Chia Seed Blueberry Muffins (nut-free)

I have been close to a few girl friends (and my sister and cousin) for a very long time. Although when we are together it is like nothing has changed, we aren't together a lot anymore- my oldest friends have moved on to different cities, are married with children now, etc. and I have become closer with a new group of friends.

I give you my CrossFit girls... this new group of friends reminds me of all the friendship cliches- the Sex and the City type of friendship where no topic is off the table and we are very honest with each other. I know CrossFit has a "cult-like" impression to most people, but girls that lift like we lift are a different breed and I don't care what haters say anyway. Here is a summary of us- We don't go to the gym in cute pony-tails with makeup on, we wear lululemon like it is our job (to some it is lol) but we actually workout in it, and we are very impressed with how much the other lifted- to us that's hot. We often get criticized for our physique being too "manly", but we work out because we actually like it and get satisfaction in goals being met- working out is not just a way to be "in-shape" and look sexy for a guy. We ask each other to check out our "snatch" but we mean it in an Oly-lifting way (sometimes- there's always a joke there too), we range in age from 20 to 48, very few of us have children, some are in relationships/married and some aren't and when I put my phone down I can expect to look at it with 20+ new messages, snaps, etc. from all the groups of chats we are all in. Comments range from workout chat and PR celebrations to broken hearts- please don't let me talk to him to look at this mass amount food I am about to consume. Gains baby. #eatallthefoodliftalltheweight

It has become increasingly more apparent in the last few weeks how truly great this group of friends I have is. A couple of us have recently hit some rough patches in relationships- although break-ups are never easy, having someone to call and vent to, cry to, and lean on so you don't make the fatal mistake reaching out to the guy that will just hurt you more, makes it a lot easier. When one of us was just lied to and broken up with over text (I kid you not- like the Sex and the City post-it), one group message was sent and within the hour a bunch of the girls were at my house with wine and hugs to rally around our wounded sister- on a Wednesday night no less! "You're way better- ew- How could he leave you for that girl??... She doesn't even lift!!" :) I have honestly never had friends like this and I am incredibly fortunate. 

Speaking of gains... here is the food... I have a few recipes with chia seeds because they are so good for you (full of fiber, protein and antioxidants) and have a gelatinous-type quality when soaked or heated- making them a great option for jam or pudding. Why not put them in muffins??? These, warm, with some Kerrygold butter... devine.

Chia Seed Blueberry Muffins

(make 14-16 muffins)

- 1 Cup Coconut Flour (DO NOT sub other flours)

- 1/2 tsp Salt

- 1 tsp Baking Powder

- 6 Eggs

- 1 Ripe Banana, mashed

- 1/4 Cup Maple Syrup

- 1/4 Cup Coconut Oil

- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract

- 3/4 Cup Milk (any kind)

- 1/4 Cup Chia Seeds

- 1+ Cup Blueberries (I never measure these... dumb those babies in!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

1. Whisk the flour, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl

2. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs through milk.

3. Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients a little at a time and mix as you go so you don't have lumps.

4. Add the chia seeds and blueberries and stir gently. 

5. Grease a muffin pan really well- pour about 1/4 cup of the batter into each spot (about 3/4 full). Bake 22-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool completely before removing from the pans.