Honey Whole Wheat Bran Muffins

This is what happens when you leave me at home without a job and too much time on my hands. I make muffins. Thankfully wheaty-bran ones that don't pack too much sugar or fat. That can be enjoyed for breakfast or as an afternoon snack and not cause an unwanted crash. The fiber found in whole grains is sustaining. It slows down the absorption of your food, leaving you filling full longer and stabilizing your blood-sugar. It also regulates digestion- and who doesn't appreciate that?!

I love sweet things. But sugar is not your body's friend. Especially not in high doses and unaccompanied by other nutrients. If nursing school left a lasting impression, it was that I don't want to develop diabetes (not to mention heart disease). Without getting grossly descriptive, I've seen too many patients (young and old) who are enslaved to their disease, losing limbs, losing their lives because of poor diet choices (largely the result of unrestrained sugar and fat intake). I don't want that to be me or my family.

I'm not saying I don't (or you can't) enjoy treats once and a while. Deprivation doesn't work either. Have dessert on occasion and savor it. You'll find that you'll enjoy it immensely more when your taste buds are not constantly saturated by sweet. Getting rid of the processed junk foods in your pantry will eliminate a huge quantity of sugar that you might not realize is even there. Cook at home as much as possible. Replace white flours/rice (a.k.a. sugar) with whole grains. Choose natural sweeteners that have retained some nutrients (honey, molasses, agave). Please, just say no to soda! And when you need a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth, make muffins like these- naturally sweetened, low in fat, and high in fiber. After they've cooled and I've enjoyed one (or two), I freeze them for future snacking.

Honey Whole Wheat Bran Muffins

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups wheat bran
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/3 cup honey (they were plenty sweet so I'll reduce to 1/4 cup next time)
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped (optional- I omitted)

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly grease or line a 12-cup muffin tin.

2. In a large bowl, whisk to combine the wheat bran, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, raisins, and walnuts (if using). In separate large bowl, whisk to combine applesauce, milk, eggs, honey, and vanilla extract. Combine wet and dry ingredients, just mixing until the batter is moistened throughout.

3. Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups, filling each to the brim. Bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool for several minutes in the pan before removing muffins to cool completely on a wire rack.

Makes 12 muffins.

(Adapted from All Recipes)