Fall is a great time to start or improve your diet and exercise regimen. So, I'm doing a series of "Weight loss recipe of the Day" posts. Think fall and you think pumpkin spice right? I also think home-baked after going oven-free all winter long and because, well, I always think baked goods, lol. Muffins are my drug of choice. But after losing 100 pounds which I'm trying to keep off, they're kryptonite. If you're craving that pumpkin spice shtick and muffins, here's a healthier diet version. My diet recipes tweak favorites with low sugar, better sugar, protein and fiber, low calorie, lowfat (and good fat) options. Make this "to diet for" breakfast muffin/quick bread with 1/3 the calories and tons of healthy stuff!
Pumpkin Spice Sunshine Breakfast Bread/Muffins
1/2 cups unsweetened homemade applesauce
1 and 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup pumpkin (you can use cooked winter squash too)
1/2 cup grated carrots
1/2 to 1 cup seeds: pumpkin, sunflower, chia
1 teas. cinnamon
1/2 teas. nutmeg
1 teas. each baking soda and baking powder
Flaxseed to make two eggs
1/4 cup melted 35-calorie light butter or Greek yogurt
mashed banana
fresh crushed peaches or pineapple
optional: walnuts
Mix ingredients (chunky applesauce and banana is good) and bake 350 for 55 minutes (bread) about 35-40 (muffins). Loaf makes about 20
servings. Calories 100 to 130 per slice. Makes 12 muffins 140 calories each.
