kate Daugherty functional wellness
Dark Chocolate Oat Milk

NEW Willa’s Dark Chocolate Oat Milk

November 5, 2021

I was so fortunate to get early access to Willa’s NEW Dark Chocolate Oat Milk made with transparently traded Raaka chocolate. Let me tell you, it is gooooooooood. I’ve already ranted about why Willa’s is the THE BEST Oat Milk on the market. Now, I get to fill you in on why THIS is the best dark chocolate oat milk on the market. Ingredients. Oh man, ingredients. I recently saw a meme on Instagram that said something to the effect of: “Oh? Your product is gluten-free and dairy-free and “healthy”??” Then, had a girl with a really skeptical look saying, “But can I see the ingredient list?”. That girl is ME. Just because the fancy marketing tells you a product is healthy, doesn’t mean the ingredients stack up. With Willa’s I’ve never felt tricked. The ingredients in their Original Unsweetened Oat Milk are literally: Filtered Water, Organic Whole Grain Oats, Organic Real Vanilla Extract, and Salt. I mean, COME ON it doesn’t get any cleaner than that. So, when I heard Willa’s was making a CHOCOLATE version, I knew they’d put the same care into crafting a beverage that is juuuuust right.   Healthy Dark Chocolate Oat Milk: What’s the catch? Of course, with a dark chocolate oat milk I was expecting some sort of sweetener. Willa’s chose Maple Sugar to balance the un-roasted cacao. The sweetness from maple is less cloying, more subtle, and perfect complements the bitter chocolate. Unlike many sweeteners, maple sugar has nutritional benefits including antioxidants, minerals like mangesium and zinc, and Vitamin B6. The glycemic index of maple sugar is much lower than other sweeteners, which means less effect on blood sugars. A Note About Sustainability   Willa’s puts a huge emphasis on sustainability. They keep this in mind at every step of production. They use ALL of every ingredient, resulting in zero food waste. The tetra-pack (paper!) packaging keeps the oat milk shelf-stable until opened, saving energy in the supply chain without the need for refrigeration. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that the Maple Sugar was chosen because it is more environmentally sustainable. Further, by parternering with small Vermont farms they get to support businesses they BELIEVE in. My Favorite Part: What’s NOT in Willa’s Dark Chocolate Oat Milk I can’t talk about Willa’s Dark Chocolate Oat Milk without mentioning all the things they leave out. MOST Oat Milk companies use vegetable oil as an emulsifier, and contain preservatives, gums, and artificial flavorings. All things I actively avoid in my diet. I’m so impressed by the simplicity of the ingredient list, that I’m listing it again: Filtered Water, Organic Whole Grain Oats, Organic Maple Sugar, Organic Cacao, Organic Real Vanilla Extract, and Salt. Willa’s Dark Chocolate Oat Milk is available NOW! Click here to get $10 off your first order. Final Thoughts on Willa’s Organic Dark Chocolate Oat Milk I’m super impressed with Willa’s Oat Milk and I’m a fan for life. This Oat Milk collaboration with Raaka Chocolate was fiiiire. I’m so excited to start baking with it and come up with winter recipes! In the meantime, catch me using this as my staple coffee add-in and simply sipping it straight post-workout. You May Also Like: Dairy-Free Spinach Artichoke Dip w/ Willa’s Oat Milk Pumpkin Spice Oat Milk Creamer Want to work with a functional nutritionist to personalize your diet? Struggling with hormone imbalance, IBS, weight gain, mood changes? Let’s look at FOOD FIRST. Read more about Functional Nutrition at The Facility here. CLICK HERE to schedule a FREE 15-Minute Nutrition Consult with Kate to determine your best course of action!

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Healthy Thanksgiving Recipe Round-Up: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free Recipes for All

