You probably already know that stress is the so-called disease of the 21st century – but is there really nothing we can do about it?
When they are stressed, many people crave ice cream, cookies, Pringles and other treats like this – even though they may not admit it! To be honest, that’s somehow understandable: who would ever crave on a kale salad in the middle of a really stressful day?
But there’s more to it than just taste. Vitamins, nutrients and minerals actually help us balance our mood, thus helping us stay relaxed and even smile a little more. One of the foods on the list is chocolate, which is why most people are craving sweets during stressful times.
Food isn’t the answer to everything, but it definitely makes us feel much better as long as we know what to eat. The 3 recipes below contain the key ingredients that will make every day easier!
P.S. Don’t let these foods be the first thing you eat in the morning. They are only good as an afternoon snack – and not in very large quantities!
PB Banana Chip Muffins
Ingredients (for 12 servings):
- 2 large ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1¼ cups nut flour, gluten-free flour, or whole grain flour, sifted
- Pinch of sea salt
- Dark chocolate chips, to your liking
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large food processor or blender, combine the bananas, coconut oil, maple syrup, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and egg. Blend until smooth. In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt with the liquid mixture until mixed thoroughly. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the mixture into lined muffin tins. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
Cookie Dough Contraband
Ingredients (for 12-16 servings):
- ½ cup almond butter
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 cup almond or cashew flour
- 1¼ cup dark chocolate chips
Preparation:
Combine the almond butter and honey or maple syrup. Add the nut flour and mix until a ball of dough forms. Add the chocolate chips. Roll into bite-size balls and freeze for 30 minutes.
Pistachio Chocolate Bananas
Ingredients (6 servings):
- 3 bananas
- 6 popsicle sticks or cake pop sticks
- Coconut oil
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup pistachios, crushed
Preparation:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Peel the bananas and cut in half crosswise. Insert a stick halfway into each banana half. Place in freezer. Add a little coconut oil to a small saucepan, put on low to medium heat, and add in the dark chocolate chips. Stir until melted, but make sure it doesn’t burn. Take the bananas out of the freezer, dip in the chocolate, and sprinkle the pistachios on top. Freeze for at least 30 minutes or more before serving.
Recipes from Eat Your Feelings: The Food Mood Girl’s Guide to Transforming Your Emotional Eating by Lindsey Smith. Copyright © 2017 by the author
