Chocolate Almond Protein Balls and Anti Inflammatory Coconut Sweet Potato Muffins-Two Healthy Swaps that will do your Body Good.

So, I just did a youtube video on 5 tips to break a bad habit because a lot of the women I train found themselves indulging a little more than usual over the holidays. An indulgence every once in a while is ok, but when once or twice a week becomes a daily occurrence,  then you really need to take action because it's now a bad habit.  You can check it out here if you have some bad habits you'd like to kick. 

https://youtu.be/jGNuMd5mPXc

One of the bad habits that many people want to ditch is eating eating junk food. You brought in some Kristy Kremes over the holidays, and now you crave them every time you drive by.  
instead of telling yourself “I can’t have that”, try replacing it with something better. You won’t be deprived and you’ll feel good about putting healthy food in your body.

One of the best ways to kick eating or snacking on sweet treats is to replace it with a healthy alternative.  Most of us  crave something  chocolatey or sweet during the day, and with these 2 recipes, you absolutely can enjoy them knowing you are putting good, wholesome ingredients into your body. 
 First up are these decadent chocolate almond protein bites. They come together super fast and satisfy the need for chocolate beautifully. Natural peanut butter and almond meal are sources of healthy fat that will keep you satiated and will actually help your body burn fat. Raw cacao is loaded with antioxidants that will boost your immune system and collagen protein helps with muscle recovery, joints and keeps your skin youthful. 

Ingredients

1 cup almond meal or chopped almonds ( I pulse mine in my blendtec blender a few times so it's got meal with some chunks of almonds) 

1 cup natural peanut butter

1/3 cup raw cacao

1/3 cup collagen protein powder

1/3 cup pure maple syrup 

1. In a mixing bowl, add peanut butter, maple syrup, almond meal, collagen and raw cacao  powder.  Beat on low -medium until mixture comes together. ( It will have small crumbles present) 
2. Using a cookie scoop or spoon,  scoop and roll the mixture into small balls and place in a freezer friendly container. 
3. Store them in the freezer and enjoy 2 as a snack in the afternoon on a low carb day. 

Ok, so this next recipe is going to be a great swap for the morning doughnut or muffin you've been eating.  It's packed with good for you ingredients that will give you energy, curb your cravings, lower cancer risk, fight bacteria, prevent viruses, and reduce inflammation. I enjoy 2 for breakfast on a medium to high carb day.  

Now, here is how to make these healthy and delicious plant-based muffins:

Ingredients:

• 1 small organic sweet potato, roasted or 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
• ¾ cup organic coconut milk
• 2 tbsp. organic coconut oil
•  3 tbsp. ground flax seed in ½ cup of water
• 1 cup organic brown rice flour or bobs Red Mill gluten free flour (1:1) 
• ¼ cup organic coconut flour
• ½ cup pure maple syrup or unpasteurized honey
• 1 tbsp. aluminum-free baking powder
• ½ tsp. Himalayan salt
• ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• ⅛ tsp ground cloves
• 1 tbsp. Ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400F. Make several holes in the skin of the sweet potato using a skewer, and place it on a baking tray. Cook for an hour.  (if using canned sweet potato or pumpkin, skip this step) 

When cool, cut the sweet potato in half, scoop out the insides, and put them in a large bowl. Add flax seed, coconut milk, coconut oil, and maple syrup.  Mix the dry ingredients in another bowl, and add them to the previous mixture.

Grease a muffin tray with coconut oil, pour the batter evenly, and bake at 350 for about 25 minutes. (center will be moist)  

This recipe makes about  10 muffins. 

Cheers to healthy swaps that are good for you!

xoxo ruth