November 1, 2021

Thanksgiving is upon us, and I’m thankful to get to gather & celebrate again. I always start planning my thanksgiving menu WELL in advance and I’m always looking for healthy thanksgiving recipes as alternatives to classic dishes. Anyone else??  This year, I’ve done the work for you and gathered my favorite HEALTHY Thanksgiving Recipes to add to the table. Disclaimer: Perhaps I should say, “HEALTHIER” Thanksgiving Recipes – since I believe in lifestyle balance. What I can promise- REAL food with REAL ingredients.  I’ve been gluten-free and dairy-free for a long time, and I’m all about accommodating my guests on special diets. With a little forethought, it’s surprisingly simple to host a GF/DF holiday with healthy Thanksgiving recipes.  Related: Thanksgiving Prep Got any good healthy Thanksgiving recipes for me? Leave me a comment so I can check them out! Starters 1. Harvest Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette – (by Lexi’s Clean Kitchen) 2. Savory-Sweet Butternut Squash Dip (by The Facility) 3. Spicy Roasted Cashews (by Fed and Fit) 4. Grain Free Crusty Rolls (by Against All Grain) 5. Cranberry Pepita Salsa (by Noshtastic) Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes: Sides / Vegetables 1. Brussels with Pancetta + Cranberries (by ZenBelly) 2. Hasselback Butternut Squash (by Paleomg) 3. Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes (by Real Food Dietitians) 4. GF Cornbread Stuffing (by Ambitious Kitchen) 5. Loaded Cauliflower Mash (by Balanced Bites) 6. Eggplant + Wild Mushroom Stuffing (by Paleomom) 7. Upgraded Green Bean Casserole (by A Girl Worth Saving) 8. Maple Dijon Carrots (by Our Balanced Bowl) Bonus: Umami Gravy (by Nom Nom Paleo) Desserts 1. Chocolate Pecan Pie (by Paleo Running Momma) 2. Pumpkin Pie Cookie Crisp (by Paleomg) 3. Cashew Cream Pumpkin Layer Bars (by Kate Daugherty) 4. AIP Apple Crisp (by Lichen Paleo, Loving AIP) Drinks 1. Apple Ginger Fizz Mocktail (by Kate Daugherty) 2. Harvest Mule (by Primal Palate) 3. Thanksgiving Punch (by Thyme & Joy) What healthy Thanksgiving recipes look best to you? Are you going for a gluten-free, dairy-free Thanksgiving this year? I order my healthy pantry staples from Thrive Market. They’ve got the best deals on alternative baking products (like gluten-free flour) and paleo snacks. Click here to get a discount on your first order! Recipe Summary: Starters 1. Harvest Salad with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette – (by Lexi’s Clean Kitchen) 2. Savory-Sweet Butternut Squash Dip (by The Facility) 3. Spicy Roasted Cashews (by Fed and Fit) 4. Grain Free Crusty Rolls (by Against All Grain) 5. Cranberry Pepita Salsa (by Noshtastic) Sides 1. Brussels with Pancetta + Cranberries (by ZenBelly) 2. Hasselback Butternut Squash (by Paleomg) 3. Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes (by Real Food Dietitians) 4. GF Cornbread Stuffing (by Ambitious Kitchen) 5. Loaded Cauliflower Mash (by Balanced Bites) 6. Eggplant + Wild Mushroom Stuffing (by Paleomom) 7. Upgraded Green Bean Casserole (by A Girl Worth Saving) 8. Maple Dijon Carrots (by Our Balanced Bowl) Umami Gravy (by Nom Nom Paleo) Desserts 1. Chocolate Pecan Pie (by Paleo Running Momma) 2. Pumpkin Pie Cookie Crisp (by Paleomg) 3. Pumpkin Cashew Layer Bars (by Kate Daugherty) 4. AIP Apple Crisp (by Lichen Paleo, Loving AIP) Drinks 1. Apple Ginger Fizz Mocktail (by Kate Daugherty) 2. Harvest Mule (by Primal Palate) 3. Thanksgiving Punch (by Thyme & Joy) You May Also Like: Gluten-Free Morning Glory Muffins Gluten-Free Oat and Almond Bread Shop This Article: DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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Holiday Eating Meal how to maintain weight loss

