banana muffins ~gluten/dairy free~

I’ve been searching for a muffin recipe that isn’t overflowing with sugar, butter and wheat.  It was pretty much impossible, so I came up with this recipe instead!

It was the first time I have tried baking with gluten-free flour.  I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour, which can be substituted for wheat flour in a 1:1 ratio.  I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome!  I used ground flax seeds and oatmeal for added nutrition.

gluten:dairy free banana muffins

 Gluten/Dairy Free Banana Muffins

Ingredients

¾ cup gluten-free all purpose flour

½ cup old fashioned oats

½ cup ground flax seeds

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

2 eggs, slightly beaten

2 ripe bananas, mashed

¼ cup honey

½ cup applesauce

½ tablespoon vanilla

¼ cup raisins

2 tablespoons brown sugar for topping

Directions

-Preheat oven to 325

-Lightly coat a muffin tin with baking spray

-Mix wet ingredients together in a mixing bowl, add mashed bananas

-Stir dry ingredients together in a separate bowl

-Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, add raisins

-DO NOT OVER MIX, gently fold ingredients together until combined

-Spoon batter into a muffin tin

-Bake for 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown

-Remove from oven and evenly sprinkle with brown sugar

-Let cool on a rack

-Enjoy!

banana muffins ~gluten:dairy free~

These muffins are fluffy, light and delicious!  Since they are low-sugar and high in wholesome ingredients I feel good about giving them to Noah for a quick breakfast or a snack!

www.beginwithinnutrition.com

top 10 breakfast ideas

A nutritious breakfast is a great way to set the pace for a healthy day of eating!  Studies show that people who eat breakfast tend to weigh less because they are less likely to overeat later in the day.   Breakfast is a great way to keep you fueled up and energized!

It’s been argued whether one should eat breakfast upon waking even if they are not hungry.  Breakfast “breaks” the “fast” from sleeping and revs up your metabolism.  However, your body needs the “fast” while you sleep so try to refrain from late night munching!

Try out these ideas to start your morning off right!

Top 10 Breakfast Ideas

1.  Banana with nut butter, hemp seeds and cacao nibs (raw cashew butter used in photo below)

2.  Scrambled eggs with asparagus, tomatoes and goat cheese

3.  Sprouted bread or gluten free bread toasted and topped with avocado, hemp seeds and sea salt

4.  Overnight Oats

5.  Wilted Greens with brown rice and toasted sesame oil (sounds weird but don’t knock it until you try it!)

6.  Cooked quinoa warmed with milk of your choice and topped with dried fruit, slivered almonds and dash of cinnamon

7.  Smoothies or Green Juice

8.  Strawberry Parfaits – Plain or coconut yogurt layered with fresh strawberries, ground flax seeds and low-sugar granola

9.  Miso Soup – Great on cold mornings!

10.  Almonds and a piece of fruit

cashew butter banana with cacao nibs and hemp seeds

what we’re sipping on…

The smoothie flavor of the week has been a superfood blend including hemp seeds, chia seeds and spirulina.  Spirulina…aka Pond Scum.  Yes, that’s right, we are drinking pond scum and loving it!

 SpirPOW

Spirulina is similar to seaweed but it is classified as a “blue-green cyanobacteria.”  Spirulina uses chlorophyll the same way as plants, to harness the sun’s rays for energy.  It has been endorsed by the World Health Organization and has been deemed as one of the most nutritious food sources on the planet.  Like quinoa, it contains all essential amino acids and is a vegan source of protein.  High in minerals, iodine, B vitamins, fatty acids and calcium it is said to boost immunity, prevent disease and may reduce allergy symptoms.

As with all supplements, I am hesitant to buy into the hype.  However, I have noticed a boost of energy since adding spirulina powder to my morning smoothie.  I must say, if you have chronic medical issues or are on medications do not add supplements to your daily routine without checking with your doc first!  Spirulina is not recommended for those with auto-immune diseases such as MS or rheumatoid arthritis.  For more info click here.

The Green Pineapple

2 cups coconut water (water or non-dairy milk would work well too!)

1 cup baby spinach

1-2 cups frozen pineapple

1 ripe banana

3 pitted dates

1 tablespoon chia seeds

2 tablepoons hemp seeds

½ teaspoon – 1 teaspoon high quality spirulina powder

the green pineapple ~superfoods smoothie~1

~this recipe is great without spirulina as well!~

it tastes a lot better than it looks!

it tastes a lot better than it looks!

What’s your take on using spirulina?