Packed Bran Muffins

A lot of muffins these days are higher in fat and calories than doughnuts and cake but this recipe really puts the healthiness back into muffins and obviously tastes great too!

Preheat over to 350F. In a large bowl, combine whole wheat flour, ground flax, oats bran, cinnamon baking soda and baking powder. Set aside. 

In a medium bowl, combine egg, egg white, milk, sugar, honey and applesauce. Whisk. Set aside.

 

Using a food processor or by hand, grate apples and carrots. Set aside.

 

Make a well in dry ingredients and pour in wet mixture. Mix well!

 

Add carrot, apple, walnuts, raisins and dried cranberries. Combine.

 Drop large spoonfuls into line muffin tin.

 Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Packed Bran Muffins

1 1/2 cups wheal wheat flour

3/4 cup ground flax

3/4 cup oat bran

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1 egg white

3/4 cup milk (any kind - I used coconut)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp honey

1/2 cup applesauce

2 cups carrots, grated

1 apple, grated

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Makes 25 muffins

Nutritional Info: Calories-98 Fat- 2.6g Carbs- 18.2g Fiber- 3.1g Sugar- 9.1g Protein- 3.1g 

Whole Wheat Buns

Making bread used to scare me because I was always afraid of the yeast not working but this recipe makes it super easy and almost foolproof!

Measure room temperature applesauce, leaving a small amount of room in the measuring cup.

 

Add oil to fill cup.

In a large bowl, add warm water, yeast, sugar and applesauce-oil mixture. Whisk well. Set aside for about 15 minutes to allow yeast to grow.

 

Meanwhile, mix white flour and whole wheat flour in medium bowl. I find that if you don't add some white flour that the buns don't rise as well.

 

Once yeast has grown, whisk in an egg.

 

Gradually add flour and mix.

 

Once dough starts to form, knead on floured counter.

 

Knead for about 5 minutes. Dough will have a very slight stick to it still. 

*Depending on your flour and climate, you may not need all the flour*

Break off pieces of dough into egg sized balls

 

Place, far a part, on greased cookie sheets.

 

Cover buns and place somewhere somewhat warm. It just happened to be a sunny day so I put them outside.

 

Depending on the ambient temperature, buns will take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour to rise completely. Cook buns at 400F degrees for 8 minutes or until golden on top. Rotate pans half way through.

 

Enjoy! Makes 16 buns.

 

Whole Wheat Buns

Apple sauce + oil = 1/3 cup

2 tbsp dry active yeast

1 cup warm water

1.5 tbsp sugar

1 egg

1.5 cups white flour

2.5 cups whole wheat flour

Per bun:   Calories: 115    Fat: 2.1g    Carbs: 21.3g  (Fiber 3.6g, Sugars 1.7g)   Protein: 4.6g 

Here is a video with a slightly different recipe; using all oil and a little more sugar to make a sweeter bun. Can definitely substitute applesauce for oil.

Apple Cranberry Flax Muffins

This muffins are packed with delicious whole fruit and healthy flax seed. They make great mini muffins or regular sized one too.

Mix plain yogurt, apple sauce, egg, egg whites and brown sugar in a medium bowl.

 Add ground flax, baking soda, baking powder and whole wheat flour, mix well.

Chop apples.

Add chopped apples and cranberries.

Spoon into sprayed mini muffin or regular size muffin tin.

Bake at 400C for 15 -20 minutes. Enjoy!

Apple Cranberry Flax Muffins

1/2 cup plain yogurt

2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg 

2 egg whites

3/4 cup ground flax

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 frozen cranberries

2-3 apples

*Variation*

Chocolate Orange Apple Cranberry Muffins

Add:

1/4 cup orange juice

2 tbsp orange zest

1/3 cup chocolate chips

Watch a video on how to make the muffins at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpekUKN8vJg&list=UUabpoRgDeqV5JkYX45bRxag&index=27&feature=plcp

Walnut Date Oatmeal Cookies

It's hard to believe that these cookies have only a tablespoon of added sugar because they are just so sweet, soft and delicious! You can get creative with you mix ins too!

Mix bananas, milk, brown sugar, egg whites, applesauce and cinnamon in a food processor. Alternatively, you can mash it by hand.

Transfer to a medium bowl and at oats. Mix well. Let stand for at least 15 minutes.

Add dates and walnuts. Mix well.

Drop onto cookie sheet. Bakes at 350C for 15- 20 minutes. Cookies will still be somewhat soft and moist when done.

Enjoy!

Walnut Date Oatmeal Cookies

3 bananas

1/3 cup sweetened almond/soy milk

1/3 cup applesauce

1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup egg whites

1-2 tsp cinnamon

2 cups oats

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup chopped dates

iPhone Case

This is a super easy way the get a custom iPhone case for under two dollars!

You will need:

- Clear iPhone case

- Picture or scrapbook paper

- Hole punch

- Pen

- Scissors

I bought my iPhone case online for 1 dollar including shipping. You may also be able to find them at the dollar store.

Trace iPhone case onto picture/paper and cut out.

 

Place picture in case and trace around camera lens opening.

 

 Using a hole punch, punch out the opening

Place you phone in the case. Tada! So simple!

I Love You Because...

This is a really wonderful thing to make and display for you and your loved ones to write special notes. I made mine into a magnet but you can definitely just leave it as a regular picture frame and put it on a table or shelf.

You'll Need

- A picture* or paper with the words " I love you because..." 

- Picture frame

- Strong magnets

- Glue or glue gun

- Tape

* To print words on a picture, simply go into the Paint program on your PC and add the words. Make sure to "Save As" under a different name or else you could wreck your original. Then print picture via a regular print or photo printer.

Remove backing from frame. Place picture in desired place and tape if needed. Because this is going on the fridge, I removed the cardboard stand from the back as well.

The back of my frame was inset a bit so I cut the cardboard stand and attached it to my magnets to give them some height.

 

Glue magnets on back of frame. Make sure you find strong magnets. I found this a bit challenging and ended up testing a whole bunch in the store.

 

Attach to fridge. With a dry erase marker, write your message. 

 

Organize Your Pantry

Yikes! This is my pantry cupboard, filled with miscellaneous bulk store bags. Don't judge because I have a feeling I'm not alone! With a quick trip to the dollar store though I managed to tame the beast. You will have to find basket/jar combinations that work best for your needs.

You'll need 

- Several large jars with lids

- A few small jars for smaller items

- Low profile baskets or trays

- Dry erase maker

- Small scoops

- Self adhesive whiteboard paper, chalkboard paper or high gloss labels (optional) 

- Large punch

* Whiteboard paper is optional because you can write directly on the jars*

First soak all the jars in hot soapy water to clean and remove and price tags or labels. Air dry completely.

Punch out shape from whiteboard paper.

Affix label to top or front of jar.

Place canning funnel in jar and fill.

Add a scooper is desired.

Label jar. Repeat.

Small jar for smaller items. 

Once labelled and filled, place jar in baskets. Put basket in cupboard.

Tada! Pantry heaven!

Jars with lids = $15
Small jars = $4.74
Whiteboard paper = $8
White board makers = $1
Baskets = $4.50
Scoops = $5

Total = $38.24

Organization and finding what you need while you bake:
PRICELESS!