Date, Carrot, Apple & Pecan Muffin

I'm kinda obsessed with this muffin.  I've made these three times in the last two weeks and shared them with almost everyone I know.  The ingredient list is longer than your average muffin, but worth the extra time and effort.  Sweetened with maple syrup, full of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, it's a healthy one too.  The original recipe used double the sugar and while I have made that version, I prefer them more wholesome and less dessert category.

Orange Date Muesli with Cacao Nibs

Wow, that's a lot of snow that fell outside our home this week.  Winter is in full force and it makes me want to just stay inside, build a fire and bake all day long.  The kids' dreams of a snow day were realized and they were able to delay the return to school by two days.  Thankfully I had done a big grocery shop this week before the snow fell.  We've been doing bits and pieces of the Bon Appetit's Food Lover's Cleanse this New Year  which came with its own shopping list.

Raw Oatmeal Cookies and Aug Foodie Penpals

It's my second month of participating in Foodie Pen Pals.  Not sure what this is?  Take a look here  After my first go around, I felt like a real pro.  I knew what I wanted to send this time (much lighter items!) and what I would request be sent to me if asked (local and healthy).  Well, I may have failed on both accounts.  I did request my items to be local, but I chuckled when the package arrived from a town not 30min away.  No wonder she didn't want to send local: we live in the same community!  Signing up for this program, I had fantasies of receiving products from coast to coast that one could not procure in my hometown.  Once I got over that disappointment, I was delighted to take a closer look at just what had been sent.  Firstly, I had never tried any of the products before, so that was pretty cool since I love trying new things.  Secondly, it was all very healthy and thoughtful with everything tasting great.  Most of the products were gluten free, which meant I could share them with my GF mom too.  I made these cookies with the GF granola she sent and the kids were thrilled that once again they received something just for them! I couldn't have asked for a better package and felt a little silly that I had ever felt let down that it was not coming from an exotic location.

Smokey Date Cheddar Scones

Ever since purchasing Kim Boyce's Good to the Grain I have been inspired to try different flours in my baking.  Some experiments have met with great success while others have been truly a flop.