Not to quote Oprah or anything but…
I LOVE BREAD
Yup – it’s a fact that if I am craving something, more likely than not, I want a warm cookie, a loaf of sourdough, or pie…hmmmm pie. But I digress. Of course, if I caved all the time to carb longings, my attempt at a healthy example for my kids would be blown. So, instead I spend endless hours trying to think of ways I can make “bread – like” items that fuel the craving and the body appropriately. Healthy muffins are one of my favs for several reasons. They are such a great grab and go for breakfast or snacks. I can sneak in lots of added “goodies” without anyone in my family noticing 🙂 AND they are EASY PEASY to bake – who doesn’t feel like mom of the year with fresh muffins cooling on the counter?
These cranberry banana muffins have the sneaky benefit of flax (or hemp seed, if you like) for some added fibre AND a slightly sour kick from the cranberries – which to be honest, I added because they were taking up room in my freezer after Christmas. Of course, adding banana to any muffin gives you the sweetness you need to make it past the teen test. I have hard core muffin tasters in my house. Not one of them appreciates a muffin as much as I do – and particularly a healthy one. BUT – these muffins passed the test with flying colours. Try them on your pickiest family member and let me know how it goes.
For the Lunch Box: Cranberry Banana Muffins
The perfect healthy addition to your teens lunchbox or grab and go snack!
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup mashed bananas (usually about 3)
2/3 cup plain greek yogurt
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 egg white
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 spelt flour
1/2 rolled oats (plus extra for on top!)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
Whisk bananas, yogurt, sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla in a bowl.
Add dry ingredients and mix.
Fill 12 muffin cups about 3/4 full and bake for 20 – 25 min. at 350F.
REAL LIFE: This weekend, I am at a dance convention in Toronto. Early mornings, 6 hours of dance, and just restaurant food to fuel their growing, teenage (read: pubescent) bodies. I froze a bag of these muffins and tucked them into my carry – on with a bag of apples. Healthy breakfast? DONE!!
Whether it is dance, swimming, hockey, ringette, boxing, soccer or gymnastics – we are all on the go with our kids. Hope these help you out a little and are a hit in your home! 🙂
xx
C