Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Tempeh Hempe Taco Meat. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Mexican, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 4 Comments

My friends over at Hempe Plant Protein reached out and asked if I wanted to test out their newest product I jumped. Their tempeh has always been a game changer for me.  This however was a complete shock… it wasn’t soy based at all yet made from chickpeas and hemp seeds.  I was thrilled!  Right out of the package it tasted great.  Wait, what? I seriously could snack on this raw it was so good.

I was pondering some different avenues to take this wonderful protein source and opted to go the taco route.  It turned out great and is perfect on your taco bar or like I did, in my salad as my protein source.

Let’s chat about nutrition before I tackle my recipe…

Hemp is crafted and cultured like traditional soy tempeh.
Excellent source of Omega 3’s.
No gluten or soy.
Good for the environment.
Easy to prepare.
Savory flavor.

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— Knead to Cook

Veggie Zucchini Roll-Up Lasagna. Vegan. GF. oxo

by Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Pasta, Sauces, Sponsored, Tofu, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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Happy Friday friends!  I apologize for my absence on social media and my blog but I feel like life has reached the fever pitch and here I sit.  I’m rushing to post this awesome recipe with you all before I resume graduation party food prep.  Our oldest graduated this week and we celebrate her this weekend and I’m so excited.  Surrounded by friends and family, sun is shining, I’m excited for her party.

This recipe has been in my wheelhouse for years.  I constantly revamp and re-work.  When oxo offered to send me a chef’s mandoline I was all over it. I’m a huge fan of all things they make. Practical, functional and top quality for exceptional prices.  So I instantly thought of zucchini noodles and this dish along with just a big bowl of zoodles with marinara because this momma sometimes likes easy lunch or dinner ideas!  So let’s get started.

Isn’t she a beauty?!  And remember, using a mandoline makes baking potato, beet, veggie chips oh so easy!


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— Knead to Cook

Cavit Pinot Grigio and Summer Chickpea Salad. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Beans, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Party Foods, Raw, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

 

Chickpea salad.  

Are you excited?  Summer is finally upon us.  Parties, family gatherings, dining al fresco are all on my mind.  I can’t wait for relaxing evenings, foods harvested from my garden and beverages to celebrate a more relaxed vibe for the next several months.

As the temperatures rise, our plates are filled with colorful foods and refreshing beverages.  I’ve partnered up with Cavit Collection to pair up a summer recipe along with their light & crisp Pinot Grigio (hello, National Pinot Grigio day this Friday) for that perfect pairing.  I love easy recipes, that are quite flexible and can be prepared ahead of time so you can enjoy your family, friends or party go-ers.  Along with a wonderful veggie/bean salad, I love to stock up on lighter wines for guests. Featuring one of our favorites, Cavit Pinot Grigio is the perfect, light summer wine.  I know wine selection can be quite difficult if you aren’t familiar, but this Pinot is a wonderful option that everyone will love.

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— Knead to Cook

Maille FlavorHero Dijon Recipes. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Condiments, Dips, Dressings, Gluten Free, Raw, Rubs, Salads, Sauces, Side dish, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian, Vinaigrette, Vitamix 4 Comments


Incorporating flavor into existing recipes or food preparation can seem daunting but going to back to basics can be quite impactful and so simple to do.  I’ve long loved Maille Dijon and have created many recipes using their flavorful Dijons.  And let me digress by saying not all Dijons on the market are created equal.  La Maison Maille has been producing for more than 267 years. The tradition is kept alive by the team of experts who create the products today, preserving the excellence that defines La Maison Maille in a continual quest for innovation and perfection. It is the attention to detail that sets La Maison Maille apart – the carefully selected ingredients, the nuances of the recipes, the expertise in the methods used and the elegant black and gold packaging.

Maille is currently running a Flavor Heroes Contest that you can enter.  All you need to do it tell them how you use a Maille product to enhance your favorite dishes and you can be featured in a recipe video along with winning  a 5 piece signature Le Creuset cookware.  Click here to enter!  And now let me share some ways I incorporate their products into 3 of my favorite dishes.

