Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Before turning off oven, Bake!



Spring is in the air and I will probably not be turning my oven on again till fall. So, this morning I decided lets send winter off with one last batch of Muffins! Not just any muffins, but Vegan Blueberry (antioxidants), Banana (potassium), Cinnamon (blood sugar balancing). They are divine! Not to sweet yet so flavorful,and so simple to make! 
I am giving you some options for your ingredients. Such as which sweetener, milk, and oil you prefer. I have tried them all and they all work beautifully. Here we go!




Blueberry Banana Cinnamon Muffins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees


Dry Ingredients:
2 cups Organic Unbleached White Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon


Wet Ingredients:
1/2 cup Soy, Rice , Almond or Coconut Milk.
1/2 cup Rice, Maple, or Agave Syrup
1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar 
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup Sunflower, Safflower, or Coconut Oil
1 Medium size Banana mashed
1 cup Fresh or Frozen Blueberries


Method


  • In one bowl whisk together Dry Ingredients to be sure they are thoroughly blended
  • In a Second bowl add all wet ingredients except the Blueberries and whisk together to ensure blending
  • Spray Muffin Tin or Spring Form Pan with Oil Spray
  • Then pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients using a stir/fold type movement mix. DO NOT over mix, a few little lumps will give the muffins character
  • Then fold in Blueberries
  • Spoon into Muffin Tin or a seven or eight inch Spring Form Pan (this will make a lovely Breakfast Cake)
  • Then dot with a few more Blueberries (can never have too many Blueberries) these will burst and drizzle their juices down the Muffins or Cake
  • Place in the oven on middle rack
  • Bake muffins for 30 minutes and cake for 40 to 45 
  • Test with skewer for doneness or tap with fingers and they should feel firm.
Remove cool and enjoy!


Now a few ideas on Ingredients:
I like Eden Brand Soy/Rice Beverage. Should you choose Coconut Milk I would not use canned, instead try So Delicious Brand. Vanilla flavored is divine and usually found in the Dairy Case at most Natural Food Stores. It's only drawback is that it contains Cane Sugar and not everyone wants that in their diet.
I use Rice Syrup for a mild sweetening experience. Rice Syrup will also enters the  bloodstream much slower then simple sugars so you will not have a blood sugar level crash thirty minutes after eating. Rice Syrup along with the addition of Cinnamon will keep your blood sugar levels balanced.
When considering Maple Syrup as an ingredient in any recipe remember it does add another dimension to the flavor. This can be favorable depending on the other ingredients. Try omitting the Blueberries and add Toasted Walnuts and Maple
Syrup with the Banana, or Maple, Pecan and Peach! Oh! Raspberry, Coconut with Coconut Milk and Coconut Oil.The beauty of this recipe is that you can have fun being creative! I hope you enjoy this recipe and please post comments and questions. I look forward to hearing from you!


NEXT TIME: A Spring Cleansing Diet

























Monday, March 21, 2011

Spring Energy

Spring Cleaning!  As the snow begins melting here in Vermont, the days lengthen, and it feels like we are waking from hibernation. A feeling of rebirth is taking over our beings! Spring cleaning is a popular project for our homes and as the Seasons change we need to consider preparing our bodies for these changes as well. 
In Chinese Medicine, Spring is wood or tree energy, rising upward. Picture the ground opening up and life beginning to sprout from it. This is when the Earth gives us it's new crisp greens to feast on. There are Upward growing leafy greens, Dandelion Greens, Leeks, Celery, Spring Onions, Baby Carrots, Micro Greens, Sprouts of all kinds. Spring has arrived and this is the perfect time to incorporating all of these fresh foods into our diets.
The organ pair connected to this season is Liver/Gallbladder. The taste associated with this season is Sour.  When you think of Sour taste what foods stand out for you? Lemons, Sauerkraut, Green Apples, Whole Barley, Oats, Wheat and Rye, Lentils, Chickpeas and Tempeh are all associated with Sour Taste, and will all support your Liver/Gallbladder toning and cleansing regime.
One of my favorite recipes and definitely worth considering as an addition to your Spring Cleansing regime is a Green Juice consisting of Kale, Green Apple, Cucumber, Celery, Lemon and Ginger Root. It is really fresh, delicious and totally energizing! 
As I move forward in the next few weeks I will be sharing recipes and more Ideas to stimulate you senses. I hope this Season of Spring brings you renewed energy and Joy.