so awesome!  My youngest had smacked my oldest’s front tooth, well 1/3rd of it, out ten years ago and we wanted it more secure before she heads off to college.  Check, check and check!  She looks awesome!

So this little, sweet recipe.  I made it for a client for breakfast and morphed it into a lunch or dinner (or after-school snack) that my family has been totally digging!  I thought if they are – I better share. These are perfect to freeze and prep ahead.  I hope you love these as much as we have!

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— Knead to Cook

Everything bagel seeded crackers. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brownies, Brunch, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations Leave a Comment

Everything bagel seeded crackers. V. GF.

I’m starting to think that Tuesdays are going to surpass Mondays on the suck factor.  Weird situations keep happening that 1. kill my run times 2. make my daughters cry and 3. make me feel like the worst mom on the planet.

Last Tuesday my youngest stepped off the bus and snapped her ligament that connects her leg to her foot.  We spent all morning at the doc, hospital, X-rays, resting, eating, ice etc.  Thankfully my sweet girl is on the mend and off crutches as of Monday but has a wonderfully bruised foot.  It was my oldest daughter’s turn this week for a rough patch.  Long story short, when she was younger my youngest smacked out about 1/3 rd of her front tooth out and it’s been bonded ever since.  With her moving 10 hours away to attend her university we wanted to get a veneer on that tooth for more stability.  While we await the 2nd attempt at the veneer (the first one the cosmetic dentist was not happy with) her temporary shattered at 1a this morning.  This was the 2nd time in 3 days.  Problem is that our wonderful cosmetic dentist teaches at Penn on Tuesday in Philly and isn’t here.  His assistant was able to help however without pain meds.  My daughter tried to handle the exposed nerve pain but after too long gripping my hand with great force, tears and pain… we found a nearby periodontist to come and administer Novocain. I felt like the worst mom EVER!  Finally repaired and home.  I won’t even get into my orthodontist appointment details and my pain because it doesn’t matter at this point.  My oldest opted to sleep this afternoon and not go to school.  Phew.  Can this day be over, please?

Sorry for the long tirade… I made these crackers yesterday and they came out great!  I wanted to share with you all because I feel like we all need a good cracker in our life.  Great snack with jam, almond butter or hummus.  Super easy to make.  Store perfectly for a week.  I hope you give these a try!

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— Knead to Cook

Healthy Muesli Cereal. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gift ideas, Gluten Free, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations Leave a Comment

    

Healthy muesli cereal.

Happy Monday & May!  I know winter officially ended several weeks ago but when May arrives… it always seems real.  We did survive another winter!  Hallelujah!

This weekend my husband was making his beloved cereal and I thought I would share my favorite on here with you all because I’ve neglected to do this in the past.  I love this cereal – it’s awesome soaked overnight in your favorite non-dairy milk.  Oats are so good for your body – slowly digesting- therefore keeping you satiated & packed with fiber.  With the added nuts and seeds for healthy fats – this breakfast sets you up for success all day long.  This muesli is also perfect atop your favorite yogurt or ice cream (non-dairy of course).  This recipe is fail-safe so even if you aren’t passionate about cooking – this recipe is super easy!  Plus this one is great to pack up and ship or gift to teachers/friends etc.

We’re hosting a big brunch in June and this will for-sure on my yogurt bar!  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

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— Knead to Cook