Blueberry Streusel Muffins

I must admit I make some killer Blueberry Streusel Muffins, but I also must admit, I simply use a Southern Living recipe from my trusted cookbook, "The Ultimate Southern Living cookbook". I think what makes my muffins *killer* is that fact that I use fresh-ground wheat, local blueberries, add oats, and use coconut oil (Which I need to post about the good in coconut oil soon!). So here it goes!

Blueberry Streusel Muffins.....My Way!!!!

Prep 15 Minutes        Cook: 18 Minutes

Yields: 12- 16

Per Muffin: Calories 219      Fat 8.9g    Cholesterol 24mg    Sodium 266mg

To do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees f. Grease muffin tins or line them

Mix these ingredients in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Set aside.

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (I use fresh-ground)

1/2 cup oats (optional)

1 tablespoon baking powder (aluminum-free baking powder, more on that later.)

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

1/2 teaspoon ginger (optional)

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon grated lemon rind = lemon zest (optional, but bad choice if omitted ; D )

Note: Orange or lime zest WILL NOT substitute for lemon zest!!!! 

Combine: 

1 egg, lightly beaten with a fork

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup coffee (optional, use milk if you don't have coffee)

1/3 cup coconut oil, or olive oil, or melted butter 

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 

Add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. 

Stir in:

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (This is 2x the original amount, but you would be sad if you only put 1 cup!)

Note: some people toss their blueberries in flour to prevent discoloration in the batter..... I like the homemade look!

 Note:  and nuts if you want. I love nuts, but I don't think they belong in these muffins! If I were to use a nut, though, I would use lightly salted, toasted almonds in the streusel! 

Combine with fork:
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons white sugar ( I use sugar in the raw for both sugars. Why? A: because it is in big crystals and makes a nice texture, B: because we have a lot lot lot of it!!!! : D )
1 1/2 tablespoons flour (I do use white : /  .... should I have admitted to that???)
3 - 4 tablespoons oats
1 teaspoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter

Fill greased muffins tins two-thirds the way full. Sprinkle with streusel and bake for 15-18 minutes @ 400 

Now inhale deeply the smell of pure yummyness! 

And for those of you, who like me, fall in love with these muffins and idolize them, here are a few things you might also like : D !!!

Blueberry Muffin Earrings

Blueberry Muffin Candle

Blueberry Muffin Soap

Blueberry Muffin Chap-stick

Blueberry Muffin Purse

.... and of coarse, Blueberry Muffin tattoo

 

and for those who want to take a less drastic approach

 

 I hope you all enjoy this recipe! I absolutely love it!!!! I freeze mine, store them in freezer bags, and heat them in the microwave for 30 sec when I want one...... and, yes, they are still amazing!

 

Fresh Ground Wheat

Wheat nourishes more people than any other grain crop and has been the primary bread grain for thousands of years. Wheat is high in protein, carbohydrates and a number of other nutrients, and it can be stored as a whole grain for a long period of time. The benefits of freshly ground wheat include superior nutrition and flavor, especially if the wheat is locally stone-ground.

Nutrients

A kernel of whole wheat contains significant amounts of dietary fiber, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins B complex and E, traces of vitamins C and K, and a wealth of minerals and micro-nutrients, according to McGill University's Ecological Agricultural Projects. Fresh, stone-ground wheat maintains all the nutritional benefits of the fresh whole wheat kernel. High-speed commercial roller grinders heat the wheat as it is being ground, destroying the vitamin E content and other valuable enzymes. Milling to create white flour also greatly diminishes the wheat's nutritional content, since most of the vitamins and minerals are found in the fiber-rich wheat bran and germ. B vitamins, lipo-proteins and other nutrients in wheat are lost over time in storage, especially if the ground wheat is stored where light and air can reach it. Flour should be stored in an airtight container at temperatures less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit to maximize its nutrient preservation, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

No Rancidity

Once exposed to light and air by grinding, whole-wheat flour rapidly goes rancid. White flour is only good for 6 to 12 months at room temperature, and whole-wheat flour for 1 to 3 months, according to the Washington State University Clark County Extension. When buying commercial ground flour at a supermarket, there is no assurance as to when it was milled and how long it spent in shipment and storage, so it may already be well on its way to spoilage. Rancid white flour may simply taste flat and be lacking in nutrients, but rancid whole-wheat flour will impart a bitter, unpleasant flavor to baked goods.

Flavor

Freshly ground wheat won't have the rancid, flat or bitter flavor of stale wheat flour. Freshly ground wheat has a lively, nutty flavor. Coarser stone-ground flour has bigger particles that provide texture to breads and pizza crusts and also retains more of the earthy taste of the whole kernel of wheat. Over time, as stored whole wheat or white flour loses its nutrient quality, it also loses flavor. However, some bakers prefer aged or bleached white flours, which remove the nutritional carotenoids that give fresh flour its golden-tan hue, as this gives breads a lighter texture and high rising volume, according to the Utah State University Cooperative Extension.

Local Foods

Freshly ground wheat is usually obtained from local mills or from small custom mills in other locations via mail order. Locally grown and processed foods are not only fresher and taste better, but purchasing local foods also boosts the local economy and minimizes the amount of petroleum expended to transport the food product from field to table, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension. Consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing meat, produce and dairy products that are identified by their farm of origin, according to England's Farmers Weekly Interactive. Flour labeled with its origin allows you to better know how fresh the product is and assess its growing methods before you make your purchase.

If You Want More Info:
Facts about going Fresh 

It's so easy!

