A recipe!

Most of you know that I have been following a pretty restricted diet for awhile now (about 2 years). Mostly I avoid wheat and dairy because they hurt my tummy and just make me feel overall crappy. Lately however, I've been eating more and more wheat and dairy without the belly aches, but I'm finding my energy still low and sluggish. So, while I think my digestion has really improved in the last couple of years, my body just doesn't like being dragged down by the wheat and/or dairy.

This time around, I've decided to cut out just one thing at a time and see how I feel. So, for 2 weeks, I'm eating dairy free, but having wheat and the 2 weeks after that I'm eating dairy but not wheat. That way, I can see if it's one more than the other that bothers me. I don't want to cut them both out completely if it's only one food that makes me feel poopy!

I'm also making it my goal to eat less sugar, especially white sugar. All my baking was getting a little out of control and Steve and I were both feeling gross from TOO MUCH sugar! So, it's now my goal to bake using alternative sweeteners, like honey, pure maple syrup, apple sauce, or pureed fruit. I was inspired by my friend, Margot who does a lot of baking like this for her daughter.

My first attempt was my all time favorite apple muffin recipe, that I think originally came from my friend, Lorianne years ago. I substituted the 1/2 cup white sugar for a 1/2 cup apple sauce and used rice milk instead of regular milk. Rice milk rocks for baking! I think I actually like them even more when made with the apple sauce! They came out so moist and yummy! Plus, I think the sprinkle of brown sugar on top gives it a little extra sweetness. Worth trying if you want a nice treat but want to cut back on your refined sugar too.

Just before they went in the oven.

Spiced Apple Muffins

Mix together;

2 cups all purpose flour
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Mix into dry ingredients;

1 cup chopped peeled apple

Stir in;

1/2 cup apple sauce
1 egg lightly beaten
1 cup milk (I used rice milk)
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Put in muffin tin and then sprinkle the following mixture over the top of each muffin;

Topping:

Mix together;

2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Bake for approximately 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.

Enjoy:)