Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Banana-free protein smoothie. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins

Happy May dear friends. We’re back from Italy and had the best time. Happily also brought oldest home (she was studying abroad this semester). So this momma is happy to have all my chicks under one roof again… especially in the same timezone!

I’ve been working a lot and not blogging at all… sorry for that! I did shoot this smoothie a few weeks ago and neglected to post. I have a lot of people who can’t eat bananas and want a good vegan smoothie. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I am lately.

Ingredients:

1 cup of unsweetened vanilla nut based milk
1/4 cup of water
2-3 cups of organic baby spinach
1 tbl of your favorite nut butter
1 scoop of your favorite plant-based vanilla protein like Vega Sport
1 tbl of chia seeds
1 tbl of raw cacao powder
1/3 cup of crushed ice

Topping:
Cacao nibs
Chia seeds
Hemp hearts
Granola

Into your blender add all of the ingredients (minus toppings). Blend until creamy. Pour into a big glass and top if desired. Enjoy! This smoothie often goes to work with me and fills me for about 4 hours. 🙂


— Knead to Cook

Easy overnight oats. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Gluten Free, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations

Overnight oats always seem to surface to my breakfast option list when the weather warms up. But I’ve been making these lately for my sweet dad. He has long been a fan of cold cereals… think Cheerios, Bran flakes etc. But with a recent & alarming (to me) LDL cholesterol level – I’m initiating a few more dietary changes into his repertoire of food. He wasn’t previously a fan but today announced that he actually doesn’t mind it. 🙂 I wanted to share the recipe I’ve been using. It’s super easy and fast to make. It takes about 1 minute of prep time and simply chills in the fridge overnight until he’s ready for breakfast.


Ingredients:

1/3 cup of rolled oats (certified gluten free)
1 tbl of chia seeds
1 heaping tablespoon of your choice of nut butter (I’ve been using my homemade nut butter)
1/2 tsp (less or more) of maple syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup of nut based milk

Method:

To a jar add your oats, chia and nut butter. Then add your spice and maple syrup and then finally, add the milk. Stir well to combine and soften up the nut butter and blend. Add your lid and store in the fridge for at least 6-8 hours. Stir and blend again. Add your favorite toppings like nuts, seeds, Hemp hearts, flax, more nut butter or fruit of your choice.




Add as little or as much maple syrup as you prefer.

You can easily prep a few of these for the week and store in the fridge for easy grab and go breakfast. Hope you enjoy!


— Knead to Cook

Vegan Eggnog Bread with a Spiced Rum Glaze.

by Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Lucy Let's Go Post, Quick Bread, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan 14 Comments

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Eggnog bread was a creation of mine from about 15 years ago-  long before I was plant based or an athlete.  Truth be told, it was my go-to holiday food gift for friends/teachers & neighbors for years.  Everyone I shared it with clamored over the flavor and moist texture of this treat.  Plus, it was a nice disparity from the sea of cookies everyone had in their kitchen.  You can find the original, vegetarian recipe here.

As time has passed, I’ll admit, I hadn’t made this treat in several years.  Going plant-based, I never quite found an equal counterpart to a traditional eggnog until now.  I’ve tried this recipe with several vegan eggnogs and I found success with most brands.  I’ve suggested the versions below, in the recipe, that worked best in my opinion.  I prefer to make small loaves for gifting.  They are the perfect size and let’s face it, most people are drowning in other holiday sweets & treats.  However, this recipe would work perfectly in a regular size loaf pan.

This recipe can be subbed out with traditional products like butter and eggnog but I wanted to take a healthier approach as much as possible while keeping with the integrity of my original recipe. I hope you give this recipe a try.  Also perfect on Christmas morning amidst the wrapping paper flying and children giggling for a fun and easy breakfast or brunch idea.

Happy holidays!

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— Knead to Cook

Banana Walnut Oatmeal Bars. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Gluten Free, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

I’m always making a treat of the week for my family.  You know, those little goodies that hang out on a platter or cake stand during the week that serve as breakfast on-the-go, a snack, dessert or whatever!  Lately I’ve been making some fun coffee cakes (vegan and gf) but this week I wanted to do bars.  I was inspired by So Vegan   and did my own take on these bars.  They are packed with carbs, fiber, protein, omegas and healthy fats.  Great satiating treat during the crazy holiday weeks ahead!  I hope you enjoy them.  

Ingredients:

2 bananas, medium sized, peeled and mashed
1 3/4 cup of rolled oats, gluten free certified
1/4 cup of pepitas
1/3 cup of chopped walnuts
1/4 cup of hemp hearts 
4 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
Pinch of salt
3/4 cup of creamy almond butter
4 tbl maple syrup or agave 
3 tbl of oil – walnut, olive, coconut or pumpkin work nicely

Method:

Into a large bowl, mash your peeled bananas.  Then add your oats, pipits, walnuts and hemp hearts.  Pit and chop your dates.  Add them to the bowl along with a pinch (1/4 tsp) pink Himalayan salt.  Mix to combine.  Into a saucepan over low/medium heat, add your almond butter, syrup and oil.  Bring to a simmer and whisk to combine.  Remove from the heat and pour over your oat mixture.  Mix to incorporate.  

