Chocolate Chip Protein Muffins

I’ll be honest, when I was younger I was far from healthy. I had the blandest of tastes and preferred anything high in carbohydrates and sugar, and low in nutritional value. As I got older and more active, I started to learn just how important is was to pay attention to how what I ate affected how I felt. I quickly learned that all those carbs and sugar did little for my energy or health. Every now and then, I still do get a craving for something that is anything but healthy. Instead of indulging in high amounts of sugar and grains that will make me feel sick, I prefer to make a healthier version of the foods I once loved. Tops on my list of favorites was chocolate chip muffins. This version is packed with protein, much lower in calories, and free of any refined sugar. Bake them up and enjoy!

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• Dash of sea salt
• 2 tbs. almond butter
• 2 tbs. melted coconut oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2/3 cup egg whites, whipped

Directions:  

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the protein powder, coconut, chocolate chips, cinnamon, baking powder, and sea salt.
3. Add in the wet ingredients including the almond butter, melted coconut oil, 2 eggs, and vanilla.
4. Lastly whip your egg whites in a separate bowl until stiff peaks form.
5. Fold your egg whites into your muffin batter, being careful not to over mix.
6. Pour your batter into lined muffin tins. The mixture may be thin – this is fine.
7. Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

You tell me, what’s your favorite not-so-healthy treat of choice? 

P.S. Local Friends!