Rhiannon Kay, Intern

Recently, I was given the amazing opportunity of joining the Oxygen magazine team as an editorial intern to finish up my journalism program in college. I was a bit nervous at first, walking into an office to meet a bunch of new people, but they immediately welcomed me to their wonderful group! 

Everyone here is so helpful and is willing to explain things to me when I need help. They have already provided me with great writing opportunities that I have only dreamed of doing some day.

There is just such a great, positive vibe around here and the healthy environment really helps! It has inspired me to try and eat clean and start working out. I just got a gym membership and have compiled a list of clean foods for my Mom to buy. Thanks Mom!

Speaking of my mom, she has always been so supportive of my family trying to live healthy lifestyles. My Dad has been living Paleo for about two years and my mom has had to adjust the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus at home.

For those that don’t know what Paleo is, it is also known as the Caveman Diet. The Paleo Diet is simply defined as eating like cavemen did in the Paleolithic era. Foods include meat, fish, eggs, nuts, wild berries and fruits are consumed. There were no grain products, added sugars, vegetable oils, or dairy products available to them, so they’re not available to my Dad! He started the diet when he learned of its many health benefits, such as less body fat, more energy, excellent cholesterol level and low blood pressure. “I have more energy during the day without having that 'low' feeling in the afternoons from blood sugar spikes,” he says.

After switching to the Paleo lifestyle, it has left my dad with only 9% body fat!

But just because you're Paleo, doesn’t mean you lose your sweet tooth. To combat those cravings, my mom bakes up amazing wheat-free, sugar-free treats for us to enjoy!

After I told my mom about the clean eating habits of the Oxygen team, she thought that they would really appreciate and enjoy some of her sweet treats, so she baked up a batch of wheat-free brownies, banana muffins and apple butter muffins! I brought them in, set them out and they were gone in a matter of minutes!

They were such a hit that Kirstyn Brown, assistant editor, approached me asking if I would like to post one of my mom’s recipes, so I asked her to send over my personal favorite, the apple butter muffins!

Paleo-Friendly Apple Butter Muffins

Ingredients:

• 500 ml apple butter (we like Wellesley brand)
• 2 cups almond meal
• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 eggs

1. Mix ingredients until it forms a chunky batter.
2. Grease muffin pan. Tip: Do not form muffins as you put them into muffin tin. Drop the batter in jagged and awkward. That makes the nice crispy, baked peaks!
3. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees (until they look toasty, like my pic!)
4. Let them sit on counter to cool at least 15 minutes before taking out of muffin pan.

“These are my favorite, they are so moist!” – Kirstyn