January 28, 2014

bran muffins


Happy New Year!

Twenty-eight days late.

Happy New Year plus 28!


I have a fairly healthy (no cream cheese - don't be shocked) recipe to share today, but I'm guessing there's a good chance I've missed the healthy eating window that is early January, and everyone has already fallen off the healthy eating wagon.

But just in case, I'm going to share anyway.

My bff made these for me while I was visiting in November, and I've had one for breakfast almost every morning since.

They are moist and delicious, and packed with lots of goodies that help you start your day off right.


Here's a link to the original recipe, and I'll note the few changes we made below.

Bran Muffins

1/2 cup raisins
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups bran cereal (Kellogg's All-Bran)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons melted butter (I know - not healthy, but the time I forgot the butter in the microwave, the muffins were really dry.)
1 apple, cored and shredded (I use Fuji, and they've been huge lately. I measured last time I made them and it came to 1 1/2 cups of shredded apple)
1 ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup honey
We also add...
1/4 cup flaked coconut
1/4 cup chopped pecans

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups, or line with paper cupcake liners.
Cover raisins with water in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high for 1 minute to plump. Drain the raisins, and set aside.
Beat the egg with milk in a bowl, and mix in the bran cereal. Let the mixture stand until the cereal absorbs the liquid, about 5 minutes.
Gently mix in the plumped raisins, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, melted butter, shredded apple, mashed banana, coconut, pecans and honey, and stir a few times to mix.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, (I use a large ice cream scoop and its the perfect size to fill each muffin cup) and bake in the preheated oven for about 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Mine usually take 22-23 minutes.

I doubled the recipe last time I made them and they turned out perfectly. I wrap them well and freeze them and pull one out every night for the next morning's breakfast.


In other news, it's been especially quiet on the farm lately, which is exactly how I like it. I've been doing exciting things like watching my hair grow, and  tweezing the large number of eyebrows that apparently forgot where they're supposed to live. Seriously. Eyebrows inches away from their eyebrow home.

But I'm not complaining.

....or am I?

Dear Eyebrows,
I love you. And I missed you terribly while you were gone. I'm so very happy that you are back, but I do feel that it might be time to set some boundaries. You've had your fun, but from here on out, please confine your activities to your former stomping ground.
Very truly yours,
Teresa

Other than that, I'm obsessing over Downton Abby, like much of the rest of the world, trying to get a few projects done before Spring arrives, and feeling bad for those of you stuck in the Winter Storm of 2014.


Stay warm and have a fabulous Tuesday!



32 comments:

  1. Teresa, Good to see your post. Darn eyebrows huh? The muffins look wonderful. Enjoy the quiet while you can. I am currently in Mexico getting alternative treatments. i am here for a whole month. Blessings to you!
    Dani

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  2. Glad you're back! Have you been introduced to Call The Midwife? It's taken over top spot :)

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  3. Good to hear from you! We are waiting for Leon to storm through, but honestly? It almost never snows when they predict it. We'll see. STay warm.

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  4. Teresa, every dish you own is so pretty!! :) The muffins look good too. ;)

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  5. Yum! Those sound so good! Thanks for sharing the recipe too! And I just love your pretty dishes! :) Happy week to you! xo Holly

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  6. I love bran muffins too!
    This sounds like a Cadilac recipe.
    Those eyebrows do end up in the oddest places!

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  7. So happy to see a blog post from you today! I've missed them! I will definitely try the bran muffin recipe and no I'm still on the get healthy band wagon. Let's see that hair girlfriend! I feel like mine is in the ugly stage; I look like a boy, can't wait for the cute pixie look.

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  8. Those muffins look so darn good that I printed up the recipe.. and will amass the ingredients and give them a try! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  9. Great recipe, and the turquoise setting is beautiful.

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  10. Thanks for the recipe! I keep all Meadowbrook recipes and try them too!
    Happy plucking those in the wrong places . . . thrilled that is happening though.
    Thank you also for the beautiful aqua light turquoise . . .
    Happy Twenty Fourteen . . .

