BodyBalance365

It may be challenging to find gluten and/or dairy free options at bakeries, but with a handful of pantry staples and a few items in the fridge, it’s pretty easy to bake your own muffins, loaves and cakes.

Replace traditional flour with gluten free ones (Bob’s Red Mill has several), such as almond, coconut, cassava or 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour.

Substitute butter with vegan oat milk butter, coconut oil or EVOO. And swap milk or half and half with almond or oat milk.

Trust! They will be delicious. Maybe no one even notices? 😉

APPLE CARROT CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS
1 ripe banana, mashed
2 eggs
1 cup grated carrots
2 cups almond flour
1/2 cup shredded coconut flakes
1 tsp baking soda and baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 apple, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup dairy free chocolate chips
2 Tbsp honey

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 and spray a muffin tin with olive oil cooking spray
Put the dry ingredients in a bowl.
Mix the wet ingredients in blender(banana, eggs, carrots, coconut flakes and honey) and transfer to the bowl with dry ingredients
Add chopped apples and chocolate chips — fill muffin tin 2/3 full
Bake for 20-22 minutes, check with a toothpick
Let cool for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!

A beach walk is no “day at the beach”! It’s a great cardio workout and also great for your joints, muscles, and circulation.

But I love the mental benefits even more. The uneven sand stimulates your nerve endings, giving your brain a workout too. The sound of the waves lowers our cortisol and the sunlight is a mood booster that releases serotonin — plus a healthy dose of Vitamin D. Finally listening to birds reduces our anxiety and calms our nervous system. Can’t get all that on the treadmill.

And who doesn’t love being barefoot? 😉

Counting calories is a lose/lose. First, it will definitely ruin a fun dinner with friends, but it’s not even an effective strategy for weight loss. Focus on your intake of protein, fiber, plants, and water. These foods are nutrient dense, keep you satiated, and balance your blood sugar — meaning you’re not craving sugar throughout the day. That’s a strategy for success.

Finally, a banana and 2 Oreos both have about 100 calories and from a nutrition standpoint, they could not be more different! I’m guessing you know which one I’d like you to choose. 😉 🍌

Free yourself from calorie counting to achieve what I call Food Freedom.