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Breakfast, Sweet Treats  /  March 22, 2020

Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins

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Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins are a classic, “healthified” banana-chocolate-walnut favorite. This recipe is free of gluten and dairy, yet a delicious treat for adults and kiddos.

We’re about 7 days into social distancing. I’ve adventured out to the grocery store twice and make it a daily habit to go for a walk in the neighborhood. I’m not going to lie: so far so good over here. I guess being an introvert has it’s perks, like not minding an indefinite social isolation. My heart goes out to all the extroverts about to lose their minds.  

And, this time of quarantine brought about these Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins. So, things are looking up in my 900 sq. ft. apartment. I hope this recipe brightens your quarantined days, too!

Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins

What is Chunky Monkey?

Chunky monkey is a classic flavor combination of banana, chocolate, and walnuts. Does it get any better? Arguably, no. I don’t know about y’all but the chunky monkey flavor combo trumps all flavor combos in my book. And now that I think about it, I’m not sure why it took so long for me to create a chunky monkey recipe. 

As a young girl, I remember going Ben & Jerry’s ice cream shop. The chunky monkey flavor was at the top of my list. Not much beats creamy, banana ice cream in a large waffle cone. I’m not drooling, you’re drooling.

Are Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins Healthy?

These Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins are definitely healthier than a traditional chunky monkey muffin recipe. Since this recipe is Paleo-approved, it’s free of dairy, gluten, and refined sugars, which are all inflammatory foods for most of us. However, not only is this recipe low in inflammatory foods, it also offers a variety of nutrients!

Bananas are rich in potassium, manganese, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Dark chocolate is one of the most popular superfoods, loaded with antioxidants and minerals, including magnesium, iron, and copper. Walnuts provide a hefty dose of omega fatty acids, especially omega-3. Cassava flour offers high amounts of vitamin C, manganese, potassium, and folate. Local honey is a great source of antioxidants. 

Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins

Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins

 

How to make Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins

This recipe requires about 15 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to bake. Meaning, it’s a great Saturday morning breakfast treat. 

To start, preheat the oven to 350F. Prep a muffin pan with muffin liners or cooking fat to prevent sticking. Mix all the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet ingredients in another, leaving out the walnuts and dark chocolate chunks.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and gently stir with a spatula or wooden spoon. Be careful to not over mix, otherwise you can easily end up with dense muffins. In 2-3 stirs, mix in the walnuts and dark chocolate. 

Spoon the batter into 12 muffin tins. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the tin for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling.

I prefer to enjoy these muffins warm and fresh, right out of the oven. However, you can store them in an airtight container for 3-4 days or in the freezer for a few months.

What You Need to Make This Recipe

Ripe Bananas

This recipe calls for 3 large, ripe bananas. The riper the bananas, the sweeter the taste and easier to mash.

Dark Chocolate Bar

I used a Theo Dark Chocolate Sea Salt bar. Highly recommended! Place the chocolate bar in a ziploc baggy and use the end of a spatula to crush the bar into chunks. Easy peasy!

Walnuts

Always use raw, organic walnuts. This rule goes for all nuts, all the time. Organic nuts contain less pesticides and toxins, while providing higher amounts of bio-available nutrients.

Cassava Flour

Cassava flour is my favorite paleo-approved baking flour. The cassava root is naturally gluten free and rich in vitamins and minerals.

Local Honey

Whenever using honey, always buy local, raw, and unpasteurized. This honey can help reduce inflammation and seasonal allergies, while boosting immune function.

Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins

 

Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins

Chunky Monkey Muffins

Yield: 12 muffins
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Paleo Chunky Monkey Muffins are a classic, banana-chocolate- walnut favorite. This recipe is free of gluten and dairy, yet a delicious treat for everyone.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups cassava flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 3 large, ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 egg
  • 4 tbs ghee, melted and cooled
  • 2 tbs local honey
  • 1/4-1/2 cup nut milk
  • 1/2 cup walnut pieces
  • 1 dark chocolate bar, crushed

Instructions

  1. Preahet the oven to 350F. Line a muffin tin with muffin liners or nonstick spray.
  2. Combine the mashed bananas, egg, ghee, and honey in a bowl and set aside.
  3. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl, except the walnuts and dark chocoalte. Add the wet mixture to the dry and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula- do NOT over mix. Add nut milk as needed.
  4. Gently mix in the walnuts and dark chocolate.
  5. Spoon the mixture into 12 muffin liners. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Let cool fro 10 minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.
  7. Enjoy warm and fresh! Or, store them in fridge fro up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3-4 months.

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nourishedbykelseynicole

Kelsey, FNTP, CC
Hi, it’s me. I’m still here! 👋🏼 I’ve Hi, it’s me. I’m still here! 👋🏼 

I’ve taken an unintentional (yet, very long) hiatus from this social media account and my blog. But, I’m back for a good while (I think 😅). Here’s what’s been going on lately..

In case you didn’t know, I started my own  business as a Content Creator in 2018, while I was in school at the Nutritional Therapy Association. As a trained FNTP, my niche is specifically holistic health and nutrition. It’s a combination of my two expertise: nutrition + content creation!

As a FNTP with a strong passion for real food + balanced nutrition, I’ve always kept this account as an educational resource for you. And as a fun creative outlet for me, as well!

But, I’m here to say, it’s time for a new direction. As my content creation business continues to grow and as I become more invested as a Content Creator, it only feels right to bring a little bit of my profession to this space! 

So while I still plan to share nutritional tidbits and encouragement, I also want to use this platform as a resource for my content creation business.

Sound good?

If you’re a fellow FNTP or nutrition professional, feel free to reach out for content creation support! 

And, if you’re here for nutritional education, thank you for being here and participating in this awesome community!! 💛

#nutritonaltherapypractitioner #fntp #ntp #functionalnutritionaltherapypractitioner #contentcreator #contentcreation #contentmarketing #contentmarketer #nutritioncontent #nutritionresources
As someone who aims to as many real, whole foods a As someone who aims to as many real, whole foods as possible (and always GF), I’ve learned a thing or two about “healthy baking.” Here are the swaps I always make in my baked goods for healthy hormones, metabolism, and tastebuds! 👇🏼

• Grass fed (raw, if possible) butter instead of oil 
• @bobsredmill 1-to-1 GF flour instead of all purpose flour
• Raw sugar, coconut sugar, honey, or maple syrup instead of white sugar 
• Substitute a little bit of the flour with protein powder or collagen (usually about 10% of the total flour)
• Grass fed (raw, if possible) milk > nut milk
• Cassava, oat, or GF blend flour > almond flour

Save this post to refer back to this season! And, happy baking 🧁🍪

PS Get this oldie, but a goodie, Chocolate Zucchini Bread recipe on the blog! 👉🏼 @nourishedbykelseynicole

http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
#holisticnutrition #nutritionaltherapypractitioner #nourishment #nourishedbykelseynicole #foodblogging #paleoblog #foodisfuel #foodismedicine #healthyrecipesideas #paleorecipeideas #nutrientdenserecipes #glutenfree #glutenfreebaking #healthybaking
Why I prefer to shop locally 🍎🥑🥕⠀⠀⠀ Why I prefer to shop locally 🍎🥑🥕⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Did you know local and seasonal foods are the most nutrient-dense? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Yup! Think about it: an apple from the grocery store can be found year-round and likely traveled THOUSANDS of miles to get there. Meaning, it was harvested days (if not, weeks) before being delivered to the store and eventually eaten. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, to break it down, this is why I prefer to buy MOST of my groceries locally 👇🏼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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🍎 Most local foods are in-season, providing the most nutrients and best flavor!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍎 I love the opportunity to support local farmers and small businesses.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍎 I know exactly where my food came from. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍎 It’s often cheaper to buy foods that are in-season, than those that aren’t.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Foods that I prefer to buy locally 👇🏼⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 🥩 Meat⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍳 Eggs⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍓 Fruits⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🥕 Veggies⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🍯 Honey⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🧀 Raw cheese and milk⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you can’t make it to your local farmers market every week, try to find a co-op nearby!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Do you shop locally?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
#holistichealing #holisticnutrition #nutritionaltherapy #nutritionaltherapypractitioner #nourishment #nourishedbykelseynicole #functionalhealth #bioindividuality #holisticnutritionist #foodisfuel #hormonehealth #guthealth #nutrientdeficiencies #poordigestion #foodsensitivities #foodismedicine #seasonaleating #shoplocally
It’s been a hot minute since I’ve shared new c It’s been a hot minute since I’ve shared new content, but the Fall season is my absolute favorite (as are Fall foods), so I figured it’d be a good time to pop back on!

