Enticing Healthy Eating
If more of us valued food and cheer and song
above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world
- J. R. R. Tolkien
  • Blog
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Health/Fitness/Wedding
  • Work with Me
  • Contact Me
  • Where I'm Featured

Vegan Banana Blueberry Muffins

1/12/2015

 
These vegan-friendly banana blueberry muffins are the perfect treat to prep ahead of time on the weekend to savor throughout the rest of your week. They work easily as a breakfast, snack, or dessert option.
vegan blueberry muffins recipe, enticing healthy eating
Before I get to these fluffy little delights that are my newest sweet creation to come out of the kitchen, I must first saying a giant THANK YOU to everyone for the congratulatory messages and comments on my big news I had to share with you on my recent engagement this past week! 

Wade and I are so appreciative of the love! Big hugs to you all! 

vegan blueberry muffins recipe, enticing healthy eating
Source
Back to the featured recipe of this post--the vegan banana blueberry muffins. First, a little bit of a back story as to how these muffins came about.


It all started with a mission. 

I am saying goodbye, adios, and sayonara to most packaged and processed foods for an entire month. So long to white flours and white sugars. 
vegan blueberry muffins recipe, enticing healthy eating
Source
But fear not! This blog will not be changing up it's usual tendency towards healthy and wholesome foods. And I am most certainly not going vegan or vegetarian. My good friend and I decided a couple months ago that we would both like to do a little experimenting with our diets by cutting out overly processed foods and extra sugars to give our digestive systems a gentle cleansing, so to speak.

The beginning of the new year usually marks a time for diet overhauls for many folks looking to kickstart healthier lifestyle habits. Originally, my buddy and I had planned on trying out paleo for a month. 


But...lets' just say I think we both came to the conclusion that we are far too addicted to our favorite go-to breakfasts during these colder months: oatmeal. That and the fact that we both thought as long as we just stuck to 100% whole grains for our new month-long diet, we'd be on the right page.

Therefore we have decided to call this little experiment the Real and Whole Foods Diet!
vegan blueberry muffins recipe, enticing healthy eating
The main things we will be cutting out of our diet (as strictly as we possibly can) for a month include:
--white, refined flours
--white, refined sugars (cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, etc.)
--most packed and processed foods with unnecessary, added ingredients
--alcohol


Doesn't sound too bad, right? I generally eat a real and whole foods based diet anyways. It's the little snacks and treats here and there that throw me off. The random cookies my coworker brings into work...that piece of candy leftover from Christmas just calling my name...

But I just want to give my body a long break from the added sugars and unnecessary treats when I know I could be snacking on some healthier options. 

vegan blueberry muffins recipe, enticing healthy eating
I'm looking forward to this! I think my body will thank me. I bet you could do it too! 

Our diets are officially starting on January 12 and we have planned to *strictly* continue them until February 12. Just in time before Valentine's Day, which we all know is typically a holiday celebrated with some special meal splurges. I'm looking forward to having a glass of wine and some indulgent dessert on that holiday weekend. 


Plus Wade and I have our first engagement party on that same weekend. So excited!
vegan blueberry muffins recipe, enticing healthy eating
To give you some inspiration, I thought I'd share with you one of the sweet treats I managed to whip up that fit perfectly into our month-long diet overhaul. I knew the desserts and sweet snacks would be the toughest things to try and replace for the both of us. I, admittedly, have a sweet tooth that could rival a whole classroom full of first graders during their Halloween party at school.
vegan blueberry muffins recipe, enticing healthy eating
I stumbled upon this recipe on Two Peas and Their Pod's blog featuring some vegan banana blueberry muffins. Because I hardly ever follow a recipe exactly, I felt the need to experiment and come up with my own version.

For these muffins I used a mixture of white whole wheat flour, ground oat flour (which is just rolled oats ground into a fine powder in a food processor), and ground flaxseed. If you wanted to try exclusively using white whole wheat flour and just cutting out the oat flour and flaxseed, please do! Use whatever you have on hand. The oat flour and flaxseed just add more good-for-you nutrients than simply using white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour.

For the bananas, I had some frozen, overripe bananas I just thawed and mashed. The more ripe the banans, the sweeter the muffins will be. As for the dates, I soaked them in water for roughly 30 minutes before chopping them up because it creates more of a date "paste" before adding to the mixture.
vegan blueberry muffins recipe, enticing healthy eating

Vegan Banana Blueberry Muffins

*adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod Vegan Banana Blueberry Muffins*
Serves: 12 muffins


Ingredients:
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground oat flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
4 large ripe bananas 
1/2 cup stevia
3 dates, pitted, soaked in water, finely chopped into "paste" texture
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup unsweetened almondmilk
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract (I use Molina brand)
1 cup fresh blueberries

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or lightly spray muffin pan(s) with coconut oil. 

