I’ve spent a lot of time recently thinking about satisfaction.
People my age tend to focus most of their efforts on achieving success. But success is such a buzzword and it really describes nothing, because ultimately, it means completely different things to different people.
Recently, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what success means to me, especially in the context of college.
I used to hear that college was all about growing yourself as an individual and discovering “who you really are”.
And to some extent, I still hear that. But today, it’s accompanied by expectations that a college education is a ticket to a career; increasingly, it seems a lot more like college is a means to an end- “success”.
Last midterms week, I contemplated “success” almost every single day. How did I measure success? What can I do to achieve it? Was all this contemplation just a means of procrastinating from studying for my midterms?
In the end, I just scrapped all my thoughts and resolved to do my absolute best. Whatever came from that would have to be accepted, and that was that.
I got one of my midterms back on Friday, and I was beyond thrilled with the result. But as proud as I was that I had succeeded on some scale, I was struck even more by how satisfied I was that my hard work had translated into a clear result.
So now, I’ve decided to aim for satisfaction rather than success, though I suspect the two come hand in hand. While it’s also varied for each person, satisfaction is a much more fluid goal than success, and so much more rewarding.
And speaking of satisfaction, if you are looking for a quick but oh-so-delicious morning treat, make these muffins! They disappeared the same day I made them, so you know they’re good.
Naturally sweetened and packed full of flaked coconut and chocolate, these vegan toasted coconut chip muffins are a delicious breakfast treat. Enjoy!
- 1 large banana
- ⅓ cup coconut oil
- ¾ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup coconut milk (room temp so it doesn't chill the coconut oil)
- 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup vegan chocolate chunks (or chips)
- ¾ to 1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut, divided
- Preheat oven to 400 F and line 8-10 wells of a muffin pan with paper or silicone liners.
- Place banana and oil in a large, microwave-safe mixing bowl. Heat for 30 seconds in the microwave to soften banana and melt coconut oil a little. Mash together with a fork.
- Add coconut sugar, milk, vanilla, baking powder, flour and salt and mix with fork until well combined.
- Stir in chocolate chunks and most of coconut (save some for topping).
- Spoon mixture into liners, filling each one about ¾ of the way full.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15-17 minutes. Cool on wire rack and top with flaked coconut.
- Serve!
*adapted from here
You had me at toasted coconut Medha, these are so legit muffins. Great job my friend!
Thanks, Mike!
How pretty do these muffins look?! I love the toasted coconut and chocolate combo. These sound delicious for breakfast or dessert!
Thanks 🙂
Great definitely of success, Medha! And congrats on that midterm…I hope you celebrated with a fresh batch of muffins!
Thanks, David! And I celebrated with some AWESOME banana bread 🙂
I love that you are focusing on satisfaction instead of success. That sounds quite healthy 😉
Yay for being done with midterms! Now to go hunt down some coconut…
Thanks, Lauren!
Yum! I would definitely like to start my day with one of these muffins! They look delicious!
Thanks 🙂
Very well said! Good for you. And thanks for sharing that with these amazing muffins to boot! : )
Thanks, Monica!
You are so right about success v. satisfaction, Medha. I’m glad that you were thrilled and with your exam results and you should reward your hard work with some more of these muffins!
Thanks, Rachelle 🙂
I love that you’re going for satisfaction instead of success – it’s important to measure the everyday successes, instead of just the end goal 🙂 because it’s everyday happiness the real goal anyways?! These muffins definitely look satisfactory 🙂 I wish I had one right now!
Thanks, Rachel!
Well.. I just love this 😍
Thanks 🙂
Congrats on killing your midterms! But yes, it’s hard to measure success in a meaningful way. And as you get older, it gets even harder in some ways!
These muffins look like a spectacular post-midterm breakfast treat!
Thanks, Mir! 🙂
This is such a great post — love the idea of aiming for satisfaction rather than success! Well said. Anddd these muffins, just yes please. Coconut + chocolate is a killer combination, and in the form of muffins? So good!
