Mix up some Muffins!

Apple- Cinnamon Oat Bran Muffins 

These baked beauties are a cardiologist's dream food--the pectin fiber in apples, the oat bran, and the vitamin E-rich canola oil are loved by docs because together they lower both total and LDL cholesterol and keep insulin and blood sugar levels under control. But protecting yourself against heart disease won't even cross your mind when this dessert-worthy combo of apples, cinnamon, and nutmeg hits your taste buds. Too yummy to be typecast as breakfast muffins, they can be popped anytime for a filling and satisfying bite.

Ingredients   

• 1/2 C oat bran
• 1 C whole-wheat flour
• 1/4 C ground flaxseed
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 egg, beaten
• 4 tbsp canola oil
• 1/4 C sugar
• 1/3 C applesauce
• 1/4 C chopped pecans

Directions

1.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.

In a large bowl, whisk together bran, flour, flaxseed, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

3.

In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and oil until smooth. Stir in applesauce and sugar. Combine mixtures and fold in pecans.

4.

Spoon batter into paper-lined muffin cups. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool on a wire rack.

 Papaya and Pineapple Muffins

 They're stacked with nutrient-dense complex carbs, the best kinds to help your brain ramp up production of the "woo-hoo!" chemical. The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts and flaxseed may offer additional protection against dark clouds. "Omega-3's are nature's antidepressants," says New York City nutritionist Esther Blum, R.D. "They combat moodiness and irritability and nourish the whole nervous system."

Ingredients

Prep:  15min |Cook: 22min |Total: 37min
              

• 1 1/2 C whole-wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 C crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 C cubed papaya
• 1/3 C yogurt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tbsp canola oil
• 1/4 C sugar
• 1/4 C agave syrup
• 1/4 C walnuts
• 1/2 C dried cranberries

Directions

1.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon.

3.

In a food processor or blender, puree pineapple, papaya, and yogurt. Mix in egg, oil, sugar, and syrup.

4.

Combine pineapple and flour mixtures; fold in walnuts and cranberries.

5.

Spoon batter into paper-lined muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 12 

 Date and OatMeal Muffins 

 

 The natural sugars in the dates, prunes, and agave give you quick energy, but blood-sugar-regulating B vitamins in the oatmeal keep it flowing slow and steady so you don't spike and crash. And if 11 a.m. typically finds you in the office kitchen scrounging for unclaimed snacks, the impressive four grams of fiber and protein-rich whey powder are your answer, says Mayo Clinic dietitian Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

Ingredients

Prep:  15min |Cook: 20min |Total: 35min
              

• 1 1/2 C oatmeal
• 1/3 C milk
• 3/4 C whole-wheat flour
• 1 scoop (2 heaping Tbsp) vanilla whey protein powder (such as Whey To Go Protein Powder)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 14 dates, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 4 tbsp grapeseed oil
• 2 tbsp agave syrup
• 1/2 C prune puree*

Directions

1.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2.

Combine oatmeal and milk in a bowl and let soak. In a separate large bowl, mix flour, whey protein, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and dates.

3.

In another bowl, combine egg, oil, syrup, and prune puree. Add to oatmeal mixture, then stir in flour mix.

4.

Spoon batter into paper-lined muffin cups. Bake for 20 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool on a wire rack.

5.

Makes 12.

 Carrot Ginger Bran Muffins 

  Protect yourself with this spicy triple threat. Carrots are rich in immune-boosting vitamin A, zinc-packed pumpkin seeds ward off infection, and apple juice flows with sniffle-stifling vitamin C. "If your body needs to protect itself or heal, these three vitamins are essential," Zeratsky says. Another weapon: yogurt. Studies show that its good-for-you bacteria provide another line of defense against microbes.

Ingredients

Prep:  15min |Cook: 20min |Total: 35min
              

• 1/4 can 3 oz frozen unsweetened apple juice concentrate
• 1/2 C wheat bran
• 1 1/4 C whole-wheat or other whole-grain flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 1 1/2 baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground dried ginger
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 C yogurt such as Dannon Activia
• 1/2 C shredded carrots
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 3 tbsp molasses
• 1/4 C pumpkin seeds

Directions

1.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2.

Boil juice over high heat until it becomes syrupy. Set aside and let cool.

3.

In a large bowl, whisk together wheat bran, flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and dried ginger.

4.

In a separate bowl, combine reduced juice, egg, yogurt, carrot, fresh ginger, and molasses. Combine mixtures and then fold in pumpkin seeds.

5.

Spoon batter into paper-lined muffin cups. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool on a wire rack.

 Banana Yoghurt and Walnut Muffins

 

Bananas provide cramp-busting potassium and vitamin B6, a hormone regulator that may help reduce water retention, depression, and other PMS symptoms. And buy yogurt that delivers calcium and vitamin D: The dynamic duo has been shown to slash PMS symptoms by up to 40 percent

Ingredients

Prep:  10min |Cook: 22min |Total: 32min
              

• 1 1/4 C oatmeal
• 1/2 C rice flour
• 1/4 C ground flaxseed
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 C plain yogurt
• 3 medium, ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 C agave syrup
• 1/3 C grapeseed oil
• 1/4 C walnut pieces

Directions

1.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2.

In a large bowl, whisk together oatmeal, flour, flaxseed, baking powder, and baking soda.

3.

In a separate bowl, combine eggs, yogurt, bananas, syrup, and oil. Add flour mixture and fold in walnuts.

4.

Divide batter into paper-lined muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool on a wire rack.

5.

  Makes 18

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/healthy-muffin-recipes-4