Mmmm...muffins! (posted by Janine)

So, fat-free vegan muffins... possible? Uh huh! I made these muffins for Jess and I tonight. I was surprised that there was no butter, margarine or oil needed. And all-natural sweeteners. I also used only spelt flour to make them. And... sadly we didn't have walnuts around. Here's the recipe if you wanna take a shot at making them...

Banana-Date-Walnut Muffins

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup unbleached white flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup natural sugar (I used the large crystal, unbleached kind)
3 very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1-1/4 cups)
1/2 cup vanilla soymilk
1/3 cup natural apple sauce
2 tbsp. agave nectar
1/4 cup chopped dates
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 400 and spray a muffin pan with non-stick spray. Sift together the flours, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl, mash the banana with the sugar, soy milk, apple sauce, and agave nectar.

Pour the banana mixture into the flour mixture and stir just until combined. Add in the dates and walnuts, and pour into 12 muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve to everyone who came running toward the aroma of fresh baked banana muffins!

These came out very light and sweet; J. actually asked if I had any "regular" muffins because "these are too sweet." You can probably reduce the sugar with no ill effects. Enjoy!




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So I'm beginning to fear that there is something seriously defunked happening with my intestines. Like I've developed an intolerance to something, because I still have terrible soup-ass. If it persists I'm going to see a doctor. I have a funny feeling that wheat is the culprit.

Aside from that I feel great! I biked to work today and I went to a yoga class during my lunch break. This particular class focuses on one "Chakra" per class. Today we worked on the "root Chakra" which is right down in your belly... the bottom chakra. Tons of breath work, lower ab work, stretching and "rolling". It felt nice to break up my busy work day with some meditation and physical activity. But then I went back to the office and spent 20 minutes on the can... BOOO!

Anyway, Jess and I bought our winning 649 ticket for tonight, and tomorrow when we go to collect our 40 million we're going to take the whole family on a sweet fat camp retreat. Woo hoo!

love,
neenie