Where it All Began

When I first started this nutrition journey, I would spend hours playing around with recipes.  Adding a bit of this, taking away a bit of that, until I finally came up with a list of wholesome ingredients I felt good about putting in my body and my family's bodies.  There was - and still is - plenty of trial and error involved but it’s all part of the fun.  Preserving taste is also an important part of the challenge.  Here is a fairly major re-do of a Martha Stewart original.  You will love the apple slice on top!   

Irresistible Apple Muffins

• 1 Granny Smith Apple - peeled and quartered
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, dash cardamom
• 1/2 cup plump golden raisins
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup orange juice (diluted)

Preheat oven to 400 F


Cut 3 apple quarters into small dice and cut remaining quarter into 12 thin slices for garnish. Mix sugar, flours, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and golden raisins in large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, olive oil and orange juice together. Add wet ingredients to dry mixing only until combined.

Divide batter among muffin cups topping each with an apple slice. Bake until muffins are beginning to brown around edges - 16 to 18 minutes. Let muffins cool slightly and enjoy.