Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Cookie Dough Rawnola. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Raw, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Cookie Dough Rawnola. Vegan. GF.
Cookie dough rawnola.

Rawnola?  Yes!  It’s a granola that hasn’t been baked and retains all of its wonderful nutrition in raw form.  The recipe is incredibly adaptive to accommodate your palate preference and the uses are simply endless.  Eat straight up with your favorite nut milk.  Top your favorite non-dairy yogurt, nice cream, vegan ice cream or dip banana or any other fruit in it.  Also perfect atop nut butter toast.  My girls eat it in a variety of ways!  Packed with protein, essential fats, fiber along with being nutrient dense this cereal is a winner.

Love dried fruit?  My youngest adds raisins or dried cherries to this cereal as well as toasted coconut flakes.  Nuts and seeds can be added or removed and you can use whatever nut butter you prefer or have on hand.  So excited to share this super easy recipe with you all!  Let’s get started…
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— Knead to Cook

Sugar-free Banana Cookies. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Fitness., Fruit, Gluten Free, Nuts, Party Foods, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 5 Comments

 

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Happy May! Wow I officially feel like summer is here… well at least on the calendar despite our cool temps here in PA.

I know many cities had some snow this past weekend.  We had a lot of rain and chilly temps.  Our grass is a glorious green and all of our flowers are blooming.  I just have been hesitant to do my planters due to the temperature drops.  Hoping by this weekend we get into a nicer weather pattern soon.

So cookies.  Who doesn’t love them?  My kids always feel like they’re a special treat, and they are however these cookies are sugar free and healthy (gasp). They are perfect breakfast cookies or post workout. Grab and go.  So moist and delicious and no need for sugar when using super ripe bananas.  You can also add some walnuts for extra protein or some dark chocolate for a sweeter kick.  I hope you whip these up and please let me know what you think 🙂  I’ve been eating these all week pre-workout running out the door, which I love.  Fast food that’s healthy… simple solutions for a busy world.

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— Knead to Cook

Muscle Recovery Green Protein Smoothie. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Running/Races, Smoothies, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Your Life Edit Foundations 2 Comments

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I pretty much have one to two protein smoothies per day.  With the intensity of my training, running in excess of 80 miles most weeks plus strength workouts — this is my easy go-to, quick prep meal.  Plus packing in 4 or more cups of greens, is a great boost for my system post hard training.  This smoothie used a new protein powder I was testing, Amazing Grass Protein Superfood Chocolate Peanut Butter with some of my added spices for an extra boost of healing properties. #FeelAmazingEveryday

Amazing Grass Protein SuperFood contains a unique blend of USDA Organic pea, hemp, chia and quinoa, delivering 20g of complete plant-based protein per serving plus 7 alkalizing organic greens and two-full servings of wholesome fruits and vegetables. Each flavor is also grain-free, paleo friendly, and can be enjoyed alone with water, added to a smoothie or almond, cashew or coconut milk. The line’s unique pea protein is the only available source that is 100 percent grown, harvested and processed in the USA, providing one of the smoothest, best tasting plant-based proteins on the market.

To this super protein I add turmeric, which is a natural anti-inflammatory (hello, please help my leg muscles recover) and has been shown to help with Rheumatoid Arthritis (which I also suffer from) with joint pain and swelling.  Also, adding chia packs an Omega, calcium, protein and fiber punch to your diet.  And some ground cinnamon to help regulate sugar in the body. This smoothie is quick to make and has so many health benefits for your body.
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— Knead to Cook

Banana PB Chia Bread. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Nuts, Quick Bread, Running/Races, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 5 Comments

 

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I have a thing for banana bread.  And with the volume of bananas we have in our house… I pretty much always have super ripe bananas and that means banana bread or nice cream.  I needed an after-school snack so I whipped up this super easy recipe in my food processor.  Made mini loaves – one without chocolate and three with. My kids love banana bread.  My dad has it with coffee and my husband always eats it as dessert after dinner.  I typically like a piece before my runs because it’s easy.  I added some chia and flax to this to amp up the Omega’s and protein.  Totally plant-based and gluten free as the oats serve as the flour.  Can be made in your blender or food processor so that makes it easy to clean up too.

