CHOCOLATE PROTEIN MUFFINS

                         AKA..."USE UP WHAT YOU HAVE IN THE CUPBOARD MUFFINS"

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups of Wholemeal Spelt Flour
• ¾ cup of Chocolate Protein Powder (I used a 100% Pea Protein Isolate, like what you buy perhaps from a Health Food Shop to make protein shakes)
• ¼ cup of Miessence BerryRadical Certified Organic Antioxidant Superfood
• 6 teaspoons of Baking Powder
• 1 cup of Brown Sugar (you can increase this quantity if you like, however I have over the years gradually decreased the amount of sugar I include - kids don't notice anymore!)
• 3 tablespoons of Milo
• 1/3 cup of Avocado Oil
• 2 teaspoons of Organic Vanilla Bean Paste or Vanilla Essence
• 6 Eggs
• Rice Milk and/or Almond Milk – add enough to make a good cake like consistency
• 1x 250g Packet of Dark 75% Chocolate 'Chopped Finely'

METHOD:

• Place all dry ingredients together and mix well.
• Add Eggs, Avocado Oil and Vanilla Paste or Essence and mix just to combine.
• Then add either a combination or either milk whilst whisking.  Add enough milk to make a ‘cake like’ consistency, perhaps even a touch runnier.
• Place equal portions of mixture into each cupcake and top with chopped Dark Chocolate.
• Place in oven and bake at 160 degrees for roughly 15 minutes.  This will depend on your own oven. Test with a skewer to ensure they have cooked through.
• Cool or enjoy warm!!

NOTES:

• Miessence BerryRadical is a Superfood and the Antioxidant value 'found in fruits and vegetables help to neutralise free radicals in our bodies' http://www.miessence.com/en/product/15113/berryradical-antioxidant-superfood
• Vanilla Bean Paste (whilst expensive) has health benefits too...who knew? Contains small amounts of B-Complex Vitamins and traces of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron and zinc. http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/vanilla-beans.html It is also apparently the 'second most expensive spice next to saffron' as it is so labor intensive. http://www.greenvanillastore.com/info_vanillafaq.htm
• Protein is absolutely vital for the human body.  It is broken down into amino acids and then reconstructed into more proteins.  Proteins are required for the production of Muscle Tissue, Hormones, Enzymes, Skin, Hair, Nails, Immune Support, Renewal of Cells just to start.  The Eggs, Rice Milk, Almond Milk and Isolate all provide various quantities of protein.
• Avocado Oil is great to cook with as it is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and can help with lowering levels of inflammation within the body.  It also provides both Omega 3 and Omega 6.  Being a high flash point oil it can be used up to 270 Degrees.
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