Fall foods to nourish your body 👇🏼

These foods are naturally their ripest and MOST nutrient-dense during the Fall season, which is why I load up all season long!
🥕 Carrots
🥔  Sweet potatoes
🍠 Beets
🎃 Pumpkin 
🍆 Squash 
🍎 Apples
🍐  Pears
🧄 Garlic

Other Fall staples that I include on a daily basis during the Fall:
✨ Bone broth
✨ Beef liver
✨ Fresh orange juice
✨ Raw honey
✨ Raw milk

These are a few of my favorite recipes to increase my consumption of Fall foods 😋
👉🏼 GF cassava pumpkin bread
👉🏼 Roasted fall veggie medley
👉🏼 Raw milk hot cocoa
👉🏼 Chili made with bone broth 
👉🏼 Apple crisp

Do you love Fall foods as much as I do??

http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
#holistichealing #holisticnutrition #nutritionaltherapy #nutritionaltherapypractitioner #nourishment #nourishedbykelseynicole #functionalhealth #bioindividuality #holisticnutritionist #foodisfuel #hormonehealth #guthealth #nutrientdeficiencies #poordigestion #foodsensitivities #foodismedicine #fallseason #fallfoods
Your diet is only as beneficial as your digestion. Your diet is only as beneficial as your digestion.

Fact #1: You can eat all the healthiest foods in the world, BUT if you’re aren’t digesting and absorbing the nutrients, what’s the point?

Fact #2: Most of us have very poor digestion. In other words, we lack stomach acid and enzymes to break down and absorb the nutrients in our food. Signs of poor digestion = acid reflux, indigestion, stomach aches, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, and gas.

Sooooo, now what’s a girl (or guy) to do?

There are a few ways to help support healthy digestion and actually utilize the nutrients you’re eating, starting with:

	• Avoid drinking water (or any liquid) within 30 minutes of meal time. Liquids dilute the acid in your stomach leading to poor digestion.
	• Address any gut issues (SIBO, H. pylori, dysbiosis) that could be robbing your digestive tract of the ability to absorb nutrients.
	• Focus consuming plenty of whole foods that are rich in digesting-boosting nutrients, like: pastured whole eggs, grass fed beef, organic fruits, raw milk, etc.

Did you know you’re likely not absorbing all the nutrients you’re consuming??

