Glorious Morning Muffins

2 c. wheat flour
2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. applesauce
1 1/2 c. shredded carrots
1 1/2 c. apples, peeled and shredded
3/4 c. coconut
1/2 c. raisins
1 1/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
3 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Combine flour, sugar, soda, cinnamon, and salt in a mixing bowl. In another bowl, combine carrot, apple, coconut, raisins, and pecans. Stir in beaten eggs, applesauce and vanilla. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until just moistened. Grease and flour muffin tin and spoon batter in. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on rack. (Store in refrigerator and warm before serving.)

Yields 18 regular size or 12 larger ones

WW – 3 points

Thanks, Judy for this awesome tasting and diet friendly muffin!

Iced Coffee

I've been on an iced coffee binge lately. I alternate back and forth between the regular caffeine kind and the decaf kind. Either way, its yummy. I make mine with artificial sweetener, french vanilla creamer and sugar-free chocolate syrup. These modifications and adding more water to my daily water regimen makes it fairly guilt-free for me. I use it as a "snack" when I am craving something yummy, and it helps to fill my tummy and tide me over until the next meal. Plus, did I mention that its yummy?

Here's the original recipe that got me started (it's another Andrea Howard recipe). Enjoy your iced coffee!

Six Day Slaw

This recipe came from my friend, Lynn. Its a yummy slaw that doesn't use mayo and thus is more diet friendly.

Mix together:

1 head cabbage, shredded or grated

1 carrot, grated

1/2 green pepper, chopped

1/4 cup green onion, chopped

2 t. celery seed

1/2 scant cup of sugar

2 t. salt

Boil 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup salad vinegar. Pour over cabbage. Stir together. Pour off liquid at time of serving. It’s supposed to last 6 days but I’ve never waited that long. Even if you use a large head of cabbage, the seasoning and dressing are sufficient.

Southwest Chicken

4 skinless, boneless uncooked chicken breasts
1 c. salsa
1 c. frozen corn kernels
1 c. low-fat shredded cheddar cheese

Place chicken in baking pan sprayed with Pam. Pour salsa and corn over chicken breasts. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and top with cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts.

***found on weight watchers. com

SUNSHINE LEMON SQUARES

Crust:

2/3 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup vanilla wafer crumbs

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Filling:

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

2 egg whites

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest

½ cup fresh lemon juice

Confectioners’ sugar, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with heavy-duty foil, extending it 2 inches beyond the sides (to create a “handle,” so that the bars can easily be lifted out of the pan). Spray the bottom and sides of the foil with nonstick spray

To make the crust, combine the 2/3 cup of flour, the vanilla wafer crumbs, the 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and the butter in a medium bowl, stirring until the mixture is the consistency of wet sand. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan to form an even crust. Bake until firm, about 12 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together the 1 cup granulated sugar and the 2 tablespoons flour in a medium bowl. Whisk in the eggs, egg white, lemon zest and lemon juice until blended, about 1minute. Pour over the hot crust, return the pan to the oven, and bake until golden and set in the center, about 30 minutes. Cool completely in the pan on a rack. Lift out the whole square, holding on to the foil ends, and place on a cutting board. Remove the foil and cut into 16 squares. Sift confectioners’ sugar on top if wanted.

PER SERVING ( 1 square without confectioners’ sugar): 119 Cal, 3 g Fat, 2 g Sat Fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 32 mg Chol, 2 mg Sod, 21 g Carb, 0 g Fib, 2 g Prot, 6 mg Calc.

POINTS value: 3

WARM CHOCOLATE PUDDING CAKE

¾ cup all purpose flour
¾ cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder + ¼ cup for later use
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon instant coffee powder, optional
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup low fat (1%) milk
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 2/3 cups boiling water

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick spray.

Combine the flour, granulated sugar, the 1/3 cup cocoa powder, the baking powder, coffee powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Stir jut until blended, spoon the batter evenly into the pan.

Combine the brown sugar and the ¼ cup cocoa power in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the batter. Gently pour the boiling water in a zigzag fashion over the top; do not stir. Bake until the top of the pudding is set, about 35 minutes. Cool on a rack at least 30 minutes. Cut into 9 squares and serve warm or at room temperature.

PER SERVING (1 square): 165 Cal, 2 g Fat, 1 g Sat Fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 4 mg Chol, 220 mg Sod, 37 g Carb, 2 g Fib, 3 g Prot, 94 mg Calc.

POINTS value: 3

Diabetic Fruit Salad

My mother introduced me to this salad. None of us are diabetic, but we look for ways to cut back on sugar.

1 (15 oz) can fruit mix, well drained
1 c. seedless green grapes, halved
1 c. seedless orange, peeled and cubed
1 c. heavy whipping cream
2 T sugar substitute (I use Splenda)
1/2 t. vanilla

In medium bowl, combine fruit. Mix lightly, cover, refrigerate until serving time.

In chilled bowl, beat cream at high speed, scraping sides of bowl often until soft peaks form (1 min). Gradually add sugar substitute and vanilla. Continue beating until peaks form (1 min). Cover. Refrigerate until serving time.

To serve: Combine chilled fruit and whipping cream. Mix lightly.