Lunch: Carrot-Flax Muffins

Recipe by Emily Farris Gluten-free carrot-flax muffins are packed with nutrients from carrots, apples, and homemade flax seed meal.

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Flax Seed

Health and fertility benefits of Carrot-Flax Muffins

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060). Flaxseed can be used to combat PCOS as it helps decrease androgen levels. It contains lignans that increase the production of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) that binds testosterone in the blood, thereby preventing it from wreaking havoc in the body. Being high in fiber, flaxseed helps slow down glucose metabolism and lower cholesterol levels. The omega-3 fatty acids in this flaxseed also reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease.

Ingredients

1 medium apple
2 medium carrots
1 1/2 c. all-purpose gluten-free flour
1 1/2 c. flax seed meal (see Note)
1 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 large eggs
3/4 c. whole milk or unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. whole flax seeds

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Purée the apple and carrots in a food processor and set aside. Line a 6-muffin tin with large paper cups, and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, flax seed meal, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, combine the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well, and slowly pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring. When the wet and dry ingredients are combined, add the apple and carrot purée. Gently stir to combine without overmixing.
Using a measuring cup or scoop, evenly divide the batter between the muffin cups. (They will fill nearly all the way to the top, and because these are gluten-free muffins, they aren't going to rise too much.) Sprinkle the flax seeds on top of each muffin. Bake, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffin comes out clean. Cool in the muffin tin for 5 to 10 minutes. Looking for more healthy recipes? Check out our collections of low-fat recipes, healthy recipes for the whole day, and vegan recipes.

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