Morning Glory Muffins

My friend Ande put out a request on Facebook for a healthy muffin recipe that included apples and/or carrots. Bingo! I have one! The original recipe came from Calyn which I modified just slightly.

Morning Glory Muffins

Mix together:
2 1/4 cups flour - I use whole wheat but you can do some white and some whole wheat.
1/2 cup sugar - you can also use raw cane sugar or sucanet
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups finely shredded carrots (about 3 medium)
1 cup chopped apple (about 1 medium - gala and fuji taste the best)

In a separate bowl mix:
1/2 cup honey
3 eggs
3/4 cup oil (or melted butter)
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine ingredients unti just moist. Fill muffin tins (makes 12 generously sized) and bak 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Refrigerate after 1 day and they will keep for a week. They also freeze well.


p.s. If you want to make this even healthier, you can substitue 3/4 cup of ground flaxseed for 1/4 cup of the oil. Flaxseed is great for lowering cholesterol. I know from experience!

Quinoa Chili

I got this recipe from Clare, who goes to my church. I modified it slightly, in case she is reading this. :)

Quinoa Chili

1 TBLS olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large green pepper, diced
1-2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
2/3 cup quinoa, rinsed in warm water and drained
1 cup fresh or frozen corn
1-2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 + cups canned kidney beans

Heat oil in skillet on medium heat. Add onion, salt, garlic, green pepper and spices; saute 5 to 10 minutes. Add rinsed quionoa and stir in. Add corn, tomato sauce and water to onion/quinoa mixture. Simmer together 20 minutes. Add kidney beans; simmer another 10 minutes.

If chili is too thick, just add water until it is to your liking.

Toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, corn chips, green onions.

NOTE: quinoa can be found in the bulk food section at Fred Meyer and Central Market (Seattle area stores).

Ruby Relaxer

I found this recipe at Kitchen Riches. Thanks!


2 T. Malibu coconut rum
2 T. Vodka
2 T. Peachtree Schnaps
5 T. Cranberry Juice
6 oz. Pineapple Juice

Mix and fill remainder of glass with ice.

Chicken Rigatoni

My 5 1/2 year old son loves this recipe! He asked for it all the time. It has lots of spinach in it, which is a very good thing. My 3 1/2 year old also like it.

I found the recipe on Scribbit's blog. I use a bit less garlic and a bit less milk for the sauce.