How to Navigate Holiday Eating and Maintain Weight Loss

October 30, 2021

The holiday season is a tough time to start a new weight-loss diet— tasty treats, social gatherings, and vacations galore! However, that doesn’t mean you have to lose all the progress you’ve made prior to November. By leaning into a maintenance phase, you can prevent rebound weight gain from previous diets.  What is maintenance? A maintenance phase means a period of eating such that you maintain your weight. Typically, this is best right after a weight loss diet. You’ll gradually increase calories up to a manageable baseline; giving your body a chance to reset.  Why should you use a maintenance phase?  A period of maintenance is important to combat the mental and physical fatigue that comes with restriction. You have a better chance of dropping fat efficiently on a subsequent diet phase if you spend plenty of time eating at maintenance load.  Eating adequate calories increases appetite-suppressing hormones, thyroid hormones, and metabolism. At the same time, appetite-stimulating hormones are reduced, putting you in a better mindset for eating. This helps prevent weight loss plateaus and reduces the likelihood of an unhealthy relationship with food.  How do I enter a maintenance phase? After a period of caloric restriction (weight-loss diet), it’s important to start slow and ease into calorie increases. It can be tempting to go ‘all-in’ during the holidays, but you’ll have better results if you slowly increase the amount of food you’re consuming. This can be something like 250-500 calories more per day, adjusting every 3-4 weeks. Continue adding calories each week until you’re eating calories that match your expenditure.  If you’ve been dieting, an easy way to gauge caloric load is simply recording everything you eat in an app like MyFitnessPal or MyMacros for 3-5 days, and averaging out intake. From there, you can slowly increase calories and check-in every few weeks by recording intake and ensuring you’re on target.  Things to watch out for during the Holiday Season.. Avoid the ‘all or nothing’ mentality. Just because you’re not focused on weight loss doesn’t mean you should eat every single treat you are craving. I like using the ‘treat scale’ by Renaissance Periodization: “Try rating your food temptations on a scale of 0-10 with 10 being your absolute favorite. Then, only eat the treat that score a 7 or higher.” If the treat monster is hard to tame right after a caloric deficit, give it time… you’ll be less likely to go overboard once your diet is filled with high-volume, nutrient-dense foods.  Don’t be afraid of the number on the scale. As you enter the holiday season, it’s realistic to expect some weight gain. That’s not a reason to jump back into restriction! Set your expectation early, and make peace with the increase. It can be helpful to look at average weights to ensure the maintenance phase isn’t turning into a bulking phase.  Take it slow. Plan to spend 6-10 weeks at maintenance before starting a new weight loss phase. November 1-January 1 can be a really helpful period to loosen the reigns on dieting, and set yourself up for a New Year commitment. Again, manage your expectations and you can enjoy the holiday season without guilt!  Not sure where to start on January 1? Check out my PDF Diet Guides for a total reset in the New Year! Final Thoughts on Navigating the Holiday Season / Maintenance Phase Ultimately, the holidays can be a chance to focus on connection with others, maintaining your mental health, and enjoying the season. By setting aside restriction and diet, you free yourself to do just that. With balance, you can maintain a healthy weight (and lifestyle) without guilt or fear. What questions do you have about Weight loss, Maintenance, and Bulking Phases? How are you feeling about the upcoming holiday season?  Want to work with a functional nutritionist to personalize your diet? Struggling with hormone imbalance, IBS, weight gain, mood changes? Let’s look at FOOD FIRST. Read more about Functional Nutrition at The Facility here. CLICK HERE to schedule a FREE 15-Minute Nutrition Consult with Kate to determine your best course of action!

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Apple Ginger Fizz Mocktail Recipe

Apple Ginger Fizz Mocktail Recipe: Go Alcohol Free This Fall

October 27, 2021

This Apple Ginger Fizz mocktail recipe is perfect for fall gatherings and get togethers (helllloooo Thanksgiving 2021!). It’s easy to make ahead of time and have ready to serve.  I’m not a fan of alcohol, especially now that I’m in my thirties. I don’t like the way it makes me feel, I don’t sleep well after drinking, and I don’t need it to have fun. More and more of my friends are jumping on the sober train – and I am here for it.  Of course, Holiday gatherings are a time when the drinks tend to be flowing. If you’re new to sobriety at social functions, having a fun mocktail can ease anxiety and make you feel like you’re part of the party. Try my crisp apple ginger fizz mocktail! Related: Build A Better Smoothie This Apple Ginger Fizz Mocktail has the best flavors of fall: fresh honey crisp apples, ginger, and cinnamon. Dress it up with fun garnishes and a fancy glass and you’re set for the season. What is Ginger Beer?  Ginger Beer is non-alcoholic soda made with ginger root. It’s often loaded with sugar! I try to find Zevia Ginger Beer that’s sweetened with stevia. If you can’t find Zevia, you can substitute the ginger beer for sparkling water with one teaspoon of fresh grated ginger root.  What is Kombucha? Kombucha is a popular fermented tea beverage. It’s pretty simple to make at home (with some time: let it ferment for a few weeks!). As a byproduct of fermentation, lots of beneficial bacterial species are created. These are called “probiotics”- species that actively confer a benefit to the host organism. However, the bacterial profile of kombucha is a bit too different than the human microbiome to really be considered a ‘functional’ probiotic food. Kombucha is still a healthier alternative to sodas and many fruit juices. Enjoy it as a special treat, just like in the Apple Ginger Fizz! How can I make this mocktail more festive? I like a sprig of fresh rosemary and a cinnamon stick to dress it up. For another fancy touch, serve in copper mule mugs!  When ingredient shopping, I find my Zevia Ginger Beer at Whole Foods – but you can also order it directly from Amazon! You May Also Like: Oat Milk Blueberry Chia Pudding Gluten-Free Oat and Almond Bread Shop This Article: DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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SweatNet Denver: My New Obsession

