Low Glycemic Index Carrot Muffins - Recipe

1/2 cup light vegetable oil
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 egg whites
1 cup carrots, shredded
1 cup cooking apples, shredded
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup dates, chopped
1/2 cup mixed dried berries
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tsp. all spice
1 tsp. baking powder
2 3/4 cups self-rising whole wheat flour

Preheat the oven to 350F. in a large bowl, combine the oil and brown sugar, and beat with an electric mixer until light and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Beat the egg and egg whites, one at a time, and then add the carrots, apples, dried fruit, and walnuts. Sift the rest of the ingredients into a medium mixing bowl. Add them to the carrot mixture, stirring until just combined. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each well of a muffin tin lined with baking cups. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from the pan and cool on a wire rack for an additional 25 minutes. Split muffins in half and spread with low-fat margarine before serving.

Makes approximately 12 muffins

Whole Wheat Plum Muffins - Recipe

2 cups fresh or canned plums, drained
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 lightly beaten egg
4 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup whole/homo milk

Preheat the oven to 350F. Puree the plums in a food processor. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar with a spoon or whisk. In a large bowl, beat the egg, oil, and milk with an electric mixer until just combined. Stir the peach puree into the egg mixture, then add the flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each well of a muffin tin lined with baking cups. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from the pan and cool on a wire rack for an additional 25 minutes.

Makes approximately 6 muffins



***I feel as though this week's recipes have been inspired by the classic children's book "Each Peach Pear Plum". ***

Whole Wheat Pear Muffins - Recipe

2 cups fresh or canned pears, drained
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 lightly beaten egg
4 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup whole/homo milk
1 tbsp. orange zest

Preheat the oven to 350F. Puree the pears in a food processor. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and sugar with a spoon or whisk. In a large bowl, beat the egg, oil, orange zest and milk with an electric mixer until just combined. Stir the peach puree into the egg mixture, then add the flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each well of a muffin tin lined with baking cups. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from the pan and cool on a wire rack for an additional 25 minutes.

Makes approximately 6 muffins

Whole Wheat Peach Muffins - Recipe

2 cups stewed or canned peaches, drained
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 lightly beaten egg
4 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/2 cup whole/homo milk

Preheat the oven to 350F. Puree the peaches in a food processor. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar with a spoon or whisk. In a large bowl, beat the egg, oil, and milk with an electric mixer until just combined. Stir the peach puree into the egg mixture, then add the flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each well of a muffin tin lined with baking cups. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from the pan and cool on a wire rack for an additional 25 minutes.

Makes approximately 6 muffins

*For an extra healthy and delicious treat or breakfast, try having one of these muffins with some cottage cheese. The tastes will compliment one another well and you'll get a great meal of fruits, whole grains, protein, dairy and a little fat. Now that's a tasty and well balanced way to start your day!*