Cookies and Cream Recovery Smoothie. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Desserts, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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I recently received Brendan Brazier’s second book – Thrive Energy Cookbook.  It’s insane!  I love every single recipe and have been voraciously been working through the book quite systematically.  This, thus far, ranks among the tops for me.  Totally vegan but totally delectable.  It is so indulgent!  I cannot stress this to you enough.  I love it on particularly rough workout days to help boost my protein to help muscles recover quickly – the premise of his books.  Good in, fast recovery, less injuries, better performance.  Even if you aren’t an elite athlete… this smoothie is nutrient dense and will have everyone clambering for it.  I promise!

Adapted from Thrive’s Cookies and Cream Recovery Smoothie.

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— Knead to Cook

Chocolate Mint Matcha Magic Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix Leave a Comment

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I’m addicted to Thrive Cookbook!  Brendan Brazier is a genius, accomplished triathlete who has focused much of his life on plant-based nutrition and how it can help the body recover, regenerate and operate at an optimum capacity.  I’ve been enjoying so many of his awesome recipes and this one my daughter wanted to try for breakfast yesterday morning.  It was so good, gluten free, raw and protein packed.  Perfect for breakfast, post recovery from a workout or when you need a chocolate pick-me-up without any of the bad!

Recipe modified from the Thrive Cookbook.

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— Knead to Cook

Almond butter chocolate chip oat cookies. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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Some days just require a cookie.  Don’t you agree?  Typically the end result would leave you riddled with guilt for imbibing on one, two+++ cookies but not with these.  These little gems are a take-off of my chocolate peanut butter oat cookies.  They are flourless, butter-less and gluten free!  I wanted to make some my husband could enjoy (he’s allergic to cocoa – gasp!).  So I made some of the batch without chocolate chips and some with.  I used mini chips so they weren’t overly chocolatey but you certainly can if you desire.

Grab your coffee, tea or milk and get ready for cookie break!

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— Knead to Cook

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cookies. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Cookies, Easter, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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Every once in a while I throw in some chocolate cookies for good measure.  There is just something inherently right about chocolate.  And there are many health benefits to dark chocolate so I count this as a good-for-you food!  It just makes the world right again! Ha.   Well I made these gluten free, flour-less and gluten free.  I bought some Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams on sale and thought it would be fun in this recipe.  My kids loved it.  Easy to make, whipping up in minutes.  Bake really quickly and are the perfect match to a glass of cold milk.  Once again, chocolate saves the day!

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— Knead to Cook

Healthy granola bars.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cabot Fit Team, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Snacks, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 7 Comments

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It’s Monday and it’s the start of a brand new month.  I’m excited… why?  Well, we dodged a rather bad snow storm (sorry to my friends south of us who weren’t so lucky).  My training is going very well and I’m feeling stronger and stronger.  And despite life not being perfect, I see glimmers of hope and promise of wonderful things in the future.

As Monday comes, I always start baking or creating snacks for my kids and family to snack on all week.  Fruit and veggies are always at hand but let’s face it… grab a tea or coffee and a baked good or treat, right?  Yes!  Dessert.  After-school snacking?  Of course.  I always try to put the best options forward and this is no different.  We all train hard and need to rebuild and refuel.  This snack does that and it makes a lot so you are covered for a week of snacking.

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— Knead to Cook

Healthy corn bread.

by Filed Under: Breads, Chili, Mexican, Snacks, Vegetarian 2 Comments

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Corn bread is one of those things that just pairs up with chili so perfectly.  Nothing else really fills that void.  Like chocolate and peanut butter – there is no better match.  So on Monday I made a batch of vegan veggie and bean chili and that coincidentally meant that I had to whip up a batch of my healthy corn bread.  I’ve been mixing this recipe up trying to make it healthier v. my standard I’ve always used and this one was good enough to “blog” about.  Plus with the addition of Greek yogurt… it has protein, which as a vegetarian, I really focus hard on getting enough in my diet.  No oils, butters necessary!  

This comes together pretty fast and then you need to bake.  I like it a bit on the toastier side of golden but you can certainly adjust your baking time and once the bread is done (insert a toothpick to check) you can remove it.  Let it cool for a few minutes then serve it up.  My family loves it with honey butter (mix butter with a few teaspoons of raw honey or maple syrup) until blended.  I’ve always loved corn bread muffins… the graininess and texture captured my attention during a college internship many years ago and I’ve remained a devout fan.  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we have and make it the next time you whip up a batch of your favorite chili.

