Hello Sunshine and Cinnamon Muffins

I don't think this Sunday could be any more of a perfect day. It's 73 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, and a slight breeze is ringing the wind chimes outside. It's days like these where I can't help but open the windows, turn on some country music, and bake. 

I went on a search for a more filling and substantial muffin. Rather than bake another batch of my cranberry muffins for this week, I decided to try out these muffins. Because of my super healthy tendencies, I've adapted  her recipe just a tad. 

Ingredients


**Makes about 2 dozen muffins**


1 1/2 cup oats
1 1/2 cup buttermilk (I used skim milk)
3 eggs
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
3 Tbsp molasses
2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cup flour: (1/2 cup buckwheat, 2/3 cup oat flour, 1/3 cup oat bran)
3 Tbsp ground flax seed
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup raisins


Directions


1. Put the oats and milk in a large bowl and let the oats soak in the milk for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Then, add the eggs, oil, yogurt, molasses, and vanilla.
3. In a smaller bowl combine the dry ingredients and mix.
4. Combine the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix all together.
5. Ladle the batter out into a muffin pan.
6. Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

R2, this is mind zen #2 of the day ;) 

Mind Zen #1

By orders of Dr. Fitzsimmons. 

What would I do without you, R2. 

On my way...

Banana Oat Bars

My sister hates bananas. She hates even the sight of them. I wish I had a picture of her face when she said "..and BANANAS are everywhere!!" when were talking about our messy kitchen (which I have now cleaned to be spotless!). It was probably the best disgusted look I have ever seen!  :)

If every banana was as brown and spotted as the ones I put into these delicious oat bars, I might hate bananas, too. But I don't, and these are delicious! (if you like bananas)

I'm often looking for a little quick snack that will ease my hunger, won't cause me to be starving in a half hour, and is not full of processed, unhealthy stuff. I think these bars will do just the trick and are healthy too! (Gluten free in fact.) Easy to pack. Easy to eat. And easy to make!


Ingredients
3 very ripe bananas, mashed
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg

2 cups oats
1/3 cup whole wheat flour (I used buckwheat)
1/3 cup flax seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup shredded coconut (I had sweetened)
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/3 cup raisins or dried fruit of choice


Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix the dry ingredients together well in a small bowl
3. Mix the wet ingredients together in a bigger bowl
4. Combine the dry ingredients in the wet-ingredients bowl and mix all together.
5. Grease up a baking dish and pour in the batter and pat down with a fork. The thickness of the bars is really up to you, but mine were about an inch thick.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges are starting to brown.
7. Let the bars cool before cutting them and storing them in a Tupperware or tinfoil.

Early morning giggles and coffee with Regina

                                                                                                    pure joy