Gluten-Free

Blueberry Mousse Brownies

Two layer vegan blueberry mousse brownies that are vegan, grain-free, and refined sugar-free with almonds, dark chocolate, and cashew blueberry cream.

Guys, I’m planning an outdoor climbing adventure.

Want to come?

Now, before you go all Alex Honnold from Free Solo on me, let me tell you it’s not going to be that precarious.

I might have mentioned before how much I enjoy indoor climbing.

There’s something about hoisting myself from colorful hold to hold, vertically pressed against the incline that gets my heart thumping and my mind engaged.

But doing it all outdoors is a whole new world.

Or at least, I’m sure it is.

I haven’t made it that far yet, but I have all of the gear!

I’ve got my teal harness and my form fitting climbing shoes and my carabiner (which is *way* too fun to say, by the way) all ready for the climb.

Now I’m just waiting for the summer heat to die down before hitting the rock.

Until then, the only thing that I really want to climb right now are the layers on these Blueberry Mousse Brownies.

They’re made vegan, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free with decadent dark chocolate and a creamy cashew blueberry mousse.

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Pineapple Turmeric Tahini Shake

By Flora & Vino 2 Comments

Anti-inflammatory shake made with frozen banana, pineapple, turmeric, and a tahini twist. Perfect for a post-workout shake or quick and bright breakfast!

Yesterday I had my first “real” shopping experience since before quarantine where I returned stuff I’d been holding onto over the past few months.

The items in question hung from sloppy shopping bags on my coat rack casting shadows that loomed large after the sun went down.

A pair of Madewell shorts and romper that didn’t quite fit right, hiking gear from REI, and a trashcan from Target.

Cool stuff, bro.

Anyway, navigating the stores amidst and pandemic was a lot easier than I expected.

Mask, hand sanitizer, receipts, merchandise, check, check, check.

I even tried on new climbing shoes at REI, balancing my toe tips on the edge of the shelving to ensure a proper fit.

And I bought toothpaste at Target– in real life.

Woah.

It was strange and surreal to navigate town centers and shops in a totally normal but totally changed way.

And it made me miss all of the times I had returned items in the past, grumbling and impatient at the inconvenience.

Because to be honest, my return item spree is the most excitement my wallet and I have seen in quite some time.

Well, aside from this Pineapple Turmeric Tahini Shake.

It’s bright, cheery, and sweet while being packed with anti-inflammatory foods and an optional boost of protein!

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Paleo Chocolate Chip Waffles

By Flora & Vino 6 Comments

Paleo chocolate chip waffles made with almond flour, cacao powder, canned coconut milk, and dark chocolate chunks. Serve with maple syrup for breakfast!

I’ve always been what I like to call “sleep in defective”.

In high school I would wait impatiently on the weekends for my boyfriend and friends to wake up.

I was itching to text them before noon, knowing full well I wouldn’t receive a response until lunchtime or past.

As an adult, the early morning trend continued and serves me well to keep me in my professional workweek routine.

The consistency of the workweek cascades into the weekend so I pretty much always wake up at the same time.

Even when I’m (occasionally) out until the wee hours of the morning, I wake up before my iPhone reads 8:00 AM in glowing white light.

So imagine my surprise when this week I woke up one day at 9 AM!

Yes, I know, I was shocked, too, and did a double and triple take on the time.

Lately I’ve been leaning into stolen hours of sleep, lazy mornings, and sweet languid breakfasts.

I have the perfect sweet breakfast for you to make on a lazy morning.

These Paleo Chocolate Chip Waffles are made with almond flour, cacao powder, and plenty of dark chocolate chunks for a fun breakfast.

Whether you sleep in until noon or catch the sunrise, these waffles are easy to make to sweeten your AM!

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Oven Roasted Summer Vegetables

By Flora & Vino 1 Comment

Easy summer roasted vegetables baked with simple seasonings baked in a parchment roasting bag. Serve as a summer side to your main dish.

Where did summer go, friends?

Yesterday was a gorgeous 75 degree day and I was walking around the neighborhood with a friend.

It’s the same streets I’ve been walking since quarantine, but it’s amazing how they look a little wider and sunnier with someone by my side.

“It feels like fall,” I remarked to him, astonished.

Then I realized that we’re somehow halfway through August, and, well, Fall is upon us.

Crazy.

I proceeded to share my theory with him: One in which time froze when COVID hit in March this past Spring and therefore it can’t possibly be Summer, let alone almost Fall.

A sound argument to explain my mental space surrounding most of 2020– PAUSED.

“But then, how do you explain all of the 93°F+ days we’ve had recently?” he teased.

Yeah, well, that’s hard to explain away.

And even harder to explain or wish away the bounty of summer produce in my fridge.

So why don’t we celebrate what’s left of Summer 2020 and make Oven Roasted Summer Vegetables.

You bake them easily in one pan in the oven for a colorful and nutritious summer side!

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Vegan 7-Layer Mexican Dip

By Flora & Vino 1 Comment

Vegan 7-layer dip with refried beans, guacamole, salsa, cauliflower cashew queso, tomatoes, black olives, and green onion. Serve with grain-free crackers!

Serious question– do you wash your avocados?