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  11. Laughing at the letter to your eyebrows. I hope they listen and obey from now on. Happy day to you!

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  12. Good to see you posting no matter how many days it's been! Good luck with the brow control!

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  13. I've missed you! Hope you are feeling well enough to visit with us a little more. going to have to try those yummy looking muffins.

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  14. Who knew eyebrows could be so unruly? Glad you are doing well, sweet Friend! xo ~Sal

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  15. Love Bran Muffin...will give these a whirl. Good luck with those eyebrows! :-)

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  16. I am always happy to see a post from you..That recipe sounds yummy!! Love your letter to your eyebrows. Mine have never obeyed!!! Is your mug a Santa Anita? Sure looks like it.

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  17. Hi there, Teresa - it is so nice to meet you! I found your blog via Brenda of Color My Decor/Cozy Little House. I've only seen what Brenda posted and your first post here about bran muffins, but I know I'm going to love your blog (and you!) just from what I've seen and read already. I'll be adding your blog to my list of favorite blogs on my blog roll. I'd love for you to come over and visit me as well! I look forward to getting to know you better. Oh, and I wanted to tell you that if you don't want to use butter in the bran muffin recipe, you can substitute organic coconut oil.

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  18. I have been thinking about you, Teresa, and hoping that each day is finding you feeling better & better! It was good to put up a new calendar year and say good bye to 2013. My best to you...
    Kari

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  19. Darn I should have had my Momma make me these before she went back home tonight. Those look YUMMY! :)
    We miss you and as soon as I can get a game plan over here I can send you some dates.
    Have a good weekend and stay warm!
    XO,
    M

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  20. Teresa,

    I'm so happy to have found your blog through Brenda! I have a feeling I am going to be making a lot of your recipes...these muffins look like the right way to start the day!

    I've fallen in love with your farm and home and garden and well, everything! I can't wait to visit again! :)

    I also want to say that it sounds like you have a wonderful mindset with the challenges life has thrown your way. I love the "eyebrow letter"!! Keep that up (the attitude, and yeah, the tweezing, too)! They are stubborn little buggers.

    Sending much love,

    XO,
    Jane

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  21. Thanks for the recipe! They look YUMMY. Had a stent put in recently and these look pretty heart healthy. Going to make them tomorrow. Hope you are feeling good. Will you start zinnias in the greenhouse again this spring? Again, thanks for sharing. karen fr/ NE

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  22. The muffins look fabulous and have my fav ingredients in them. Can't wait to try!

    Ps. I'm obsessed w Downton too!!

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  23. omg, so glad your back, I was worried, but I am to see you here....and the beautiful picture on your post is awesome...happy.....hugs.....

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  24. I'm enjoying the quiet too but I think I am just on the edge of being tired of it. I'm thinking it's been more brutal here than in Montana this year. Crazy.

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  25. Hope you are feeling okay. Gonna try those muffins. Love your coffee cup and saucer. :)

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  26. http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608019708185742273&w=231&h=171&c=7&rs=1&pid=1.7

    Thinking of you... and looking forward to future posts.

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  27. These are the best bran muffins ! Thank you for the recipe

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  28. Greetings from Florence! I'm so happy that you're feeling better!

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  29. Happy New Year...even later! Hope you're doing well!

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  30. I miss your posts. It has been a long, cold, lonely winter. I'm thinking you are worn from the stress and the gloomy days. Wish I could send a bright bouquet to you and add a little color to your day. It has warmed on this side of the divide today; I have a tree full of Cedar waxwings chirping and flitting about. Sounds so lovely! Sending instant Karma, with loving care.

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  31. Thank you for a great recipe. I've just made them and they are beautiful. Next time I will try substituting Greek yogurt for the butter.
    I too am a breast cancer survivor, 2 1/2 years out of my treatment, so halfway to that 5 year mark.. I had surgery, chemo and radiation. I just want to encourage you to continue to be kind to yourself. It may take a little longer than what you think it should to rebound back from the chemo, but be patient. I have said a prayer for you, for every cancer cell to be eradicated from your body. From mine too :)
    Beautiful blog!

    Blessings over you!

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