Clean Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes

First of all, wow, it is so nice NOT to be blogging from an Ipad mini. It's not good on the eyes, or at least my eyes. I've never had great eye sight. I've worn glasses since second grade. I'm not such a young chick anymore though. I finally gave in and got progressive bifocals last year. So, yeah, the eyes aren't what they used to be.

I'm going to state something obvious here. The great thing about hanging out with like minded people is, well, they are like minded. Usually, I go to a party or some gathering and I'm overwhelmed with food that leaves me feeling heavy and lethargic. Especially since I have cut refined sugars out of my diet and mainly eat a clean diet. Celebrations full of greasy pizza, coolers loaded with sugary sodas, heavily processed meats, meager vegetable trays, and the overly sweet cake loaded with frosting. I can't eat these things anymore. So I may have been overly excited last month when I attended my Crossfit box's potluck to celebrate the end of the 2017 Opens. These are my people. The food was delicious, and whoever brought the paleo chocolate cupcakes is an angel. They were heaven, and I didn't feel like I was going to crash and burn after eating one.

I just wish I had gotten the recipe. Because I became fixated on chocolate cupcakes. But after some searching I came across a chocolate cupcake recipe worth trying.

I couldn't head to the gym last night because the kid was running a fever, so I baked up a batch of these cupcakes instead. They use coconut flour, which can be tricky to work with since it soaks up liquids, but this recipe creates a moist cake worthy of any celebration. I used Wholesome organic chocolate frosting on mine simply because I had some on hand, but the next time I bake up a batch of cupcakes I'm going to experiment with a couple cleaner, healthier frosting recipes. Adding a raspberry to the top gives them a festive look and adds a whole other yummy taste experience. Strawberry slices would also be delicious.

Chocolate Cupcakes

• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder (or 1/4 tsp of baking soda)
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Combine all dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients and mix well. Let batter sit for a couple minutes then pour into cupcake liners, filling about half way. 

Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool and frost with desired frosting. Store in tightly sealed container. 

Makes 8-10 cupcakes

Chocolate Banana Protein Pudding for One

Crossfit has had the positive effect of really focusing me on my diet and healthy eating. It's a lifestyle change that was easy for me to make, since organic and healthy were already at the top of my list of priorities, but I did need to fine tune things a bit. Like increasing my protein intake and decreasing added sugar, which is a big deal with my sweet tooth. But I was dismayed that while crossfit encourages clean eating, most of the protein powders on the market were anything but clean. The first protein powder I tried had a significant amount of added vitamins and a warning on the side that it wasn't intended for children. Well, if it was bad for a child, was it really all that healthy for me? I know that the added vitamins were at a higher dose than what a child should take, but did I really want to be adding synthetic vitamins to my body? Plus, it left a vitamin aftertaste in my mouth that I really didn't enjoy.

I found a pea based protein powder that was close to what I was looking for, but it had carrageenan in it, which can cause gastrointestinal distress and has become a very controversial ingredient. I also tried hemp powder, which is too gritty for my taste in smoothies. I will still use it as an additive to baked goods and pancakes, but I'm not sold on it for regular use. I finally settled on Juice Plus Complete after a friend gave me samples and enthusiastically shared her love of the product with me. In fact, so sold was I on Juice Plus Complete, I jumped on board as a distributor. If you would like to learn more about Juice Plus and the products they offer, click here. If you would like to become a part of our team, contact me and I'd be glad to give you more information. If you are serious about health, it is a great company to be a part of.

While I mainly use Juice Plus Complete in protein shakes, pre and post workout, sometimes I want something a little different. I came up with this yummy single serving sized pudding as an option to my usual shake. It also satisfies my craving for something sweet. It is easy and quick to make ahead for a grab and go snack. It is also healthy to share with your kid, making it harder to say no when they catch you eating something yummy and ask you for a bite. You may have to go into hiding when eating it, or make up a double batch to share.

Chocolate Banana Protein Pudding for One

• One ripe banana
• 1 TBSP chocolate nut butter
• 1 scoop Dutch Chocolate Complete Protein Powder
• cacao nibs, unsweetened shredded coconut, walnut or pecan pieces

Mash banana with a fork until smooth. Stir in nut butter. Slowly add in protein powder until mixed thoroughly. May also use a food processor to mix ingredients together until smooth. Spoon into serving dish and top with cacao nibs, shredded coconut, and/or nuts. Refrigerate until cold or eat at room temperature, depending on your preference and patience level. 

