Paleo and Vegan Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Adding coconut yoghurt makes these muffins decadently moist and satisfying, pleasing all crowds. Packed with nourishing ingredients high in healthy fats and muscle-building protein, this is the type of cake you can justify eating at breakfast, lunch or dinner. For a dessert treat, serve with coconut ice cream or coconut yoghurt.

Paleo and Vegan Apple Crumble Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond meal
• 3 scoops of vegan vanilla protein powder
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal or LSA
• 1/2 teaspoon mineral salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup of coconut yoghurt
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup of almond milk
• 1/2 cup of stevia sweetener 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large apple, diced 
• shredded coconut for topping

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 165 degrees. Spray coconut oil in a silicone muffin tin or line with patty pans.
2. Mix all ingredients together gently, in a large bowl, until combined. 
3. Fill each muffin hole with mixture until divided amongst 12 cups. Sprinkle with coconut.
4. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until cooked through.
5. Let cool in the pan until transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Flourless Coconut Chocolate Protein Pancakes

This was a treat for Easter Sunday breakfast so naturally these pancakes had some luxurious sprinkles of chocolate scattered through them. I added my favorite pea protein powder and some coconut flour, which makes these pancakes gluten-free and low in sugar. If you are using a good non-stick fry pan, flipping your pancakes will be easy. If you don't want to use chocolate drops, try adding blueberries.

Flourless Coconut Chocolate Protein Pancakes

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs, lightly whisked
• 1 large mashed banana
• 1/4 cup of coconut flour
• 1/2 cup of soy milk
• 2 scoops of protein powder
• 3 tablespoons of dairy-free sugar-free dark chocolate drops
• 3 tablespoons of stevia sweetener powder
• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil

Directions:

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl until combined. 
2. Heat up a large non-stick fry pan and spray with coconut oil.
3. Pour an even amount of pancake mixture into the pan (my pan could fit four at a time).
4. Cook on a medium heat until the edges of the pancake start to peel from the pan. When this happens, carefully flip each pancake using a rubber spatula.
5. Cook on the other side for a few more minutes until cooked through.
6. Serve with low-fat Greek yoghurt and berries.

Paleo Carb-free Risotto

Watching your carb intake at night doesn't mean you have to live off salads after 5pm, which gets especially tricky when the winter weather sets in. Satisfying your tastebuds, try a faux risotto replacing the rice component by using the very understated vegetable, cauliflower. I think it tastes better than the real thing because the cauliflower has such a lovely sweet natural flavour and the dish won't leave you with that heavy post-carb feeling.

Poached chicken with carb-free vege rice

I love the idea of cauliflower and broccoli as a carb-free rice! Not only is this a great gluten-free option but perfect for those trying the Paleo diet philosophy or simply trying to reduce carbohydrate intake at night. I heard Sammy and Bella from the Channel 7 morning show talking about the Paleo 'fake-rice' creation and I couldn't wait to try it. To accompany this healthy creation is some virtuous poached chicken; poaching chicken is not only healthy but makes the meat succulent and moist. Just make sure to use a low heat once it comes to a boil, otherwise the chicken will be tough and stringy.