Muffins and Smoothies!

Blueberries, white chocolate, ginger...what's not to love?! What if that combination was part of a warm, whole grain, low(er) sugar, good-for-you muffin? Mmmm. Serve with a smoothie and your loved one(s) will adore you!

Blueberry White Chocolate Ginger Muffins

Stir together in a large mixing bowl:

1 1/2 cups white whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour

3/4 cup quick-cooking oats

1/4 cup dry buttermilk powder or nonfat milk powder

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2-1 tsp ginger (I only do 1/2 because Penzey's ginger is pretty intense)

1/3 cup turbinado sugar

1 cup dried blueberries*

1/4 cup pure white chocolate chips (read the pkg!!)

1/4 cup crystallized ginger, chopped, optional

Whisk together:

3/4 cup milk

2 eggs

1/3 cup canola oil

pinch dry orange zest (or 1 tsp freshly grated)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

When ready to bake the muffins, stir wet ingredients into dry, just until mixed. Don't beat or over-stir or the muffins will be tough. Divide between 12 greased or papered muffin cups. Bake 18-20 minutes.

Makes 12 muffins.

*Dried blueberries give these a special sweetness that my family loves. Feel free, however, to use fresh or frozen, folding them in gently after adding the wet ingredients to the dry.

Basic Smoothie Recipe

8 frozen strawberries (organic, if possible)

milk

1 tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate

honey, sugar, or agave nectar, to taste

Place berries in a blender. Pour milk to cover berries, then add frozen juice. Blend until smooth, adding more milk if necessary, to desired thickness. Sweeten to taste.

Smoothies have so many variations. I usually just throw whatever fresh or frozen fruit I have on hand in the blender, cover with milk (or sparkling water), and puree. I usually add a scoop of nonfat plain yogurt as well. Try mango-strawberry, triple berry (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry), banana berry (mixed berries and banana), pineapple-banana (increase the orange juice), blackberry, strawberry-peach, etc.

Smoothies are an important part of our fruit intake in the winter because fresh produce is so limited. I usually plan ahead in the summer and freeze various fruits, but the grocery store's frozen section carries all sorts of smoothie ready options.