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Friday, March 21, 2014

Pumpkin Muffins

Easy and Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

I'm always looking for a new healthy muffin recipe - the kids love them and then I have an easy breakfast or snack on hand for at least a day or two.  And I love Pumpkin, what better way to add some extra Veggies into the day then by sneaking some in at breakfast?

So yesterday I did a search for "healthy pumpkin muffins" and found this recipe at Nate and Rachel.   I typically fiddle a bit with recipes based on what I have in the the kitchen or due to our own personal preferences, but in this case I followed the recipe to the T!  The kids loved them and so did I.  Another Victory in the Eat More Veggies quest we are always on in this house!


Easy and Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Need convincing?  Read 9 Reasons to Eat Pumpkin and then get busy cooking!

Here is the link and the full recipe below:  
Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
 

Ingredients for Healthy Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

  • 1 small can (15 oz) pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 2 large eggs (or flax meal. We use flax because it means we can lick the bowl and spoon without raw-egg worries. 1Tb Flaxseed Meal + 3 Tbs = 1 egg.)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla (or more if your little one is pouring)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 3/4-2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or your preferred combination of nutmeg, ginger, ground cloves, and cinnamon)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350.
  2. Grease bottom only of muffin cups.
  3. Combine ingredients. I’m sure someone would tell you that you need to mix the dry ingredients separately from the wet ingredients. But who has time for that when they’re cooking with kids? Not me! We just mix everything in one bowl in no particular order.
  4. Pour into muffin cups and bake until muffins are slightly puffed and golden brown, about 25 minutes.





Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Arugula Beet Salad

Arugula Beet Salad

Beets! I love Beets!  Buying fresh is the best of course, but I have to admit total laziness in this department, I typically eat the canned version - no salt added - when I can find it!  These red cuties add a punch of nutrition and flavor to salads, like in this Arugula Salad - delish!

Luckily they are also super healthy!  Looking to do a cleanse?  Looking for a tasty aphrodisiac?  Pregnant and looking for a yummy Vitamin powerhouse?  The list of health benefits continues here: 6 Health Benefits of Eating Beets.

I can't wait to try them in a smoothy!

Arugula Beet Salad

Arugula Beet Salad Recipe:

2 large handfuls Arugula
1/2 cup chopped Beets (canned, no salt added)
1/2 Cucumber, skinned and diced
1/2 cup chopped Rotisserie Chicken (all skin removed)

1 tbsp salted Sunflower Seeds
1 tbsp Balsamic Vinaigrette

 


The only way this could be made better, is to add some crumbled goat cheese on top, YUM!

Enjoy! :)