Yummy Healthy Edible Muffins

Fanua, Naki and I discovered these oh so yummy! muffins at a local bakery in Boise when we were waiting for the 5K run to start one brisk, early morning in October. Since then I've tried several times to recreate this memorable taste by trial and error; heck, I even buttered up their local newspaper columnist to request and publish the recipe (to boost their readership s0 badly needed) with no luck. Anyway, Nana, Tori & Mele, Fanua, Nisi, & Anna's families have been my willing taste test guinea pigs and by George, I do believe I've nailed it! Here's Dylan gleefully scarfing one and the other photo is Fanua, Amanaki and myself awaiting the start of the fun event.

Mum's Morning Glory Muffins (ala Zeppole’s Bakery, Boise, ID)

½ cup white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour
½ cup ground flaxseed meal

¾ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar

1 TBSP cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt

3 eggs
½ cup pumpkin puree

¼ cup oil
1 TBSP vanilla

1 cup grated carrots
1 cup grated zucchini

1 apple, peeled & grated
½ cup chopped pecans

½ cup crushed pineapple (drained)
1 cup raisins (soaked in OJ or pineapple juice– to cover raisins)

Preheat oven to 375 deg. Spray or lightly oil 18 muffin cups.

Large bowl – whisk together eggs, pumpkin puree, oil & vanilla.
Medium bowl – flour, flaxseed meal, sugars, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda & salt. Stir in carrots, zucchini, apple & raisins. Add to pumpkin puree mix until just moistened. Add pecans & pineapple.

Spoon batter into muffin cups, ¾ full. Bake for 20 mins. or until they spring back when lightly pressed.

The Office

As in my favorite TV show...seriously, who could not love The Office?

And not the British version, the US version. Having grown up on British telly, I find it mind boggling that I'm not a fan but really, the US version is just my cup of tea. I'm almost done with Season 5 (yay NetFlix) and it only improves with each season. My girls love this show and in my office life I can relate - there's a Dwight Schrute in my office, a Toby, a Jim, a Pam, a Daryl, a Ryan, definitely quite a few Kelly Kapoor's (hello, I'm in Utah...ha ha), ditto Phyllis. They all rock - Stanley, Creed, Oscar, Angela, level headed David Wallace, The Nard Dog, Meredith, Kevin, Jan, Karen & Holly. But Nisi reckons I am most like the quirky, insecure and loveable Michael Scott - I just want everyone to be happy. You nailed it...ha ha.

Zucchini Pineapple Bread

A tribute to my daughters who love to cook and here's to the abundance of summer zucchini! This is my favorite recipe for zucchini bread and credit goes to Paula Deen (fun & super talented cooking guru). The pineapple makes all the difference and this recipe beats the other zucchini breads/cakes I've baked, hands down! Plus, it's Nana's favorite as well.

Ingredients

1. 1 3/4 cups sugar


2. 1 cup vegetable oil


3. 3 large eggs


4. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


5. 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour


6. 1 teaspoon baking soda


7. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


8. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder


9. 1/2 teaspoon salt


10. 2 1/2 cups shredded zucchini


11. 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained


12. 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 (9x5-inch) loaf pans.


2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth.


3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Add to sugar mixture, beating until smooth. Stir in zucchini, pineapple, and pecans.


4. Pour batter into prepared loaf pans. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until a tester inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

Makes 2 loaves

Maui No Ka Oi

In early June, a group of my SkyWest girlfriends and I went to Maui for a few days. We are long time friends (Jill Jones, Marla McDonald, Karalee Smith & Larraine Caldwell) united by our place of employment but friends because well, we're a super nice, fun loving bunch of ladies who enjoy traveling, laughing, eating and shopping. Stayed on the Wailea side of Maui at the WorldMark timeshare condos. We rented a mini van and aside from the swap meet, Kihei cafe/Zippy's (& more) dining, ABC store, early morning walks & beautiful downtown Lahaina we spent equal time at the beach and resort swimming pool working on our tans.

You are the butter on my bread & the breath in my life

Meryl Streep will surely get an academy award nomination for playing Julia Child in "Julie & Julia". All characters did an awesome job, it was mostly wholesome and so sweet! Funny, delightful and quality relationships which was inspiring. Go see it!

Mele's Hair Accessories

Check out my creative daughter's (Meletule) original and noteworthy bridal hair accessories on her website http://www.tulet.etsy.com/etsy.com/

Update - Latanya's Yap Address

Please write Latanya in Yap (packages & letters anticipated and gleefully accepted by Sister Pikula)

PO Box 456

Colonia, Yap 96932 FSM