October 24, 2021

SweatNET Denver is a members-only community that offers group events, on-demand classes, and studio & wellness industry deals.  As a member of SweatNet, you’ll have a chance to get to know new people, discover new fitness classes, and find resources to support your health & wellness journey.    SweatNet Denver Events Events range from outdoor workouts and guided meditation, to silent-discos and private shopping! As a SweatNET Member, you get access to all these events FOR FREE*.  *Certain partnership events require a small fee for add-ons like drinks and swag! SweatNet Streaming Library  The Class Library is an extensive collection of workouts and mindfulness-based classes. It’s a great way to try out new instructors or workout styles without leaving home. Pro Tip: The streaming library is such a nice resource when traveling and unable to get to your home studio. SweatNet Deals & Member Discounts One of the greatest perks of a SweatNet membership is the exclusive studio & partner deals. These deals include discounts off of class-packs, merchandise discounts, membership discounts and BOGO deals. It’s not just limited to sweating: find deals at local restaurants AND recovery centers. By using your SweatNet Denver membership smartly- you’ll easily make up the $9.97 cost in discounts! Click here to browse local deals. The Facility has a featured SweatNet Denver deal: $25 off an Initial 90-Minute Massage. You’ll still save even with the membership fee!  Other great deals I love: Restore South Broadway : SweatNet Members save 20% on all services Traverse Fitness : SweatNet Members get $10 Drop-ins and 10% off packages All of these benefits are available for $9.95 a month. No commitment, no contract. Try it out for yourself and see what novelty YOU can bring in your life.  Final Thoughts on SweatNet Denver I’m thankful for SweatNet as an outlet for meeting new people and trying new experiences. I love finding ways to be both active and social, and SweatNet is that answer. I’m looking forward to exploring the resource library for new classes, new recipes, and related health tips! Will you join me? You May Also Like: Fall Weekend Getaway: Buena Vista Colorado What It’s Like to Row 150K in a Month Want to work with a functional nutritionist to personalize your diet? Struggling with hormone imbalance, IBS, weight gain, mood changes? Let’s look at FOOD FIRST. Read more about Functional Nutrition at The Facility here. CLICK HERE to schedule a FREE 15-Minute Nutrition Consult with Kate to determine your best course of action!

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Eat Healthy with 15 ingredients meal plan for week

How to Eat Healthy with Just 15 Ingredients

October 23, 2021

15 ingredients is all it takes to eat a healthy, balanced diet for a week. Does meal prepping feel overwhelming?  Do you think it takes a long grocery list and hours of time in the kitchen?  I’ve got a solution for you: Check out my 15-Ingredient Meal Plan! This program reduces the time spent in the grocery store, keeps grocery costs to a minimum, reduces food waste, and teaches you to be creative with just a few items. It’s possible to eat healthy with just 15 ingredients. Related: Easy Meal Prep: Shop Once, Eat Healthy All Week My 15-ingredient meal plan shows how easy it is to eat healthy with just a small amount of planning! I focus on a few key features to maintain balance even with limited ingredients: High-Quality Protein Getting enough daily protein will help prevent muscle loss, balance your blood sugar, and maintain a healthy weight. This meal plan will help you reach your protein goals by providing over 20% of your calories from complete protein sources which are highly digestible and provide an adequate amount of amino acids. Monounsaturated Fats Good quality fats are associated with a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. This plan is rich in monounsaturated fat from olive oil and sunflower seed butter, which are beneficial for the immune system and inflammatory responses. Iron Iron is an important mineral that helps produce red blood cells and transport oxygen throughout the body. Nutritional iron deficiency is common worldwide and can be prevented by including daily iron-rich foods. This meal plan provides iron sources like poultry, ground beef, and spinach. Vitamin C Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help your body absorb more iron from iron-rich foods. Goods news, this meal plan pairs iron-rich foods with foods that have vitamin C such as broccoli with beef and sweet potato with chicken. Some sample meals included in the 15-Ingredient Eat Healthy Meal Plan: –Beef & Shredded Veggies with Rice -Coconut Yogurt with Sunflower Seed Butter -Curried Chicken with Broccoli & Sweet Potato >>CLICK HERE to download my 15-Ingredient Meal Plan.<<  >>Plant Based? Download my Plant-Based 15-Ingredient Meal Plan.<<  I use Thrive Market to reduce my grocery expenses and purchase high-quality products at a discounted rate. Thrive Market delivers healthy pantry staples right to your door. Click here to get a deal on your first delivery! THE LATEST FROM YOUTUBE: You May Also Like: Hormone Healing Diet Carnivore Diet Shop This Article: DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Remember, Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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Simple Homemade Hummus with real ingredients

