I have a love-hate relationship with muffin/cupcake liners. I have an obsessive need to eat food to the last bite and it drives me crazy that a very small amount of muffin crumbs end up stuck to the liner. You better bet I find a way to eat it. Yes, I’m that person… Alternatively I could not use a liner and then have to clean the muffin tin. A constant battle between uneaten food and dishwashing. Please tell me I’m not the only one who has this problem…
On another note, I seem to have gotten my kitchen-groove back! I had a sudden desire to go home and bake on Tuesday night. Besides oatmeal these are the only things I have cooked/baked in the last week. I ate the Strawberry Shortcake Baked Oatmeal for lunch almost everyday this week. With a side of broccoli and carrots. I AM SO LAZY. Did I mention I also ate oatmeal for breakfast everyday this week? So much for moderation…ah well what can you do…
But still these muffins were a minor feat and actually inspired me to “cook” my dinner…aka a salad. I thought oats for breakfast, lunch and dinner might be a bit excessive. I can’t say that I’ve been totally inspired to get crazy in the kitchen, but it’s a start. It doesn’t help that my birthday is coming up and I’ve somehow lined up 4 dinners eating out. But such is life.
My healthy eating and balanced lifestyle waxes and wanes. I’m okay with leaning a bit more on the unhealthy side for the time being. September I’ll come back with a vengeance. As I turn 24 I feel like I’ve become a lot more lenient with how I eat and train. I know I’m still so young but I’m noticing that my body is not what it used to be (i.e. the majority of this year being injured) and it is so important I give my body the rest and nourishment it needs. I’m also convinced that eating out, indulging and taking the pressure off myself to be perfect foodwise and fitnesswise is just good for me overall. But enough of this, let’s get to the muffins. These sit somewhere between so healthy they taste like cardboard and the most incredible muffins you’ve ever eaten but will stick to your ass for eternity. I’ll take the somewhere in between thankyouverymuch.Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Muffins
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20-25 mins
Ingredients (Yields: 12 Muffins)
- 1 cup GF oat flour (ground rolled oats)
- 1 cup potato starch
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1 tsp xantham gum
- 1/2 cup coconut palm sugar (or other dry sweetener)
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (I used enjoy life mini chocolate chips)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line muffin tin or spray with non-stick spray.
3. Mix together all dry ingredients.
4. In a separate bowl beat egg and add in other wet ingredients.
5. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir to combine.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Fill muffin cups 2/3-3/4 full.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes (mine took 24 mins).
9. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 mins in tin.
10. Remove from tin and place on wire rack to cool completely.
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50 Comments
Charlotte @ Commitness to Fitness
August 23, 2013 at 1:33 pmthese sound AMAZING. i’ve just started getting into vegan baked goods, and i’ve been loving all of them. im bookmarking this one 🙂 as ive gotten older ive realxed A LOT about food. thats not to say ive gotten sloppy, but some weeks are about celebration and just indulgence and thats great, and other weeks are about focusing on more moderate, healthy options. it all comes out even in the end 🙂
strawberriesandrunning
August 23, 2013 at 1:24 pmWow those muffins look great!!! I’ll definitely be making those this weekend!
And yes I definitely feel exactly the same way as you do. I mean I know I am only 20, but I kinda like have a lil extra cushion on my body (compared to what I used to be like…aka skin and bones). When I was 18/19 years old, I have zero fat on me and it was horrible, now that I have put on about 5 pounds, I feel a world of difference. And yes I allow myself to eat what I want and train when I want.
That unnecessary pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect is so destructive. It is all about balancing your life and enjoying it.
Now I look forward to each and every single day because I know that once again I am truly happy. As opposed to before when I would just exist, and wait for the each day to end so I could eat breakfast…not a happy life at all!!
Great question and insight 🙂
Have an awesome weekend!
Natasha
xx
Davida @TheHealthyMaven
August 25, 2013 at 11:46 pmI could not agree more Natasha!! Thank you for your honest answer. Hope you had an equally wonderful weekend 🙂
Shashi Charles
August 23, 2013 at 12:59 pmThank you for posting the recipe for these gluten free choc. chip muffins!
Hey nothing wrong with oats for breakfast, lunch and dinner – specially if they are topped with a nutbuter 🙂
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com
Megan (The Lyons' Share)
August 23, 2013 at 12:53 pmThe comment about being somewhere between cardboard-tasting and stick-to-your-ass forever pretty much describes my perfect balance :). So glad I’ve recently found your blog and look forward to continuing to follow!
Davida @TheHealthyMaven
August 25, 2013 at 11:45 pmMegan! I’m so happy I found your blog too!!!
