Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Mocha Espresso Bean Protein Balls. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, No bake/cooking required!, Running/Races, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 7 Comments

Mocha Espresso Energy Balls. Vegan. GF.

Mocha Espresso Protein Balls. Vegan. GF. || Knead to Cook.

Happy Monday!  Another week, another missed snowstorm.  All the pomp and circumstance on the news and we got a few inches of the white stuff. Kids were delayed but thankfully that was it.  No need for the snowblower and the kids still got to go to school.  Plus bonus – I got to make my girls some freshly squeezed blood orange juice.

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I have been thinking about this recipe since Vega sent me their new bionic (seriously – its packed with tons of bionic vegan ingredients) mocha flavored protein powder last week.  This paired with espresso beans.  Why do I hate coffee but love vegan dark chocolate covered espresso beans?  I have no idea.  I had them one day at a restaurant and couldn’t believe it… I loved them.  And here’s a little tidbit, most better quality dark chocolate is vegan.  No milk!  YAY!  So I found some favorites and I stash them in my pantry.  I have a  few in the morning for a caffeine punch.  But today, I chopped up a bunch and put them in this recipe.  Bionic balls!  Ha!  Now that should make you laugh!
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— Knead to Cook

The Green Hemp Protein Smoothie. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 5 Comments

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It’s that time of year again, right?  You vow to eat more veggies, less sugar.  You commit to being healthier.  That “D” word is thrown around like crazy.  The intention ~admirable.  But I’m going to let you in on a little secret.  It isn’t a diet, it’s a lifestyle.  That’s what the commercials, the ads and everyone won’t say!  Honestly, there is no magic pill, diet, cleanse or what have you.  I know, I was 33 lbs heavier 3.5 years ago than I am right now.

I don’t really like to share my raw images but I did a few weeks ago, if you follow me on Instagram.  It some how added some validity to my journey, the food I blog about and recipes I create. Most followers of my IG account just assumed that I always looked this way.  And how would anyone know, right?  I felt overweight and unhappy.  In hindsight, I ate too much sugar and food.  One interesting note:  I trained then the same as I do today.  Make sure you actually read that – my training hasn’t changed from 33 lbs ago however my running has gotten faster due to the weight loss.  I hit a point that I was sick and tired of feeling that way so I decided to start on my journey to change.  I went from hardcore carnivore to the person sitting here typing this blog post today – a plant-based vegan.  I realize extreme to some but this has been an ongoing metamorphosis over 3.5 years.  I happily celebrate my vegan 1 year anniversary this month and have never felt better in my life.

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— Knead to Cook

Smoky Spicy Cheese Sauce. Vegan. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Condiments, Dips, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Grilling/Rubs/Sauces, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Pasta, Raw, Running/Races, Sauces, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 5 Comments

Smoky Spicy Cheese Sauce. Vegan and gluten free.

Smoky Spicy Cheese Sauce. Vegan and gluten free by Knead to Cook.

Smoky.  Spicy. Cheesy Sauce.  Wait… dip.  Dressing!  Wait… a sub for yogurt or mayo in sandwiches!  Oh the uses are endless!  And the spiciness and smokiness is all under your wielding. But for us… the more kick and the smokier the better!

This cheese sauce, dip, dressing – whatever you want to call it is totally vegan and gluten free.  You will be bulled over by the flavor this packs in this super simple, insane concoction!  Seriously… you won’t want to miss this one.  Prep is required with the cashews but other than that -soaked cashews made into cream can become a magical ingredient that vegans seriously rejoice over!  I normally go sweeter but do love a savory cashew cream. And please, anything with Sriracha is just hands down fabulous.  I think I may need a support group for hot sauce.  In fact – there are two different types in here. Okay… recipe time.

UPDATE:  I made a super yummy vegan chili tonight and put a doll-up of this on it… heavenly!  Another use for this awesome sauce. Ha ha.
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— Knead to Cook

Massaged Kale Salad. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Raw, Running/Races, Salads, Side dish, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vinaigrette, Wheat Free 1 Comment

 

Massaged Kale Salad by Knead to Cook.

Massaged Kale Salad by Knead to Cook.

All hail the massaged kale salad.  Kale has become increasing popular and trendy but this is one trend that nutritionally needs to stay around.  The nutritional benefits to kale are astounding. Kale is low in calorie, high in fiber and has zero fat. Kale is high in iron. Kale is high in Vitamin K. Kale is filled with powerful antioxidants.  Kale is a great anti-inflammatory food. Kale is great for cardiovascular support.  Now I realize, despite all of those fabulous details, some people don’t particularly care for the harsher flavor of this green giant.  Trust me, lover of kale or not, this recipe will make you love it more or enlighten you on the fabulousness of this green powerhouse.
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— Knead to Cook

Watermelon Juice.

by Filed Under: 4th of July/Patriotic, Beverages, Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Party Foods, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix 2 Comments

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The one thing I simply cannot control myself around is watermelon.  My friends laugh hysterically at me because I often eat an entire watermelon in under 1 day.  I keep picking at it and just can’t stop.  My drug of choice.  Could be worse!  Due to it’s extremely high water content, it’s a low cal food packed with nutrients.  It is also a great post workout beverage to help prevent sore muscles after they’ve been torn up.  During working out, muscle cells rely heavily on glycogen, the storage form of carbohydrates in your muscles and liver. Consuming watermelon shortly after your workout can help replenish glycogen storage, refueling your muscles for your next workout. Watermelon helps prevent the formation of free radicals, known to cause cancer. And the lovely watermelon also contains vitamin A which helps skin and hair.  You just can’t go wrong!  Pair this up with the power- packed coconut water, which helps replenish electrolytes and packs in more potassium than bananas —- why would you drink anything other than this after your next workout?!  Refreshing on a hot afternoon by the pool too or for your next party!  Although perfect, you can always transform this into an adult beverage by adding vodka as option.