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— Knead to Cook

Good Karma Foods Flaxmilk Chocolate Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Best Vegan..., Beverages, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Raw, Smoothies, Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 31 Comments

Lately, I’ve been sharing my favorite vegan, plant-based foods here on my blog.  Good Karma Foods flaxmilk and yogurts are just two of our favorites.  Recently, I have the opportunity to try out Good Karma’s flax protein milk.  First things first… it has 8 grams of protein per serving AND tastes so incredibly creamy!   I don’t know about you but I’m not a fan of watery milks.  If you want a luscious smoothie – you need a creamy base to start and this milk is perfect!  Plus packed with Omega 3’s… this one is a winner!

Good Karma Foods flaxmilk is packed with 1200mg of Omega 3’s.  Free of the most common allergens like dairy, soy, & nuts.  It has as much calcium as dairy milk.  The flax with protein only has 70 calories per serving in their unsweetened flaxmilk.  The flavor is extremely neutral and can be used in both savory as well as sweet recipes, like my smoothie recipe.

Good Karma Foods is based out of beautiful Boulder, Colorado and they were the pioneers to developing a flax seed based milk.  They are passionate about healthy eating and living -which is why I believe in such an incredible company and their products.  They also have an incredibly creamy drinkable yogurt that we’re obsessed with and a creamy yogurt that is unbelievable.  Okay so enough of my babbling on… let’s get to the recipe AND a sweet giveaway!

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— Knead to Cook

What’s all the pHuss. Essence pH10 water.

by Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Giveaway!!!, Product Review., Sponsored, Vegan 71 Comments

Essence pH10 hibiscus alkaline water. About three weeks ago, while scrolling through my Instagram feed, I saw a post about cancer and the pH scale that correlates.  I admit, I became completely engrossed in the topic.  In 1931 Dr. Otto Warburg won the Nobel Prize for proving that cancer cannot exist in an alkaline, oxygen rich environment.

Wait, what does that mean? I did further research to label which foods are acidic and which are alkaline.  I mean let’s face it, we’ve all been faced with cancer either in our lives or someone close to us.  So some of these foods included:  pastries, red meat, artificial sweeteners, milk, peanuts, processed meats, ketchup, corn oil, canned tuna and ice cream to name a few.  Conversely, alkaline foods include:  green chard, lettuce, sprouts, wheat grass, onions, peppers, garlic, celery and greens!

Just around that time I was delivered two cases of Essence pH10 alkaline water.  I had an opportunity to review and share a giveaway with you all.  In all honesty, I wouldn’t have really given the pH value much thought if I hadn’t seen this cancer correlation a few days prior.  Now, I’m not a doctor or nutritionist but I know foods can heal and work with the body to produce and end result.  I was really interested in testing out this water. Working out 6 days a week, I lose a lot of water through sweat.  I drink about 3 liters of water each day.  So what is pH and why is it so important? As humans, a normal pH of all tissues and fluids of the body (except in the stomach) is slightly alkaline. The most critical pH is in the blood. All other organs and fluids will fluctuate in their range in order to keep the blood a strict pH between 7.35 and 7.45 (slightly alkaline). This process is called homeostasis.

The company states: Essence pH10 is a premium alkaline water that contains 10% of the daily recommended allowance of calcium, magnesium, and zinc acetate. Additionally, we add organic hibiscus making this the only nutritional water on the market. This patented formula is designed to produce a sustainable pH10 that helps to restore the bodies pH balance. Essence pH10 is 100% sodium free.  MIST currently comprises four of the most commonly used minerals – Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Zinc; additional minerals are under development in order to create unique blends that are nutritionally superior to individual minerals and that resemble mineral mixtures found in natural products. So my overall take on the water.  Well, its free of flavor (just what you want in water) and completely hydrating.  I have used it right after my training runs, while I complete my HIIT workouts and even on rest days to hydrate my body.  Overall, I highly recommend especially if it can help balance my pH. I was supplied this product to review as stated earlier but the opinions and review are solely mine. #sweatpink #essenceph10 #superiorhydration #alkaline #hydrate #drinkup Would you be interested in trying out Essence pH10 water for yourself?  Check out the giveaway below.

