Quality Time In the Kitchen

** Peyton and I making Daddy's favorite Bran Muffins **

Since Mike and I are totally "commit to be fit" and he LOVES starting the day off with something nutritious, I have found this incredible Fat Free Bran Muffin recipe that will have you wondering how something this GREAT can be fat free, not to mention an excellent way to spend quality time with your children.Peyton loves to help me bake, this is a creative and fun way to implement a healthy diet and eating habits while incorporating learning skills like counting, one-to-one addition, and sequencing.

Not A Stay-at-Home Mom....... that's ok. They are super quick and easy. Having done both at one time I was always looking for QUALITY activities to do with my son since we were missing the quantity. Here's some photos from our experience:

(Scroll to the bottom for this recipe that I found on my favorite nutritionist's website.)

Say Cheese!!!!!!

Peyton likes to have little bites while we are preparing the mixture......
Remember to ADD THE EGGS LAST in case your kiddos like to do this!!!

When I am measuring I use one-to-one counting for example, "Peyton, we need three cups of flour....
Let's count..... One cup, two cups, three cups.  All done!!"  Believe me, THEY GET IT!!!
I always allow him to do the work.... No child wants to sit their and watch you do it alone.  Don't be afraid to make a mess; children need to learn that we clean up after we make a mess.

I love to teach Peyton words in sequence to expand his vocabulary like,

"First we add the pumpkin, next we add the flour....etc, last we add the cranberries." 

It's such a joy to see him use those words later while making some....

"Mommy, first I color green, then I color red."

Yesm allowing them to stir will make a mess..... but who cares.  Tell them to stir gently and guide them.  At first they will make a bt of a mess, but will start to be more careful after time.

Waching the mixer do all the work!! 
You dont need an electric stand miser for this...... a hand mixer is fine.  This just sits on my counter.

Preparing the baking pans!!  Pam works GREAT so that you don't have to buy all those little baking cups.  They will pop out with a frosting spatula with no problem.

Helping mommy hold the baking pans while I scoop.
I use a small Ice Cream Scooper..... Two scoops for a regular muffin pan- three for jumbo muffin pans.

Before we put them in the oven..... 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

After the come out of the oven...... I love how RUSTIC they look!!

Peyton is my taste tester!!!!

"Mommy that taste good!  I like it"

Fat Free Pumpkin Bran Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup canned Libby's Pumpkin Puree

1 cup Raisin Bran Flakes

3/4 cups skim milk

2 lrg egg whites

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour (All-Purpose Flour optional)

2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp table salt

1/2 cup dried cranberries (raisins optional)

1 tbsp of all natural honey

***  The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of brown sugar. 

I substitute the honey for the sugar as an all natural alternative.

Mix thoroughly and bake in 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. 

Allow to cook on cooling rack for 20 minutes before trying.