Sunday Brunch & Vegan Banana Chip Muffins

Hello! Happy Monday! Thank you all for the kind words on my party foods! I find it fun to try and figure out a way to have a good balance of healthy foods vs. treats at parties. How was your weekend? The rest of mine was great! Sunday morning, I drove up to my parents house to join them and my Aunt & Uncle for Brunch to celebrate my Mama’s birthday. We ate at a beautiful restaurant that overlooked the ocean:

View from my seat:

Gorgeous! I got an egg white omelet with cheese and onions & peppers:

and double fruit:

and coffee (of course):

Me and the BEAUTIFUL birthday girl! My Mom is an amazing lady! She taught me how to have a healthy and balanced life and to work hard for what I want. Love you Mom!

The rest of my Sunday was spent running errands and hanging out with Josh and Frank:

This morning, I taught Body Pump. After pump and before starting into work, I baked up some vegan banana chip muffins. This is my second attempt at these and I think this recipe is a winner:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon flax & 3 tablespoons water
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 medium ripe bananas or 2 large
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• Mini or full sized carob chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In two separate bowls, mix wet (flax, water, applesauce, sugar) and dry (remaining ingredients except chips) ingredients. Combine and then fold in chips. Fill mini muffin tins (I used 1 rounded tablespoon of batter for each muffin). Bake for 11 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean). Let cool and enjoy!

Tonight, we are introducing the Les Mills programs (Body Pump, Attack, Flow etc) to the members at a gym my gym just bought out! We are teaching 30 minute segments of each program. I am really excited because I know the room will just be FILLED with energy. I am bringing the mini muffins to share with the other instructors!

One more quick thing- a few of you asked what recipe I use for my granola. I must say, the LOVELY Sarah (of Suite Apple Pie) got me started on granola making. The recipe has morphed a little over time and is now as follows: 1 ½ cups oats, 1 cup coconut, 1 ½ cup mixed nuts & seeds, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons ground flax (sometimes I also add in cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or vanilla). Preheat oven to 250. Mix together honey and oil and then add in all dry ingredients and mix until well coated. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour, stirring once in the middle. If desired, add dried fruit.

Enjoy your week!