whole wheat chocolate chip muffins

If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile (or talked to me for even 5 seconds in person), you know I have a HUGE sweet tooth. So when I found these muffins a couple years ago, they became a breakfast staple in my kitchen.

Only trouble is… muffins aren’t exactly a healthy breakfast item (it’s kind of like starting the day by eating a frosting-less cupcake, am I right?)

I’m not saying these are healthy either, but after making these quite a few million times, I’ve come up with some great modifications, like cutting the sugar in half and using applesauce in place of margarine and eggs. (And the best part is, I think they’re even better than the original recipe!)Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Muffins

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp (heaping) cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup oat flour* (just grind up some old fashioned oats in your blender)
1 cup whole wheat flour
4 TBSP margarine
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup milk
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

(*For a denser muffin, omit the oat flour and use a total of 2 cups of whole wheat flour. Usually, I have to add a tiny bit of milk when I do this.)

Stir dry ingredients together well. Add wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Let sit for about 10 minutes to allow the grains to soak up the moisture. While waiting, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Fill muffin cups to the top and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

ENJOY!

easy vegetarian chili

After some experimenting and looking at other recipes for inspiration, I concocted my own vegetarian chili recipe! I think it’s safe to say that this is by far the easiest chili recipe ever… and it tastes just like any other meat chili!
_MG_81074 (15-oz) cans hot chili beans
2 (15-oz) cans tomato sauce
3 cups frozen corn
3 cups frozen carrots
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp cocoa powder

Combine tomato sauce and chili beans in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the vegetables, then the spices and cocoa powder. Heat thoroughly, stirring occasionally.

Served best with cheese, tortilla chips, and cornbread!

misconceptions

Just after Christmastime, I made a goal to start eating healthier. Sure, I work out and all, but what good is that if I put food into my body that isn't what's best for it? I needed to figure out what a healthy diet really was, so what better way to find out than paying a long-overdue visit to my old friend, the Food Pyramid?

                                     (image from http://creativeroots.org/?p=2316)

Wait, what's that you said? That's NOT the real food pyramid?! Fruits? Vegetables? What are those?!

Realistically, I am aiming to somehow add more "good food" to our regular diet. But, well… chocolate just might get in the way. How can you resist these muffins?

If you've lost all willpower, you can find the recipe here… but be sure to add extra cocoa!

delicious

I believe this is the first time I've posted a recipe on here! I guess I'm just not good at sharing, huh? =)

Anyway, these cookies are delicious. If you need… uh, *ahem*… I mean want, some chocolate, these are for you. They're a bit softer and "cakier" than other cookies, but still scrumptious.

Click here for the recipe!