While munching on one of these blondies the other night in front of the TV, I thought about how much I’m learning to love relaxing with a sweet treat and an episode of whatever I’m feeling. Serious statement. I really haven’t been into TV shows since Dawson’s Creek and Felicity.
At this point, I think I can admit to you that I’m terrible at relaxing. I don’t like to do it and in general, makes me feel bored. I have this rationale in my mind that tells me TV is a waste of time and that I could be doing a million other things with my time that’s both productive and satisfying.
The truth is, sometimes we need to zone out and just chill. As a person who gives nearly 110% to nearly everything in her life, it can easily become exhausting and overwhelming. In fact, it’s quite common that I run myself into the ground trying to accomplish a to-do list or anything that feels more, more, more! On most days I probably operate at an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10.Â
Of course, in my mind it’s easy to want to stay at that level all the time because of how much you can achieve but how gratifying the work feels. Yet doing more isn’t always realistic and one can only operate at that high of a capacity for so long. So every few months (or maybe weeks) I have a breakdown and vow to do less.
But how do I do less? The cycle is vicious. Half of me wonders if that’s just the person I am: a perfectionist seeking success.
Maybe.
For now, I’m trying to focus more on giving myself breaks throughout the day and in the evenings. Breaks to meditate and focus on peaceful, loving thoughts. Breaks during the evening where I watch an episode of The Americans and remember how much I love Keri Russell. Exercise breaks where I take a walk or go on a run instead of lifting heavy weights and throwing around a kettle bell until I’m sore beyond belief.
Another favorite break? Enjoy a 3pm snack or treat with a cup of coffee before I finish up work for the day. These vegan banana blondies have been a new favorite because of their fudge-like consistency and wholesome ingredients like almond flour, bananas and pea protein. I prefer them cold so normally I stick them in the fridge. The combination of a cold blondie and a hot coffee is beyond epic.
If you haven’t baked with pea protein, it’s something you might want to try! It’s a wonderful dairy free and vegan protein option that I’ve been obsessing over — mostly because it’s more gentle on my tummy and still provides all the benefits that protein offers (muscle building, nutrition, etc).
Over the past year, I’ve committed to eating more pulses (beans, chickpeas, dried peas & lentils) by taking the Pulse Pledge online. The United Nations declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses, which aims to increase awareness of the many benefits of pulses, including their nutritional profile, environmental and sustainability benefits, affordability and potential to address global food security.
Pea protein just so happens to fall into the pulse category. I win for putting it in a dessert you can devour.
A few tips on choosing a pea protein:
Most pea protein powders are flavored, and I do have a few favorites: Vega, Aloha & Whole Foods Market Plant-Based Fit Protein. There are various flavors to try, so it’s really up to what flavors you like. Generally I tend to stick with vanilla, but I think these blondies would be excellent with a chocolate flavored pea protein.
Hope you love. If you make these, please leave a comment to let me know how you liked them. You can also tag me on Instagram #ambitiouskitchen! xo.
More healthy vegan desserts you’ll love:
Flourless Chocolate Chip Chickpea Blondies {vegan, gluten-free & healthy}
Homemade Healthy Peanut Butter Cups! (low carb, vegan, gluten free)
Feel Good Vegan Cherry Cheesecake Bars
Peanut Butter Cup Protein Bars + video!
No Bake Superfood Brownie Energy Bars + video
Chocolate Chip Almond Flour Banana Blondies (grain free + vegan!)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mashed banana (about 1 large ripe banana)
- 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1/3 cup pea protein (I used Aloha Vanilla Protein Powder)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips (vegan, if desired)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8x8 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
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In a large bowl, mix together mashed banana, coconut oil, coconut sugar and vanilla extract until well combined.
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Add in almond flour, protein, baking soda and salt and mix until well combined. Fold in chocolate chips, reserving a few for sprinkling on top. Spread evenly in pan towards the sides. The batter will be slightly sticky so do your best.
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Bake for 12-16 minutes or until edges become slightly golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Cut into 12 squares.
Nutrition
This post was sponsored by USA Pulses & Pulse Canada. All opinions and thoughts are my own. Thanks for continuing to support AK and the brands that help make this site possible!