Usually I rinse mine (*so* important so bacteria from outside of the avo isn’t transferred inside when slicing), then cut them open with a blade.

Until recently.

The other day my friend taught me an epic way to open avocados.

He grabbed an avocado, and, applying pressure with both hands, split it open like two halves of a coconut.

The creamy green flesh protruded out between two crudely but efficiently torn halves he presented in his hands like an offering.

I stared, dumbfounded.

If you could open avocados without using a knife, what other shortcuts have I missed in the kitchen?

This Vegan 7-Layer Mexican Dip might leave your mouth hanging open, too.

It’s easily assembled for a quick appetizer with seven plant-based layers that are prime for dipping and snacking!

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Vegan Peach Galette

By Flora & Vino 1 Comment

Easy rustic peach galette that’s vegan, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free. Serve with a scoop of vegan ice cream for an easy summer plant-based dessert!

Hi, guys.

How was your week?

I’ve been fighting a major case of writer’s block that’s got locked three recipes in the cue without an accompanying intro.

But it’s selfish to keep all of that deliciousness to myself just because I’m tongue-tied, right?

So I’m going to release them, starting with this Vegan Peach Galette.

Because I’m pretty sure we’ll all have a lot more to say after dessert, right?

This galette is sweet with ripe baked peaches and a gluten-free vegan crust.

You’re only SEVEN ingredients away from making the vegan and gluten-free galette of your dreams!

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Hummus Stuffed Zucchini Boats

By Flora & Vino 2 Comments

Zucchini boats baked with all of the Greek fixings like hummus, tomato, olives, red onion, and pine nuts. Try them for a light snack, meal, or appetizer.

Friends!

It’s true that the hardest part of doing something is starting.

I ran this morning for the first time in over a month.

After lacing up my Brooks running shoes I did three invigorating laps around the paths just beyond my neighborhood.

The pavement felt like it was propelling me forward each time it connect with the sole of my cushioned shoe and my iPhone felt weightless in my hand despite the fact that I left my running belt at home.

Kind of like this post, that for whatever reason, I felt like procrastinating.

Writing about food isn’t always as much fun as eating it, you know?

Unless it’s a stuffed vegetable, which, if you’ve been following me for a while, you know is my forte.

These Hummus Stuffed Zucchini Boats are the best way to use that summer zucchini hiding in the bottom drawers of your refrigerator.

Grab a zucchini and let’s make a zucchini boats!

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Dark Chocolate S’mores Bars

By Flora & Vino 4 Comments

Dark Chocolate S’mores Bars with a date-almond crust, a dairy-free chocolate ganache, and a marshmallow topping. Perfect for summer dessert!

It feels like tumultuous times here, friends.

Like every big decision begets yet another big decision.

Life stuff.

Work, relationships, moving– it all feels upended and messy. `

It seems nearly impossible to plan anything when we (read: I) have no idea what the state of the world will be in 6 or 12 months.

So, lately I’ve been throwing caution to the wind and seeing where my impulses take me.

And lately, my impulses have been guiding me towards chocolate.

Lots of chocolate.

These Dark Chocolate S’mores Bars are made with just 8 ingredients for a sweet summer dessert that’s made with simple ingredients.

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Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies

By Flora & Vino 7 Comments

Afghan inspired cookies made without flour! Instead, make them with chickpeas, nut butter, cacao, and dates finished with a walnut cacao frosting!

Are you a LOTR fan?

Let me tell you about my level of fandom circa early 2000s.

After purchasing the trilogy on DVD (I had the Director’s Cut–ha!) I watched The Fellowship of the Ring on repeat.

Because, you know, watching Frodo Baggins battle forces of evil on his quest to destroy the one ring as casual background noise is always good fun.

I was really interested in film studies at the time, and the cinematography and overall production of the films totally wowed me.

Not to mention, I was totally crushing on Frodo, er, Elijah Wood.

I mean, those blue eyes, though!

When I found out that the movie was filmed in New Zealand, I immediately wanted to pack my bags and take a trip to the South Pacific Ocean to stand on steep mountains and run across sprawling fields.

Props to my parents for sitting through the entire trilogy, from the long drawn out orc battles to the

You know what else I’m crushing on that has New Zealand roots?

These Flourless Chickpea Afghan Cookies that are made totally vegan and grain-free with less than 10 ingredients!

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Black Bean Mousse

By Flora & Vino 3 Comments

Protein packed mousse made with black beans, cashews, and cacao powder sweetened with maple syrup. Perfect for a nutritious snack or sensible dessert!

So here’s the state of affairs:

Yesterday I played a state guessing game on the phone with a friend.

I was presented with a map of the United States completed with bold black state borders.

When the game populates a state name, I had to accurately select the corresponding state by clicking on the correctly shaped territory.

Well, let me tell you friends, I was never good at geography.

After accidentally clicking New Jersey about 4 times instead of other north-eastern states, I knew I needed to brush up.

I did get 77% accuracy, which I’m going to take as a win.

If quarantine is making your world feel small, grab a map and explore a little.

Or, we could explore in the kitchen.

If you don’t feel like baking, how about an easy no bake dessert that’s packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and complex carbs?

Today I made this Black Bean Mousse that’s vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup.

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Gluten-Free

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