Flora & Vino

Oil-Free

Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies (Zimtsterne)

By Leave a Comment

Vegan Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies (Zimtsterne) made with almond flour, SunButter, and a coconut butter icing.  Perfect for a Christmas cookie exchange!

Today I’ve got a Christmas cookie recipe for you that’s anything but ordinary.

Move over sugar cookies, I give you…Cinnamon Star Cookies!

When we visited M’s family in Kentucky this fall, they pulled out some old German textbooks for me to continue to learn the language. 

One of my main goals for next year (are we allowing new year’s resolutions yet?) is to improve my German!

They also pulled out some classic German cookbooks, including a recipe for these Cinnamon Star Cookies, or, Zimtsterne, in German. 

I had a sneaky feeling that I could easily adapt the original to be vegan and gluten-free, and I was right! 

The cookies are traditionally made with egg-whites and powdered sugar, but I subbed in flax egg and coconut sugar with a delicious outcome.

The result is these vegan Cinnamon SunButter Star Cookies (Zimtsterne) made with almond flour, SunButter, and coconut butter icing. 

They’re perfect to make and bake for a Christmas cookie exchange this holiday season!

…

Read More

Pumpkin Apple Baked Quinoa

By 1 Comment

Pumpkin apple baked quinoa bakes in an hour for a delicious meal prep breakfast full of fall flavor. Serve warm or chilled with your favorite cozy toppings!

Pumpkin Apple Baked Quinoa by Flora & Vino

When I was visiting North Carolina this past summer my family surprised me with all sorts of plant-based baking!

My favorite was an Apple Baked Quinoa that my aunt made for our Sunday morning breakfast. 

It takes an hour to bake, so I recruited everyone for a family yoga session so we could stretch while it baked. 

We moved into tree and triangle while the oven filled the living room with the smell of baking cinnamon and apples. 

After savasana, we enjoyed the quinoa warm with nut butter, granola, and more baked apples. 

It was so delicious that I immediately started scheming of my own variation…one including pumpkin. 

This Pumpkin Apple Baked Quinoa bakes in under and hour for a delicious meal prep fall breakfast! 

…

Read More

Spanish Rice & Beans Stuffed Peppers

By Leave a Comment

Baked bell peppers stuffed with Eden Foods Spanish Rice & Pinto Beans and served with your favorite toppings. Perfect for an easy warm weeknight dinner!

Spanish Rice & Beans Stuffed Peppers by Flora & Vino

Friends, since we last chatted I became a marathoner. 

I ran the 26.2 miles to complete the Chicago Marathon in under 5 hours this past Sunday and felt unstoppable after I crossed the finish line. 

It was an emotional and rewarding experience, with anxiety-ridden lows and pride-filled highs.

I’m so glad that I trained and conquered and feel so eternally grateful for the support of my friends and family who saw me to the finish line. 

This week I’m taking it easy, with lots of long walks and yoga and stretching. 

And, of course, lots of hearty plant-based foods to refuel and recharge!

After expending so much energy with the race and traveling. I honestly haven’t been in the mood to spend hours in the kitchen.

So I loved making these Spanish Rice & Beans Stuffed Peppers for an easy dinner for M and me during the workweek. 

These baked bell peppers are stuffed with Eden Foods Spanish Rice & Pinto Beans and served with your favorite toppings.

They’re perfect to prepare for an easy warm weeknight dinner to share! 

…

Read More

Maple Cinnamon Baked Mochi

By 2 Comments

Oven-baked mochi dipped in maple syrup and topped with cinnamon and toasted pecans. Bakes in under 10 minutes for a unique sweet snack or dessert! 

Maple Cinnamon Baked Mochi by Flora & Vino

This past weekend I visited Colonial Williamsburg with my cousin, my cousin’s husband, and M for a couples weekend getaway. 

Williamsburg has a special place in my heart because it reminds me of the family trips we took there as a kid. 

I have fond memories of ginger cakes from The Raleigh Tavern Bakeshop, strolling down Duke of Gloucester Street, and shopping in the market square. 

So it was a lot of fun to be there with family and show M all of my favorite spots!

We walked the historic area by day, dined in taverns by night, and spent the after hours at a beautiful Bed & Breakfast. 

While historic Colonial Williamsburg doesn’t exactly lend itself to the vegan diet, there were plenty of “hip” places nearer to the William & Mary campus. 

It was a lovely weekend, and I came home with a full heart and a well-rested mind. 

When we got home, I felt so refreshed and rejuvenated I created this Maple Cinnamon Baked Mochi.

This unique sweet snack or dessert starts with oven-baked mochi dipped in maple syrup and finished with cinnamon and toasted pecans.

It’s the perfect energizing fall bite!

…

Read More

Quick Corn Salsa

By Leave a Comment

Quick corn salsa with frozen sweet corn, fresh cilantro, and lime. Perfect to serve as dip with chips or as an addition to tacos, burritos, bowls, and more!

Quick Corn Salsa by Flora & Vino

Recently, I taught my first yoga class in my new position as a substitute teacher!

I was all nerves as I arrived at the studio wearing my lucky yoga tank (the one I got during teacher training) with my yoga books and prepared routine. 

Whenever I’m nervous, I remind myself that anxiety and excitement kind of feel the same way in the body. 

It just means that I *care*. 

But as soon as I started teaching, breathing, being with the class, it was all good.

If you’ve been around here a while, you know when I completed YTT in 2019 I firmly believed that I only wanted to know more about yoga. 

I never saw myself actually teaching…and now, I am. 

It feels good, right, and fulfilling. 

Afterwards, M and I ordered tacos and burritos from Chipotle to celebrate. 

I usually get their corn salsa, which, in addition to the lonely bag of frozen corn in my freezer, was the inspiration for this recipe. 