34 comments
I was about to close this page (Sorry!! I saw they included bananas and I don’t really like them… Anyways) I didn’t, because I had started reading your story 😛 I soooooo recognize myself in this: why is it so hard to “accept” relaxing as a good thing? Sitting down to watch an episode (my current guilty pleasure is Gilmore Girls) can feel like a waste of time, while it’s so necessary to unwind sometimes.
I wish you the best of luck, and I sincerely hope you end up with less breakdowns!
These look absolutely delightful! Love what you wrote about relaxing and taking breaks too – the tendency to be a workaholic is SO hard to resist, but it is so important to take that time for ourselves – I totally relate!
These look amazing, Monique! Love that you’re allowing yourself more breaks, I’m the exact same way with always wanting to be doing something or working. I’m trying to be more mindful of breaks too!
We made these last night. Couldn’t wait apparently. 🙂 I only had almond meal, and I used just 1 cup of that, and then we only had chocolate crunch protein powder and that went in there. Tasted like chocolate banana bread kinda. Excellent recipe.
All the protein in these means I have absolutely no problem justifying eating at least one per day
I’m gonna make this just now. Already got print of this page. Thanks
OMG I hope you have one of these left on Monday!!!
I could not relate more with wanting to always be go go go. I’m lucky those around me remind me slowing down is a good thing!
Can you sub the protein powder with any kind?
Can you make this without protein powder? Would you need to replace it with anything?
Yes, you can make without protein powder, just add a little coconut flour (maybe 2 tablespoons!)
Hi! Can you make this with vital proteins vanilla collagen powder instead of the pea protein powder?
Hi Crystal! You bet!
Made those last night with almond meal and pecan instead of chocolat chips, it was amazing ! thanks for the recipe !
These are fantastic! I used Chocolate whey protein. I’ve got a half ironman next week and these will be my post race snack for sure!
I made this and they were very tasty. I didn’t realize my protein powder had sugar in it, though, so I am going to try these again with the coconut flour. Interestingly, my batch did not yield a lot of batter….I had to bake these in an 8×4 so I feel I did something wrong here. I also added one more tablespoon of coconut oil because the consistency looked like it needed it. I’ll try again but overall very tasty.
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I’ve made these several times now. They are amazing. Wish they stuck together better, but I love the protein powder in them.
vond het altijd een bijzondere uitdrukking en probeerde me er in mijn jonge jaren ook een voorstelling van te maken. Maar het zien si veel mooier 🙂
Great, I really love it!
I made these last night, and used Vega Chocolate protein powder. They seemed to bake well, but are so moist that they don’t stay together to take out of the pan! They are really tasty though! Any suggestions as to what went wrong?
Hi Sandra! You could try adding a 1/2-1 tablespoon of coconut or oat flour 🙂
These are sooo good!!! I used Tone it up vanilla protein!
I’m so glad you like them! That sounds perfect 🙂
These are DELICIOUS! They’re such a perfect protein-packed snack to use up your sad bananas. I doubled the recipe and didn’t have quite enough almond flour, so I subbed some oat flour instead. Make these!
Absolutely!! Such a great snack. Glad the oat flour worked out too!
Hi. Could i replace with coconut and/or all purpose flower instea. Other sweetener options aswell?
I’ve only tested these as-is, so I wouldn’t recommend altering the recipe. If you do try different flours, let me know how they turn out!
I saw these after making your chickpea blondies …delicious.
Is there anything I could use to replace the pea protein as I’d like to make them for Passover …could I use almond butter or potato flour or coconut flour ?
I haven’t tested it with anything other than protein, I’m sorry! Try my coconut flour banana bread instead: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/chocolate-chip-coconut-flour-banana-bread-gluten-free-paleo/
Wow, what a great recipe! These were delicious!
I substituted Stevia for the Coconut sugar, but did everything else as described in recipe. Came out great. Moving this up to one of my new favorite desserts! Thank you!
Glad that swap worked out! Such a great treat 🙂
Hi, just wondering if using a date paste would work as a sub for maple syrup?
Also, any subs for coconut oil? Looking for less sat fats!
I think date syrup would work well. I wouldn’t recommend changing the coconut oil though!