Low Fat Cran-Blueberry Muffins…

I love muffins from a coffee shop, but those muffins do not like us. They are usually high in fat and sugar. Just because you are watching your weight does not mean you have to do without, you have just have to make smarter choices. The muffin recipe today uses whole-wheat, orange juice, blueberries, apricots and cranberries. If you wanted to replace the white sugar, my choice would be clear agave syrup. This recipe was written by Annette Snoek, for Weight Watchers and yes, I did tinker with it a bit…

I read once that if you only did your grocery shopping on the outside rows you would have everything you need to sustain life. Fruits, veggies, dairy and meat, interesting concept, but it is true our bodies do not need any of the engineered processed foods. I thought about it and started a self-argument of I need the baking row for the spices… well I don’t since I can buy fresh herbs. So for those who need a challenge, try it out!

This should make 18 muffins.

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups whole-wheat flour

2/3 cup sugar

1½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

½ teaspoon cornstarch

1/3 cup cold margarine, diced

¾ nonfat plain yogurt

1/3 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

2 eggs

1 ½ cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen

24 dried apricot halves, chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°F

Either spray muffin cups with cooking spray or insert paper liners.

In a medium bowl combine, yogurt, orange juice, and eggs.

In a large bowl combine, flour, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar, cornstarch, cut in margarine until flour mixture looks like crumbs.

Stir the yogurt mix into the large bowl, until just combined. Gently fold the fruit into the mixture.

Spoon batter into muffins cups, filling two-thirds full.

Bake for 15-20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Battle Colds and Boost Your Vitamin Intake

The temperature outside Tuesday morning was forty-four degrees; summer is over. Bring on the cold and flu season. In our house, we fight the cold and flu season with fruit smoothies.

 If your children are mine, getting them to swallow a vitamin pill can be more hassle than it is worth. This tasty smoothie has solved the "swallow your pill" fight in our house. We make this two different ways, depending on which ingredient is on hand.  One variation is with Yoplait Light Yogurt, the other with Simply Orange brand orange juice.

I will buy and freeze fresh fruit in the summer for winter use, but you can buy cut-frozen fruit in the freezer section of the grocery store.

This recipe will also accept a vanilla flavored, whey protein powder, without altering the flavor

 

Ingredients:

1 cup of Simply Orange, orange juice / Or 1 container of Yoplait Light yogurt (vanilla, or one of the fruits in the smoothie)

6 whole strawberries, fresh if you have them, can be frozen

1 cup sliced peaches, frozen

1 medium banana,

¼ cup of blueberries, frozen

(If you are using fresh fruit add 6 ice cubes)

Directions:

Place orange juice in blender followed by, blueberries, strawberries, banana, then peaches (and ice if needed)

Blend on high until smooth, if need be you can add warm water ¼ cup at a time.

Should make 16 plus ounces

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