Product Review.

Maca Chocolate Vegan Ice Cream. Vegan. Gluten Free.

April 29, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Product Review., Raw, Running/Races, Vegan, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Maca Vegan Ice Cream. GF || Knead to Cook.

Alright. So this past Saturday a box arrived. A normal occurrence in this house. I get a lot of food, props, foodie swag, kitchen gadgets but THIS box…. swoon. My favorite Vega products and some new ones to try. Be still my fitness vegan heart.

Maca is an exceptionally hardy root plant native to the Andean mountain plateaus of Peru. A member of the brassica family, maca is grown at altitudes of 14,000 feet in an extreme climate of freezing cold, fierce winds and intense sunlight, where no other crops can survive. Herbalists believe that resilient plants are especially valuable; from an herbological perspective, maca’s resiliency knows no equal.

In spite of the poor volcanic soil and harsh environmental conditions in which it grows, maca is rich in amino acids, phytonutrients, and important vitamins and minerals. Ancient, native Peruvians used maca for thousands of years as both a food and a tonic. They believed maca increased energy and stamina, improved fertility and enhanced libido.

So when I saw the Maca box I assumed it was a supplement and much to my surprise it was chocolate! Chocolate bars!!!! HOLY yum! I was thrilled. It tastes insanely awesome – almost addictive and I knew what my first creation would be — this recipe! That was AFTER I jammed a bar in my mouth to “sample” lol! It was so good. Seriously. #yum
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— Knead to Cook

OXO Spring Cleaning.

March 29, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Life., Product Review. Leave a Comment

Spring is here, however the weather isn’t indicating that so much… but it is time to start the spring cleaning process. Cleaning out closets, garages and prepping for a neighborhood garage sale. Does your neighborhood do this? It’s a great way to clean out and make some extra money. I typically use that money for mulch, flowers and plants for my garden. New outdoor decor and sprucing up. I hate wasting and throwing things out when others can use them.

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— Knead to Cook

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Madagascar Vanilla Frosting. Vegan and Gluten Free.

November 20, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cakes, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Party Foods, Product Review., Snacks, Vegan, Wheat Free 6 Comments

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Madagascar Vanilla Frosting. Vegan and Gluten Free | Knead to Cook.

Yesterday was pretty close to perfection in my food world. I was at my favorite health food store and stumbled upon Bob’s Redmill’s gluten & dairy free 1 to 1 baking flour that they just released. This is like winning the lottery for me as I’ve been dying to try it but have been too busy to order it online. Then once I got home, I received two containers of a vegan/gluten free icing that I was asked to sample. Dollop Gourmet and I met up on Instagram and it was instantly love.

Today I had NO appointments. A rare day. I’ve been planning and plotting my Thanksgiving menu (well the vegan/gf options) and these will undoubtedly be on the dessert menu. The flour is heavenly! I’m not exaggerating. It doesn’t have the weird gluten free aftertaste. It tastes like regular all-purpose, NORMAL flour! You have no idea how happy this makes me. Plus its a one-to-one conversion so I can take my normal recipes and go for it. I’m smitten.

Now to pair that awesome flour up – these pumpkin cupcakes HAD to have some icing. I topped them off with the Madagascar Vanilla icing. Unbelievable! It is so good that I had to walk away! I think I could sincerely eat all 10 cupcakes I made if I didn’t have some will power. If I ran 10+ miles I may have given myself a pass but I didn’t today so it wasn’t happening. And I did make these for my oldest and I know she is going to love them. Both reviews are NOT being sponsored. These are both products that I will stock my pantry with and use daily!

Now onto this yummy recipe…
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— Knead to Cook

Maille Mobile Preview Tasting in Philadelphia.

June 23, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Condiments, Gluten Free, Grilling/Rubs/Sauces, Life., No bake/cooking required!, Party Foods, Product Review., Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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

Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies.

June 3, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Product Review., Running/Races, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

This is NOT a paid ad or sponsorship I’m just passionate about sharing great products when I find them and this one was it! I have always been told how awesome Cup 4 Cup flour was for gluten free baking but the sad reality was that it had dairy in it and wouldn’t work for my daughter’s dietary needs. I was thrilled when they announced that in May they were coming out with a dairy free/gluten free flour. Fast forward to June and I was at my local Williams Sonoma and snatched up a bag to test out some recipes. Yesterday was my first recipe attempt.

