I love muffins. Wait, no. I love muffin tops. Not the ones that are glued to my sides, but the ones I eat. I love them. Whoever decided to just sell muffin tops in stores is a complete genius. And these muffin tops in this recipe are by far the best ones I’ve ever made. You’ll be quite happy to try these muffins. The bf didn’t agree, but sometimes, he’s just wrong.
Enough about muffin tops. I want to talk about exercise. Yes, yes I do. So I wanted to chat about fitness, the ups and the downs, and creating a workout you love to do. That’s honestly why I started this blog in the first place. To not only talk about food, but what life is like when you CrossFit every day.
I have been struggling with CrossFit for a little less than a year now. After Regionals last year, I injured my shoulder, then I injured my elbow. It led to me taking a step back from competing. And since I wasn’t competing anymore, I wanted to look different. I had gained over 30 pounds, some muscle and some fat, and wasn’t comfortable in that body anymore. My body didn’t look like the ripped CrossFitters out there who become lean and more muscular, I just had more weight on me. And I hated it. So I stopped working out multiple times a day, cut back my weights, and started running more. But running more led to other injuries. Pretty much my body has been feeling like it’s falling apart and I’ve been upset and frustrated constantly about it.
But the thing is, I’m not one to stop working out. I would look like a bowl of tapioca pudding if I did. So I stopped going over head in CrossFit and I kept running, mixing it up with some sprint work as well as “longer” distances. I put the “” down because I run 2.5 miles, which is long for me. By the end, I feel like my body is crumbling. Literally, crumbling. My awkward turtle body was just not meant for running.
Anywho. I wanted to talk about this because I want it to be proof that you can create your own kind of CrossFit. Or really, any workout. I think a lot of people are intimidated by CrossFit or by a gym or a certain kind of workout, but they shouldn’t be. I’ve created a workout that I’ve begun to love again and look forward to because I’m changing my body and feeling good in my skin. Isn’t that what it’s all about? Last year, it was all about hitting personal records, not crying during muscle ups, and making it as far as I could in Regionals. Now it’s about not hurting during a workout, fitting into shorts and jeans, and feeling good in Mexico. Funny how priorities change.
I don’t know why I’m talking about all of this. Most people won’t care. But maybe someone will. Because honestly, I’m writing this to say…don’t give up. Don’t ever give up in your workouts. And if you haven’t started working out yet, start today. There is no better day than today to try something new. Try Zumba, try pilates, try yoga, try cycling, try p90x, try insanity, try CrossFit, try out a fitness class at your gym, try lifting weights, try swimming, try walking/jogging/running/sprinting, try anything. The more things you try, the more you’ll begin to figure out how exercise can be fun in some way. Or at least beneficial. Ok, I’m getting off my soap box. That’s enough ranting for the week.
I really wish we had soul cycle out here. I want to try it. Any workout with good music, I’m in.
Look at these cool people who came in to CrossFit Broadway to workout and visit. They are so great. Thanks for stopping by Lauren and Ryan! You guys had good movements. I love that.
Enough about exercise, I want to talk about food.
Maple Pecan Crunch Banana Muffins
- Yield: 12 1x
Ingredients
- 4 bananas (I used the extra brown ones)
- 6 dried dates, pitted
- 4 eggs
- 1/4 cup Coconut Oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 5 heaping tablespoons coconut flour
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- sprinkle of cinnamon
- pinch of salt
For the delicious topping
- 1 cup mixed nuts, chopped (I used sliced almonds, walnuts, and pecans)
- 2 heaping tablespoons almond flour/meal
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- sprinkle of cinnamon
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In yourfood processor, puree bananas and dried dates until you get a paste. Let it go for a while so the dates can break up completely.
- Add in eggs, coconut oil, and maple syrup and puree.
- Then add in the coconut flour. Mix. Then cocoa Powder. Mix. Then finish it off with adding the baking soda, powder, cinnamon and salt. Mix well in your food processor.
