Mook Muffins

Our middle son, Nico, suggested the name Mook Muffins. Why? Who knows. He liked the name. I was looking for other breakfast options for the boys and was having a very difficult time finding something I felt good about giving them. They LOVE GF pancakes but I just can’t feed them that every single morning. Plus, it is a lot of refined carbs. Not to say Mook Muffins aren’t, because they are, but I’m still trying. I bought a package of King Arthur’s Gluten Free Muffin Mix at our local organic market, MOM’s.

Instead of simply following the directions, because you all know I can’t do that, I decided to try adding some nutrition to the prepackaged mix. The mix calls for 3 eggs, I opted for 4, figuring I would be adding some additional protein to the muffins. I also opted to add yogurt instead of milk, and a good 1/2 cup of puréed butternut squash. You could also use pumpkin or cooked sweet potato. I’ve done all of them with great results. I also added a little pumpkin pie spice from Frontier, and some chopped pecans. I use my kitchen shears, put the pecans in a cups and simply “snip” them into smaller pieces. Then, to give in to the boys, I add some good quality dark chocolate. The additional liquids means a longer bake time, so watch your muffins closely. I also always use unbleached cupcake lines and a great pampered chef stoneware muffin pan. This way there is no aluminum leeching into the muffins.

You could add other items depending on your child’s likes and dislikes. I’ve done grated carrots and dried fruits such as raisins or prunes, I’ve added chia or flax seeds – but I don’t know if baking changes any of their nutritional qualities. We never use processed oils, but choose either butter or coconut oil for our baked goods. They are healthier fats according to the Weston A. Price Foundation, which is a nutritional group that suggests traditional foods instead of processed items.

Of course, as I said before, these muffins aren’t perfect since they do contain refined flours, but the kids love them. I know I have upped the nutritional content to some degree and they are served with more protein and some fruit. This morning the kids even drank some of my homemade kombucha. We aren’t perfect eaters, yet, but it is my goal to improve each and every day. I hope you find this to be a useful method of adding nutrition to foods. You can sneak more veggies and fruit, fiber or protein into the foods you will already be eating. Of couse this should never be your families primary way of getting their fruits and veggies, but why not let it supplement the way you already eat and give them a little more nutritious punch with every bite?

Stay Well