Happy St. Patrick’s Day- Guiltless Green Goodies!

Green Muffins

Makes 12

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour, white whole wheat flour or spelt flour (or use 2 cups of King Arthur Multi-purpose Gluten-free Flour + 1 teaspoon xanthan gum)

2 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp fine ground sea salt

1 large egg

¾ cup pure maple syrup

¾ cup dairy or non-dairy milk (such as almond milk)

¼ cup unrefined coconut oil, melted

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 5- or 6-ounce bag of fresh baby spinach leaves

                                                                                                    2 medium ripe bananas, mashed

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease or line a 12 cup muffin tin.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In a blender add egg, maple syrup, milk, oil, vanilla and spinach.  Process until pureed.
4. Add spinach mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.  Fold in the mashed banana.
5. Scoop batter into prepared muffin tin, filling cups about ¾ full.  Bake about 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Store at room temperature up to 3 days.  These freeze nicely!

Adapted from: pamelasalzman.com

Avocado Brownies

  Adapted from the smoothielover.com
Prep time15 mins Cook time20 mins Total time 35 mins

Serves: 10

Ingredients:

1½ cup very ripe avocado flesh (not brown)

1 cup coconut sugar OR ½ cup honey

2 eggs

1 cup dark cocoa powder

100 g dark chocolate (I used 85% cocoa)

1 tbsp water

½ tsp baking soda

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In a bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer with whisk attachment, mix together avocado and coconut sugar or honey until smooth. Beat in the eggs.
3. Mix in the cocoa powder.
4. In a foodprocessor grind the chocolate until fine (no lumps bigger than a small pea). Mix "chocolate-flour" into the dough.
5. In a small bowl or glass dissolve the baking soda in water and add to the dough. Mix well.
6. Butter a square pan or spring form. Pour the dough into the form and bake for approx. 20 minutes (until at toothpick comes out clean).
7. Cool down outside the oven. Then cover and let cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours. The brownies become better the longer they sit in the fridge.
8. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Moving Forward

As my life has seen many changes in the last 6 months, I’ve found myself feeling like I’m holding status quo or the only thing I’m not failing at is failing! It feels as if every area of life is changing and I need to SPRINT to keep up, but I’m just trotting along!

Have you ever felt this way? Like forward progression has halted and you’re unsure where you’re headed? I know that I’m not failing; on the other hand, I’m not feeling very successful.

The other day I read a quote that said that changes are often subtle and imperceptible, and those that live in the past don’t have much future.

Each time we think or commit to do better, we have progressed! I’m slowly realizing that sometimes you have to come back to “status quo” to start moving forward again. You also have to let go of the past!  Forward progression comes in cycles and often looks a lot like a roller coaster: highs and lows, fast and slow, moments of exhilaration and excitement, and other times holding back due to fear of what is coming ahead. Once you make it through the ride one might say “that wasn’t so bad” or even “let’s do it again”. It’s the initial step of commitment, of buckling the seat belt, that’s hard. So let’s do it together and start Moving Forward!!!

Here’s my plan to begin moving forward again and challenge you to JOIN ME.

We are going to:

a)     Pick AT LEAST one area that we would like to progress in.

b)     Identify triggers or cues that lead to the behavior you want to change.

c)      List one way you plan to move forward in that area each day(routine).

d)     Finally, set a follow up date to check on our status(plan).

e)     KEY: Make sure it is feasible for you and not so drastic that’ll you’ll stop after a few days or even a week. Change takes time, patience, and multiple attempts! Make it so easy it’s hard to NOT do it!

I’ve found with this stressful time and admittedly decreased “caring”; I’ve not been as attentive to what I put in my mouth. In the past when I was more cautious I had improved mood, increased energy, and better weight management.

A)    Healthier eating: specifically decreasing sugar intake

B)    I eat sugar when I am stressed or at night after the kids have gone to bed(social eating with my husband).

C)     I will fill my water bottle each morning and brush my teeth with the kids each night.

D)    In one month we’ll address Moving Forward again and build upon improving the routine (step C)

If you feel comfortable I’d love to hear what you’re working on, what’s working for you, and any other input! Leave in the Comments below.

Chewy Cinnamon No-Bake Granola Bars

A quick recipe to aid you in avoiding the Drive Thru Dinner Trap! Keep these stocked in your pantry, your glove box, or desk drawer!

Chewy Cinnamon No-Bake Granola Bars

 Makes 10 bars

2 Cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 Cup crispy cereal such as a crispy rice cereal

3/4 Cup dried cranberries, raisins or fruit of choice

1/4 Cu coconut oil(alternative use butter)

1/4 Cup coconut sugar(alternative us brown sugar)

1/4 Cup honey

pinch sea salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

Optional additions:

½ Cup slivered almonds or nuts of choice

½ cup dark chocolate chips

Lightly grease or use a silicone mat on an 8×8 pan and set aside.

In a bowl, stir together the oats, crispy cereal and cranberries, nuts(optional) and set aside.

In a small pot combine the coconut oil, sugar, honey and pinch of salt.  Heat mixture and stir well until sugar is dissolved.  Bring to a boil.  Cook over medium heat for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and cinnamon.  Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and stir well until combined.  Pour mixture into 8×8 pan and press down firmly with a spatula.  Cool completely before cutting into 10 bars. (If they pull apart while cutting into bars, place in the fridge for 20 minutes before slicing).  Wrap individually in paper or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

Adapted from fooddoodles.com