MoniMeals

Holistic Meets Realistic!

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • PRESS
  • Testimonials
    • Moni Meals Reviews
    • Moni Meals Testimonials
    • Fitness Testimonials
  • Modeling
  • Fitness
    • Moni in SHAPE
    • Fitness Site
    • Modeling
    • Fitness Testimonials
  • Contact

Healthy Moni Pumpkin Muffins

October 18, 2016 by Monica Nelson Leave a Comment

Healthy Halloween Pumpkin Muffins

If you know me, than you know by now I go Pumpkin crazy when I can in the Fall Season.  What is not to love about Pumpkin!? Packed with a ton of vitamins, so delicious and a great source of fuel especially when added to a great recipe like this.

This is my recipe re-make of your local coffee shop muffin that usually starts at 450 calories, that is loaded with trans fat, high in sugar and with no fiber! So put down that Starbucks muffin and make these. My version is around 220 calories per muffin, not 450! Plus you get your fiber and good fats that come from the walnuts, coconut oil, and pumpkin seeds.

photo-69 Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

I like to make these when I have some free time and freeze about half of them. This way I can just grab one on my way out to train a client, fuel for training, or if I am out the door to an fitness audition. Plus, we all need to have something for breakfast, so here you go… no excuses!

Low fat, low sugar, no preservative’s, and no artificial anything. They are dense-like and great dipped in milk, coffee, or tea.  Just make these already…geesh! Plus, turn these in to a Halloween treat for the kids by just adding Halloween Sprinkles-(as seen above!). You can feel good about giving them this for a lil’ treat, they will eat them up too.

NOTE: I make a half dozen with walnuts and the other half with walnuts AND pumpkin seeds. You can do whatever you want as this is an open recipe. These can be vegan too if you sub the 2 tbs of butter with 2 tbs additonal coconut oil and use a “flax egg.”  You can serve warm or they are even great the next day as with anything pumpkin! You can eat these as is-plain-which is so delicious, or you could spread a dab of butter over a warm one, or try a pumpkin or apple butter, or even cream cheese over a hot muffin too. Just some end-less ideas. Enjoy!

Also, try my Pumpkin-Apple Streusel Muffins, my “Two Ingedient” Pumpkin Muffins,  and all my Moni Muffin Recipes!


 


Servings

12 Pumpkin Muffins

Filed Under: "Lightened Up" Treats, Baking, Breakfast, Desserts, Halloween, Healthy, Holidays, Meals, Snack & Sides, Vegan, Vegetarian Tagged With: butter, cinnamon, coconut oil, Fall Madness, honey, nutmeg, pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin spice, Recipe Re-make, walnuts, whole-wheat pasty flour

« Vegan Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Dark Cacao Bliss Bites »

You Might Also Like

Manage Your Health Better With This Guide

5 Reasons to Start a Food Truck

Why Food Should be the First Thing You Plan Around When Traveling

Bone Broth: What You Need To Know

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

logo
Food Advertising by

Hi! I'm Monica Nelson and I'm thrilled that you're here. As a healthy chef, personal trainer & fitness expert, I love helping people look & feel great! That's why I've developed more than 350 recipes from diet-conscious to decadent - but all delicious - so you can experiment with healthy foods that taste great. Take a look around and try a recipe or two and head over for a quick workout at monicanelsonwellness.com

Food Advertising by logo

Follow Me On Instagram

Let’s fire up the grill and here is a healthy ye Let’s fire up the grill and here is a healthy yet super tasty and fun treat for the 4th!
You can also use this same coconut cream again and just serve with your favorite fresh berries all season long! Enjoy. 

GRILLED PINEAPPLE WITH COCONUT CREAM
🍍🍍🍍

INGREDIENTS

For the Marinade:
• 1 tbs coconut oil (can also use olive)
• 1 tsp  ground cinnamon
• 2 1/2 tbs dark honey
• 1 vanilla bean (can be optional – but I love it here)
• 1 tbs of fresh lime juice
• 1 firm yet ripe pineapple, can buy already cut
For Garnish (Optional):
• 1 tbs dark rum
• 1 tbs grated lime zest from the lime
My Coconut Cream:
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup cream of coconut (such as Coco Lopez)

DIRECTIONS

Marinade:
1. In a large bowl – combine the oil, cinnamon, honey, vanilla bean (if using), and lime juice; whisk to well to blend together. Set aside.
2. Place each pineapple half cut-side down and cut it lengthwise into four long wedges; slice away the core. NOTE: Or you can slice it in rings too, which I do often. 
3. Place the pineapple in the bowl with the marinade and stir to coat the pineapple. Heat up the grill.
4. Place on the grill and cook about 3 to 4 mins. You can baste once or twice with the remaining marinade. Turn the fruit and move it to a cooler part of the grill or reduce the heat. Baste again with the marinade. Grill until the pineapple is tender and golden, about 3 more mins.
5. Remove the pineapple from the grill and place on a platter. Next, brush with the rum – if using. Last, sprinkle with the lime zest. Serve hot or warm!