A must read from Harvard

Things Fresh Ground Wheat is good for:

Regulates your digestion, due to the high fiber content (1 cup. 14g)

Wheat is the most concentrated source of Vitamin E in nature.
Whole grains are known to lower cholesterol (Despite what Dr. may say) 
Help prevent Cardiovascular Disease
Help prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Help prevent Cancer

So before you buy another sack of this (below) consider trying something a little new; talk to someone local first (Like us : D) and taste the wonderful difference between rancid and fresh! :)
If you have question feel free to leave them in the comment box!

Holiday Oreo Truffles

This is one of my favorite deserts! Oreo Truffles are good, but when the special edition Oreos are put out on the shelf the truffle possibilities are even better.

                         This is what you will need:                                         

   1. 16oz One package Peppermint Oreos (LEAVE THE CREAM IN THEM...PLEASE!!!)
   2. 8 oz soft cream-cheese (do not freeze)
   3. 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips melted in double boiler with about 1 tsp. olive oil added
   4. finely chopped peppermint candy to decorate (optional)

Directions:

1.  Crush whole cookies to fine crumbs in the food processor; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Place dough in fridge for about 1 hour
2. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls (aprox), about 1-inch in diameter. 
3. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
4. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator. They can last in the freezer for several weeks!

Footnotes

•  I leave most of the cream in the Oreos while every other recipe (that I've seen) does not use the cream.... (So sad :(   I think it taste a lot better this way!)
  Place truffle ball in melted chocolate to coat; roll if necessary. Lift truffle from chocolate using 2 forks (this will allow excess chocolate to run off) before placing on wax paper. 

I've never made snowmen out of the truffle recipe, but it sure is cute.

Winter time Decorations

These are a few cost friendly, homemade, winter time decorations that everyone will have a blast making!

Spray-painted Pinecones 

What you will need:

1. About 12 varying size pinecones. (I'm pretty sure everyone has pinecones laying around their yard, but if not just ask a friend or neighbor if you could help clean up their yard by removing any unwanted pinecones. :)

2. One large cardboard box. (Recycled box.)

3. A few cans of spray-paint. (Whatever colors look best with your house)

What to do:

1. Place 3 or 4 pinecones in cardboard box.

2. Spray pinecones with first color. Let dry. Turn pinecones over and spray. Let dry. 

3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 for each color.

Floating Cranberry Centerpiece 

What you need:

1. Vase/ candle holder

2. Candle (White looks best)

3. Cranberries (fresh works best. NOT FROZEN!)

4. Holly-berry leaves/ with berries. (Or any pretty winter leaf.)

5. Water (Amount varies)

What to do:

I think you can figure that out! : ) 

One tip is to wash your cranberries first.

I thought this was quite cute! Very easy! I think all that was used was:
1. Vase
2. Candle
3. Sugar/salt/sand....?
3. Cranberries.

Very pretty and super simple!

 

 

Cinnamon Stick Candle-holders

This is by far my favorite! And while I've never done this I think it's fairly simple.....?
What you need:
1. Candle/with holder
2. Cinnamon Sticks
3. Small ribbon/ twine
4. Hot glue-gun/ with glue sticks
What to do:
1. Glue each individual stick onto candle holder in and upright fashion
2. Repeat step 1 until candle holder has no bare-spots
3. Let dry
4. Tie ribbon on and enjoy!

This is by far the easiest craft! No need to explain!

Vase with acorns. very easy, but pretty! 

 Elegant!

 Same idea as the pinecones! : ) pretty cute!

This is the hardest of the craft projects, but very beautiful! 

Click Here for instructions

If you have craft ideas to share, just leave a comment with a link in it on how to or your own instructions!

If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comment box.

~ Home for the Holidays ~ part 1

Home for the Holidays is a series I will be doing over the next few days, and it will hopefully be insightful on how to make your home inviting, your food yummy, and your house look amazing....enjoy!

Part 1. Planning the food. 

       Everyone knows that the star of the show for Thanksgiving is the turkey; and many people have many questions about the best way to prepare their turkey. While personal preference wins every time, some tips can make the difference between  yummy and yuk!

 

Q: 1.  Should I spend the extra money on an Organic/ Free Range/All Natural turkey?

A:1. I say, YES to Organic!...and this is why. 

  Choosing a free range, organic or heritage turkey is a great start towards having a great Thanksgiving. There are more benefits than disadvantages for choosing an organic turkey. The main disadvantage of an organic turkey is its price, which can sometimes be double the price of a traditional frozen turkey. A turkey (after butchering) is suppose to age for three days for maximum tenderness. The traditional turkey is usually immediately thrown on ice. An organic turkey is free of chemicals, fresh, and taste much better, which makes the extra cost worth it.

Facts about traditional turkeys (aka non-organic)

  A traditional turkey may be super-sized because it is chemically and genetically modified, which may make the turkey drier and less tender. Many traditional turkeys are raised in crowded conditions inside and are placed under heat lamps (No sunshine doesn't make for a very healthy bird). They are usually fed corn-based mash that may be laced with hormones or antibiotics (I was just thinking "Why would I want a bird who had to have antibiotics....that means the bird needed antibiotics in the first place.....it was a sick bird or the other birds around it were sick"). Many turkeys become overweight, which can contribute to broken bones, or cause the turkey to die from a heart a attack. Most of these facts, if not all, go for chickens as well!

  

Facts about Organic turkeys

  Organic turkeys are know to have a better flavor, and to have a lower risk of salmonella. These turkeys are also known to have many health benefits. Organic turkeys spend a great deal of time grazing outside eating a diet that is free of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics. If you want to be certain the turkey you are purchasing is organic, buy it directly from a farmer or health food store that you know and trust. For a turkey to be certified organic, the entire environment from yard to feed has to follow the government standard "all natural" label.