Flora Vino Holiday Gift Guide

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Curated Holiday Gift Guide: Thoughtful & Unique Favorites for 2024 Welcome to our special collection of current favorites, carefully chosen to inspire truly meaningful gift ideas for you and your loved ones this festive season. Each item on this list reflects quality, intention, and a touch of personal joy. We believe that the best gifts … Read more

Pure Green Goodness Banana Free

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Evergreen Smoothie Bowl: Your Ultimate Banana-Free, Protein-Packed Green Reset Discover the refreshing power of this banana-free smoothie bowl, bursting with protein, vibrant berries, and nutrient-rich greens. It’s the perfect choice for a nourishing breakfast, a revitalizing snack, or a wholesome anytime meal. As the festive season winds down and the New Year beckons, many of … Read more

Tahini Swirl Chocolate Oat Scones

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Delicious & Healthy Oatmeal Tahini Chocolate Chip Scones: Your New Go-To Vegan & Gluten-Free Treat

Discover these incredibly easy oil-free, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free scones, packed with the goodness of tahini, hearty oatmeal, and delightful dark chocolate chips. They are the perfect accompaniment to your favorite warm beverage, whether it’s a cozy morning ritual or a relaxing evening indulgence.

Oatmeal Tahini Chocolate Chip Scones served on blue plate with dark chocolate chips and a fork with tahini on the side

Do you ever find yourself needing a little incentive to power through a task? For me, as an elementary school student tackling tedious homework, that incentive often came in the form of a sweet reward. I’d carefully place a bag of plain or peanut M&Ms next to my textbook and wide-ruled paper, turning each completed math problem into a small victory. Solve, savor, swallow, repeat – a simple, yet effective positive conditioning method that made learning a little sweeter.

Interestingly, a similar ritual played out as I developed and tested this very recipe for Oatmeal Tahini Chocolate Chip Scones. Instead of M&Ms, my reward was a delectable chocolate chunk here, a tiny piece of scone dough there. Of course, I didn’t devour an entire scone with each taste test, but the principle remained: small, delicious rewards make the process more enjoyable!

Friends, I am thrilled to share that this is my very first scone recipe ever featured on the blog! And in a delightful case of art imitating life, it’s also the first scone recipe I’ve ever truly mastered in my own kitchen. For years, I admit, scones baffled me. Perhaps it’s because I’ve never had the pleasure of visiting England and experiencing traditional scones firsthand, or maybe it was simply my youthful aversion to triangles in geometry class.

Regardless of the past, these oat-y, rich, and perfectly triangular delights have now become my absolute favorite dainty treat. They’re a revelation – a wholesome, satisfying, and utterly delicious way to enjoy a classic baked good, reimagined for modern, health-conscious palates. Get ready to fall in love with these simple yet elegant scones!

Why These Oatmeal Tahini Scones Are So Special: Vegan, Gluten-Free & Oil-Free Indulgence

What makes these Oatmeal Tahini Chocolate Chip Scones truly stand out from the crowd? It’s their incredible ability to deliver on taste and texture while adhering to a variety of dietary preferences and health goals. This recipe is a testament to how flavorful and satisfying treats can be, even without common allergens or refined ingredients. These are not just scones; they are a guilt-free indulgence.

The Triple Threat: Oil-Free, Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free

  • Oil-Free Goodness: Unlike many scone recipes that rely on copious amounts of butter or oil for richness, these scones achieve their tender crumb and delightful moisture thanks to a secret ingredient: tahini! This makes them lighter and a fantastic option for those looking to reduce their fat intake without sacrificing flavor or texture. Tahini brings a unique nutty depth that complements the chocolate beautifully.
  • Naturally Gluten-Free: We utilize a blend of gluten-free oat flour and old-fashioned rolled oats, ensuring these scones are safe and enjoyable for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Oats provide a wonderful chewiness and a wholesome, earthy flavor that makes these scones incredibly comforting.
  • Sweetened Naturally: Say goodbye to refined sugars! This recipe uses unrefined coconut sugar, which offers a subtle caramel-like sweetness without the harshness of processed sugars. The dark chocolate chips also contribute natural sweetness, allowing the other flavors to shine through beautifully.

These dietary considerations don’t detract from the experience; rather, they enhance it, proving that healthy baking can be incredibly delicious and accessible to everyone. Get ready to experience a scone that is both good for you and incredibly satisfying!

