Blueberry Muffins

So a blueberry muffin sounds healthy, right? After all it is a muffin and it has blueberries! Aren't blueberries a fruit? Well as a matter of fact an average muffin has between 400-500 calories! And that is only the blueberry ones! Dunkin Donut's regular blueberry muffins have 500 calories and 20 grams of fat! While the reduce fat blueberry muffins have 450 calories and just 15 grams of fat. But still 15 grams, 20 grams- that is way too much!! Bottom line blueberry muffins purchased out are a big NO NO. However, there are alternatives. You ca still eat blueberry muffins- just be careful where they come from.

If you insist on buying them, I suggest you buy Vita Muffins. There muffins are the same size as regular Dunkin Donuts one but it just has 200 calories and 1 gram of fat and 8 grams of fiber! WOW! Right? However after all this is a cooking blog, so I am going to give you my favorite blueberry muffin recipe - it's healthy, low calorie and low fat - YOU WILL LOVE THEM!!

Blueberry Low Fat Muffins
2 egg whites
3/4 cup of skim milk
1 3/4 cups of whole wheat flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. low sodium salt
1 cup of fresh blueberries

1. preheat oven too 400*
2. mix the egg whites with the skim milk and vegetable oil
3. mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt together - then add in the egg mixture
4. mix in the blueberries and stir well.
5. place the muffin mixture into muffin pans (makes 12)
6. bake in oven at 400* for 25 minutes (or until done)

Each muffin has 150 calories and 5 grams of fat

Yummy!!!

Vegetable Pot Pie

Vegetable Pot Pie- is a very easy and healthy dinner that everyone in the family will love! It may sound scary since there are so many ingredients but I will tell you that it is worth it. Don't be scared, it's easy to make. I made this for dinner last night, I actually made enough for two dinners, thinking we would have left overs. Well I should have know that dad was coming to dinner and had seconds and thirds! Which made me happy- since everyone loves it! and because I get to make something else for dinner tomorrow night! (I love cooking!)

Vegetable Pot Pie
2-3 tbsp. olive oil (for cooking)
Small onion- chopped and diced
1/2 cup of canned mushrooms- halves and pieces
3/4 cup of canned or frozen corn
3/4 cup of frozen peas
Small red potato- peeled and chopped
Cup of carrots chopped- 1 1/2 large carrots OR 10 baby carrot sticks
2 1/2 tbsp. of whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. onion powder
dash of garlic
12oz of chicken broth

(Preheat oven to 425*)
1. in large skillet heat oil and cook onions until they are translucent- about 5 minutes
2. add the chopped and washed carrots and potatoes to the skillet and cook- about 8 minutes
3. add in the frozen peas, corn and mushrooms and mix until heated- about 4 minutes
4. add in the salt, onion powder, garlic and flour and chicken brother- let continue to cook for about 3 minutes (keep stirring until somewhat thick)
5. take the crust and line it in the dish, then pour the vegetable mixture into the dish- cover it again with the rest of the puff pastry and bake in the oven at 425* for 30-35 minutes

Enjoy--this low calories, healthy and filling!
Yummy! (Don't expect left overs from this dish, this is definite crowd pleaser)