Tasty Tuesday: Strawberry Muffins

Thank you Lisa Richards for this YUMMY recipe!

Moist and full of fresh strawberry flavor, these muffins make a delightful treat. They’re perfect for a healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert, and the kids will love them!

Strawberries are on the Maybe list of foods to eat if you are on the Candida Diet. They are one of the lowest-sugar berries you can find, and a good way to introduce some fruit into your diet. Add in the coconut milk, coconut oil, and coconut flour, and you have a fiber-rich, low-sugar snack all the family will love.

You can make a large batch of these muffins and freeze them too. Take them on a picnic, or just keep them in the house for those between-meal hunger pangs. Just remember to make enough!

Prep Time:  15 mins     Cook Time:  30 mins     Total Time:  45 mins

Servings: 6 muffins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened, canned coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp. powdered stevia
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil , melted
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries
• 6 fresh strawberry slices for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 6 cups of a 12 cup muffin tin with paper baking cups or brush generously with oil, set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, sift coconut flour, baking soda and salt, whisk to combine. In another medium bowl, add unsweetened coconut milk, stevia, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla, whisk thoroughly. Pour liquid ingredients into bowl with dry ingredients, stir to combine for one minute as coconut flour absorbs liquids. Fold diced strawberries into muffin batter.
3. Spoon muffin batter into the prepared tin, smoothing tops, then press a strawberry slice on the top of each. Bake muffins until golden brown, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool, serve.

Want to take one of these yummy treats with you when you are out and about?  How about adding bottle of water (or tea)?  Keep it all cool in Thirty One’s Cool Clip Thermal. This clip on thermal is ideal for carrying snacks. It easily attaches to a backpack, bag or tote. Also works well to hold medicine, sunscreen, makeup or small electronics. Approx. 8”H x 11.25”L x 3”D

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Choose Your Own Direction

WOOOHOO!  Do you know what day it is?

Yes, it is still HUMP day even though it is a short week for most people since Monday was a holiday.

For those who read my blog often, you know I am a HUGE fan of Carrie Wilkerson and Lysa TerKeurst.  Put the two together and talk about motivation….

Lysa TerKeurst shared this quote recently:

‘You steer where you stare.

Okay, we all know this in our head, right?  Think about when you were learning to drive a car.  I was great for looking at things all around me and as a result, the car went in the same direction.  I was also learning to drive a clutch at the same time.  The two definitely did not mix well.  It made for may heated driving lessons with dad.  We all had to learn to focus on where we wanted to go.  I used to do the same thing when I was walking.  Looking at something on the right and the next thing I knew, I was walking towards it, cutting off anyone who was next to me or in my path.

It is the same, If you are focused on envy or fear or scarcity or lack… it will be near impossible not to VEER towards those.  The Universe will bring you want you are focused on.  Positive brings positive.  Negative brings negative.

When I started this new “eating plan” which was very limited to help control my candida, I focused on the things I couldn’t eat.  Everywhere I turned, there was fruit, seafood, dairy and the dreaded gluten.  With the help of my Weight Watchers leader, Michelle, I started looking at food differently.  I focused on the things I could eat.  As a result, I went from feeling deprived and sad about what I couldn’t have to enjoying what I could have.  The result, the other stuff went away (okay, maybe not but I wasn’t looking for them now).

Apply this to just about anything in your life.  I have positive mantras I read every morning.  Some mornings, I don’t want to be bothered and the result is I lose focus.  When we focus on positivity, abundance, tiny successes, encouraging scripture, and affirmations, we do well!  When we focus on negativity, the end result is a “shitty” day, right?

We need to face FRONT!  Thirty-One Gifts founder Cindy Monroe says… ‘I spend more time looking through the windshield than the rearview mirror. Why would I focus there? I’m not going that way!’

Don’t focus on what you’re leaving behind…focus on what you’re running towards!

Dana Wilde, Train Your Brain, shares positive mantras every day so we can adjust our brain and our vision. It takes time but it can happen.  Steer the boat (or your thoughts) in the direction you want to go and it will happen.  Maybe not overnight but it will happen.

I have changed my focus in my weightless journey and the pounds are slowing coming off.  Inching my way back to goal.  In my business, I no longer talk about “no one wants to party”, I am thinking positively and taking steps to make it happen.  The truth is, I can still have a successful business without parties (I proved it in April when I had no parties but hit my personal goal), it is just easier when you have them.

I dare you to adjust your brain, your vision and your focus today!  Share with us the change you are going to make then let us know how it changed your day so we can celebrate with you.  OR share a struggle so we can help you overcome it.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Tasty Tuesday: Buckwheat And Brussels Sprout Salad

I LOVE brussels sprouts.  I know for some it may be a weird veggie you never wanted to eat but we do like it in our house.

Brussels sprouts are really nutritious veggies with complex flavors and a subtle, crunchy texture. They also have some antifungal properties, so they might even help to keep your gut flora in balance.  Thank you to Candida Diet for this recipe.

I like this because it can be served two different ways. Warm side dish or eat it alone as a salad tossed with a bit of extra virgin olive oil.

Prep time: 10 minutes     Cook time: 30 minutes     Total time: 40 minutes     

Yield: Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

2 cups water
1 cup whole buckwheat groats
Pinch of salt
2 Tbsp. oil, such as extra virgin olive or coconut
¼ cup shallots, thinly sliced
¼ cup celery, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
8 Brussels sprouts, cut in half lengthwise
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
1 cup vegetable broth or water
Salt and pepper to taste
2 to 3 leaves Swiss chard, cut across into ribbons
Fresh herbs, such as thyme or parsley, minced
Crushed, toasted nuts, such as hazelnuts, pecans or walnuts

DIRECTIONS

• In a medium saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add whole buckwheat groats, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, fluff with a fork.
• While buckwheat groats are simmering, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots, celery, garlic, Brussels sprouts and saute until vegetables begin to soften and brown (about 5 minutes). Next, add fresh or dried thyme leaves, broth or water, salt and pepper to taste and simmer covered over medium low heat for about 10 minutes. Then add the Swiss chard, stirring to wilt for about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Lastly, add cooked buckwheat groats to the skillet, and stir to combine.

To serve, you can garnish with fresh minced herbs and crushed, toasted nuts. For a salad, cool it to room temperature and toss with 2 to 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (I leave out the lemon juice).

If you decide to have this as a salad, take it with you in one of Thirty One’s thermals.  Great for the beach or when eating light during the warmer (yes is it coming) weather.

Try Thirty One’s NEW Cool Cinch Thermal.  You love our Cinch Sacs and now it is a thermal.  The best of both worlds in one bag!  

The Cool Cinch Thermal makes packing meals or snacks wherever you go easy and fun. Its spacious thermal compartment keeps food and drinks cool and fresh. This style comes wipeable and machine washable, making it easy to clean! Dimensions: Approx. 18.5”H x 14.5”L

Have a recipe you want to share with us?  I would love to spotlight your favorite recipe in our Tasty Tuesday column.

Have  a ThirtyOne-derful day!