This Quick Corn Salsa is made with frozen sweet corn, fresh cilantro, and lime.

Serve it with chips or as an addition to tacos, burritos, bowls, and more!

…

Read More

Vegan “Cookie Corners” (Nussecken)

By Leave a Comment

Vegan “cookie corners” (Nussecken)! These tasty triangles are made with oat and almond flour, SunButter, jam, hazelnuts, and dark chocolate.

Vegan "Cookie Corners" (Nussecken) by Flora & Vino

Today I’m sharing a recipe with you inspired by my European travels!

M’s mom is kind of famous in their area in Germany for her Nussecken.

And with good reason, because they’re kind of amazing. 

This delicious German dessert is made with a nougat base, jammy center, and sweet hazelnut topping. 

After baking you cut layers into triangles and dip the corners in melted chocolate. 

Nussecken directly translates from German to “Nut Corners”, but I’ve also seen them called “Cookie Corners”.

I thought Cookie Corners sounded cuter, so let’s go with that naming convention. 

You’re going to love my Vegan “Cookie Corners” (Nussecken) that are also gluten-free and refined-sugar-free! 

…

Read More

Vegan Cosmic Brownies

By Leave a Comment

Vegan cosmic brownies made with almond flour and sweetened with coconut sugar. Top them with Chocolate SunButter and sprinkles for a fun dessert!

Vegan Cosmic Brownies by Flora & Vino

This holiday weekend I set a PR for most shooting stars seen in one evening. 

On Memorial Day, M and I drove to the Shenandoah to see the Tau Herculids Meteor Shower.

We chose the Shenandoah because it’s low in light pollution with dark skies and great views, so it’s perfect for star gazing. 

I yawned and grumbled getting there, but once I was cozied up in my camp chair with blankets surrounded by the glittering night, I was happy to be there. 

Around 1 AM we watched stars streak across the sky while M took photos, hoping to catch a beautiful bright arch across the frame. 

It’s always humbling to stare up at the night sky, feeling so incredibly small compared to those fire balls whizzing through space. 

I can’t share the cosmos with you, but I can share some cosmic brownies with you that are pretty out of this world. 

These Vegan Cosmic Brownies are made with almond flour and topped with Chocolate SunButter and dotted with sprinkles for a fun dessert!

…

Read More

Blackberry Baked Quinoa

By Leave a Comment

Blackberry baked quinoa baked in an hour for a delicious summer meal prep breakfast. Serve warm or chilled with your favorite toppings!

Blackberry Baked Quinoa by Flora & Vino

This past weekend I auditioned at a local studio for a potential yoga teaching position!

When I completed YTT200 back in 2020, I said it was for the personal development. 

“I just want to learn more about yoga and more about myself,” I said to anyone who asked about my intentions to teach. 

And I did. 

But in doing so, I realized that the gift of yoga was one that I actually loved sharing, even if it made me sweat and shake standing at the front of the studio. 

The nerves quickly melted away on Sunday as I lead the students through a flow of my creation. 

When we shared a collective inhale and exhaled “OMMMM” after Savasana I was *proud* of myself. 

Regardless of the outcome, it was deliciously satisfying to challenge myself to reach for more. 

You know what else is deliciously satisfying?

Quinoa…for breakfast! 

This Blackberry Baked Quinoa celebrates berry season in this one-pan meal that’s perfect for a summer meal prep! 

…

Read More

PB&J Yogurt Parfait

By Leave a Comment

Easy PB&J Yogurt Parfait made with all-natural peanut butter, fresh strawberries, and plant-based yogurt. Serve with granola for a fun meal prep breakfast.

PB&J Yogurt Parfait by Flora & Vino

I’ve been on a *huge* peanut butter and jelly kick recently, friends. 

I think I approach the classic combination of fruit and nut butter with more curiosity after M explained that it really isn’t a thing in Germany.

It’s hard for me to divorce the nostalgia of childhood from mixing sweet jam and nut butter…in any form. 

With berry season well on its way, I thought I should get a head start on making recipes bursting with berries. 

Whether you grew up on PB&J or are entirely new to the combination, you’re going to love this post. 

These PB&J Yogurt Parfait are my latest breakfast obsession.

They’re so easy to meal prep in advance or layer together in less than 5 minutes the morning.

…

Read More

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Blondies

By 2 Comments

These dark chocolate raspberry blondies are made with white beans! Bursting with fresh raspberries and dark chocolate chips. Perfect for a sweet treat. 

Dark Chocolate Raspberry Blondies by Flora & Vino

This week it felt hard to leave my house. 

Let’s be honest, it’s *so* much easier to stay home in sweatpants with my hair in a messy bun. 

I’ve always been a bit of a home body, but the pandemic only reaffirmed the fact that my home is my sanctuary, my happy place, my safe space. 

In my house, I’m completely in control.

I can work from home, workout from home, and dine from home, creating a menu and a routine and a rhythm. 

But this week when I had the opportunity to try out a new yoga studio space, I mixed things up. 

Although I felt a huge resistance to getting in the car and getting there, I’m so glad that I mustered up the courage and willpower to close the door and GO. 

As I settled into down dog, breathing with 12 yogis in a collective courageous attempt to make space for ourselves during our crazy day, I was content. 

*This* could be my new happy place, I thought. 

So, I challenge you to make some time for yourself today, whenever you’re ready this post. 

Do something different, something new, something that makes you a bit nervous. 

<…insert awkward foodie transition…>

Why don’t you make Dark Chocolate Raspberry Blondies?! 

You’re not going to believe that these dark chocolate raspberry blondies are made with…white beans!

They’re bursting with fresh berries and melty dark chocolate chips for the sweet treat you won’t know you needed until you TRY IT. 

…

Read More