Simple Snack: Very Berry Corn Muffins

In addition to cooking dinner every night almost every night, I like to make or buy snacks that I can pack in lunches or just throw in my bag.  When I pick up the Toddler from daycare on Tuesdays and Fridays we usually run errands or go to the playground before heading home, so I like to be able to whip out a snack in case she gets hungry.  So non-perishable snacks are key.  Truthfully, I usually bring Goldfish crackers or Wheat Thins.  But not this week!

On Sunday morning I decided to use up my one box of corn muffin mix to make mini-muffins.  They came out pretty good, and they are definitely portable for me and the Toddler.  According to the Husband, the muffins should be enjoyed with butter.  So he will be having some for breakfast.

Very Berry Corn Muffins
Ingredients:
corn muffin mix (I used Jiffy, which called for 1 egg and 1/3 C milk)
1 C blueberries
1/3 C dried, sweetened cranberries
non-stick cooking spray or muffin tin liners

Directions
Make corn muffin mix according to directions
Add berries

clearly I have to clean my camera.  pardon the smudge

Combine the berries with the mix and pour into muffin tins.
Bake according to box directions

When they come out, enjoy as-is, or add a little butter to them.  Either way, they are pretty easy to make (7 mins without baking time) and pretty easy to pop into your mouth!

A Simple Snack

In addition to cooking dinner every night almost every night, I try to make or buy snacks that I can pack for lunches or put in my bag for either the Toddler or for me.  Since I usually pick up the Toddler from daycare and then run errands, I try to pack non-perishable snacks so it can just be kept in my bag until she is hungry.  Truthfully, the snack usually ends up being Goldfish crackers.  Sometimes Wheat Thins.  But not this week!

On Sunday morning I found a box of cornbread mix in my pantry and decided to throw some berries into the mix and make mini muffins.  They came out pretty good!  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
1 box cornbread mix (I used Jiffy, which called for 1 egg and 1/3 C milk)
1 C blueberries
1/3 C dried, sweetened cranberries
Cooking spray or liners for muffins

Instructions:
mix cornbread mix with ingredients it calls for on the box.  Add blueberries and cranberries and mix.  Bake according to directions on box.

Since it is cornbread, it isn't that sweet.  But the muffins are pretty tasty and easy to pop in your mouth!  Also, minus the baking time, it took me 7 mins. 

How about a smoothie?

When I want something other than eggs for breakfast, I usually make a smoothie.  But smoothies are great anytime!  And, depending on what you put in your smoothie, it can be your entire meal!

Real Simple magazine recently had a yummy-looking spread on smoothies.  I particularly liked the look of the Raspberry and Nut smoothie

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup low-fat milk
• 3/4 cup frozen raspberries
• 1/2 banana
• 1 tablespoon natural almond or peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon agave nectar or honey

 

 

Directions

1. Place the milk, raspberries, banana, almond butter, and agave nectar in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and frothy.

Since I don't have agave nectar, I would use honey.  Also - peanut butter instead of almond butter.

My go-to smoothie is pretty simple:

1/2 banana
1 T. peanut butter
vanilla or chocolate protein powder (1 or 2 scoops depending on brand)
5-6 ice cubes
enough skim milk to cover all the ingredients

What's your favorite smoothie recipe?