Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Raw Asian Chopped Napa Salad. Vegan. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: Appetizers, Asian inspired, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Raw, Salads, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vinaigrette, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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I remember the very first time I had a similar salad and started my obsessive love for it.  My oldest was in grade school and I was chairing a teacher appreciation luncheon.  My friend Kelly brought a similar salad in and after lunch, we all sat down and ate some leftovers before cleaning up.  This salad was crunchy, packed with Asian flavors and filled with peanuts.  Everything that I love.  I’ve obviously adapted this salad over the years removing the chicken as my protein and just focusing on the veggies.  I make this salad on the weekends and we have it all week for lunches or sides with dinner. It’s great atop tacos for a crunchy element. It has such depth of flavor and I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t love it. Think of all the summer parties you’ll host or attend… this recipe is perfect!

You can easily chop all veggies prior to making this dish.  I make a big batch of the dressing and keep it in a lidded glass jar in my fridge.  The dressing works well to marinade tofu or tempeh.  It’s obviously great for other salads as well.  Super easy to make and the prep is in the chopping.  I hope you find this recipe as captivating as I do.  Ha.
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— Knead to Cook

Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Energy Bites. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Raw, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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A new bite recipe was been rattling around in my mind for about two weeks. One of those things that I think about but then life gets in the way.  Bound & determined today, while I had a break in the weekend activities, I grabbed my ingredients and food processor and made these delicious, nutrient-dense treat.  I love grab-n-go, healthy snacking.  And these are date-free.

So hemp protein, do you know all the benefits?  Crazy but hemp is an excellent source of plant-based protein (33% per serving).  It also contains 35% of essential fatty acids including Omega’s 3, 6 and 9.  Contains all 9 essential amino acids.  Has more Omega-3 than raw tuna! Rich in trace minerals and high in fiber.  Many people use hemp protein in smoothies but I wanted to put a fun twist on it.  Plus I covered some of the energy bites with hemp seeds for extra nutritional punch.

I cannot stress this enough… food is your fuel.  It helps you heal.  Recover.  Food is power.
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— Knead to Cook

Vegan Chocolate Nice Cream. GF.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Ice cream, No bake/cooking required!, Party Foods, Raw, Vegan, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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It’s been in the 70’s and sunny the past few days giving us a glimpse into spring.  It’s been lovely.  Amazing how the sun and warm temps just boost your mood.  I also have truly missed running without layers and layers and hand warmers tucked into my mittens.  Suffering from Raynaud’s is hard during the colder winter months.

I made this recipe last week, forgetting how much I loved it but fully knowing I would never really get to enjoy it as my daughter would consume all that I made – and I was, of course, proven right again. I found a rare stash of overripe bananas at the store – seems to be a really hard thing to do lately.  And I immediately bought them all up.  I think I purchased 22 bananas for $3.oo or something.  Oh and they were organic to boot.  I immediately got home, peeled them and got them into ziploc baggies and in the freezer.  The next day I knew my mission… and there is something for simplicity.  I even gave my dad a tiny bowl and he said it was the best ice cream he’s had in a long time.  I won’t bother telling him what it was… enjoy the ignorance of the situation.  LOL. I just love him but if I told him it was just bananas I would’ve gotten an eye roll.

This recipe is so easy.  Totally kid-friendly and so good sans any guilt, GMO’s or any funky ingredients.
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— Knead to Cook

Cacao Peppermint Protein Bites. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Raw, Running/Races, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 1 Comment

Cacao Peppermint Protein Bites. V. GF.

Well if I can’t post on the first Monday of the week I’ll post on the second… ha ha.  Sorry I missed yesterday but we are renovating our master bathroom and that has overtaken my life at the moment. That’s probably the one thing that I’ve never managed to share on my blog but I do love a construction project.  I love sledgehammering walls, cabinets – whatever!  This year my resolution is to update, repaint, refresh any room in my house that I haven’t touched over the past 2 years.  We’ve updated a lot in the 11 years we’ve lived here but my master bath has always been THAT room I really hated.  And with one getting ready to head off to college, my goal was to update it as cost effectively as I could.  So with a few roadblocks this weekend that I’ve overcome… my plan is coming together.  It isn’t a whole gut job but it’s taking shape and I love it.

