Oatmeal Blueberry / Raspberry Muffins

I run out of butter and a lot of other things. It's snowy and windy outside, and I don't feel like going to a store or digging the car out of the snow.
Here is a muffin recipe with no butter or fat. One of these deserts, which won't make you feel bad about yourslef. Enjoy with tea!!!

Makes 12-15 muffins
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tbsp canola oil
1 large egg
3/4 cup blueberries or mixed with raspberries
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Line 12 cup muffin tin with paper cases or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Combine flour, oats, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a bowl. Combine applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil and egg. Make a well in dry ingredients and add applesauce mixture. Stir until just moist. Fold in the fruit.

Bake for 16-18 mins.

Celebrating LOVE

Our Valentines celebration was all about making our bellies happy!
After the kids came back from school, I have surprised them with a home made / heart shaped cheese pizza....following by a broccoli soup (they were less surprised :-)).

After all our evening activities we enjoyed my updated recipe cupcakes with milk.

Personally I have an issue eating a cupcake icing full of butter. Here is perfect way to make it a bit more healthier.

Cream Cheese Frosting (no butter)

3 8-ounce block of cold cream cheese
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons of milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For the cupcakes, I have used my previous recipe but I have reduced the amount of oil to 1 cup, instead of 1 1/2 cups.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tspn baking soda
1 tspn. kosher salt
1 tspn. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup vegetable oil (I have used canola oil)
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 large organic eggs, room temperature
1 tspn. white distilled vinegar
1 tspn. vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pan with cupcake papers.
In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting. 

And here is Leon enjoying his huge bone. At first he didn't know where to start and now there is almost nothing left. Amazing skill! :-))))

Corn Dog Muffins

"Andre, what are those hot dogs called? The once on the stick, and you are always asking for it!", I couldn't remember...

"It is Pogo, mom!", Andre got all excited.

Last week I found this recipe that looked very similar and much healthier option, right here.
The kids liked the idea!

Besides baking, I experiment a lot with Quinoa lately, bought this organic quinoa in Costco some time ago... and I kind of like it now, it is so easy on the stomach and you can add anything to it. Plus the BENEFITS of eating this nutritious seeds!

Salad ingredient:

Tomatoes, cucumbers, avocado and a feta cheese on top. 

For the dressing: 

1 tbsp. of olive oil and Balsamic vinegar with some salt and pepper.