blueberry yogurt muffins

from cooking light magazine

a great alternative to heavy or boxed muffins. so easy and delightful! =)

2 C all-purpose flour
1/3 C sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 C unsweetened orange juice (concentrate)*
2 TB vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) carton vanilla low-fat yogurt
1 egg
1 C fresh or frozen blueberries
vegetable cooking spray
1 TB sugar

combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture. In separate bowl, whisk orange juice and next 4 ingredients (mix well). Add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. gently fold in blueberries.

divide batter evenly among 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray; sprinkle 1 TB sugar evenly over muffins. bake @ 400º for 18 minutes or until golden. remove muffins from pan immediately; let cool on wire rack.

* concentrate doesn't have to be totally thawed, just enough to get out what you need. for the yogurt, just use what you have on hand even if it's not low-fat (although that obviously changes things).

enjoy!

rice pudding

1 C whipping cream
3/4 C sugar
1/2 C white rice (uncooked)
4 C 2% milk

combine all ingredients in glass baking dish.
cook @ 325º for 2 hours.

serve with raspberry sauce or cinnamon sprinkled on top.

delish!

greek yogurt

i have yogurt issues lately (makes me gag!) but i can still eat greek strained yogurt. i LOVE this as a snack because it has tons of protein and is not full of sugar.

my favorite brand is fage.

i buy the 2% (the regular has a lot of fat but is oh so good!). i've tried the strawberry and honey, both are delish. i usually just buy the yogurt and add my own honey or fruit. also, don't be tempted to stir this yogurt – it's not necessary and ruins the consistency.

enjoy!

wanted: SNACKS & EASY LUNCHES

what are you go-to snacks? do you have a favorite easy/simple lunch you just throw together?

share your food tidbits to help all of us get out of the rut, but still spend minimal time putting together a tasty snack or an easy lunch.

start posting! no recipe required. :-)