This post is sponsored by my friends at NOW Foods. They’re one of my all-time favorite companies and I love their line of products, from sports supplements, to pantry essentials, beauty and skincare, and essential oils. Check it out here and use FITNESSISTA for 20% off! Also, check out the giveaway details below.
Hands in the air if you’re equally excited to be back in a routine, but also lamenting the end of summer. We are officially back in school, back to the dance-horses-homework extravaganza, and while I thrive on a schedule, things are busy, as I’m sure many of you can relate.
I’m here trying to make the week as streamlined as possible, and here are some of the things that have helped:
– Doing anything I can the night before. This means packing lunches, setting out uniforms (including hair accessories and shoes), packing snacks, and setting out water bottles to be filled. I also make a mental note of what the kids are having for breakfast, so I can make anything in advance.
– Start dinner in the afternoon. Many nights, Liv is finished with dance late, so I have dinner waiting for the crew when they’re done with their activities for the day. I’ve found that late afternoon, before school pickup, is the best chance to get some veggies chopped, and make anything I can before pickup.
– Snack prep! I try to make snack staples at the beginning of the week, so that the kids have lots of options.
Here are two favorites that they’re loving lately!
Lemon Blueberry Muffins and Chocolate Coconut Energy Bites
Lemon Blueberry Muffins
These lemon blueberry muffins have a bright and zesty flavor. P says they taste like pancake muffins! I also like that they’re not too sweet. You can absolutely increase the sweetness by adding more coconut sugar or maple syrup. Make a batch and freeze to have on hand for the week. I’ll heat them up and serve with pre-boiled eggs for a quick school morning breakfast.
Lemon Blueberry Muffins
A delicious and healthy muffin recipe that you can make in advance, freeze, and enjoy throughout the week. Gluten-free and dairy free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 15 muffins 1x
1 cup gluten-free baking mix
1 cup almond flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of sea salt
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
2 eggs
1 cup blueberries
zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons coconut sugar
Preheat the oven to 350 and line a standard muffin pan with liners.
In a small bowl, combine the almond milk and apple cider vinegar and set aside.
In a medium bowl, add the gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
Stir in the remaining ingredients, adding the blueberries last.
Fill the muffin tins 3-4 of the way, and then bake for 15 minutes or until set. Allow to cool completely before freezing.
Chocolate Coconut Energy Bites
These coconut coconut energy bites taste almost like a candy bar, and are a great source of healthy fats. The girls love them for a little sweet bite, and I’ll pack them in their lunch snacks. I like to have them on hand, waiting in the fridge, especially when I want a quick snack on-the-go.
Chocolate Coconut Energy Bites
A delicious and healthy energy bite recipe that kids love! Make a batch to keep in the fridge for easy snacking throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 energy bites 1x
1/2 cup raw cashews
8 pitted medjool dates
1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut (plus more for rolling)
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons raw cocoa powder
pinch of sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
In a food processor, pulse all of the ingredients until chopped and a dough-like mixture forms. (Add a little water if it needs help coming together.)
Roll into 8-10 balls. Roll each ball into the extra coconut as a little coconut coating.
Store covered in the fridge for up to one week.
I used NOW Foods ingredients in these recipes, including their coconut oil, almond flour, maple syrup, cocoa powder, coconut sugar, and coconut. They’re one of my go-to places to shop, especially because they put so much care into the quality of their products. I had the opportunity to visit their headquarters years ago and was blown away. You can check out my recap here!
I especially love their creatine, protein powders, essential oils, skincare staples, and natural foods.
I thought it would be fun to share a giveaway with a lucky reader friend, and NOW generously offered a $150 gift card for one winner! Winner must live in the US and be over the age of 18 to win.
Here’s how to enter:
– Leave a comment on this post – it can be anything 🙂
Bonus entries:
– Follow me on Instagram and leave an extra comment to let me know
– Follow NOW Foods on Instagram and leave an extra comment to let me know
Check out today’s Instagram reel for another way to enter, too!
I’ll pick the winner randomly and will announce in this week’s Friday Faves post.
Ready, set, go!
xo
Gina
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