In medium sized bowl, mix together the whole wheat flour, oat flour, flaxseed, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.

Peel and mash bananas in a large bowl. Add in stevia, chopped date "paste", melted coconut oil, unsweetened almondmilk, and vanilla extract. Whisk these ingredients together until well incorporated--roughly 30 seconds-min. Really whisk it! Put some effort into it!

Gently mix dry ingredients into large bowl of wet ingredients just until completely combined. Fold in blueberries. Fill each muffin tin 3/4 of the way full with mixture. Bake 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into muffin comes out clean.

Linking up with Delicious Dish Tuesday
Eat Drink & Be Mary
And my blogger buddy, Heather, over at Housewife Glamour for Friday Favorites!
http://housewifeglamour.com/beauty/friday-favorites-72-week-of-116/

What type of diet do you follow right now? Have you experimented with many diets? Paleo, vegan, vegetarian, Atkins, etc.?

D you have a favorite healthy baked sweet treat you have made before?
Elsie @ Sharing Healthiness link
1/12/2015 11:52:30 pm

I am in love with this recipe!!!! Blueberries, bananas and dates...I AM DEAD! I eliminated refined and processed foods from my diet for some time now and I don't miss them at all. I discovered how other alternatives just gave food new flavors and nuances and I love that! I don't follow a specific diet but I try to go as natural as possible, choosing whole foods, healthy fats and lean proteins. I just listen to my body. :)

Kaylin
1/15/2015 12:58:56 am

Thanks a bunch Elsie! It's really not so difficult to go without refined ingredients in my diet. I'm enjoying it! It gives me an excuse to eat more dates too.

Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table link
1/13/2015 04:24:03 am

You cracked me up with the sweet tooth comment. I am in the same boat! These look fantastic!

Kaylin
1/15/2015 12:59:45 am

Glad I could make you laugh, Laura! And thanks. :)

Farrah link
1/13/2015 11:32:11 am

This looks delicioussss! <3! I don't follow any type of diet right now other than the see-food diet (I see [healthy-ish] food and I eat it, har har har...), although I have been working on cleaning it up because after the last two months, enough is enough!

I haven't made muffins in the longest time, and I've been meaning to use up ingredients hanging out in my pantry because I'm on a grocery ban of sorts. This recipe will definitely come in handy! (I just need them blueberries. <3 )

Kaylin
1/16/2015 12:06:32 am

Thanks a bunch, Farrah. Ha! Now that sounds like the perfect kind of diet to me! You did crack me up. :)

This recipe was one of the best muffins I've had in a while (not to toot my own horn...) so if you try them, I think you'll like them!

Jessie link
1/13/2015 12:30:39 pm

Blueberries & bananas are such a great pair! To answer your question - I don't follow a certain diet. I eat what I want, and don't put restrictions on myself. I've found that doing so just sets you up for failure.

Kaylin
1/16/2015 12:07:49 am

I agree with your viewpoint, Jessie. I don't follow any food "rules" because I just don't feel like it's healthy. I used to! Which is why I definitely moved away from restricting myself so much, I was miserable! I just sometimes know my body needs a break from so much sugar and processed, packaged foods...

Brittney Lee link
1/13/2015 10:14:53 pm

These look great! I love the idea of adding in blueberries- sometimes the banana flavor is too strong for me, but this would be a nice change.

Kaylin
1/20/2015 08:59:06 am

Thank you, Brittney! They don't have a super strong banana flavor also because of the dates and flaxseed, in my opinion. If you try them let me know!

Kristy @ Southern In-Law link
1/14/2015 10:17:03 am

Yum! These look so so good! I love combining blueberries and bananas so I'll have to give this a try! xx

Kaylin
1/20/2015 08:59:29 am

Thanks, Kristy!! If you give them a try, let me know!

Danielle link
1/15/2015 08:25:40 am

I love making a batch of healthier muffins and eating them throughout the week. These look amazing! I love the combination of blueberries and banana. Pinning these!

Kaylin
1/20/2015 08:59:55 am

Yes, it's a great plan for meal prep. That and loaves of bread! Thanks so much, Danielle!