Glad you enjoyed, Michelle 🙂
Wow this is insanely amazing!
Thanks, Jocelyn!
I share your opinion on satisfaction and success! Love the muffins! Amazing!
Thanks, Mira!
I love your thoughts on satisfaction versus success. I think that leads to a much more content life.
These muffins look so good. My breakfast wasn’t very filling and I kind of want one now! 😀
Thanks, Amanda 🙂
I love that these are naturally sweetened! Chocolate and coconut is the absolute best combination. I could eat these every day for breakfast and snack.
Thank you!
Those big coconut flakes – swoon! I’d love a couple of these muffins with my morning coffee!
Thank you!!
I love coconut and chocolate together. I wish I had one of these to snack on right now!
Thank you so much 🙂
Love these muffins Medha! I enjoyed hearing your thoughts about satisfaction vs. success. I watched this video on this very subject last year and thought it might interest you: https://www.prageru.com/courses/life-studies/what-did-your-parents-most-want-you-be I hosted a book club where we discussed this topic too. Thanks for the food for thought!
Ooh thanks for the link, Karen! Will definitely check that out 🙂
Toasted coconut and chocolate chunks are EVERYTHING together! These muffins look like serious perfection!
Thanks!
Congrats on your midterm, Medha, and you are so wise. 🙂 These muffins look beyond delicious with my favorite things — toasted coconut and chocolate! I would love these for breakfast!
Haha thanks, Marcie! 🙂
Way to go on your midterm, Medha! These muffins are the perfect way to celebrate! Coconut and chocolate are such a great combo!
Thanks 🙂
Learning and deciding to aim for satisfaction rather than “success” is brilliant. . you will save yourself a lot of headache .. and like you said, more will come from just working hard and doing your best. I love these muffins!!!!!
Thanks, Alice! 🙂
Congrats on the midterm results, girlfriend! I agree that success and satisfaction should go hand in hand… but I think lots of people achieve “success” and feel no satisfaction. I definitely don not want to be one of those people! Anyways, loving these muffins!! Toasted coconut is one of my favorites, so these muffins are right up my alley! Cheers!
Thanks, Cheyanne!
Congrats on your midterm result Medha! These muffins look like the perfect way to celebrate! 🙂
For sure 🙂
So much wisdom in your words, Medha! I think that’s a great perspective to have. I’m confident these beautiful muffins would satisfy me. They look amazing!
Thanks, Sarah 🙂
Chocolate and coconut were meant to be together! These muffins look delicious, Medha!
Thanks, Danielle!
These muffins look amazing! I could eat these with my morning coffee. Now I’m craving some. Bummer I need to get in the kitchen asap! 😉
Thanks, Cyndi!
College is definitely NOT a ticket to a career, in fact I’ve read that ‘the real work starts when college ends’, and that has definitely been my experience. I just wish they would tell you that in college! Anyway, congrats on your midterm, and gimme all of the vegan toasted coconut muffins! YUM!
So true 🙂
Medha, I definitely agree with all your thoughts on satisfaction and success. Hoping to apply some of your thoughts to my own life! These muffins look fantastic!
Thanks, Ashlyn 🙂
These sound delicious! I have been really into shredded coconut lately, which is interesting because I used to not like coconut at all…. Funny how our tastebuds can change!
PS – Congrats on your awesome midterm results! It is so satisfying to feel like you worked hard for something & feel like you wholeheartedly did a good job.
Thanks, Nicole! 🙂
My kids day starts with muffins.I used to pick some recipe over all kind of food blogs and try to make it out. Today i got yours., love the ingredients 😘and quite simple😊Thanks for a lovely recipe👍🏻
Thanks! Let me know if you try ’em 🙂
As a college student, I can definitely relate to a lot of what you talked about, and I totally agree with you that success is fluid and always changing. But on the other hand, YUM I LOVE TOASTED COCONUTS 🙂
Haha thanks 🙂