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Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Skillet Dream

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Decadent Vegan & Paleo Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Skillet Cookie: A Grain-Free, Guilt-Free Treat Indulge in this wholesome, gooey Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Skillet Cookie, crafted with nourishing almond butter, almond flour, unrefined coconut sugar, and delicious paleo chocolate chips. It’s the perfect vegan, paleo, and grain-free dessert. As September draws to a close, often … Read more

Ultimate Vegan Sourdough French Toast

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Delicious Vegan Sourdough French Toast: A Gluten-Free & Plant-Based Breakfast Discover the ultimate plant-based breakfast with this incredible Vegan Sourdough French Toast, made with naturally gluten-free bread. Topped with fresh berries, rich maple syrup, and creamy SunButter, it’s the perfect easy, wholesome, and decadent meal to start your day! For many years, French Toast wasn’t … Read more

Nourishing Blueberry Hemp Heart Pancakes

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Fluffy & Nutrient-Packed: Ultimate Blueberry Hemp Heart Protein Pancakes (Vegan & Gluten-Free) Savor the perfect blend of taste and nutrition with these gluten-free and grain-free pancakes, crafted with protein powder and hemp hearts, subtly sweetened with banana, and brimming with juicy blueberries. There’s something truly magical about waking up to the gentle sizzle of pancake … Read more

Viral Vegan Salmon Bowl

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Delicious & Easy Vegan Viral “Salmon” Bowl: A Plant-Based TikTok Sensation Experience the irresistible taste of the viral “Salmon” Bowl, reimagined in a vibrant, plant-based version featuring marinated tofu, crisp diced cucumber, and zesty kimchi, perfectly complemented by fresh nori strips and a sprinkle of organic sesame seeds. Lately, I’ve found myself in the delightful … Read more

Sunny Jelly Bliss Bites

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Nut-Free SunButter & Jelly Bliss Balls: Your Ultimate Grab-and-Go Energy Snack (Vegan, Gluten-Free) Experience the nostalgic taste of a classic PB&J in a healthy, nut-free energy ball! Perfect for quick snacks and meal prep. Happy April, dear readers! As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, there’s a renewed sense of energy in … Read more

Fragrant Five-Spice Squash and Chickpea Simmer

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Cozy One-Pot 5-Spice Squash & Chickpea Stew: A Wholesome Vegan Comfort Meal

Discover the ultimate plant-based comfort with this incredibly flavorful 5-Spice Squash & Chickpea Stew! Crafted in a single pot, it’s packed with an abundance of warming vegetables and hearty plant-based protein. Prepare a generous batch on Sunday evening and savor the delicious, nourishing leftovers throughout your busy week.

Rich, vibrant 5-Spice Squash & Chickpea Stew served in a rustic bowl, garnished with fresh herbs, with a spoon ready for a comforting bite

There are some nights when all you crave is warmth, comfort, and the simple joy of a home-cooked meal. Recently, such a craving struck after a delightful, albeit slightly late, evening of babysitting my spirited niece and nephews with Dan. Our night involved the classic trio: pizza, the mesmerized quiet of Nick Jr. on the couch as little eyelids grew heavier, and the sweet ritual of a Paw Patrol book before tucking them into bed. It was a truly precious experience, and I must admit, their impeccable behavior made the art of parenting look deceptively effortless (though I’m well aware that’s rarely the reality!).

The biggest challenge for us wasn’t wrangling toddlers, but rather staying awake a little past our usual bedtime. I caught Dan dozing off on duty several times, while I, ever the food enthusiast, found my mind wandering to dreams of creating the next perfect cozy recipe. And what else but a big, comforting stew could possibly come to mind in the quiet hours approaching midnight? That’s how the inspiration for this particular dish, a truly soul-satisfying creation, began to simmer in my thoughts.

This 5-Spice Squash & Chickpea Stew is everything you want in a comforting meal: perfectly spiced with an intricate blend, subtly sweet from the squash, rich and savory with its tomato base, and completely oil-free. It’s brimming with plant-based protein and an abundance of wholesome veggies, making it a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor. Despite the long list of delightful descriptors, its essence is wonderfully simple: just five key spices, versatile chickpeas, and your favorite winter squash come together to create something truly magical.

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Effortless Cranberry Orange Bread

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Delicious & Easy 1-Bowl Orange Cranberry Bread: Gluten-Free, Vegan, & Oil-Free Recipe Discover the ultimate festive treat! This irresistible 1-Bowl Orange Cranberry Bread is bursting with fresh cranberries and zesty citrus flavors. Naturally sweetened, completely oil-free, and proudly gluten-free, it’s the perfect wholesome addition to your breakfast table or holiday spread. Get ready for a … Read more