Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Cashew oat cookie bites.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Gluten Free, Nuts, Party Foods, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 4 Comments

IMG_1367


Who doesn’t love a bite-sized snack you can pop into your mouth and enjoy?  I know I do!  And my kids and family love them.  I love whipping up bite-sized recipes as snacks or post swim treats for my kids.  Even on busy school mornings these make a great on-the-go treat.  Packed with protein and fiber – these will also provide the nutrition you need to keep your body humming right along.  You can always mix-in some mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts for more texture or to make more enticing for children.  These aren’t overtly sweet and aren’t meant to be.  I’m desperately trying to detox my family from refined sugars where I can.  Snacking that won’t break all of your training efforts, fuel for your body… it’s a win-win!

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Healthy Protein Blondies.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brownies, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 18 Comments

IMG_1162

As I’ve shared in past posts, my family is doing a 40 days to a revolution (mind/body/yoga/mediation/diet) program by Baron Baptiste.  It makes you pause and really examine what’s going on inside your life and  thoughts, what you’re eating and reactions to being present in your life.  I don’t know about you but all areas I need to improve.  I rush from one thing to another not really stopping to be present in the moment.   I have made some significant changes in my life over the last year and want to continue to evolve because after all, if you aren’t moving – you’re stagnating.  

I whipped up these non-chocolate blondies because my husband is allergic to cocoa along with the fact that I wanted to continue to make clean recipes that I can share with my fellow 40 day students as we go through this journey together.  

I made these… didn’t tell anyone what the ingredients were.  Everyone ate them not missing a beat.  In fact, we were in Philly yesterday and came home and I just noticed that they are all gone!  Love it!  No one is the wiser.  Protein packed minus the “junk” found in regular blondies.  Now if you’re expecting the full on fat blondies… you won’t be happy with these.  But if you’re looking for a clean snack idea for your kids or yourself that won’t blow your gym efforts or make you riddled with guilt over eating something less than healthy… these are for you!  When I did reveal my food source for these to my husband he was flabbergasted!  Ha… fooled him.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Coconut Cookies.

by Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts, Snacks, Vegetarian 12 Comments

IMG_0685

I’m always working in the kitchen on a low sugar, healthier cookie for my family.  I find most cookies overly sweet and as a family, we try to reduce the consumption of refined sugar where possible.  On my countertop I always have my covered cake stand that is filled with muffins, bread, cookies or scones for snacking.  My dad has them with coffee, my kids grab them on the way out for a quick snack – so my goal is to make it as healthy as possible.  These turned out great and my kids don’t even miss the sugar.  These have more of a shortbread texture. A cold glass of coconut milk and a cookie for an afternoon snack… perfect together.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Oatmeal peanut butter cookies. {no flour} {no butter}

by Filed Under: Cookies, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 12 Comments

IMG_9498

 

This recipe was created a few years ago when I ran out of butter and needed to bake some cookies.  Necessity is the mother of all inventions!  These cookies are perfect as they are gluten free, butter free and flour free!  Great baking idea for the holiday.  I like this recipe as it packs protein in a delicious form that my kids love.  I used Bob’s Red Mill rolled oats that are gluten free.  Available in most grocery stores in the GF section.  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.  Grab a hot cup of hot chocolate or cold glass of milk, a blanket and sit by the fire enjoying this yummy treat.

Update:  Made a batch yesterday – completely gone this morning.  Making more for our swim meet tomorrow…. maybe even a triple batch!

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Caramelized vanilla blondies.

by Filed Under: Brownies, Cookies, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Vegetarian 7 Comments

IMG_9313

These blondies are perfect for baking and holiday gift-giving.  They have a caramelized flavor making them irresistible.  Not clean-eating by any stretch of the imagination but everything in moderation.  With a husband who is allergic to chocolate (yes, gasp!) these are the perfect treat.  I’ve had this recipe for about 20 years – my little stained index card.  A true favorite I always make around the holidays.  Flaky tops.  Ooey gooey centers, does it get any better?  Commence drooling.

So in my house, I always try to have a wide variety of “treats” for my kids and I made protein bars yesterday… today I knew I had to make a fun sweet for an after-practice/dinner dessert option.  Perfect wrapped up in a cellophane bag with a plaid ribbon.  Pay a bit of happiness forward and make someone’s day extra special or eat them all yourself and then hit the gym hard tomorrow…. it’s your choice!