I wanted to make my oldest some chocolate chip cookies. We had some awesome cookies while we were in NYC and thought it would be a welcome treat for her. They were a different texture, more grainy but the flavor was awesome! They are completely vegan and I will definitely be making these again. She was also a fan! SCORE!
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— Knead to Cook

Post races and a Harvest Snaps Month Supply Giveaway.

May 8, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Product Review., Running/Races, Vegan, Vegetarian 30 Comments

I’ve been resting my legs the past three days post my second race in a week’s time (not a good idea, I admit). I had a massage yesterday and thought I would be good to run today. I just wanted to go out and just run. No speed work. No monitoring my pace… just go. I was tempted not to wear my Garmin but wanted to log my miles for May so I did. Despite feeling really tired my short, sweet run was good. I was happy to get it in and hope to have my running legs back by the weekend. I’m really trying to listen to my body as opposed to a schedule for running. I’m also looking to do a few short 5 and 10ks to work on different muscle groups in the next few weeks.

I also had to retire my beloved Mizuno Wave Rider 16’s. After 400 miles it was time to go. Today I got back to breaking in my Saucony Rides. I won’t lie, it felt good to get into new sneakers. Plus these can be seen for miles warding off any more cars from hitting me.

Okay onto my next fun giveaway.

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— Knead to Cook

Rain. Race plans. Running & Saucony sneaker review.

March 30, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Cabot Fit Team, Fitness., Product Review., Running/Races 1 Comment

This has been our view all weekend long (not complaining because it isn’t snow) but it is that kind of weekend where you just want to curl up and read and watch good movies under a blanket. Yesterday, I had taken a rest day for my legs because I was planning on doing a race today and to go car shopping with my husband. By the evening, post church service, I checked the weather and had seen the outlook becoming more dismal. The rains/winds hadn’t let up and were slated to get worse today (as they have) so I pulled the plug on my plans to travel this morning to run outdoors and replaced that with a run at the gym. I’m also fighting a lovely cold that my husband so generously shared with me and I knew what my best option was for a quick recovery so I can continue training and not get pneumonia. I’ve run 4-5 half marathons in the rain and they aren’t fun. End. Of. Story! Sometimes logic need to win out.

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— Knead to Cook

KIND Granola Bars.

February 20, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Nuts, Product Review., Vegan, Vegetarian 8 Comments

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

Flourless Peanut Butter Protein Muffins.

January 14, 2014 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Product Review., Quick Bread, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 30 Comments

It’s the new year and many people have made resolutions to eat healthier. Have you? I started removing a lot of flour/sugar and processed foods from my diet last year. As a result I feel so much better, dropped 32 lbs and feel like my body operates more efficiently. This year my family and I started to do yoga and signed up for a 40 day revolution – mind/body/spirit transformation. Helping to mediate and clear your head. Create pause before reacting to something and the food portion for the first week was removing refined sugar and white flour from your diet. With that in mind, I created these muffins because after all… we still have to eat. These are so good and I added a new protein powder that a company asked me to review. You can add or not add the protein in this recipe – it’s up to you. Vegetarian.
Yields 12 mini muffins.

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— Knead to Cook

Ghirardelli White Chocolate Halloween Bark.

October 25, 2013 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Candy, Desserts, Halloween, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Product Review., Snacks, Vegetarian Leave a Comment

Admittedly, I’m not a huge Halloween fan. I’ve never been into scary movies, dressing up and all of that. I know, that sounds so boring and practical but it’s just who I am. My oldest however, loves good “vintage” – yes, I say this sarcastically, because the “vintage” scary movies are from my time (late 70’s – early 80’s). Ever since 6th grade, we’ve been hosting a scary movie party for her and her girlfriends. Well it’s expanded quite a bit over the past three years but the same core group of friends still come (and look forward to it each October). We’ve expanded it this year to include some male friends too (can you hear me sighing loudly?). Insert my youngest quizzing my oldest if any of the males coming are her boyfriend and annoying the oldest beyond belief. {Insert arguing here.} I think we are expecting around 18 teenagers for s’mores outside in our fire pit and the feature movie is Nightmare on Elm Street. It is always fun and my husband and I do like to throw a few unexpected twists into the night, especially torturing the girls we know will scream the loudest and scare everyone. So the tradition continues. Today I bought a ton of movie snacks and whipped up a batch of Ghirardelli white chocolate Halloween bark for the festivities. Ghirardelli sent me an awesome care package last week and I’m happy to start creating some fun, seasonal recipes with their awesome products, this being my first one.

This recipe is super easy and totally customizable to your taste and what you have on hand. Whips up in minutes! Let’s get started!

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— Knead to Cook