Black truffle smashed potatoes.

by Filed Under: Appetizers, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Side dish, St. Patrick's Day, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 1 Comment

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Eating a vegetarian or even vegan diet doesn’t have to be boring.  Even if you aren’t eating a meat-free diet… adding fun veggies to your classic proteins makes any dinner special.  My kids aren’t fans of potatoes -not even french fries.  But they did like these and the adults quickly realized the addictive nature of these crispy, flat, potato chip-like crunchy texture with a unique flavor.  If you haven’t tried black truffle oil – you must!  I am not a mushroom fan at all but love LOVE love black truffles.  In cheese, popcorn… infused oils… I’m smitten!  It is pricey but you can easily spend less on a small bottle that will last you a good amount of time because you use it sparingly.

These are easy to make and a great project for the kids to help you with.  Totally vegan (gasp) for those of you who think this is a crazy way of eating… it so isn’t when you can indulge in veggies like this from time to time!

Great weeknight side dish.  Can be prepared ahead of time and reheated or par-cooked a few days prior.  You have to try these… seriously!

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— Knead to Cook

Healthy granola bars.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cabot Fit Team, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Snacks, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 7 Comments

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It’s Monday and it’s the start of a brand new month.  I’m excited… why?  Well, we dodged a rather bad snow storm (sorry to my friends south of us who weren’t so lucky).  My training is going very well and I’m feeling stronger and stronger.  And despite life not being perfect, I see glimmers of hope and promise of wonderful things in the future.

As Monday comes, I always start baking or creating snacks for my kids and family to snack on all week.  Fruit and veggies are always at hand but let’s face it… grab a tea or coffee and a baked good or treat, right?  Yes!  Dessert.  After-school snacking?  Of course.  I always try to put the best options forward and this is no different.  We all train hard and need to rebuild and refuel.  This snack does that and it makes a lot so you are covered for a week of snacking.

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— Knead to Cook

Taco bar.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Chicken, Gluten Free, Ground Turkey, Mexican, Party Foods, Turkey, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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Taco Tuesday is a staple in my house.  My kids have requested it forever and now it’s a staple… at least for the most part.  We missed Tuesday this week due to my daughter’s swim banquet for high school but I made up for it on Wednesday.  Having a taco “bar” is easy when your family has a divided diet as mine does.  My husband recently adopted a vegetarian diet, much like myself but my girls and father all eat meat.  Having a multitude of toppings makes it easy if your a vegan, vegetarian or meat lover to happily partake in this fun theme dinner.

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— Knead to Cook

KIND Granola Bars.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Nuts, Product Review., Vegan, Vegetarian 8 Comments

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I’m always whipping up granola bites, balls or bars in my kitchen.  I really dislike the store-bought versions chock full of preservatives and chemicals that I can’t pronounce.  The fine people over at KIND sent me some granola to create with and that’s just what I did. They turned out quite tasty and with all of the different varieties they offer, the flavors can be customized to your preference.  I used vanilla blueberry clusters.  

These took only minutes to make and chilled up in the fridge in about 30 minutes.  Great on-the-go breakfast, snack, post workout treat, after-school snack or dessert idea.  My kids love granola and it’s a great way to pack in some healthy ingredients.  You can use whatever granola or trail mix you prefer. You can also add mini chocolate chips, raisins, dried fruit, nuts etc.  Totally customizable!

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— Knead to Cook

Wheat Berry Stuffed Bell Peppers. Vegan. Vegetarian or Meat Lovers.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Ground Turkey, Pork, Turkey, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 3 Comments

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The count in my family is now 2 vegetarians and 3 carnivores.  I have to admit, somedays its just hard enough getting one dinner on the table versus two different options to satisfy everyone’s needs/wishes.  This dish works really well because you can prepare the base and use that for the vegan/vegetarian option and add your protein for the meat lover versions.  You can make as many as you need working essentially between the two dishes.  This dish can easily be prepared ahead of time as well and then just baked/broiled right before serving dinner.  Plus it’s packed with protein and vitamins to keep you humming along healthy and happy! 

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— Knead to Cook

Brown Rice Krispy Treats. Clean Eating.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Easter, Gluten Free, Holiday, St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegetarian Leave a Comment

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Valentine’s Day is this Friday and I’ll admit, I don’t get caught up in all of the pomp and circumstance like I used to.  I know that sounds really lame but I like to think that I show my husband and family love throughout the year and not on one special day.  Please no hate emails!  I will make a special dinner at home, quiet and low key.  I found the cutest gifts for my girls in January that I’m actually excited to give to them and my husband… my rock!  I got him several pieces of Lululemon summer shorts/tees on sale and already gave it to him.  Ha.  I’m pathetic- yes I know.    

