Flora & Vino

Breakfast

Strawberry Banana Bread

By Leave a Comment

Strawberry banana bread made gluten-free with almond flour, oats, and almond butter. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup and applesauce!

Strawberry Banana Bread by Flora & Vino

This week I had my first in person game night since, pre-COVID 2020.

It was the first time I saw my sister and cousin up close and in person in over a year. 

When I opened the front door and saw them standing on my welcome mat, I squealed with delight. 

It was special and surreal and weird and wonderful all at once. 

Yeah, we didn’t play any *actual* games, but we sure did do a lot of hugging. 

Which is fine by me!

Who wants to play board games when you could choose a cuddle puddle? 

This Strawberry Banana Bread is made in one bowl is almost as cozy as a cuddle. 

It’s made with vegan, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free with oats, almonds, and plenty of strawberries!

…

Read More

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Pancakes 

By Leave a Comment

Almond flour chocolate chip pancakes made with superfine almond flour, coconut milk, and plenty of dark chocolate chips. Vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free!

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Pancakes by Flora & Vino

What’s your go-to “special occasion” breakfast?

For me, it’s pancakes.

For my birthday brunch this year, M made me a stack of Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Pancakes. 

It felt like kind of a big deal after he admitted earlier that morning that he’d never made pancakes before. 

So I didn’t expect much…but I was wrong!

The pancakes were so unexpectedly delicious that I knew I had to recreate his version to share with you guys. 

Because everyone needs a sweet stack of pancakes in their life.

These Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Pancakes are made with superfine almond flour, creamy coconut milk, and plenty of dark chocolate chips. 

They’re easy to whip up regardless of your pancake-making past.

Let’s flip some chocolate chip flapjacks! 

…

Read More

Nut Butter & Jam Breakfast Quesadilla

By Leave a Comment

Sweet and satisfying breakfast quesadilla made on the stovetop with nut butter, homemade strawberry chia seed jam, granola, and coconut flakes.

Nut Butter & Jam Breakfast Quesadilla by Flora & Vino

What’s better than a peanut butter & jelly for breakfast? 

A peanut butter & jelly in a quesadilla.

An adult-ish quesadilla served first thing in the AM. 

I enjoyed these all last week and couldn’t wait to share them with you so I practically *begged* M to let me make him one. 

When he finished the first one and asked for a second, my ego was doing a very hubris-saturated victory dance. 

Friends, it’ *that* good, and that simple! 

Yes, we share a love of sweet breakfast quesadillas and I can’t wait to share that love with you. 

These Nut Butter & Jam Breakfast Quesadillas are made on the stovetop with nut butter, homemade strawberry chia seed jam, granola, and coconut flakes!

Let’s get quesadilla-ing!

…

Read More

Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal

By 4 Comments

Oven-baked oatmeal that tastes just like carrot cake! It’s perfect to prepare in advance and serve warm or chilled for an easy meal-prepped breakfast.

Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal by Flora & Vino

When I stop and think about how far into 2021 we already are, it gives me whiplash.

Is the year going quickly for you, too?

Anyway, April 2 was my birthday, my second birthday in careful quarantine. 

My sister dropped of hand-wrapped gifts to my doorstep and my amazing cousin delivered an exquisite bouquet of flowers. 

I video-chatted and texted with my friends, believing that this time next year I’ll be squeezing them instead of the volume button on my phone. 

And let’s not forget food! 

M made me pancakes– the first pancakes he’s ever made– and they were delicious.

For dinner, we ordered Sweetgreen, because it’s the most “Lauren” thing I could think of that was within the delivery range for Uber Eats. 

The week of my birthday I tested a cake (coming soon!!!) and made a delicious Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal.

It’s easily mixed up and baked in advance for easy springs breakfast during the week.

This is a recipe where you can have your cake and prep it for breakfast, too, boo. 

…

Read More

Everything Granola Bites

By Leave a Comment

Protein-packed energy balled made with SunButter, chia seeds, coconut, cacao nibs, and a hidden granola crunch!  Perfect for a quick portable snack!

Everything Granola Bites by Flora & Vino

This past week M and I built a tent in my living room.

A mass of lime green nylon, woven mesh, and sturdy poles erected into a dome in under ten minutes. 

As the weather gets warmer, I’m dreaming of summer adventures. 

It’s been forever since I slept away from home, and I’m itching to pack up the car with my new camping gear and explore. 

Do you like camping? 

M will tell you that I’ve never *really* been camping, which is partially true.

I guess I’ve been *glamping*, i.e. sleeping in a camp cabin, with four walls and a roof and a screened in door. 

So maybe I’m romanticizing all of it– sleeping under the stars, s’mores, and basking in forest sunlight.

But I think there’s the chance to make a camper out of me, yet. 

Everything is starting to feel more and more possible– as people become vaccinated, as the book comes closer to a close, as my camping set is complete. 

I’ve also been thinking about easy food to make while in the great outdoors, starting with easy snacks. 

These Everything Granola Bites are a great portable snack to make in advance for all of your adventuring this year. 

They’re made no-bake with simple ingredients that will fuel all of your summer fun! 

…

Read More

Triple Berry Granola (Oil-Free!)

By Leave a Comment

Baked berry granola with three kinds of sweet berries and SunButter for an oil-free option. Perfect to make ahead for breakfast and snacking!

Triple Berry Granola (Oil-Free!) by Flora & Vino

Granola doesn’t last long in my house. 

