I've gotten into the habit of making muffins from scratch every week. It's a recipe I made up and it's not only incredibly delicious, but very healthy and low in fat, too!

• 2 Cups Gold Metal Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 Cup Health Best All Natural Fine Oat Bran
• 1 Cup 365 Organic Flaxseed
• 2 Tbs Bob's Red Mill Baking Soda
• 2 Tbs Bob's Red Mill Baking Powder
• 2 Cups Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Sugar
• 1 Tbs McCormick Ground Cinnamon
• 1 Cup Lucerne Fat Free Milk
• 1 Cup Treetop Organic Apple Sauce
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 Voskos Nonfat Greek Yogurt
• 2 Large Bananas, chopped
• 1 Cup 365 Cranberries
• 1 Cup 365 Cherries
• 1 Cup Diamond of California Finely Diced Walnuts

Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl. Gradually add milk, applesauce, egg, and yogurt, blending each. Add fruit and nuts last, stirring well. (Note: Any of these ingredients can be substituted to suit the dietary needs of vegans and those with gluten allergies. Instead of milk, egg, and yogurt, simply double up on applesauce. White flour can be substituted for wheat. Also, I purchase most of my ingredients at Whole Foods Market and these are the brands that I personally prefer, but you should use the products of whomever you like!) Spray muffin tin with Spectrum Naturals Coconut Spray Oil. Fill muffin tin with batter.


For small muffins, only fill halfway (100 calories each); for large muffins, overflow the tin slightly (200 calories each). Bake for ten minutes, checking periodically. Test one muffin by sticking it with a fork. Muffins are done baking when fork comes up clean.


My Bangin' Muffins are jam-packed with whole grains, fiber, protein, Vitamins A and D, calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids, and iron. Enjoy with your morning cup of coffee or as an afternoon snack. I like to make twelve muffins at a time and then put the covered bowl in the fridge. That way, I can bake them fresh as needed...and sneak spoonfuls of batter when the urge strikes!

Being with Luke in Paris defies words, so I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Now that it's over, these pictures are invaluable. To have experienced Paris for the first time together was sheer bliss, and we intend to have a second, third, fourth, and so on. The memories of our time there will sustain both of us for the next leg of Luke's deployment in Afghanistan...and for that, I am eternally grateful.