Flora & Vino

Gluten-Free

Vegan Raspberry Sorbet

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Vegan raspberry sorbet made with coconut milk and frozen raspberries naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Enjoy in a cup or smashed between cookies!

Vegan Raspberry Sorbet by Flora & Vino

Everything is changing– do you feel it, too? 

The world is opening, blossoming, and inviting, and I don’t know what to do or where to go first!

Part of me just wants to stay indoors, maintaining the cozy COVID-bubble that I created with M. 

The globe suddenly feels huge and I want to cling to the things that made me feel safe the past 15 months. 

But as M said last week, change is good. 

Change encourages momentum, clarifications, and answers to the questions I’ve been holding onto, like, what’s next? 

COVID normalized a unified sense of “stuckness”, the world united by the fact that all of our plans, travels, and careers had changed or paused. 

So who are we when we get “un-stuck”? 

Because I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like the same Lauren that hunkered down last March. 

I learned how to slow down, I grew out my hair, and I fell in love. 

So maybe it’s all just about integrating our pandemic progress with our still relevant hopes and dreams of the past.

Kind of like smashing Vegan Raspberry Sorbet between cookies for a warm weather treat. 

This Vegan Raspberry Sorbet is made no-churn with just 3-ingredients without any weird ingredients or fancy equipment!

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Cashew Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

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//#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!

Light and easy stuffed strawberries made with a homemade cashew cheesecake whip and fresh berries. Perfect for a sweet summer side!

Memorial Day is upon us, friends. 

For those of you who’ve been following me on Instagram, you might know that I haven’t seen my parents since before COVID. 

I’ve waved at them from behind their sliding glass door several times for gift exchanges, but I haven’t wrapped them or my sister in a big bear hug since 2019. 

We’re planning some sort of a cookout to reunite on Memorial Day weekend– the first weekend two weeks after all of us are fully vaccinated. 

Hurray! 

So I’m *really* excited to begin making food to share this summer, starting with these stuffed strawberries.

These Cashew Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries are perfectly presentable for spring and summer entertaining this year. 

They’re light and easy, made with a homemade cashew cheesecake whip and fresh berries, perfect for a quick and creative sweet summer side!

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Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Pancakes 

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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! 

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Strawberry Chia Seed Jam

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Easy strawberry chia seed jam to made on the stovetop with frozen fruit and chia seeds and naturally sweetened with lime and maple syrup.

Strawberry Chia Seed Jam by Flora & Vino

This Strawberry Chia Seed Jam has been persistent in my recipes this past week. 

In the past 7 days, it’s showed up in my Nut Butter & Jam Breakfast Quesadillas AND my SunButter & Jelly Brownies.

So I thought I might as well post it on the blog so it has a forever home here at F&V. 

Because, and this is on record, I will love it forever. 

It’s sweet, strawberry-y, and spreadable, with big strawberry chunks and a fantastic chia texture. 

Oh, and it makes everything from breakfast to snacking to dessert more fun and delicious with minimal ingredients and cook time. 

This Strawberry Chia Seed Jam is made with just 5 ingredients on the stovetop for a sweet summer spread! 

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Cherry Tomato Salsa

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Fresh homemade salsa made with sweet cherry tomatoes! Enjoy as a dip with your favorite crackers or as an addition to tacos, burritos, and bowls.

Today I had a coffee date with a girlfriend that I haven’t seen in over a year.

We parked our cars outside of the Starbucks drive-through and socially distanced sipped on coffee, bridging the gap between our cars with conversation. 

Guys, I had forgotten how nice it is to be in the company of another woman and catch up on life as we know it. 

I came home with an empty coffee cup and a full heart, ready to take on a photo shoot and blog post writing. 

Lately I’ve been all about mixing up my routine; making small changes to embrace an awakening world. 

I’m currently enrolled in not one but TWO 7-day free trial via workout apps. 

Which kind of goes hand in hand with the 6 AM alarm that startled me into waking up after the third snooze this morning.