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— Knead to Cook

Whole Wheat Apple Bundt Cake with a vanilla drizzle.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Cakes, Desserts, Easter, Fruit, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegetarian 2 Comments

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One of my New Year’s resolutions was to host more gatherings, (even small ones) throughout the year.  I had planned on an intimate brunch with a few swim friends and booked/sent invites out early in January.  After much turmoil with my daughter’s health, endless testing down in Philadelphia – tears, uneasiness etc.,  the date finally came around and I looked forward to being surrounded by close swim friends (and many of my oldest daughter’s friends – my youngest was away) who have been an amazing support system for us.

I whipped up this cake, an old favorite recipe from years and years ago, on Saturday so that the dessert portion of the brunch menu was taken care of.  It turned out well and everyone loved it.  There is something about a cake filled with cinnamon and apples that always gets me.  Just feels so homey and comforting.  It was perfect and I whipped up a vanilla bean drizzle for the top.  Great make-ahead dessert for your next get-together or special occasion.

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— Knead to Cook

Dark Chocolate Chia Pudding.

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

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I’ve been a chocolate aficionado for a very long time.  It’s definitely one food passion of mine that I refuse to give up.  I’ve curbed back and definitely avoid sugar-laden desserts with my cleaner eating over the past 15 months so changes had to be made.  I needed to find better options to satisfy my love of chocolate.  My kids are the same.  They love chocolate.  One loves milk the other follows my passion for deep, dark, rich chocolate.  I’m not a fan of store-bought puddings filled with tons of sugar and other preservatives.  My option:  Make my own!  I’ve been making chia pudding for several years now.  In fact, way before the chia seed popularity took the world by storm.  My farmer’s market that I go to year round sells bags of chia for a great price and I began experimenting with it after reading about how nutritionally packed it was – how couldn’t I?

Last year I had the opportunity to travel to New England twice in only a few months and popped by King Arthur’s crazy fabulous store (both times) and my friend Jenny suggested I buy this deep, rich dark cocoa powder because it was the best.  I bought several bags and I concur, Jenny, my friend – you were right!  It makes this pudding over-the-top delectable.  My kids eat it for breakfast with a mashed banana mixed in.  It is so good and it curbs all of those chocolate-crazed moments in our lives (and yes, we all have many of them DAILY!).

I’ve also made this pudding with some powdered peanut butter mixed in as well for a peanut butter cup type of pudding.  I’ll add that suggestion below.

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— Knead to Cook

Stuffed mini pepper appetizer – Vegan, Vegetarian or Meat lovers.

by Filed Under: Beef, Cheese, Gluten Free, Ground Turkey, Mexican, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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I made these for the Super Bowl this past Sunday and everyone loved them.  I apologize for the picture but I snapped these fast with my iPhone before everyone devoured them.  I made two versions but you can easily make these for your carnivores, vegetarians and vegans by mixing up the ingredients a bit.  These bite-sized poppers are fun appetizers or serve alongside some quinoa or kamut for a fun dinner idea.  Take minutes to whip up and then broil to finish them off.  Doesn’t get any easier than that.  Plus kids love eating with their fingers – and this is a great way to get some beans and corn into even your pickiest munchkin.

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— Knead to Cook

Almond butter banana oat muffins.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Muffins, Quick Bread, Snacks, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 4 Comments

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I created a fun protein banana muffin last week and my family couldn’t get enough.  I thought I would mix up the recipe and add some almond butter, after all – it is banana’s best friend!  These turned out deeeelightful!  Nothing that will blow your healthy eating.  Fills you up big time thanks to the oats and protein from the almond butter.  They are super moist and perfect with a cup of tea or your coffee.  My kids love them after school or practice as a snack too!  Another healthy snack in your 204 arsenal.  Would be a fun recipe for a Valentine’s Day treat as well – and totally heart healthy.

This week has been terribly hectic and only promises to continue through the weekend.  Pop back each day for quick and easy recipes that I’m making in my own kitchen to keep my own family fed and fueled!

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— Knead to Cook