Sweet Spinach Muffins!

No the lighting isn't 'off' in this photo...those muffins really are green! A great superfood snack for your little ones...and kinda festive considering St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner!

Are these muffins a delectable treat to save for your afternoon coffee? Likely not. However...our boys devoured them...as did their little buddy who tends to boy-cot his veggies these days...so in my books they are a win! I bookmarked this recipe months ago and now wished I hadn't waited so long to try them! Here they are with a few swaps in ingredients.

Give them a try yourself and let me know what you think! Great for carb-loving kids!

SWEET SPINACH MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup fresh spinach, packed
1/3 cup maple syrup, or sweetener of choice
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 1/2 cups spelt flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 Tsp salt

*optional - 1/4 cup chia seeds


DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place the first 6 ingredients in a food processor and puree.

Place the remaining ingredients in a separate bowl and combine.

Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet until combined.

Scoop batter into a greased mini muffin tin, bake for 10-12 minutes.

Let cool completely & enjoy!

Chocolate Chewy Granola Bars

Okay...so our house has become a fan of The Marathon Mom's granola bars! I will not confess how many variations I have made...nor how long each batch lasts in our house!! My most recent variation, as of about 15 minutes ago, is officially my favourite! Not quite as sweet tasting as the original Chewy Granola Bars I posted. Used her Chocolate Granola Bar recipe as my starting point...switched only a few things...and then doubled it all enough to make a large cake pan, instead of a small one. Here it is!

Did I mention how QUICK these are to make? I literally decided to make them as I told the boys it was time to get ready for a nap. By the time they tidied up and made it upstairs they were already cooling (hiding!) in the fridge...love that!

Enjoying mine with a hot tea right now...while I write our Compassion Sponsor kids...written yours lately? Their website makes it so handy...can attach photos, cards, or some fun games too! Very grateful! Jay has been able to visit everyone one of our Compassion kids...isn't that amazing! What a gift as a mom myself to be able to buy clothing and supplies for them and have Jay bring them there himself...so cool. Here he is last Spring in Africa with three of them...I love this photo. We desire to enlarge this and hang in our sons' bedroom...they are part of the family! We believe that one day our boys will meet their 'other' brothers face to face. What's even more exciting is that these three boys have become friends with each other because they are brought together each time Jay visits...like one big family! Oh how I wish I could wrap some of these Granola bars up and send them to these guys too!



(Is it tacky that I bought them coordinating shirts??!! A true 'mom' just can't resist the opportunity!!)

Chocolate Chewy Granola Bars

INGREDIENTS

1 cup natural peanut or almond butter (I used half and half. Almond is better for you, but I LOVE the taste of peanut butter!)
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil
2 cups oats
1/4 cup Chia..or any seed
1/2 cup any seed or nut...I used sunflower?!
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

Melt the peanut butter, honey, oil and chocolate chips in a pot over medium to low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Pour in all remaining ingredients. Stir til combined.

Pour into parchment-lined 8 X 11 pan and stick in the fridge (or freezer if you're impatient/hungry like me!)

Cut into whatever desired shape or size you like! Yes...my portion was as big as it looks in the photo! I had a salad for lunch, okay?!

I should add these work best if they are stored in the fridge. The coconut oil and nut butters soften at room temperature since they are unbaked:)