Breakfast Flax-Oat-Apple Muffins

Another muffin recipe it is. After I made a batch of the banana oat muffins last week, I started craving more whole grain goodness. Whole grain muffins are such a great breakfast or snack on the run. So, I decided to try my hand at another variety, yet with some of the same great ingredients. I felt these muffins even turned out better than the last (if I must say so). But really it was just a matter of what ingredients I had available. So, whether you have ripe bananas or applesauce may determine your route of muffin baking. And of course you will need to have some gluten-free oats on hand. Oats are a great muffin builder, and not to mention body builder.

Not body builder, like you are pounding steroids and pumping weights...

But body builder like how you are building and protecting your body. Let me explain. I once heard this explanation (and countless research) of how what we put in our bodies really is adding to how our genetics and DNA express itself. So if you eat a lot of plants, your body will reflect on that with having great levels of chlorophyll and "sunshine" in your body. If you eat a lot of beef, you might start moving or looking like a cow. :) Ok, so maybe some of this idea is a stretch, but I do think that it brings up an interesting conversation. Especially, if you are raising kids or healing or recovering from imbalances. Because, if you think of how those sugary pop tarts are "building" the arms, legs and the mind of your child, you will probably re-think... "Is this what my child's body should be made out of?" Hopefully, you will think how the candy, pop and junk food isn't what you would want your kids body to be built out of, by rather building blocks of nutrition like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These are the kind of real foods that we need to be strong, built for endurance, and ready for whatever life brings you.

We are constantly growing, changing and evolving, and so we must take into account that the food we are eating will express itself some way in our being. Whether it is by our moods, skin, digestion, and ect. Food does make a difference to how we live and express ourselves. It is not only for the kids that are growing and building every day, but for adults who are needing to evolve and build strong beings as well. This is why balanced and whole nutrition is so important. It feeds the mind, body and soul in ways that fake foods cannot. Real nutrition is just one piece of the puzzle for having a healthier life, but because it is something that we must seek out for ourselves we must be more aware. It forces us to make choices of what is body-building worthy, and what is just waste. These muffins on the other hand are full of whole grain benefits, fiber, vitamins, and only natural real ingredients. So, this is what pushes me to produce baked goods that are actually good for you. That will actually make you feel good, alive and full of energy. So, here is another shot at a whole grain oatmeal muffin.
Breakfast Flax-Oat-Apple Muffins

1 cup certified gluten-free oats

1 1/2 cup of certified gluten-free oat flour (grind GF oats in a food processor or coffee grinder)

1/2 cup flax meal

3 TB. of raw honey or agave nectar

2 farm fresh eggs (can be optional if you are looking for a vegan muffin)

1/2 cup of coconut milk beverage (or other non-dairy milk) with 1 TB of apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup of melted unrefined coconut oil

1 cup of homemade unsweetened applesauce or store bought is fine too

2 ts. baking powder

1 ts. baking soda

1/2 ts. sea salt

1/2 cup of organic raisins (or other dried fruit)
Mix the oats, ground oats (oat flour), and the rest of the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Pour the non-dairy milk (coconut milk beverage) in a separate bowl and add the apple cider vinegar and set aside for 10 minutes to curdle. Once the milk is curdled, add that and the rest of the wet ingredients to the large mixing bowl and mix well. Add the optional raisins last. If you are looking for this recipe to be vegan, or basically avoid the eggs. I would suggest making them without the eggs. Because of the hearty flax meal, oats and applesauce combo, these would really bake up fine without the eggs. So try it out.

This recipe makes 12 large muffins, or 18-24 small ones. I made 12 of the large, and that is what is pictured above. Pour into muffin tins, and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Make sure the middles of the muffins are cooked and then pull out of oven and let cool on rack. These muffins are very hearty, and would freeze wonderfully. Or, they do last on the counter or in the fridge for most of the week. Hope you enjoy, and feel nourished and blessed.

Much love to you today! Have a great rest of the week!