Food & fitness obsessed girl.
Pineapple coconut smoothie bowl. Originally, this bowl was just a tropical delicious breakfast. Now, per my naturopath, I’ve been making these daily as a snack or even dinner. My allergies are in full bloom, thanks tree mold, and she highly recommends that I eat pineapple daily…
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— Knead to Cook
Spring is FINALLY here & we’re enjoying some seasonal temperatures, opening windows and yes, cleaning out the staleness of winter. I’m always excited to partner with OXO to highlight some of the newest products to help you easily clean and keep your home in order. Today, I’m focusing on the kitchen with some great tools and some fun seasonal scented cleaning products from Method as well.
Large Sink Mat: Protects dishes from chipping and scratching. Designed to allow air and water to flow freely to discourage mildew build-up. It also saves food that flies off of my cutting board and prevents said items from falling down the drain! That’s my favorite part to be honest.
— Knead to Cook
Buffalo Cauliflower Steak.
Happy Friday friends! Let’s kick off the weekend with this. This crispy, crunchy, “meaty” deliciousness minus the meat! This recipe was happily discovered when I received Lauren Toyota’s Hot For Food’s Buffalo Cauliflower Sandwich. I originally made these recipe as a steak – think larger, thicker cauliflower slice encrusted and enrobed in hot sauce. I served up just like plated along with some potatoes and side salad. My husband was enamored. I shared on my Instastory and had tons of people ask for the recipe. So finally, after many gloomy days, we had sun so I thought I better prep and get this one documented. It takes time, not that much, but I will say the end result is crispy, crunchy goodness! Totally gluten free and of course, vegan!
I wanted to share a link here for Lauren’s incredible cookbook! If you’re looking for awesome and very creative recipes… you need it!
— Knead to Cook
Mint matcha smoothie.
Calling all mint matcha fans! This original recipe was created and inspired around the famous “Shamrock” shake that is far less healthy or appealing as an adult. I’ve revamped this recipe numerous times and I’m happy to report that this one is a winner for sure. Kids love it because of the minty flavor, parents love it because it’s packed with veggies that the kids never detect. Winning all around. Spinach is such a great vehicle for adding a nutritional punch without adding a detectable (to any kids or picky adults) taste. Spinach is a powerhouse as it packs iron, magnesium, vitamin C, potassium… Matcha is a powerful antioxidant EGCg. It helps boost metabolism. Detoxifies the body. I could go on and on but I won’t.
I often make this as an after-school snack for my youngest or post workout for me when I need a punch of flavor. Mint is one of those refreshing and soothing flavors we gravitate towards. I’m also not a big fan of matcha brewed but in smoothies or baked in snacks… count me in!
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— Knead to Cook
Happy Boston Marathon Monday! Did you watch it? OMG so excited to see a US woman win! Plus all of my friends absolutely crushed it & I’m so excited for them! Okay, so if you could care less about the marathon… let’s talk about the weekend and the fleeting warmth we had on the east coast! Did you enjoy it? Do anything fun? My friend Joy texted me Thursday about a early morning walk Friday. I bagged the gym and we hit the road. 5.5 miles before the mulch was delivered. We worked all day gardening, cleaning, weeding and enjoying the sunshine and warmth. It was heavenly. Saturday was still nice so we went for our first of the season trail biking. It was fun and an experiment on how my new knee would hold up. 2 hours of bumpy, rocky and super fun. My a$$ hurts but it was so much fun riding along the river. Then Sunday the cold/windy/rainy weather resumed.
Today was yet another dreary day and I’m in need of making muffin stash for the family. Every week I make muffins or bars for easy snacking, running out the door food. These cinnamon mini muffins came out perfectly! Vegan and gluten free too!
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— Knead to Cook
Happy Tuesday my friends! Okay we survived Monday & that folks, we will call a win. Actually my Monday was very productive. We came off a spring cleaning, doing all the projects we didn’t want to do, feeling super duper productive so Monday was a bit of a continuation. I’ve been cleaning out cabinets, drawers and it truly astonishes me that amount of things we accumulate. I’m now, at 46, in this phase of my life where I want to downsize, get rid of everything and live a very minimalist life. Truly. I’m done with all the things. But we have a few years to go before that happens so I continue to donate, sell, or clean out my possessions.
Last week I made these yummy “meat”balls out of some frozen lentils and they were so good. I teamed them up with this stew I made a few days prior, added rice… and we had a meal! They’re great on hoagie or sub rolls and in a lovely marinara sauce with your favorite pasta. I also was caught eating them cold out of the fridge. Yes, they’re that good.
— Knead to Cook
When you have an abundance of spotted bananas… you get creative and then add chocolate for an over-the-top, healthy treat! These almond banana blondies were gone in less than 24 hours in my kitchen. In fact, I pulled these out of the oven around 4p yesterday and when I got up at 4a to hit the gym… there were 2 left! Ummm okay, I get it. I’ll make more!
Think of these as if banana bread and fudge had a baby. They are dense and delectable. The banana and almond flavors are very pronounced. These little squares are so dessert-like, filling and so good. Seriously, you need these in your life. The blonde version to an undercooked, ooey gooey brownie yet better! Mmmm kay? Now go, make these. Thank me later 🙂
— Knead to Cook
One pot lentil stew.
Hoping you all had a lovely holiday weekend. We traveled, 1 dog in hand, north to visit my in-laws. It was pretty much a typical food fest and I came home 2 lbs heavier, no doubt from a salt overload. So Monday, in yet another snowstorm, I headed to they gym at 420a and got my workout in. Hurried home to give hubs my truck (now that he has an electric car) so he was safer in the snow and my week started. I have been craving a lentil stew for weeks for some reason but had no time in the kitchen to create. Today was my day! This stew has been simmering all day long and I just had a bowl over rice. I’m in heaven.
So the snow is over, melted and the new month has begun. What are your goals for the month? I’m continuing my no-spend on clothes/shoes etc. for me. I’ve been really good and haven’t bought anything since December. That focus remains steadfast for me. That along with continuing to push my fitness levels up now that my knee is 3 months post op.
Okay let’s get this stew going… can’t wait to hear what you think of it!
— Knead to Cook