Snack Attack

Strawberry + Banana Smoothie with a little Energy Helper

 

Strawberry + Banana Smoothie

That time of day…3ish I start crashing. Instead of grabbing some cookies or a soda, I made Dan and I something that will hold us off till dinner. Because of the Coconut Milk, it gives this Smoothie that extra boost of minerals, vitamins, electrolytes and saturated fat that will get me through the rest of the day, through my workout, all the way until dinner.

 

Ingredients

6 big strawberries

2 bananas

2 cups whole raw milk

1 cup whole coconut milk

dash of lemonade

handful of ice cubes

BLEND…SIP…CONTINUE YOUR DAY!

Gluten-Free, But Not Flavor-Free

Coconut Flour Banana Muffins

Coconut Flour Banana Muffins

I have dabbled in the Gluten-Free world now for a couple of weeks. First, it was to help me lose weight. So no bread, pastas, anything that would contain gluten. And then I started to notice some things. My energy level was through the roof, my spirits were up again, and I know this sounds weird, but my skin wasn’t itching anymore (that’s a sign of a gluten allergy) and I didn’t feel bloated anymore either. So I went to Wholefoods Market to try and find some really good gluten-free snacks, because I’m not going to stop eating cookies and muffins! I’m by birth a southern and sugar runs through my veins!  I was bummed to find that everything I bought was, well, tasteless and boring. The cookies were hard, and I couldn’t even find muffins. So I decided to venture on my own and create some tasty treats for myself. First try, I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All Purpose Baking Flour and was not impressed, a little disappointed actually since it’s a highly popular product.  I just did not like it for cookies or muffins.(Although it is great for making pie dough!)

Long and behold I went to Wholefoods the next day to find another product and there was a cooking class going on about… what else?? Gluten-Free baking with….Coconut Flour! Who knew?  So I sat in and watched the wonderful Holly Shelowitz (Nutritionist and Life Coach) bake up some scrumptious brownies and muffins. I was amazed!! I ran to the isle’s and grabbed all necessary items to go and start baking! I felt like I was on some Top Chef competition mission! So, these muffins are the first Gluten-Free thing I have made with Coconut Flour. When I was done, I sat quietly by myself with my Banana Muffin that had a wonderful slab of butter on it in one hand and a hot tea in the other. I took a bite…..and felt like I had just found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. YAY!! I can eat muffins again!!

*Hint* Don’t worry, if you use Coconut Flour in baking, it will not come out tasting like coconuts:) It gives whatever you’re making a strikingly similar taste to All Purpose White Flour.(I use Coconut Secret Raw Coconut Flour).

ingredients:

1 Cup Organic Coconut Flour

1 tsp. aluminum-free Baking Powder

6 Eggs

2 Ripe Banana’s (mashed)—*If you bananas aren’t ripe enough, peel and stick in the microwave for 45 seconds to soften them*

2 Tbsp. Melted Butter

2 Tbsp. Melted Coconut Oil

1/2 Cup Shredded Coconut (unsweetened)

2 Tbsp. Coconut Milk

3 Tbsp. Honey or Agave Nectar

1 tsp. Vanilla

1/8 tsp. Salt (celtic sea salt)

1 tsp. Cardamom

**IF YOU CAN’T FIND COCONUT OIL JUST SUBSTITUTE WITH BUTTER.

process

PRE-HEAT OVEN AT 350 F

Mix 1 C coconut Flour and 1 tsp. baking powder (put in separate bowl).

Beat 6 Eggs

…then add 2 Tbsp. of Coconut Milk to the eggs.

Add the vanilla, salt, and cardamom…(if you don’t have cardamom use *Allspice*)

Melt your Butter and Coconut Oil together next.

Add to egg mixture…mix well.

Mash the Bananas!!!

Add the banana’s to the egg mixture.

Gently fold in the Coconut Flour mixture from the other bowl into the Egg and Banana mixture.

*hint hint* DON’T over-mix the two together or the result will be a very dense muffin. So fold in just enough so the flour is incorporated.

Grease a 12 muffin pan with butter or coconut oil.

Fill muffin pan with batter and sprinkle with Raw Coconut Sugar

Bake for 25-30 min. at 350 F.

Enjoy right out of the oven with a big slab of butter! YUM

Kelly