I hope you guys had a great weekend.  Our youngest went on a church retreat.  We had a nice relaxing weekend.  Dog walks, bike rides and a run through Amish country.  This week begins my three week taper/recovery after last week’s peak of 86+ miles.  My body needs a recovery, refueling and a reboot.  I’m still struggling with the new meds I was put on for my restless leg so I’m going to deal with that and focus on lots of stretching and rolling.
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— Knead to Cook

Chickpea and Broccoli Rice Bowl with a Dijon Vinaigrette. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Breakfast, Brunch, Dressings, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Running/Races, Salads, Sauces, Side dish, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vinaigrette, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations 2 Comments

 

 

 

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I’m excited to share a nutritious, protein-packed dinner that you can make in under 15 minutes (with leftover rice or quinoa).  Every Sunday we make a big batch of rice or quinoa for a staple in the week’s dinner recipes and partly for our dog food that we make for our pups.  I always have plenty and this dinner came together so quickly on a fast-paced night. Everyone loved it and actually my husband has been eating leftovers for lunch ever since.  Would be great served warm or at room temperature.  Start thinking about summer parties and this one would be a winner!

Packed with valuable nutrition – this dish can be a side or served as a main dish.  I paired it with grilled tofu and it was so satisfying.
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— Knead to Cook

Purely Elizabeth Banana Nut Butter Muffins. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Giveaway!!!, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Nuts, Product Review., Quick Bread, Running/Races, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 16 Comments

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When Purely Elizabeth reached out to me to ask if I would like to try their new grain-free, over-the-top, new granola —-well of course I would!  They promptly sent me two flavors (1 Banana Nut Butter and 1 Original Grain-Free Granola), both of which are heavenly and totally addictive.  I created two different recipes, this being the first I wanted to share as they released the product online today!  These muffins were made exponentially better but the crunch from the granola clusters.  These muffins are packed with healthy, delectable goodness that your whole family will enjoy.
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— Knead to Cook

Avocado Cilantro Taco Sauce. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Appetizers, Brunch, Condiments, Dips, Dressings, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Running/Races, Salads, Salsas & Guacamole, Sauces, Side dish, Vegan, Vinaigrette, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

 

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Yep.  It’s not Taco Tuesday yet hump day. I know but don’t really care because I’m in a mood for tacos.  Truthfully, I’ve been craving avocados a lot lately.  So tonight we will have walnut meat (recipe coming) tacos with this sauce that will have you drooling at first bite.  Avocados: provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins, and folic acid. They also act as a “nutrient booster” by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit. They are a powerhouse and really should be consumed every single day in my humbled opinion.

This chunkier sauce can be made spicy, medium or mild.  Can be thinned out for a dressing for salads.  It serves as the perfect dip in lieu of your typical guac.  Heavenly… period.  And the best part – whips up in seconds.
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— Knead to Cook

Chocolate Chunk Banana Walnut Muffins. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Lucy Let's Go Post, Product Review., Quick Bread, Running/Races, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 6 Comments

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Returning to reality yesterday after a weekend away with family celebrating Easter was hard.  Training.  Laundry.  Dogs.  Grocery shopping.  You know the drill.  My oldest was off Monday and my youngest is off till mid-week.  I knew I needed a good healthy snack to grab when the munchies hit.  They requested banana bread and I whipped up these up to satisfy teenage hunger.

These are refined sugar-free.  Gluten free and completely vegan.  You can use mini chips or chunks for the vegan chocolate aspect.  I made some without for my husband and topped with banana slices.  These are hearty enough for breakfast or pre-run.  You can also half this recipe for 6 regular muffins or prepare as is for 12 large muffins.
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— Knead to Cook

Curry Purple Potato and Cauliflower Soup. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Indian-inspired., Potatoes, Running/Races, Soups, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 1 Comment

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I’ve honestly come to the conclusion that my Sunday suppers have seriously transitioned from Italian to Indian cuisine lately.  I’m obsessed with curry and vegetables.  I cannot get enough.  Plus everyone will happily eat it so it makes my life, admittedly, so much easier.  After picking up a huge head of cauliflower and beautiful purple baby potatoes at the farmer’s market on Saturday – I knew they would be critical to my curry creation this week.  I hope you all love Indian food as much as I do.

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— Knead to Cook

Chickpea Chocolate Chip Bars. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Brownies, Brunch, Cookies, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Running/Races, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations 9 Comments

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Every single Friday I breathe a sigh of relief lately.  I survived!  Training.  College tours. Dogs.  Teenage daughters.  Politics. Life in general.  I’ll admit lately it’s been life is just hard.  I managed two nights that were in excess of 10 hours of sleep.  My body is showing the fatigue lately and I’m embracing it.

I was up for a nice little easy treat that was healthy for for my girls.  My husband, as I’ve shared, is allergic to chocolate – still cannot imagine that curse.  But these little cookie bars I sliced into bite-sized pieces.  They are packed with chickpeas and almond butter so YES on the protein!!  These are a totally tricky food that you can smile about as your kids gobble them down.  Perfect for after school snacking on in their lunches for school.  Plus they have a great soft inner texture like a gooey cookie.   My daughter even warmed them and put pieces in her nice cream – points for creativity!
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— Knead to Cook