With Valentine’s ready to go to school for my youngest, I did want to whip up a fun treat for my family to enjoy without tons of junk in them.  So I thought of what was gooey and sticky and would work to grab ahold of these fun X and O sprinkles I had on hand.  Rice Krispy treats!  Perfect!  Also, with the frigid temps we have… they would set up in seconds outside… and that’s exactly what they did!  My daughter gobbled two down on the way home from school.  Super cute!  Super yummy and PROTEIN packed!  Now there is something to LOVE {swoon}.

Customize these to your holiday or event.  Would be perfect shaped like eggs for Easter, with green sprinkles for St. Patty’s Day.  Let your mind go wild with fun ideas!

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— Knead to Cook

Whole Wheat Apple Bundt Cake with a vanilla drizzle.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Cakes, Desserts, Easter, Fruit, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegetarian 2 Comments

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One of my New Year’s resolutions was to host more gatherings, (even small ones) throughout the year.  I had planned on an intimate brunch with a few swim friends and booked/sent invites out early in January.  After much turmoil with my daughter’s health, endless testing down in Philadelphia – tears, uneasiness etc.,  the date finally came around and I looked forward to being surrounded by close swim friends (and many of my oldest daughter’s friends – my youngest was away) who have been an amazing support system for us.

I whipped up this cake, an old favorite recipe from years and years ago, on Saturday so that the dessert portion of the brunch menu was taken care of.  It turned out well and everyone loved it.  There is something about a cake filled with cinnamon and apples that always gets me.  Just feels so homey and comforting.  It was perfect and I whipped up a vanilla bean drizzle for the top.  Great make-ahead dessert for your next get-together or special occasion.

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— Knead to Cook

Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Featured, Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 7 Comments

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I’ve been a chocolate aficionado for a very long time.  It’s definitely one food passion of mine that I refuse to give up.  I’ve curbed back and definitely avoid sugar-laden desserts with my cleaner eating over the past 15 months so changes had to be made.  I needed to find better options to satisfy my love of chocolate.  My kids are the same.  They love chocolate.  One loves milk the other follows my passion for deep, dark, rich chocolate.  I’m not a fan of store-bought puddings filled with tons of sugar and other preservatives.  My option:  Make my own!  I’ve been making chia pudding for several years now.  In fact, way before the chia seed popularity took the world by storm.  My farmer’s market that I go to year round sells bags of chia for a great price and I began experimenting with it after reading about how nutritionally packed it was – how couldn’t I?

Last year I had the opportunity to travel to New England twice in only a few months and popped by King Arthur’s crazy fabulous store (both times) and my friend Jenny suggested I buy this deep, rich dark cocoa powder because it was the best.  I bought several bags and I concur, Jenny, my friend – you were right!  It makes this pudding over-the-top delectable.  My kids eat it for breakfast with a mashed banana mixed in.  It is so good and it curbs all of those chocolate-crazed moments in our lives (and yes, we all have many of them DAILY!).

I’ve also made this pudding with some powdered peanut butter mixed in as well for a peanut butter cup type of pudding.  I’ll add that suggestion below.

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— Knead to Cook

Oat apple muffins.

by Filed Under: Breads, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Muffins, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 3 Comments

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We’ve had non-stop snow or ice days here in Pennsylvania.  My kids keep making muffins – because they’re so easy and fast!  Today’s version… oat apple with flaxseed oil.  Healthy and oh so good.  I admit, I need to start posting dinner recipes but it seems like this week we’ve been so fragmented – my husband is living at work because of the weather.  My oldest has swim meets/swim dinners wrapping up the season.  It’s just been nutty.  Hoping tomorrow we get back on track… but until then grab a cup of tea and enjoy a muffin. oxo~Robin

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— Knead to Cook

Clean eating mixed berry smoothie.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Smoothies, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free, Yogurt 1 Comment

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I don’t know about you but anything reminiscent of spring or summer makes me quite smitten right now.  We have been in this non-stop pattern of snow and I’m starting to think that winter may never end.  Today we got hit with yet another snowstorm that I believe wasn’t predicted until yesterday.  9 inches later…. I sit here with smoothie in hand smiling that we are done snow blowing and shoveling – dreaming fondly of warmer days. Mother Nature, Punxsutawney Phil or someone better save us… soon!

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— Knead to Cook