Lauren @ i had a big lunch link
1/16/2015 12:39:40 am

Finally a dessert recipe using dates that DOESN'T require a food processor! I love it! Banana + blueberry is such a great combo :) good luck on your new way of eating! I think it sounds much more manageable than Whole30 because you can still eat CHEESE!

Kaylin
1/20/2015 09:00:51 am

Ha! I totally understand where you're coming from, Lauren. These dates you can definitely just mash up and chop with a knife and then whisk them thoroughly into the batter. Uh, yes to cheese and especially yogurt. I can't live without yogurt.

Mary link
1/16/2015 07:48:18 am

YUM! And just as I've been craving all things blueberry. Thanks for sharing at DDT Kaylin!

Kaylin
1/20/2015 09:01:14 am

Thank YOU for providing the link up, Mary!

Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment link
1/16/2015 10:12:12 am

Blueberry and banans go so well together! Especially in muffin form. These look great. The winter time is perfect for lots of baking! Happy Friday!

Kaylin
1/20/2015 09:01:44 am

These would be great for meal prep for the whole week if you're ever interested, Lauren. Thanks so much! Hope your week is going well!

Deborah Brauser link
1/18/2015 08:31:37 am

Yum! Anything is good with bananas, but adding in blueberries sounds wonderful. Must try this!

Kaylin
1/20/2015 09:02:00 am

Thanks for the love, Deborah!

Liv @ Healthy Liv link
1/19/2015 09:38:57 am

These look absolutely delicious, especially for having no added sugar! I agree, I eat a mostly plant based, healthy diet, but the things that aren't are the little treats and sometimes snacks that I nibble on...I'm working on eating more mindfully though :)

Kaylin
1/20/2015 09:02:44 am

Thanks a bunch, Liv! Yep, that is the diet and lifestyle I'm slowly working towards. I feel like it's been easier to cut out extra processed foods, white sugars, and white flours than I thought it would be. My body feels better too!

Liz @ I Heart Vegetables link
1/21/2015 10:21:21 am

I love banana muffins! I'm a vegetarian, but I do eat a log of vegan recipes, still!

Kaylin
1/24/2015 12:06:19 pm

Hope you might give these a try, Liz! Banana is just one of my favorite ingredients, period.

GiGi Eats link
1/22/2015 11:53:11 am

SO MUCH congrats to give you! #1 on the engagement and # 2 on the BUH BYEEEEEEE packaged foods! I swear after a month you're not going to want to go back!

Kaylin
1/24/2015 12:07:14 pm

Ah! Thanks so much, Gigi! I can already tell my digestion system is doing a happy dance from the break from processed foods and especially the extra sugars.

Chelsea link
1/22/2015 10:46:40 pm

Congrats on the engagement! SUCH an exciting time in your life!!

Kaylin
1/24/2015 12:07:31 pm

Thanks so much, Chelsea!

Susie @ Suzlyfe link
1/23/2015 05:03:56 am

So behind! Congrats on getting engaged! is there anything better, really, than a really fabulous blueberry muffin? And a fabulous healthy blueberry muffin? I THINK NOT! Have a fabulous weekend!

Kaylin
1/24/2015 12:08:12 pm

Thanks a bunch, Susie!! Haha, you may be correct...and that's perfectly fine with me. Hope you have a great weekend too!

Susie @ Suzlyfe link
1/23/2015 05:05:55 am

Congratulations on your engagement! Such an exciting time, and I look forward to updates! I'm also pretty darn excited about these muffins... I absolutely adore wheaty blueberry muffins. Looking forward to these for sure!


Comments are closed.
    enticing healthy Eating

    Happiness is Homemade

    Hi there!  I'm Kaylin, a foodie, health nut, and recent college graduate. Born and raised in Arkansas, recently moved to Texas. On this blog you'll find a lot of tasty food and recipe ideas, healthy lifestyle suggestions, and random musings of my trials and tribulations of a 20-something. 
    I hope to inspire you to create some delicious things in your own kitchen because I believe happiness is homemade. 

    Follow me on Instagram

    Most Popular

    ---Cancer Sucks: How to Deal When a Relative is Diagnosed with Cancer
    --And They Lived Happily Ever After

    --Single Serving Banana Funfetti Pudding
    --Gone but Not Forgotten
    --Holiday Spinach Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

    Archives

    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014

    Follow on Bloglovin



    FitFluential Is Fitness Found

    Picture

    my healthy aperture gallery

    The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2015

    The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2014

    Arkansas Women Bloggers

    Picture

    This Blog Supports Sustainable Seafood

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.