The CrossFit Games are upon us, and this year is going to be extra exciting and anxiety-provoking. We’ve got good friend, Jason Khalipa, going for gold as an individual, and our NorCal team competing for their spot too. On top of that, I’ll be pulling hard for my friends Margaux Alvarez and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet (among other awesome colleagues). There’s little more inspiring than the effort, passion, and dedication these guys put into their training every single day, not to mention the fact that they balance family, work, and play in there too. I think people genuinely underestimate what it takes to get where these athletes are. Actually I know most do; there was a time when I did too! I’ve worked many a Level 1 Seminar where people will tell me of their aspirations to make it to The Games in a year, which (no disrespect to them) is just not realistic. It takes 100% dedication, LOTS of sacrifice, and perhaps some genetic advantage too.
These top level athletes earn their spot, and they have truly learned to dial EVERYTHING in. That includes nutrition. With so little time to food prep, it’s still really important for them to get high quality, nutrient rich, and energy dense foods to fuel their performance and keep them healthy, energized, and injury free.
Jason recently asked when I’d be baking something for him (I think I owe him a lifetime of baked goods, considering he was the one that got me in the doors of a CrossFit gym for the first time). Knowing banana baked goods are his jam, and that he’s fueling for the biggest competition of the year, I decided to throw something together that would provide just the sustenance needed, while still tasting DELICIOUS! I’ll be bringing these to our company brunch tomorrow. (Side note: how cool is that the NorCal coaches all get together on the regular to hang out?)
So, here’s what I came up with….
Chocolate Banana BROtein Cakes (GF, NF)
WHAT YOU NEED:
- 1 cup full fat coconut milk (from the can)
- 1/2 cup chocolate protein powder
- 2 really ripe bananas
- 2 pastured eggs
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 TB vanilla
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (or more to taste)
- depending on the sweetness of your protein powder, you might want to add 4-5 drips of stevia or 1-2 TB honey*
- ADDITIONS: chopped nuts and chocolate chips
*I assure you tasting a bit of batter will not hurt you (I have raw pastured egg yolks frequently)
WHAT YOU DO:
- mash the bananas up real nice
- add eggs, coconut milk, vanilla, and optional sweetener and mix well
- in a separate bowl, stir up coconut flour, protein powder, baking soda, and cinnamon
- pour wet mixture into the dry, and use a hand mixer or spoon to make it into a nice batter
- add optional nuts and/or chocolate chips (I also sprinkle some chips on too because it looks nice)
- use 1/4 cup to pour batter into cupcake wrappers in your muffin tin
- Bake for 30-40 minutes (or until toothpick comes out clean)
- ENJOY! Great for pre/post workout or as a delicious start to your day
I hope you enjoy this one!
I cooked these this weekend and the hubby and I love them… We used crushed cacao nibs and goji berries as an add in..
Oh I’m so glad! That’s a great idea. I might have to try it 🙂