When the weather turns gray and the rain drums lightly on the roof, I want to bake. It just brings a sense of cozy into the home by wafting smells of cinnamon spice throughout the house. Perhaps I am constantly nostalgic for the Fall, but even with the rainy days of late Spring, these muffins do not disappoint. Since I am a mother of a toddler, whatever I bake needs to be quick and cannot dirty too many dishes. If Toren gives me a 30 minute window of self-play, then I am lucky. 

So here is what I whipped up this time. APPLE BANANA BREAKFAST MUFFINS!! If you are a fan of apple, banana, and cinnamon, then this recipe is for you! Sweetened only with whole fruit, these muffins are naturally free of refined sugar. They are fluffy yet fiber rich, and an excellent alternative to otherwise sugar laden muffin recipes. I am not a fan of sugar replacements, and encourage the use of fruit, as nature intended, to sweeten recipes. Not only does this practice encourage the consumption of whole foods, it also increases the fiber and polyphenol content. Flaxseeds further boost the fiber content and provide a lot of health benefits including supporting healthy bowel movements, balancing hormones, and reducing inflammation. This little seed may be small, but it is mighty! Plus, the polyphenols in the oats, apple peel, and cinnamon support the growth of bifidobacterium and lactobacillus two groups of good gut bacteria known to support human health in a wide variety of ways. 

Although these muffins are gluten free, they are not dairy or egg free. If you want to play around with these additions let me know how it turns out! Also, of importance, when grating the apple make sure to leave the skin on because most of the polyphenols are found directly beneath the skin. Don't let the skin go to waste. I also opted not to use muffin liners, because I feel the muffins rise better when placed directly into an oiled muffin tin. You can easily make a double batch and freeze the leftovers. These muffins taste just as good fresh out of the oven as they do reheated in the microwave or toasted in the toaster. With a pat of butter or nut butter they taste extra yummy too. And yes, my little toddler loves them as much as I do!

Apple Banana Breakfast Muffins
Makes 6 Muffins

INGREDIENTS
1 cup rolled oats
1 medium banana
1 medium apple, grated with skin on
1/4 cup ground flaxseed (also known as flaxseed meal)
1/4 cup whole milk yogurt (I used plain Grace Harbor Farms yogurt)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Meanwhile add all of the ingredients except the baking powder and baking soda to a high speed blender (I have a BlendTec). Blend until smooth, about 60 seconds or so. I am sure a good quality food processor would work well too. Then sprinkle in the baking powder and baking soda and blend for another 10 seconds, just until incorporated. 

Oil six spots of a regular muffin tin with butter or olive oil and transfer the mixture evenly into all spots. Place into oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and allow the muffins to cool in the muffin tin for 10-15 minutes undisturbed. Then gently remove the muffins and enjoy! 

For a balanced breakfast consider pairing these muffins with a protein rich meal such as veggie scrambled eggs. 
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I would love to know what you think of these little gems! Share your adaptations below, so others can learn from you as well :)

Happy Eating,

​Selva

Cooking the perfect quinoa does not need to be complicated. I have seen some recipes call for straining cooked quinoa in a colander after cooking and most calling for too much water leaving you with wet, soggy grains. Either way is not ideal...too much work for unappetizing soggy grains. Try my super easy way to make perfectly fluffy quinoa every time. 

INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups quinoa (any color)
2 1/2 cups water

DIRECTIONS
In a medium pot add quinoa and water. Cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce heat to low and keep covered, cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Then turn off heat and leave covered for another 15 minutes or more. I usually just cook it and forget about it until I am ready to serve it for  lunch/dinner, etc. For example, sometimes I prep the quinoa in the morning and leave it on the stove until lunch.

What you are left with is perfectly cooked and fluffy quinoa that required very minimal work/attention. If you are using it for salads, it is best to let it cool to room temperature on the stove or let cool in the refrigerator.