Coconut Almond Banana Oat Muffins

Coconut Almond Banana Oat Muffins / Makes 24
What you’ll need:
2 very overripe bananas
½ cup coconut oil
1 cup sugar
½ tsp almond extract
1 ½ cup rolled oats
¾ cup unbleached flour (up to ½ cup of which can be whole wheat flour)
¾ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
¾ cup toasted sliced almonds
¾ cup shredded coconut
2 Tbsp flax seed meal
How to make it:
1.    Preheat oven to 350, line 24 muffin cups
2.    Spread the almonds on an ungreased baking sheet and toast in oven for 5 to 8 minutes. Meanwhile, mash the bananas in a medium mixing bowl. Mix with sugar, oil, flax seed meal and almond extract until smooth.
3.    In a separate mixing bowl, combine baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour and oats.
4.    Add banana mixture to oat mixture, mix until just combined.
5.    Fold in almonds and coconut, careful not to overmix.
6.    Divide mixture into muffin cups. Bake for 17-19 minutes or until the top is browned and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
**modified version of Runner's World Cookbook Banana Oat Energy Bars**

Game On Five-ingredient Cookies

Original "two-ingredient cookie" recipe can be found online at : http://www.theburlapbag.com/2012/07/2-ingredient-cookies-plus-the-mix-ins-of-your-choice/

Ingredients:
2 large old bananas
1 cup of  oats (quick or regular! if you use regular, we’d suggest chopping them a little so everything holds together better)
sprinkle of cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)
2 scoops protein powder

Mix the banana and oats together, then stir in cinnamon, nuts, and protein powder.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes on a GREASED cookie sheet. You could also use parchment paper for easy clean-up.

Depending on size these should make 12 cookies for a total of 3 servings.

Game On Diet plan
Fist sized portion of fruit or carbohydrate = banana and oats
Palm sized portion of protein = protein powder
Thumb sized healthy fat = nuts

Peanut Butter Coffee Green Smoothie

2 big handfuls of spinach
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup iced coffee (sweetened with agave nectar)
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
1/2 scoop protein powder (I used Pure Protein brand chocolate whey protein)
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
sprinkle of cinnamon
2 big ice cubes

Blend together until smooth, then enjoy.


Game On Diet plan
Fist sized portion of fruit or carbohydrate = milk and banana
Palm sized portion of protein = greek yogurt and protein powder
Thumb sized healthy fat = peanut butter
Fist sized portions of vegetables = spinach

Strawberry Banana Yogurt

1/2 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
1/2 banana
3 strawberries, diced (roughly 3, use more or less, depending on the size)
1 Tablespoon chopped pecans
drizzle of honey

Mix all together and enjoy with a spoon. For a real treat, put in the freezer for an hour before eating.

Game On Diet plan
Fist sized portion of fruit or carbohydrate = banana/strawberries
Palm sized portion of protein = greek yogurt
Thumb sized healthy fat = chopped pecans

Green Smoothie

2 big handfuls of romaine lettuce (or spinach)
1/2 cup milk
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
1/2 scoop protein powder (I used Pure Protein brand chocolate whey protein)
3 macadamia nuts (or any other kind of nut)
sprinkle of cinnamon
2 big ice cubes

Blend together until smooth, then enjoy.


Game On Diet plan
Fist sized portion of fruit or carbohydrate = milk and banana
Palm sized portion of protein = greek yogurt and protein powder
Thumb sized healthy fat = macadamia nuts
Fist sized portions of vegetables = romaine lettuce

Pumpkin Banana Yogurt

1/2 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
1 banana
1 Tablespoon pumpkin butter
drizzle of honey

Mix all together and enjoy with a spoon.

Game On Diet plan
Fist sized portion of fruit or carbohydrate = banana
Palm sized portion of protein = greek yogurt
Thumb sized healthy fat = pumpkin butter

Banana Nut Breakfast Smoothie

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup iced coffee
1 banana
1/2 cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
1/2 scoop protein powder (I used Pure Protein brand chocolate whey protein)
3 macadamia nuts
sprinkle of cinnamon
4 big ice cubes (If you use a frozen banana, you can omit the iced cubes)

Blend together until smooth, then enjoy.
The best way I have found to freeze bananas is to use ripe bananas, peel them and break into 2 or 3 pieces, place them in an individual ziploc baggie, then place the baggies inside a freezer bag.

Game On Diet plan
Fist sized portion of fruit or carbohydrate = milk and banana
Palm sized portion of protein = greek yogurt and protein powder
Thumb sized healthy fat = macadamia nuts