Banana Bread Muffin Tops

This recipe is inspired by the new cookbook that I just purchased called, "Oh She Glows Every Day" by Angela Liddon. I have this crazy obsession with cookbooks where when I see a new cookbook, I flip through it and if the pictures are pretty enough I assume I should buy it. Then the cookbooks sit gracefully in my pantry and I never make anything out of them! So this time I committed to making several recipes in order to purchase the book.  I am totally an impulse shopper so I have to have these discussions frequently!  Sad, but true.

I love the recipe and the only suggestion I would make would be to double the recipe! These little bites of heaven are delicious and they haven't lasted long on my counter even shortly after I have made them.  I also feel a great little substitute to a packaged granola bar!

The recipe can easily be adapted if you are gluten/dairy/nut free as the original recipe calls for gluten-free oats, non-dairy chocolate chips and you can omit the nuts.   I did omit the nuts because of the nut free school policy where my son goes to pre-school.  My family is not sensitive dairy or gluten so I made it according to the recipe below.

Ingredients:
2 large very ripe bananas
1/2 c. Medjook dates pitted
1/4 c. virgin coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract (make sure it is pure, not artificial)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp himalayan pink salt or you could use sea salt
2 cups of rolled oats
1/4 c semi sweet chocolate chips (optional: or chopped walnuts)

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2.  Comine bananas, dates, coconut oil and vanilla in a food processor and process until smooth.
3.  Add cinnamon, baking powder and salt and process again until combined.
4.  Add 1 1/2 c. of the rolled oats and process no longer than 4-5 seconds. Just enough time to chop the oats roughly.
5.  Remove processor bowl from base and take out the blade and set aside.  Gently stir in the remaining cup of oats (1/2 c).

6.  Spoon the dough in large portions and place on cooking sheet.
TIP: I use my tablespoon and use 2 heaping tbsp to make one muffin top.  It should look like a little mound.  Make sure you don't flatten them.
7. Bake for 10 minutes and rotate the pan and bake for an additional 7-9 minutes or until golden on the bottom.
8. Remove from oven then transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack and let cool for 10 minutes.  Lift off the muffin tops and allow them to cool completely.

The muffin tops will be nice and moist even after baking!!!   Store the muffin tops in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days or you can even freeze them for 2-3weeks.

If following the 21 Day Fix, I would consider 1 muffin top to be a yellow replacement container.

Enjoy!  These are a family favourite in our house!

Banana Bread Muffin Tops

This recipe is inspired by the new cookbook that I just purchased called, "Oh She Glows Every Day" by Angela Liddon. I have this crazy obsession with cookbooks where when I see a new cookbook, I flip through it and if the pictures are pretty enough I assume I should buy it. Then the cookbooks sit gracefully in my pantry and I never make anything out of them! So this time I committed to making several recipes in order to purchase the book.  I am totally an impulse shopper so I have to have these discussions frequently!  Sad, but true.

I love the recipe and the only suggestion I would make would be to double the recipe! These little bites of heaven are delicious and they haven't lasted long on my counter even shortly after I have made them.  I also feel a great little substitute to a packaged granola bar!

The recipe can easily be adapted if you are gluten/dairy/nut free as the original recipe calls for gluten-free oats, non-dairy chocolate chips and you can omit the nuts.   I did omit the nuts because of the nut free school policy where my son goes to pre-school.  My family is not sensitive dairy or gluten so I made it according to the recipe below.

Ingredients:
2 large very ripe bananas
1/2 c. Medjook dates pitted
1/4 c. virgin coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract (make sure it is pure, not artificial)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp himalayan pink salt or you could use sea salt
2 cups of rolled oats
1/4 c semi sweet chocolate chips (optional: or chopped walnuts)

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2.  Comine bananas, dates, coconut oil and vanilla in a food processor and process until smooth.
3.  Add cinnamon, baking powder and salt and process again until combined.
4.  Add 1 1/2 c. of the rolled oats and process no longer than 4-5 seconds. Just enough time to chop the oats roughly.
5.  Remove processor bowl from base and take out the blade and set aside.  Gently stir in the remaining cup of oats (1/2 c).