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Line your 9×9 baking sheet with parchment paper.  Spray with oil. Pour in your mixture and level with a spoon.  Bake for 40-45 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool completely before slicing.  Enjoy!

Optional idea:  Top the mixture before baking with additional nuts, chocolate chip or seeds.  

Enjoy! 


— Knead to Cook

The best zucchini brownies ever. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Brownies, Brunch, Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 4 Comments

These brownies came out so unbelievably awesome… and I’m not even a brownie fan.  The best & only recipe you’ll ever need.  Seriously.

My dad harvested a behemoth zucchini from our garden yesterday and I wanted to do something different with it instead of bread or grilling it.  The key with baking anything with zucchini is removing every last bit of water from it. Be patient and these delectable brownies will reward you, pinky promise!  I’m not wasting anymore time chatting… we need to get to this, now!  Happy Monday friends ~ ox.

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— Knead to Cook

Zucchini banana muffins. Vegan and gluten free.

by Filed Under: Breads, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Gift ideas, Gluten Free, Muffins, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 3 Comments

Vegan & gluten free zucchini banana muffins.

After harvesting a behemoth zucchini from our garden this week… I quickly pondered a new recipe idea to use it up fast. I love to add zucchini to my smoothies, yes – it’s perfect for adding bulk and fiber without a ton of flavor to smoothies.  But I always have muffins, bars or cookies on my counter for grab and go snacking so I opted for muffins.  These muffins are so moist, not overly sweet and very filling.

Zucchini is a great veggie to sneak into food without kid-detectives seeing or tasting it.  It’s virtually flavorless.  Okay, so let’s get on with it.  See below for pics and the recipe.  Enjoy!

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— Knead to Cook

S’mores Popcorn. Vegan. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: 4th of July/Patriotic, Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday, No bake/cooking required!, Popcorn, Snacks, Sponsored, Wheat Free 2 Comments

S’mores popcorn.

Hi friends!  I’m excited to say I’m starting the next chapter of my life, an exciting job I’ve been dreaming of for  along time.  With that being said.. I’m promising to posting one new recipe per week as I’m not ready to step away from blogging and enjoy the interactions with you all.  Recipe creation.  The creative outlet.  All of it.  I hope to still educate, share and inspire you in the kitchen to eat whole, real vegan foods.

This week’s recipe is a fun take on s’mores.  We’ve been in a serious Seattle-ish band of weather with quite a bit of rain.  S’more in our fire pit have been far and few between.  I thought this would be a super fun take on what we all love – popcorn, chocolate, roasted marshmallows and graham crackers.  You can make as much as you need, perfect for a party or movie night, and I promise… leftovers will not exist.  Even my 80 year old father devoured it!

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— Knead to Cook

Breakfast oatmeal chocolate chip muffins. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations Leave a Comment

Hello dear friends!  Happy Monday, fresh new week and hopefully beautiful weather.  Pennsylvania has converted over to Seattle last week & I started to think the rains were never going to end.  However, the sun finally came out today, beautiful temps and everything is so lush and green!  Doors are opened and we are breathing in all the wonderfully clean air till the allergens pop back up. Ha.

Today, as it is every Monday, the day to refresh snacks for the week.  These oatmeal muffins are a long-time fave. The recipe morphs a bit each time I make them, depending what I have on hand, but they are delightful nonetheless.  Packed with fiber and healthy fats to keep you satisfied for hours.  My kids love these when running out the door to school, work or babysitting jobs.  They also make a nice, healthy dessert after dinner.  Pack up well in lunches.  Great on-the-go snack.

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— Knead to Cook

Green Pea Ricotta Spread on Baguette. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Appetizers, Brunch, Cheese, Easter, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday, Italian-inspired, Party Foods, Side dish, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 5 Comments


Green pea ricotta spread.  Vegan.  Gluten free.

Happy Monday friends.  I hope your mother’s day weekend was incredibly fun, food-filled and joyous.  This weekend we hosted Kira’s friends for her 17th birthday party.  Then after a trip to the gym early Sunday, we went to Philly for brunch and shopping.  It was the best.  My heart was filled along with my stomach.

I’ve been recreating a bunch of old Lucy Activewear recipes that were lost since they merged with North Face.  This is a big favorite for summer, outdoor dining with friends.  Easy and prep-ahead!  It’s light and filling.  Great appetizer or side for dinner or soup.  Great for parties too!  All of the ingredients can be found at Whole Foods or local specialty food markets.  Vegan and gluten free!

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— Knead to Cook

Coconut Pineapple Smoothie Bowl. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Smoothies, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Pineapple coconut smoothie bowl.  Originally, this bowl was just a tropical delicious breakfast.  Now, per my naturopath, I’ve been making these daily as a snack or even dinner.  My allergies are in full bloom, thanks tree mold, and she highly recommends that I eat pineapple daily…
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— Knead to Cook