Peanut Butter Banana Muffins with Nutella Swirl

You've probably already heard the news about Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin.

I guess it's never exactly surprising when celebrity couples split, but those two lasted a while and I was really rooting for them, you know?

At first I thought, how could you walk away from a beauty like Gwyneth? How could you walk away from a man who writes dreamy songs about you like "Green Eyes" and "Till Kingdom Come?"

Then I realized that was a silly thought. Marriage is not made easier by beauty or love songs. In fact, I imagine the more beautiful/busy/talented/rich/famous/successful you are, the harder marriage is.

I'm still relatively new at this marriage thing, and I have a LOT more to learn,  but to me, marriage is about putting your partner's needs before yours, always. Even when it's really hard and you really don't want to. It's a continual process of dying to your own desires because you're committed to the idea that the two of you, as a unit, are worth it.

It's about loving that person even though he's flawed, and has insecurities and bad morning breath.  Because the really beautiful thing is---he loves you back the same way. And when you stop to think about all your flaws and insecurities and bad morning breath, that thought blows you away with gratitude.

It's a fragile thing to be known. To be known and loved is such a gift.

[All of this is to say and hope that your partner is loving/sacrificing/committed to the same level that you are. Things aren't equal all the time, but they should generally even out. If they never do, that might be a problem. Also--lawyer caveat--abusive relationships=entirely different category. Get out of those.]

I hope when I'm old,  I'll view my marriage as one of my life's greatest accomplishments.  Not because it was glowing or perfect or romantic, but because through all the struggles and kids and careers unpredictable things life threw our way, we kept choosing love, and each other, over everything else.

Speaking of love guys, these muffins --> true love.

These are by far, my favorite thing I've made in the last two months.

I've always been crazy about peanut butter & banana, but the addition of nutella takes these to a whole new level.  The chocolate and peanut butter make your taste buds go--dessert!--while the rolled oats, oat flour, Greek yogurt, and coconut oil make your brain go--healthy breakfast! It's a win win.

The oat flower gives these muffins a really satisfying chewy texture, while the nutella crisps up on the top and then melts in your mouth….Please excuse me while I have a moment with my muffin.

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins with Nutella Swirl 

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup oat flour (made by pulsing 3/4 cup rolled oats in the food processor until smooth)
2 tablespoons rolled oats
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 tablespoons coconut oil or butter, melted
2 eggs
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-4 tablespoons Nutella


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Prepare a 12-muffin pan with liners or with non-stick spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oat flour, oats, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and coconut oil. Add bananas, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and vanilla. Stir until combined. (Mixture may be slightly lumpy with the bananas)

Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.

Scoop mixture into muffin tins, filling until about 3/4 full.

Spoon Nutella into a small bowl. Whisk vigorously with your fork to soften and warm the nutella. Spoon a teaspoon or so onto the top of each muffin. Use a toothpick or butter knife to swirl the mixture around.

Bake at 350 for 18-20 minutes, or until edges are browned.

Muffin recipe adapted from Peanut Butter Runner