Remember the time the Democratic National Convention came to town and celebrities were spotted jogging around (George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matthew McConaughey *ahem*), and President Obama stayed at a really nice resort like 10 minutes from your house?
You don't? Well, I do because that's what's going on here in Charlotte this week! Regardless of your political affiliation, I just happen to think it's remarkably awesome that all of this excitement is going on in my city - and I'm fairly fortunate that the road closings and traffic backups haven't affected me (knock on wood?!!)
But since I don't want to tempt fate and get stuck in complete chaos...as much as I'd like to camp out and spy on celebs, I'm forced to stay home and carry on with my domestic duties. My husband is traveling for work this week which means - the house is a disaster and I took the kids out to dinner last night because it's just not worth the effort when no one is here to appreciate it. What, you don't think that way? I can't help it - I can tolerate a little mess and chaos if it's just the kids looking on...
Last night, I was surveying the kitchen and I noticed that I had several really super ripe bananas, an avocado that was good for probably one more day, a HUGE Costco sized container of spinach leaves and a zucchini that was on its last leg. I decided I would make a super powered, chock full of goodness, so yummy you'd never know it was good for you somethingorother. Yes, I'm technical like that.
Source Source
Am I the only one who gets stupidly giddy when a crazy idea goes completely right in the kitchen? I love when I concoct something weird and when I trick the kids into eating all those nutrients. {In all fairness, the littlest eats just fine. It's my almost 12 year old who tries to flee to Mexico every time I pull out something green...}
So if you'd like to do a little sneaky bait and switch action on your own unsuspecting family members - read on for the recipe. Some of my ingredients are a little different, so I'm including the "everybody has it" ingredients for substitutions as well.
Double Chocolate Zucchini Super Power Muffins (it's a long name, but it's worth it...)
Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
3 cups whole wheat pastry flour {or all purpose, or a combination}
1 cup coconut palm sugar {or granulated white sugar, honey or maple syrup}
1/3-1/2 cup cocoa {depending on taste preference}
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
2 mashed ripe bananas 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 small or medium mashed ripe avocado
2 cups raw spinach leaves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 zucchini, shredded
1 1/2 c. mini chocolate chips
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the first seven dry ingredients. In a food processor or blender, add the eggs, bananas, applesauce, avocado, spinach leaves and vanilla extract until well blended. Slowly incorporate wet ingredients to dry and mix gently. Fold in zucchini and mini chocolate chips.
Spray 2 large loaf pans with cooking spray. (Or alternatively 24 muffin pans.)
Bake bread at 325° for approximately 60 minutes or until the top bounces back when pressed lightly and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. If making muffins, cook for approximately 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
A few notes: I omitted oil from this recipe, but you could easily use canola or coconut oil in place of applesauce if you'd prefer. I also have a Ninja {food processor, not an ACTUAL Ninja, though that would be awesome...} so it purees raw spinach really well and easily. If your blender won't do it quite so finely, you can always steam the spinach first to soften it and then puree it.
This is definitely a recipe I have to keep on hand - I made one loaf of bread and 12 muffins and will freeze one or the other to have on hand for quick breakfasts. The family will think they are getting delicious, chocolatey baked goods and I will know they are eating a good healthy serving of nutrients!
These muffins would be a great addition to school lunches!
What's a sneaky way you get stubborn kiddos to eat veggies?
