Oat ‘n Dried Plum Muffins

[Mood Tip: In a study from Tufts University in Boston, researchers found dried plums had twice the antioxidant activity of any other fruit or vegetable studied. An antioxidant-rich diet helps prevent memory loss.]

These multi-grain muffins supply a hefty dose of antioxidants, B vitamins, calcium, iron, and magnesium and are a sweet, but nutritious, addition to breakfast or a mid-morning snack. You also get a half serving of fruit in each muffin! Top with peanut butter or apricot jam and serve with a glass of nonfat milk.

Ingredients:

cooking spray

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup Splenda

1/4 cup cornmeal

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

dash of salt

1 cup packed pitted lemon-essence dried plums, chopped (approximately 30 plums)

1 cup nonfat plain yogurt

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup liquid egg substitute (equivalent of 1 whole egg)

Directions:

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 12-muffin pan with cooking spray and set aside.

1) In a large bowl, whisk together until completely blended: flour, oats, sugar, Splenda, cornmeal, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

2) In a medium bowl, blend dried plums, yogurt, oil, and egg substitute. (An alternative method is to place 1/3 of plums and rest of ingredients in blender and whip until smooth. Mix rest of chopped plums into this liquid and proceed to step 3.)

3) Make a hole in the middle of the flour mixture, pour into the hole the plum mixture and stir until dry ingredients are barely moistened. Spoon batter evenly into 12 muffin cups. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into middle of muffin comes out clean. Set on rack to cool. Makes 12 muffins.

Nutritional Analysis per muffin: 203 Calories; 23 percent fat (5.2 grams); <0.5 grams saturated fat; 10 percent protein; 67 percent carbohydrate; 2.8 grams fiber.

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This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. Do not use the information from this article for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your health care provider promptly. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice because of something you have read in this article.