For the Coconut Cream:
1. With an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream and cream of coconut until soft peaks form. TIP: You can also use this same cream again and just serve with your favorite fresh berries all season long.

So perfect for a summer treat with friends. Enjoy!
Let’s make my GREEN ME UP smoothie! I’ve been Let’s make my GREEN ME UP smoothie! I’ve been making this smoothie or a variation of it for the past 13-14 yrs, heck before there was TikTok. 😂 Such a delicious way to pack in some serious nutrition and those GREENS. 

Smoothies are an incredible tool to your wellbeing. They are super easy, versatile, and gosh dang - delicious and healthy. (If made correctly). That’s why I’m all about getting my clients on the smoothie train - if they’re up for it. 😉 

Just love providing clients with dozens of smoothie recipes I’ve created packed with protein and fiber, including healthy fats that keep you full 3-5 hrs easily. No matter what season of life I’ve been in personally: serious training, fitness modeling, both pregnancies/postpartum/nursing, healing, and now being a busy mom feeding our kids smoothies each morning, smoothies have been an essential piece.

This is a loose recipe so you can add anything else you want. Just make sure you have your protein source, your favorite veggies (hello phytonutrients), fiber sources and healthy fat. 

** Tip: put all the ingredients (EXCEPT the liquid) in the blender the night before! This tip has helped for years.

🥬GREEN ME UP SMOOTHIE🥬

• Handful of organic greens
• 1-2 cups organic celery (vitamins A, K, C, hydrating, supports digestion)
• 1/2 cup frozen cauliflower rice (makes it thick, extra fiber)
• 1 Brazil nut (gives daily selenium, which is important for fertility)
• 1/4 of an avocado
• 1/4 cup wild blueberries
• 1 tsp organic spirulina @nowfoodsofficial 
• 1/4-1/2 ceylon cinnamon (helps regulate blood sugar, antioxidant)
• 1 scoop @paleovalley bone broth powder
• 1 scoop whey - I like isolate and @nowfoodsofficial has a good one
• Creatine @nowfoodsofficial (fav supplement for 10+ yrs)
• 6-8 oz of unsweetened almond or coconut milk
• 1 scoop of @beeyawellness for topping, optional 

Other options I rotate in: ginger root, basil & chia seeds, psyllium husk powder, lemon (vitamin C), herbs like cilantro & mint, dandelion greens (great source of vitamin K).

1. Place everything in a HIGH-speed blender (yes this is important. Otherwise you’ll get salad texture). Blend for about 1 min. Enjoy!
Happy 2nd birthday to this special girl who I’m Happy 2nd birthday to this special girl who I’m utterly positive is a true magical fairy princess. We did a purple bday theme to match her cast. We just love watching you shine and embrace your world! 
You bring such joy and laughter to us Aubyn and may your birthday be as extraordinary as you are, sweet one. 💜🎂💜
Your kids are always listening. Always watching. A Your kids are always listening. Always watching. Always paying attention to your every move. They want to be. just. like. you. Healthy habits start young! Glad to see these two at 23 months & 6 yrs old lifting all on their own. 💪🏻

Recently Asher rushed home from school and said “I’m working out for 10 mins to get strong.” Followed by “then I can break free from all the hugs.” We learned that apparently 3 girls at recess hug Asher nonstop and he wants to get strong to “get away from all the girls.” 😳 Never a dull moment.
Follow on Instagram

Recent Posts

  • Manage Your Health Better With This Guide
  • 5 Reasons to Start a Food Truck
  • Why Food Should be the First Thing You Plan Around When Traveling
  • Bone Broth: What You Need To Know
  • Naked Collagen: All You Need To Know

Fitness and Meals

Popular Posts

Salad with kale, chickpeas, and butternut squash.
Chocolate chip zucchini muffins with figs.

About

Hi! I'm Monica Nelson and I'm thrilled that you're here. As a healthy chef, personal trainer & fitness expert, competitive athlete & sports model, I love helping people look & feel great! Try a recipe or read a wellness blog and tell me what you think.

Popular Posts

Salad with kale, chickpeas, and butternut squash.
Chocolate chip zucchini muffins with figs.

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress