Applesauce Pumpkin Muffins

Good evening every one!

I'm sorry this post is coming a bit late. Our computer has issues sometimes and I had to mess with it for a while to fix it! We're in the clear now. :) 

My baby is 11 months old today! I can't believe that in a short month she'll be a year old! We had a little Valentines/11 month photo shoot today and they turned out okay... She wasn't quite in the mood but I did get a few good ones in there. The bigger she grows, the more I realize how precious our time is together. I need to enjoy it while it is here! I also need to enjoy her while she's the only child in our family. (No I'm not pregnant right now) But of course we want more children in the future. I guess my message for today is stop waiting for happiness and choose to be happy now! No matter what your situation is, you can always find happiness every day. 

This is my second time making these muffins for my family. We absolutely love them! The best part is that there are only good quality ingredients in them. They are so delicious that I have been craving another one since I've been staring at this picture! They taste just as amazing as they look. They have just enough sweetness to get that sugar craving reeled in. You could have one of these paired with a piece of fruit and yogurt for breakfast or just as a daily snack. I really hope you guys love this one as much as we do!

Applesauce Pumpkin Muffins

Adapted from The Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook by Tosca Reno

Tools:

1 medium mixing bowl

1 small mixing bowl

Paper muffin liners

Spoon

Measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients:

1 cup old-fashioned oats, not instant

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup milk or milk alternative

2 large egg white + 1 one yolk

2 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. canola oil

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup Sucanat or brown sugar

1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line muffin pan with paper liners or coat with cooking spray.
2. Combine oatmeal, pumpkin, applesauce, milk, eggs and oil in a small bowl. Mix until all ingredients are blended.
3. Measure and mix all dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Make a well in the center and pour wet ingredients into dry. Add dried fruit. Mix until dry ingredients are just moistened. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned on top.

Nutritional Value Per Muffin:
Calories: 189, Protein: 6g, Sugars: 8g, Dietary Fiber: 2g

Easy Power Protein Oats

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to a new day of your life! What are you doing to improve your life today? Did you work out? Did you challenge yourself to something new or unexpected? Each day is a new day and we need to work on improving our lives all the time. We will only have this life once, so why not make the most of it? Try something new! Instead of sitting on the couch and watching TV, get up and go for a walk, go to the library, visit a friend or family member. We need to make the most of what we have right now. In my own life, I've found myself just waiting for my life to get better. It's not going to happen for us if we sit and wait. We have to DO something about. Take action. I've only just learned this principle of life in the last year or so. After you have a baby your mind set changes drastically. Not only are you worried about your personal life but you're now worried about your child's life too! In the past year we have made some pretty drastic decisions that have resulted in a lot of change in our life. But we took action! We are doing something to help make our life better. So I want to know what you all are doing or have done to improve your life today. Share! I'd love to hear!

Today I have an awesome breakfast recipe for you. This is the best protein oatmeal that we've tried to date. We pretty much eat this every day unless I decide to try something different. It's so quick to make too! I used to just make the quick oatmeal from the packets but this is so much better for you and it really doesn't take that much time to put together. I'm never going back to that Quaker stuff! You don't need to add any sugar because it's flavored by the protein powder. I love my oatmeal with fresh blueberries and sliced almonds. It's to die for! This Oatmeal really fills you up and keeps you from snacking before lunch time!

Power Protein Oats

Ingredients:
4 cups water
2 cups old fashioned oats
4 Tbsp. natural nut butter- almond, peanut, cashew or other
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 scoops protein powder (I used Vanilla Elite Gourmet...it's the best!)
4 Tbsp. ground flax seed

Tools:
Medium sauce pan
Spoon
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons

Directions:
1. Bring the four cups of water to a boil in a medium sauce pan.
2. Add remaining ingredients except flax seen, and reduce heat. Cook gently for 3 to 5 minutes, until mixture becomes thick and uniform.
3. Spoon into four bowl and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of ground flax seed. Serve immediately. OR Let cool and put the rest into a plastic container and refrigerate. 
*You can also add fresh or dried fruit, plain Greek yogurt, sliced almonds or walnuts. 

Yum! Now you're ready to take on the day!

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

I love fall!

The beautifully colored leaves, the jacket weather and most of all we get to indulge in pumpkin!! If this delightful pumpkin recipe doesn't get you in the mood for Thanksgiving, then I don't know what will. We made them for dinner last night and I had the leftovers for lunch! I can still taste pumpkin pie in my mouth. Mmmm...

Another cool thing about this recipe is that it's a family recipe handed down from my great grandmother! Its original title is Feather Pancakes, I just added in the pumpkin and spices. So literally this recipe is one of the best homemade pancake recipes out there! Trust me; it's the only pancakes I've made... ever!
Making your pancakes from scratch is really easy too! Maybe not quite as easy as opening a bag and dumping out a pre-made mix into a bowl but they still are really easy. I'm sure it only takes a few more minutes to whip up a batch of home made batter. That way you know exactly what is going into your mix! Cooking from scratch give me peace of mind. :) I can't wait for you to try these!

Pumpkin Pie Pancakes

1 cup Milk
1 Egg
2 Tbsp. Oil
3/4 cup Pumpkin Puree
1/4 cup Water

1 cup Flour
2 Tbsp. Sugar
2 Tbsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1/8 tsp. Ground Ginger
1/8 tsp. Ground Cloves
Chopped Walnuts (optional)
Fat Free whipped topping (optional)

1. Mix together milk, egg, oil, pumpkin puree and water until smooth.
2. In a separate bowl mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and spices. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
3. Spoon onto hot oiled griddle. Brown on both sides.
4. Serve with a dollop of whipped topping and sprinkle with nuts, if desired.

Makes 6-8 medium pancakes.