Whole-Wheat Zucchini Muffins

Being an alone mom doesn't allow me the opportunity to be a "gymie."  I don't frequent a gym regulary, I don't have the tonest body.  I might sneak a short run here and there but I really rely on good eating habits to maintain a slender figure and not over-indulging in sweets when in fact my mouth is screaming and protesting for them.  70% of health and figure comes from your diet and what you fill yourself with.  Choosing whole wheat vs white flour is huge for me because I LOVE carbs.  I could inhale a whole fresh loaf of bread from the bakery with a side of oil and seasonings... easily.  But that is bad Ryan, very bad. 

 

I am also incredibly lucky to have a healthy eater on my hands.  I can't name many small kids who could sit and chow on veggies at any given time.  Our apartment is usually stocked with healthier foods and snacks.  I found this great recipe from Lisa at 100 Days of Real Food.  Now I can't go so far to cut out processed foods and eat strictly organic foods (real talk, that ish adds up $$) but every once in a while I try one of her recipes for Abs and I.  They were delicious (as I drop crumbs in my keyboard) and we even had some leftover to freeze to include in lunchboxes and defrost for breakfast on the side of eggies!    Enjoy!!

Whole-Wheat Zucchini Muffins
adapted from 100 Days of Real Food

 

Ingredients

3 cups whole-wheat flour (I used King Arthur's whole-wheat flour)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 eggs

3/4 oil

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups grated zucchini (I only have a small grater so mine was almost like pureed zucchini.  This is OK)

 

 

 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F for muffins, 300 degrees for small loan pan.

2. Blend the dry ingredients.

3. Make a well (or hole) in the center and pour in the eggs, oil, honey, and vanilla.  Stir until well mixed- don't overmix. 

4. Fold in the zucchini.  Pour batter into greased muffin tin or cupcake liners, and bake until toothpick comes out clean. 

        -For muffins 15-20 minutes

        -For small loaf pans 30-40 minutes





Sight Words

With Abs just turning 4, a lot of preparations have begun in our life.  Chore charts, attempting new sets of rules, and more importantly... the beginning of VPK.  She currently attends preschool which is hosting a parent/student VPK meeting this weekend.  We'll get to see curriculum, meet the new teachers and new classrooms while the kids are off in bounce houses and thinking VPK is the next best thing since cheese puffs.  I've been contemplating switching her schools for VPK but that's a lot of decision-making and prayers to the big man about what's best for my little family that'll wait till later.  For now, I've jumped on board with preparations. 

Since VPK is essentially mandatory these days, I looked up some criteria students must meet in order to enter kindergarten.  Crazy to think, it's like my college admission days all over again! Sight words to a 4 year old is like SAT's to an 18 year old.  But who honestly wants to sit and study with a 4 year old?  Sounds like a tortuous evening for her and I.  So let's play a game!  It's a simple game and can be brought anywhere.  Just slip into a ziplock baggie and can be played while in the doctor's office for 15 minutes of learning time. 

I started with 2 packs of ping pong balls bought at the dollar store.

Add your sight words with a sharpie and there you have it!  It took less than 5 minutes to do and she loves it.  We sit far apart enough that she can either roll or throw (guess which one she chooses), and I'll ask her to throw the word "big" to me, throw the word "up" to me.  I'll even ask a more critical question and to throw the ball with up's opposite.  She throws me "down" and I think I've just bred a prodigy!  

And the whole thing cost me $2!  What are some other great sight word games you have?  I'm curious to know!!

xo,

Ry