The Secret to the Best Homemade Hummus: Way Better than Store Bought

October 19, 2021

Homemade Hummus is a comfort food. No debate.  Sure, store-bought hummus is a quick option, but I’m here to change your mind: homemade hummus is EASY, QUICK, CHEAP and miiiiiiiiiles above any store-bought brand.  I’ve adapted this recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks lately, The Gaza Kitchen. I love a cookbook that goes beyond recipes and gets into history, cooking methods, and lifestyle of the area it highlights. THIS is that book.  Hummus is most simply a blend of chickpeas and tahini (sesame seed butter). However, adding acid from citrus and spices elevate this into the creamy, comforting spread we can’t get enough of. I like mixing things up with different add-ins to get variety from batch to batch.  Related: Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Perfect Bars One of my favorite aspects of hummus is that it is so versatile. It’s divine as a dip with raw veggies, naan bread, and chips; but it can also be used as a spread, a dressing, and as a sauce for pasta and stir-fry.  My foundation for good homemade hummus starts with these ingredients: -Chickpeas -Tahini (also called Tahina) -Lemon Juice -Olive Oil -Greek Yogurt  -Garlic, Salt  I will then ‘dress it up’ with various add-ins: -Paprika -Za’atar -Sundried Tomatoes -Cilantro, Basil, or Parsley The quality of ingredients you choose will make or break your homemade hummus. I like checking local Mediterranean markets for red tahina paste. If that isn’t an option check World Market for high-quality Tahini.  I buy organic chickpeas from Thrive Market. You can use cooked, canned chickpeas or take an extra step to soak and pressure cook dried chickpeas.  For a dairy-free option, you can leave out the Greek Yogurt. The texture will be a bit less creamy, but still a step above store bought blends. Replace the yogurt with aquafaba to get your desired consistency. Sometimes I’ll leave a few whole chickpeas for topping (plus a decadent extra drizzle of olive oil) and sometimes I’ll blend them all in. This is more for presentation and aesthetics— always a concern in my cooking.  Serve hummus warm or cold, it’ll keep in the refrigerator for several days.  I order my ingredients from Thrive Market. I find shelf-stable products at cheaper than grocery stores. The AIP-filter is awesome for navigating a tricky diet! You May Also Like: Oat Milk Blueberry Chia Pudding Gluten-Free Oat and Almond Bread Shop This Article: DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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Top foods to avoid with leaky gut

