Healthy Vegan Carrot Banana Muffins

Looking for a no oil, no refined sugar, no eggs, healthy muffin that actually tastes good? Look no further....For the last year, I have been trying to create a tasty, healthy muffin....it hasn't been easy! I have had a lot of fails - mostly due to texture issues (almond meal and oat flour have made for some mushy muffins for me). This time I had very good results using whole wheat pastry flour.  It is mildly sweet, moist (not mushy) and yep, no dairy, no oil! I think the carrots, very ripe bananas and applesauce are the combo of veggies and fruit I was searching for to bring the whole muffin together. I am really pleased with the outcome. I ate this last night for dessert (also great for breakfast and a snack) with a hot cup of ginger/tumeric tea with oat milk (click here for that recipe). The combo was amazing on a very cold winter evening. 

Ingredients (Makes 12 muffins):

2 Tbl flax meal + 3 Tbl water

1 3/4 whole wheat pastry flour (can sub all-purpose flour)

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup of very ripe mashed bananas (2 large or 3 small)

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup plant milk (I used oat milk)

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup shredded carrots (about two medium carrots)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or chocolate chips or raisins, optional (I just used walnuts)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F

Make the flax "egg" by mixing 2 Tbl flax meal and 3 Tbl water in a small bowl. Stir and set aside to thicken. 

Mix whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together in a bowl. In another bowl mash the very ripe bananas. Add in the applesauce, plant milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Add flour mixture to banana mixture and stir till combined. Fold in the carrots and walnuts, if using. 

Scoop about 1/3 cup of batter into lined muffin tins. Bake for 22 to 24 minutes, until muffins "spring back" when touched. 

Let cool in the tin. Transfer to a container once cooled. Enjoy for breakfast, a snack or a healthy after dinner dessert.

Creamy Oat Milk Ginger Turmeric Milk

This delicious oat milk ginger tea has been such a wonderful part of my evenings this winter, I decided it was time to share the recipe. It is a great tea to have before bed because it is caffeine free, a little sweet and very warming. Enjoy!

Ingredients for one cup tea: 

1 1/2 cups of water

1 ginger & turmeric herbal tea bag (I like Trader Joe's)

1 cup oat milk (or your favorite plant milk)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

smallest pinch of cardamon, optional

smallest pinch of cloves, optional

1 tsp vanilla

1 to 2 tsp of pure maple syrup (depending on how sweet you like it)

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a small pot on the stove over low heat. Heat until it just comes to a simmer. Remove from heat and let the tea steep for a few minutes. Once the tea is at a comfortable drinking temperature, remove the tea bag, ladle into your favorite mug and enjoy. 

Green Love Smoothie

This green smoothie is packed with health and vitality! It might not be for the smoothie newbie, however, as the sheer volume of veggies could be overwhelming to someone who likes a sweeter fruit based smoothie. My husband and I have been drinking this every day for the past week and we think it's just delicious. A great way to get in your greens. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 large kale leaves, inner stem removed

GIANT handful of fresh spinach 

1 to 2 ripe bananas, (preferably frozen) an extra banana will make it sweeter

1 cup mango, frozen

1 to 2 large celery stalks, depending on how you can handle the flavor

1 large pear, green or brown (keep the skin on)

10 fresh mint leaves

1 inch nub of ginger, peeled 

juice of one lime

a few ice cubes, optional

About 2 cups of water

Directions: 

Blend all ingredients in a high power blender. I use a Vitamix and always blend it through two smoothie cycles because I like it very well blended. If there is too much for just one, share! Or you can pour the extra into a mason jar with a tight fitting lid and drink the rest the following day. I do this all the time and am always so happy to have a ready-made smoothie waiting for me in the fridge the following day! Enjoy!