Banana Muffins

2 ½ c. flour (can use 1 cup of whole wheat if you wish)

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

4 ripe medium bananas, mashed (2 cups)

1 c. sugar

½ c. applesauce

3 egg whites

2 tbsp vegetable oil (I usually don’t add the vegetable oil, I just add 2 tbsp extra applesauce)

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp ground allspice (optional)

chocolate chips (optional)

- I also usually add between 1/3 and ½ c. bran flakes and then add in an extra tbsp or so of water.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In large bowl, flour, baking powder, baking soda and allspice.
3. In a medium bowl, combine mashed bananas, sugar, applesauce, egg white, vanilla and oil.
4. Stir applesauce mixture into flour mixture and mix just until moistened.
5. Spoon evenly into prepared muffin cups.
6. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately remove from pan and cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Mel’s Fruit Muffins

1 c. fresh or thawed fruit (ex/ blueberries, Saskatoon berries, strawberries, etc.)

1 ¾ c. all purpose flour

1 tbsp all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp lemon zest (grated lemon peel)

½ tsp salt

½ c. applesauce

½ c. sugar

1 egg

1 egg white

2 tbsp vegetable oil *I usually don’t add the vegetable oil, I just add 2 tbsp extra applesauce.*

¼ c. skim milk

- I also usually add between 1/3 and ½ c. bran flakes and then add a tbsp or so of water.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, toss fresh fruit with 1 tbsp of flour.
3. In large bowl, combine 1 ¾ c., baking powder, lemon peel and salt.
4. In another small bowl, combine applesauce, sugar, whole egg, egg white and oil.
5. Stir applesauce mixture into flour mixture alternately with milk. Mix just until moistened. Fold in the fruit mixture.
6. Spoon evenly into prepared muffin cups.
7. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately remove from pan and cool on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Cranberry orange muffins

- Use 1 c. fresh cranberries (washed and drained) and add the zest of one large orange. You can also substitute orange juice for the skim milk for more flavour.

Apple cinnamon muffins

- Use 1 c. of chopped apple.

- Substitute apple juice for the skim milk.

- Substitute cinnamon for the lemon zest.

Peach-berry muffins

- Instead of apples sauce, use a puréed peach.

- Can substitute juice (peach, orange, etc) for the skim milk.

Peanut Noodles

Ingredients

• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 1 bunch green onions, sliced (white parts only)
• 1 cup snap peas
• 1/2 red pepper
• 1/2 habanero pepper (optional - instead of red pepper flakes)
  
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil (or 1 Tbsp tahini and 1 Tbsp olive oil)
  
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup hot water
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until done. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, combine oil, onions, snap peas, habanero pepper, and red pepper in a small skillet. Saute over low heat until tender. Add ginger; cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in peanut butter, soy sauce, water, vinegar, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat.
3. Toss noodles with sauce, and serve. Can be served hot or cold.

"We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be
much more than what we are."
- Adelle Davis