Onto food.  So how was your Valentine’s Day?  I made several little treats for my kids and husband that were healthier than store-bought goodies.  These were one of those treats.  My girls love peppermint (so do I) and I thought it would be fun to do a mint version.  Store perfectly in the freezer.  I opted to roll them in cacao powder but sprinkles or left plain would also work perfectly if the bitterness of the raw cacao is too much for you.
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— Knead to Cook

Party Protein Bites. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Party Foods, Raw, Running/Races, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

 

Birthday Protein Bites. Vegan. GF.

Birthday Protein Bites. Vegan. GF.  

 

Apparently February is my month of sprinkles.  I’ve been using them non-stop of jobs like here, some other jobs that haven’t been published yet and now here.  I always seem to use them around birthdays and Valentine’s Day, which is logical.  My oldest is turning 17 in a few days and I created these last week and I will admit that both of my girls devoured them in less than 24 hours.  They’re festive, cute and perfectly bite-sized and great for a celebration.  You can customize them by sprinkles you use per event and are adult and kid-friendly without a doubt.
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— Knead to Cook

Let’s Go Lucy Post:: Salted Caramel Chocolate Truffles. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Candy, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Halloween, Holiday, Lucy Let's Go Post, No bake/cooking required!, Raw, Running/Races, Sponsored, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 5 Comments

 

 

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Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and I love sharing homemade treats not only with my Valentine, but friends and special people in my life. Little treats made from the heart always mean so much to people. Share the love. But heed my warning… these are a completely addictive little treat. 

These are super easy to make and you can decorate them with fun sprinkles or top with sea salt.  Vegan and gluten free with no refined sugar. This recipe can be doubled if you want to treat yourself.
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”
― Elbert Hubbard

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— Knead to Cook

Overnight Oats – Food prep for the week.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Lucy Let's Go Post, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Raw, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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Did you make a New Year’s resolution to eat healthy?  Prep food ahead of time?  Make and eat breakfast each day?  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – hand’s down.  You need to fuel to catapult you through your day and this easy breakfast will just do that. Oatmeal is a carbohydrate and protein-rich source that provides calories and energy.  Have low glycemic index which aids in burning fat while exercising.  High soluble fiber, which is heart healthy and oatmeal contains both calcium and potassium which can aid in reducing blood pressure.  I also add some superfood chia seeds and ground flax for more fiber impact.  Food is medicine.

Kids love making these little breakfast cups and when involved – they are most likely willing to eat their creations.  You never know – their flavor combinations may just win over palates and get their day started off on the right fit too.

Taking a few minutes on Sunday to prep the base of the oatmeal and from there – it will take you less than a minute each evening to customize your overnight oats.  They are totally portable and are ready when you are in the morning.  I’ll share some of my favorite varieties but you are only limited by your imagination.
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— Knead to Cook

Almond Recovery Bars. Vegan. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Gluten Free, Holiday, Raw, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 3 Comments

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These bars are a little bit or a whole lot decadent but with a redeeming quality – packed with muscle recovering protein, fats and carbs to help fuel you and your body post workout.  They are almond packed with both raw nuts and lots of almond butter.  I keep these in the freezer and they are firm but perfectly edible in a frozen state.  My daughter grabs these post swim practice.  I grab them post run for a quick snack because my stomach typically isn’t ready for a lot of food.  The chocolate drizzle is optional but totally worth it if you go that avenue.  You can easily half with and half without too.

This weekend is yet another weekend of traveling to tour a university for my oldest.  So much fun but tugging at my heartstrings a bit knowing that this is around the corner.  Gasp!
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— Knead to Cook

Raw Cacao and Almond Butter Pudding. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Nuts, Party Foods, Raw, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix 2 Comments

THE BEST Raw Cacao and Almond Butter Pudding. Vegan.

THE BEST Raw Cacao and Almond Butter Pudding. Vegan.

I may be biased and reallllllly craving chocolate but this is the BEST sweet treat I’ve eaten in a long time.  Seriously.  Think of a peanut butter cup made into a creamy ganache/pudding texture.  Insanity.  No lie. Seriously, vegan – carnivore —— everyone will love this.  Kid you not.  I made this in my Vitamix.  Plated it for my photograph and while doing that – my daughter ate the remaining.  Then she continued on to eat the staged version.  Get those cashews soaking now… really. Honestly.  Go!  🙂
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— Knead to Cook