- In a separate bowl, add together the delicious topping mixture.
- Now line your muffin tin with paper muffin liners (I tried using silicone and they were a pain to get out) and use an ice cream scoop to plop batter into each muffin. It should make 12 muffins so try not to pile too high because the topping will take up a lot of room.
- Then add a heaping tablespoon of topping on each muffin and spread out around the muffin.
- Place in oven and cook for 35-40 minutes. These guys take a long time because they are so dense and wet, so check them at 35 minutes and every couple minutes after that. All you need to do is press on the top, if it give a lot, they aren’t ready. Be patient.
- Once they are cooked, let cool for at least 20 minutes. That way they will come out of the muffin liners easily.
- Then eat up and love your life.
- I did. Multiple times.
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More Muffins, Please!
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I hear this message loud and clear. Three years ago I started running, and that ended last June with an attempt at a fifty miler, my body just crying for a change (I severely needed to build muscle and balance out). I found crossfit last August and had been kicking butt with that until I injured myself after a beginner’s competition. Since then, I’ve been trying to balance my old running hip injury with my new spine/back problem, while still getting a workout in. It was hard for me to just scale WAY back, but it’s worth sucking up my pride to at least be at the box with my friends getting my sweat on. And I’m slowing working running back in thanks to help from my PT.
Muffins look amazing!
The muffins look amazing – printed to make this weekend! Love the orange top – may I ask where it’s from?
Hi Juli! Love this post!! Ryan and I had so much fun at Crossfit Broadway with you. We’re missing Colorado already 🙂
Juli
I can’t tell you how much I love reading your posts! They are hysterical, inspirational, and informative. I started Paleo in January. I have had Crohns my whole life, and makng the change to Paleo has CHANGED MY LIFE. I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER. Thanks for your recipes. Almost every one I have tried has been a hit, and this is my next ” to try”
Keep up the good work, and I agree with you, TRY anything you think might be interesting. I tried spinning after being afraid of it for so long and am now hooked. SO much so, that I want to become certified (in spinning, not the crazy)
I also incorporate dance/ballet Pilates, rwegular Pilates and Barre Method, to change it up and stay interesting. I just turned 57, and even though everything hurts, at least it’s a GOOD hurt, one I gave myself by doing something positive. People just don’t realize how great it is to challenge oneself and then actually SEE the results.
how many calories are in the muffins? I am eating paleo but counting calories to lose weight.
no clue, but not a good idea to eat these if you’re trying to lose weight
Hey Juli,
I’m an occasional reader (okay, mostly recipe searcher), but I happened to get caught up in this post, and I’m SO glad I did. Not only does the recipe look incredible, but I’m really relating to your talk about exercise – especially feeling that your body is failing you.
I’ve dabbled in CF a bit but have mainly been running for the past three years. I recently found out that what I thought were the aches and pains of a good, long run may actually be associated with a rheumatic condition. MAJOR BUMMER. Anyway, it was comforting to find your post and to see that other people can relate.
Glad to see you’ve found a workout you’re beginning to love again, and I hope I can soon, too.
Best,
Kimberly
This post was such good timing, I’ve been feeling super heavy and uncomfortable
(Stupid iPhone) *in my body lately, have been crossfitting for 10 months now and have put on about 15lbs. I know its muscle but I don’t feel like I’ve “leaned” out at all. I wasn’t overweight when I started so I guess I understand why I haven’t lost but if I could just trade back 15lbs of fat for that muscle I’d be so happy! But I hate cardio, i know I have to integrate more I just feel like I have cement blocks on my feet while I run… Ugh. Keep the inspiration coming! You’re the best
Talk about tasty! My 3-year old begged for seconds, and my co-workers couldn’t believe they didn’t have flour in them. Definitely not low in calories (by my estimate, they’re a little over 250, if you make 12 muffins), but a great treat and awesome alternative to anything with flour.
Do you think Icahn use my donut pan?
yeah!