Pineapple Coconut Mini Muffins

Ingredients:

2 & 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1 cup mashed very ripe banana (about 2 large very ripe bananas)

1/4 cup nonfat plain greek yogurt

1 large egg, beaten

3/4 cup skim milk or almond milk

1 and 1/4 cup fresh pineapple, diced

1/4 cup shredded coconut

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Spray muffin tins with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine & mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon & set aside until needed.

In a separate bowl, combine & mix the honey and brown sugar together. Using a fork works to break all the lumps. Then, add the mashed banana, Greek yogurt, and beaten egg.

Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the wet and dry ingredients all together. Slowly add the milk and continue to mix the ingredients together.

Add the pineapple to the batter until distributed evenly, but don't overmix the batter.

Spoon the batter into the mini muffin pan 3/4 full (leave enough room for the batter to rise when cooking). Sprinkle the shredded coconut on top of each muffin. Bake for 15-17 minutes until browned on the edges. Poke muffins with a toothpick until toothpick comes out clean. Remove from tins and allow the muffins to cool completely.

Muffins will remain fresh and moist stored at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze any remaining muffins.

I am proud to be the honourable hero for both Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada's (LLSC) Team in Training (TNT) -Prairie's Chapter & Pineapple Challenge-Calgary.
I wish all participants good luck in their training & fundraising this year!  Without all of you (participants, LLSC staff & volunteers & supporters) I wouldn't be here today.  

I hope to represent LLSC-Prairie Chapter/Calgary the best that I can.  I want everyone to know without the support from these groups, my family & friends wouldn't have received the support that has touched them knowing a loved one has been diagnosed with a blood cancer.  I have seen how each person close to me has dealt with and coped with such devastating news.  I thank LLSC for the tremendous fundraising they do and for increasing blood cancer awareness. 

I also want to thank everyone who has run for me, helped me fundraise for a charity that is so close to my heart.  Since being diagnosed in August 2007, I have accomplished many things.  I have continued to run, train & become an NPAA Bikini Competitor. I have started my own nutrition company, JCJNutrition.  I've been able to keep my passion for food & nutrition, fitness, watch my nephews grow up & enjoying life with my family & friends at a higher level.  Thanks to charities like LLSC Team in Training, Light the Night & the newest addition Pineapple Challenge, I have been able to get back to quality of life. 

Thank you everyone & help me support those who are battling blood cancers.  Continue to follow me in this journey & this great opportunity with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada-Praire Chapter/Calgary, AB.
~JCJ oxox