Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Flu Fighter Immunity Boosting Lemon Ginger Turmeric Tonic.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Fruit, Gluten Free, Health & wellness, Vegan, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations 6 Comments

It’s been a year since I’ve posted.  Well, not exactly but it feels like forever!  So where have I gone you may ask?

Well I opted to finish up my cooking for clients the week before Christmas; just in time to celebrate my birthday. We went to DC to see the Cav’s play, shop & eat our way through Georgetown.  ALL OF US!  It was so nice to have our college girl home again.  Then Christmas and the company arrived.  Food.  Faith.  Presents.  All on repeat. Then I have to admit, on Christmas night, our tree and all decorations were put away and life was good.

Why the rush to end the holiday?  Well Santa brought me a new partial knee replacement.  I had my surgery on the 29th.  If worrying about that wasn’t enough, couple that with my oldest & my husband both getting sick.  You see, I wasn’t allowed to get sick for 2 weeks prior to surgery.  Needless to say I lived in a bubble.  Ha.

Surgery went really well.  Stay over in the hospital one evening and fast forward 17 days to today.  I’m back to the gym, lifting upper body.  I can walk sans limping.  I can drive.  And each day it gets better.  Amazing, right?

So I’ll stop on my knee update & move on to this recipe.  The flu is hitting & hitting hard.  I’ve been making this elixir/tonic whatever you wish to call it all fall/winter to keep us all healthy. Knock wood it’s working!  It’s strong.  Be prepared but it’s packed with vital nutrients and vitamins to keep your immunity in tip top shape.  Team that up with washing your hands every second you get & hopefully we all survive this winter.

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— Knead to Cook

Easy Skillet Apple Crisp Bake. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Halloween, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Happy Fall? As I sit here typing up this recipe it’s a sweltering 90 degree day.  Funny enough, it’s been really hot here since fall arrived.  BUT this weekend… THIS weekend the weather cools down.  I’ll refrain from jumping up and down until I’m putting on my cozy sweaters and leggings.

To jumpstart my fall feelings, I ran over to my local farm stand & grabbed some apples.   I immediately knew I would try this recipe out (adapted from my berry recipe here) .  I made a few changes but it was heavenly.  The aroma is truthfully all I needed today, alongside cranking my air conditioning up, to be quite honest.  Please note my tips below to ensure that the apples cook nicely.  Okay, let’s go!

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— Knead to Cook

Cast Iron Skillet Peach and Berry Crumble. Vegan. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: 4th of July/Patriotic, Breakfast, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 4 Comments

Oh this recipe has been long & coming.  I’m sorry for the wait if you follow me on Instagram, mainly my instastories.  I shared this 2 weekends ago and then life happened.  I’m finally dedicating my afternoon to re-creating it, changes made and photographing it. It is heavenly & I may have eaten this for lunch today (no shame in my game).

Peaches are plentiful and work perfectly in this crumble however you can adapt this recipe to use seasonal fruit that you have on hand.  Think apple crumble next month through the fall.  I’m still secretly hoping I can get cherries at a good price tomorrow at my farmer’s market to make a cherry version. Whatever you have… it will work!

This dish is perfect right from the oven and topped with either vegan ice cream or as we did, So Delicious coconut whip. Warm and absolutely bursting with flavor.  I also love using super ripe fruit so you don’t have to use a lot of extra sugar.  Who’s with me?

I’m still surprised that we are in the last few days of August.  School has started for both of my girls and life is settling in. I really do love fall & look forward to cooler temps, cozy sweaters and big mugs of tea around the fire.

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— Knead to Cook

Easy Protein Overnight Oats. Vegan. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Fitness., Fruit, Raw, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations Leave a Comment

Well hello there friends & happy almost 4th of July!  I hope you have tons of fun plans of being outside at the beach, lake or pool surrounded by your favorite people & of course, awesome food!  We have some super fun plans so make sure you follow me on Instagram and my stories.

About two weeks ago my good friend (who lives across the country from me) called and wanted to mix up my diet again. She’s a trainer/registered dietitian & does this sporadically.  She kept me super lean post surgery last year so count me in!  Oats.  I needed to add them back to my breakfast (I intermittent fast so this is normally around 1030 or 11 am) and I have to admit — I’ve missed oats.  I always gravitated towards them in the sweltering summer months in prior years & I’m happy again to have these.

Different additions/subtractions but I’ll share my add-ins and you go from there!  Seasonal fruit and your favorite nuts make this little Ball jar full-of-goodness perfection.  Fail safe recipe.
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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

Chocolate chunk banana blender muffins. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 5 Comments


Blender chocolate chunk banana muffins. Vegan. Gluten free.  