6.  Spoon the dough in large portions and place on cooking sheet.
TIP: I use my tablespoon and use 2 heaping tbsp to make one muffin top.  It should look like a little mound.  Make sure you don't flatten them.
7. Bake for 10 minutes and rotate the pan and bake for an additional 7-9 minutes or until golden on the bottom.
8. Remove from oven then transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack and let cool for 10 minutes.  Lift off the muffin tops and allow them to cool completely.

The muffin tops will be nice and moist even after baking!!!   Store the muffin tops in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days or you can even freeze them for 2-3weeks.

If following the 21 Day Fix, I would consider 1 muffin top to be a yellow replacement container.

Enjoy!  These are a family favourite in our house!

22 Minute Hard Corps RESULTS & Quick Review Part #1

Wha hoo!  So I am halfway done 22 Minute Hard Corps and the results are standing up to what I have hoped!  I began working out mid June, as soon as I got the ok from my doctor post baby!  So far since then, I am down almost 8 pounds. That is pretty good considering all the summer BBQ's and pot lucks!  

I began this specific program mid August and have lost a total of 2.4 pounds in the first half!  Inches... I have yet to take those but I am FINALLY in my pre-pregnancy jeans! I am anxious to see where the next few weeks will take me!  Keep reading to see some more results! 

22 MINUTE HARD CORPS

22 Minute Hard Corps is a quick, military-inspired, no-nonsense workout program designed by super star trainer Tony Horton.  The program is inspired by training techniques used by the military and is delivered in an intense - total body drill --> BOOTCAMP Style.  The program is 8 weeks long and has 8 different workouts across 2 DVDS.

There is an additional Core component that you do 3x per week as an add on in less than 10 minutes! 

What I LOVE about the program is its efficiency to be done in such a short amount of time!  I am not a cardio lover by nature, so the fact that I can hammer it out and get it over with was what drew me to the program. What I don't care about the program is the insane amount of burpees that I have to do, but hey... nothing worth fighting for comes easy! You have to remember your "why" to help you push forward! 

My "why" is my daughter (and my son!) I want to be healthy and model for her what it takes to lead a healthy lifestyle! She is my biggest cheerleader through all this and most times, giggles away while I do these crazy moves and make awful grunting noises at times! ha ha

Beyond the scale successes are the non-scale successes!  I love when I can increase my weights! I love to see the definition in my shoulders! I love the energy and confidence I have! I love that I am in a better mood all around, thanks to getting my workout in!!! I just started wearing my Garmin Vivo Fit and I LOVE to see my heart rate increase and have evidence of SWEAT!!!!  

And then those pre-pics that you take before completing a program--- no they aren't pretty but they are important to take!  You see yourself everyday and while your clothes fit better sometimes it is hard to see those results!  So here are some more! I am saving the belly pictures until I get the next half done and perhaps the next program I do!  I am excited to keep progressing! 

I have had slip ups food wise along the way, but the important thing is to keep moving forward! Not giving up because you messed up!  I still saw results despite having found my hand in the cookie jar a time or two! The important thing is to BE REAL!!!!!  

Taking back pics are probably one of the most important angle! Take them all!  Keep them on your phone in a private place!  No one needs to see all your pics! 

And last but not least the nutrition guide that you get with any program you get, is important! I love to follow the 21 Day Fix nutrition guide with most of my programs because that is the program I began with! One of the things that keeps me on track and provides me with the energy and nutrition I need on a daily basis is my nutritional shake! I like that it is quick and easy and is nutrition on the run! It acts like a salad (for REAL! Whole Food Nutrition) and tastes like a dessert!  Here is to round #2!  Cheers!

If you are interested in jumping in on the next accountability group, please send me an email at: sasijewelry@gmail.com, message me on Facebook or fill out an application!  Don't miss out on the chance to make a change!