Flora & Vino

Gluten-Free

Avocado Key Lime Pie Bars with Granola Crust

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Vegan and gluten-free key lime pie bars made with a granola crust and a creamy key lime avocado filling. Enjoy a bar as a refreshing anytime dessert! 

Avocado Key Lime Pie Bars with Granola Crust by Flora & Vino

Do you guys have a favorite juice shop near you? 

For me, that place is Greenheart. 

It’s the place I meet girlfriends and catch up and also where I get my favorite green juice. 

It’s also where I taught my first (and only) in person yoga class this past summer, in a spacious green lawn staring out at friends and family. 

It’s a good spot where good things happen there while drinking other good things. 

Enough said. 

Now that I live in Maryland, it’s one of Virginia’s major attractions that I plan to hit whenever I’m back in town. 

And guys, Greenheart also has granola! 

Today I’m sharing a recipe with a granola crust that’s delicious for an all-year round dessert. 

This Avocado Key Lime Pie Bars with Granola Crust is vegan, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free with just 7 ingredients. 

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Peanut Butter Pumpkin Overnight Proats

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Pumpkin peanut butter protein oats for one! Mix up these easy oats for a pumpkin and protein-packed breakfast that’s perfect for busy fall mornings.Peanut Butter Pumpkin Overnight Proats by Flora & Vino

This past weekend I had a plant re-potting party here at F&V.

M and I squatted on the deck and transferred my spider plant, split leaf philodendron, and aloe vera to bigger pots. 

Scooping dirt into ceramic pots and patting the earth around my plant babies was totally therapeutic. 

The move was inspired by my split leaf philodendron, which has grown at an exponential pace since I bought it on a whim from Whole Foods last year. 

Did you know that plants need to be moved to bigger pots about once a year for optimal health?

When I last repotted my philodendron it surprised me by exploding with happy green leaves and new vines. 

I mean, it makes sense that they need a pot that properly fits their expanding root system. 

Just like us, they need room to grow. 

Give yourself some room to grow by making breakfast in advance this autumn.

These Peanut Butter Pumpkin Overnight Proats are perfect to prep ahead for a fun fall breakfast. 

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No-Chicken Chickpea Nuggets

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Plant-based and protein packed nuggets made with chickpeas and seasonings and baked to perfection. Serve with your favorite dip!

No-Chicken Chickpea Nuggets by Flora & Vino

This past weekend M and I switched studio spaces. 

We decided that, as much as I wanted my studio space to be separate and tucked away from “real life”, it just made sense logically to have me closer to the kitchen.

And M further from the noise of the kitchen. 

So I lugged my photography boards, standing lights, and tiered shelves of props down to the main level while M disassembled and reassembled my standing desk. 

For some reason it was emotional to leave my studio nook upstairs.

Yeah, that separation between personal and business life as a work-from-home entrepreneur is always hard. 

Except lunchtime. 

Lunchtime everything kind of falls into place. 

Today I’m sharing these No-Chicken Chickpea Nuggets.

They’re baked and are the perfect plant-based back-to-school snack for all ages! 
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Zucchini SunButter Chocolate Chip Muffins

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Super moist and delicious vegan and gluten-free muffins made with zucchini, almond flour, dark chocolate chips, and SunButter. Perfect for snacking!

Zucchini SunButter Chocolate Chip Muffins by Flora & Vino

What are you going to miss the most about summer? 

I’ll miss sitting on deck chairs on our new patio facing a thicket of trees.

I’ll miss the long sun-filled days that only tempt me to shut the blinds and curtains well after dinner time. 

I’ll miss easy comfortable cotton summer dresses (mostly floral, but some solid colors, too).  

And I’ll miss summer produce– right now I’m loving juicy tomatoes, figs, and zucchini. 

So today I’m sharing with your my personal favorite zucchini recipe of the summer. 

These Zucchini SunButter Chocolate Chip Muffins are made in 1-bowl– they’re grain-free, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free! 

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Turmeric Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies

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Bright turmeric cookies made with salted dark chocolate chunks, cashew butter, and almond flour. Bakes in 15 minutes for a grain-free cookie to share!

Turmeric Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies by Flora & Vino

This past weekend M and I woke up at 4 AM to drive to Shenandoah with two of our friends to hike Old Rag. 

Arriving in the parking lot a little after sunrise reminded me of why I’m a morning person. 

We beat the crowd and had the trail primarily to ourselves, and the weather temps were still in the lows and not the highs. 

But the high of the hike was when, at the summit, Nate got down on one knee and asked Anna to marry him. 

I’ve never witnessed a proposal in person, especially not one involving two of my favorite people. 

These two amazing humans who so clearly bring out the best in each other. 

When she said yes the onlookers from rocks above us cheered and clapped and M snapped photos on his camera. 

On the descent I couldn’t stop smiling and in that moment I believed the universe really does bring people together for a reason. 

Like, you, dear friend, are here to make Turmeric Dark Chocolate Chunk Cookies. 

These grain-free, gluten-free, and plant-based cookies are made in just 1-bowl in 15 minutes! 

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The Best Oil-Free Hummus

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Oil-free hummus made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and a splash of almond milk. Perfect to prepare and have on hand for snacking, dips, and spreads!

The Best Oil-Free Hummus by Flora & Vino

Last weekend I got out for my first outdoor adventure in Maryland. 

I made it to see Weverton Cliffs with one of my oldest friends from high school.