Oh blender muffins how I love you so!  Incredibly easy prep and clean-up.  Tender and moist… these muffins are to die for.  And did you check out that chocolate swirl around the coconut sugar on the chocolate chunk?  HOLY yum!  Seriously.  I made this recipe and literally 5 were gone while cooling. Ha.

I make a lot of muffins and cookies during the week for clients and my own family.  They get packed in breakfast bags (hello 5a swim practice), lunch bags or they serve well as an after school snack or dessert.  My dad grabs one with his coffee in the afternoon.  Endless eating opportunities.  Be warned… these go fast!  I also freeze these perfectly in an airtight ziploc or plastic container.

 

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— Knead to Cook

Good Karma Foods Flaxmilk Chocolate Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Best Vegan..., Beverages, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Raw, Smoothies, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 31 Comments

Lately, I’ve been sharing my favorite vegan, plant-based foods here on my blog.  Good Karma Foods flaxmilk and yogurts are just two of our favorites.  Recently, I have the opportunity to try out Good Karma’s flax protein milk.  First things first… it has 8 grams of protein per serving AND tastes so incredibly creamy!   I don’t know about you but I’m not a fan of watery milks.  If you want a luscious smoothie – you need a creamy base to start and this milk is perfect!  Plus packed with Omega 3’s… this one is a winner!

Good Karma Foods flaxmilk is packed with 1200mg of Omega 3’s.  Free of the most common allergens like dairy, soy, & nuts.  It has as much calcium as dairy milk.  The flax with protein only has 70 calories per serving in their unsweetened flaxmilk.  The flavor is extremely neutral and can be used in both savory as well as sweet recipes, like my smoothie recipe.

Good Karma Foods is based out of beautiful Boulder, Colorado and they were the pioneers to developing a flax seed based milk.  They are passionate about healthy eating and living -which is why I believe in such an incredible company and their products.  They also have an incredibly creamy drinkable yogurt that we’re obsessed with and a creamy yogurt that is unbelievable.  Okay so enough of my babbling on… let’s get to the recipe AND a sweet giveaway!

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— Knead to Cook

Banana Walnut Oats Instant Pot. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Nuts, Pressure Cooker, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations 7 Comments

Banana walnut steel cut oats for the Instant Pot. Oh how I love my Instant Pot & steel cut oats.  Seriously, they are the easiest breakfast going and oh so healthy.  I love making a big batch earlier in the week and have them for quick snacks or breakfasts on the go.  My daughter warms a bowl up before heading out to school and eats hers on the bus.

Steel cuts oats are nutritional powerhouses.  Per 1/4 cup of steel cut oats – they are packed with 7g of protein, 4g of fiber and 10% of your daily allowance for iron.  They take forever to digest in the stomach -helping keep you fuller longer without snacking all morning long.  These oats prep so easily and make for super simple mornings all week long.  I spoon 1/2 cup into reusable containers and warm in the morning.  Top with your favorite berries, nut butter or seeds and you’re good to go!

Let’s get this started & oh Happy VaLEnTiNE’s Day!!
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— Knead to Cook

Cashew Banana Blender Muffins. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Nuts, Quick Bread, Running/Races, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations 11 Comments

 
Cashew banana blender muffins.  I swear I may have an addiction to making muffins in my Vitamix.  NO joke!

Once you whip up a batch of muffins in this manner, I promise, you will not want to go back to using your stand or hand mixer.  It’s literally the easiest thing on the planet and they come together instantaneously.  With a family of 5 that I cook for… we require healthy snacks to have on the counter when running late/pre or post workout, with coffee or tea & breakfast on the fly for teenagers.  I have a batch cooking in my oven right now as I type this 🙂

These muffins are refined sugar-free.  Although I use maple syrup, the banana adds a nice sweetness.  The flax/chia and hemp add omega’s and necessary fats for your diet.  Fats are critical for hormonal balance and to help keep you full longer! The benefits are endless.  Okay onto this recipe so I can go and grab mine out of the oven.

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— Knead to Cook

Christmas Gingerbread Granola. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Nuts, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment


Christmas gingerbread coconut granola.

Today’s task… workout then prep all the food that I can.  My first menu item was this gingerbread granola for Christmas breakfast.  It’s the one breakfast food in our house that everyone will eat.  Some will top their vegan yogurt with it… some will eat it solo or mixed with cashew milk (even vegan egg nog).  The aroma is absolutely heavenly and screams Christmas.  This also makes the perfect hostess or food gift in case you’re in a pinch.

No time to waste today so let’s get started…
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— Knead to Cook