Almond Muffins with Apple & Cinnamon

What's better than the combination of apple & cinnamon? Almond muffins with apple, cinnamon & cardamom! Sugar free, wheat free, dairy free... what more could you want for a yummy healthy snack?

I whipped these up last night in matter of minutes. 30 mins to be exact. From start to finish (...first bite). I then raced over to the in laws to share them around, only to be disappointed to learn they were almost about to tuck into dinner (cue me eating more muffins than my stomach could probably handle.

Makes approx 12

Ingredients:
2 cups almond meal
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup raw honey
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cardamom
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped apple pieces
4 eggs

Method:
Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Combine almond meal, coconut, honey, cinnamon, cardamom, baking powder & chopped apple into a large bowl. Whisk eggs separately, then add to the bowl of ingredients. Mix well.

Pour mixture into greased muffin pan (I use coconut oil to grease) or muffin cases. Top off with extra apple pieces & almond slices. Bake for 25 minutes.

Best served warm, drizzled with honey and/or coconut oil :)

Kale Chips

I've heard about Kale Chips for a little while now, but never really had the Kale in the house to begin with. So this weekend we were able to source some from the local markets, and what's the first thing I do with it? Not make a boring old salad... but make chips! The wonderful thing about kale chips is that the bitter taste is no longer so overpowering. They really are like chips! You keep going in for more. As they say.... once you pop you can't stop!

Kale is potent source of vitamins A,K, C, fiber and carotenes. It also contains 45 different flavanoids with a variety of anti-inflammatory & antioxidant effects.

Ingredients:
1 bunch kale
Celtic sea salt
Olive Oil/Garlic infused oil

Method:
Pre heat oven to 130 degrees. Wash the kale, and dry throughly.
Remove stems, and roughly chop the kale leaves into large-ish pieces (they shrink when in the oven). Toss with olive oil in a bowl, and sprinkle with sea salt.
Arrange leaves in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 20 mins until crisp.

❤  Crunchy tips: Make sure the kale is dry. Try not to overlap the leaves on the tray. Bake at a lower temperature for longer (think Dehydrator).

Banana Bread Muffins

I have to admit, I love all things banana - packed with potassium (instant mood booster), B Vitamins, vitamin C, fibre & minerals, they do wonders for the body and mind! I wanted something quick to whip up for a snack to take to work. So here you have it - banana bread muffins, flour and sugar free, of course! 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups Almond Meal
1 tablespoons Flaxseed Oil
1 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoons nutmeg or mixed spice
2 Bananas
2 Eggs
1/2 teaspoons raw vanilla extract
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoons olive or coconut oil
Sprinkle of chopped walnuts


Method: 
Preheat oven to 190 degrees

Mix almond meal, flaxseed, cinnamon, baking soda & powder, nutmeg or mixed spice, & pinch of salt in bowl.

In another bowl, mash banana, add eggs, vanilla, honey & olive oil. Mix well

Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients, pour in wet ingredients mixture. Add in chopped walnuts. Combine well.

Fill muffin pan cups 3/4 full. Sprinkle walnuts on top. Bake muffins for 20mins, or poke skewer in centre of muffins and if it comes out clean, it's time to remove.

Leave to cool for 5 minutes.  

Best served with honey & coconut oil/butter :)