Amy @ Long Drive Journey
August 23, 2013 at 12:48 pmI definitely KNOW that I’m not 18 anymore, and I can’t do all of the same things that I used to (go out multiple nights in a row, stay out late, etc…), but to be perfectly honest, I’m really okay with that. I’m happy with the way that life has taken me, and I believe in going out to eat and indulging from time to time because it makes me happy. I guess that’s really what I’ve noticed: the same things don’t make me happy anymore, but life is just as good.
Ha, sorry for such a deep response when I should be complimenting your muffins! I will have to try making these…I’m always hesitant to make GF baked goods, but maybe I need to jump on the band wagon.
veganmiam.com
August 23, 2013 at 12:24 pmI get so happy when I see a dessert, and of course gluten-free, too! I understand your frustration with the muffin/cupcake liners… it’s a waste not to finish the last bits of that crumb ends! Ah, when’s your birthday? Mine was two months ago in June, spent a lovely birthday dinner in downtown Portland at the rooftop (you’ve got to go, it’s at Departure Restaurant & Lounge, and has the best view of downtown Portland). I’m almost the same age as you. I feel healthier and clean when I eat less processed foods. I’ve been a vegan for nearly 7 years, and I didn’t feel different at all except for my tired eyes (I’m an IT professional, ugh) and my tummy. I really need a break from the computer screen and do some eye massages.
Davida @TheHealthyMaven
August 25, 2013 at 11:54 pmIf only I could jet off to Portland for my birthday!! Mine is on Tuesday but I’ve spent this past weekend eating out all over toronto. There are some fantastic restaurants here. I hear ya on the break from technology. I’m so addicted!!
Brittany
August 23, 2013 at 12:15 pmAHH I have to eat every last crumb too!! I haven’t really had any fights with my cupcake liners, but I can totally support you with that haha. These muffins look SO good! My body is in the best shape it’s ever been, yet at times I am still to harsh about it. I have really been focusing on letting go of the little things that only I see, and love my body for all it can do!! I need a LOT of sleep, and a LOT of muffins! 😉
Liz @ iheartvegetables
August 23, 2013 at 11:56 amChocolate chip cupcakes are my FAVORITE! As far as my body relationship… some days are better than others, but I’ve learned to accept what I can’t change, and not get frustrated when the things I can change haven’t yet 😉
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
August 23, 2013 at 11:40 am“I’m also convinced that eating out, indulging and taking the pressure off myself to be perfect foodwise and fitnesswise is just good for me overall.” <-- Very much this! I used to be SO strict with how I ate, and never let myself indulge in treats or really enjoy my food... The irony of it all was that I probably ended up unhealthier than anything else. These days it's all about balance... food that's good for the body, and food that's good for the soul :) Speaking of which… loving the sound of these muffins! I’ve honestly never used potato starch in a muffin recipe before, so I’m kind of curious to see how that would turn out. Happy Friday, lady!
Davida @TheHealthyMaven
August 25, 2013 at 11:55 pmYou definitely don’t taste the potato starch. It’s awesome for GF baking! Could not agree more with striving for balance 🙂
Madison
August 23, 2013 at 11:14 amI love your tidbit about the cupcake liners. Made me chuckle! My life has changed in that I allow myself to indulge more and really live life–if I want that homemade cake: I’m going to eat it and not punish myself for it. However, I’ve been trying to get more veggies in my life and will keep on that as well. 🙂
Amy @ The Little Honey Bee
August 23, 2013 at 10:35 amThese look amazing! (gorgeous pics!!) Yum yum yum. Well you know how my healthy lifestyle has changed 🙂 but I don’t want to consider myself “old”… it’s weird enough not going back to school right now ah! Now I love living the way that I do – tons of veggies and the occasional scoop of ice cream is just the balance for me!
Kathy @ Vodka and Soda
August 23, 2013 at 10:23 amYUMMY!!!!!
i “let myself go” for a long time; prior to that, i was a total gym rat but youth and a fast metabolism are no longer on my side (boohoo) so i had to work extra hard to get the weight off and train extra hard to gain muscle/definition…it sucks, really!
but it’s been nearly 2yrs since i changed my lifestyle and i haven’t looked back. i’m pretty strict with my clean eating; i only eat dessert once a year (on my birthday) and i don’t eat any processed foods at all.
-kathy
Vodka and Soda
Davida @TheHealthyMaven
August 25, 2013 at 11:56 pmYour willpower to only dessert once a year is impressive! I would probably give up all food just so I could eat dessert 🙂