It’s one of the staples that both M and I eat daily, piling it high on big breakfast bowls or grabbing a handfuls before an evening workout. 

If you’re a bit of a granola connoisseur like I am, you know the good stuff it can be expensive.

So, for the past few weeks I’ve been making us homemade granola on a regular basis. 

This is either the beginning of a granola series or the beginnings of a granola product line…ha!

Anyway, it’s been really fun testing new variations each Sunday. 

I bake the mixture in the oven and then break it into cherished chunks before transferring it to an airtight bag for the week. 

When I asked M what granola flavor he wanted this week, he requested “something fruity or tart.”

So I made this Triple Berry Granola (Oil-Free!) and infused it with three kinds of berries for a perfectly sweet and chunky granola. 

It’s totally gluten-free, oil-free, and naturally-sweetened with maple syrup and berries! 

…

Read More

Blueberry Almond Protein Cookies

By Leave a Comment

Blueberry almond protein cookies made with almond butter, oats, and almond protein powder sweetened with banana and blueberries. Perfect for meal prep!

Blueberry Almond Protein Cookies by Flora & Vino          

Yesterday I went to a coffee shop for the first time since last March. 

After a “best coffee in VA” google search and a 20-minute drive, M and I found ourselves at local roastery gem.

The minute I opened the door the rich smells of coffee beans washed over me like seeing a long lost friend. 

And then, I did see a long lost friend.

I was examining the whole coffee beans in colorful bags when suddenly my friend Walt was there, too. 

Walt graduated from yoga teacher training in the same group as me, so, we’ve been through a journey together far before the world was on fire from COVID.

It felt surprising and fortuitous to see a familiar face during a global pandemic at a shop I only popped in by chance. 

Life is funny.

He looked different with a mask and longer hair but the easy conversation was the same and we talked about yoga, hiking, and of course, coffee.

I just started drinking coffee, again, guys, which I told Walt with raised eyebrows. 

Lately I love getting up 6 AM and sipping on warm dark roast coffee with a splash of almond milk.

You know what’s absolutely fantastic with coffee?

Something a little sweet. 

These Blueberry Almond Protein Cookies are the best way to start your day with a burst of protein! 

You bring the coffee and I’ll bring the cookie recipe. 

…

Read More

SunButter Cinnamon Smoothie

By Leave a Comment

Quick and easy shake with SunButter and plenty of cinnamon. Fruit-free and low-sugar option included. Perfect for a post-workout snack or light breakfast.

SunButter Cinnamon Smoothie by Flora & Vino

What are you watching right now?

I just started watching Bridgerton on Netflix and I’ve got to say; I’m kind of obsessed. 

If you haven’t seen it yet, the best description I’ve heard so far is that it’s a mix between Gossip Girl and Jane Austen. 

You’re intrigued now, aren’t you? 

It takes place during the Regency era in England, where siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family search for love. 

And drama ensues, of course. 

Check it out!

It’s nice to have a new show to cozy up to at the end of short cold January days.

But during the daylight, let’s stay energized for the next Netflix marathon, OK?

This SunButter Cinnamon Smoothie is perfect to make for a light breakfast or quick snack! 
…

Read More

Pumpkin Apple Bake

By Leave a Comment

//#ad// This post is brought to you by Bare Snacks, but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!

Pumpkin apple bake made with pumpkin puree and apples naturally sweetened with banana. Perfect for a breakfast or holiday side dish!

Pumpkin Apple Bake by Flora & Vino

My laptop has about the same birthday as Flora & Vino, the blog, circa January 2017.  

Which means they’re both just on the verge of their fourth birthday. 

So it’s actually kind of a miracle that the glowing lettered squares on my keyboard *just* started sticking this week. 

Since last weekend the “y” and “l” keys require aggressive tap-tap-tapping with my index finger before they grace the cursor with their appearance. 

Which, naturally, led to a whole heck of a lot of typos this week. 

Guys, do you know just how many words contain a “y” and an “l”???

Too many.

You’d think with all of the food I photograph that a sticky spill might be the culprit, but I can’t pinpoint any instance of spillage. 

Hm. I guess I need to make a visit to the tech store sometime soon.

Well, you know what else is sticky but a lot sweeter? 

This Pumpkin Apple Bake that’s made with pumpkin puree and apples, sweetened with banana.

It’s excellent to whip up for a unique cold weather breakfast or holiday side!

…

Read More

Savory “Sausage” Breakfast Bowl

By Leave a Comment

Start your day with this savory breakfast bowl featuring plant-based sausage, sautéed mushrooms and greens, sweet potato, avocado, and hummus. 

Savory "Sausage" Breakfast Bowl by Flora & Vino

Happy Christmas Eve, friends! 

It’s raining here today and it looks like we might have a wet Christmas instead of a white one. 

It’s OK, because I have a whole day planned around baking and cooking.

Usually on Christmas morning growing up we enjoyed a big savory breakfast to fuel for an epic gift opening session.  

There’s something about a big savory brekky that feels so cozy and wonderfully wintry.

My favorite way to do it plant-based is to throw all of the savory stuff in a bowl. 

This Savory “Sausage” Breakfast Bowl is packed with all of your favorite vegetables to kick start the day. 

Add my favorite Hilary’s Eat Well Spicy Veggie Sausage and it’s a party!

…

Read More