Corn "Popcorn" - Snack on "C" Day

Well it's time for a snack and I'm using CORN

I've decided to snack on Popcorn, which is Corn Kernels, after all.  :)   When eating popcorn I do not add salt or butter, it doesn't need it. There are so many varieties to choose from, you can even find blue and red kernels, which give a slight light blue and red hue to popped corn. 

Popped Corn

Popcorn is a whole grain, making it a good-for-you food. It provides energy-producing complex carbohydrates, contains fiber and is naturally low in fat, if not using added butter or oils. Popcorn satisfies the appetite and 3 cups worth is equal to one serving from the grain group.

Popcorn, Air-Popped

Nutrient	Unit	1 Value per 100.0g	1 cup 8g	1.0 oz 28.35g
Proximates
Water	g	3.32	0.27	0.94
Energy	kcal	387	31	110
Protein	g	12.94	1.04	3.67
Total lipid (fat)	g	4.54	0.36	1.29
Carbohydrate, by difference	g	77.90	6.23	22.08
Fiber, total dietary	g	14.5	1.2	4.1
Sugars, total	g	0.87	0.07	0.25
Minerals
Calcium, Ca	mg	7	1	2
Iron, Fe	mg	3.19	0.26	0.90
Magnesium, Mg	mg	144	12	41
Phosphorus, P	mg	358	29	101
Potassium, K	mg	329	26	93
Sodium, Na	mg	8	1	2
Zinc, Zn	mg	3.08	0.25	0.87
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid	mg	0.0	0.0	0.0
Thiamin	mg	0.104	0.008	0.029
Riboflavin	mg	0.083	0.007	0.024
Niacin	mg	2.308	0.185	0.654
Vitamin B-6	mg	0.157	0.013	0.045
Folate, DFE	mcg_DFE	31	2	9
Vitamin B-12	µg	0.00	0.00	0.00
Vitamin A, RAE	mcg_RAE	10	1	3
Vitamin A, IU	IU	196	16	56
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)	mg	0.29	0.02	0.08
Vitamin D (D2 + D3)	µg	0.0	0.0	0.0
Vitamin D	IU	0	0	0
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)	µg	1.2	0.1	0.3
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated	g	0.570	0.046	0.162
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated	g	1.100	0.088	0.312
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated	g	1.900	0.152	0.539
Cholesterol	mg	0	0	0
Other
Caffeine	mg	0	0	0

Have you popped some corn lately?

Blueberry Muffins - Snack Time - "B" day

So I made a snack on "B" day and I used BLUEBERRIES

I made BLUEBERRY MUFFINS. I absolutely love these blueberry mini muffins. They are so cute and tasty, with every bite full of juicy blueberry goodness, it's hard to resist eating more than one at a time.

The baking time in this recipe for mini muffins is 18 minutes, but by all means go ahead and bake regular size muffins, by baking them for around 26 minutes.

Yields: 24 mini muffins

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar, plus 1 Tbsp for muffin tops
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1/3 - 1/2 cup reduced fat (2%) milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon, plus 1 Tbsp for muffin tops
1 cup frozen wild blueberries (or fresh small ones)

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Then line (or spray with cooking oil), a 24 mini muffin tray pan.

Combine flour, 3/4 cup of sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and the salt in a large bowl with a whisk. Whisk at least 10 times to make sure the baking powder and salt have evenly dispersed.

Next, add vegetable oil to a measuring jug that holds at least 1 cup. Add the egg then fill the jug to the 1 cup line with milk (this should be 1/3 to 1/2 cup of milk). Add vanilla extract and whisk until combined.

Add milk mixture to the bowl with flour and sugar then use a fork to combine. Do not over mix. (The muffin batter will be quite thick). Add blueberries and use a spatula or spoon to gently fold the blueberries into the muffin batter.

Lastly sprinkle the sugar/cinnamon mixture on top of each muffin before putting in the oven.

Place in oven for 18 minutes (with liners) and about 15 minutes (without liners).

Enjoy!

BLUEBERRIES

Blueberries are a Superstar Super Food and consist of 85% water. They contain potent antioxidants that can help with arthritis, age-related memory loss, and eyesight problems, among having many other hosts of vitamins and health benefits.

1 cup, fresh

Vitamin K  31.7%
Manganese  25%
Vitamin C  19.1%
Fiber  14.2%
Copper 8.8%


Are you eating blueberries?

Apple Muffins - Snack Time on Letter "A" Day

Ok, 

I made Apple Muffins for a snack on "A" day. You can't go through the super foods without using Apples!

 "An apple a day keeps the Doctor away!"     So true!

These are deliciously moist and full of appley goodness with a hint of cinnamon in the background. The raisins and walnuts don't overpower these one bit! When I  bake them again, I would even throw in another 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and thus need to increase cooking time to 1 minute more, checking continuously, of course.

I made these muffins into mini muffins, but you could bake regular muffins to, just bake for 8 - 13 minutes longer. (original recipe says 25 - 30 minutes)

Ingredients

Yield:
24  (32 chunky fat mini muffins)

4 cups peeled granny smith apples, ¼ inch dice (1 ½ lbs) (about 3 apples)
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, beaten lightly
1/2 cup canola oil (I used Vegetable oil, that's what I had on hand…same thing basically) OR YOU COULD USE APPLESAUCE AND ADD TO THE APPLEY GOODNESS OF THESE MUFFINS!
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins (I used 3/4 cup)
1 cup chopped walnuts (I used 3/4 cup)

Directions:

1. In a large bowl toss together the apples and the sugar.
2. In a small bowl whisk together the eggs, the oil, and the vanilla.
3. In a third bowl stir together well with a fork the flour, the baking soda, the cinnamon and salt.
4. Stir the egg mixture into the apple mixture; add the flour andd stir the batter until just combined.
5. Batter will be stiff.
6. Stir in raisins and walnuts.
7. Divide the batter between 24 greased mini muffin tins.
8. Bake in a preheated 325 oven for 25-30 minutes. (18 - 19 minutes for Mini muffin version)

SOME APPLE FACTS:

There are several antioxidant benefits from apples. In particular is the strong ability of apples to decrease oxidation of cell membrane fats. This is especially important in our cardiovascular system since oxidation of fat (called lipid peroxidation) in the membranes of cells that line our blood vessels is a primary risk factor for clogging of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and other cardiovascular problems. 

Nutrition Facts (Raw, with skin)

Serving Size 1 apple (large, 3-1/4" diameter (223 g)

Per Serving% Daily Value*

Calories 116

Calories from Fat 0

Total Fat 0g0%

Saturated Fat 0g0%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0g

Monounsaturated Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg0%

Sodium 2mg0%

Potassium 238.61mg7%

Carbohydrates 30.8g10%

Dietary Fiber 5.4g22%

Sugars 23.2g

Protein 0g

Vitamin A 0% · Vitamin C 28%

Calcium 0% · Iron 6%