The Top Three Foods to Avoid with Leaky Gut

October 16, 2021

“Leaky Gut”, otherwise known as Intestinal Hyper-permeability happens when the tight junctions between cells lining the gut break apart. These gaps allow undigested food particles, pathogens, and other foreign substances to easily pass into the bloodstream. In turn, the body mounts an immune response to deal with “invaders” leading to inflammation, autoimmunity, loss of blood-brain-barrier function and other downstream effects. >>Read more about Leaky Gut from The Facility<< There are three foods to avoid with leaky gut! While Leaky Gut was once thought to only affect those with serious medical conditions, we now know that even slight increases in intestinal permeability can cause chronic health issues including functional bowel disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and mood disorders.  It’s true there are lots of things you can do to repair a leaky gut and improve gut barrier function, one of the first steps of gut healing is avoiding trigger foods that cause the breakdown of tight junctions. Here are my top three foods to avoid with leaky gut. Related: Mindful Eating: Finding a Healthy Relationship with Food First, you remove the triggers.. then you repair the lining.. So, What are the top three foods to avoid with leaky gut? Grains In particular, gluten-containing grains like wheat, spelt, rye, and barley can exacerbate leaky gut by inducing the release of Zonulin, a measurable toxin that changes the apical structure of intestinal cells. The Zonulin release has been linked to the Gliadin protein, which can be present in gluten-containing foods as well as grains that mimic gluten.  Sugar Refined white sugar and added natural sugars can cause imbalances in the gut microbiome by feeding “bad” bacteria, like yeasts. When the gut microbiome is imbalanced, the innate defense is interrupted and tight junctions are more vulnerable. Fructose has been implicated as one of the key carbohydrates involved in the regulation of leaky gut. Dairy Conventional milk products can be problematic for those with leaky gut syndrome or hyper-permeability. Dairy is one of the top food sensitivities, and may present cross-reactions to other food allergies. Lactose, a milk sugar, can exacerbate symptoms of leaky gut and milk proteins can create inflammatory responses.  *There is some evidence that fermented, organic dairy may be beneficial for the gut microbiome and thus a protective food for intestinal hyperpermeability. While individual food tolerances can vary, a gut-healing diet that excludes grains, sugar, and dairy is a great place to start. The most effective nutrition strategy will avoid these potential triggers while including gut-supporting foods like bone broth, fermented foods, and healthy fats. Not sure where to start? Click Here to get my 7-Day Leaky Gut Diet. What’s included in the Leaky Gut Diet? -Evidence-based meal plan that includes essential foods for gut healing while excluding all damaging foods -Simple, easy to follow recipes  -An itemized shopping list -A prep guide to minimize confusion and time spent in the kitchen -Education on key nutrients like fiber, zinc, and probiotics. >>Download a sample recipe here: Gut Healing Green Smoothie<< CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE LEAKY GUT DIET PDF! Stear clear of these foods to avoid with Leaky Gut and heal inflammation! You can save even more time (and money) by shopping pantry staples with Thrive Market! You May Also Like: Mindful Eating: Finding a Healthy Mindset with Food What Is the Carnivore Diet? Shop This Article: DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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Vegan Pumpkin Cashew Cream Layer Bars

Pumpkin Cashew Cream Layer Bars: Dairy-Free Indulgence for Fall!

October 10, 2021

Fall is on the way, and I’m just as excited as any other year. I’m always on the lookout early for the best pumpkin recipes, and luckily I have Once Upon A Pumpkin to thank for the inspiration. She starts pumpkin season on July 5 and I am here for it. These frozen Pumpkin Cashew Cream Layer Bars are a perfect transition recipe. My Vegan Pumpkin Layer Bars are inspired by her No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe, only modified to eliminate dairy, almonds and of course add-in the best non-dairy milk on the planet: Willa’s Oat Milk. These Pumpkin Cashew Cream Layer Bars are a big hit for kids and adults alike! Plan ahead, because they get even better overnight – the cashew cream sets and the spices develop. I have a feeling they’ll be a staple at group gatherings all fall. Related: Pumpkin Perfect Bars If you’re looking for an easy mix and assemble type of side dish- here it is. These Layer Bars come together quickly: with allergen-friendly ingredients that keep you feeling your best.  “Vegan Pumpkin Cashew Cream Layer Bars” are a perfect treat that will impress your friends and family. They don’t even have to know how healthy they are! Cashews are often used in vegan cooking to replace heavy cream sauces, and when blended with honey or maple syrup, it takes on a cream cheese-like texture. The nutty base plus the creamy oat milk and cashews are a perfect marriage. Pumpkin just enhances it all! I’m all for pumpkin year-round. It’s an excellent source of beta carotene, vitamin c, vitamin e, fiber, and potassium. The rich orange color indicates it is a vibrant source of phytonutrients. I’m always looking to eat the rainbow! What’s In Pumpkin Cashew Cream Layer Bars? Oat + Nut Base Ingredients: -Rolled Oats -Pecans or Walnuts -Unsweetened Flaked Coconut -Pitted Medjool Dates -Honey or Maple Syrup -Coconut Oil -Vanilla Extract “Cheesecake” Layer Ingredients: -Raw, Soaked Cashews –Willa’s Unsweetened Original Oatmilk -Thrive Market Pureed Pumpkin -Honey -Pumpkin Pie Spice or Cinnamon Impress your friends with these Vegan Pumpkin Cashew Cream Layer Bars made with Oat Milk! My favorite Pumpkin is Thrive Market Organic Pumpkin. I always stock up in my Thrive Market boxes- year round! I order my oat milk directly from Willa’s! You may find this in your local market, but the direct-to-consumer sale means you get a trusted product from a small woman-owned company. View this post on Instagram A post shared by THE FACILITY 📍Denver (@thefacilitydenver) You May Also Like: Oat Milk Blueberry Chia Pudding Gluten-Free Oat and Almond Bread Shop This Article: DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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