Peach Zucchini High Fibre Muffins

We are heading out to the wilderness this week. Back to one of my favourite spots, we can hardly wait to unwind and enjoy the natural beauty Ontario has to offer. We have another family of four joining us and the kids will have their own canoe for the first time. I'm excited to see the four of them sorting out roles and responsibilities. It will be tough to bite my tongue but I'm aiming to let them work it out alone. Portaging the canoe will fall to the adults, but the rest of it will be theirs to facilitate.  I'm sure they will amaze me with their will power, strength and ability to have a good time.

Hard to believe this is our eighth summer of backcountry camping. I'm so thrilled that both our kids are comfortable in the wilderness and excited to paddle and pack their way to Paradise. Back on our first trip Don and I dreamt about our kids being old enough to paddle on their own. They were 4 and 6 yrs old and full of wonder and fear as we left civilization behind. The first trip is always the hardest, but once you've made it a tradition, the routes feel easier and the packing less onerous. Not to mention, 11 and 13 yr olds are great at carrying bags and paddles on long portages now. Back on our first trip Don would make almost all the portage trips multiple times, carrying all our bags while I supervised the kids after one length. He was so committed to making canoe trips part of our family tradition that he didn't complain once.

 

Backcountry camping in a group involves a lot of planning before you leave and even more communication once you're out there. The adults have planned our route, our menu and how best to pack our canoes. The kids have planned the candy they will bring, who will steer their canoe (Josilin) and who is the muscle to get them through windy parts (Adam).  We always make a stop at the Bulk Barn prior to a trip to let the kids pick their favourite candies to enjoy. I try not to cringe while they gleefully pick the most sugary, chewy, food colouring laced offerings.  Beyond the candy, high fibre meals are a must on a camping trip and these muffins fit the bill perfectly. We plan to pack these in for breakfast one morning. Eating well in the middle of nowhere brings me even more joy than eating well at home.

 

Peach Zucchini High Fibre Muffins

1 cup spelt flour
1/2 cup bran
1/4 wheat germ
1/8 cup psyllium husk
2 Tbsp ground flax seed
1tsp baking soda
1tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup peach puree or apple sauce
1 egg
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
3/4 cup shredded zucchini
2 peaches chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 12 muffin tins.
Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
In a stand mixer, combine maple syrup, peach puree, egg, yogurt and coconut oil. Add zucchini and mix thoroughly.
With motor running, add dry ingredients until just mixed.
Scoop approx 1/4 cup of batter into each muffin spot. Top with chopped peaches.
Bake 20min. Allow to cool before eating.