Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Don’t throw the scale out! My perspective.

by Filed Under: Health & wellness, Product Review., Vegan 5 Comments

Okay so we’re 27 days into 2018 and do you love your scale yet?  Ha.  These memes made me laugh.  The reality is we all hate the scale from time to time – or ALL THE TIME.  I know this past summer when I completely gave up on running (yes, I just had a partial knee replacement in case you didn’t know), I started to lose my “skinny fat” aka lacking muscle and started to gain weight.  It wasn’t BAD weight from eating junk but it was my shift in focus to weightlifting.  So hold on… I lift all the heavy things AND GAIN weight?  Ummmm yeah.
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— Knead to Cook

Split Pea Vegetable Soup. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Potatoes, Soups, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Your Life Edit Foundations 3 Comments

Winter is in full swing.  60’s one day to snow… again.  I don’t mean to complain or whine but I really, truly appreciate dry ground just about now.  I prefer not to wipe out if at all possible. But I’m trying to rally & embrace all things winter like cozy sweaters, warm cozy blankets, reading by the fire and yes – soup!

I made this soup when my house was packed with company before Christmas one cozy evening.  Served it with crusty bread, crackers and some lovely gluten free rolls and the pot was gone.  My youngest mentioned it this weekend and I had all the ingredients to make round 2 of it.  Sadly, the in-process pics were the only ones I got as it was gobbled up in a snap before staging a pretty pic.  The soup is really hearty and filling. Packed with vegetable protein and oh so good for you.  Great for leftovers.  Not a frightening green color that may scare little kids away either.  Hope you enjoy!

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— Knead to Cook

Flu Fighter Immunity Boosting Lemon Ginger Turmeric Tonic.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Fruit, Gluten Free, Health & wellness, Vegan, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations 6 Comments

It’s been a year since I’ve posted.  Well, not exactly but it feels like forever!  So where have I gone you may ask?

Well I opted to finish up my cooking for clients the week before Christmas; just in time to celebrate my birthday. We went to DC to see the Cav’s play, shop & eat our way through Georgetown.  ALL OF US!  It was so nice to have our college girl home again.  Then Christmas and the company arrived.  Food.  Faith.  Presents.  All on repeat. Then I have to admit, on Christmas night, our tree and all decorations were put away and life was good.

Why the rush to end the holiday?  Well Santa brought me a new partial knee replacement.  I had my surgery on the 29th.  If worrying about that wasn’t enough, couple that with my oldest & my husband both getting sick.  You see, I wasn’t allowed to get sick for 2 weeks prior to surgery.  Needless to say I lived in a bubble.  Ha.

Surgery went really well.  Stay over in the hospital one evening and fast forward 17 days to today.  I’m back to the gym, lifting upper body.  I can walk sans limping.  I can drive.  And each day it gets better.  Amazing, right?

So I’ll stop on my knee update & move on to this recipe.  The flu is hitting & hitting hard.  I’ve been making this elixir/tonic whatever you wish to call it all fall/winter to keep us all healthy. Knock wood it’s working!  It’s strong.  Be prepared but it’s packed with vital nutrients and vitamins to keep your immunity in tip top shape.  Team that up with washing your hands every second you get & hopefully we all survive this winter.

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— Knead to Cook

Black bean hummus stuffed cucumber rolls. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Gluten Free, Holiday, Party Foods, Snacks, Thanksgiving, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 33 Comments

   
December is finally upon us so key up the get-togethers, parties, food, food and more food that will be consumed.  With the most indulgent foods being consumed in between Thanksgiving through New Year’s – I always love to throw in some really healthy, yet flavorful dishes to offset the gluttony and honestly, I prefer healthy options over rich, heavier foods.

Cucumbers are rich in potassium, vitamin C, B1, biotin and magnesium. Plus, during the holidays when we tend to neglect hydration, they are filled with water.  In this recipe I share my latest obsession – black bean hummus but you can easily use store-bought if you prefer.  This appetizer takes minutes to make so they are perfect for impromptu gatherings.

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— Knead to Cook

Rosemary Roasted Almonds. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch, Gift ideas, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free, Your Life Edit Foundations Leave a Comment

The holidays can’t be filled with sweets only, right?  Right!  I love giving a healthy alternative for food gifts or treats during the holiday.  Each year I seem to make some variety like these, these or these.  These are so simple yet packed with a beautiful Rosemary flavor.  Plus putting an extra sprig of Rosemary when you pack them adds a bit of holiday flare.  And maybe you prefer to stick with sweet treats to giveaway… I get that.  But you need some salty snacks when family and friends gather so add these to your appetizer platter or charcuterie board, vegan of course.

Once cooled, these nuts pack up nicely and do ship perfectly as well in a care package.
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— Knead to Cook

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

Vegan GF Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

by Filed Under: Brunch, Cookies, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Cookies, a staple of the holiday diet, right?  Well when you don’t eat dairy or gluten all those classics are off the table… or so you think. I wanted to recreate and old favorite and these came out perfectly. The addition of molasses syrup gives these cookies a great depth of flavor.  And please the combination of chocolate and peanut butter is a immediate win in most people’s books so there you go!

Short on time this month so let’s get to this recipe!

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— Knead to Cook

Holiday Gift Guide for Stocking Stuffers. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Gift ideas, Holiday, Holiday Gift Guides, Snacks, Vegan Leave a Comment

My final gift guide was requested by so many of you on Instagram.  Great vegan stocking stuffers that span little kids through the big ones on your list. I compiled all of our favorites and added many to my own list for my family.  Hope I’ve helped to check some gifts off your list this holiday season.  ~ox

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— Knead to Cook

Gift Guide for the host or hostess.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Gift ideas, Holiday Gift Guides, Vegan Leave a Comment

I wanted to do a host/hostess gift guide that would encompass both day events (thinking a cookie swap or brunch) to an evening party that had a bit more glam.  The price points are under $10 to the high end of under $40.  All are gifts that will be used and not cast aside like the typical hostess gifts given.  I hope you find several ideas and many would also work as stocking stuffers as well.  The next and final gift guide will be shared hopefully Monday.  This allows plenty of time to order and receive.  Happy holidays friends!

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— Knead to Cook

Gift Guide for Beauty. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Gift ideas, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Gift Guides, Vegan Leave a Comment

 

I’ve really enjoyed doing these guides for you all… I hope they’re helping you with your gift giving ideas as much as they have helped me.  Tomorrow I’ll be sharing a hostess/host gift guide. Each list can cross over a bit from beauty to women or to men.  Some things on this list I already bought for my husband and my teenage daughters.  Off to get dinner on the table so I wish you a lovely day and will catch you when I post again soon.  ~ox

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— Knead to Cook