I feel like I’ve been in a deep sleep or meditation for the past year and I’m just starting to regain consciousness. 

Like, Rip Van Winkle level sleepiness. 

An in-person game night with my cousins and sister is planned for two weeks out; the first date we’re all fully vaccinated.

We joked that no games would be played– the entire night will probably revolve around hugging.

So much hugging. And food! 

What better way to embrace summer celebrations, in person and afar, then with a fresh dip?

This Cherry Tomato Salsa is made with just six ingredients and served with my favorite grain-free crackers! 

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SunButter & Jelly Brownies

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Grain-free vegan brownies with a decadent SunButter & jelly swirl made with organic sunflower seed butter and homemade strawberry chia jam. 

SunButter & Jelly Brownies by Flora & Vino

OK, let’s catch up because it’s been a minute since we’ve chatted. 

Since I last wrote to you, I submitted my third round of cookbook edits and the manuscript is officially out of my hands and in the very capable hands of copy editors. 

Woo-freakin-hoo!

I also received my second COVID vaccine and was totally wiped out for the following day. 

Feeling shaking and immobile, I spent most of the day curled up in my favorite recliner, journaling, brainstorming, and dreaming of the future for me and F&V. 

Thinking beyond my daily TO-DOs, beyond the cookbook, beyond the pandemic. 

What’s next? 

Well, these SunButter & Jelly Brownies are next for you, boo. 

They’re entirely grain-free and refined-sugar-free with a swirly SunButter and homemade jelly top.

I mean, what’s better than combining PB&J and brownies? 

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Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal

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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. 

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Chickpea & Wild Rice Soup

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Chickpea & wild rice soup packed with garbanzo beans, wild rice, and savory herbs in a light broth. A classic soup staple for all year round!

Chickpea & Wild Rice Soup by Flora & Vino

It’s a good day, friends. 

Today I woke up early to make the trip to my local Giant pharmacy to get my first COVID vaccine. 

Other than a sore arm that smarts every time I lift my shoulder, I’m doing great, and I’m grateful. 

Grateful to have had the opportunity to receive something that a year ago was only a dream, a hope, a wish. 

I’m thankful for this protection for my health and the health of all those around me, along with the peace of mind it brings.

I’m starting to excitedly plan to see family and friends in a more intimate way after we’re fully vaccinated. 

The thought of enveloping my family and friends in a giant bear hug makes me outwardly squeal with anticipation. 

It’s going to be so good.

I want all of this for you, too, friend, and more. 

But until then, I’m going to gift you with a new soup recipe that’s sure to make you feel cozy and comforted in the mean time. 

This Chickpea & Wild Rice Soup is made in 1-pot in 30 minutes with garbanzo beans and real wild rice! 

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Everything Granola Bites

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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! 

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Raw Walnut Cashew Butter

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#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!

2-ingredient homemade raw walnut cashew butter made super creamy in under 10 minutes  Serve it with Bare Snacks Banana Chips for an easy snack!

Raw Walnut Cashew Butter by Flora & Vino

Did you pull any epic pranks on April Fools Day?

After one of my aloe plants fell out of it’s pot for the fourth (or fifth?)  time last week (it was poorly potted and in a precarious position), I had a plant funeral and buried the evidence in my trashcan.

RIP, aloe. 

As part of an April Fools day joke, I purchased a new plant and propped it up on the late aloe’s plant stand on April the first, waiting for M to notice.

I smirked while he ate his breakfast, finally asking, pointedly, “So, do you notice anything different???”

After doing a lingering living room scan, he finally picked out the monstera deliciosa sitting pretty near the window sill.

I laughed, assuring him I would keep my plant murderess tendencies contained. 

I’m so infatuated with this little green plant and it’s smooth heart-shaped leaves already turning towards the sunshine. 

Let’s see how long it survives…

Hopefully longer than this Raw Walnut Cashew Butter that I made last week and served with banana chips. 

It requires just two ingredients and a blender without any added sugars or oils.

It’s true: I wouldn’t kid about something as serious as nut butter, not even on April Fools! 

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