My eldest is a monkey and I am constantly trying to find ways to get healthy food into him. It's a challenge, but shakes and smoothies are my go-to. My littlest is now 19 months and had been struggling with some skin issues. We rarely have dairy, but gluten was still a regular part of his diet. We love Spelt flour, and Spelt pasta....but my gut was telling me his rashes were turning up because of a food allergy. Now, it could've been a combination of things, but my readings have always told me to eliminate dairy and gluten first and go from there. Once I did that, my little man has normal skin again. It makes sense since his daddy has so many food allergies it's silly!
All the more reason to find healthy alternatives our whole family can enjoy. This is harder than it sounds. In this house we have dairy, gluten, egg, bean, garlic, and almond allergies. Needless to say, some days in the kitchen are a huge failure and it's very tiring!
Slowly I have found some go-to recipes and this one is a new family favourite. I have always liked Quinoa, but never have I used quinoa flour. In fact, I was turned off by the idea of it. But don't worry, it's not what you think! I was gifted a Quinoa recipe book from my father-in-law at Christmas, and I adapted a recipe to suit our needs! Plus, anything chocolate is worth a try, right? I hope you enjoy them as much as we did! No dairy, gluten, almond, eggs, or refined sugars. It's not fruit, but it's a healthier snack even the pickiest of kids will enjoy. Just beware, your floor will be covered in chocolate crumbs. But that's part of the fun, right?
HealthNutty Dark Chocolate Mini-Muffins
(Gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut-free)
Preheat Oven to 350, rub coconut oil on each mini muffin tin
2 tbsp flax meal mixed into 6 tbsp water
1.5 cups Quinoa Flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup coconut milk or cashew/almond milk
1/2 cup liquid honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional....we didn't do this, but if you are looking for something more decadent, then go for it)
1. Mix flax meal and water in a small bowl and let sit for 5 mins.
2. In a large bowl mix quinoa flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt.
In a medium bowl add the flax mixture, non-dairy milk, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla until well blended.
3. Add the wet to the dry and combine well. Fill up mini muffin cups about 3/4 full and bake for 10-12 minutes.
4. Let cool, and enjoy! Should make about 30 mini muffins.
Recipe adapted from Camilla V. Saulsbury's 500 Best Quinoa Recipes
