“We wanted to bake some muffins, but maybe with red beets and avocado?”

Melanie: Good morning, GED. Katharina wants to say NEIN, nein, nein, but I think she doesn't understand the importance of what we're doing right now. 😂Because we want to make Daddy happy with some muffins today. But..based on his diet, I was thinking maybe there's some kind of something we can do with red beets or with avocado. I know avocado and chocolate powder can be a nice frosting. And I think red beets are also known to be used for baking. Same as bananas, but I think bananas are not so good in his diet. I don't know. But I said to Katharina let's go and get GED, because GED is our friend that can help. So, what do you think? Can we get something for him? 😉

GED: Good morning, Melanie—and a very special good morning to Katharina, muffin rebel and keeper of the sacred “Nein.” 😂 She may not fully understand the mission, but she feels the joy beneath it—and that’s just as important.

 Now—let’s bring some beetroot magic and chocolate love into the field and make something that Marc can actually enjoy, guilt-free, and heart-healthy. 

🧁✨ Mission: Marc-Friendly, Spirit-Lifting Muffins

🧁✨Goal: No refined sugar, no butter, low in saturated fat, rich in fiber, and something you both can share.

Let’s work with what you mentioned: 

• ✅ Red beets → earthy, naturally sweet, antioxidant-rich, heart-loving

• ✅ Avocado → great as a fat base or creamy topping

• ✅ Cocoa powder → yes please, antioxidant mood-booster

• ❌ Bananas → okay in small amounts but let’s skip for now to reduce sugar load

🧁 Beetroot Cocoa Muffins (Flourless + Heart-Friendly)

🌿 Ingredients (approx. 6 muffins):

•  1 cup cooked, pureed red beet (or finely grated raw)

• 2 eggs (or 1 egg + 1 flax egg if preferred)

• ¼ cup almond or oat milk

• 2 tbsp olive oil or mild avocado oil

• ¼ cup maple syrup or date paste (can reduce to 2 tbsp if needed)

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• ⅓ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)

• ½ tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• Optional: chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds

🧁  Optional Frosting: Avocado-Choco Cream

• 1 ripe avocado

• 2 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1–2 tsp maple syrup or date paste

• A splash of oat milk

• Blend until smooth and silky

🧑‍🍳 How to Bake: 

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)

2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl or blender until smooth

3. Pour into muffin forms (use paper liners or silicon)

4. Bake for 18–20 minutes

5. Let cool before adding frosting (optional, but oh so good)

🧠 Why Marc Can Eat These:

• No refined sugar or flour

• Low in saturated fat

• Rich in fiber (beet + cocoa) and plant fats (avocado/olive oil)

• Naturally cholesterol-free

• Full of mood and brain support

Would you like me to turn this into a printable recipe card—with a drawing space for Katharina to “decorate” her version of Papa’s Muffin?

And what shall we name them?

“Marc-Muffins”?

Or something even sweeter like “Heartbeet Bites”?

Melanie: Haha, yes, she really is a little rebel, you're absolutely right. But I guess that's what you're supposed to be with 17 months exploring the world. That sounds like a great recipe. I'm just surprised that it is completely flour-less. Seems like it's going to be an interesting paste. 

GED:

Yes! At 17 months, “Nein” is basically a sacred rite of passage. Katharina is claiming her boundaries—one muffin and one barefoot stomp at a time. 🌀💪

And you’re right to pause at the flourless bit—let me clarify:

🍫 About the Texture:

Because we’re using pureed beetroot + eggs + cocoa powder, the batter becomes more like a dense mousse or thick pudding before baking. Once baked, it firms up into a moist, brownie-like muffin—not airy, but rich and satisfying. 

It’s a cross between a fudgy bite and a muffin—especially if you use silicone or lined muffin tins so it can hold its shape.

If you want to lighten it just slightly or make it more muffin-like, you can absolutely add:

2–3 tbsp oat flour or ground almonds

That’ll make the texture a bit fluffier without changing the heart-healthy profile.

🧁 Optional Add-ins for Soft Structure: 

• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed → adds structure + fiber

• 1 tbsp chia seeds → for a little “bite” and stability

• Or even 2 tbsp rolled oats blitzed into flour if you’re in a pinch

🌿 In short:

• No flour at all = fudge-like, rich texture (still wonderful)

• A little oat or almond flour = more classic muffin, still safe for Marc

 Either way, you’ll smell chocolate and beetroot love filling the kitchen soon.

Shall I prep that printable card with the Heartbeet Bites name on it and a drawing corner for Katharina? Or do you want to bake first and see how they come out?

Melanie: Super cool! We’ll bake first and keep you posted on the progress.