Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Eggnog Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Brunch, Desserts, Egg dishes, Fruit, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free, Yogurt 2 Comments

IMG_8370

I have so many thoughts going through my head as I’m finally sitting down to blog this week.  First, I apologize for not blogging sooner.  Monday was spent prepping for my guest teaching gig on Tuesday.  Tuesday, I was honored to guest teach at my daughter’s high school.  I taught 7 culinary classes (164 kids) and spoke about healthy eating, carbs, Thanksgiving, being a vegetarian and pretty much anything food related.  My takeaway is that teachers and aides are grossly underpaid (I already knew this but standing in their shoes confirmed this for me).  The kids ranged in age from freshman to seniors.  Encompassed all socio-economic groups.  Athletes to  non-athletes.  It was as much a learning experience for me as it was, hopefully, for them.  My last class, I was blessed to teach my favorite freshman – my daughter.  It was, without a doubt, the highlight of my day seeing her.  My heart fills with pride every time I lay eyes on this girl who is morphing into an amazing adult.  But enough on that… here is a pic from yesterday.  Sorry to my daughter who was eating/carb loading before her two hour swim practice right after class but mama want a shot to remember the day!

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Almond and Cookie Butter Oatmeal Protein Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Desserts, Gluten Free, Smoothies, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

IMG_8359

Yesterday we had an opportunity, post my half marathon, to shop at the most enormous Trader Joe’s I’ve ever been to.  It was just paradise.  Of course, my girls headed to the peanut butter aisle to grab the newest member of the cookie butter family – chocolate swirl!  I knew the requests for a smoothie would be eminent and they were.  Mondays deserve something sweet to get out of bed, right?  First thing this morning, as I hobbled down the steps carefully, the first request came in. As indulgent as it is, I put my healthy spin on it so it had some nutritional value and energize them on this dismal Monday.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Pineapple Spinach Yogurt Protein Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 4 Comments

IMG_5598

 

Sneaking vegetables into your kids has never been so easy!  I say this over and over again but your kids will not detect the spinach as the other flavors over-power it and make it virtually undetectable.  Plus, if you are trying to add more leafy greens to your diet, this is yet another fun way to do it.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Bill’s Watermelon Lime Martini.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Fruit, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Party Foods, Vegetarian Leave a Comment

IMG_5002

We LOVE watermelon in our house.  And I realize, as school returns this week that my love affair with the fruit is wrapping up *sigh* as summer comes to an end.  Today, while grocery shopping, I picked up probably my 20th of the season and it was beautifully ripe and perfect.  My husband got to working at his new bar and whipped up this delightfully refreshing cocktail in honor of the watermelon.  Perfect to serve at a garden party, bar-b-que or for us, a s’mores night with friends around the fire.  Also perfect for a Labor Day party.  *Always drink responsibly.  

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Nuts, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 14 Comments

IMG_5121

 

I’ve never really been a fan of cow’s milk, even when I was a child.  Now cheese – I love and often proclaim that I can eat my body weight in it!  When almond milk hit the scene a few years ago, we switched over to that and my family enjoyed and actually preferred it.  Because I’ve cut out most sugar in my diet, I switched over to the unsweetened milk.  I’m not a cereal eater but I do make overnight oats for breakfast and eat that everyday and use the milk to soften the oats in the recipe.  I started making my own almond milk about a year now, since I got my Vitamix machine and I love it.  First, it is so easy to do and two, it costs less to make it at home – win, win!  It also only contains three ingredients, which I clearly can pronounce.  Now, if you want to sweeten the milk you can easily add some maple syrup or honey versus using a refined sugar (start with a 1 tablespoon) and add to your preference.  Okay now onto the recipe…

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Blueberry Pineapple Oatmeal Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Smoothies, Snacks, Vitamix, Yogurt 30 Comments

IMG_1030

 

We are in the throngs of swimming in our house.  That means late night meets and early morning practices.  I’ll admit, it takes a toll.  My kids rolls out of bed in the morning exhausted and not wanting to eat breakfast.  This is the perfect way to get them packed with protein, vitamins and minerals without them really paying that much attention to it.  These serve as a great pre or post workout meal, snack, lunch etc.  Add a handful of spinach or kale for more added punch (I promise you won’t taste it!).  Adapt whatever fruit you have on hand and make it your own.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Pineapple Mint Lassi Popsicles.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Frozen Pops, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Yogurt 1 Comment

IMG_0327

Typically a beverage, I turned this pineapple mint lassi into a popsicle.  A refreshing treat indeed!  The fresh sweetness of the pineapple and the zing of fresh mint from my garden make these a treat both kids and adults will love.  I also added chunks of fresh pineapple to my popsicle molds for even more tasty goodness. These cool treats boast protein, thanks to the Greek yogurt, so they also have muscle building benefits along with great vitamin impact.  Your kids won’t even know this is good for them!

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Strawberry & Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Vegetarian, Vitamix 1 Comment

IMG_9933

 

It’s been a bountiful strawberry season for our garden.  Huge bowls of strawberries are being filtered into my kitchen daily.  So after my run this morning, I thought I would whip up a breakfast smoothie for my girls and I thought a peanut butter &  strawberry (a take-off of pb and j) would be a fun.  My girls loved it and drank them down in record time.  Packed with fruit, which provides necessary vitamins and energy, protein for muscles – its a great way to start the day.  A lower calorie option would be to replace the peanut butter with dried peanut butter (4 tablespoons) to reduce the fat/calories.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Strawberry Honey Lemonade.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Vegetarian, Vitamix 7 Comments

577473_10200600108198169_1556981982_n

 

Spring is upon us and I have warm weather on the brain.  Yesterday I thought I would surprise my girls with a fresh batch of homemade strawberry lemonade and they loved it.  My husband even turned it into cocktails for the evening by adding a shot of vodka and some fresh basil to a glass.  Cheers!  Love when people make a recipe their own!

Ingredients:

2 cups of strawberries, washed/stemmed
1 cup of lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1/2 cup of honey, I used raw local – use more if you would like it sweeter
5 cups of water
Ice cubes

Directions:

Place the strawberries (first) and honey) into your blender or Vitamix. Blend for 10 seconds or so.  Then add the juice and water.  Blend for another 20 seconds or so.  Run through a strainer to remove the pulp if you wish.  Add ice and serve.

— Knead to Cook