Best of luck!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway My weekly recap so far…

Sunday:  5 outdoor, windy miles
Monday:  1h 25m weightlifting/core/kettle bell
Tuesday: 7.34 miles in the pouring rain  🙂

— Knead to Cook

Lucy Let’s Go Blog Post – Coconut Butter Protein Bites. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Raw, Sponsored, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Ah it’s the month of love.  Love for your boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, kids, friends and yes – even yourself!   I know tradition dictates that enormous heart-shaped box of chocolates & roses but let’s be honest here.  Homemade treats to me are best and honestly, most of those chocolates in the box aren’t even favorites.   I prefer to spend time creating a special treat from my heart to share.  If you wish to have chocolate – feel free to dip these bites into melted dark chocolate.

So recently I’ve learned & embraced coconut manna (aka butter) thanks to my dietician.  It’s a medium-chain fat & is used by the body for energy. Coconut manna is available at most grocery stores near the coconut oil.  Manna is known to helps you burn more calories & is an appetite suppressant. And the fatty acids can help boost brain activity!  Food is powerful.  So what is it actually? Coconut manna is made from the meat of the coconut, very similar to the consistency of a nut butter.  It’s decadent and heart-healthy.  It’s a lovely alternative to your normal nut butter routine so think topping toast, oatmeal or just out of the jar.  As for this recipe, these bites are chock full of protein & healthy fats leaving you satiated unlike those chocolates.  This recipe yielded 15 bites & took about 10 minutes to make.  Store perfectly in the freezer or fridge.

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— Knead to Cook

Blue Apron Meal Delivery Service.

by Filed Under: Beans, Brunch, Gluten Free, Pasta, Product Review., Sauces, Soups, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan Burgers, Wheat Free 3 Comments

 

Over the month of December, my family had the pleasure to test out fresh food home delivery from Blue Apron. Admittedly, I’m quite critical about food, quality, packaging and presentation due to the fact that I receive a lot of food samples/products from companies all over the world.  My family was so impressed with the fresh food, quality, packaging, timeliness that we ordered several gift cards for holidays gifts for friends and family to channel their inner chef.  Let’s face it, less trips to the grocery store during the crazy rush and fresh, new recipes in hand.  I was smitten with the entire concept.

So many people think they can’t cook, prefer not to go to the grocery store and gravitate towards eating out or getting take-out. Does this sound familiar?  But what if a box of fresh food packaged with everything you need, no waste, would be shipped directly to you when you want with the meals you chose? It’s a game-changer – even for a foodie like me who loves grocery shopping/prepping food for my family.

So let me tell you how the whole process worked.  You sign up online and select how many people are in your family, dietary needs/restrictions/preferences and then you select meals and delivery dates.  That’s it!  The insulated package is delivered right to your door.

Inside the box you will find recipe cards, prepackaged ingredients & a tiny brown paper back with knick knacks (sauces etc.).  Everything was incredibly fresh.

I will admit, everyone was very willing to participate in cooking the meals once the box arrived.  Normally my family isn’t this intrigued.  Everyone was reading recipe cards and claiming what meals they wanted to prepare and eat.

The recipe cards were very easy to follow with many detailed photos.  Each ingredient is labeled and you can easily identify which veggie went with which recipe.  Minimal prep was required and within a short amount of time your meal was ready.  They even include bread/rolls etc. to finish off the dish.  We tried several recipes and our favorites by far with the broccoli and white bean burgers and the potato soup.


Some other delicious recipes we tried…

Blue Apron wanted to share a discount with my readers. They’re offering $30 off your first order or 3 free meals with a subscription. So are you ready to channel your inner-chef or get inspired by some new recipes?

Thank you Blue Apron for sponsoring this post.

— Knead to Cook

Maple Coconut Caramel Macaroons. V. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Candy, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Product Review., Snacks, Sponsored, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 7 Comments


Occasionally, I receive packages of food to try, test out and review. Two weeks ago I received this wonderfully adorable Cake in a Crate kit from Bob’s Redmill. I’m an ambassador for them and love their gf products & use them often.  I hadn’t heard of Cake in a Crate but when I finally had a chance to look them up – what an adorable and fantastic idea.  Basically you can buy yourself or someone else a kit to make a lovely vegan and gluten free treat/dessert – slice of decadence.  See below for the recipe I used and a discount code off your first kit.

I originally shared this on my Insta stories and had several people email me that they ordered the kits as gifts.  The packaging is absolutely adorable!  Every single thing you need is measured out and packaged perfectly.             
Isn’t this the prettiest gift idea? Plus no butter or eggs and the package is completely shelf stable!
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— Knead to Cook