Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

This is a super convenient, nutrient dense breakfast that could be enjoyed any time of the day. It requires only a few ingredients and a sealed container. 

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/4 cup maple syrup 

2 T coconut oil

2 t cinnamon

3/4 cup coconut milk

Mix all ingredients. Refrigerate overnight.

Chia seeds are an excellent vegetarian source of protein, much higher than most plant foods.  Protein is a weightless friendly macronutrient that can reduce appetite and cravings.  Coconut oil is high in short and medium chain fatty acids, which are easily digested and sent right to the liver, providing instant energy.  What are your favorite ways to incorporate chia seeds and coconut oil into your diet? Comment below or tag me on social media! @inspirelingefitness

Banana Coconut Bites

This sizzling snack is a sweet treat that provides healthy fats from coconut oil, cinnamon to stabilize blood sugar levels,  fiber from flaxseed meal to help manage your weight and reduce the risk of heart disease, along with bananas which can help eliminate depression due to their effect on serotonin levels (the brain's neurotransmitter that keeps you happy).

Ingredients
2 bananas, sliced
2 T. Coconut Oil 
2 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. flaxseed meal
2 t. Xylosweet

Directions

Melt coconut oil in small bowl.  Pour dry ingredients into small bowl.  Place pan on stove, over low to medium heat.  Coat sliced banana with coconut oil, then transfer to dry ingredient bowl to coat.  Place on frying pan and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Sweet Potato Coconut Wrap

Coconut oil and chia seeds are two of the most talked about "superfoods" that have a number of health benefits and countless reasons to include them in your diet.  Chia seeds are a vegetarian source of Omega 3s which can reduce joint pain and lower the risk of heart disease. Diets high in Omega 3s have also been shown to reduce inflammation.  Chia seeds are also high in fiber, which helps keep you full.  Coconut oil is high in a saturated fat called medium chain triglycerides.  These fats work differently than other types of fats in the body.  The lauric acid in coconut oil can help reduce high cholesterol and high blood pressure.  Coconut oil reduces damage to the arteries, preventing atheresclerosis. 

The Sweet Potato Coconut Wrap features both of these ingredients, providing a variety of flavors and textures ranging from creamy, coconut infused, peanut butter to the crunchiness of baked sweet potatoes to the soft and doughy texture of flatbread.  This nutritious snack can also be part of a meal (who doesn't LOVE peanut butter as part of their breakfast?!).  It's full of fiber, fats, protein and healthy carbs that will nourish your body and provide brain fuel throughout the day!  I made a large batch of sweet potato fries and have listed the recipe accordingly.  For one serving, you will use 1/2 flatbread and other ingredients as indicated.

Sweet Potato Fries

3 medium sized sweet potatoes

2 T. Coconut Oil

2 t. cinnamon 

2 t. ginger powder

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Microwave sweet potatoes to soften before cooling and slicing.  Mix with coconut oil, cinnamon and ginger powder.  Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until crispy.

Sweet Potato Coconut Wrap

1/2 Flatout Flatbread Wrap

1 T. Earth Balance Coconut & Peanut Spread

1 t. Chia Seeds

1 T. Shredded Coconut

Spread peanut butter onto 1/2 of a Flatout Flatbread wrap. Top with chia seeds, then 4-5 sweet potato fries.  Top with shredded coconut and wrap!

Pumpkin Coconut Cupcakes

Infused with ginger and cinnamon, these coconut topped cupcakes are a delicious way to sneak in some healthy fats and fiber!  The saturated fats in coconut oil contain medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolized differently than long chain fatty acids, and can have therapeutic effects. Pumpkin in a great source of fiber, providing more than 20 percent of the daily value for fiber in one serving.  This helps keep you full and can reduce hunger. 

Ingredients

1 15 oz can of pumpkin

2 t. baking powder

2 t. cinnamon

1 t. ginger 

3/4 c. almond flour

1/4 c. Coconut Oil

1 T. vanilla extract

1/2 c. nonfat Greek yogurt

4 packets of xylitol

1 T. vanilla extract

1/4 c. shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and place liners in muffin pan. Mix the pumpkin, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, almond meal, coconut oil and vanilla extract.  Distribute evenly into muffin liners. Bake for approximately 45 minutes.  Allow to cool before frosting.  To make frosting, stir nonfat Greek yogurt with stevia and vanilla extract.  Top with shredded coconut and cinnamon.

Coconut Oil Exfoliating Scrub

Coconut oil and saw salt are such versatile products--in the kitchen and as a beauty product! This exfoliating scrub will leave your skin silky smooth and moisturized. 

According to huffingtonpost.com, commercial moisturizers contain lots of water, which makes you feel like your skin is being moisturized. But as soon as the water dries, your skin becomes dry again. Also, many commercial brands of moisturizers contain petroleum-based ingredients that can suffocate the skin. In contrast, coconut oil provides deep and real moisture. It helps strengthen underlying tissues and helps remove excessive dead cell on the skin's surface that makes your skin rough and flaky in texture. It also great for shine and as a natural moisturizer for your hair.

Sea salt will not only help detoxify your skin, but will help exfoliate dead skin cells as you rinse it off.

To make the scrub, combine 3 T. coconut oil to 1 T. sea salt. Enjoy!

For an extra special foot treatment, massage into feet and cover with socks before bed! 

Coconut CranOat Cookies

Crash your cravings and increase your satiety with this oatmeal-cranberry infused cookie recipe! Made with the simplest of ingredients, most of which you may already have on hand, these cookies are a great way to incorporate fiber and antioxidants into your diet.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup liquid egg white
1 t. vanilla extract
1/4 cup natural applesauce
1 t. baking soda
1/2 cup natural peanut butter
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 cup cranberries
Coconut oil (to coat cookie tray)

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Mix liquid egg white, vanilla extract, and natural applesauce in bowl. Stir in peanut butter, coconut flour, oatmeal, and cranberries. Coat cookie tray with coconut oil. Roll dough into cookie-size ball. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. Yields 12 cookies.

Research indicates that cranberries had the most antioxidant activity, the strongest effect on inhibiting human cancer cells, and the most powerful phytochemicals. The oatmeal, a traditional favorite of many fitness enthusiasts, is filled with cholesterol lowering fiber that also keeps you feeling full. The flavor and benefits of these cookies make them the perfect clean treat to enjoy year round!

Sweet Potato Coconut Fries

Who knew?! Sweet potato fries have become a staple in my diet lately and I recently was shocked to discover a sweet potato that wasn't orange! I did some research and came to these conclusions...There are two major varieties of sweet potatoes, the yellow, drier, more mealy kind with lighter beige colored skins, and the orange, more moist, sweeter ones with reddish skins that are usually called "yams." While all sweet potatoes contain similar amounts of the same nutrients, the notable difference among the varieties is the content of beta-carotene. More beta-carotene is available in orange-fleshed than in white- or yellow-fleshed varieties.  In the body, beta-carotene is converted to Vitamin A, an essential nutrient.  It has antioxidant activity, which helps to protect cells from damage.

Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes
2 T. coconut oil
2 t. cinnamon
2 t. hemp seed

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake the potatoes for approximately 6 minutes in the microwave. Allow to cool before cutting. Slice potatoes and put into bowl. Stir in coconut oil, cinnamon, and hemp seed. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until crispy. Enjoy!  Purchase your coconut oil and hemp seeds at Vitamin Shoppe.