In the Mood to Bake

In an effort to be healthy, everybody is looking for new recipes that provide great taste without the calories and fat. Below I've listed 3 muffin recipes that pack big flavor without costing you. They all freeze wonderfully as well.  

Oat & Carrot (3 Points on Weight Watchers)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Country Choice organic Multigrain Hot Cereal (uncooked) from Trader Joe’s
• 1 ½ cups flour
• 1 tsp baking power
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon (more if you want a stronger taste)
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 cup no sugar added applesauce
• Handful of shredded carrots
• ½ cup fat free or low fat milk
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ non-fat plain European style yogurt (trader Joe’s brand)
• 1 egg

Directions:

• Pre-Heat oven to 400 Degrees.
• Combine oats, flour, baking powder and baking soda and cinnamon in a large bowl and mix well.
• In a separate bowl mix together the applesauce, milk, brown sugar, yogurt, egg, carrots and cloves.
• Add the dry ingredients and stir/mix until the dry ingredients are moistened.
• Bake for 18 – 20 minutes.
• Makes 9 muffins

Rosewater, Berry & Polenta Muffins (3 Points on Weight Watchers)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup loose Polenta (I bought the Golden Pheasant brand from Safeway on Tassajara Road and Dublin Blvd.)
• 1 cup flour
• 3 tsp. baking power
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• ½ cup Rosewater (I bought this from Grand Sahara middle eastern market off of Dublin Blvd).
• 1/2 cup no sugar added applesauce
• Handful of dried berries (any combination that you see at the store. I bought a mixture from Safeway that included Cherries, plums, cranberries, blueberries and Raspberries. All are high in antioxidants).
• ½ cup fat free or low fat milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• ¼ non-fat plain European style yogurt (trader Joe’s brand)

Directions:

• Pre-Heat oven to 425 Degrees.
• Combine all ingredients in your mixer and mix on a low speed.
• Pour into muffin tins and bake for 22 minutes
• Makes 11 muffins

Apricot & Orange Zest Polenta Muffins (3 Points on Weight Watchers)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup loose Polenta (I bought the Golden Pheasant brand from Safeway on Tassajara Road and Dublin Blvd.)
• 1 cup flour
• 3 tsp. baking power
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• Juice of ½ an Orange
• Zest of one orange
• 1/2 cup no sugar added applesauce
• Handful of diced dried Trader Joe’s brand apricots
• 1 cup fat free or low fat milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• ¼ non-fat plain European style yogurt (trader Joe’s brand)
• 1 egg

Directions:

• Pre-Heat oven to 425 Degrees.
• Combine all ingredients in your mixer and mix on a low speed.
• Pour into muffin tins and bake for 22 minutes
• Makes 12 muffins

Motivation

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily." ~ Zig Ziglar

    How appropriate is this quote for the new year? It reminds us that our journey toward health is less about perfection and will power, and more about practice and consistency. I hope this quote provides you with a laugh as well as a bit of encouragement to keep walking forward toward your goals for the New Year.

PIlates in the Home

Tree House Pilates is now announcing at home Pilates. Most people today have busy schedules that make going to the gym difficult. If you're looking for a workout at home, contact me via email or phone and I will bring a Pilates workout to you at your home. This is a great way to fit your workout into your schedule the privacy of your own home.

All things PIlates

If you're interested in buying Pilates equipments, finding studios in your area, or going through a Pilates certification process, I've listed several Pilates websites that can provide you the information you need.

Balanced Body Pilates:  http://www.pilates.com/BBAPP/V/index.html
Stott Pilates: http://www.stottpilates.com/
Pilates Method Alliance: www.pilatesmethodalliance.org/

New Beginnings

   It was  six years ago, this month, that I began my journey of health. I mustered all the courage I had, asked for a great deal of help, and began the process of weight loss. I began with Pilates twice a week at Action in Motion Pilates and Physical Therapy and slowly added running and weight training. The more confident I became in my physical strength, the more empowered I felt to try new forms of exercise like swimming, hiking, boxing and Barre Method classes.  I joined Weight Watchers in June of 2005 and made some life long friendships (as well as shed 90 pounds). Two years ago I started teaching Pilates and in a few months I will begin the process of studying to become a Personal Trainer. It is my hope that I will be able to give back to others the same gifts that I have been given...health, physical strength, and confidence in myself to accomplish what seems like the impossible. Come join me on this amazing journey towards a healthier new you!

Tip of the Month: January

§      Make your New Years Resolution manageable.  How many people have made a New Year’s Resolution they haven’t kept? Raise your hands; I know I’m not the only one out there. J Why is it that so many goals made with good intentions are not met? I think that for most people, they make their resolutions (especially those related to personal health and fitness) difficult to attain. They don’t make them manageable, and they don’t lay the correct groundwork to help them succeed. Here’s your first tip of the year: Make your Resolution for better health do-able. Start with a small goal and build upon that. Your goal could be anything from exercising 3 days a week consistently for a month to simply finding a form of exercise that you like (or at the very least can tolerate enough to do consistently). Once you become comfortable with that task, raise your goal to the next level. If you were exercising 3 days a week for 30 minutes each day, add a fourth day. The key is to build consistency. Put one foot in front of the other, and when your motivation begins to disappear, ask for help from a friend who will not let you quit, but will keep you motivated to accomplish your goal. 

January Savings:

§      Get fit for the new Year:  Mention this special on my blog and you can get 10% off your first session.  If you enjoy your first session and you Book a package of 5 sessions with me, you’ll get 10% off your first package. Price. (redeemable at action in motion Pilates and Physical Therapy).