{rise 'n shine} whole wheat muffins

Healthy? yes!
Easy? yes!

Kid approved? ... YES!!!

I was actually planning on posting about a salad that I was inspired to make, (beets, potatoes, salmon - look for it next week) ... but volleyball, basketball, homework, feeding the dogs, cleaning got in the way. So, I had tucked away a recipe for whole wheat muffins and decided to give it a go with my own special spin!

The great thing about these healthy little treats is you can add just about any fruit to make them yours - its easy. Did I mention that my kids loved them. I think the quote was, "hey, those are actually good." Big score! Trying to work whole wheat into the diet can be difficult when there is so much bleached flour products out there. Now my kids know that whole wheat can be tasty too!

as always we start with a little butter and a little sugar...

whole wheat (add-in) muffins by ann west

1/2 c butter melted

1/2 c brown sugar

1/4 c honey

1 c banana mashed. I think you could use pumpkin or sweet potato too!

1 egg

1/2 c. buttermilk (plus 2 tbls if needed)

2 1/2 c. whole wheat flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup blueberries or other berries. Or 1/2 cup dried cherries, cranberries, coconut, nuts - you create it!

Heat you oven to 375 degrees and line your muffin pan. Mix the dry ingredients together. Mix the butter, sugar, honey together. Mash your bananas and add them. Mix the egg into the buttermilk and add to the wet ingredients.


Fold the wet ingredients into the dry until just incorporated. (don't over mix or you are sure to have a brick of a muffin!) Fold in your fresh berries or dried fruit. about 1 cup. makes 12-14 muffins. Bake for 20 -25 minutes.


I think I will try pumpkin with coconut next!

{rise 'n shine} black bean and poached egg ranchero

photo by ann west

brin l ner brinner def. noun. breakfast for dinner. Substituting breakfast (usually eaten in the morning) instead of a typical dinner (usually eaten at night). Brinner is prepared in times of desperation when time is short, budget is low and there is nothing else in the house. origin: stressed out moms that need a break.

black bean and poached egg ranchero by ann west

Canned black beans. Add 1 bay leaf and a dash of cumin. Heat and mash with a potato masher.

saute peppers (if you have them - if not skip it)

poach eggs (or fried if you like)

salsa

tortilla

feta cheese (or your preferred cheese)

avocado (to really jazz it up!)

on a tortilla or a bed of left over rice layer black beans, veggies (if you have them), poached eggs. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve with salsa!

*** This meal can be served in the morning as well :)