Paleo Banana Bread Muffins

We all love banana bread but making it low-carb is a challenge. Until I found this recipe. We waiver on the balance of paleo and low-carb with a lot of our meals so realizing the bananas are not necessarily "low-carb" (and neither are the choc chips!), I'm going with the healthier paleo option on this bread :).
I made a batch using both almond and coconut flour and didn't notice much of a difference in flavor, so I say go with what you have. I also added chopped walnuts to a batch. It's a very versatile recipe, which I love. 

Ingredients

• 4 medium eggs (or 3 large)
• 2 -1/2 cups mashed bananas (4-5 medium)
• ½ cup almond butter (peanut butter can also be used)
• ¼ cup butter (olive oil can also be used)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup coconut flour (almond flour can also be used)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of sea salt
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional and not included in nutritional facts)

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease or line 12 muffin cups with liners; set aside.
2. Combine eggs, bananas, almond butter, butter, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until fully combined. Add the coconut flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and pinch of salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until fully combined.
3. Spoon batter into muffin tins, ¾ full. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from muffin tin. Store in refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Recipe: http://gimmedelicious.com

Slow Cooker Pepper Jack Cauliflower

I will start by saying that I have tried lots of cauliflower recipes since January and typically the response is not favorable. Cauliflower is just a difficult vegetable for us, it seems. But this one....WOW! The kids loved it, my hubby went for seconds, and there were zero leftovers! I'm certain it was the cream cheese. That stuff is a miracle ingredient :) 

*And a note- I will most likely double this or 1 1/2 it next time if I want leftovers or to serve for a larger party.

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into 1 inch florets
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 4 ounces Pepper Jack, shredded
• 6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled

Instructions

1. Grease the inside of a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker.
2. Add the cauliflower, cream cheese, whipping cream, butter, salt, and pepper. Cook on low for 3 hours.
3. Add the Pepper Jack and stir to combine. Continue to cook another 30 minutes to an hour, until cauliflower is fork tender.
4. Add bacon crumbles and serve.

Recipe: https://asweetlife.org/slow-cooker-pepper-jack-cauliflower/

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

To be honest, I wasn't sure how this one would play out. My kids were a bit unsure of the lettuce wrap idea, but they ended up loving it! In fact, they have both asked when I am planning to make this again ;).

• 
  

Ingredients:

1 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
½ cup buffalo sauce, plus a little more for drizzling over the finished chicken if you prefer
2 cups plain panko bread crumbs
4-6 large soft leaves of lettuce (I used romaine)
1 cup cooked quinoa
½ cup diced tomatoes
½ cup diced avocado
blue cheese (or ranch) dressing & scallions to garnish

1. Preheat the oven to 375 and lightly grease (I used cooking spray) a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
2. Toss the chicken in the ½ cup buffalo sauce, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Pour the breadcrumbs into a shallow dish. Coat each chicken piece evenly and place them on the prepared baking sheet. The baking sheet will get pretty crowded -- it's okay.
4. Bake for 30 minutes. You can toss the baked chicken with the extra buffalo sauce if you like.
5. To assemble the wraps, fill each leaf of lettuce with quinoa, tomatoes, and avocado. Top with the crispy baked buffalo chicken, drizzle with the blue cheese, and sprinkle with the green onions.
6. These are also a delicious cold lunch if you prepare the chicken ahead of time and refrigerate it before serving.

Recipe: https://www.sugardishme.com/buffalo-chicken-lettuce-wraps/