Honey Bran Muffins & Distractions

Sadly, it has been just over a week since my last post.  I know.  It never hurts to state the obvious.

I hadn’t planned on it being that long.  I had planned to get another entry done a week ago before my family left for a weekend of fun at a water park.  That didn’t happen.  I had also planned to blog on Monday after we got back; surrounded by luggage, empty snack containers, and the magna-doodle that keeps our kids busy in the back seat on road trips.  That didn’t happen.  My husband planned on going to work this week too.  That didn’t happen.

Appendicitis is what happened.  For my husband, that is.  Surgery Monday night and a week to recover.  You just can’t plan everything, can you?!  But now Mike and I are scar buddies.  Granted, I had my appendix out when I was 18 weeks pregnant so our experiences were a little different, but still!

So my week has gone a little differently than I planned.  I thought I would be cooking all week because my husband can’t lift anything over ten pounds, hence, no working on the house.  Which means my temporary kitchen will be clean for a few more days.  But really, I ended up either ordering out, a reality in a house being renovated, or cooking food that I have already shared with you.  Simple Soup, Stuffed Shells-pause for play time while I scoot down the stairs on my butt with Eli-Blueberry Sr. Cream Coffee Cake Muffins, and Vegetables With Pasta (not pasta with vegetables).  And right now, I have BBQ Pulled Pork in the oven for Mike to take into his crew when he goes back to work.  These recipes I post aren’t just any recipes people!  They are my recipes!  And yours too, I hope.  So when I say I make them all the time, I do actually make them.  All.  The.  Time.

So speaking of things I make a lot, I should add muffins to the list.  I’m sorry!  I am hooked!  They are fast, easy, perfect for snacking or a quick breakfast, and generally good for you.  The perfect package of carb-o-licious goodness.  As bran muffins go, this is one of our favorites.

Honey Bran Muffins 
Feel free to use maple syrup in place of the honey.  If you want the maple flavor more pronounced, add 1/2 tsp of maple extract as well.

In a small bowl, stir together:
1 3/4 c low fat buttermilk
2 c All Bran
Let sit for 5 minutes until cereal is soft and buttermilk is absorbed.  Add:
2 eggs
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c honey
1/4 c canola oil
Mix all ingredients until combined.  Add:
1 c white whole wheat flour, whole wheat flour, or all purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients just until combined.  Do not over mix.  Bake in a sprayed muffin tin at 350 for 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out with only a few moist crumbs attached.
Note: Add 1/2 c chopped walnuts and/or 3/4 c raisins, if desired.