One of the definite perks to moving to Maryland is living in the same state as this lady who I’ve kept in touch with since the 7th grade! 

The hike to the top is short but our conversation felt long as we caught up on life the past year. 

We’ve both changed a lot since we last hugged in person, and in communicating “what’s new” that change felt like something to be pretty proud of.

We stopped at the overlook and took pictures, embracing, and posing against a breathtaking backdrop of tree canopy and blue sky. 

Then we completed a breath work meditation, resting against slabs of rock with our eyes closed.

It was kind of magical. 

Also magical is this The Best Oil-Free Hummus recipe that goes with…literally anything. 

This hummus takes just 10 minutes to blend up without any preservatives or added oils! 

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Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls

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Blueberry muffin energy balls made with oats, almond flour, nut butter, mixed seeds, and dried blueberries.  Perfect to meal prep for the week ahead!

Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls by Flora & Vino

It’s starting to feel like home here in Maryland!

Last weekend we hung photos and I arranged my plants in nice little nooks around the living room. 

I tried out a local yoga studio and a new trendy coffee shop and roastery. 

We explored several grocery options and perused the aisles thinking, hey, this could be my new spot. 

Naturally, we’ve scouted out all of the nearby takeout options. 

But don’t let the takeout bags fool you, plenty of food has been made, here, too, friends! 

I even had my first *real* dinner party last weekend, hosting two of my friends for a plant-based pizza party in. 

And on Sundays, I meal prep for the week ahead in a kitchen that still feels oddly unfamiliar and new. 

My new favorite snack to have and to hold are these Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls!

They’re made with just 8 ingredients and one bowl for a quick compact snacking solution. 

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Vegan Chocolate Cake with Sweet Potato Frosting

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Vegan chocolate cake with a refined-sugar-free sweet potato frosting. Perfect for birthdays or any celebration where cake is required!

Vegan Chocolate Cake with Sweet Potato Frosting by Flora & Vino

This weekend I had my parents over to show them the new place!

Which means that the house is the cleanest and tidiest that it might be…ever.

After I showed my parents the layout and we laughed about the boxes of American Girl Dolls (did you collect slash play with those as a child, too???) still stacked high on M’s side of the bed, we settled in the living room for to chat. 

I offered my ‘rents and sister a chocolate cake I baked yesterday and finished with sweet potato frosting. 

If you’re like me, you’re always ready to celebrate. 

Birthdays, work wins, sort-of-holidays, anniversaries, MOVING; you name it and I’ll be there with a bottle of red and a baked good to cheers and nom. 

So, yes, this Vegan Chocolate Cake with Sweet Potato Frosting is perfect for any celebration. 

I deemed it the most appropriate dessert I could think of to celebrate almost one month in Maryland. 

It’s rich, chocolate-y, and lightly sweet with dark chocolate. 

This vegan and gluten-free cake is finished with a 4-ingredient no-sugar-added sweet potato frosting! 

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SunButter Apple Nachos

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Quick and convenient apple nachos made with cinnamon, dried fruit, dark chocolate, granola, and a squeezable SunButter packet. Perfect for a speedy snack!

SunButter Apple Nachos by Flora & Vino

How many meals do you eat a day, boo?

I’m usually a 5-6 meals a day diner, spreading out the deliciousness in 2-3 hours windows. 

M eats much less frequently than me, enjoying a satisfying breakfast and dinner, and occasionally, lunch. 

During the move, I (sort of accidentally?) experimented with eating less frequently. 

What’s the worst that could happen, I thought? 

So the decision to spread meals out was due to curiosity, poor planning, and an amiable attempt to meet M in middle to break on boxes on eat together. 

I’ve decided, however, after being near to tears one evening when we couldn’t decide on pizza takeout, that I do much  better when I’m snacking. 

Hanger is a very real thing and if prompted, M would probably tell you it’s not something he’d like to experience again!

Yeah, snacking makes me my best self. 

Which is why I’m excited to share with you one of my most favorite snack ideas today.

These SunButter Apple Nachos are a delicious way to elevate your snack time in less than 5 minutes.

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Tempeh Reuben Bowl with Hemp Heart Ranch

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Vegan reuben in a bowl with romaine lettuce, cabbage, tempeh bacon, and sauerkraut, served with a creamy hemp heart ranch. Perfect for meal prep lunch!

Tempeh Reuben Bowl with Hemp Heart Ranch by Flora & Vino

This past week M and I mapped out our new daily walk around the neighborhood. 

We used the blinking blue dot on Google maps to pinpoint our location and make connections between intersecting streets and trails. 

28 minutes– the number we ended up with as we stood outside of our new place with the old doormat, reading “There’s No Place Like Home” in the bristles. 

M has never seen The Wizard of Oz, so I’ve added it to the top of our To-Do list.

“I feel like it’ll be better to watch in the Fall,” I explained, dreaming of crunchy leaves and cooler winds and muted colors. 

But for now, it’s still hot, and I’m living on bowls at the new place. 

Today’s recipe isn’t complex, but it’s tasty, packed with plant-based protein, an oil-free dressing, and plenty of kraut. 

This vegan reuben is served in a bowl with romaine lettuce, cabbage, tempeh bacon, and sauerkraut, served with a creamy hemp heart ranch. 

Let’s make sandwiches into bowls with this Tempeh Reuben Bowl with Hemp Heart Ranch!

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