Variation: use almond butter and vanilla complete instead, for a banana protein pudding.

Overnight Oats Workshop and Two New (Dairy Free) Recipes

One of my goals here at The Hippy Home is to share with people how to eat healthy no matter what your budget. Yesterday, I held an overnight oats workshop at my home. It was small and cozy, with four of us sharing ingredients and good conversation while we made the easiest grab and go healthy breakfast ever. After getting to spend the evening with these wonderful ladies, the next best thing was not having to cook breakfast this morning, even though I wasn't in any particular hurry to go anywhere. What have I learned here? In addition to being a great grab and go breakfast on a busy morning, they also make a great breakfast for a lazy summer morning as well. They are perfect little hand held breakfasts on any day. Or lunch, or afternoon snack. Did I mention they are also easy to make and healthy? And kid friendly. My seven year old likes the strawberry one, minus the chia seeds.

We made four different recipes last night. The Strawberry Vanilla and Blueberry Cinnamon can be found at this link. They both contain Greek yogurt, though if you are vegan or dairy intolerant you could probably use a dairy free yogurt. The two new flavors I am going to share with you are Banana Nut Bread and German Chocolate Cake. Both of these overnight oats are dairy free and vegan. The chocolate flavor is really subtle in the German Chocolate Cake overnight oats, so if you are like me and craving a stronger chocolate flavor, you can use a chocolate flavored nut milk and slightly increase the cocoa powder amount. Adding a good, high quality chocolate protein powder like Juice Plus Complete, would also be a great way to increase the chocolate flavor and the protein. Vanilla protein powder would be a yummy addition to the strawberry and blueberry oats. I think the banana oats would be tasty with either flavor. I have some experimenting to do!

German Chocolate Cake Overnight Oats

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup almond milk 
• 1/2 banana, mashed
• 1 Tbsp pecans
• 1/2 tsp cocoa powder
• 1-2 Tbsp shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 tsp maple syrup

Mix all ingredients in a quart sized jar with a lid. Place in refrigerator overnight. In the morning, give it a good stir and eat. It will keep in the refrigerator up to five days. 

Banana Nut Bread Overnight Oats

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup almond milk, or other favorite nut milk
• 1/2 banana, mashed
• 1 Tbsp chopped nuts
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1 Tbsp nut butter
• 1/2 tsp maple syrup

Mix ingredients in a quart sized jar with a lid. Place in refrigerator overnight. In the morning, stir and eat. Top with banana slices right before eating for more banana flavor.

Dark Chocolate Nut Butter Energy Bites

I had been looking for an energy bite recipe that didn't call for protein powder. After doing some research and tweaking some recipes I found online I came up with these yummy gems. They are great to grab and pop in your mouth on the way to the gym for a quick energy pick up or pack along for a hike instead of bringing store bought granola bars.

I made my second batch today. Most of the first batch were gobbled up by the boys and I on a day hike to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. If you have never been to this magical spot in Texas hill country, I recommend you go when you get a chance. It is a granite monolith that formed from magma under the earth's surface over a billion years ago. Erosion has a lot to do with how it looks today. According to the Texas state park website, it is a 425 foot climb to the top. In the summer it is nearly unbearable with the heat, but we experienced perfect spring weather. We also arrived at the peak of wildflower season, with bluebonnets and indian paintbrush lining the roads and many other wildflower varieties blooming from cracks in the rock.

Pretty, huh?

I've also been active with cross training the last couple of months. In order to maintain my endurance during the workout of the day, I need a snack about a half hour before hand. Grabbing one or two of these energy bites gets me through my workout until I can get home and cook dinner. They are also fairly quick to make ahead for the week.

Dark Chocolate Nut Butter Energy Bites

1 cup quick oats

1/4 cup dark chocolate nut butter

1/4 cup nutty peanut butter (or any nut butter you prefer)

1 Tbsp chia seeds

2 Tbsp flax seed meal

1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

1 Tbsp melted coconut oil

2-3 Tbsp dark chocolate chips 

1/4 tsp cinnamon

unsweetened coconut flakes for rolling

Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl until thoroughly mixed. Measure out tablespoon sized portions and form into balls using your hands. Coat with coconut flakes.

Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.