Comfort without Compromise: Food That Your Tastebuds and Body Would Love

Comfort food has been with you through your highs and lows. And yet, despite its ability to sweep away the blues, gorging down on these carb-heavy mouthfuls shouldn't be your regular.

Of course, there's no harm in treating yourself to a heaping breakfast plate of fried chicken and waffles every once in a while. All things are great in moderation. But in the challenges that you face daily and the rising pressure that comes with it, you might succumb to a bowl of ice cream more often than what's recommended.

You'd be smarter to remind yourself that satisfying spoonfuls of your choice comfort dish are nothing but a blissful respite. It can have terrible long-term effects on your body when not properly monitored. But this is also not the end.

There are plenty of healthier alternatives to transform your usual calorie-packed food into glowing nutritious servings. Here we'll show you two heartwarmingly delicious recipes that won't let you down in the health department.

Apricot Bulgur Muffins

As rice alternatives go, bulgur wheat sits at the top of our recommendations. And it's not only because it's a low-calorie and high-fiber grain — although this is already impressive on its own — but because it's a truly versatile food ingredient.

Prep and cooking time: 35 minutes

Servings: 12 large muffins

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup Fine Bulgur
• 1 cup boiling water
• ½ cup date paste
• ½ cup unpasteurized honey
• ½ cup avocado oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 large eggs

Dry Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1-1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt

Add-ins and garnish:

• 1 cup chopped dried apricots
• 1/2 chopped cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Combine the Fine Bulgur and boiling water and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients and whisk well. In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients all together. Once 15 minutes have passed, it's time to put the soaked bulgur along with the wet mixture. Stir it well, and then add in the dry mix.
3. Get the chopped apricots, walnuts, and shredded coconut and fold them into the rest of the mixture.
4. Prepare your muffin pan and line it with paper liners. Scoop out equal parts of the mixture and place them on each muffin cup. The batter should be mounded higher than the cups. Use extra slices of apricot or walnut to garnish the top.
5. Put these in the oven for 10 minutes at 425°F, then decrease the temperature to 350°F for another 8 to 10 minutes. To test if they're ready, insert a toothpick at the center of the muffin, and it should come out clean. The muffins should appear golden at this point.
6. Take the muffins out to cool down for a few minutes. You can store these in an airtight container for up to a week.

This recipe prove that you can enjoy eating food that comforts your soul without compromising your health. As you go further down your wellness path, you're bound to discover more options available for you. And once you do, The Goodwill Market will be glad to have your back. Find sugar-free and gluten-free options from our online shelves. We're here to serve you veritable essentials for your daily nutrition. — (TGM)