Tag Archives: recipes

Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins

Ever been to Paul Bunyan’s? I don’t know if they are across the country but in Wisconsin Dells this restaurant houses the most amazing (and not diet friendly) sugar donuts one could imagine. I don’t have a donut pan, deep fryer or even a mini bunt pan to even come close to baking something that resembles a donut. But sometimes muffins are just as good. So I searched for sugar donut recipes that I thought might work for my purpose and gave it a whirl. Or two. Or three. They definitely (I’ll be honest) are NOT the same as the Paul Bunyan sugar donuts I grew up enjoying, but still satisfied the child in me.

Ingredients

2 cups flour (I used 1 cup Gluten Free AP & 1 cup whole wheat)

1 cup plain or vanilla non-dairy yogurt

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 Tbs baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

4 Tbs coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tbs flax meal + 6 Tbs water (used as an egg replacer)

turbinado/raw sugar for sprinkling

What to do…

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl/cup mix the flax meal and water together and let the mixture sit.

2. Stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in  a small bowl.

3. In a larger bowl, stir together the yogurt, oil, vanilla and flax/water mixture. Fold in the dry ingredients just until everything is mixed. The batter will NOT be smooth and easy to work with, so be careful to not overmix it.

4. Drop the batter into lined muffin tins and bake for 12 minutes. Let the muffins cool on a rack before topping with more sugar. Yes, more sweetness!

5. You can melt a little non-dairy butter or use coconut oil (you don’t need a lot!), and brush the tops of the muffins. Then either dip the muffins into a bowl of sugar or sprinkle some sugar on top and then flip the muffin over to let the excess fall off. This adds an extra coating of sugar to the muffins and makes them a little less healthy, but even more delicious and dessert-like!

Apple Cider Vinegar

When my mom decided to make some lifestyle changes back in August 2012, she added a mixture of water and Apple Cider Vinegar to her daily regimen in order to help lower her cholesterol. Along with a healthy diet and daily activity she was more than successful, and has lost over 30 pounds to date and lowered her cholesterol considerably. While I’m well aware what a healthy lifestyle can do, I was intrigued about the Apple Cider Vinegar and was amazed at the benefits I found after I did some reading! I’m currently putting it to the test in my own daily routine, and here’s why…

Unfiltered, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar is rich in minerals and is considered a valuable remedy for many illnesses. Medicinal use of ACV dates back to 400B.C, when Hippocrates used it to treat his patients. Interesting huh?! I thought so.

mineral content * contains potassium, magnesium and other beneficial minerals

lowers cholesterol * contains pectin, which helps lower bad cholesterol levels (there are some people with a pectin allergy and should avoid ACV)

anti-inflammatory * when added to a bath it can soothe sunburned skin, and when diluted with water it can help with internal inflammation

weight loss * it helps to balance blood sugar levels and when this happens insulin does not direct sugar to be stored as fat

lowers glucose * contains acetic acid, which slows down starch digestion and lowers glucose levels in the bloodstream

skin toner * can be used as an astringent for the face and neck (avoid the eyes)

antioxidant * contains beta-carotene which possesses antioxidant properties that boost your immune system and counteract damage caused by free radicals

Adding Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Day

*make sure you are using organic, raw/unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar*

I don’t have a problem with the following concoction and sometimes I’ll mix it in my water bottle and take it to the gym:

pour a glass of water, add a bit of cranberry or apple juice and 1 tablespoon of ACV

*It’s a simple and inexpensive thing that I’ve added to my daily routine and I’m definitely enjoying it*

Are You SMART?

Did you set a New Year’s Resolution along with the rest of the planet? I did. Year-round I set short term goals that I use as stepping stones for my bigger, future goals. But I like to reevaluate where I am in my life at the start of each New Year to ensure I’m being realistic while challenging myself.  This year I ensured my goals were SMART and motivating…

Specific * can the goal be broken down into smaller steps? do you know exactly what your are going to do?

Measurable * do you have concrete criteria for measuring your goal?

Attainable * is this something you can actually do? do you have the capability, finances, tools needed to reach your goal?

Relevant * are you not only able but willing to work toward your goal?

Time-Bound * with no time-frame there is no sense of urgency! what is a realistic amount of time you’ll allow yourself to reach your goal?

Making sure the goals you set are SMART will help you evaluate their effectiveness and your ability to achieve them. While you can always be striving for those big, future goals, you should remain balanced with shorter term attainable goals that help keep you motivated.  Otherwise, you become disappointed with the lack of results and slowly lose motivation for whatever you originally set out to achieve!

some of my goals include:

make sure I take my vitamins daily and ensure my son gets his

eat fruits AND vegetables daily

try at least 1 new recipe each week

finish my business cards by February

schedule a date with my husband in the month of January (we rarely get to go out alone!)

attend at least 3 Wellness Expos that I have on my calendar within the next 6 months

{I posted my goals in a place where I see them daily in order to keep myself motivated and on track and encourage you to do the same!}

What are your goals? Double check that they are SMART!

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