👉🏼 @nourishedbykelseynicole

http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
#holistichealing #holisticnutrition #nutritionaltherapy #nutritionaltherapypractitioner #nourishment #nourishedbykelseynicole #functionalhealth #bioindividuality #holisticnutritionist #foodisfuel #hormonehealth #guthealth #nutrientdeficiencies #poordigestion #foodsensitivities #foodismedicine #digestion #nutrients
There's a good reason carbohydrates make up ONE of There's a good reason carbohydrates make up ONE of the 3 essential macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fat).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Over the last several years, carbs have become the "enemy." And, we now live in a society that fears carbs.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But, what if carbs aren't the REAL problem?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Truth be told, carbs are a necessary and HEALTHY part of every diet. However, is one major issue that needs to be addressed.. THE OVERCONSUMPTION OF PROCESSED CARBS.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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There, I said it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Real carbs are NOT the enemy. Processed, refined, and packaged carbs ARE.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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As a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I'm a huge advocate for carbs. Fundamentally, they provide our brain and bodies with usable energy, replenish glycogen stores, fuel our muscles, regulate digestion, and so much more!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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My favorite REAL carb sources (that I eat almost daily) include:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sourdough bread (made local and fresh)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sprouted white rice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Sweet potatoes⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
White/red potatoes⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Squash⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Seasonal fruit⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Orange juice⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jam/jelly⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Raw, local honey⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Did you know that carbs are essential? What's your favorite source of carbs? 😋
Unpopular opinion: your liver is the coolest organ Unpopular opinion: your liver is the coolest organ.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Think about it! The liver know which essential nutrients to absorb and recirculate, while excreting excess hormones, toxins, etc. And this is just the start of the list!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Seriously, your liver is the real MVP🏅⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, how do you know if your liver is functioning up to speed or if it needs a little more love? Signs of a congested or sluggish liver are:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Dark circles under your eyes⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Skin issues (rashes, eczema, acne)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Orange-pigmented skin⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• High cholesterol⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Alcohol and coffee intolerance⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Body odor⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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However, despite common belief, jumping straight to a juice detox protocol isnt necessarily the best way to address a sluggish liver.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Instead, if any of these symptoms sound like you, it’s time to give your liver some extra lovin’ 👉🏼 incorporate more liver-loving foods (beets, OJ, cilantro, beef liver), drink dandelion root tea, try castor oil packs, eliminate toxins from your home (plastic, fragrance, pesticides, etc), and get your SLEEP! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Tag a friend and spread the liver love! 💕⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
PSA: the foods you eat directly impact your thyroi PSA: the foods you eat directly impact your thyroid!!! And, did you know most of us are currently dealing with some kind of thyroid dysfunction?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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You can thank our chronically stressed out, fast paced, digital, and processed lifestyles.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Some foods actually work against our thyroid function, like processed foods, trans fats, PUFAs, cruciferous veggies, and even other raw veggies…⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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While other foods work FOR our thyroid, supporting healthy function. These foods include:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Seasonal fruits⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Root veggies⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Raw, local honey⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Pastured whole eggs⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Grass fed beef liver⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Wild caught oysters⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Raw cheese⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Sourdough bread⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
• Pulp-free orange juice ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, if you’ve been diagnosed with a thyroid disorder or suspect poor thyroid function, enjoy plenty of these thyroid supporting foods every single day. Trust me, it’s not that difficult to do! 😋⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Drop your thyroid Q’s below! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
In all honesty, life has been BUSY lately, my crea In all honesty, life has been BUSY lately, my creativity is lacking, and social media hasn’t been at the top of my list😅 

But, this morning, I want to leave you with a few basic reminders to help support healthy hormones, metabolism, and immune function! 

✨ Toddlers need to eat 1,200 calories a day. YOU are not a toddler. Most adults need to consume ~2,000 calories daily, if not more. Don’t understand-nourish yourself!

✨ Sleep is necessary to form memories, build muscle, and support healthy immune function. Make it a priority to sleep at least 8 hours per night!

✨ Breakfast is actually the most important meal of the day. No, coffee doesn't count. My go-to breakfast lately = sourdough toast + honey, eggs + sea salt, and coffee with raw milk. Easy and delicious!

✨ Over-exercising is as dangerous as being sedentary. Exercising too much creates extreme stress within the body. Learn to rest and allow time for your body and muscles to properly recover!

Did you know these friendly reminders?!

http://www.nourishedbykelseynicole.com/
#holistichealing #holisticnutrition #nutritionaltherapy #nutritionaltherapypractitioner #nourishment #nourishedbykelseynicole #functionalhealth #bioindividuality #holisticnutritionist #foodisfuel #hormonehealth #guthealth #nutrientdeficiencies #poordigestion #foodsensitivities #foodismedicine #hormonehealth #metabolichealth #immunehealth
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