As the hot weather lingers, my appetite drops but my thirst goes through the roof.  This is the perfect beverage to refuel and refresh.

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— Knead to Cook

Peach and Cucumber Salsa.

by Filed Under: 4th of July/Patriotic, Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Dips, Fitness., Gluten Free, Mexican, No bake/cooking required!, Party Foods, Raw, Salsas & Guacamole, Side dish, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 6 Comments

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I love LOVE love salsa.  Even better… summer fruit salsa!  I don’t even need chips for this salsa and admittedly, I can down the entire bowl of it on my own.  The mix of sweet, crunchy, spicy… and mix that with balsamic vinegar ~ a slice of summery heaven.

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— Knead to Cook

Maille Mobile Preview Tasting in Philadelphia.

by Filed Under: Condiments, Gluten Free, Grilling/Rubs/Sauces, Life., No bake/cooking required!, Party Foods, Product Review., Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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You know that when a fabulous person falls into you life, regardless of how it happens, you embrace that relationship and place great value on it.  Products are very similar.  You find a product or products and they instantly become your go-to standards that you refuse to deviate from.  In my life as well as on my blog, I share only products that I’m truly passionate about.  Sometimes those posts are sponsored (which are noted) and other times I’m just sharing food or products that I use and love along my food journey.

Maille has been a two-fold blessing to me.  One, I’ve used their products forEVER!  Seriously, as long as I can remember way back when my husband and I moved in together and I was grocery shopping on my own (attempting to enter adulthood) I was buying Maille Dijon.  Well I started my blog a few years ago and have had many opportunities to work with companies creating recipes, attending events etc.  When I started my relationship with Maille I was not only excited because I love and use their products several times a week — I also made a wonderful friend Elsa who I just adore!  She’s my French connection and I just could chat with her for hours upon hours about travel, Paris, NYC, men, life… oh and wifi (inside joke).

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— Knead to Cook

Himalayan Sea Salt Raw Brownies. {vegan} {gluten free}

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

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I’m convinced that everything in my house is now breaking.  Do you ever go through spells like that?  First started with a patio outside that we had to tear up and pour cement.  Then our fridge died… that was replaced.  Now the ceiling fan in my bedroom just went kaput!  Not really happy as I really love my fan and it seems like I’m boiling at night with just the a/c on.  Maybe menopause is closer than I thought (ha ha).  I was relegated to removing the old fan and running out for a new one.  Before I run off to hang that I wanted to blog because the rest of my day is packed with a swim meet.

I had planned on sharing my recipe for mint sun tea that I made yesterday but had a hankering for some raw brownies and these bumped that post.  These raw brownies are a bit different from ones made in my past.  I wanted to use coconut butter or manna in these for a deeper, richer flavor.  They are so good and good for you!  Raw.  Vegan. Gluten free.  I like to make snacks for my daughter to take to her swim meets that I know are diet friendly for her.  These are perfect.  And if you aren’t a coconut fan, no worries… the flavor almost is undetectable.  Packed with protein from the hemp hearts. Perfect when the chocolate cravings hit!  I store in the freezer (or you can store in the fridge too).
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— Knead to Cook

Hail to Kale Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Raw, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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Ah summer is here.  Hot temps have arrived and the craziness of summer has begun in our household.  Taxi driving to and from work, practice, friend’s houses, swim meets… numerous grocery store runs for ravenous kids.  Oh and Father’s Day was this past weekend.  It’s all fun and nutty and I’m trying to breathe and embrace the time.  I’m a type A control freak and I desperately am seeking a routine in the midst of the insanity.  I’m not winning, just in case you were wondering.

Our garden is flourishing in the warm, dare I say, hot weather.  Our kale is huge and beautiful.  I couldn’t resist after running one kid home from swim practice and taking the other to the pool to hang out… whipping my dad and I a lovely green kale smoothie.  It came out great.  Not overtly sweet and quite refreshing – just what we both needed after a morning outside working.  When the hot weather comes, I don’t gravitate towards conventional meals but like easily digestible foods/beverages that refuel and fill my body with nutrients I need.  My daughter even loved this one.  Love when that happens!

Inspired by The Blender Girl.  [Read more…]

— Knead to Cook

Sweet Kale Almond Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Raw, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 6 Comments

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His & Hers.  Yours & Mine.

Do you see that bright green color???  OHHHHHH I love it!  You can see the nutrients!  The fact:  I drink a lot of smoothies… in fact most of family does too.  It basically comes down to this… they’re fast, nutrient dense and I can throw pretty much anything in them and they taste so good.  Fast food my style!  Perfect for on-the-go lifestyles.  My kids drink them for breakfast or before practice.  We have them for breakfast or quick lunches while running out the door.  Plus my garden is brimming with fresh spinach and kale and I promise you… if you add it your kids won’t taste it!  Other flavors dominate it and it is virtually undetectable.  Plus getting extra nutrients from dark, leafy greens is essential.  I added cinnamon to this recipe which is a great anti-inflammatory.  Great post workout!  Also, it’s been shown to lower cholesterol  and lower blood sugar.

This recipe, like most of my recipes as of late, are vegan. You can always use whatever milk you prefer.  I make all of my smoothies in my Vitamix Pro 750.  Regular blenders may be used but may require a bit more liquid to thin it out the consistency.  One last note on smoothies, for now, they are great post workout to allow your body to focus on healing your muscles you tore up during your workout v. digesting a big breakfast post workout.  Turnover and recovery so you can get back out working out sooner is my focus.
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— Knead to Cook