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.

by Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Vegetarian 11 Comments

IMG_8845

Peppermint is so reminiscent of Christmas to me.  It seems like I only really use it in recipes late November and December despite a deep love for it.  As I sit here, on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving, I’m rushing today to get three new recipes created, cooked/baked and photographed and then blogged so that I can take some down time this week with my family.  This is my final recipe.  It’s indulgent.  Not clean eating.  I created this recipe for my daughter to take to a sleepover tomorrow night.  The girls have all been swimming so much that the calories don’t matter (ah to be a teenager) and it’s a special treat to enjoy with girlfriends at a sleepover.  On top of using some mint in this recipe, I also added a fun little extra to this recipe.  A fun baking holiday idea that is a must try!

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Classic Oatmeal Cookies.

by Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts, Holiday Baking Ideas, Vegetarian 2 Comments

IMG_8650

This week has been filled with a lot of preparation especially with Thanksgiving being next week – how did that happen already?  My girls are both full-on into swim practice, in fact my oldest swam 7200 yards at 2 practices yesterday. I need to have healthy and indulgent snacks around that provide with some much needed refueling and protein/calories for muscle rebuilding (and a sweet treat as a reward for all their hard work).  Being a bit short on time today, I wanted to whip up some oatmeal cookies as I noticed the chocolate chip cookies I made were long gone with not even a crumb remaining in the cake stand.  These are a family favorite – crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, just like the cookie should be.  Grab your milk!

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Almond Meyer Lemon Cherry Biscotti.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Italian-inspired, Nuts, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegetarian 3 Comments

IMG_8423

 

Growing up Italian, I think I was given biscotti as a teething cookie while a toddler.  I always remember them being around in a big glass jar.  The adults would imbibe in a dark coffee dipping their crunchy biscotti in between gulps.  This crunchy cookie is the favorite of kids (especially when dipped in chocolate) and adults.  The crunchier the better.  They are so versatile too.  You can add whatever your favorites are from nuts to fruits and chocolates.  My Meyer lemon tree is bursting with lemons and I wanted to use them as the fresh essence in these delectable cookies.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Clean Eating Peppermint Brownie Bites.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brownies, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 8 Comments

IMG_8397

This weekend we popped by the most enormous Trader Joe’s that I’ve ever seen and I was thrilled with their holiday section.  I stumbled upon my favorite Peppermint extract and wanted to create something chocolate/pepperminty.  The girls in my family are all huge fans of the combination.  The flavor combination is reminiscent of the holidays and today, with our frigid temperatures, are also pushing me in that direction.  Hard to believe that in just a few weeks we will have a Christmas tree in our house!  Wasn’t it just summer?

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Oatmeal Nut Granola Bars.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 1 Comment

IMG_8158

 

I’m coming up on my one year anniversary or epiphany that changed the way I was eating.  It was last November.  I had put on a ten extra pounds and basically was disgusted with how I felt.  I worked out 6 days a week – running, weights, spinning, cardio – you name it!  Then one day it all changed.  It all came into focus and I realized that it wasn’t my effort that needed to change it was my diet.  In particular, how much I was eating.  You know, snacking here or there.  Walk by and grab this or that.  I started to keep track and I have to admit, I was flabbergasted.  I just changed.  I was tired of it.  I had lost 20 lbs two summers prior and I knew I just wanted a change.  I was also sick of hearing how when you turn 40 it’s all over.  If you know me well… I don’t take well to accepting things that I can change.  I don’t roll over and play dead easily.  I’m a fighter by nature and this was not going to knock me down.

So one year, here I sit.  I’m now a vegetarian for the past 7 months.  I’m down 30 lbs total.  I run about 1.5 minutes faster than I did before.  I feel awesome.  I’ve discovered through my evolution the friends who support me and those who sadly don’t.  I’ve inspired people so that they can do the same and receive hundreds of emails that inspire me to continue from fans of my page.  It’s a cycle… pay it forward.  Pay your energy forward.  Pay you knowledge forward.  Build up and don’t tear down!  That’s the whole gist of my blogging.  Inspire others to do good, eat good and pay it forward.

Okay now off my soapbox (for now).  So here sits this granola bar.  Doesn’t look more special than any other granola bar out there I’m sure.  But when I created this granola bar I strived to make it as healthy and clean as possible.  Packed with tons of vitamins and minerals.  Great for recovery after a walk, a run or a workout.  It can be made vegan or simply vegetarian.  It’s packed with goodness.  No preservatives.  No ingredients that you can’t pronounce or let alone be able to identify like the store bought counterparts.  It’s also gluten free.  Even the crumbles that break off the bars when slicing can be stored and used to top yogurt or eat straight up.  Okay enough… time to move onto the recipe.

[Read more…]

— Knead to Cook